Minority News Releases
Senator Murray on Trump and Musk’s Funding Freeze, RFK Nomination at Democrats Weekly Press Conference
*VIDEO HERE* Washington, D.C. — Today, at Senate Democrats’ weekly press conference, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke about President Trump and Elon Musk’s illegal funding freeze, government funding ahead of the March 14 deadline, and the pending nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below: “We have a funding deadline fast approachi… Continue Reading
02.07.25
FACT SHEET: Trump Continues to Block Hundreds of Billions of Dollars Owed to Communities Across America
***READ FACT SHEET HERE*** Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released a new fact sheet detailing how, in his third week in office, President Trump is continuing to block hundreds of billions of dollars in enacted funding from making its way out to families and communities across America who are counting on investments that have been enacted into law. In a statement, Senator Murray said: “President Trump is… Continue Reading
02.07.25
Murray, Baldwin, DeLauro Blast Trump Administration on Halt of Vital Work at Nation’s Largest Public Health Agency
As fall out continues from Trump Administration’s funding freeze, legislators demand answers on HHS’s plan to do its job and keep Americans safe Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related Agencies Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, joined Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, in call… Continue Reading
02.07.25
Murray, Merkley, King, Heinrich Sound the Alarm Over National Parks Staffing Shortages Due to Trump’s Hiring Freeze
Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Senate Energy and Natural Resources National Parks Subcommittee Ranking Member Angus King (I-ME), and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-NM) urged newly confirmed U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to immediately take action to resolve looming staffin… Continue Reading
02.06.25
Murray, Merkley, DeLauro, Pingree Demand Answers on Illegal EPA Funding Cuts That Harm Public Health, Environment, and Families
Washington, D.C. - Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR), House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Chellie Pingree (ME-01) demanded recently confirmed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin answer urgent questions about funding freezes at the agency. … Continue Reading
02.06.25
Murray, Sanders, Baldwin, DeLauro, Scott Demand Answers on Trump’s Plans to Dismantle Education Department
Washington, D.C. — Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education; and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee alongside Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the … Continue Reading
02.05.25
Senator Murray Highlights Trump’s Illegal Spending Freeze on Billions via Day One Executive Orders, Putting Economies and Jobs at Risk
***VIDEO HERE*** Trump Administration is still blocking hundreds of billions of dollars passed by Congress ICYMI: Murray Hold Press Call With WA State Orgs About Jobs at Risk Due to Funding Freeze Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is helping lead Senate Democrats in holding the Senate floor for a full 30 hours ahead of a final confirmation vote on Russell Vought to serve as Director of the Office of Managem… Continue Reading
02.05.25
Senator Murray Details Harm Caused By Trump’s Blanket Funding Freeze, Ongoing Chaos
***VIDEO HERE*** Murray shared many WA stories and concerns she heard following President Trump’s blanket funding freeze Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is helping lead Senate Democrats in holding the Senate floor for a full 30 hours ahead of a final confirmation vote on Russell Vought to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Senator Murray delivered an hour-long floor speech and her rem… Continue Reading
02.05.25
Senator Murray Joins Colleagues in Holding Senate Floor All Night to Send Stark Warning Against Confirming Russ Vought to Lead OMB
***VIDEO HERE*** Murray: “Why on earth would any one of us confirm someone whose entire game plan is to break the law and dare the world to stop him?” Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, helped lead Senate Democrats in holding the Senate floor for a full 30 hours ahead of a final confirmation vote on Russell Vought to serve as Director of the… Continue Reading
02.05.25
Top Appropriators: Trump Administration’s “Deferred Resignation” Scheme is Deceptive, Legally Questionable, & Puts Vital Taxpayer Services At Risk
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, in an effort to protect taxpayers and federal workers and uphold the law, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member, along with U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD), the Ranking Members of both the Senate and House Financial Services and General Government Subcommittees, sent a letter to the U.S.… Continue Reading
02.03.25
Murray, Schumer, Wyden, Schatz, Warren Sound Alarm Over Musk Forcing Way into Highly-Sensitive Government Payment System, Threatening to Choke Off Funding for the American People
Murray: “It’s already painfully clear that this is the most corrupt administration in our history, and it’s putting our economy, our government, and our most at-risk communities in serious jeopardy.” Murray: “Maybe Elon will decide he doesn’t like that Blue Origin—and not SpaceX—gets a contract, so he wants to gum up the works on their payments. Private corporations and competitors need to take note. And anyone who thinks that surely won’t happen has not been paying attention.” ***VID… Continue Reading
01.31.25
Senator Murray Statement on Court Blocking Trump’s Devastating Funding Freeze
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on a federal district court ordering a temporary restraining order blocking President Trump’s federal funding freeze: “Today, the court affirmed what we’ve long known: the President does not have the power to rip funding that is law away from the American people. “People in every corner of the country have felt the painful consequences of Trump… Continue Reading
01.31.25
Murray, Kaptur Demand Answers on Trump Administration Freezing Energy Department Investments to Lower Americans’ Energy Costs
Washington, DC — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Ranking Member, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, wrote a letter to the Acting Secretary of the Department of Energy demanding answers about the Trump administration withholding critical investments to lower energy costs for American families and business… Continue Reading
01.30.25
Senator Murray Calls on Trump to Rescind Executive Orders Still Blocking Billions for Communities Across America
After rescinding disastrous OMB memo directing a blanket federal funding freeze, Murray demands Trump revoke orders blocking billions of dollars for critical infrastructure projects across America, key national security initiatives, and more Murray: “Yesterday, because the American people spoke up loud and clear, Donald Trump retreated from his devastating blanket funding freeze. But make no mistake: there is still far too much chaos on the ground and Trump is still blocking billions of d… Continue Reading
01.29.25
Senator Murray’s Remarks at Presser After OMB Rescinds Disastrous Memo: “This Fight is Far From Over”
Murray: “Make no mistake—the Trump Administration is still illegally holding up billions of dollars across the federal government through their Day One Executive Orders… Trump has made it clear he is not going to stop.” ICYMI: Senator Murray: “No Senator Who Believes Congress Holds the Power of the Purse Should Vote for Russ Vought” ***VIDEO HERE*** Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke at a press conference… Continue Reading
01.29.25
Senator Murray Statement on Trump Rescinding Devastating Memo in Face of National Backlash—While Continuing Efforts to Steal Power & Block Resources Across America
ICYMI: Senator Murray Continues Raising Alarm On Illegal Trump Admin Attempt to Freeze Federal Funding, Ongoing Lack of Clarity for Panicked Families and Communities ICYMI: Senator Murray Blasts Trump Admin for Illegally Blocking Funding for Communities, Comments on Latest OMB Update & Continued Chaos Nationwide Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on OMB rescinding its memo illeg… Continue Reading
01.29.25
Collins, Murray Announce Appropriations Subcommittees Leadership and Rosters for the 119th Congress
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee respectively, announced the Senate Appropriations subcommittee chairs, ranking members, and full rosters for the 119th Congress. The Senate Appropriations subcommittee rosters for the 119th Congress are as follows: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) - Chair Sen. Mitch… Continue Reading
01.28.25
Senator Murray Blasts Trump Admin for Illegally Blocking Funding for Communities, Comments on Latest OMB Update & Continued Chaos Nationwide
Murray: “In a brazen and illegal move, the Trump administration is working to freeze huge chunks of federal funding passed into law—by Republicans and Democrats alike. Now, not even 24 hours later, they are issuing new guidance trying to clean up the massive mess they have made, saying: ‘Wait, we don’t actually know what we are doing….’ but still leaving needless uncertainty about what actually is happening—and they are still—let me make that clear: still—withholding approved funding all across… Continue Reading
01.28.25
Senator Murray Comments on Illegal Trump Administration Directives to Withhold Vast Swaths of Congressionally-Approved Federal Funding
Murray: “The scope of this illegal action is unprecedented and could have devastating consequences across the country for real people. We could see a screeching halt to resources for child care, housing, police officers, opioid addiction treatment, rebuilding roads and bridges, and even disaster relief efforts.” Murray: “I am also urging Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham—a fellow appropriator—to hold Russ Vought’s nomination. Republicans should not advance this nomination out of c… Continue Reading
01.27.25
Vice Chair Murray, Ranking Member DeLauro Raise Alarm on New OMB Memoranda, Trump Administration’s Efforts to Defy Federal Law, Constitution to Withhold Approved Federal Funding
WASHINGTON — Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro today wrote to Acting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Matthew J. Vaeth raising the alarm on President Trump's unlawful executive orders and the new memoranda issued by OMB on Monday directing agencies to withhold vast swaths of approved federal funding. In the letter, Murray and DeLauro wrote, “As leaders of the House and Senate Committees on A… Continue Reading