Majority News Releases
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
11.20.24
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
08.01.24
BILL SUMMARY: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Bill
Bill delivers significant new investments to help families afford child care and pre-K, discover life-changing new medical treatments and cures, support students, address the opioids crisis, and more Washington, D.C. - The Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides $231.34 billion in base discretionary funding. “Our bill addresses the kitchen table issues I hear about every day from Wisconsinites-lowering childcare co… Continue Reading
08.01.24
BILL SUMMARY: Financial Services and General Government Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Bill
Bill strengthens investments to protect consumers, grow our economy from the middle out, and sustain critical government functions Washington, D.C. - The Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act provides $27.885 billion to fund the operations of the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President, the federal judiciary, the District of Columbia, the Small Business Administration, and more than two dozen independent federal agencies. … Continue Reading
08.01.24
BILL SUMMARY: Defense Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Bill
Bill boosts readiness in key areas around the globe, strengthens our deterrent capabilities, and invests in our servicemembers and their families Washington, D.C. - The Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations Act provides $852.2 billion in total funding—a $27.2 billion, or 3.3% increase over fiscal year 2024. “As Chairman of the Senate committee that sets our military’s budget, my top priority is ensuring our armed forces have the necessary resources to keep our nation safe and mainta… Continue Reading
08.01.24
BILL SUMMARY: Energy and Water Development Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Bill
Bill makes new investments to propel scientific research, support critical water infrastructure, sustain environmental cleanup projects, and more Washington, D.C. - The Fiscal Year 2025 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act provides $61.467 billion in total funding for the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and independent agencies. “This bipartisan bill delivers new investments to advance cutting-edge scientific research happening at labs … Continue Reading
07.25.24
Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Commerce-Justice-Science, Interior-Environment, State and Foreign Operations, and Transportation-HUD Appropriations Bills
Committee approves Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill in 26-3 vote Committee approves Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill in 28-1 vote Committee approves State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill in 24-5 vote Committee approves Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies bill in 28-1 vote ***WATCH and READ: Senator Murray’s opening remarks*** Washington, D.C. — Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee me… Continue Reading