Oversight
BUDGET HEARING: The Costs of Inaction: The Economic and Budgetary Consequences of Climate Change
Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the Costs of Inaction: The Economic and Budgetary Consequences of Climate Change with majority witnesses Mindy Lubber, President of Ceres, Inc., Alfredo Gomez, Director of Natural Resources and Environment for the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and Sherri Goodman, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for CNA Corporation and the former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense (Environmental Security). At the hear… Continue Reading
07.29.14
The Costs of Inaction: The Economic and Budgetary Consequences of Climate Change - Opening Statement of Chairman Murray
"This hearing will now come to order. "I'd like to thank the Ranking Member, Senator Sessions, and all of our colleagues for joining us today. "And I'd like to especially thank our witnesses for taking the time to be here. "Today, we'll hear from Mindy Lubber the president of Ceres, Inc. an organization that works with businesses, investors, and other groups on issues like climate change. "Alfredo Gomez joins us from the Government Accountability Office, where he leads the Natural Resources … Continue Reading
07.11.14
Murray Statement on the OMB FY15 Mid-Session Review
Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement on the Office of Management and Budget's FY15 Mid-Session Review: "Today's report from the Office of Management and Budget shows once again that our fiscal outlook has improved significantly in the near-term, and while we need to continue to tackle long-term deficits fairly and responsibly, we have room to focus on other deficits in areas like jobs, innovation, infrastructure, and edu… Continue Reading
07.10.14
Senate Confirms Shaun Donovan as OMB Director in Strong Bipartisan Vote
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Shaun Donovan to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget by a strong bipartisan vote of 75-22. Prior to the vote, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) spoke on the Senate floor to urge her colleagues to support Donovan's nomination. "I look forward to working with Secretary Donovan to strengthen our fiscal outlook over the long term, and ensure we can make critical investments in jobs and opportunity to suppor… Continue Reading
06.24.14
Senate Budget Committee Approves Nomination of OMB Director Shaun Donovan in Bipartisan Vote
Today, Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a markup of the nomination of Secretary Shaun Donovan to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The nomination passed through the Committee with a roll call vote of 15-6, and will now head to the Senate floor. Murray released the following statement after the vote: "I am pleased that the Senate Budget Committee has approved Secretary Donovan's nomination with bipartisan support. Secretary Donovan will be a gr… Continue Reading
06.16.14
Murray Delivers Speech on Averting a Highway Trust Fund Shortfall and Construction Shutdown
(Washington, D.C.) -Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor, continuing her effort to warn colleagues of the looming construction shutdown when the Highway Trust Fund reaches critically low levels this summer. Murray highlighted examples of various states already preparing for this potential crisis that could jeopardize thousands of transportation projects, and have a serious impact on construction jobs. Murray called on Congress to replenish the Highway Tru… Continue Reading
06.11.14
BUDGET HEARING: Consideration of OMB Director Nominee Shaun Donovan
Washington, D.C. - Today, Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Secretary Shaun Donovan to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget. In her opening statement, Murray praised Donovan's leadership at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, highlighting his commitment to expanding opportunity for families and communities, his history of working in a bipartisan manner, and ability to tackle major challenges, inclu… Continue Reading
06.05.14
ICYMI: Chairman Murray Holds a Hearing on The Impact of Student Loan Debt on Borrowers and the Economy
Yesterday, Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the Impact of Student Loan Debt on Borrowers and the Economy with majority witnesses Rohit Chopra, Student Loan Ombudsman at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Brittany Jones, recent college graduate and Former President of the Student Virginia Education Association. In her opening statement, Chairman Murray addressed how student loan debt has lasting repercussions for young adults as they start… Continue Reading
06.04.14
Chairman Murray’s Statement on the Nomination of Shaun Donovan as OMB Director
Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement on Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan's nomination to become the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). "President Obama has made a great decision in nominating Shaun Donovan to lead the Office of Management and Budget. As Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Donovan has been a strong manager, taking on challenges like overseeing the governme… Continue Reading
06.04.14
BUDGET HEARING: The Impact of Student Loan Debt on Borrowers and the Economy
Washington, D.C- Today, Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the Impact of Student Loan Debt on Borrowers and the Economy with majority witnesses Rohit Chopra, Student Loan Ombudsman at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Brittany Jones, recent college graduate and Former President of the Student Virginia Education Association. At the hearing, Murray addressed how student loan debt has lasting repercussions for young adults as they start their … Continue Reading
06.04.14
Opening Statement of Chairman Murray. Hearing: The Impact of Student Loan Debt on Borrowers and the Economy
"This hearing will now come to order. "Thank you to the Ranking Member, Senator Sessions, and all of our colleagues for joining us. "Today, we'll be discussing a challenge that 40 million people around the country face. "For many Americans, who want to further their education and build their skills, taking out student loans has become a college pre-requisite. "But that debt can have lasting consequences for borrowers and weaken their chances of getting ahead. "Ensuring more Americans get a … Continue Reading
06.03.14
CLIMATE CHANGE: Murray Statement on EPA Proposal to Cut Emissions at Power Plants
(Washington, D.C.) Today, Monday, June 2nd, 2014, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement as the Environmental Protection Agency released a proposal to mandate power plants cut carbon-dioxide emissions 30 percent by 2030 as part of President Obama's Climate Change Action Plan. "I applaud President Obama and his administration for moving forward with a common-sense, flexible proposal to limit dangerous carbon pollution and fight back against the growing threat of clima… Continue Reading
05.30.14
Murray Releases The Opportunity Outlook: A Path for Tackling All Our Deficits Responsibly
Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) released The Opportunity Outlook: A Path for Tackling All Our Deficits Responsibly, a new online report that lays out principles for building on the two-year bipartisan budget deal. With greater certainty added to the budget process and an improved fiscal outlook, this online report describes ways to grow our economy and create opportunity by both tackling our long-term budget challenges responsibly and addressing de… Continue Reading
05.14.14
Murray, Warren Double Down on Democrats’ Efforts to Expand Economic Opportunity for Women and Families
Washington, D.C- Today, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor on expanding economic opportunity for women and families. Murray and Warren discussed barriers women and their families face in today's economy and highlighted policies that would grow the economy and level the playing field for women. The senators called on Republicans to join Democrats in focusing on policies that will move women and the economy… Continue Reading
05.13.14
BUDGET HEARING: Expanding Economic Opportunity for Women and Families
Washington, D.C- Today, Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on Expanding Economic Opportunity for Women and Families with witnesses Dr. Heather Boushey, Executive Director and Chief Economist at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth and a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, and AnnMarie Duchon, Associate Director of Accommodation Services at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. The hearing explored steps Congress can take to expand econ… Continue Reading
05.08.14
Opening Statement of Chairman Murray: The U.S. Economic and Fiscal Outlook with Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen
"This hearing will now come to order. Thank you to Ranking Member Senator Sessions and all of our colleagues who have joined us. "Today we have the great opportunity to hear from the Chair of the Federal Reserve, Dr. Janet Yellen. "Dr. Yellen, I want to start by thanking you for your leadership in encouraging stronger economic growth, stability, and job creation throughout your tenure at the Federal Reserve, as Vice Chair and now as Chair. It is wonderful to have you here. "I also want to rec… Continue Reading
05.07.14
Murray Calls for Building on Bipartisan Budget Deal With Steps to Invest in Jobs and Growth, Tackle All Deficits Responsibly
Washington, D.C- Today, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks at the BakerHostetler 25th Annual Legislative Seminar, and highlighted ways to build on the two-year bipartisan budget deal to create jobs, opportunity, and broad based economic growth. In her speech, Murray explained that Congress must continue to tackle long term budget challenges, while not losing focus on the growing deficits in critical areas like jobs, education, infrastructure, research and inno… Continue Reading
05.07.14
ICYMI: Chairman Murray Holds a Hearing on The President’s Fiscal Year 2015 Education Budget Request
Yesterday, Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on The President's Fiscal Year 2015 Education Budget Request with Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan. In her opening statement, Chairman Murray explained that the nation is currently facing an education deficit, and described the dangers of failing to make critical investments in education. "…right now, our nation is facing an education deficit. College is becoming more and more unafford… Continue Reading
05.06.14
BUDGET HEARING: The President’s Fiscal Year 2015 Education Budget Request
Washington, D.C- Today, Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2015 Education Budget Request with Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan. At the hearing Murray discussed the education proposals in the President's budget and called on Congress to build on the two-year budget and focus on addressing the education deficit to make sure more Americans have the chance to succeed and contribute to the economy. Murray highlighted… Continue Reading
05.01.14
Murray Continues Push to Avoid an Unnecessary Highway Trust Fund Crisis
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor, continuing her effort to warn colleagues of the looming potential crisis before the Highway Trust Fund reaches critically low levels this summer. Murray highlighted that various states across the country have started preparing to stop new construction projects, and explained that if the Highway Trust Fund crisis hits, we could potentially see a construction shutdown which would leave workers without a … Continue Reading