Minority News Releases
FACT SHEET: Trump’s Illegal and Unconstitutional Scheme to Withhold Funding Headed to Communities Across America
Senator Murray details how Trump wants to illegally override Congress’ spending decisions and hold up investments for the American people Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released a fact sheet on the sweeping executive orders Trump signed this week directing agencies to immediately withhold funding that was provided by Congress and signed into law. The fact sheet details how presidents lack power to unilaterall… Continue Reading
01.23.25
Senator Murray: “No Senator Who Believes Congress Holds the Power of the Purse Should Vote for Russ Vought”
WATCH: Senator Murray urges colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reject Vought’s nomination to be OMB Director Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee; Tim Kaine (D-VA); and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) at a press conference to call out Trump’s extreme pick to lead the Office of Management and … Continue Reading
01.22.25
Senator Murray Grills OMB Nominee Russ Vought—Slamming Trump Executive Orders to Illegally Withhold Funding for Communities Across America
Murray also calls out Vought’s extreme anti-abortion views WATCH: Senator Murray questions Russ Vought Washington, D.C. — Today—during the Senate Budget Committee’s hearing to consider the nomination of Russ Vought to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)—Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Budget Committee, pressed Vought on his vocal support for President Trump flouting f… Continue Reading
01.14.25
Senator Murray Statement on Meeting with OMB Nominee Russ Vought
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, issued the following statement after meeting with Russell Vought, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). “This afternoon, I met with Russ Vought to talk about his nomination and what I expect to see from the Office of Management and Budget in the new administration… Continue Reading
12.21.24
Chair Murray Statement on Senate Passage of Disaster Relief Package and CR
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on final passage of the disaster relief package and CR that cleared the Senate in an 85-11 vote. “Tonight, we prevented a needless shutdown before the holidays and finally delivered much-needed relief to help communities that have been struck by disasters all across the country. I worked hard to get these resources across the finish line—and to ensure th… Continue Reading
12.20.24
Chair Murray Statement on Government Funding
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the path forward to fund the government: “I’m ready to stay here through Christmas because we’re not going to let Elon Musk run the government. Put simply, we should not let an unelected billionaire rip away research for pediatric cancer so he can get a tax cut or tear down policies that help America outcompete China because it could hurt his bottom l… Continue Reading
12.17.24
Chair Murray Statement on Disaster Relief Package and Continuing Resolution
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the continuing resolution (CR) and disaster relief package just released. “With so many communities across the country still reeling from devastating disasters, this package will deliver much-needed, overdue relief—to help people get back on their feet and help communities rebuild. I have been pushing for a comprehensive bill that addresses the wide scop… Continue Reading
12.17.24
Senator Murray Comments on Need to Pass CR and Disaster Relief Package
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senate Democrats’ weekly leadership press conference and spoke about the need to quickly pass a continuing resolution to prevent a government shutdown and a comprehensive disaster relief package. Senator Murray's remarks, as delivered, are below: “Thank you. We have been working around the clock to wrap up the CR and the disaster relief bill. We should be done but, unfortunately… Continue Reading
11.22.24
Senator Murray Statement on Trump’s Nomination of Russ Vought to Lead the Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement in response to President-elect Donald Trump announcing his intention to nominate Russ Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget. “Surprising no one, Donald Trump has selected a chief architect of Project 2025 to manage his budget and spending priorities. Russ Vought is a far-right ideologue who has tried to break the law to give President Trump … Continue Reading
11.20.24
Senator Murray Chairs Hearing on Disaster Funding Needs, Underscores It’s Time for Congress to Deliver Relief
WATCH and READ: Senator Murray’s opening remarks WATCH: Senator Murray questions agency heads about disaster needs Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired a hearing on disaster relief needs across the country and underscored that Congress needs to finalize and pass a bipartisan disaster package before the end of the year. On Monday, President Biden submitted an updated request to Congress for additional disaste… Continue Reading
11.20.24
Senator Murray Opening Remarks at Hearing on Disaster Relief Needs
WATCH: Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on disaster funding needs Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, just gaveled in a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on disaster funding needs across the country and delivered the following opening remarks. Senator Murray’s opening remarks, as delivered, are below: “Today, we will hold a hearing to discuss urgent funding needs for communities harmed by the recent natura… Continue Reading
11.18.24
Chair Murray Statement on Disaster Relief Request
WEDNESDAY: Senator Murray to Chair Hearing on Disaster Funding Needs Washington, D.C.- Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the President’s disaster relief funding request, which was submitted to Congress today. “Across our country, people are reeling from a devastating string of disasters—some of which occurred as long as two years ago. Congress has never in my memory delayed so long in providing bip… Continue Reading
11.13.24
BILL SUMMARY: Homeland Security Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - The Fiscal Year 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations Act provides $66.16 billion in total discretionary funding. “This bill tackles some of the most urgent challenges facing our country, while also delivering on important Connecticut priorities. It provides important resources to improve border security, help stop the flow of fentanyl and make our immigration system fairer and more efficient. At the same time, we’re restoring FEMA grant funding to help protect nonprofi… Continue Reading
09.25.24
Chair Murray Speaks in Support of Short-term CR, Urges Serious Bipartisan Negotiations of Full-year Funding Bills
ICMYI: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Energy and Water, Defense, LHHS, and Financial Services Appropriations Bills ICYMI: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Commerce-Justice-Science, Interior-Environment, State and Foreign Operations, and Transportation-HUD Appropriations Bills ICYMI: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Subcommittee Allocations, Legislative Branch, Ag-FDA, and Military Construction-VA Bills ***WATCH: VIDEO of Senator Murray’s Floor Speech*** Washington, … Continue Reading
09.22.24
Chair Murray Statement on Bipartisan CR: Urges Swift Passage to Avert Government Shutdown and Finish Full-Year Bills By Year’s End
Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the bipartisan continuing resolution negotiated by all four corners of Congress. “This continuing resolution was a bipartisan compromise—let’s get it passed and ensure we avert a needless and disastrous government shutdown. There are so many urgent national priorities that still must be addressed in our full-year funding bills. I will be working closely with… Continue Reading
09.20.24
Chair Murray Praises Speedy Bipartisan Passage of Critical VA Funding Bill, Urges Same Bipartisan Approach to Fund Government
Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, praised Senate passage of a bipartisan supplemental appropriations bill, the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act, to avoid Veterans Affairs (VA) having to delay providing veteran pensions and benefits. This bill provides $3 billion in mandatory funding for VA compensation, pensions, and readjustment benefits. “Now that the PACT Act is law, more vet… Continue Reading
09.10.24
Senator Murray Rips House GOP CR as Dangerous and Derelict, Urges Responsible Bipartisan Path Forward
ICYMI: White House Fact Sheet on House GOP CR ***VIDEO of Senator Murray’s Remarks*** Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) at Senate Democrats’ weekly leadership press conference to outline exactly why the partisan House Republican Continuing Resolution is dangerous and damaging to American interests. “There is an awful lot happening in the world to let House Republicans leave our … Continue Reading
09.06.24
Schumer And Murray Joint Statement On House Republican Funding Proposal
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement in response to the House Republicans' recent funding proposal and the potential for a government shutdown: “As we have said repeatedly, avoiding a government shutdown requires bipartisanship, not a bill drawn up by one party. Speaker Johnson is making the same mistake as former Speaker McCarthy did a year ago, by wasting precious… Continue Reading
08.01.24
Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Energy and Water, Defense, LHHS, and Financial Services Appropriations Bills
Committee unanimously approves Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies bill in 28-0 vote Committee unanimously approves Defense bill in 28-0 vote Committee approves Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies bill in 25-3 vote Committee unanimously approves Financial Services and General Government bill in 27-0 vote ***WATCH and READ: Senator Murray’s opening remarks*** Washington, D.C. — Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee met fo… Continue Reading
08.01.24
Chair Murray Opening Remarks at Full Committee Markup
ICYMI: Summary of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill ICYMI: Summary of the Defense Appropriations Bill ICYMI: Summary of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill ICYMI: Summary of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill WATCH: Chair Murray's opening remarks Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, ju… Continue Reading