Press Releases

Yesterday, Senate Democrats and Republicans on the HELP Committee voted to advance eight bills out of committee to address health challenges families and communities face   Murray: “These eight bills are a testament to what’s possible when we focus on bipartisan, common sense solutions.”    Murray: “I hope we...

Senator Murray: College Accreditation and State Authorization Rule “Undermines Quality Assurance and Oversight of Higher Education,” calls for issue to be resolved in comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act Washington D.C. — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health,...

“I often suggest Tennesseans look at Washington D.C. like a split screen television. On one side, you have the controversies of the day – Democrat impeachment and the president’s daily tweets. But on the other side, you’ll often see senators working together to achieve results for the American people. That has been the case...

WASHINGTON, October 30, 2019 — Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said “to celebrate Halloween, Senate Democrats have come up with a scary fairytale without an ounce of truth.” Alexander made his remarks today on the Senate floor before Democrats tried unsuccessfully to block the Trump...

Tomorrow, Democrats will force Republicans to vote on legislation to reverse the Trump administration’s rule encouraging states to promote junk health insurance plans and threaten pre-existing condition protections   Republicans will have to go on the record and show whether they stand with patients and families, or the Trump...

In a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, Democrats slam the ongoing delay and reported weakening of Trump Administration’s promised action to address epidemic of youth tobacco use   E-cigarette use among teens continues to grow, largely fueled by flavored products   Senators: “[The Trump Administration] must not bow to industry...

Letter requests information regarding Menashi’s role in the case against the Department of Education that has led to a contempt citation against Secretary DeVos for failure to comply with a court order to stop collecting payments from defrauded student borrowers   Menashi served as Acting General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel for...

In two letters to NLRB members, Murray criticizes decisions undermining confidence and trust in agency charged with protecting workers’ rights   In letter to Chairman Ring, Murray criticizes unprecedented break from rulemaking standards, urges NLRB to act fairly and impartially   In letter to Board Member Kaplan, Murray demands...

Senate Democrats will be forcing a vote on legislation to reverse President Trump’s rule encouraging states to promote junk insurance plans and undermine protections for people with pre-existing conditions   Murray: “I am here today to say that Republicans’ transparent health care charade is coming to an...

Senators urge HHS Secretary Alex Azar to reverse the policy and demand more information on why HHS decided to implement it   Policy could block up to two thirds of those applying for lawful permanent residence   Senators: “President Trump’s proclamation undermines the values that we stand for and are embedded in our health...

WASHINGTON, October 22, 2019 — U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Doug Jones (D-Ala.) today introduced legislation to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that nearly 20 million families fill out every year to apply for federal student aid.  “The 108-question FAFSA is one of the biggest...

New report shows improvements needed to thoroughly assess financial preparedness of servicemembers and efficacy of financial training efforts     New retirement system implemented last year increases importance of providing servicemembers with adequate resources, training, and information on financial management   Murray: “Our...

Senator Murray condemns Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for abandoning collection of data intended to help fight wage gap, wage discrimination   Murray: “People expect the EEOC to hold companies accountable for pay discrimination, not help them sweep it under the rug.”   Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S....

    GAO report offers recommendations on how Department of Education can help student parents access federal financial aid to pay for child care   Contrary to research, Department of Education rejects all three recommendations   Senators: “It is time for the Department to abandon its attacks on student parents and the...

Senator Murray continues pushing Department of Labor to explain hasty move to reorganize Employee Benefits Security Administration   Latest letter raises new questions following evasive response to Murray’s recent request for answers   Murray: Department’s woefully inadequate response “failed to provide any of the...

Murray: “President Trump's Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia is already proving exactly what I feared: that he'll really serve as a Secretary of Corporate Interests”   Murray: “Proposed rule seems to betray the compromise language Congress put into law just last year”   Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S....

Students in foster care may change schools frequently, impacting their academic achievement   Report shows federal support can help state-level agencies ensure that students in foster care remain at their school even when their foster care placement changes   Washington, D.C. –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member...

In a speech on the Senate floor, Murray urges the Senate to take up FUTURE Act and send it to the President’s desk     Murray: “Let's not threaten the funding for some of our most valuable institutions. We should pass the act right away. And then continue our committee's discussions.”   Murray: “Since the...

WASHINGTON, September 26, 2019 — Senate education committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today introduced a long-term solution to fund Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority Serving Institutions as part of a legislative package of eight bipartisan higher education proposals drafted by 35 Senators — 20...

WASHINGTON, September 25, 2019 — Senate labor committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said that the Senate should confirm Eugene Scalia to serve as Secretary of Labor. “I have received 32 letters in support of Mr. Scalia’s nomination from small business owners, employers, workers, and...