Minority News Releases

12.09.25

Senator Murray Grills Trump’s Trade Representative Over Administration’s Reckless Tariffs Driving Up Prices, Devastating Small Businesses

   Murray raises example of Tacoma-made Almond Roca while pressing Trump administration on effect of trade war on American businesses      Senator Murray has been outspoken about the harm Trump’s tariffs are causing in WA—one of the most trade-dependent states in the country; Murray has held numerous events in every corner of the state to hear from businesses, farmers, and border communities about effects of Trump’s trade war     ***WATCH: Senator Murray exchange with U.S. Trade Representat… Continue Reading


12.04.25

Senator Murray Statement Following Briefing on Lethal Second Strike of Boat in the Caribbean

  Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement following a bipartisan briefing on the Trump administration’s follow-up strike of a boat it attacked in the Caribbean on September 2, which killed all remaining survivors.   “I’m glad there is finally some bipartisan oversight of actions taken by this administration. That must continue.   “What we heard today was truly disturbing, and more accountab… Continue Reading


12.04.25

Murray, Baldwin, Sanders, Schumer, Colleagues Slam Latest Efforts to Dismantle the Department of Education; Call on McMahon to Reverse Illegal Moves That Weaken Support for Students

Washington, D.C. — Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led their colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary Linda McMahon slamming the … Continue Reading


12.03.25

At Hearing, Senator Murray Highlights Russia’s Barbaric Kidnapping of Ukrainian Children, Slams Trump for Eliminating Funding for Efforts to Track Victims

   Senator Murray: “Unfortunately, we simply cannot have this conversation without talking about the fact that, as Ranking Member Schatz mentioned, earlier this year the Trump Administration abruptly cut off funding to help track victims of Russian kidnapping and deliver justice.”    ***WATCH: Senator Murray questions witnesses on holding Russia accountable for kidnapping of thousands of Ukrainian children***    Washington, D.C. — Today, at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Fo… Continue Reading


11.24.25

Senator Murray Statement on Release of Partisan Energy and Water Development Bill

  Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, issued the following statement on the draft fiscal year 2026 Energy and Water Development appropriations act that Senate Republicans released today.   “While I am disappointed that Senate Republicans released a partisan bill instead of working with Senate Democrats—and I am especially disappointed by the cuts to critica… Continue Reading


11.24.25

Senator Murray Statement on Release of Partisan Financial Services and General Government Bill

  Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the draft fiscal year 2026 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill that Senate Republicans released today.    “It’s disappointing that Senate Republicans chose to release a partisan bill instead of working with Senate Democrats to reach a final compromise. While the FSGG bill funds critical functions of government, I wish this bill… Continue Reading


11.18.25

Senator Murray Statement on Trump’s Latest Steps to Keep Illegally Dismantling the Department of Education—Abandoning Students Nationwide

Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), issued the following statement on plans announced today to further dismantle the Department of Education—the only federal agency solely focused ensuring children can get a quality education—by transferring the administration of key Department functions administered by the Office of E… Continue Reading


11.13.25

Murray, Warren, Gillibrand, Smith Lead Senate Democrats in Calling on Trump’s HUD to Immediately Halt Plans to Upend Key Homelessness Program, Which Would Force 200,000 People Back Onto the Streets

  Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee; Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies; and Senator Tina Smith, Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and… Continue Reading


11.10.25

Senator Murray Speaks on Senate Floor Ahead of Government Funding Votes

  ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks***   Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor about President Trump and Republicans’ refusal to prevent Americans’ health care costs from spiking—and about the bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) and three-bill appropriations package that was released on Sunday and is expected to be voted on by the full Senate shortly.   A timeline detailing how Senator Murr… Continue Reading


11.09.25

Senator Murray Statement on Government Funding Vote: “The Fight for Health Care Does Not End Tonight—This is the MAGA Health Care Hike”

   Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on her vote against proceeding to consideration of the bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) and three-bill appropriations package that was released on Sunday.   “I voted no on cloture on the motion to proceed because, as long as there is still any time left to reverse the MAGA health care hike, I believe we must do everything we can to force Republi… Continue Reading


11.09.25

Bill Summaries: FY26 Ag-FDA, Leg Branch, & MilCon-VA

Agriculture-FDA Bill Summary Legislative Branch Military Construction-VA Bill Summary… Continue Reading


11.04.25

REPUBLICAN SHUTDOWN DAY 35: Senator Murray Slams Trump for Refusing to Fully Fund SNAP, Calls Out Republicans for Doing Nothing to Stop MAGA Health Care Hike

  REUTERS: Obamacare premiums double, adding post Halloween fright for US health insurance shoppers   ABC: Trump hosted 'Great Gatsby' Halloween party hours before SNAP funding lapsed   ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks***   Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks on government funding at this afternoon’s Senate Democratic leadership press conference on the thirty-fifth day of President… Continue Reading


10.31.25

Murray, Schumer, Top Democrats on National Security Committees Urge Trump Administration to Immediately Brief Senate on Military Action in the Caribbean and Pacific

  Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY); Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee; Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Chris Coons (D-DE) Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense; and … Continue Reading


10.29.25

REPUBLICAN SHUTDOWN DAY 29: Murray Responds to Thune on the Senate Floor, Shares Stories of American Families Seeing Devastating Premium Hikes, Slams Republicans for Ignoring their Own Constituents

    NEW FROM NEW YORK TIMES: Obamacare Prices Become Public, Highlighting Big Increases    NEW FROM KFF: ACA Insurers Are Raising Premiums by an Estimated 26%, but Most Enrollees Could See Sharper Increases in What They Pay    ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full floor speech***    Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor—responding directly to remarks from Majority Leader Thune—on the twenty-ninth … Continue Reading


10.28.25

REPUBLICAN SHUTDOWN DAY 28: Senator Murray Blasts Republicans for Ignoring Families Being Priced Out of Health Insurance, Refusing to Join Democrats at the Negotiating Table to Reopen Government

  AP: 6 in 10 Americans are “extremely” or “very” concerned about their health costs going up in the next year   WATCH: Senator Murray’s Remarks   Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks on government funding at this afternoon’s Senate Democratic leadership press conference on the twenty-eighth day of President Trump and Republicans’ shutdown.   Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, ar… Continue Reading


10.28.25

Murray, Kaptur Blast Russ Vought’s Move to Block Funding for Army Corps Projects in Democratic States and Cities

  Top energy appropriators outline how funding “pause” risks leaving communities vulnerable to storms and floods and places political retribution above public safety   Washington, D.C. — Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, sent a letter to the Army Co… Continue Reading


10.23.25

REPUBLICAN SHUTDOWN DAY 23: As Window Shopping Opens in WA, Senator Murray Joins WA State Health Benefit Exchange CEO, Washingtonian to Discuss Exploding Health Care Costs

  NEW FROM AP: 6 in 10 Americans are “extremely” or “very” concerned about their health costs going up in the next year   NEW FROM SEATTLE TIMES: WA residents shopping for health insurance hit with sticker shock   NEW FROM TRI-CITY HERALD: Health insurance could double for thousands in Tri-Cities and Eastern WA   WATCH press conference HERE, download HERE   Washington, D.C. - Today, on the 23rd day of the Republican shutdown, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate A… Continue Reading


10.22.25

Sen. Murray Joins Sen. Merkley During Landmark 20+ Hour Speech, Calls Out Trump’s Authoritarian Power Grab

   ***WATCH floor remarks HERE***    Washington, D.C. - Today, on the 22nd day of the Republican shutdown, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) on the Senate floor during his twenty hour-long and counting speech sounding the alarm on how President Trump is acting like a king, following an authoritarian playbook, and seeking to control more aspects of Americans’ lives.    The exchange between Senator Murray an… Continue Reading


10.21.25

REPUBLICAN SHUTDOWN DAY 21: Senator Murray Slams Republicans for Ignoring Skyrocketing Health Care Costs on First Day of Washington State Window Shopping

   NEW FROM AP: 6 in 10 Americans are “extremely” or “very” concerned about their health costs going up in the next year    KFF: Most Republicans and MAGA Supporters Say Congress Should Extend the Enhanced ACA Tax Credits Set to Expire Next Year    ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full floor speech***    Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered remarks on the Senate floor on the twenty-first day of President Trump a… Continue Reading


10.21.25

REPUBLICAN SHUTDOWN DAY 21: Senator Murray Calls on President Trump, Republicans to Stop Wasting Time, Finally Come to the Table to Reopen Government and Prevent Health Care Cost Crisis

  NEW FROM AP: 6 in 10 Americans are “extremely” or “very” concerned about their health costs going up in the next year   Window shopping period begins today for Washington state ACA exchange   WATCH: Senator Murray’s Remarks   Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks on government funding at this afternoon’s Senate Democratic leadership press conference on the twenty-first day of Preside… Continue Reading

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