Minority News Releases
Senator Murray Calls on Trump to Rescind Executive Orders Still Blocking Billions for Communities Across America
After rescinding disastrous OMB memo directing a blanket federal funding freeze, Murray demands Trump revoke orders blocking billions of dollars for critical infrastructure projects across America, key national security initiatives, and more Murray: “Yesterday, because the American people spoke up loud and clear, Donald Trump retreated from his devastating blanket funding freeze. But make no mistake: there is still far too much chaos on the ground and Trump is still blocking billions of d… Continue Reading
01.29.25
Senator Murray’s Remarks at Presser After OMB Rescinds Disastrous Memo: “This Fight is Far From Over”
Murray: “Make no mistake—the Trump Administration is still illegally holding up billions of dollars across the federal government through their Day One Executive Orders… Trump has made it clear he is not going to stop.” ICYMI: Senator Murray: “No Senator Who Believes Congress Holds the Power of the Purse Should Vote for Russ Vought” ***VIDEO HERE*** Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke at a press conference… Continue Reading
01.29.25
Senator Murray Statement on Trump Rescinding Devastating Memo in Face of National Backlash—While Continuing Efforts to Steal Power & Block Resources Across America
ICYMI: Senator Murray Continues Raising Alarm On Illegal Trump Admin Attempt to Freeze Federal Funding, Ongoing Lack of Clarity for Panicked Families and Communities ICYMI: Senator Murray Blasts Trump Admin for Illegally Blocking Funding for Communities, Comments on Latest OMB Update & Continued Chaos Nationwide Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on OMB rescinding its memo illeg… Continue Reading
01.29.25
Collins, Murray Announce Appropriations Subcommittees Leadership and Rosters for the 119th Congress
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee respectively, announced the Senate Appropriations subcommittee chairs, ranking members, and full rosters for the 119th Congress. The Senate Appropriations subcommittee rosters for the 119th Congress are as follows: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) - Chair Sen. Mitch… Continue Reading
01.28.25
Senator Murray Blasts Trump Admin for Illegally Blocking Funding for Communities, Comments on Latest OMB Update & Continued Chaos Nationwide
Murray: “In a brazen and illegal move, the Trump administration is working to freeze huge chunks of federal funding passed into law—by Republicans and Democrats alike. Now, not even 24 hours later, they are issuing new guidance trying to clean up the massive mess they have made, saying: ‘Wait, we don’t actually know what we are doing….’ but still leaving needless uncertainty about what actually is happening—and they are still—let me make that clear: still—withholding approved funding all across… Continue Reading
01.28.25
Senator Murray Comments on Illegal Trump Administration Directives to Withhold Vast Swaths of Congressionally-Approved Federal Funding
Murray: “The scope of this illegal action is unprecedented and could have devastating consequences across the country for real people. We could see a screeching halt to resources for child care, housing, police officers, opioid addiction treatment, rebuilding roads and bridges, and even disaster relief efforts.” Murray: “I am also urging Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham—a fellow appropriator—to hold Russ Vought’s nomination. Republicans should not advance this nomination out of c… Continue Reading
01.27.25
Vice Chair Murray, Ranking Member DeLauro Raise Alarm on New OMB Memoranda, Trump Administration’s Efforts to Defy Federal Law, Constitution to Withhold Approved Federal Funding
WASHINGTON — Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro today wrote to Acting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Matthew J. Vaeth raising the alarm on President Trump's unlawful executive orders and the new memoranda issued by OMB on Monday directing agencies to withhold vast swaths of approved federal funding. In the letter, Murray and DeLauro wrote, “As leaders of the House and Senate Committees on A… Continue Reading
01.24.25
FACT SHEET: Trump’s Illegal and Unconstitutional Scheme to Withhold Funding Headed to Communities Across America
Senator Murray details how Trump wants to illegally override Congress’ spending decisions and hold up investments for the American people Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released a fact sheet on the sweeping executive orders Trump signed this week directing agencies to immediately withhold funding that was provided by Congress and signed into law. The fact sheet details how presidents lack power to unilaterall… Continue Reading
01.23.25
Senator Murray: “No Senator Who Believes Congress Holds the Power of the Purse Should Vote for Russ Vought”
WATCH: Senator Murray urges colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reject Vought’s nomination to be OMB Director Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee; Tim Kaine (D-VA); and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) at a press conference to call out Trump’s extreme pick to lead the Office of Management and … Continue Reading
01.22.25
Senator Murray Grills OMB Nominee Russ Vought—Slamming Trump Executive Orders to Illegally Withhold Funding for Communities Across America
Murray also calls out Vought’s extreme anti-abortion views WATCH: Senator Murray questions Russ Vought Washington, D.C. — Today—during the Senate Budget Committee’s hearing to consider the nomination of Russ Vought to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)—Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Budget Committee, pressed Vought on his vocal support for President Trump flouting f… Continue Reading
01.14.25
Senator Murray Statement on Meeting with OMB Nominee Russ Vought
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement after meeting with Russell Vought, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). “This afternoon, I met with Russ Vought to talk about his nomination and what I expect to see from the Office of Management and Budget in the new administration… Continue Reading
12.21.24
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
11.22.24
Senator Murray Statement on Trump’s Nomination of Russ Vought to Lead the Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement in response to President-elect Donald Trump announcing his intention to nominate Russ Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget. “Surprising no one, Donald Trump has selected a chief architect of Project 2025 to manage his budget and spending priorities. Russ Vought is a far-right ideologue who has tried to break the law to give President Trump … 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