Ranking Member Press
Chairman Patty Murray's Statement on Bipartisan Deal to End the Shutdown, Avoid Default, and Begin a Budget Conference
Washington, D.C-Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chairman of the Budget Committee, released the following statement after the bipartisan deal was announced that would end the government shutdown, allow the federal government to pay the bills it has already accrued, and begin the bipartisan budget conference that she's been trying to start for the past six months. "I am very glad that Republicans have agreed to end this completely unnecessary government shutdown, have taken the threat of… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Murray to Republicans: The Door is Open for Budget Negotiations - End the Crises and Walk In
Washington, D.C.-Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, spoke on the Senate floor to ask consent to begin a budget conference as soon as the government shutdown is allowed to end and the threat of default is lifted. This is the 21st attempt by Senate Democrats to begin a budget conference and kick off long-term budget negotiations. This latest attempt was blocked by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). Excerpts from Murray's remarks "We are holding the door op… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Murray Calls for House Republicans to End Crises Then Join Democrats in Budget Conference
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, spoke on the Senate floor to respond to the latest GOP gimmick idea to create a second supercommittee and to ask consent that the Senate move to a budget conference as soon as Republicans end the government shutdown and stop threatening the economy with a default. Senator Republicans blocked this request for a budget conference for the 20th time since the House and Senate passed their budgets at the end of March. … Continue Reading
12.30.13
Murray Calls on House to Avoid Government Shutdown, Pass a Clean Continuing Resolution
(Washington, D.C.) - Tonight, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor to urge her colleagues in the House to drop their unacceptable demands and pass a clean, short-term spending measure to keep the government open. Murray highlighted that bipartisan budget negotiations have been blocked for months by Tea Party Republicans. Key Excerpts From Senator Murray's Speech: "I know many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are deeply frustrated… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Chairman Patty Murray's Statement on Senate Passage of Government Funding Bill
Washington, D.C.-Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement after the Senate passed a bill that would prevent a government shutdown and fund the government at current spending levels through November 15th. "Now that the Senate has passed a clean short-term funding bill, the only thing that can cause a completely unnecessary government shutdown is another Tea Party temper tantrum in the House. House Republicans need to stop … Continue Reading
12.30.13
Murray Calls on House Republicans to End Partisan Brinkmanship, Pass Senate Continuing Resolution
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging the passage of the Senate's continuing resolution. Murray highlighted the opportunities over the last few months that would have allowed for a focus on real challenges, rather than artificial crises manufactured by Tea Party Republicans. Murray called on House Republicans to leave the Tea Party brinkmanship behind, pass the Senate bill without any gimmicks or games when i… Continue Reading
12.30.13
ICYMI: Chairman Murray Holds Senate Budget Committee Hearing on the Impact of Political Uncertainty on Jobs and the Economy
Yesterday, Chairman Murray and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing to examine the ways that uncertainty in federal policymaking has impacted job creation and economic growth. "…Even though we've come a long way, there is still a lot we need to do to ensure American families recover from the impact of the Great Recession, and to ensure strong middle class growth and economic security in the future. Families across the country are focused on these issues. Here in Congress, we should … Continue Reading
12.30.13
Chairman Patty Murray's Statement on the Continuing Resolution to Avoid a Government Shutdown
Washington, D.C.-Today, U.S Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement on the Senate proceeding to a debate on the short-term funding bill that would prevent a government shutdown while negotiations continued on a long-term budget deal. "I am frustrated and disappointed that Republicans' refusal to come to the table on a long-term budget deal has pushed us to the precipice and forced us to take up yet another short-term bill to prevent… Continue Reading
12.30.13
MURRAY AT BUDGET HEARING: GOP Needs to Stand Up to Tea Party, End the Constant Crises
Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the Impact of Political Uncertainty on Jobs and the Economy. Witnesses included Dr. Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics; Dr. Chad Stone, Chief Economist at the Center on Budget and Policy; and Dr. Allan H. Meltzer, Professor of Political Economy at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University. At the hearing, Murray examined how manufactured fiscal crises cause uncertainty in the economy, a… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Opening Statement of Chairman Patty Murray at the Senate Budget Committee Hearing: The Impact of Political Uncertainty on Jobs and the Economy
"This hearing will now come to order. "I would like to thank Ranking Member Senator Sessions, and all of my colleagues, for coming today. And I would also like to welcome and thank our witnesses, Dr. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, Dr. Chad Stone, chief economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and Dr. Allan Meltzer, professor of political economy at Carnegie Mellon University. "We are glad to have you all here to discuss the ways that uncertainty in federal po… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Chairman Murray and Baucus Refute GOP Debt Limit Claims, Make Case for Clean Bill in Memo to Senate Democrats
(Washington, D.C.) - Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) released a joint letter and memo to Senate Democrats refuting recent Republican claims that attempt to justify playing partisan games with the debt ceiling, explaining why Republican debt prioritization proposals are unworkable and equivalent to default, laying out the economic danger of GOP brinkmanship, and making the strong case for a clean debt limit bill and an e… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Chairman Patty Murray on House Spending Bill: "Irresponsible Exercise in Tea Party Pandering"
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement after Republicans in the House of Representatives continued pushing the country toward a government shutdown by passing their legislation to defund health care reform. "Today's vote in the House is a deeply irresponsible exercise in Tea Party pandering that does nothing more than push us closer to a completely unnecessary government shutdown. The American people are sick and tired of the const… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Americans Across the Country: Sequestration Has To Go
Republican leaders say they are committed to keeping harmful cuts from sequestration in place. But from furloughed workers to home-bound seniors losing Meals on Wheels to scientists unable to conduct research, Americans across the country are speaking up about the impact of sequestration. And it's time Republicans listened. Many Republicans in Washington D.C. are focused on keeping sequestration in place… Senator Risch (R-ID): The Debate Over Sequestration Is "In The Rearview Mirror." "… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Murray Calls for End to Republican Budget Brinkmanship and Tea Party Threats to Health Care Reform
Today, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor criticizing Tea Party efforts to shut down the government over the funding of the Affordable Care Act. With less than two weeks until a potential government shutdown, Murray called on Republican leadership to stop focusing on the extreme Tea Party minority and come to the table to work with Democrats on a balanced and bipartisan budget deal. Murray emphasized that Democrats are going to not agree t… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Murray Statement on New Data Demonstrating the Harmful Impact of Sequestration on Head Start
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement on new Health and Human Services data showing the impact of sequestration on Head Start programs across the country. "It has been heartbreaking to visit Head Start centers where, even after laying off staff and asking others to take unpaid leave, budget cuts still require cutting the number of children who benefit from the crucial services Head Start offers. I've heard stories like this from W… Continue Reading
07.30.13
ICYMI: Chairman Murray Holds Senate Budget Committee Hearing on Containing Health Care Costs: Recent Progress and Remaining Challenges
Today, Chairman Murray and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing about the recent encouraging news regarding health care spending trends and delivery system reforms, and discussed areas of further work that focus on aligning incentives and making the system more efficient, rather than simply shifting costs to seniors and families. "The cost of health care affects every kitchen table and conference table conversation in the United States, as American households and American businesses face t… Continue Reading
07.23.13
ICYMI: Chairman Murray Holds Senate Budget Committee Hearing on the Impact of Sequestration on the Economy and National Security
Today, Chairman Murray and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing about the impact defense sequestration is having on national security, veterans, families and communities, "At a time when too many Americans are still struggling to find work, civilian defense employees are being furloughed, and small businesses are struggling to stay afloat, our economic recovery and our military preparedness is suffering." Chairman Murray said at the hearing today. "While I believe there are responsible… Continue Reading
07.01.13
Senate Budget Committee Marks 100 Days Since Senate Passed Budget with Animated Web Video “I’m Just a Budget”
Today, the Senate Budget Committee majority released an animated web video, "I'm Just a Budget," in which an animated singing budget explains why it's been 100 days since the Senate passed him and he still can't go to conference. Additional background here: LINK Web video "I'm Just a Budget" script: Budget is sitting on Capitol steps. Child approaches. Child: What's that crumpled up stack of papers? Budget: Oh me? I'm a budget resolution! The Senate spent hundreds of hours debating … Continue Reading
07.01.13
BACKGROUND: 100 Days Since the Senate Passed a Budget and Republicans Are Still Blocking the Bipartisan Budget Conference They Called For
FLASHBACK TO MARCH 23, 2013: The Senate Budget Passes, and Senate Republicans Praised The "Open" And "Full Debate" On The Senate Budget. Minority Leader McConnell Thanked Chairman Murray And Senator Sessions For Conducting "An Open And Complete And Full Debate." "I want to commend Senator Murray, Senator Sessions, and the majority leader for conducting an open and complete and full debate. I know everyone is exhausted, and people may not feel it at the moment, but this is one of the Senate's… Continue Reading
06.28.13
Senate Approves Nomination of Brian Deese as the Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget
The Senate confirmed the nomination of Brian Deese as the Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget by unanimous consent. After the confirmation, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement: "Brian knows firsthand how to create fiscal policies that work for middle class families and help our economy grow, and I am very glad that the Senate approved his nomination unanimously today. Brian possesses the experience, judgment, and strong unde… Continue Reading