Minority News Releases
Murray, Sanders, Baldwin, DeLauro, Scott Demand Answers on Trump’s Plans to Dismantle Education Department
Washington, D.C. — Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education; and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee alongside Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the … Continue Reading
02.05.25
Senator Murray Highlights Trump’s Illegal Spending Freeze on Billions via Day One Executive Orders, Putting Economies and Jobs at Risk
***VIDEO HERE*** Trump Administration is still blocking hundreds of billions of dollars passed by Congress ICYMI: Murray Hold Press Call With WA State Orgs About Jobs at Risk Due to Funding Freeze Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is helping lead Senate Democrats in holding the Senate floor for a full 30 hours ahead of a final confirmation vote on Russell Vought to serve as Director of the Office of Managem… Continue Reading
02.05.25
Senator Murray Details Harm Caused By Trump’s Blanket Funding Freeze, Ongoing Chaos
***VIDEO HERE*** Murray shared many WA stories and concerns she heard following President Trump’s blanket funding freeze Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is helping lead Senate Democrats in holding the Senate floor for a full 30 hours ahead of a final confirmation vote on Russell Vought to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Senator Murray delivered an hour-long floor speech and her rem… Continue Reading
02.05.25
Senator Murray Joins Colleagues in Holding Senate Floor All Night to Send Stark Warning Against Confirming Russ Vought to Lead OMB
***VIDEO HERE*** Murray: “Why on earth would any one of us confirm someone whose entire game plan is to break the law and dare the world to stop him?” 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, helped lead Senate Democrats in holding the Senate floor for a full 30 hours ahead of a final confirmation vote on Russell Vought to serve as Director of the… Continue Reading
02.05.25
Top Appropriators: Trump Administration’s “Deferred Resignation” Scheme is Deceptive, Legally Questionable, & Puts Vital Taxpayer Services At Risk
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, in an effort to protect taxpayers and federal workers and uphold the law, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member, along with U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD), the Ranking Members of both the Senate and House Financial Services and General Government Subcommittees, sent a letter to the U.S.… Continue Reading
02.03.25
Murray, Schumer, Wyden, Schatz, Warren Sound Alarm Over Musk Forcing Way into Highly-Sensitive Government Payment System, Threatening to Choke Off Funding for the American People
Murray: “It’s already painfully clear that this is the most corrupt administration in our history, and it’s putting our economy, our government, and our most at-risk communities in serious jeopardy.” Murray: “Maybe Elon will decide he doesn’t like that Blue Origin—and not SpaceX—gets a contract, so he wants to gum up the works on their payments. Private corporations and competitors need to take note. And anyone who thinks that surely won’t happen has not been paying attention.” ***VID… Continue Reading
01.31.25
Senator Murray Statement on Court Blocking Trump’s Devastating Funding Freeze
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on a federal district court ordering a temporary restraining order blocking President Trump’s federal funding freeze: “Today, the court affirmed what we’ve long known: the President does not have the power to rip funding that is law away from the American people. “People in every corner of the country have felt the painful consequences of Trump… Continue Reading
01.31.25
Murray, Kaptur Demand Answers on Trump Administration Freezing Energy Department Investments to Lower Americans’ Energy Costs
Washington, DC — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Ranking Member, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, wrote a letter to the Acting Secretary of the Department of Energy demanding answers about the Trump administration withholding critical investments to lower energy costs for American families and business… Continue Reading
01.30.25
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