Ranking Member Press
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
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