United States Senator Patty Murray

Senator Murray’s Statement on HELP Committee Vote to Confirm Thomas Perez as Labor Secretary

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray released the following statement after the Senate Health, Labor, Education, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted to confirm Thomas Perez as the next Secretary of Labor.

“Thomas Perez will bring a lifetime of unique experience and expertise to the Labor Department at time when it needs strong leadership, and today’s committee vote is an important step forward for his confirmation process.

“Unfortunately, since Mr. Perez was nominated, Senate Republicans have used his confirmation process to fight political battles, but I am hopeful the Senate will move forward decisively to confirm him as our next Labor Secretary.”

Murray Continues Calling for Republicans to Choose a Bipartisan Budget Conference Over Brinkmanship

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Murray asks to move to conference with the House for eighth time, blocked by Senator Mike Lee, UT...

Senator Murray’s Statement on Confirmation of Ernest Moniz as Energy Secretary

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Ernest Moniz as the Secretary of Energy.

“I’m very pleased that Dr. Moniz has been confirmed as Secretary of Energy to take on the difficult job of addressing our nation’s long-term energy needs and important priorities for Washington state like the Hanford site and the Bonneville Power Administration.

“I worked with Dr. Moniz when he served as undersecretary of energy during the Clinton Administration, and now that he has been confirmed, I look forward to working with him directly to ensure the federal government meets its legal obligations in the cleanup process at the Hanford site.”

Senators Introduce Murray-Backed Legislation to Prevent Student Loan Rate Hike

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Fully paid-for bill closes special interest tax loopholes to keep college affordable for millions of students; rates set to double on July 1 unless Congress acts...

Murray Statement on WRDA Provision to Address Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Issues

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Key provision would help Seattle, Tacoma ports prevent cargo diversion caused by the Harbor Maintenance Tax...

Murray Cosponsors Bill to Protect Pregnant Women from Workplace Discrimination

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) in introducing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. This critical legislation would ensure pregnant women are not unnecessarily forced out of jobs or denied reasonable job modifications during pregnancy. Currently, pregnant workers are being denied simple adjustments, such as permission to use a stool while working a cash register or to carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated, that would keep them working and supporting their families while maintaining healthy pregnancies. The legislation will close legal loopholes and ensure pregnant women are treated fairly on the job.

“No working woman should have to make a choice between a healthy pregnancy and her job,” said Senator Murray, an original cosponsor of the legislation. “Unfortunately, far too many women in America are faced with this decision each and every day. In addition to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, legislation like the Paycheck Fairness Act, the Fair Minimum Wage Act, and the Healthy Families Act are long overdue fixes I wholeheartedly support to fill the gaps in our workplaces and help provide a more level playing field for working women.”

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers and prevents employers from forcing women out on leave. The bill also bars employers from denying employment opportunities to women based on their need for reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

In recent and startling examples, Amy Crosby, a hospital cleaner in Tallahassee, Florida, was forced into unpaid leave from her job when the hospital refused to accommodate her doctor’s request that she not lift more than 20 pounds because of her pregnancy; Heather Wiseman, a retail worker in Salina, Kansas, was fired because she needed to carry a water bottle to stay hydrated and prevent bladder infections; and Victoria Serednyj, an activity director at a nursing home in Valparaiso, Indiana, was terminated because she required help with some physically strenuous aspects of her job to prevent having another miscarriage.

The federal legislation has the support of a broad coalition of civil rights and women’s advocacy organizations, unions, and business associations, including: A Better Balance; AFL-CIO; American Association of University Women; American Civil Liberties Union; American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; California Women’s Law Center; Equal Rights Advocates; Hadassah; Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights; Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center; Legal Momentum; Main Street Alliance; National Partnership for Women & Families; National Organization for Women Foundation; National Women’s Law Center; and many others.

Fort Hood: Senator Murray's Statement on Sexual Misconduct

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement in response to reports that a sexual assault prevention officer at Fort Hood has been charged with sexual misconduct:

"This is sickening. Twice now, in a matter of as many weeks, we've seen the very people charged with protecting victims of sexual assault being charged as perpetrators. It's an astonishing reminder that the Pentagon has both a major problem on its hands and a tremendous amount of work to do to assure victims - who already only report a small fraction of sexual assaults - that they are changing the culture around these heinous crimes. Secretary Hagel needs to act swiftly to reexamine sexual assault services across the Department to ensure that these disturbing betrayals of trust are ended. Its also time for Congress to move on legislation like the bipartisan bill that Senator Ayotte and I introduced last week that gives victims the protections they deserve to seek justice and that gives the Pentagon tools to deal with this growing crisis."

Senator Murray’s Statement on Furloughs for Civilian Military Employees Across Washington state

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Announcement will likely impact over 20,000 Washington state employees...

Chairman Murray’s Statement on Continued GOP Budget Obstruction

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Today, Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after Majority Leader Harry Reid asked for consent to move to a budget conference but then withdrew it after no Republicans came to the floor to respond.

“It has now been 51 days since the Senate and House have passed our respective budgets. Senate Democrats have tried five times to move to a conference committee where we can work together toward a balanced and bipartisan budget deal, but Senate Republicans have stood up and objected each time. This obstruction has lasted too long already, and I call on my Republican colleagues to stop blocking the budget process and allow us to move to conference.

“It’s not just Democrats who think we should move to conference, many Republicans agree. One of my Republican colleagues said it was ‘incomprehensible’ that his own leadership is blocking a budget conference after spending so much time talking about the importance of the Senate passing a budget and Congress returning to regular order. Another Senate Republican said he would ‘like to see a conference now.’ Hopefully Senate Republican leaders start listening to their own members and stop blocking what shouldn’t be a controversial step in the budget process.

“Instead of joining us in a bipartisan conference, House Republicans seem to be more focused on their party’s conference this week where they plan to decide what they’ll demand in exchange for not tanking the economy. This kind of brinksmanship is wrong, and it needs to end.

“The debt limit should not be a pawn that Republicans use to keep their Tea Party base happy. Republican leaders admitted earlier this year that, despite their rhetoric, they were not actually willing to drive the government into default and the economy over a cliff. The Boehner rule is already dead, even if the Tea Party won’t allow Speaker Boehner to admit it. So Republicans should stop stalling and playing political games that will do nothing more than hurt the economy and cause needless uncertainty.

“The American people are sick and tired of the lurching from crisis to crisis that is hurting the economy and causing uncertainty for families and communities across the country. I call on Republicans to allow us to move to a budget conference and join us at the table willing to make compromises and work toward a bipartisan deal.”

Chairman Murray’s Statement on the House Passage of HR 807, Debt Prioritization

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

“Instead of working with us to avoid another manufactured crisis, House Republicans now seem like they are actively working to drive us toward one.

“The bill the House passed today would put foreign creditors ahead of American seniors, veterans, students, and small business owners—and it would do nothing to ease the economic harm and uncertainty caused by a new round of Republican brinksmanship. The President has said he would veto this bill and it is a nonstarter in the Senate.

“Instead of debating with each other about what ransom they should demand in return for not tanking the economy, Republicans should join Democrats in a budget conference and allow us to get back to regular order and away from the constant crises.”

Murray to Senate Republicans: Return to Regular Order; End the Constant Lurching From Crisis to Crisis

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Senate Democrats try to move to conference with the House for fifth time, blocked by Minority Leader McConnell...

Murray Presses Air Force Officials on Military Sexual Assault

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Murray: “We don't want to be sitting here 20 years from now with the same statistics in front of us.”...

Murray to Senate Republicans: Return to Regular Order, Come To The Table Ready To Compromise, And Give American Families And Businesses The Certainty They Deserve

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Senate Democrats try to move to conference with the House for fourth time, blocked by Minority Leader McConnell...

Senator Murray’s Statement on Senate Republican Delay Tactics For Crucial Cabinet Nominee

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray released the following statement after Senate Republicans needlessly delayed the confirmation process of Thomas Perez, President Obama’s nominee to become next U.S. Secretary of Labor.

“At a time when our nation needs to develop a strong workforce to meet the demands of changing global economy and reauthorize important legislation like the Workforce Investment Act, Senate Republicans are once again playing politics with important, Cabinet-level nominations.

“Today’s political maneuver by Senate Republicans to block Mr. Perez’s confirmation process only serves to score political points while depriving the Department of Labor of a proven leader who is prepared to support our economy and workers across America.

“Since his nomination, Mr. Perez has been responsive, forthcoming, and cooperative, and I urge my Republican colleagues to allow his confirmation process to move forward.”

MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT: Murray Speaks on Senate Floor on Bill to Combat Military Sexual Assault

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:00:00 EST

Bill would provide greater victim resources while improving current DoD prevention programs ...

Murray, Ayotte Introduce Bill to Combat Military Sexual Assault

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:00:00 EST

Of the estimated 19,000 cases of military sexual assault in 2011, 3,192 were reported...

Sequestration’s cuts hit hardest behind headlines, agencies say

Jon Bauer — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Democrats in Congress have had a hard time convincing the public that sequestration is a problem. Their assertions that the automatic federal spending cuts are imperiling services for poor children, vulnerable seniors and the disabled are falling on disinterested ears. They know children are not getting booted in droves from Head Start programs, seniors are not getting dropped by the thousands from Meals on Wheels services and homeless teenagers are not getting sent back to the streets as shelters are shuttered. Not yet, at least. To most Americans, the sky hasn't fallen on their lives. And when the skies did get a touch unfriendly recently, Congress moved swiftly to end furloughs of air traffic controllers in order to end long waits for travelers. - Everett Herald

Cancer survivor: People like me die if research is cut

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Ever since the federal sequestration went into effect, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., is on what you might call a “sequestration tour” to point out how the cuts are affecting this state. She’s been to Head Start classes, met with furloughed military families, talked to seniors who rely on Meals on Wheels, and, today, met with cancer researchers and patients to hear their stories about worries about the cuts. “We need to replace the entire sequestration and do it in a responsible way,” Murray said. “I am deeply concerned that the message in Washington D.C., has been, oh the sequestration, a few airport lines, we’ve fixed it, all’s good.” During a tour of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Murray met a former patient, Lisa Verner, who had stem cell transplant a few years back to treat a life-threatening lymphoma. “If we don’t have the NIH funding these clinical trials, then people like me die,” Verner said, calling the sequester cuts “disastrous.” In all, there will be $44 million in NIH sequestration cuts in Washington state between now and September that will directly impact medical research. “We are severely hampering our ability to save lives in the future, to save costs in the future, and to do what the country has always done, which is to innovate and be a leader in the world,” said Murray. - Q13

KITSAP: Murray and Kilmer Host Roundtable on Impacts of Sequestration

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:00:00 EST

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Wednesday, May 1^st, 2013, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, chair of the Senate Budget Committee, and U.S. Rep Derek Kilmer (WA-6) visited the International Association of Machinists Hall in Bremerton to discuss the impacts of sequestration on social service providers and the communities they serve. Murray and Kilmer will meet with advocates and local officials to hear firsthand about the impacts of sequestration on their communities. Murray and Kilmer talked about the impact the federal budget has on the everyday lives of Washington families, especially regarding social services. Murray continued to stress the need for a balanced approach to addressing our current budget challenges and the need to invest in the middle-class to help Washington state’s economy grow.

“I don’t think it’s news to anyone here that from our shipyards to our schools and community centers – the cuts from sequestration are having a real impact already,” Senator Murray said at the event. “We know that military families could face furloughs, and that our shipbuilders – who do it better than anyone in the world – are hurt directly by defense cuts. But often it’s people who don’t have lobbyists in Washington, DC to fight for them that hurt the most. Here today, we have people who educate our children, help families that need housing assistance, work with small businesses, and provide crucial aid to the mentally ill. And each day – people like you are working to make Everett and Kitsap County a vibrant community that supports businesses and cares for all our neighbors – from our children to our seniors. That’s why I’m here today – because Congress needs to be focused on the impacts of sequestration in communities like this one.”

Participants included representatives from IAM 282, Paladin Data Systems, the Kitsap Credit Union, Kitsap Community Health Services, Kitsap Mental Health Services, the local YWCA, and the Bremerton Housing Authority.

Download full resolution photo.

Full text of Senator Murray’s comments, as prepared:

“Thank you, Flip, for that introduction.

“And thank you, Congressman Kilmer, for being here today.

“As all of you know, Derek Kilmer has hit the ground running since he arrived in Congress earlier this year.

“I’m grateful to have him with me to help fight for Bremerton and communities across our state.

“And I’m so glad to be here today to talk with all of you about how sequestration’s cuts are already impacting the lives of people in this community.

“I don’t think it’s news to anyone here that from our shipyards to our schools and community centers – the cuts from sequestration are having a real impact already.

“We know that military families could face furloughs, and that our shipbuilders – who do it better than anyone in the world – are hurt directly by defense cuts.

“But often – it’s people who don’t have lobbyists in Washington, DC to fight for them that hurt the most.

“Here today, we have people who educate our children, help families that need housing assistance, work with small businesses, and provide crucial aid to the mentally ill.

“And each day – people like you are working to make Everett and Kitsap County a vibrant community that supports businesses and cares for all our neighbors – from our children to our seniors.

“That’s why I’m here today – because Congress needs to be focused on the impacts of sequestration in communities like this one.

“In Washington, DC, we’ve been lurching from one crisis to the next, and it’s having a real impact on families across our state.

“Right here at Bremerton, sequestration hangs over the heads of military and civilian families alike: Critical social services are already being cut, military families could face furloughs and pay cuts, and in our local communities, everyone is forced to do more with less.

“On the news, we’ve heard about long lines at airports and other impacts of sequestration – but we don’t hear nearly enough about cuts to communities like this one.
“We don’t hear enough about the impact on people who don’t have a voice.

“And when I hear from people like you, it’s clearer than ever: these are the wrong cuts, at the wrong time, and we need to replace them by investing in our economy and middle-class families.

“So that is exactly what I’m doing.

“For first time in four years, my colleagues in the Senate and I passed a budget that I wrote to get our state and our country back on track.

“Our budget supports our children by investing in their education and preparing them for world ahead.

“Our budget ensures that seniors across our state can rely on Medicare and Social Security each month.

“It works for our veterans by providing them with job training programs and support when they return home.

“And our budget replaces the damaging cuts from sequestration that are impacting families and communities across our state, including everyone here in Everett.

“Passing this budget was an important first step, but we’re not there yet, and it’s not going to be easy.

“As all of you know, back in Washington DC, the debate too often comes down to a “my way or the highway” approach.

“Some of my colleagues in Congress still insist that we should try to grow our economy from the top-down, when we know we have to build from the middle-out.

“And we often hear that deficit reduction should come from all cuts or all revenue.

“But clearly, that approach has been damaging.

“We believe we need to replace sequestration with smart, sensible spending decisions, particularly with our defense budget, invest in the middle-class again, and put a stop to the practice of governing from crisis to crisis.

“So that’s what we’re working to do.

“And while we face tough budget realities, we have worked to ensure the cuts we make don’t come at the expense of families and communities that can afford it least.

“So I’m here to listen – because when I crafted this budget, and as I continue working to make smart spending decisions for our country, it’s the people in this room that I’m working for.

“Since taking on this new job of writing our nation’s budget, I’ve been working to change the idea that budgets are just about charts and graphs

“Our budget is about priorities and values – your priorities and your values.

“In the coming weeks, I’ll be working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle – including Congressman Kilmer – to get us to the balanced approach we need.

“But when I sit down to find compromises on the budget, I won’t forget the principles that have guided me through this process, and I won’t forget the people here today.

“So thank you again for having me here, and for all that you do for our community.”

Scientists feeling sequester pinch

Sandi Doughton — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:00:01 EST

The federal budget sequester is starting to squeeze biomedical research, Seattle scientists told Sen. Patty Murray on Tuesday. Some federal grants, which are the lifeblood of institutions like the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, have been cut by as much as half, said researchers who participated in a round-table discussion. At the UW School of Medicine, the bite adds up to $24 million so far, said Dr. John Slattery, vice dean for research and graduate education. The Hutch is facing layoffs, though the number remains uncertain, added Senior Vice President Dr. Fred Appelbaum. Already high, the bar for new funding has been raised even more. The branch of the National Institutes of Health that sponsors most diabetes research used to fund the top 20 percent of grant applications, said John Wecker, president and CEO of the Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute. Now, because of budget uncertainty, fewer than one in 10 applications make the cut. - Seattle Times