Ranking Member Press
BUDGET HEARING: Murray Hears From Americans on How Federal Budget Decisions Affect Them
Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the Economic and Budget Outlook for Individuals, Families, and Communities. Majority witnesses included Neera Tanden, President of the Center for American Progress, Edith Kimball, Elementary School Food Services Professional at Lee Elementary School, and Courtney Johnson, High School English Teacher at Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High school. In her opening statement, which was submitted for the record, Murray highl… Continue Reading
02.05.14
Murray Statement on Congressional Budget Office Projections That Repealing Critical Affordable Care Act Program Would Increase Deficits
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement on Congressional Budget Office projections showing that risk corridors in the Affordable Care Act will result in net savings for the federal government. "Today's CBO report shows that Republicans' most recent debt-limit ransom idea would not only cause premiums to skyrocket for American families, it would also add billions to the deficit. It's a reminder that Republicans are so desperate to a… Continue Reading
02.05.14
BUDGET HEARING: Murray Calls on Congress to Expand Opportunities for Families and Communities, Stop Playing Games With Economic Recovery
Washington, D.C- Today, Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on transitioning from constant crises to broad-based economic growth in 2014. Democratic witnesses included Dr. Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics and Robert Greenstein, President of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities At the hearing, Murray highlighted that while gridlock and dysfunction have had serious consequences for economic growth in the past few years, the Bipartisan … Continue Reading
02.05.14
Murray Statement on Congressional Budget Office Budget and Economic Outlook
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement on the Congressional Budget Office's Budget and Economic Outlook for 2014 through 2024. "Today's announcement from the Congressional Budget Office offers encouraging evidence that our near-term fiscal outlook continues to improve, although there is much more we need to do to tackle our long-term budget challenges. I am committed to finding fair and responsible ways to bring down our long-term … Continue Reading
02.05.14
SOTU: Murray Delivers Floor Speech Urging Republicans to Build on Bipartisanship for Year of Action
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor following President Obama's State of the Union Address last night. Murray highlighted polices from the President's speech including raising the minimum wage, ensuring women have equal economic opportunity, and investing in a national preschool initiative, which would bolster economic growth now and in the future. Murray called on Republicans to build on bipartisan progress demonstrated in the budget deal… Continue Reading
01.27.14
Chairman Murray Again Calls on Republicans to Drop Debt Limit Brinkmanship, Build on Bipartisan Budget Work
(Washington, D.C.) -Today, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) sent a letter to her colleagues reiterating that Democrats will once again not negotiate over whether or not the United States will pay its bills, and calling on House Republicans in advance of their conference retreat next week to not engage in another pointless and damaging round of brinkmanship and hostage-taking over the debt limit. Along with her letter, Murray re-released the September 2013 memo she and Senate… Continue Reading
01.27.14
Murray Statement on Senate Passage of the 2014 Bipartisan Government Funding Bill
U.S Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee released the following statement after the Senate voted to approve the 2014 bipartisan government funding bill. "I'm pleased that Congress has come together to fill in the details of the framework Chairman Ryan and I agreed on in December and fund the government in a way that invests in families and communities across the country. Moving forward I hope we will build on this bipartisan work rather than returning to the eco… Continue Reading
01.16.14
Murray Urges Senate to Build on Bipartisan Budget Deal, Support Critical Investments in Families, Communities, and National Security
(Washington, D.C.) - Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor in support of appropriations legislation that fills in the details of the Bipartisan Budget Act that Murray negotiated with House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) in December. Murray highlighted key investments in families and communities in Washington State and across the country, and called on Congress to pass the legislation and build on it by renewing emergency unemployme… Continue Reading
01.16.14
Murray Delivers Floor Speech Commemorating Lyndon Johnson’s “War On Poverty,” Calls On Congress To Keep Up The Fight
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor commemorating the 50thanniversary of President Lyndon Johnson declaring a "War on Poverty." Murray explained that while progress has been made since President Johnson's declaration, Congress must continue to provide, and work to strengthen, the programs that give struggling Americans economic security and a chance to succeed. During the speech, Murray highlighted her first-ha… Continue Reading
01.16.14
Chairman Patty Murray’s Statement On Janet Yellen Confirmation To The Federal Reserve
U.S Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee released the following statement after Janet Yellen was confirmed by the Senate to lead the Federal Reserve. "I was proud to vote to confirm Janet Yellen to lead the Federal Reserve at a time when it is absolutely critical that everything possible is being done to boost the economy and create jobs. Dr. Yellen's outstanding qualifications and experience uniquely position her to lead this vital institution at this critical t… Continue Reading
12.30.13
MURRAY - RYAN BIPARTISAN BUDGET COMPROMISE PASSES SENATE; HEADS TO PRESIDENT'S DESK FOR SIGNATURE
Prior to passage, Murray spoke on the Senate floor, urging support for the bill (Washington, D.C.) - Today, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, the bipartisan compromise reached by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), passed the Senate by a vote of 64-36. The bill, which passed through the House of Representatives last week by a 332-94 majority, now heads to the President's desk for signature. Prior to Senate passage, Chairma… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Chairman Murray Urges Senate to Support Bipartisan Budget Act; Bill Heads to Final Passage
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. Murray called on members of the Senate to support the bipartisan compromise she reached with House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI). The bill cleared a key procedural hurdle by a vote of 67-33, and now heads for a final vote in the Senate. The House Of Representatives passed the bill last week by an overwhelming 332-94 majority. Since the … Continue Reading
12.30.13
Chairman Patty Murray's Statement on House Passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013
"We are now one step closer to a bipartisan budget that would prevent another crisis and roll back devastating cuts to education, medical research, and investments in economic growth. This compromise bill isn't what either side would have written on our own, but it is a strong step in the right direction and can hopefully serve as the foundation for continued bipartisan work. I commend Chairman Ryan and Ranking Member Van Hollen for their work moving this bill through the House, and I am confide… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Murray and Ryan Announce Bipartisan Budget-Conference Agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, Senate Budget Committee chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced that they have reached a two-year budget agreement in advance of the budget conference's December 13th deadline. "I'm proud of this agreement," said Chairman Ryan. "It reduces the deficit-without raising taxes. And it cuts spending in a smarter way. It's a firm step in the right direction, and I ask all my colleagues in the House to support it." "This agre… Continue Reading
12.30.13
BUDGET CONFERENCE: Murray Delivers Speech on Senate Floor Calling for Compromise to Boost Economy, End Harmful Spending Cuts
(Washington, D.C.) -Today, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor outlining her goals for the bipartisan budget conference, including creating jobs, replacing the irresponsible, across-the-board spending cuts, and setting budget levels for at least the short term. In the speech, Murray detailed how budget cuts have had negative consequences in Washington state and across the country. Murray called on members on both sides of the aisle to compro… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Budget Conference Committee: Opening Statement of Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray
Key Excerpts From Chairman Murray's Statement: "… I believe this bipartisan budget conference offers us the opportunity to rebuild some trust, find a path to compromise, and work together to create jobs and boost our fragile economy…I am hopeful we can at least show that bipartisanship is possible, that we can work together to solve some problems, and that we can break free from the gridlock and dysfunction that has dominated our nation's capital for far too long." "…I agr… Continue Reading
12.30.13
JOINT STATEMENT FROM CHAIRMAN PATTY MURRAY AND CHAIRMAN PAUL RYAN
WASHINGTON D.C.-In advance of convening a conference on a budget resolution, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan released the following joint statement: "In the months ahead, we hope both sides can work together to grow the economy and tackle our debt responsibly. We recognize the many differences between the House and Senate budget resolutions and the challenges we face in reaching an agreement. But we want to find common ground and work … Continue Reading
12.30.13
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