home / press

Menu
  • Search all tables

Press releases

One row per release. Full-text search runs over title + body text.

Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press

url
Link to the original release on the member's official site
text
Extracted body text (may be empty if the page could not be fetched)
has_text
1 if body text was successfully extracted
date_source
How the publication date was determined
bioguide_id
Bioguide ID of the member

642 rows where chamber = "Senate", party = "Democrat" and state = "WA" sorted by date descending

✎ View and edit SQL

This data as json, CSV (advanced)

year 3

  • 2026 417
  • 2025 169
  • 2020 56

state 1

  • WA · 642 ✖

party 1

  • Democrat · 642 ✖

chamber 1

  • Senate · 642 ✖
url title date ▲ year month party chamber state member_name bioguide_id domain scraper source date_source text has_text collected_at updated_at
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-and-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-prohibit-firearms-at-polling-places-nationwide-protecting-voters_election-workers Cantwell & Colleagues Introduce Bill to Prohibit Firearms at Polling Places Nationwide, Protecting Voters & Election Workers 2026-09-28 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell & Colleagues Introduce Bill to Prohibit Firearms at Polling Places Nationwide, Protecting Voters & Election Workers In early 2026, 32% percent of local election workers experienced threats or harassment; 52% concerned for staff safety WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined her colleagues in introducing bicameral legislation to protect voters and election workers from intimidation and threats of violence at polling places. “It is deeply troubling that now more than half of local elections officials worry about the safety of their colleagues, and a third have experienced threats or abuse. The officials and volunteers who run our free and fair elections deserve to be and feel safe at work – and voters need to be able to visit their elections office without worrying about their safety,” Sen. Cantwell said. The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act would help further ensure that every voter has the right to cast their ballot and every election worker can conduct their official duties free from fear and intimidation. It would strengthen existing anti-intimidation provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to limit the presence of visible firearms at locations where voters cast their ballot or election workers perform their official duties, empowering poll workers and election officials to continue safely administering elections. In Washington state, firearms are already prohibited at ballot counting centers, voting centers, student engagement hubs, and county elections and voter registration offices, as well as any facility being temporarily used for those reasons. The right to vote is fundamental to American democracy, but rising threats of political violence against voters and election workers threaten election security. As of April 2026, 32% of local election workers have reported experiencing threats, harassment, or abuse. Armed groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers who were involved in the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol have threatened to… 1 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-celebrates-new-amtrak-trains-for-the-pacific-northwest Cantwell Celebrates New Amtrak Trains for the Pacific Northwest 2026-09-28 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Celebrates New Amtrak Trains for the Pacific Northwest Cantwell championed a record-high Amtrak investment in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is funding new Airo trains WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Finance Committee, celebrated the debut of new Airo trainsets on the Amtrak Cascades ahead of the first passenger service on September 30. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law keeps paying dividends,” said Sen. Cantwell. “The state-of-the-art Airo trainsets replace much older cars, making travel on Amtrak’s Cascades route more convenient, accessible, and reliable for riders across the Pacific Northwest. The Airos also have nearly twice as many seats, helping to meet growing demand on this routinely sold-out route.” Sen. Cantwell led passage of the largest bipartisan investment in passenger rail in history, including $22 billion for Amtrak, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Now, Pacific Northwest customers will be the first in the nation to experience Amtrak’s newest trains. Amtrak’s Airo trains produce 90% less particulate emissions than their predecessors. Redesigned interiors will offer improved accessibility and comfort in state-of-the art train interiors. In October 2024, Sen. Cantwell announced that Amtrak would invest nearly $300 million in major upgrades to Seattle’s King Street Station rail yard. The upgraded railyard supported the introduction of the new Airo trains and operates without the use of fossil fuels for heating. 1 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-colleagues-call-for-memorial-at-arlington-national-cemetery-to-honor-wa-servicemember-killed-in-operation-epic-fury Cantwell, Colleagues Call for Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to Honor WA Servicemember Killed in Operation Epic Fury 2026-09-28 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell, Colleagues Call for Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to Honor WA Servicemember Killed in Operation Epic Fury Cantwell, Colleagues Call for Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to Honor WA Servicemember Killed in Operation Epic Fury WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), and Representatives Kim Schrier (D-WA-08), Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), and Mike Carey (R-OH-15) in introducing bicameral legislation, the Zeus 95 Memorial Act, to establish a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) honoring the six Zeus 95 servicemembers who perished on March 12, 2026, in the crash of a KC-135 during an Operation Epic Fury mission. Maj. John A. Klinner, (33, Auburn, AL); Capt. Ariana G. Savino, (31, Covington, WA); and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, (34, Bardstown, KY), were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Capt. Seth R. Koval, (38, Mooresville, IN); Capt. Curtis J. Angst, (30, Wilmington, OH); and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, (28, of Columbus, OH) were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio. “Captain Savino and the five heroes of ZEUS 95 gave everything in service to our country. A memorial at Arlington National Cemetery will ensure their courage and sacrifice are never forgotten,” Sen. Cantwell said. “Captain Ariana G. Savino represents the absolute best of Washington state and our country. I will forever be grateful for her bravery and sacrifice,” said Sen. Murray. “Capt. Savino and the other five courageous Air Force Airmen put their lives on the line to keep our country safe—they should be honored. My thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones in this tragic incident—Congress should pass this bill immediately to establish this memorial. We have a commitment to honor our servicemembers not only… 1 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-her-vote-directing-trump-to-end-his-war-in-iran Cantwell Statement on Her Vote Directing Trump to End His War in Iran 2026-09-28 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Statement on Her Vote Directing Trump to End His War in Iran WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted 49-50 against a concurrent resolution directing President Trump to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran, after nearly seven months of war. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) voted for the resolution and gave the following statement: “The costs of President Trump’s unnecessary war with Iran continue to mount, and the American people want it to end. We have lost valuable lives, and the conflict is compounding the burden of high gas and grocery prices at home.” Last week, Sen. Cantwell joined 45 Senate Democratic colleagues in demanding a full accounting of the costs of the war with Iran. In a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the senators criticized the Department of Defense for withholding information from Congress and the American public, even as U.S. casualties and taxpayer costs continue to rise. This week, partial information provided to Congress showed that the war cost at least $43.6 billion by September 3 – three weeks ago – as the Trump Administration has requested $67 billion more for the war. Moreover, as the senators’ letter notes, the war has also cost American consumers an extra $100 billion just in higher gas and diesel costs, and at least another $60 billion in higher costs for things like groceries, mortgages, and plane tickets, among others. On June 23, she issued a statement after voting for a War Powers Resolution measure to end the war. Congress passed the resolution – rejecting President Trump’s war with Iran – in a bipartisan vote. On June 18, she issued a statement on President Trump’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Iran, saying, “The President’s war with Iran was a mistake. The MOU is the price the President must pay to get us out of this unauthorized war before it further damages our economy and costs more lives.” On March 15, she issued a statement after six U.S. service members – including Captain Ariana G. Savino from Coving… 1 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell/randall-bill-to-restore-lower-elwha-klallam-tribal-lands-unanimously-passes-senate-heads-to-president-for-signature Cantwell/Randall Bill to Restore Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Lands Unanimously Passes Senate, Heads to President for Signature 2026-09-28 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell/Randall Bill to Restore Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Lands Unanimously Passes Senate, Heads to President for Signature The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act is one of the last steps of the Elwha and Glines Canyon Dam removal project & will help restore fisheries; Bill now heads to President’s desk to become law WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill sponsored by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), former chair and longest-serving member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Representative Emily Randall (D, WA-06), who serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, to transfer federal land back to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe after decades of work to restore the Elwha River. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act, having previously passed the House, now goes to the President’s desk for his signature. “Today, Congress took a historic step to strengthen salmon and habitat recovery and help fulfill a decades-old vision to restore the Elwha River and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s connection to lands that have sustained them since time immemorial. I’m thrilled we got this bill across the finish line and look forward to the President signing it into law,” Sen. Cantwell said. "Today, we took an important step in upholding our treaty obligations by passing legislation to transfer land into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. As a freshman member of Congress who represents — alongside their elected Tribal leaders — over 15,000 Tribal members, this significance is not lost on me,” said Rep. Randall. “Now signed into law, this bill will help ensure we meet our trust responsibilities to restore Tribal lands.” “It is a great honor to be trusted to steward these lands again, it continues to be a great part of our healing from the dam removal projects. We continue to see slow but persistent growth in our river and the return of the salmon. This has been a long process, and we a… 1 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-protect-college-sports-act-77-22 Senate Passes Protect College Sports Act 77-22 2026-09-28 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Senate Passes Protect College Sports Act 77-22 Landmark bill enshrines into federal law rights and health and safety protections for college athletes, protects athletes from predatory agents, & secures the future of women’s and Olympic sports; Legislation moves to House for consideration WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, celebrated the overwhelming, bipartisan Senate vote to pass the Protect College Sports Act. "There are several things in this bill that are really important to enshrine into federal law at this time. First and foremost, the federal right to NIL [Name, Image, and Likeness]," Sen. Cantwell said in a speech on the Senate floor ahead of the vote. "But compensation on revenue sharing is probably the most important thing we could possibly enshrine in federal law today. This is [Congress] saying, for the first time, that an athlete gets a percentage of the media rights, the ticket sales, and the sponsorship." She continued: "We also believe in a health and safety standard in federal law, one that protects the athletes beyond the way the law works today and gives them the right to sue and hold these people accountable for any kind of health and safety violations [...] And then medical coverage for five years post eligibility, and capping agents’ [fees] at 5%." "We need to stop stealing money out of college [and] university institutions for education, for tuition, for professors, and putting it into an arms race on sports," Sen. Cantwell said. "It is putting a pin in the problems to stabilize the loss of women’s and Olympic [sports] and to create the opportunity to discuss the larger structure moving forward. That is why I think we have so much support." Video of Sen. Cantwell’s floor speech is HERE; a transcript is HERE. The final vote was 77-22. The bill will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration. The next scheduled H… 1 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-leads-wa-delegation-in-supporting-governors-request-for-major-disaster-declaration-for-individual-assistance-for-devastating-wildfires-in-washington-state/ Murray Leads WA Delegation in Supporting Governor’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance for Devastating Wildfires in Washington State 2026-09-28 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ICYMI: Senator Murray Leads Entire WA Delegation in Requesting Expedited Emergency Declaration for Devastating Wildfires in Spokane ICYMI: Senator Murray Vows to Get Spokane and WA Federal Resources for Wildfire Response and Recovery ***LETTER HERE*** Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance to help families recover and repair damage due to the devastating wildfires that swept through Central and Eastern Washington from July 23 through August 31. For the first time, on August 1, the National Weather Service upgraded a Red Flag Warning for fire weather conditions to a Particularly Dangerous Situation, which is very rare and typically reserved for extreme fire weather conditions. Three massive fires broke out and tore through neighborhoods across Spokane, the Old Trails Fire burned in northwest Spokane, the Autumn Lane Fire burned near Nine-Mile Falls, and the Fairview Fire burned in Mead. The Spokane Complex Fires forced 67,000 people to evacuate, burned nearly 10,000 acres, with damages predicted to exceed $1 billion. This was one of Washington state’s worst wildfire seasons on record, with fires causing severe damage and threatening lives, property, businesses, and livestock. In Okanogan County, the Kaiser Canyon, Modrite, and Sinlahekin fires burned over 350,000 acres total. “As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s September 28th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance due to devastating wildfire damages incurred from July 23 through August 31. We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as possible,” Senator Murray and other members of the delegation wrote. “A record-setting drought and an unusually small snowpack contributed to numerous l… 1 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-baldwin-lead-colleagues-in-demanding-vought-abandon-any-and-all-plans-to-exert-political-control-over-nih-funding/ Murray, Baldwin Lead Colleagues in Demanding Vought Abandon Any and All Plans to Exert Political Control Over NIH Funding 2026-09-25 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Lawmakers emphasize need for Republicans to join Democrats and support new guardrails in law to protect the integrity of NIH’s grantmaking process following long line of politically motivated attacks on NIH ICYMI: Senator Murray on Trump’s Latest Plan to Politicize Lifesaving NIH Research ICYMI: Murray on Trump Admin Scrapping Plans for Executive Order to Empower Russ Vought to Kill NIH Research Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, led 29 of their colleagues in demanding White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought halt any plan to exert political control over the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) grant-making process. The Trump administration considering an executive order to establish an external committee of unqualified political appointees empowered to veto any awards selected by NIH and panels of scientific experts is just the latest example and highlights the need for Congress to intervene. In their letter, the lawmakers underscore that the executive order is just the latest way OMB has sought to undermine NIH and the scientific peer review process that is the foundation of biomedical advancements and innovation. Backtracking on a new executive order or not, the Trump administration has shown time and again it wants to use NIH funding to pursue political agendas and vendettas, at the expense of life-saving research, treatments, and cures for millions of Americans. “Decisions about which National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants to fund should be guided only by science, and what research is most likely to advance new treatments and cures, or the next breakthrough to save or improve a patient’s life. The Trump administration considering, at the highest level, an Executive Order to exert unprecedented political control over NIH’s grant-making by establishing a… 1 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-slams-trump-for-illegal-impoundment/ Murray Slams Trump for Illegal Impoundment 2026-09-25 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on President Trump’s illegal attempt to do an end run around Congress with a “pocket rescission.” While the president has called out over $800 million in federal funding that he intends to impound, Senate Appropriations Committee Democrats have identified additional funding that the Trump administration is on track to either illegally impound or spend in defiance of Congress. That includes additional funding for critical health research, funds to combat the international illicit narcotics trade, and more. “This is theft from the American people, plain and simple. These are funds Congress has delivered on a bipartisan basis and should be helping people—not cut off by a president more focused on building a ballroom than investing in families. Every Republican who voted for these bills should be furious because Vought is saying their votes don’t count. “In negotiations over the recently enacted CR, Democrats fought to include language to prevent the Trump administration from once again usurping Congress’ power—but for the second time in a year, Republicans refused to take common sense action and prevent this from happening. While Trump spends tax dollars on ads promoting himself, Congress needs to reassert its powers to help people, and it’s past time Republicans join us in that fight. Russ Vought’s message to Congress is that your votes don’t count, and your laws are optional. It is now time for my Republican colleagues who said they would never let this happen to stand up and join us to stop this, and remind this administration this is not how this works.” ### 1 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-and-colleagues-push-trump-to-negotiate-ai-guardrails-with-xi-jinping Cantwell & Colleagues Push Trump To Negotiate AI Guardrails With Xi Jinping 2026-09-24 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell & Colleagues Push Trump To Negotiate AI Guardrails With Xi Jinping Senators’ letter calls for global cooperation on AI development to preserve public safety and human control; Cantwell-led bill established the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee; Last year, Cantwell halted an effort to impose a 10-year moratorium on states establishing AI regulations WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined 16 of her colleagues in calling on President Donald Trump to negotiate a formal agreement between the U.S. and China on guardrails and global standards for the development, testing, and use of frontier Artificial Intelligence (AI) models with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “We write concerning public reporting that your administration plans to have discussions about artificial intelligence with China during the upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping currently planned for September 24, 2026. We support this dialogue and encourage you to have those discussions at the highest level. As extraordinary as the promise of some of AI’s advanced capabilities are, safety incidents make clear that both national and international infrastructure is threatened by unregulated testing and release of AI models. It is incumbent upon both governments to discuss necessary guardrails and global standards for the development, testing, and use of AI in order to mitigate the risks of unfettered advancement,” the senators wrote. They continued: “The conversations should include specific focus on the standards needed for development and testing processes, oversight and monitoring of models, enforcing human control over the use of autonomous systems, and technological verification of any agreed upon terms to ensure that an agreement is being enforced. Protecting American safety and leadership in AI will require international cooperation with many countries… 1 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-cantwell-moreno-schrier-call-for-memorial-at-arlington-national-cemetery-to-honor-fallen-zeus-95-servicemembers/ Murray, Cantwell, Moreno, Schrier, Call for Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to Honor Fallen Zeus 95 Servicemembers 2026-09-24 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — Today, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), and Representatives Kim Schrier (D-WA 08), Joyce Beatty (D-OH 03), and Mike Carey (R-OH 15), introduced bicameral legislation, the Zeus 95 Memorial Act, to establish a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) honoring the six Zeus 95 servicemembers who perished on March 12, 2026, in the crash of a KC-135 during an Operation Epic Fury mission. Maj. John A. Klinner, (33, Auburn, AL); Capt. Ariana G. Savino, (31, Covington, WA); and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, (34, Bardstown, KY), were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Capt. Seth R. Koval, (38, Mooresville, IN); Capt. Curtis J. Angst, (30, Wilmington, OH); and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, (28, of Columbus, OH) were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio. In the House, the bill is also cosponsored by Representatives Suzan DelBene (D-WA 01), Michael Baumgartner (R-WA 05), and Marilyn Strickland (D-WA 10). “Captain Ariana G. Savino represents the absolute best of Washington state and our country. I will forever be grateful for her bravery and sacrifice,” said Senator Murray. “Capt. Savino and the other five courageous Air Force Airmen put their lives on the line to keep our country safe—they should be honored. My thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones in this tragic incident—Congress should pass this bill immediately to establish this memorial. We have a commitment to honor our servicemembers not only with words but by supporting the families they leave behind—making sure the federal government is there for our military families will continue to be a top priority for me. To the families, friends, and fellow Airmen who loved the Zeus 95 crew, you have my most sincere condolences.” “Captain Savino and the five heroes of ZEUS 95 gave everything in service to our country. A memorial at Arlington National Ce… 1 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-presses-fda-nominee-heidi-overton-on-her-anti-abortion-extremism-and-fdas-failures-to-keep-food-safe/ Murray Presses FDA Nominee Heidi Overton on Her Anti-Abortion Extremism and FDA’s Failures to Keep Food Safe 2026-09-24 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Overton refuses to say whether mifepristone is safe and effective; Overton refuses to say that IUDs and contraception are NOT abortion ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full questioning*** Washington, D.C. — Today—at a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) hearing to consider the nomination of Dr. Heidi Overton to be Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the HELP committee, grilled Overton on the FDA approval of mifepristone and the safety of medication abortion, the mass foodborne illness outbreaks over the summer, and extreme claims that birth control is abortion. [MEDICATION ABORTION] Senator Murray began by questioning whether Overton agreed that mifepristone was safe and effective, something decades of research has consistently affirmed. MURRAY: Dr. Overton, do you do agree with the FDA approval of mifepristone, which means the agency deems it safe and effective? OVERTON: Thank you for the question. I look forward to getting to meet with you next week and talk in more detail. Mifepristone was approved by the FDA, as having met its safety and efficacy standards. MURRAY: I know what the FDA has done. I asked if you agree with the FDA, that it is safe and effective? OVERTON: Senator, as the nominee for the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, my job would be to abide by the statutory standards set out for safety and efficacy. And when a product is before the agency and has met those standards, I would agree with the statutory standards of safety and efficacy. MURRAY: So, you do believe it’s safe? OVERTON: I know that it has met the safety and efficacy standard according to the FDA review. MURRAY: Well, despite what FDA says, and what decades of science says, you actually published an article three years ago that incorrectly described medication abortion as “dangerous to women.” The fact that you would blatantly contradict decades of high-quality scientific evidence, and millions of patients use it, … 1 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senators-murray-hirono-cortez-masto-reintroduce-bill-to-expand-coverage-of-birth-control-in-america-and-sound-the-alarm-on-trumps-relentless-attacks-on-contraception-family-planning/ Senators Murray, Hirono, Cortez Masto, Reintroduce Bill to Expand Coverage of Birth Control in America and Sound the Alarm on Trump’s Relentless Attacks on Contraception & Family Planning 2026-09-24 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Murray: “Trump administration officials literally asserted birth control caused abortion, and wanted to set it on fire—seriously!” ICYMI: Murray Leads Colleagues in Calling on RFK Jr. to Reinstate 50+ Recently Cancelled Teen Pregnancy Prevention Grants ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks and the full press conference*** Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and former chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, held a press conference with Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) on the reintroduction of their bicameral Affordability is Access Act. Senator Murray was also joined by Dr. Serina Floyd, Chief Medical Officer for Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Daria Neal, Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy at the Center for Reproductive Rights, Audrey Ann Ross, Senior Manager of Communications and Policy at AccessMatters, and Dana Singiser, Co-Founder of Contraceptive Access Initiative. The legislation is also led by Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA-06), and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) in the House of Representatives. The Affordability is Access Act would require insurers to fully cover over-the-counter birth control without any fees or out-of-pocket costs, once it’s FDA-approved. The legislation also includes a new provision to require health insurance to cover every FDA-approved contraceptive drug or drug-led combination product without cost sharing unless the health plan also covers a therapeutically equivalent generic without cost sharing—this would significantly eliminate barriers that some patients face in accessing contraceptives prescribed by their provider. This reintroduction comes as the Trump administration continues their senseless attacks on reproductive care, family planning, and contraception. Throughout the press conference, speakers discussed the administration’s moves to cancel teen pregnancy… 1 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-on-trump-admin-scrapping-plans-for-executive-order-to-empower-russ-vought-to-kill-nih-research/ Murray on Trump Admin Scrapping Plans for Executive Order to Empower Russ Vought to Kill NIH Research 2026-09-23 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ICYMI: Senator Murray on Trump’s Latest Plan to Politicize Lifesaving NIH Research Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on news breaking today that plans to issue an executive order to establish an external review committee empowered to veto National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards are being scrapped. “It shouldn’t take public outcry to prevent President Trump and Russ Vought from laying waste to the NIH and defunding lifesaving research because they think it’s ‘woke’ or want to extort a university. This president is on a mission to shred patients and families’ hopes for new treatments and cures. “While this specific scheme may now be on ice, make no mistake: President Trump and Russ Vought are already playing politics with lifesaving NIH funding and will continue to do so, with or without a new Executive Order. What’s sorely needed are more protections in law to actually put an end to that—to stop funding and staffing cuts, prevent political appointees from meddling in decisions about lifesaving research, and ensure grantmaking is guided only by what gives us the best chance at the next medical breakthrough. I’ve been pushing to do much more in our spending laws, but we need Republicans to finally agree to put real checks on President Trump and Russ Vought.” Senator Murray has raised alarms and fought back against this administration’s nonstop efforts to politicize, cut, and defund all manner of lifesaving medical research—including by pushing for new guardrails in the HHS spending law. She and her Democratic colleagues in Congress also successfully fought to secure language in the recently enacted continuing resolution (CR) to block the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) attempt to politicize every aspect of the federal grantmaking process. ### 1 2026-09-24T09:44:48Z 2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-daines-lead-wa-mt-and-ak-lawmakers-in-letter-to-rfk-jr-defending-top-nw-organ-donation-group Cantwell, Daines Lead WA, MT, & AK Lawmakers in Letter to RFK Jr. Defending Top NW Organ Donation Group 2026-09-22 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell, Daines Lead WA, MT, & AK Lawmakers in Letter to RFK Jr. Defending Top NW Organ Donation Group LifeCenter Northwest, the primary organ procurement organization in Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho, threatened with decertification due to CMS criteria that disadvantages geographically large and sparsely populated service areas; “Decertification would create unnecessary risk for our region - jeopardizing timely access to organ transplants and undermining support for donor families” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) led 17 House and Senate members from western states in sending a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz expressing support for recertification of the regional organ donation group, LifeCenter Northwest – as well as concern that the HHS and CMS criteria used to evaluate the organization’s performance may undervalue organizations that serve large, rural areas. Organ procurement organizations, or OPOs, are responsible for helping recover organs from deceased donors and getting those organs to patients who need transplants. Under the framework established by CMS in 2020, OPOs are assessed on two measures: How many potential donors become actual donors, and how many organs from those donors are ultimately transplanted. But in January, the Trump administration proposed major oversight and accountability changes that will determine whether OPOs may continue operating during the 2026 recertification cycle. If these changes are finalized, it is estimated that approximately 75% of OPOs could be at risk of decertification. “LifeCenter Northwest plays a vital role in sustaining organ donation and transplantation across a uniquely large and complex donation service ar… 1 2026-09-23T09:45:16Z 2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/on-senate-floor-murray-ticks-through-trumps-most-wildly-out-of-touch-economic-quotes/ On Senate Floor, Murray Ticks Through Trumps Most Wildly Out-of-Touch Economic Quotes 2026-09-22 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Murray: “It is everything. It is health care costs—which Trump has sent higher. It is child care—which is out of control. It is goods across the board—which are up due to Trump’s insane trade wars. It is gas—which Trump launched to new heights with his Iran war. Trump just does not get it. He has no idea what Americans are going through.” ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full speech*** Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor slamming Trump for the many wildly out-of-touch statements he’s made about the economy and working families. In addition to ticking through ten of Trump’s most out-of-touch takes, she discussed how Trump and Republicans’ policies are making gas, groceries, health care, and child care more expensive for working families while pouring trillions into illegal wars. Senator Murray focused her discussion on Trump quotes below: “I love the inflation.” “’Groceries,’ it’s a very simple word. ‘Groceries.’ Like almost—you know, who uses the word?” “Affordability is a hoax…” “I don’t think that a beautiful baby girl needs…to have 30 dolls. I think they can have three dolls or four dolls…” “I always say tariffs is the most beautiful word to me in the dictionary.” “I found health care sort of like not of tremendous interest…” “We can’t take care of day care. We’re a big country. We have 50 states. We have all these other people. We’re fighting wars. We can’t take care of day care.” “I don’t want to drive housing prices down. I want to drive housing prices up for people that own their homes.” “Wars can be fought ‘forever’…” Reporter: “I wonder what grade would you give your economy?” Trump: “A plus. A plus, plus, plus, plus, plus, plus.” Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below: “As President Trump himself has admitted: ‘I’m not so careful with what I say.’ And: ‘Americans’ financial situation? I don’t think about anybody.’ “No kidding—we noticed! “And when it comes to the economy, President … 1 2026-09-23T09:45:16Z 2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/trump-admin-set-to-impound-or-redirect-billions-of-dollars-in-foreign-policy-investments-congress-made/ Trump Admin Set to Impound or Redirect Billions of Dollars in Foreign Policy Investments Congress Made 2026-09-22 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Murray, Schatz respond as President Trump and Secretary Rubio refuse to follow the law and deploy resources Congress provided to combat international fentanyl and narcotics trafficking, counter Russia, protect against global health threats, and more Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ranking Member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s refusal to spend foreign assistance investments Congress made as intended as the end of the fiscal year quickly approaches on September 30. “Cracking down on fentanyl trafficking, countering Putin, protecting Americans from global health threats—these are priorities just about everyone supports. But instead of spending funding Congress provided to support these common-sense objectives, the Trump administration is on track to permanently impound nearly a billion dollars and to commit billions more to pay for its brazen dismantlement of USAID instead of following the law that Congress passed and using those funds to save lives and advance bipartisan U.S. foreign policy objectives. “Far from cutting wasteful spending, the Trump administration has created more of it. This administration is now using funding Congress provided for countering health threats and autocrats alike to cover legal bills Trump and DOGE incurred from illegally razing USAID to the ground and cutting off lifesaving work in the blink of an eye. “Congress passed a law to invest in saving lives, protecting the American people, and advancing our interests abroad; it did not hand Trump a checkbook to spend on whatever he pleases while blocking funding for everything else. The Trump administration needs to rework its plans and spend these resources as Congress intended, and we need Republicans in Congress to finally join us in insisting that happens.” When Congress provides federal funding, it specifies how long t… 1 2026-09-23T09:45:16Z 2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-hails-final-approval-of-25m-federal-grant-for-new-lummi-island-ferry-and-dock-upgrades Cantwell Hails Final Approval of $25M Federal Grant for New Lummi Island Ferry and Dock Upgrades 2026-09-21 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Hails Final Approval of $25M Federal Grant for New Lummi Island Ferry and Dock Upgrades WASHINGTON, D.C. – Whatcom County and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) have announced they have finalized a $25 million federal grant that will allow Whatcom County to replace the 64-year-old Lummi Island ferry with a state-of-the-art vessel and rebuild the aging ferry terminal. The grant came from DOT’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, which was championed by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee. “This federal investment will allow construction to begin to replace a 64-year-old ferry used by over 175,000 passengers each year as the only link between Lummi Island and mainland Whatcom County,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Now and for decades to come, residents will have a reliable way to get to the mainland for vital services like jobs, groceries, education, and health care.” Sen. Cantwell visited Lummi Island and rode the existing ferry when the grant was first announced back in summer of 2022. Photos of her visit are available HERE, b-roll of Sen. Cantwell stepping off the Lummi Island Ferry is available HERE, and a transcript of her remarks is available HERE. Lummi Island is a rural community, with the ferry producing the only connection between the island and the mainland of Whatcom County. The Lummi Island Ferry is located on Lummi Nation land. The Lummi Island Ferry is one of the state’s oldest vessels and is well past the end of its useful life. The RAISE grant for the Lummi Island Ferry Replacement and System Modernization Project will help replace the ferry with a battery-hybrid vessel that would reduce emissions and increase ridership capacity to meet future growth. This funding comes following a letter of support written by Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Patty Murray to then-Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in March 2022… 1 2026-09-22T09:42:49Z 2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-kaptur-demand-answers-on-trump-admins-rapid-sweeping-changes-to-nuclear-safety-measures-putting-workers-and-the-public-at-risk/ Murray, Kaptur Demand Answers on Trump Admin’s Rapid & Sweeping Changes to Nuclear Safety Measures, Putting Workers and the Public at Risk 2026-09-21 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, sent a letter to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Ho K. Nieh about the broad changes being made at the NRC to regulations, security, organizational structure, and more, which could threaten worker safety at nuclear facilities and impair independent oversight. The NRC has been quickly making these changes and rehauling the organization without providing time for public input or transparency. NRC, a statutorily independent agency, has been undertaking wholesale revision of its regulations, guidance, oversight processes, and organizational structure pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14300, “Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” that President Trump signed on May 23, 2025. These sweeping changes encompass 47 regulations, 27 rulemakings, and 71 guidance documents. “The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is undertaking wholesale revision of its regulations, guidance, oversight processes, and organizational structure,” write Murray and Kaptur. “We support efforts to ensure that the NRC’s regulatory framework is efficient, risk-informed, and capable of supporting the safe and secure deployment of nuclear energy. However, the breadth of the changes currently underway raises significant questions about whether the NRC has adequately evaluated the cumulative effects of these reforms on nuclear safety, security, independent oversight, and public confidence.” Murray and Kaptur express deep concern for NRC plans to remove “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA) radiation safety requirements, endangering workers’ safety: “We are particularly concerned about the proposed revisions to the NRC’s radiation protection framework. The NRC proposes to remove regulatory requirements implementing the ‘as low … 1 2026-09-22T09:42:49Z 2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-on-trumps-latest-plan-to-politicize-lifesaving-nih-research/ Senator Murray on Trump’s Latest Plan to Politicize Lifesaving NIH Research 2026-09-21 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on President Trump’s latest reported plans to issue an executive order to establish an external review committee empowered to veto any awards selected by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to receive funding. “Whether lifesaving medical research gets funded or not should be determined by experts at the NIH—not a panel of lackeys chosen by Donald Trump and Russ Vought. Under this scheme, a single political appointee could kill a cancer study or an Alzheimer’s trial with no scientific reason at all. “Only one question should decide which research gets funded: is this good science that could save lives? Trump wants to answer a different question: does this help me settle a score? NIH funding doesn’t belong to Donald Trump—it belongs to the patients and families waiting on the next medical breakthrough. “President Trump will stop at nothing to defund medical research that fundamentally changes the lives of patients and families across the country, and Republicans need to join us to put a stop to any effort by this administration to politicize what groundbreaking new treatments and cures we decide as a country to invest in—whether that’s an OMB rule or a new executive order. “Breast cancer patients shouldn’t be denied hope of a new lifesaving treatment because Russ Vought thinks women’s health research is woke. Researchers at UW, Fred Hutch, and labs across Washington state and the country are working on cures that families are counting on; I’m going to fight this corrupt heist every step of the way.” Senator Murray has raised alarms and fought back against this administration’s nonstop efforts to politicize, cut, and defund all manner of lifesaving medical research. She and her Democratic colleagues in Congress also successfully fought to secure language in the recently enacted continuing resolution (CR) to block the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) attempt to … 1 2026-09-22T09:42:49Z 2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-schatz-shaheen-reed-warner-coons-statement-on-deadly-iranian-wedding-strike/ Murray, Schatz, Shaheen, Reed, Warner, Coons Statement on Deadly Iranian Wedding Strike 2026-09-18 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper “Reports that a strike on a home in Kuhestak, Iran that killed four civilians, including women and a child, and injured more than 60 others was likely caused by an errant U.S. bomb are shocking and deeply troubling. This is not the first time that U.S. strikes have resulted in civilian casualties during this war of choice, and it once again raises grave concerns about the Trump administration’s disregard for protecting civilian life. This incident must be fully and impartially investigated, and the full investigation must be shared publicly with Congress and the American people. We have yet to receive the full investigation of the Pentagon’s inquiry into a February 28th strike on a school in Minab that killed 175 civilians, mostly children. The public deserves to know what led to these failures and what is being done to prevent similar incidents in the future. This war must end.” 1 2026-09-19T09:11:33Z 2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-hails-historic-opportunity-to-codify-athletes-rights-in-protect-college-sports-act Cantwell Hails Historic Opportunity to Codify Athletes’ Rights in Protect College Sports Act 2026-09-17 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Hails Historic Opportunity to Codify Athletes’ Rights in Protect College Sports Act “We can recognize [these rights], enshrine them today, and make sure that these athletes are protected forever.”; Protect College Sports Act creates historic federal rights and protections for student athletes and secures the future of women’s and Olympic sports; aims to rein in runaway spending on athletics that’s harming colleges & students; Today, the Senate advanced the bill 77-22, picking up 4 votes -- 3 Democrats and 1 Republican WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, urged her colleagues to support her bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, a historic opportunity to enshrine athletes’ rights to name, image, and likeness (NIL) revenue – as well as important health and safety protections – into federal law. “We can recognize [these rights], enshrine them today, and make sure that these athletes are protected forever, including the rights to not have their contracts screwed with, their rights to not have their school override them, the rights to have any amount of money that some business wants to pay them, as long as it is for a valid business purpose,” said Sen. Cantwell said in a speech on the Senate floor. Sen. Cantwell also outlined the importance of stabilizing college sports. “I want these rules put in place because sports is about any given Saturday,” she said. “It is not about whether you have a billionaire in your backyard. It is about whether you can coach and recruit and develop and maintain and have academic performance and have fairness … and have everybody compete and keep the ecosystem in place. But that fairness does not exist today without this bill.” Sen. Cantwell noted that the runaway spending on athletics threatens opportunities in women’s and Olympic sports. “I am not going to have women's and Olympic sports undermined by this system. In… 1 2026-09-18T09:27:43Z 2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-joins-colleagues-in-demanding-answers-from-hegseth-on-cost-of-iran-war Cantwell Joins Colleagues in Demanding Answers From Hegseth on Cost of Iran War 2026-09-17 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Joins Colleagues in Demanding Answers From Hegseth on Cost of Iran War Pentagon greatly underestimates cost of Iran war to taxpayers & families, senators write in letter to SecDef Hegseth WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined 45 of her colleagues in the Democratic Senate caucus in sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding a full accounting of the costs of the ongoing war with Iran. The letter also criticized the Department of Defense for withholding basic budget information from Congress and the American public even as U.S. casualties and taxpayer costs continue to increase. “Meanwhile, at home, American taxpayers have already paid an extra $100 billion out of their pockets for higher gas and diesel prices alone and at least another $60 billion in higher costs for things like groceries, mortgages, and plane tickets as a result of the war,” wrote the Senators. “Now you are asking that they pay again to fund a war of choice that Congress never authorized and the President launched with no strategic plan.” The United States is now more than six months into a conflict President Trump initially said would last six weeks. Eighteen American servicemembers have been killed and more than 820 wounded, and over 50,000 troops are currently deployed to the Middle East. In the letter, the senators note that deployments, including for the USS Abraham Lincoln and the 82nd Airborne, have been repeatedly extended, and that their offices have heard directly from military families worried about loved ones serving in the conflict. The aircraft carrier – which the Navy recently indicated is likely coming to Bremerton – was at sea for 286 days, a modern record, and concerns were raised by the crew and their families. In their letter, the senators highlight the contrast between the current Pentagon’s transparency record with past wartime pra… 1 2026-09-18T09:27:43Z 2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/at-help-hearing-murray-grills-trump-nominees-on-ai-denying-seniors-health-care-abortion-bans-killing-women/ At HELP Hearing, Murray Grills Trump Nominees on AI Denying Seniors’ Health Care & Abortion Bans Killing Women 2026-09-16 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full questioning*** Washington, D.C. — Today—at a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) hearing to consider Trump’s latest slate of nominees for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the HELP committee, grilled Trump’s nominees on the harmful WISeR model that is denying seniors doctor recommended care and on how Republican abortion bans are putting women with ectopic pregnancies at life threatening risk. [AI DENYING SENIORS’ CRITICAL HEALTH CARE] Senator Murray began by questioning Chris Klomp, nominee to be Deputy Secretary of HHS, on the WISeR model—which uses artificial intelligence to deny seniors’ health care—and the private companies doing the prior authorization assessments profiting from the denials. MURRAY: Mr. Klomp, I’ll start with you and I want to start with the WISeR model, that as you know is a program CMS is using to implement AI prior authorization in Traditional Medicare in several states, including in my home state of Washington. Do the contractors in the model—who are the private companies conducting the prior authorization assessments—make more money if they deny care? Just yes or no? KLOMP: My understanding is no. MURRAY: Well, the answer actually is yes. We already know these companies are paid based on the number of claims they deny. And we also know that the CMS Office of the Actuary literally said in a memo, “model participants will have an incentive to deny as many claims as possible.” And what do you know? In the first three months of this year, the Washington state contractor denied more requests than they approved. So, Mr. Klomp, you’ve said prior authorization was one of the first things you wanted to focus on at HHS, saying it needs to be fixed so it’s “invisible to the patient.” KLOMP: Yes ma’am. MURRAY: I’m telling you, it is not invisible for the seniors in my state who’ve had to wait weeks in pain as their doctors battled with these… 1 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-baldwin-sound-alarm-on-trump-admins-plans-to-siphon-away-likely-impound-healthcare-research-funds/ Murray, Baldwin Sound Alarm on Trump Admin’s Plans to Siphon Away & Likely Impound Healthcare Research Funds 2026-09-16 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Lawmakers demand immediate information about plans to award tens of millions in AHRQ funding set to expire September 30, after HHS informed them it plans to transfer some funding to other agencies Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, demanded Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. release information about HHS’ plans to spend down tens of millions of dollars in funding Congress approved for lifesaving and cost-cutting healthcare research at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)—all of which is set to expire come September 30 if it is not awarded. President Trump and Secretary Kennedy have worked to systematically dismantle AHRQ since taking office and are on track to impound—or transfer away to other agencies—a significant portion of the agency’s budget for the current fiscal year. This comes after AHRQ terminated approximately 150 grants totaling $94 million earlier this year and impounded $80 million in fiscal year 2025 funding after failing to award grants last year. “It is increasingly clear that once again, your Department intends to ignore the law and—through a combination of gross negligence and intentional sabotage—will refuse to spend millions of taxpayer dollars that should be funding research to lower costs in the health care system and protect patients’ safety,” write Murray and Baldwin. “Research funded by AHRQ grants has saved tens of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in health care costs, but once again, instead of getting these funds provided by Congress out the door as is required by law, this administration is on track to impound these resources and kill lifesaving research,” they continue. In the letter, Senators Murray and Baldwin state that HHS recently informed them that it plans to award just 90 grants this y… 1 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-kaptur-demand-energy-department-restore-eliminated-safety-rules-justify-rewrite-of-dozens-of-critical-safety-and-accountability-measures/ Murray, Kaptur Demand Energy Department Restore Eliminated Safety Rules, Justify Rewrite of Dozens of Critical Safety and Accountability Measures 2026-09-16 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, sent a letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright calling out the dozens of changes being made to operating directives at the Department of Energy (DOE), which is jeopardizing the safety of work being done at DOE labs, plants, and sites, reduces transparency and Federal oversight, and risks wasting taxpayer dollars. DOE made these sweeping changes without meaningful engagement with workers, labor unions, and other stakeholders. Murray and Kaptur are demanding DOE immediately restore three of the cancelled orders and justify the other forty-six changes. Those orders required DOE to track safety incidents and worker injuries across its labs and sites, and let workers formally challenge technical decisions they believed put safety at risk. “We are deeply concerned that the scope and pace of these simultaneous changes will weaken critical safety protections, reduce independent Federal oversight, impair public visibility into departmental operations, and transfer significant responsibility from Federal officials to contractors without adequate safeguards in place,” write Murray and Kaptur. “In short, we are worried the rollback of these changes could jeopardize the safety of work being conducted across the DOE enterprise and waste taxpayer dollars.” Murray and Kaptur further detail the importance of independent oversight, quality assurance, nuclear facility safety reporting, and worker training—and call out the Trump administration for claiming to support “performance-based accountability” and strong safety and security standards, while also eliminating reporting requirements and rewriting regulations that do just that. Murray and Kaptur continue by responding to DOE’s decision to flat out cancel several orders, “D… 1 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/on-senate-floor-murray-calls-on-republicans-to-end-trumps-trade-war-republicans-ignore-rising-costs-block-bill-to-end-tariffs/ On Senate Floor, Murray Calls on Republicans to End Trump’s Trade War—Republicans Ignore Rising Costs & Block Bill to End Tariffs 2026-09-16 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Murray: “We have a bill today that could actually save families thousands of dollars. All we need is for Republicans to join us, stand up to Trump, and pass this bill that will end Trump’s deranged trade wars.” ICYMI: Murray Introduces Bill to End Trump’s Trade War with Canada & Lower Costs, Slams Trump’s Latest Tariffs as “Economic Arson” ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full speech*** Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor urging Republicans to pass her End Trump’s Tariff Tax Act, legislation that would end Trump’s global tariffs and 50% tariffs on Canada, and stop him from waging his unilateral trade war. Following Murray’s speech, Senate Republicans blocked a request by Democrats to pass the bill through unanimous consent, despite Trump’s tariffs costing the average family nearly $2,000. Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below: “In the face of the skyrocketing prices Trump has caused with his own policies, he has been trying to sell voters a new empty promise about $5,000 checks that everyone knows are never coming. “But we have a bill today that could actually save families thousands of dollars. All we need is for Republicans to join us, stand up to Trump, and pass this bill that will end Trump’s deranged trade wars. It is quite literally a bill to cut taxes—so Republicans should be all for it. “And it will save families big time. After all, we know Trump’s tariffs cost the average family nearly $2,000 last year. Two thousand dollars! Think about that. That is money families should have in their pockets. It could help with months of groceries, or cover rent. It could help fund home or car repairs in a pinch. It could be a family vacation. “But instead—that money got burned up by Trump’s trade war. “Now, I hear from folks back in Washington state about this about every time I’m home. They have not been shy about saying just how damaging Trump’s trade war has been. Business owners cannot build a long… 1 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-the-supreme-courts-ruling-that-blocks-us-postal-service-from-interfering-with-vote-by-mail Cantwell Statement on the Supreme Court’s Ruling That Blocks U.S. Postal Service From Interfering With Vote-by-Mail 2026-09-15 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Statement on the Supreme Court’s Ruling That Blocks U.S. Postal Service From Interfering With Vote-by-Mail WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, released this statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal to reverse a lower-court ruling that blocked the Postal Service from implementing requirements that would have interfered with vote-by-mail in Washington state and nationwide: “This close to the election we need stability, not disenfranchisement and confusion. I’m glad a majority of the Supreme Court Justices rejected Trump’s mail-in ballot scheme that would have created chaos and denied many Americans the right to vote. I still encourage Washingtonians to stay vigilant, vote early, and use drop boxes when possible to avoid delays in the postal system.” On September 8, Sen. Cantwell joined 260 of her colleagues – including all Senate Democrats and current and former members of the House of Representatives – in filing a bipartisan, bicameral amicus brief with the Supreme Court in the case. Together, the lawmakers argued, “As current and former legislators, amici took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States — including its guarantee of the separation of powers. Amici have a particular interest in defending the institutional role of the Legislative Branch under Article I of the Constitution and in vindicating the long-settled principle that the Constitution commits ultimate regulatory authority over federal elections to Congress. The Constitution does not contemplate the Executive Branch acting unilaterally to assert power over federal elections. Yet that is what the Order and Final Rule do.” The lawmakers argued, “The district court correctly concluded that Appellees are likely to succeed on the merits of their claims that USPS lacked authority to issue the Final Rule, that the Final Rule unconstitutionally imp… 1 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/runaway-athletics-spending-threatens-the-financial-health-of-americas-colleges-cantwell-snapshot-report-shows Runaway Athletics Spending Threatens the Financial Health of America’s Colleges, Cantwell Snapshot Report Shows 2026-09-15 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Runaway Athletics Spending Threatens the Financial Health of America’s Colleges, Cantwell Snapshot Report Shows 94% of Division I programs are in the red, spending more than they generate; schools faced approx. 300% higher costs for recruiting, equipment, and coaching since 2005; Universities and state governments are footing the bill, boosting spending by $520 million across 53 Power Four athletic programs alone in 2025 vs. 2015; Senate voting today on advancing Cantwell’s bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, which would stabilize college sports WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Finance Committee, released a new snapshot report on how runaway athletics spending is harming the financial health and broader missions of U.S. colleges and universities – and hitting students with record-high fees. “This report demonstrates how the unsustainable growth in spending on college sports is amplifying the broader financial pressures on colleges and universities,” said Sen. Cantwell. “We're seeing universities transfer general fund money to cover athletic department deficits, dip into endowments to sustain their general funds, and beg state legislatures for even more sports dollars. We must rein in runaway athletics spending or face the consequences of a brain drain that threatens our global leadership in science and technology.” The report contains a new analysis of the increase in government and institutional support to our leading public universities. According to this analysis, leading universities now contribute a half-billion dollars more towards athletics each year than they did ten years ago. Contributions from general funds to support athletics among Power Four schools have nearly tripled from 2015-2024, increasing from $445 million to $1.2 billion. Other findings outlined in the report: 94 percent of all Division I athletics programs now spend more than they generate in athleti… 1 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-votes-74-24-to-advance-cantwells-bipartisan-protect-college-sports-act Senate Votes 74-24 To Advance Cantwell’s Bipartisan Protect College Sports Act 2026-09-15 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Senate Votes 74-24 To Advance Cantwell’s Bipartisan Protect College Sports Act The Protect College Sports Act creates federal rights and protections for student athletes and secures the future of women’s and Olympic sports; Today, Cantwell’s office published a snapshot report detailing how runaway spending on athletics is harming colleges & students WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate voted 74-24 to invoke cloture on the Motion to Proceed to the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan bill authored and introduced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), the committee chair. Following today’s vote, the bill now awaits additional votes in the Senate. If passed by the Senate, the legislation would then be considered by the House of Representatives. In a speech on the Senate floor before the vote, Sen. Cantwell said: "This bill brings order to [college sports]. It helps women and Olympic sports, and it sets up a commission to look at the real future, which I think should include collective bargaining [...] Let's bring some sanity. Recognize that athletes do deserve revenue sharing, and that this bill will put that into law for the first time." Video of her speech is HERE; a transcript is HERE. Today, Sen. Cantwell’s office also released a snapshot report detailing how the unsustainable growth in spending on college sports is amplifying financial pressures on colleges and universities. That report can be read in full HERE. Yesterday, Sen. Cantwell joined current college athletes, coaches, and senators from both parties for a press conference at the U.S. Capitol to speak in support of the Protect College Sports Act. That press conference, which also included Gonzaga University head men’s basketball coach Mark Few, can be watched in full HERE. The Protect College Sports Act: PROTECTS ATHLETES: First-ever NIL Right Grants student athletes a new federal right to earn compensation for their Nam… 1 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-colleagues-introduce-privileged-resolution-seeking-answers-on-west-bank-violence/ Murray, Colleagues, Introduce Privileged Resolution Seeking Answers on West Bank Violence 2026-09-15 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper The Senators’ resolution – introduced Monday night – would require a report on increasing violence in the West Bank, including deaths of American citizens Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and 19 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a 502B privileged resolution requiring the Department of State to report to Congress on increasing violence in the West Bank, including the killings of Americans in the West Bank. Nine Americans have been killed in the West Bank in recent years – and more detained – and none have received accountability or justice from either the Israeli or United States governments. The Senators’ resolution would require the Department of State to provide information and assessments related to investigations of the killing of United States citizens by violent Israeli settlers or Israeli security forces in the West Bank, as well as an assessment of the human rights situation in the West Bank, specifically related to the detention of Palestinian children. They were joined in introducing the resolution by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). “The increasing violence in the West Bank is horrifying and unacceptable. Nine Americans have been killed in the West Bank since 2022 and their families deserve clarity and accountability. Two constituents from Washington state have been killed by Israeli forces with no answers and no justice—that can’t go unanswered. Additionally, the reports of detained Palestinian children are absolutely heartbreaking—those families des… 1 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-rallies-with-bipartisan-members-of-congress-advocates-parents-against-trumps-attacks-on-head-start/ Senator Murray Rallies with Bipartisan Members of Congress, Advocates, Parents Against Trump’s Attacks on Head Start 2026-09-15 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Murray: “Trump wants to turn Head Start into a Dead End.” ICYMI: Senator Murray Slams Trump’s Latest Attack on Head Start, Calls on Teachers and Parents to Protect the Program ICYMI: Senators Murray, Luján, and Advocates Sound the Alarm on Trump’s Latest Attack on Head Start, Vow to Save Head Start ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks*** Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined a bipartisan group of members of Congress, child care advocates, and parents, to sound the alarm on the damaging new proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services that if finalized could gut Head Start by shredding basic standards that keep kids safe and advances their education. The proposed rule removes most of Head Start’s 133 pages of requirements for class sizes, discipline, medical screenings, home visits, hours of service, staff qualifications, and more. In her remarks, Senator Murray highlighted how vital Head Start is for families in Washington state and across the country, and how important it is to preserve the strong, consistent standards and comprehensive services that Head Start provides for communities. In her remarks, she also called on families to make their voices heard and participate in the ongoing public comment period. Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below: “Last month, President Trump, the billionaire who thinks we cannot afford child care but who does thinks we can always find money for war and billionaire tax cuts, well as you know, he launched his latest attack on working families: it is a proposal that will rip the heart out of our Head Start program, by shredding over a hundred and thirty pages of rules that help our kids stay safe and make sure they do get a quality education. “No one is falling for Trump’s spin here, no one. Are you? No! In just about every way you can think of—this rule would tear Head Start down. “Now, Trump wants to tear down g… 1 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-on-new-report-finding-trump-wasted-billions-in-taxpayer-dollars-to-force-out-essential-federal-workers-most-expensive-way-imaginable-to-make-government-worse/ Murray on New Report Finding Trump Wasted Billions in Taxpayer Dollars to Force Out Essential Federal Workers: “Most expensive way imaginable to make government worse.” 2026-09-15 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released today finding the Trump administration spent $9.5 billion paying federal workers not to work as part of its sweeping campaign to reduce the federal workforce. In many cases, after pushing out federal workers and paying them not to work, the Trump administration proceeded to rehire for their roles, and those new hires have been less qualified than the staff they replaced. “After promising to cut waste, Trump instead set billions upon billions in taxpayer dollars on fire to quite literally pay people not to do jobs they loved—from researching cancer cures to taking care of our National Parks, and so much else. “Trump spent billions to push out experienced and badly needed experts across government—this was the most expensive way imaginable to make government worse. “Seniors, veterans, and families will wait longer for the help they count on for years to come, all thanks to Trump’s reckless mass firing campaign, which was endorsed by Republicans in Congress who cheered these cuts and refused to join Democrats to put a stop to it.” Vice Chair Murray and Senate Democrats have fought to put a stop to President Trump’s sweeping efforts to fire all manner of essential federal workers, including in negotiations over annual spending bills. But Republicans have rejected Democrats’ efforts to put a permanent stop to mass firings and workforce reductions through spending measures and voted against a number of amendments Democrats proposed to protect staffing levels in critical areas. ### 1 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-joins-gonzagas-mark-few-current-college-athletes-and-other-coaches-speaking-in-support-of-protect-college-sports-act Cantwell Joins Gonzaga’s Mark Few, Current College Athletes & Other Coaches Speaking in Support of Protect College Sports Act 2026-09-14 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Joins Gonzaga’s Mark Few, Current College Athletes & Other Coaches Speaking in Support of Protect College Sports Act CANTWELL: “I'm asking my colleagues to join us in fixing what's wrong with college sports today.”; FEW: "We really, really need help, and we need it from Congress.”; Cantwell’s bipartisan Protect College Sports Act ensures federal rights and protections for athletes and secures the future of women’s and Olympic sports; vote on legislation expected this week WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Gonzaga University head men’s basketball coach Mark Few, current college athletes, other coaches, and senators from both parties to speak in support of the Protect College Sports Act. "[The Protect College Sports Act] is a first-time federal statute on the rights of students to earn NIL and revenue sharing. So, a historic recognition of both of those rights," said Sen. Cantwell. "This is [also] about reining in the bad practices that are happening in college sports today, the runaway costs that are sending people to the state legislature, asking for bailouts from taxpayers to pay for sports ... because of the runaway arms race in sports spending," she added. "I'm asking my colleagues to join us in fixing what's wrong with college sports today." "We really, really need help, and we need it from Congress," said Coach Few. "This bill might not be perfect, but it's far and far away the best thing we got out there right now." "I'm so proud of both Senator Cantwell working with her over all these years, but just teaming with Senator Cruz," he added, "it really, really gives you a great feeling and great encouragement of just how Washington does really work for all of us." Speakers at today’s press conference included current college athletes, current college coaches and bill cosponsors from both parties. COLLEGE ATHLETES Diego Diaz, Fa… 1 2026-09-15T09:50:21Z 2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-trump-plan-to-eliminate-epa-limits-on-power-plant-pollution Cantwell Statement On Trump Plan To Eliminate EPA Limits on Power Plant Pollution 2026-09-14 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Statement On Trump Plan To Eliminate EPA Limits on Power Plant Pollution WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Trump administration officials announced a plan to remove the existing pollution caps placed on power plants in the United States, changing a longtime policy of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and threatening to increase the level of greenhouse gases pumped into our atmosphere. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, senior member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, made the following statement: “Rolling back carbon pollution limits from power plants is a step in the wrong direction. Rather than abandoning public health standards and the fight against climate change, the way to keep electricity prices down is to invest in cleaner, more efficient energy technologies.” In the United States, the power sector is already the second-largest producer of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, behind only the transportation sector. According to data recently released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), July 2026 was the hottest on record for the contiguous U.S., with an average temperature of 76.9*F – a full 3.3*F hotter than the 20th century average, and the hottest in 132 years of record keeping. Climate change is already costing American consumers, with one study published earlier this year finding U.S. households paying an average of $400 to $900 more per year because of climate change, and more than $1,300 in some parts of the country. Sen. Cantwell has been a strong advocate of polices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions across multiple sectors and industries. As then-chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, she secured $297 million for the Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Low-Emissions Aviation Technology Grant Program, now known as the Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition (FAST) program, which was enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act.… 1 2026-09-15T09:50:21Z 2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-patty-murray-statement-on-pete-serranos-nomination-for-u-s-attorney-in-the-western-district-of-washington/ Senator Patty Murray Statement on Pete Serrano’s Nomination for U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Washington 2026-09-14 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — In response to Pete Serrano’s nomination for U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Washington, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) has issued the following statement. “Pete Serrano is not qualified to serve as U.S. Attorney and his extreme right-wing views are completely out of touch with the priorities of Washington state. His record hasn’t changed—he tried to rewrite the history of the violent January 6th insurrection and sides with anti-abortion extremists. “Let’s be clear about what a sham this is: after federal judges declined to appoint Serrano in Eastern Washington, this administration invented a workaround to install him anyway. Now they want to permanently install Serrano in the Western District. When the federal judges in the Western District appointed a highly qualified prosecutor unanimously—this President fired him within an hour for no cause. “The people of Washington state deserve a serious U.S. Attorney who will follow the law, not a political loyalist who thinks the law is whatever the President says it is. I will be using every tool I have to block this nomination.” ### 1 2026-09-15T09:50:21Z 2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/lopez-island-food-center-breaks-ground-with-1m-cantwell-supported-federal-investment Lopez Island Food Center Breaks Ground With $1M Cantwell-Supported Federal Investment 2026-09-11 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Lopez Island Food Center Breaks Ground With $1M Cantwell-Supported Federal Investment The 6,000-square-foot facility will help local farmers connect directly with food-insecure families & workers, & provide needed infrastructure; Cantwell & Larsen helped secure a $1 million federal grant for the project EDMONDS, WA – Yesterday, leaders in the San Juan Islands celebrated the groundbreaking of the Lopez Food Center, a 6,000-square-foot facility that once completed will house a food share, job training, storage space and farm stands for local farmers, a commercial kitchen, and more. The project was funded in part by a $1 million federal grant secured by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (D, WA-02) through an FY2026 Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) request. “Too many families on Lopez Island struggle with food insecurity while San Juan County farms need access to markets, employees, and infrastructure which are all harder to find on the islands than on the mainland. This 6,000-square-foot community space will connect families in need, local farmers, and community organizations and create new opportunities for workers and businesses," Sen. Cantwell said. "The Lopez Food Center is exactly the kind of grassroots solution we should be investing in, and that’s why Congressman Larsen and I worked to secure $1 million in federal funds toward this groundbreaking." The project will construct a multi-use building in the "main square" of the island focused on two issues: fighting high levels of food insecurity, which impacts approximately 40% of Lopez Island residents, and increasing economic development opportunities for island farms and restauranters. Once completed, the center will provide a safe and accessible home for the Lopez Food Share, a food share that currently serves 1,123 low-income adults and children each month. The new space will double the number of people who can be served and allow the food share to create a hot meal program and expand its prepared food offeri… 1 2026-09-12T09:02:30Z 2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murrays-statement-on-the-25th-anniversary-of-9-11/ Senator Murray’s Statement on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 2026-09-11 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) issued the following statement on the 25th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11. “Today, on the twenty fifth anniversary of September 11th , we remember the innocent lives that were taken from us, and we pause to honor the bravery and selflessness of every single person who stepped up in the face of unthinkable tragedy. We will never forget the loved ones we lost, the courage of our first responders and servicemembers—nor will we forget how our country came together with an outpouring of unity in the aftermath to grieve and heal together. On that terrible day, there were countless individual acts of courage, kindness, and solidarity and unlikely heroes stepped up from all walks of life. These Americans exemplify the very best of our country and a quarter century later, they continue to inspire us. I hope all of us can remember that there will always be more that unites us as Americans than divides us, despite what some would tell us.” In 2022, a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senator Murray helped pass the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act unanimously in the United States Senate which would expand Post-9/11 combat veterans’, including those suffering from conditions caused by toxic exposures, access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care. Senator Murray also helped pass the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act (PACT Act) as a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. In 2019, Senator Murray voted to reauthorize the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund for the next 73 years, which provides financial support to help pay the health care bills for first responders and survivors of the attack on 9/11. ### 1 2026-09-12T09:02:30Z 2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-the-eve-of-the-25th-anniversary-of-the-9/11-terrorist-attacks Cantwell Statement on the Eve of the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks 2026-09-10 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Statement on the Eve of the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) made the following statement: “Our hearts are mourning for all those lost on September 11, 2001. We remember the victims as well as the heroism of first responders, the service members who continue to protect us, and the incredible unity we felt as a nation in the aftermath of the attacks. “On that terrible day, America came under attack. The world rallied around us. This anniversary is a call to rededicate ourselves to these shared values that have always defined us as a nation. 1 2026-09-11T09:25:29Z 2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/icymi-senator-murray-visits-pnnl-in-sequim-vows-to-protect-federal-funding-for-national-labs/ ICYMI: Senator Murray Visits PNNL in Sequim, Vows to Protect Federal Funding for National Labs 2026-09-10 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ***PHOTOS HERE*** Sequim, WA – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, visited the Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL) Sequim campus, which houses the only marine research facilities in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) national lab complex. The Sequim campus is focused on marine-based research that helps the nation achieve energy innovation and maintain robust, secure coasts. PNNL’s testbed in Sequim Bay is an ideal testing location for a variety of technologies—from new energy systems to AI-enabled maritime technologies—that link Sequim Bay through an energetic tidal channel to the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the Puget Sound. Senator Murray toured PNNL’s new Bench to Bay Deployment and Applied Sciences Laboratory. This lab allows scientists to engineer lab equipment and deploy it directly into marine environments, a unique capability in the national lab complex. Senator Murray secured $21.3 million in FY24 through DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) to directly support the construction of this new facility. “Trump has launched an all-out attack on science and research in this country—and I’m doing everything I can to stop it,” said Senator Murray. “PNNL does critical work to study marine environments, develop new renewable energy technology, and keep Washington state and the country safe from threats by securing our coasts. This is exactly why investing in research matters. I will continue to push back against the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to research at our national labs.” PNNL is one of the national lab complex’s top labs for research funding through the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). NNSA’s nuclear nonproliferation work and EERE programs have both been targeted for elimination or draconian cuts by both the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress. Thanks to Senator Murray’s leadership on the Energy and Water Development (EWD) Appropriations Subcom… 1 2026-09-11T09:25:29Z 2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senators-murray-coons-shaheen-klobuchar-slotkin-statement-on-president-trumps-trade-war-with-canada/ Senators Murray, Coons, Shaheen, Klobuchar, Slotkin Statement on President Trump’s Trade War with Canada 2026-09-10 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s continued imposition of new tariffs on Canada: “The states we represent rely on Canada as a key trading partner and our primary export market. We have deep ties with our neighbors to the north, and we share one of the world’s most enduring defense partnerships. We have built two powerful nations over many decades by working together, growing our economies together, and securing our homelands together. Our countries have achieved great things by working closely together, and we still can. “Instead of working with our neighbors, President Trump is doubling down on a pointless trade war. His tariffs will squeeze our states’ small businesses and farmers harder and drive costs up for working families. They will raise the cost of the lumber, plywood, and construction equipment we need to build new housing. They will hurt our workers and businesses who manufacture autos, aircraft, and machinery. They will drive up the prices consumers pay for everyday basics like milk, clothing, and paper products. “President Trump’s tariffs have already cost American families as much as $5,000 in some states, and his senseless trade war with Canada will only grow that number. While American families and businesses suffer from President Trump’s trade wars, partners around the world, including Canada, are increasingly looking to diversify away from the United States and deepen trade ties with other countries including China. Congressional Republicans need to stand up to the president and do their part to give families and businesses on both sides of the border relief from this insanity.” ### 1 2026-09-11T09:25:29Z 2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-responds-to-22-2-rate-increase-for-washingtons-2027-exchange-health-insurance-market/ Senator Murray Responds to 22.2% Rate Increase for Washington’s 2027 Exchange Health Insurance Market 2026-09-09 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington’s Office of Insurance Commissioner Says Republicans Refusing to Extend ACA Tax Credits is Key Driver of New Premium Hike ICYMI: New Report Shows Health Care Premiums Doubled for Over 200,000 Washingtonians Thanks to Trump and Republicans’ Health Care Cuts Washington, D.C. — Today—nearly a year after Republicans refused to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits—the Office of the Insurance Commissioner of Washington State announced that a 22.2% average rate increase was approved for insurance providers who will sell individual health plans on the Washington Health Benefit Exchange in 2027. In response, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement. “This massive rate increase is a direct result of the health care crisis that Republicans have created by prioritizing billionaires over American families. Costs are skyrocketing while patients are losing health coverage—and it didn’t have to be this way. We know exactly how we got here: last year, Republicans passed the single largest cut to health care in our country’s history, and they blocked every Democratic effort to extend the ACA tax credits,” said Senator Murray. “Trump and Republicans would rather give trillions in tax breaks to billionaires and endlessly fund Trump’s war with Iran than help families afford their doctor appointments and prescriptions. Republicans chose to put billionaires and foreign wars ahead of health care for the American people—but the people can have the last word using their voice and their vote.” In August, a new report was released detailing how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)—which cut over $1 trillion from health care to fund tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires—has caused 50,545 Washingtonians to lose their Medicaid, CHIP, or ACA coverage they relied on to receive health care. Republicans also refused to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits, which caused premiums to double for 226,813 people across… 1 2026-09-10T09:25:58Z 2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/in-seattle-senator-murray-spotlights-bills-to-combat-child-labor-wage-theft-and-strengthen-workers-rights-in-the-face-of-trumps-anti-worker-agenda/ In Seattle, Senator Murray Spotlights Bills to Combat Child Labor, Wage Theft, and Strengthen Workers Rights in the Face of Trump’s Anti-Worker Agenda 2026-09-08 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Senator Murray secured $2 million for MLK Labor’s Union Hiring Hall ICYMI: Murray Introduces Legislation to Protect Kids as Child Labor Violations Surge and Trump Undermines Enforcement ICYMI: Murray Reintroduces Bicameral Legislation to Combat Wage Theft, Strengthen Workers’ Rights ***PHOTOS OF EVENT HERE*** Seattle, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), held a roundtablewith labor leaders from across King County to discuss the dangers of Trump’s anti-worker agenda and why it is more important than ever for Congress to focus on a pro-worker agenda. This Congress Murray has introduced a host of labor bills to crack down on child labor violations, wage theft by giant corporations, and to strengthen workers’ rights overall. “We’re living through a moment in time where AI companies are pretty much all forecasting major disruption—major job loss. Well, I can’t think of a time when a union contract and strong labor laws would matter more! We can’t let a handful of companies redefine the economy on their own terms—this is a moment in history where we have to make sure workers have their say in the future of work,” said Senator Murray. “This administration doesn’t care what happens to working people as long as the ultra-rich can get richer. We need to consider what a healthy economy really means—it’s not just the stock market, it’s whether regular people can afford their groceries, a home, retirement—a good life. That’s what I’m fighting for.” Senator Murray also met with workers who found jobs through MLK Labor’s Union Hiring Hall, a centralized website to find and apply for good-paying union jobs in King County—which Senator Murray secured $2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for in FY23. Last year, MLK Labor was unable to receive the CDS funds due to the Trump administration slow walking the award, but Senator Murray stepped in and was able to restore the funding. Since the Union H… 1 2026-09-09T09:27:09Z 2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/its-not-1950-senator-murray-on-trumps-outrageous-and-backwards-move-to-siphon-child-care-funding-away-from-single-parents-and-working-families/ “It’s not 1950”: Senator Murray on Trump’s Outrageous and Backwards Move to Siphon Child Care Funding Away from Single Parents and Working Families 2026-09-08 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, DC – 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 Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s reported plans to tap funding provided by Congress to help working families afford child care through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and establish the first federal subsidy to incentivize parents to leave the workforce and raise their own kids. The plan would siphon funding away from an already-underfunded program specifically designed to help working families afford child care as the Trump administration seeks to promote “traditional family values.” “It’s not the 1950s in America—our government shouldn’t punish people for being single parents or choosing not to marry. There are hundreds of thousands of families stuck on waiting lists who are eligible for very limited federal child care subsidies—you don’t get to skip the line because you have a marriage certificate. I will not allow this President to tell single moms that their kids matter less. This is an illegal and backwards move to deny single parents and unmarried couples federal funding they should be entitled to.” “There are hundreds of thousands of working families who qualify for federal child care assistance on waiting lists—I’m ready to pass a bill that delivers enough funding so that every working family in America can afford child care. Instead, Trump is taking money away from those families and pushing for an obscene half trillion increase for his so-called Department of War. Nobody cares what JD Vance thinks constitutes a ‘real’ family—single parents and parents who aren’t married pay taxes, too. Raiding an underfunded program solely to score culture war points is not pro-family—it’s a wasteful grift that I will fight every step of the way.” Senator Murray has led the fight in Congress to make affordable child care a reality for every working f… 1 2026-09-09T09:27:09Z 2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-tours-harborview-in-seattle-sounds-alarm-on-republican-health-care-cuts-raising-costs-for-patients-straining-hospitals-across-wa-and-nationwide/ Senator Murray Tours Harborview in Seattle, Sounds Alarm on Republican Health Care Cuts Raising Costs for Patients, Straining Hospitals Across WA and Nationwide 2026-09-08 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL HERE*** Seattle, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), toured Harborview Medical Center and discussed the new challenges health care providers are facing over a year after Republicans passed the largest health care cuts in history in their Big Ugly Bill. Senator Murray also held a roundtable discussion and heard from providers and Medicaid patients about the impact of the Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid and their failure to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits—causing massive premium hikes for families in Washington state and rising uncompensated care for hospitals and clinics. The Republican reconciliation bill, which was signed into law in July 2025, cut more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and the ACA over the next 10 years and will make health care more expensive and harder to access. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that Republicans’ health care cuts will terminate health insurance for roughly 15 million Americans nationwide. “Harborview is the only Level I adult and pediatric trauma and burn center across Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. When the worst happens anywhere in this region—this is where people come. That safety net runs on Medicaid. And whether or not people realize it: Republicans in Congress have cut almost $1 trillion out of it to pay for tax breaks for billionaires,” said Senator Murray. “Over 50,000 people in our state have already lost their Medicaid, CHIP, or ACA coverage—and Washington hospitals and clinics stand to lose between $31 and $51 billion in federal Medicaid dollars over the next decade. 37 hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes across Washington state are at risk, cutting services, or have already closed. Uncompensated care is up 5.6 percent, and Harborview absorbs more of that than anyone. I will fight to repeal Trump’s Medicaid cuts and make health care the priority it should be in Congres… 1 2026-09-09T09:27:09Z 2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/icymi-senator-murray-meets-seadoc-researchers-and-orca-tracking-dog-eba-in-bellingham/ ICYMI: Senator Murray Meets SeaDoc Researchers and Orca Tracking Dog, Eba, in Bellingham 2026-09-04 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ***PHOTOS HERE*** Bellingham, WA – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, met with SeaDoc Society scientists to learn more about their research on Southern Resident Killer Whales. Senator Murray secured $850,000 in FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for SeaDoc to continue their work and support the recovery of endangered orcas. The SeaDoc Society was founded in 2000 to conduct and sponsor scientific research in the inland waters of the Salish Sea. SeaDoc also uses an orca tracking dog named Eba, who stands on the bow of the boat and can detect an orca’s fecal sample by smell up to a mile away. Fecal tracking and collection are crucial to the research team’s mission of understanding and protecting orcas. When Eba successfully tracks down an orca, she gets to play with her rope toy as a reward. “Orcas are not just whales, they are foundational to the identity and culture of the Pacific Northwest,” said Senator Murray. “SeaDoc is doing incredible work to study orcas and develop new systems to share data across research institutions and government agencies so we can all do our part to protect this amazing species. So many endangered species, like orcas, are the heartbeat of our native cultures and coastal economies—and I will keep doing all I can to save our orcas, our salmon, and everything that makes the Pacific Northwest so special.” A large population of Southern Resident Killer Whales once thrived in the Salish Sea, but a sharp decline in Chinook salmon, their primary food source, along with rising toxin levels and disruptive vessel noise, has pushed them to the brink of extinction. Their population has fallen nearly 20 percent since the late 1990s. Many established tracking and research techniques for orcas are highly invasive, but Eba, a scent-detection dog, can detect the scent of fecal matter from a great distance, allowing the research team to work non-invasively and stay away from the whales so as not to trigger a stress response. Whale scat alone … 1 2026-09-05T08:49:07Z 2026-09-05T08:50:44Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-leads-bicameral-letter-urging-trump-administration-not-to-axe-protections-for-americas-remaining-wild-public-forests Cantwell Leads Bicameral Letter Urging Trump Administration Not to Axe Protections for America’s Remaining Wild Public Forests 2026-09-03 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Leads Bicameral Letter Urging Trump Administration Not to Axe Protections for America’s Remaining Wild Public Forests Popular Roadless Rule conservation measure protects 44 million acres of pristine U.S. Forest Service lands from destructive and expensive roadbuilding, logging, and supports outdoor recreation economy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, led 39 Senators and dozens of House members in a letter calling on the Trump Administration to end its efforts to repeal the Roadless Rule. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has shielded approximately 44 million acres of the most pristine and treasured areas within the National Forest System from roadbuilding and logging. “Since its adoption in 2001, the Roadless Rule has served as a cornerstone of public lands conservation, now protecting approximately 44 million acres of National Forest System lands across 37 states,” wrote the Senators. “These areas provide clean drinking water, critical wildlife habitat, carbon storage, and world-class recreation opportunities. Iconic landscapes such as the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, the Gila National Forest in New Mexico, and the George Washington National Forest in Virginia exemplify the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of these lands.” The letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz goes on to note the habitat protection, wildfire mitigation, and economic benefits of the Roadless Rule. The Roadless Rule enjoys strong public support, as evidenced by the overwhelming majority of 2.5 million comments submitted on the Roadless Forest Protection Rule since it has been enacted — more than 95%— were in support of protecting roadless areas. A March 2019 poll by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that three out of four respondents said they supported keeping roadless forest protec… 1 2026-09-04T09:19:37Z 2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-after-attending-unveiling-of-mariners-tribute-to-2001-statue Cantwell Statement After Attending Unveiling of Mariners’ Tribute to 2001 Statue 2026-09-03 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Statement After Attending Unveiling of Mariners’ Tribute to 2001 Statue SEATTLE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) attended a ceremony at T-Mobile Park for the opening of Legacy Plaza, which includes a Tribute to 2001 Statue commemorating the 25th anniversary of September 11th. The statue depicts Mariners players Mike Cameron and Mark McLemore raising an American flag after the team’s win and clinch of their division on Sept. 19, 2001, eight days after the terrorist attacks. Sen. Cantwell released this statement: ”In the wake of the horrific 9/11 attacks, with our region still in shock, Mike Cameron, Mark McLemore and the 2001 Mariners created an iconic moment of healing and unity. The statue unveiled today depicts their unforgettable flag raising, honors the victims of 9/11, and will remind generations of baseball fans of the pervading sense of community that Americans felt in the aftermath of the attacks.” 1 2026-09-04T09:19:37Z 2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-on-pentagon-efforts-to-rob-nih-funding-for-its-own-use/ Senator Murray on Pentagon Efforts to Rob NIH Funding for Its Own Use 2026-09-03 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the Department of Defense (DOD) inking an inter-agency agreement (IAA) with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which enables DOD to siphon billions of dollars away from NIH to support DOD initiatives instead of funding lifesaving medical research that Congress specifically set aside resources for. “As if cancelling lifesaving medical research and clinical trials and firing cancer researchers en masse were not bad enough, the Trump administration is now trying to rob NIH of billions of dollars that Congress provided for medical research so that it can pad the Pentagon’s budget. “This outrageous agreement must be terminated immediately, and we need Republicans in Congress to join us in using their power to ensure that happens. We cannot allow this administration to shred patients’ hopes of new, lifesaving cures and treatments so that President Trump and Secretary Hegseth can secretively fund their own priorities in defiance of Congress.” The new agreement, which was not proactively shared with Congress, establishes a framework for DOD to potentially tap billions of dollars in funding that Congress provided specifically for NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in order to fund DOD initiatives instead. The arrangement could mean that a substantial portion of NIAID’s overall budget is not spent on NIAID programs, but Pentagon priorities, which should be considered through the deliberative annual appropriations process. ### 1 2026-09-04T09:19:37Z 2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cast-but-never-counted-cantwell-and-secretary-of-state-hobbs-say-trumps-usps-suppressing-wa-mail-in-voting-by-postmarking-or-delivering-ballots-after-election-day “Cast, But Never Counted”: Cantwell & Secretary of State Hobbs Say Trump’s USPS Suppressing WA Mail-In Voting by Postmarking or Delivering Ballots After Election Day 2026-09-02 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper “Cast, But Never Counted”: Cantwell & Secretary of State Hobbs Say Trump’s USPS Suppressing WA Mail-In Voting by Postmarking or Delivering Ballots After Election Day New snapshot report shows rejected primary ballot rates more than doubled in 19 WA counties compared to 2024, and more than quadrupled in 2 counties; Cantwell: “Washingtonians need to know: The Post Office is taking your ballot as a piece of mail but not stamping it that day.”; Cantwell calls on Homeland Security Committee to bring in USPS leadership for questioning SEATTLE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs held a press conference in Seattle, together with Seattle King County NAACP President Hayward Evans and League of Women Voters Snohomish County President Brenda Mann Harrison, to warn Washington voters about Administration efforts to undermine their right to vote. Sen. Cantwell and Secretary Hobbs released a new snapshot report showing that late-postmark rejection rates have more than doubled in 19 counties compared to the 2024 primaries – with rural counties worst affected -- following a new Trump Administration policy that can delay postmarking of mail-in ballots by several days. According to the University of Washington’s April 2026 Vote-By-Mail Research Report Series, more than one-third of voters in the State of Washington returned their ballots through the mail and 95% of general election ballots arrived by Election Day between 2020 and 2024. Nationwide nearly 47 mail ballots were safely and securely cast and counted in the 2024 general election, rather than voting in person at a polling place. That included nearly 4 million Washingtonians. “I’m calling on my colleagues in the United States Senate to do their oversight job and hold hearings as to why the President of the United States and the Postal Service is disenfranchising voters across the United States with policies that are leaving them with a ballot that was cast, but never counted,” Sen. Cantwell said. “That’s what Was… 1 2026-09-03T09:29:33Z 2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/in-bellingham-senator-murray-hears-how-trumps-trade-war-with-canada-and-war-in-iran-are-driving-up-costs-for-the-maritime-industry-murray-pushes-bill-to-end-trade-war-with-canada-continues/ In Bellingham, Senator Murray Hears How Trump’s Trade War with Canada and War in Iran Are Driving Up Costs for the Maritime Industry; Murray Pushes Bill to End Trade War with Canada, Continues to Press for Votes to End War with Iran 2026-09-02 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Murray: “More fish—fewer tariffs and fewer wars.” ICYMI: Murray Introduces Bill to End Trump’s Trade War with Canada & Lower Costs, Slams Trump’s Latest Tariffs as “Economic Arson” Murray has been a longstanding champion of the maritime industry, consistently securing key federal funding increases under tough fiscal conditions; Murray also recently established the first-ever seafood liaison at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thanks to Trump’s war with Iran, national average diesel has climbed past $5 a gallon—up nearly $2 from a year ago—and fuel can account for as much as 40 percent of the operating costs of a fishing trip ***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL HERE*** Bellingham, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a maritime roundtable discussion in Bellingham with the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County, commercial fishermen, shellfish growers, maritime workforce leaders, and the Port of Bellingham to hear directly about how President Trump’s chaotic trade war, his war in Iran, and his deep cuts to federal agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service are raising costs and threatening jobs across Washington state’s working waterfronts. “Our maritime industry and our ports power the economy in Washington state—our fish and shellfish travel far on their own, but our fishermen and our ports are the reason they’re famous worldwide,” said Senator Murray. “And this administration’s reckless and unpredictable tariffs have been nothing short of a disaster for them—driving up costs and making it impossible for any small business to plan. Let’s just acknowledge how Trump’s decision to pursue an all-out trade war with Canada—Washington state’s biggest trading partner and our country’s closest ally—is beyond stupid and counterproductive, fraying partnerships north of the border that have spanned lifetimes. Trump’s war in Iran has made fuel far more expensive for fleets already running on razor-… 1 2026-09-03T09:29:33Z 2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/with-costs-skyrocketing-cantwell-and-colleagues-move-to-end-trumps-tariff-taxes-and-trade-wars With Costs Skyrocketing, Cantwell & Colleagues Move To End Trump’s Tariff Taxes and Trade Wars 2026-09-01 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper With Costs Skyrocketing, Cantwell & Colleagues Move To End Trump’s Tariff Taxes and Trade Wars Trump’s 50% tariff on Canadian goods disproportionately harms WA businesses & customers - last year, WA imported $15.2B in Canadian goods EDMONDS, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined her colleagues in introducing legislation that would revoke President Donald Trump’s newest global tariffs and 50% tariffs on Canada, as well as curtail President Trump’s ability to continue waging his unilateral trade war. “It’s time to stop taxing Americans at the border and provide working families relief from President Trump’s destructive tariffs. Repealing the outdated trade laws this Administration is abusing is the best way to end these senseless trade wars before they cause irreparable damage to our economy and alliances,” Sen. Cantwell said. Since President Trump started his latest trade war, American families have paid the price. In just one year, Trump’s tariff tax cost the average family nearly $2,000, with hardworking Americans bearing 96% of the cost of the hundreds of billions of dollars in new tariffs. A report released last week by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation found that executive tariffs have cost the State of Washington over $7 billion since the beginning of the second Trump Administration, equivalent to $2,257 per Washington household, the 15th-highest total nationwide. Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led the introduction of the End Trump’s Tariff Tax Act, legislation that would: Revoke and refund Trump’s latest barrage of tariffs, and Repeal the archaic authorities he has used to continue his trade war. This legislation would apply to Trump’s newest global tariffs of 12.5% and 50% Canadian tariffs. In addition to Sens. Cantwell and Schumer, the legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Amy K… 1 2026-09-02T09:19:58Z 2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/in-port-townsend-murray-tours-jefferson-healthcare-and-reiterates-need-to-repeal-gop-health-care-cuts-expand-health-care-access/ In Port Townsend, Murray Tours Jefferson Healthcare and Reiterates Need to Repeal GOP Health Care Cuts, Expand Health Care Access 2026-09-01 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL HERE*** Port Townsend, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), toured Jefferson Healthcare and discussed the new challenges health care providers are facing over a year after Republicans passed the largest health care cuts in history in their Big Ugly Bill. Throughout the tour, Senator Murray heard from providers about the impact of the Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid and their failure to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits—causing massive premium hikes for families in Washington state. The Republican reconciliation bill, which was signed into law in July 2025, cut more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and the ACA over the next 10 years and will make health care more expensive and harder to access. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that Republicans’ health care cuts will terminate health insurance for roughly 15 million Americans nationwide. “Republicans passed the largest cuts to health care in history and have singlehandedly created a national health care crisis. Meanwhile, providers are left to wonder how they will keep their staff paid and their doors open,” said Senator Murray. “Providers are doing incredible work, but they’re being asked to do a more with a whole lot less. If that weren’t damaging enough, Republicans refused to extend the health care tax credits—which millions of people relied on to afford health coverage. The fallout from that has been devastating. Families saw their premiums double, triple, or even worse. When families in Jefferson County can’t afford coverage, they don’t get less sick—they just end up in emergency rooms where hospitals eat the cost and everyone else foots the bill. Congress needs to repeal Trump’s cuts to health care—getting there won’t be easy, but we must fight hard and make sure all Americans understand the harm these cuts are doing.” ABOUT TRUMP’S MEDICAID CUTS: Nationwide, the Republican health … 1 2026-09-02T09:19:58Z 2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/in-sequim-senator-murray-affirms-commitment-to-protect-public-lands-invest-in-forest-service-and-national-parks-murray-reiterates-strong-opposition-to-repeal-of-roadless-rule-and-continues-fight-to/ In Sequim, Senator Murray Affirms Commitment to Protect Public Lands, Invest in Forest Service and National Parks; Murray Reiterates Strong Opposition to Repeal of Roadless Rule and Continues Fight to Pass Wild Olympics Bill 2026-09-01 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Senator Murray’s Wild Olympics Bill Would Protect Olympic Peninsula Public Lands & Salmon Streams Against Trump Administration Threats ICYMI: Senator Murray’s Wild Olympics Bill Advances Through Key Senate Hearing on Wave of New Sportsmen Endorsements Calling for Permanent Protection of Wild Olympics Photos of Wild Olympics available for use HERE ***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL OF EVENT HERE*** Sequim, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a roundtable discussion with local elected officials, environmental advocates, sportsmen, shellfish farmers, and a former Superintendent of Olympic National Park to talk about the Trump administration’s attacks on the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and how they are threatening Washington state’s economy, clean water, salmon, and public lands on the Olympic Peninsula. The Trump administration has pushed out thousands of USFS staff, frozen federal funding, may shutter USFS research stations in Wenatchee and Seattle, threatened to sell off public land and build in America’s national parks, and moved to roll back the roadless rule. The roadless rule currently protects over two million acres of pristine national forest backcountry lands in Washington State, including some of the most critical headwaters and salmon streams in the Olympic National Forest. The same ancient rainforest headwaters and upstream salmon habitat and rivers on public land that Senator Murray’s Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild and Scenic Rivers Act would permanently protect. The Wild Olympics bill has a broad coalition of 800 endorsing local Tribes, businesses, local elected officials, faith leaders, conservation, and outdoor recreation groups, and over 40 leading sportsmen organizations fighting together to pass it in Congress. Murray has been outspoken in her strong opposition to the repeal of the roadless rule. “Here on the Peninsula we all know that the Olympic National Park and National Forest support thousands of jobs i… 1 2026-09-02T09:19:58Z 2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-introduces-bill-to-end-trumps-trade-war-with-canada-lower-costs-slams-trumps-latest-tariffs-as-economic-arson/ Murray Introduces Bill to End Trump’s Trade War with Canada & Lower Costs, Slams Trump’s Latest Tariffs as “Economic Arson” 2026-09-01 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Seattle, WA – After President Trump continued to ignore skyrocketing costs and hit American families with a new round of tariff taxes, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in introducing legislation that would revoke Trump’s newest global tariffs and 50% tariffs on Canada, and curtail Trump’s ability to continue waging his unilateral trade war. Since Trump has started his latest trade war, American families have paid the price. In just one year, Trump’s tariff tax cost the average family nearly $2,000, with hardworking Americans bearing 96% of the cost of the hundreds of billions of dollars in new tariffs. Still, Trump has been undeterred by the chaos and pain his trade war has wrought and continues to double down on the global stage. Today, Murray and Schumer introduced the End Trump’s Tariff Tax Act, legislation that would revoke and refund Trump’s latest barrage of tariffs and repeal the archaic authorities he has used to continue his trade war. This legislation would apply to Trump’s newest global tariffs of 12.5% and 50% tariffs on Canada. “Trump’s erratic and senseless trade war is nothing short of economic arson—no business can plan around Trump’s unpredictable tariffs, American credibility is shot, and costs are up,” said Senator Murray. “While Republicans are enabling Trump’s economic sabotage, Democrats are fighting to put an end to these reckless tariffs. That’s why we’re introducing this legislation to block and refund Trump’s tariffs so we can focus on growing the economy for everyone and making life affordable again.” “While inflation rages, families struggle to pay their bills, and small businesses close, Trump – detached from reality – continues his bluster on the global stage, doubling down on a chaotic trade war that has meant only pain for American families, farmers, and manufacturers,” said Leader Schumer. “Republicans won’t stand up to Trump’s nonsense and Americans are crying out for relief. That’s why I am introducing legislation that wou… 1 2026-09-02T09:19:58Z 2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-on-house-passage-of-cr/ Senator Murray on House Passage of CR 2026-09-01 2026 2026-09 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on House passage of the Senate-passed continuing resolution (CR) that keeps the government funded through December 11. “It’s a good thing that Congress has averted a shutdown that no one wants. Now, the president just needs to sign the bill. “We have a lot of work ahead in the coming months to negotiate spending bills that invest in families instead of President Trump’s war budget, and I will be pushing at every step of the way to invest in making life more affordable and to rein in the corrupt abuses of this administration.” More information on the CR, which the Senate passed on August 8, is available HERE. ### 1 2026-09-02T09:19:58Z 2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/in-new-letter-murray-colleagues-demand-nih-director-restore-lifesaving-pediatric-research/ In New Letter, Murray, Colleagues Demand NIH Director Restore Lifesaving Pediatric Research 2026-08-28 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ***LETTER HERE*** ICYMI: Senator Murray Presses NIH Director on Trump’s Proposal to Cut Medical Research Funding to Pay for $1.5 Trillion War Budget Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led her colleagues in sending a letter to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya demanding restoration of a promising clinical trial to help children that is ending because of the Trump administration’s budget cuts for contracts and extreme delays in Notices of Funding Opportunities impacting pediatric research, specifically the NIH’s Pediatric Trials Network (PTN). As a direct result of this administration’s actions the PTN is ending the Pediatric Opportunistic Pharmacokinetic Study (POPS), which focuses on determining the right dose of dozens of medicines commonly used in children. The abrupt end to this trial means that children and their families who have already enrolled and donated blood samples for this scientific effort will not see the trial’s goal achieved. “We write with great concern regarding the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) budget cuts for contracts and extreme delays in Notices of Funding Opportunities and their impact on pediatric research, specifically the NIH’s Pediatric Trials Network (PTN). We recently learned that, as part of these actions, the PTN is ending its promising clinical trial, the Pediatric Opportunistic Pharmacokinetic Study (POPS), which focuses on determining the right dose of dozens of medicines commonly used in children,” write the senators. “Ending the POPS study will stop enrollment in 25 states and the testing of several dozen drugs in children: including premature infants, critically ill children, and obese children. Ending this study will also mean that children and their families who have already enrolled and donated blood samples for this important scientific effort will not s… 1 2026-08-28T17:11:49Z 2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-statement-in-response-to-chemical-safety-board-update-on-nippon-dynawave-implosion-in-longview/ Senator Murray Statement in Response to Chemical Safety Board Update on Nippon Dynawave Implosion in Longview 2026-08-28 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement in response to the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) publishing an investigation update on the disaster at Nippon Dynawave in Longview. “Three months ago, Longview endured an unthinkable tragedy and suffered enormous loss. This community deserves answers and the release of today’s investigation update is an important first step towards understanding exactly what happened so we can ensure that there is accountability and that a tragedy like this can never happen again. The Chemical Safety Board’s update revealed that Nippon Dynawave knew that the walls of the chemical tank that failed were dangerously thin. The investigation is ongoing, and I am appreciative of the important work that the CSB is doing to get the clarity we need. We know this will take time—but one thing is apparent: this community deserves answers and accountability. Every worker has the right to come home safely at the end of the day. I will continue to follow this investigation closely, and I will be there every step of the way to support this community.” 1 2026-08-28T17:11:49Z 2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/in-spokane-murray-meets-with-first-responders-to-discuss-wildfire-recovery-efforts-meets-impacted-family-at-their-property-affirms-she-will-fight-to-deliver-federal-resources-to-support-recovery/ In Spokane, Murray Meets with First Responders to Discuss Wildfire Recovery Efforts; Meets Impacted Family at Their Property; Affirms She Will Fight to Deliver Federal Resources to Support Recovery 2026-08-27 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Murray: “I will make sure Spokane’s recovery is a priority at every opportunity. Whatever it takes—for as long as it takes.” ICYMI: Senator Murray Vows to Get Spokane and WA Federal Resources for Wildfire Response and Recovery ***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL HERE*** Spokane, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, visited families, first responders, and community leaders in Spokane to hear about the ongoing wildfire debris clean up and recovery efforts, and witness firsthand the current state of local communities that have been hit hard by the devastating Spokane Complex Fires. Melinda and Brent Howard invited Senator Murray to visit their neighborhood to see the destruction from the Old Trails wildfire. The Howard family lost their home in the wildfire and their neighborhood was one of the hardest hit in the community. “Washington state is no stranger to wildfires—but this has been one of the most destructive wildfires our state has seen. I want every family in Spokane, and those across the state who are still battling wildfires, to know I am with you, today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes to rebuild,” said Senator Murray. These fires may have destroyed homes and so many families lost a lifetime of memories, but Spokane’s spirit was never broken. The Spokane community rallied together and took care of each other—and I had the opportunity to see that firsthand. Firefighters, law enforcement, health care workers, and volunteers mobilized, stepping up to help one another. The VA staff were also critical and got Mann-Grandstaff evacuated, continued to ensure veterans had the care they needed, and stepped up to get it reopen as soon as possible—even as many were affected by the fires themselves. So, with my deepest gratitude, thank you, to everyone who has helped battle these fires and keep the community safe, and thank you as we all continue working together to rebuild and recover.” Senator Murray continued, “The fires may be contained but the fight does not… 1 2026-08-28T17:11:49Z 2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/amid-attacks-by-israeli-settlers-in-west-bank-cantwell-and-colleagues-urge-netanyahu-to-stop-the-violence Amid Attacks by Israeli Settlers in West Bank, Cantwell & Colleagues Urge Netanyahu to Stop the Violence 2026-08-26 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Amid Attacks by Israeli Settlers in West Bank, Cantwell & Colleagues Urge Netanyahu to Stop the Violence In September 2024, UW grad Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was shot to death while she was peacefully protesting in the West Bank WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined 44 Senate colleagues in a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to put an end to increasing violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. “Incidents of fatal violence by settlers have reportedly already surpassed 2025 levels and continue to increase,” wrote the Senators. “The last few weeks alone saw a significant surge in violence on both sides, resulting in a large-scale response by Israeli security forces, mass arrests of Palestinians, and reported attacks by settlers on mosques. We urge you to take measures to prevent and intercede in this violence, establish a credible mechanism to investigate violations of law, and to make clear that the Government of Israel will not tolerate violence by its people, just as it does not tolerate violence against its people.” The Senators noted that U.S. citizens and their families have been subject to the increasing violence. On September 6, 2024, University of Washington graduate Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was shot to death while she was peacefully protesting in the West Bank. Later that month, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for the White House and State Department to order an independent investigation into Eygi’s shooting death. In July 2025, Sen. Cantwell joined Senate Democrats in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and then-Attorney General Pam Bondi calling for an investigation into the death of Palestinian-American Saifullah Kamel Musallet in the West Bank earlier that month, as well as updates into the investigations of other deaths in Gaza, including Eygi’s. In September 2025, Sen. Cantwell joined a bicameral letter to Sec. Rubio demanding answers from the U.S. State Department about t… 1 2026-08-27T16:10:01Z 2026-08-27T16:10:50Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/in-new-letter-murray-and-senate-democrats-slam-the-trump-administrations-anti-women-agenda-and-threats-to-abortion-reproductive-care/ In New Letter, Murray and Senate Democrats Slam the Trump Administration’s Anti-Women Agenda and Threats to Abortion, Reproductive Care 2026-08-25 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ***LETTER HERE*** ICYMI: AtSpotlight Forum on Dobbs Anniversary, Murray Highlights How Republicans’ Efforts to Rip Away Reproductive Health Care Has Harmed Women & Families Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), led her colleagues in sending a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressing outrage over the Trump administration’s efforts to ban abortion nationwide and limit access to reproductive health care for women across the country. The senators called out this administration’s harmful restrictions on mifepristone as well as their moves to threaten access to essential preventative care, contraceptives, and abortion care. “The decades-long Republican attacks on reproductive health, rights, and justice have culminated in a nation where women today have less autonomy over their bodies and their medical care than their grandmothers did,” writes Senator Murray. “And with women already suffering and dying as a result of your policies, you are doubling down with an even more aggressive and dangerous anti-women agenda.” In the letter, Senator Murray calls out the Trump Administration’s “pro-family” claims, highlighting their hypocrisy. “Despite proclaiming to be a “pro-family” administration, the Trump administration has orchestrated a coordinated attempt to limit access to reproductive health care and move closer to a national abortion ban by whatever means necessary. From partnering with Congressional Republicans to defund clinics that provide preventive care like annual physicals and cervical cancer exams, because they also provide abortion care; terminating women’s health research at the National Institutes of Health; withholding millions in already awarded and appropriated Title X funding, the only federal stream solely dedicated to family planning; to terminating more than 50 Teen Pregnancy Prevention Grants, a program that has shown great success in … 1 2026-08-26T05:33:32Z 2026-08-26T05:34:56Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-scotus-decision-enabling-trump-admin-to-restrict-mail-in-ballots Cantwell Statement on SCOTUS Decision Enabling Trump Admin to Restrict Mail-In Ballots 2026-08-24 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Statement on SCOTUS Decision Enabling Trump Admin to Restrict Mail-In Ballots EDMONDS, WA – Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump could proceed to restrict mail-in voting, allowing implementation of an executive order despite rulings of lower courts finding the president’s order unconstitutional. The executive order would enable the United States Postal Service (USPS) and other agencies to have a role in determining whether voters receive ballots or a ballot will be counted. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) gave the following statement: “Today’s Supreme Court decision gets the Trump Administration one step closer to implementing its voter suppression order and forcing states to hand over personal voter data to the federal government. This is wrong. The Constitution clearly says the States should administer elections. The federal government should not weaponize the US Postal Service to decide who will receive a mail-in ballot and whose vote will be counted. The Administration must not be allowed to take the right of Washingtonians to vote by mail or interfere with our free and fair elections.” Sen. Cantwell has been a stalwart defender against overreach of the Trump administration into our elections: On August 5, she sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin demanding the Trump Administration adhere to the National Voter Registration Act’s (NVRA) “quiet period” that prohibits systematic voter purges within 90 days of an election, pushing back against the Administration’s ongoing voter suppression efforts. On July 29, she wrote to Blanche, Mullin, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding to know whether the Trump administration plans to illegally deploy armed federal law enforcement officers at polling sites during the November 2026 elections. On July 28, Sen. Cantwell sharply criticized the Trump administration’s request that the Supreme Court allow him to seize control of state-run elections… 1 2026-08-25T05:31:37Z 2026-08-25T05:33:09Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/as-uss-lincoln-heads-home-murray-coons-call-for-immediate-independent-investigation-of-extended-deployments-unacceptable-quality-of-life-issues-on-aircraft-carriers/ As USS Lincoln Heads Home—Murray, Coons Call for Immediate Independent Investigation of Extended Deployments & Unacceptable Quality of Life Issues on Aircraft Carriers 2026-08-24 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Lawmakers seek answers on glaring quality of life and operational issues aboard not only the USS Lincoln—but the USS Ford and USS Benfold, which recently suffered a dayslong power outage Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA),Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Chris Coons (D-DE), Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao calling for the Department of Defense (DOD) to immediately open an independent strategic review of the extended deployments of the USS Ford and USS Lincoln, as well as the USS Benfold’s four-day power loss. “We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the recent extended deployments of the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln, and the USS Benfold’s recent undisclosed power loss, and what it means for our sailors, Marines, and their families, as well as for the Navy’s overall military readiness,” write Murray and Coons. “Given the serious quality of life and operational concerns that have been documented and the Department’s inability—or refusal—to provide the congressional defense committees with full and accurate information, we request that the Navy initiate an immediate independent strategic review of these deployments, and brief Congress on its findings.” The lawmakers note that a variety of serious quality of life issues have been documented aboard these aircraft carriers, and servicemembers and their families deserve better: “This administration has tried to downplay or paper over these reports, but the fact is our servicemembers and their families have reported alarming concerns that deserve redress and accountability.” Murray and Coons call on DOD to immediately conduct a review of these issues and to provide, in the meantime, responses to a series of questions about the extended deployments by September 1, 2026. Full text of the letter is available HERE and below: Dear Secretary Hegseth and Acting Secretary Cao: We are writing… 1 2026-08-25T05:31:37Z 2026-08-25T05:33:09Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/6-wa-shipyards-win-shipyard-infrastructure-grants 6 WA Shipyards Win Shipyard Infrastructure Grants 2026-08-20 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper 6 WA Shipyards Win Shipyard Infrastructure Grants Shipyards in Bremerton, Everett, Mount Vernon, Port Angeles, & Seattle receive Small Shipyard Grant Program awards totaling $5.2M WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, announced that six shipyards in the State of Washington have received FY26 Small Shipyard Grant Awards from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration. The grants include: Safe Boats International LLC (Bremerton) received $321,474 to launch an aluminum welding and fabrication training program, including 17 welding machines, eight welding booths, an air filtration system, and training tools like clamps and hoists. Everett Ship Repair LLC (Everett) received $456,216 for electrical upgrades to support a new 35,000-ton floating drydock, along with training for shipyard staff on production processes. Sen. Cantwell wrote a letter of support for the project. Rozema's Boat Works, Inc. (Mount Vernon) received $938,176 for metal fabrication tools including a MultiCam CNC router table, a 230-ton Cincinnati CNC press brake, and a mechanical shear. Arrow Launch Service, Inc. (Port Angeles) received $750,000 for a 75-ton travelift — a machine used to lift boats out of the water for repair or storage. BRIX Marine Inc. (Port Angeles) received $1,259,190 for four 10-ton remote-controlled overhead cranes, including the hoists and tracks they run on. Delta Marine Industries, Inc. (Seattle) received $1,508,597 for a 620-ton travelift — a heavy-duty lift for large vessels. Sen. Cantwell wrote a letter of support for the project. In total, the grants amount to $5,233,563. The Small Shipyard Grant Program generates incentives for small shipyards to modernize and repair facilities as well as make capital improvements to upgrade equipment and processes that make them more efficient and competitive. The grants fund a variety of projects including i… 1 2026-08-21T05:30:57Z 2026-08-21T05:32:22Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/new-report-shows-health-care-premiums-doubled-for-over-200000-washingtonians-thanks-to-trump-and-republicans-health-care-cuts/ New Report Shows Health Care Premiums Doubled for Over 200,000 Washingtonians Thanks to Trump and Republicans’ Health Care Cuts 2026-08-20 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — Today—over a year after Republicans passed the largest health care cut in history in their Big Ugly Bill—U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after a new report found Trump and Republican’s $1 trillion cuts in health care, and refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, have caused premiums to double for over 200,000 Washingtonians. “We are over a year past Republicans passing the single largest cut to health care in our country’s history, and it has been nearly a year since Republicans blocked Democratic efforts to extend the ACA tax credits. Republicans have created a national health care crisis in America, causing costs to skyrocket and clinics to struggle keeping their doors open,” said Senator Murray. “Trump and Republicans would rather give trillions in tax breaks to billionaires and endlessly fund Trump’s war with Iran than help working Americans afford their doctor appointments and prescriptions. Republicans chose to put billionaires and foreign wars ahead of health care for the American people—but the people can have the last word using their voice and their vote.” A new report has detailed how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)—which cut over $1 trillion from health care to fund tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires—has caused 50,545 Washingtonians to lose their Medicaid, CHIP, or ACA coverage they relied on to receive health care. Republicans also refused to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits, which caused premiums to double for 226,813 people across Washington state. A family of four in Washington state who makes $130,000 a year saw their average annual premium rise by $12,392—costing them a total of $23,442 this year. Hospitals and clinics in Washington state are facing a $160 million loss in funding, a 5.6% spike in uncompensated care, and are expected to lose between $31 billion and $51 billion over the next decade due to Republicans’ health ca… 1 2026-08-21T05:30:57Z 2026-08-21T05:32:22Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-to-trump-administration-dont-repeal-critical-protection-for-last-remaining-wild-forests Cantwell to Trump Administration: Don’t Repeal Critical Protection for Last Remaining Wild Forests 2026-08-19 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell to Trump Administration: Don’t Repeal Critical Protection for Last Remaining Wild Forests For over 25 years, the Roadless Rule has blocked logging and development in pristine national forest land, including over 2 million acres in WA; Data suggests wildfires are more likely to start near roads EDMONDS, WA – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Finance Committee, called on the Trump administration to reverse course and abandon plans to repeal the U.S. Forest Service’s Roadless Rule. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has shielded 58.5 million acres of the most pristine and treasured areas within the National Forest System from roadbuilding and logging, including over 2 million acres in Washington state. This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), opened public comment on its Roadless Rule repeal – a step towards eliminating vital safeguards for America’s public lands. “At a moment when climate change is intensifying wildfire risks, this administration is moving to strip protections from some of America’s last remaining wild forests,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Roadless areas safeguard clean-water sources, sustain critical wildlife habitat, and support outdoor recreation that communities across the country depend on. Congress should pass the Roadless Area Conservation Act to permanently preserve the benefits these public lands provide our nation and future generations.” New research published this year shows that wildfire ignitions are more likely near roads, and that new roads in formerly roadless areas could increase wildfire risks. Sen. Cantwell has repeatedly introduced legislation to codify the Roadless Rule into law, including as early as 2001. Sen. Cantwell was also a vociferous and persistent critic of the Trump administration’s elimination of roadless protections for the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. In June 2026, Sen. Cantwell… 1 2026-08-21T05:30:57Z 2026-08-21T05:32:22Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-joins-25-colleagues-in-push-to-epa-to-drop-effort-to-weaken-health-protections-for-millions-of-americans/ Senator Murray Joins 25 Colleagues in Push to EPA to Drop Effort to Weaken Health Protections for Millions of Americans 2026-08-18 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ***LETTER HERE*** Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined 25 of her Democratic colleagues in demanding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) withdraw its proposal to roll back drinking water protections—which, if finalized, would remove federal public health limits on the amount of certain PFAS compounds in our drinking water. The Senators emphasize in a new letter to the EPA that removing these health limits will expose Americans to unsafe levels of chemicals that have been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, immune suppression problems, developmental harm, thyroid disease, pregnancy complications, and liver damage. “Safe drinking water is not a partisan issue. Families across the country expect that when they turn on the tap, their water is safe to drink. Congress enacted the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure EPA relies on the best available science to protect public health—not to weaken existing protections once the science has been established,” the Senators wrote. Despite the administration touting their ‘Make America Healthy Again’ (MAHA) agenda, if enacted, EPA’s proposal would rescind the 2024 National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for PFAS and delay compliance for the PFOA and PFOS standards until 2031 – putting the health of millions of Americans at risk. “As far back as the 1950s, scientists observed that PFAS compounds could accumulate in human bloodstreams. It took decades of advocacy and heroic scientific research to reach the historic moment in 2024 when EPA finally promulgated the very first national drinking water standards for PFAS compounds. We cannot afford to go backwards and make Americans’ health worse,” the Senators concluded. In addition to Senator Murray, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife Subcommittee, Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member of the EPW Committee, Tammy Baldwin (D-… 1 2026-08-19T05:29:02Z 2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-senate-democrats-demand-accountability-from-hegseth-after-reports-of-crisis-aboard-uss-abraham-lincoln/ Murray, Senate Democrats Demand Accountability from Hegseth After Reports of Crisis Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln 2026-08-17 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ***LETTER HERE*** Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA),Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined all thirteen members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) minority and the Democratic leader of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense in sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding answers about deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, following reports that the aircraft carrier’s crew has endured food and water shortages, broken plumbing, and mental health crises severe enough that multiple sailors reportedly attempted to go overboard during its record-setting deployment. The Lincoln has been at sea for more than 250 days, including over 200 consecutive days without a port call, the longest continuous deployment at sea for a U.S. aircraft carrier in the modern era. The Senators pressed Secretary Hegseth on his Department’s failure to provide a clear timeline for the crew’s return and condemned his public dismissal of the reports as “completely misrepresented,” as well as President Trump’s remarks suggesting the Lincoln had not been deployed “nearly long enough.” The Senators demanded detailed answers on mental health and medical resources aboard the ship, the state of good order and discipline, hygiene and food conditions, the full extent of the reported man-overboard incident, and support being provided to military families, along with a formal request for a bipartisan congressional delegation to visit the ship. In addition to Senator Murray, the letter was signed by the following SASC members: Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI), Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Senator Angus King (I-ME), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI). Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), the Ranking Member o… 1 2026-08-18T05:27:41Z 2026-08-18T05:29:06Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-secures-nearly-30-million-for-ferries-in-wa-murray-made-wa-ferries-eligible-for-rural-ferry-grants-for-first-time-ever/ Senator Murray Secures Nearly $30 Million for Ferries in WA; Murray Made WA Ferries Eligible for Rural Ferry Grants for First Time Ever 2026-08-17 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Murray authored and passed new language into law to make Washington state eligible for rural ferry grants for the first time ever Murray leads efforts to fund federal support for urban and rural ferry funding streams Murray has supported both the Passenger Ferry Grant Program and Rural Ferry Grant Program since both were established Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $22.1 million for King County Metro Transit, and $7.2 million for Washington State Ferries. The funding will support expanding a passenger-only ferry facility in Seattle and operations of rural ferry routes from Anacortes to the San Juan Islands, and Port Townsend to Coupeville. The funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s Passenger Ferry and Rural Ferry Grant Programs. “Like so many in Washington state, ferries are a part of my commute, so I know firsthand just how important they are so we can get around to work, a doctor’s appointment, or anywhere else we need to go,” said Senator Murray. “This funding will help make sure ferries are running on time, getting the necessary upgrades, and serving passengers for years to come. We actually use ferries in Washington state not just for tourism, but in our daily lives—so as Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee I wrote our funding bills in a way to make sure they work for and benefit Washington state. Now, for the first time ever, Washington state is receiving funding from the rural ferry grant program—and I’ll be working to keep building on this progress.” “We are grateful for Senator Murray’s strong advocacy for Washinton State Ferries. The $7 million Essential Rural Ferry Operating Assistance will support vital operations to ferry-dependent communities in the San Juan Islands. We thank Senator Murray for championing WSF’s access to rural funding to support service that is so critical to Washingtonians,” said Governor Bob Ferguson. “King County’s natural beauty and unique geography… 1 2026-08-19T05:29:02Z 2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/new-dhs-deploys-freshly-acquired-jets-to-shuttle-trump-officials-including-kash-patel-tom-homan-around-in-luxury/ NEW: DHS Deploys Freshly Acquired Jets to Shuttle Trump Officials—including Kash Patel & Tom Homan—Around in Luxury 2026-08-13 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Murray and Murphy Blast Wasteful Spending, Demand Answers Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA),Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, wrote a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin blasting DHS’ acquisition of 12 new planes—including 5 new luxury jets—and its plans to use those aircraft to ferry Trump administration officials around. They also sent the letter to the DHS Inspector General, noting that the acquisition and use of the planes merits investigation by his office. “It has come to our attention that the Department of Homeland Security is effectively running an in-house private jet service for Trump administration officials with a slew of new luxury jets and other airplanes it has acquired and begun providing to officials over the last year,” Murray and Murphy write to Mullin. “This includes providing jet services not only for DHS officials like yourself, but also for White House Border Czar Tom Homan, other administration officials, members of the first family, and even the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kash Patel.” The lawmakers blasted the wasteful use of funds and noted that the acquisitions of the planes is almost certainly unlawful, as well: “The Department’s purchase of these airplanes to shuttle administration officials around the globe demonstrates a remarkable disregard for American taxpayers who work hard and expect government officials to responsibly manage their tax dollars, not burn them on extravagant luxury jets. These acquisitions also raise serious legal concerns, as Congress has not provided the necessary legal authorization for DHS to purchase these planes, much less run a private jet service for government executives.” Murray and Murphy write that Republicans in Congress have delivered over a quarter of a trillion dollars to DHS through two partisan reconciliation bills, but note that: “instead of using the staggering amo… 1 2026-08-14T06:13:05Z 2026-08-14T06:14:08Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-joins-gov-ferguson-yakima-leaders-to-celebrate-affordable-housing-complex-grand-opening Cantwell Joins Gov. Ferguson, Yakima Leaders To Celebrate Affordable Housing Complex Grand Opening 2026-08-12 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Joins Gov. Ferguson, Yakima Leaders To Celebrate Affordable Housing Complex Grand Opening Casa De La Mora offers 73 units for low-income households, people with disabilities, and young adults exiting foster care; Project financing included $15.67 million in equity generated by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program that Cantwell has long-championed to increase the supply of affordable homes YAKIMA, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, joined Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, Yakima elected officials, and leaders from Catholic Charities for the grand opening of Casa De La Mora, a 73-unit affordable complex that will house people with disabilities, young adults exiting homelessness or foster care, and low-income households. “This is changing lives,” Sen. Cantwell said. “It is the transformative element that might get somebody from just existing to thriving again.” “Washington is standing out as a national leader in youth and youth-adult homelessness, and Casa de la Mora will be a brilliant example of that. From 2016 to 2023, Washington State saw 40 percent reduction in youth and youth-adult homelessness,” she continued. “But despite these advancements, we've seen 14,000 young people remain unstably housed or homeless, which makes this development project so much more important. It's going to show that real solutions exist in the community, and that those solutions not only help these young people, but they help our economy by creating a workforce and stability for them and their families.” The event included a press conference, followed by a tour of the Casa De La Mora units and site. Video of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks are HERE; a transcript is HERE; and photos are HERE. The $32 million project was financed in part using $15.67 million in equity generated from Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). The LIHTC program is administered by the Washington State Ho… 1 2026-08-13T06:17:16Z 2026-08-13T06:18:13Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-joins-interior-sec-burgum-in-spokane-for-fire-briefing Cantwell Joins Interior Sec. Burgum in Spokane For Fire Briefing 2026-08-12 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Joins Interior Sec. Burgum in Spokane For Fire Briefing SPOKANE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, joined U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum at a briefing about response to and recovery from the fires that devastated the Spokane community earlier this month. “At today’s briefing with Sec. Burgum, U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy, and local fire chiefs, we discussed the next steps in responding to the fires and collecting information for a federal disaster declaration,” Sen. Cantwell said. “We also learned that this situation could have been a lot worse. We should be thankful for that, and we should be thankful for California Interagency Incident Management Team 7 and the firefighters who have continued to respond after the incident. “There was a lot of discussion about technology and how we need to invest in it more so we can have even faster responses. “Lahaina, Palisades, and now Spokane. We're seeing these big urban events that can do so much damage in a short period of time. Today we discussed what policies need to change and the practices we need to improve to be better prepared.” On Sunday, August 2, the day after the fires broke out, Sen. Cantwell visited county and city command centers in Spokane and took part in a press briefing about the devastating fires there. On Tuesday, August 4, Sen. Cantwell called for improved wildfire preparedness in a U.S. Senate roundtable with Chief Bob Roper of the Western Chiefs Fire Association and other experts. “We just have to move faster,” said Sen. Cantwell. “My heart goes out to the people of Washington who are dealing with this across our state, particularly in Spokane, and in the Lake Chelan area as well.” In September 2025, Sen. Cantwell’s Fire Ready Nation Act passed the U.S. Senate unanimously. The bipartisan Fire Ready Nation Act would formally establish a permanent Fire W… 1 2026-08-13T06:17:16Z 2026-08-13T06:18:13Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-joins-senate-colleagues-in-demanding-state-department-process-student-visas-without-delays/ Murray Joins Senate Colleagues in Demanding State Department Process Student Visas Without Delays 2026-08-12 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined 29 of her Senate colleagues in expressing concern about the unavailability of student and exchange visitor visa appointments in time for the start of the academic year and demanding answers regarding delays in processing of these applications at U.S. embassies and consulates. “We urge the State Department to ensure timely processing of F, M, and J student and exchange visitor nonimmigrant visas, consistent with the approach taken by administrations of both parties in the past, and to implement other measures to avoid diminishing U.S. competitiveness,” wrote the Senators. “Specifically, we are hearing from constituents and stakeholders that no timely visa appointments are available for students at some embassies and consulates. This only exacerbates uncertainty about whether students’ visas will be processed in time for them to travel to the United States to begin their studies.” The Senators highlighted the vital contributions international students make to universities and communities nationwide, including expanding opportunities for American students, generating economic activity, strengthening the U.S. workforce, and building international partnerships. “International students are critical to the success of our universities, including contributing nearly $43 billion annually to local communities and supporting more than 355,000 American jobs during the 2024-2025 academic year. Even though international students make up only six percent of the total higher education population, their enrollment creates opportunities for American students,” continued the Senators. “International students also improve our national security by fostering global relationships, cross cultural understanding, and long-lasting diplomatic ties. These benefits are at risk if visa processing delays persist.” The Senators urged the State Department to ensure the timely review and processing of student and exchange visito… 1 2026-08-13T06:17:16Z 2026-08-13T06:18:13Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-wyden-warnock-and-senate-democrats-call-to-stop-red-tape-requirements-in-medicaid/ Murray, Wyden, Warnock, and Senate Democrats Call to Stop Red Tape Requirements in Medicaid 2026-08-11 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Full Senate Democratic Caucus Calls for Withdrawal of CMS Rule Imposing Strict Requirements on Americans Trying to Get and Keep Medicaid Coverage Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), joined Senators Ron Wyden, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee (D-OR), and Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and all 47 members of Senate Democratic caucus in a call for the Trump administration to withdraw a rule to implement work reporting requirements for Medicaid that will take effect at the beginning of 2027. “We urge CMS to withdraw this rule to ensure that Medicaid can continue its mission of providing health coverage to low-income Americans. Implementing this rule will worsen Americans’ overall quality of health, waste millions of dollars on administrative red tape, and cause preventable health emergencies for all Americans,” the senators wrote. “States are not prepared to implement the agency’s onerous, subjective requirements. It is families who will suffer, especially the sickest Americans, like those with mental health and substance use disorders, cancer, and diabetes, who most urgently need the health care Medicaid provides.” In the letter sent to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz, the senators make clear that attempts to implement these requirements will result in high costs and harm to eligible people. The letter also emphasized that the Trump administration’s definition of medical frailty far exceeds what is outlined in the law itself and creates additional onerous barriers for both patients and states that will result in sick Americans falling through the cracks. Red tape requirements are an attempt to suffocate the Medicaid program and deny health care to the Americans who count on it. Senate Democrats continue to support the full repeal of Republicans’ disastrous Medicaid cuts and stand united in calling on the Trump administrat… 1 2026-08-12T06:18:38Z 2026-08-12T06:20:33Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senators-to-rfk-jr-why-was-a-trump-aligned-firm-with-no-immigration-experience-considered-for-no-bid-contract-to-represent-unaccompanied-children/ Senators to RFK Jr.: Why Was a Trump-Aligned Firm With No Immigration Experience Considered for No-Bid Contract to Represent Unaccompanied Children? 2026-08-11 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), alongside Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. demanding he explain why the Trump administration planned to award a no-bid contract to a Trump-aligned law firm with no apparent immigration law experience, allowing them to represent unaccompanied children who are in the care and custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). “Given the political connections between the firm’s senior leadership and the Trump administration, we have concerns about why you sidestepped the competitive bidding process to select this firm to provide legal services for children who are in ORR care and custody, and demand transparency into whether all federal procurement processes were followed,” the senators wrote. “Children deserve competent representation by attorneys who practice at the intersection of child welfare and federal immigration law, but Americans also deserve to know why their federal dollars are being doled out to Trump’s friends and allies.” The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through ORR, has an obligation to ensure that unaccompanied children are provided competent legal aid as they navigate the immigration process. Despite this, Secretary Kennedy has cut legal service funding for 26,000 unaccompanied children, proposing to shift funding to the Trump-aligned Burke Law Group, despite the firm’s lack of experience protecting the rights of immigrant children. “The firm appears to have little relevant experience with the… 1 2026-08-13T06:17:16Z 2026-08-13T06:18:13Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-and-colleagues-call-on-administration-to-delay-red-tape-requirements-in-medicaid Cantwell & Colleagues Call on Administration to Delay Red Tape Requirements in Medicaid 2026-08-06 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell & Colleagues Call on Administration to Delay Red Tape Requirements in Medicaid Full Senate Democratic caucus calls for withdrawal of CMS rule imposing onerous and subjective work requirements on vulnerable Americans trying to get & keep Medicaid coverage; Senators: “Implementing this rule will worsen Americans’ overall quality of health, waste millions of dollars” WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, joined all 47 members of the Senate Democratic caucus in calling on the Trump administration to withdraw a rule to implement work reporting requirements for Medicaid that will take effect at the beginning of 2027. “We urge CMS to withdraw this rule to ensure that Medicaid can continue its mission of providing health coverage to low-income Americans. Implementing this rule will worsen Americans’ overall quality of health, waste millions of dollars on administrative red tape, and cause preventable health emergencies for all Americans,” the senators wrote. “States are not prepared to implement the agency's onerous, subjective requirements. It is families who will suffer, especially the sickest Americans, like those with mental health and substance use disorders, cancer, and diabetes, who most urgently need the health care Medicaid provides.” In the letter sent to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz, the senators make clear that attempts to implement these requirements will result in high costs and harm to eligible people. In Georgia’s first year using work reporting requirements, the state spent five times as much on administrative costs as on health care benefits for enrollees. The letter also emphasized that the Trump administration’s definition of medical frailty far exceeds what is outlined in the law itself, and creates additional onerous barriers for both patients and states that will result in sick Americans… 1 2026-08-07T06:11:19Z 2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-bill-to-restore-quinault-indian-nation-lands-advances-to-full-senate Cantwell Bill to Restore Quinault Indian Nation Lands Advances to Full Senate 2026-08-06 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Bill to Restore Quinault Indian Nation Lands Advances to Full Senate The Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act protects 72 acres Tribe’s benefit, preserves old growth forest WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs voted to advance U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell’s (D-WA) Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act. The bill introduced by Sen. Cantwell, who serves as a senior member of the committee, would restore Tribal stewardship over 72 acres, allowing the Quinault Nation to create a living museum and utilize the land for cultural purposes. Sen. Cantwell introduced the Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act in April 2025, along with Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Emily Randall (D, WA-06). The bill would transfer 72 acres to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to be held in trust for the benefit of the Tribe. “Returning 72 acres of the Quinault Indian Nation’s original reservation will restore the Tribe’s ancestral lands and help preserve one of the area’s last remnants of old growth forest as a living museum for future generations,” Sen. Cantwell said after introducing the bill. The land was originally part of the Quinault Reservation. With the passage of the Dawes Act in 1867, the Quinault Reservation was broken up into 80-acre allotments, many given to individual tribal members. As private interests quickly moved in to buy up the allotments, including Allotment 1157, reservation land was lost to the Tribe. Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act: This bill would transfer 72 acres from the U.S. Forest Service to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to be held in trust for the Quinault Indian Nation. The 72 acres, known as Allotment 1157, was originally part of the Quinault reservation that was established by the Treaty of Olympia of 1856. After the passage of the Dawes Act of 1887, the Quinault Indian Reservation was separated into individual allotments and in 1928, Allotment 1157 was given away through a Trust Deed signed by President Calvin Coolidge. The A… 1 2026-08-07T06:11:19Z 2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-colleagues-condemn-illegal-irs-ice-data-sharing Cantwell, Colleagues Condemn Illegal IRS-ICE Data Sharing 2026-08-06 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell, Colleagues Condemn Illegal IRS-ICE Data Sharing Amicus brief urges Appeals Court to protect taxpayer privacy against ICE and IRS Overreach WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined nine Senators and 74 U.S. Representatives in submitting an amicus brief supporting the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts in its suit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Last year, the IRS entered into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing ICE officers to ask the IRS for sensitive information about tax-paying undocumented immigrants. District Judge Indira Talwani blocked the agreement from continuing, citing violation of taxpayer privacy laws. The Trump Administration has appealed that decision, and Sen. Cantwell and colleagues are urging the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit to uphold the district judge’s decision. In the last year alone, ICE requested over 1.2 million records from the IRS, and the IRS provided addresses for more than 47,000 individuals to ICE., according to a report by the Department of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “The data sharing at issue in this case by the [IRS] and [ICE] violates the express terms of the statute and ignores its history,” the lawmakers began. “Congress previously rejected legislative proposals to alter section 6103 and allow the use of return information for immigration enforcement purposes. Instead, Congress and the IRS for decades have done the opposite: promoting voluntary compliance by immigrant taxpayers by protecting their information to ensure tax revenues keep pace with economic activity.” “The data sharing here was illegal and threatens federal revenue, adversely affecting all taxpayers,” the lawmakers continued. “It would also compromise taxpayer privacy and raise the possibility of grave consequences for i… 1 2026-08-07T06:11:19Z 2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-joins-senate-democrats-in-demanding-trump-administration-stop-illegal-voter-roll-purges-before-election-day Cantwell Joins Senate Democrats in Demanding Trump Administration Stop Illegal Voter Roll Purges Before Election Day 2026-08-06 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Joins Senate Democrats in Demanding Trump Administration Stop Illegal Voter Roll Purges Before Election Day Federal law Cantwell cosponsored protects voter rolls from mass purges close in time to an election WASHINGTON, D.C. – With midterm elections now 89 days away, and early voting in some states beginning in just 44 days, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a member of Senate Democrats’ task force on election interference, today joined 27 of her Senate colleagues in demanding the Trump Administration adhere to the National Voter Registration Act’s (NVRA) “quiet period” that prohibits systematic voter purges within 90 days of an election, pushing back against the Administration’s ongoing voter suppression efforts. In a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, the senators reminded the Trump Administration to adhere to the law and refrain from supporting, assisting, or coercing states into conducting mass voter purges prior to the November midterm elections. The Trump Administration has demanded voter information from all 50 states, losing 20 lawsuits and counting in the process, and a separate court has barred it from misusing federal databases in illegal attempts to remove voters from state voter rolls. In July, President Donald Trump and Secretary Mullin escalated these attacks as part of their ongoing efforts to force states to purge voters ahead of the November general election in a presidential speech and subsequent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press conference. The senators’ letter copies the chief election officers for all 50 states to send a strong signal that Congress is paying close attention to these existing protections in federal law. “We are writing to remind you that any efforts directing states to conduct mass voter purges, including by using the deeply flawed Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to purge voter rolls, would violate the 90 day ‘quiet period’ mandated by the National Voter Re… 1 2026-08-07T06:11:19Z 2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-slams-trumps-latest-attack-on-head-start-calls-on-teachers-and-parents-to-protect-the-program/ Senator Murray Slams Trump’s Latest Attack on Head Start, Calls on Teachers and Parents to Protect the Program 2026-08-06 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Murray, a former preschool teacher and the Senate’s leading advocate for child care, secured $12.35 billion for Head Start in the FY26 funding bill she negotiated Murray has sounded the alarm on Trump’s leaked memo to gut Head Start and Trump’s illegal impoundment of Head Start funds 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 Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), released the following statement in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued today by the Department of Health and Human Services that guts Head Start by shredding basic standards that keep kids safe and advance their education. The rule removes most of Head Start’s 133 pages of requirements for math and literacy curriculums, class sizes, medical screenings, home visits and more. “Whether it was his leaked memo to eliminate Head Start, his illegal impoundments, or his decimation of the Office of Head Start—President Trump has all but declared war on Head Start and affordable child care in America. After Congress and the nation forcefully rejected Trump’s efforts to destroy Head Start, this administration now wants to quietly gut Head Start by eliminating the basic health and safety standards our kids rely on—well I refuse to stay silent about this travesty. “For millions of families, Head Start is the first place anyone will check their child’s hearing, vision, or teeth—ignoring the health and safety of these kids today will just cost us more tomorrow. There’s a reason Head Start tells providers how many toddlers one adult can supervise—it’s how many kids any one teacher can actually keep safe on a busy day. This proposed rule also gives programs across the country a green light to slam the door shut on any kid with a disability they decide is too difficult or too much work to take care of. None of this helps families—much of it could lead to catastrophe. “This rule is not final—every parent and teac… 1 2026-08-07T06:11:19Z 2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senators-murray-lujan-and-advocates-sound-the-alarm-on-trumps-latest-attack-on-head-start-vow-to-save-head-start/ Senators Murray, Luján, and Advocates Sound the Alarm on Trump’s Latest Attack on Head Start, Vow to Save Head Start 2026-08-06 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ICYMI: Senator Murray Slam’s Trump’s Latest Attack on Head Start, Calls on Teachers and Parents to Protect the Program *** WATCH PRESS CONFERENCE HERE, DOWNLOAD HERE*** 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 Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), held a virtual press conference with Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and advocates in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued today by the Department of Health and Human Services that guts Head Start by shredding basic standards that keep kids safe and advance their education. The rule removes most of Head Start’s 133 pages of requirements for math and literacy curriculums, class sizes, medical screenings, home visits and more. Joining the press call were Joel Ryan, Executive Director of the Washington State Association of Head Start; Dr. Ruth Friedman, former Director of the Office of Child Care at the Administration for Children and Families at HHS; and Lori Pittman, a parent from Washington state a Policy, Advocacy, and Government Relations Advisor for Early Learning K-12, and Postsecondary at Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD), and a co-founder of the Washington State Parent Ambassador Program, a statewide initiative supporting parent leadership and advocacy. “Your child’s safety should not depend on their zip code. That has been the entire point of Head Start since 1965. If they wanted to serve more kids, they could ask Congress for more funding. I’d write that bill this afternoon. Instead, they’re saying they might be able to serve more children by promising each child less. Nobody should pretend this came out of nowhere. President Trump has all but declared war on Head Start,” said Senator Murray. “This rule is not final. There is a public comment period. I want parents to weigh in. I want teachers to weigh in. Because I have seen what happens when enough ordinary people refuse to let something … 1 2026-08-07T06:11:19Z 2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-thanks-firefighters-calls-for-continued-federal-support-after-pnw-wildfires-briefing-from-cabinet-secretaries Cantwell Thanks Firefighters, Calls for Continued Federal Support After PNW Wildfires Briefing from Cabinet Secretaries 2026-08-05 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Thanks Firefighters, Calls for Continued Federal Support After PNW Wildfires Briefing from Cabinet Secretaries Sen. Cantwell: “The Northwest will continue to benefit from air assets, and I hope that more of them can be deployed.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, received a briefing on Pacific Northwest wildfires from Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, U.S. Wildland Fire Service Director Brian Fennessy, and U.S. Forest Service officials. After the briefing, Sen. Cantwell released the following statement. “Today Interior Sec. Burgum, Agriculture Sec. Rollins, DOI Wildland Fire Service Director Brian Fennessy, and USFS officials briefed Senators on keeping assets in the Northwest as we are at a Preparedness Level 5, an extreme wildfire designation. We are still at the highest risk in the nation and appreciate being the highest resourced,” said Sen. Cantwell. “The Northwest will continue to benefit from air assets, and I hope that more of them can be deployed throughout the region, as smoke allows, to help Spokane, Okanogan and all Northeast Washington counties, the Spokane and Colville Tribes, and especially Chelan area communities impacted by the Little Giant Fire,” Sen. Cantwell continued. “Thank you to all the firefighters and first responders who are helping us fight these historic Northwest fires.” On Tuesday, Sen. Cantwell called for improved wildfire preparedness in a U.S. Senate roundtable with Chief Bob Roper of the Western Chiefs Fire Association and other experts. “We just have to move faster,” said Sen. Cantwell. “My heart goes out to the people of Washington who are dealing with this across our state, particularly in Spokane, and in the Lake Chelan area as well.” On Sunday, Sen. Cantwell visited county and city command centers in Spokane and took part in a press briefing about the devast… 1 2026-08-06T07:37:31Z 2026-08-06T07:38:34Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-lankford-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-increase-funding-opportunities-for-tribal-nations-neighboring-military-installations/ Murray, Lankford, Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Funding Opportunities for Tribal Nations Neighboring Military Installations 2026-08-05 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and James Lankford (R-OK) introduced new legislation to make Tribal governments eligible to apply for grants under the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP). Currently, Tribal governments are ineligible to apply for funding under DCIP’s grant authority, despite their role in supporting military installations and defense communities nationwide. “From Joint Base Lewis-McChord to Fairchild Air Force Base and everywhere in between Tribal Nations—like Yakama, Suquamish, and many more—do critical work to support military installations in Washington state and throughout the country,” said Senator Murray. “That’s why this legislation is an important step to expand eligibility to DCIP grants. Tribes play a key role in our military readiness—they should be eligible for these funds just like any other community would be.” “Oklahoma is home to 39 Tribal Nations, and many of them live and work alongside the men and women who serve at our military installations. When a Tribe is doing work that benefits a military base or post, whether that is roads, utilities, or emergency response, the Tribe should have the same opportunity to apply for federal infrastructure grants as any other local government. This bill is a simple, common-sense fix that recognizes the role Tribes already play in our military readiness,” said Senator Lankford. Historically, DCIP provides grants to state and local governments for off-base infrastructure that supports military installations. These investments strengthen military readiness and benefit servicemembers and their families by improving transportation, schools, utilities, hospitals, and other essential infrastructure. Tribal Nations who neighbor military bases are often already doing this work to support critical infrastructure projects that support military communities. This bill would amend the current language to include Tribal governments as eligible, “state and local,” … 1 2026-08-06T07:37:31Z 2026-08-06T07:38:34Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-makes-it-clear-a-vote-for-todd-blanche-is-a-vote-to-ban-abortion-in-all-fifty-states/ Senator Murray Makes it Clear: A Vote for Todd Blanche is A Vote to Ban Abortion in All Fifty States 2026-08-05 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Murray: “Mr. Blanche told us all exactly what he plans to do if Senators confirm him. His goal was to make the Dobbs decision ‘permanent in every single state.’ Every. Single. State.” Murray: “This isn’t just a confirmation vote anymore—it’s a roll-call vote on which Senators endorse banning abortion in all 50 states from the federal level. I’m voting NO.” ICYMI: At Hearing with Acting AG Blanche, Senator Murray Blasts Outrageous Creation of $1.8 Billion MAGA Slush Fund, Presses for Apology to Epstein Victims ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks*** Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor ahead of the vote to confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General. Murray condemned Blanche for his disqualifying track record and outright corruption. Murray also sounded the alarm on Blanche’s recent comments made during a private call where Blanche says he will work to make the Dobbs decision “permanent in every single state.” Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below: “M. President, I was never going to come out here and support Todd Blanche for a long list of reasons. I believe he is one of the most corrupt Justice Department officials in our country’s history, for one. He was Trump’s former personal lawyer—and it seems that he never quit! “The only difference now is that the taxpayers are signing his checks instead of Trump. He was the one who negotiated a $1.8 billion slush fund to pay off violent insurrectionists, and who cut a backroom deal to give the President and his entire corrupt family immunity from IRS investigations. “Not to forget, Todd Blanche is the guy who botched the Epstein files so badly that survivors had their names and faces exposed, while the names of alleged abusers were hidden. This is a man, who wouldn’t meet with survivors until Senators put him under a tremendous amount of public pressure. And when the meeting eventually got on the books, survivors made it crystal clear that Blanche didn’t li… 1 2026-08-06T07:37:31Z 2026-08-06T07:38:34Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/amid-devastating-wildfires-cantwell-calls-for-better-wildfire-preparedness-in-roundtable-with-fire-chief-other-experts Amid Devastating Wildfires, Cantwell Calls for Better Wildfire Preparedness in Roundtable with Fire Chief, Other Experts 2026-08-04 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Amid Devastating Wildfires, Cantwell Calls for Better Wildfire Preparedness in Roundtable with Fire Chief, Other Experts Cantwell at Senate roundtable forum on extreme weather: “We just have to move faster”; Bob Roper, Western Fire Chiefs Association: “Fires don't respect jurisdictional lines.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – With 16 large, active wildfires burning in Central and Eastern Washington, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, spoke today about wildfire preparedness at a Senate extreme weather roundtable. “My heart goes out to the people of Washington who are dealing with this across our state, particularly in Spokane, and in the Lake Chelan area as well,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Between Washington and Oregon, we've hit a record for the amount of acreage that has been burning.” “Technology can play a big role,” continued Sen. Cantwell. “We have to show people that the connection between the information that we can get, and then the actual action plan that we can put into place, that's where that's where the gaps are.” Bob Roper, former fire chief of the Ventura County Fire District and current Senior Policy Advisor for the Western Chiefs Fire Association, said in response: “We have found that across the country … that we don't have good data standards. We're not sharing data widely, and that there's not an orchestrated plan on what to do with the data and intelligence.” Added Roper: “The fires don't respect jurisdictional lines. We need to make sure that federal, state, tribal, and public and private are all working collectively together as far as one entity.” On Sunday, Sen. Cantwell visited county and city command centers in Spokane and took part in a press briefing about the devastating fires there. In September 2025, Sen. Cantwell’s Fire Ready Nation Act passed the U.S. Senate unanimously. The bipartisan Fire Ready Nation Act would formally establish a permanent Fire Weather Servi… 1 2026-08-05T07:37:37Z 2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-calls-out-critical-gaps-in-fatal-accident-data-involving-large-trucks-and-buses Cantwell Calls Out Critical Gaps in Fatal Accident Data Involving Large Trucks and Buses 2026-08-04 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Calls Out Critical Gaps in Fatal Accident Data Involving Large Trucks and Buses ProPublica/WBUR investigation found FMCSA undercounting bus and large truck crashes, injuries, and fatalities; FMCSA enforcement actions against carriers down 65% under Trump; FMCSA data may be missing crashes in WA WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Edward Markey (D-MA) sent a letter to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Derek Barrs requesting information on the agency’s tracking of large truck and bus crashes following a ProPublica/WBUR investigative report that crash data is not being properly received and recorded. This lack of accurate data makes it difficult for FMCSA to appropriately sanction companies that put the public at risk. “According to the most recent data available, nearly 5,000 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks and buses in 2024,” wrote the Senators. “The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses information from these crashes to identify specific truck and bus companies for targeted enforcement, which can range from a warning letter to being placed out-of-service. On June 8, 2026, ProPublica and WBUR reported their investigation found that FMCSA is missing critical crash data for a company that operates school buses, making it impossible for the agency to accurately identify and target high-risk motor carriers like these.” The ProPublica/WBUR investigation centered on an April 2025 school bus accident in Boston that killed a kindergartner after he was dropped off on the wrong side of the street. The driver was hired and trained by transnational bus company Transdev, and the investigation found that 42 fatal crashes involving Transdev over the past 10 years were missing from FMCSA records. ProPublica and WBUR also found that FMCSA’s own instructions to law enforcement about the attribution of a crash to a particular company w… 1 2026-08-05T07:37:37Z 2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/at-budget-hearing-senator-murray-slams-republicans-for-sham-hearing-on-medicaid-fraud-after-they-made-the-largest-cuts-to-medicaid-in-history/ At Budget Hearing, Senator Murray Slams Republicans for Sham Hearing on Medicaid Fraud, After They Made the Largest Cuts to Medicaid in History 2026-08-04 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Murray: “Chairman Johnson has said repeatedly he believes Social Security is a Ponzi scheme… I am going to keep fighting to save Social Security and protect healthcare for Americans. Now, and long into the future.” Johnson: “I’ve said it’s a legal Ponzi scheme, which is exactly what it is. I mean, take a look at what a Ponzi scheme is. That’s what Social Security is.” Murray: “Seems to me like the biggest Medicaid theft didn’t happen in a billing office somewhere, it actually happened last year, right here in the United States Capitol, when Republicans passed Trump’s Big Ugly bill.” ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full questioning*** Washington, D.C. — Today, at a Senate Budget Committee hearing on Medicaid, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Budget Committee, slammed Republicans’ sham hearing on Medicaid fraud. Senator Murray called out Trump for pardoning criminals convicted of Medicaid fraud and Republicans who voted to slash Medicaid to give tax cuts to billionaires last year in Trump’s Big Ugly Bill. [MEDICAID FRAUD HYPOCRISY] Senator Murray began by asking Jonathan Ingram, Vice President of Policy and Research at the Foundation for Government Accountability, about how Trump and Republicans’ say they want to crack down on Medicaid fraud; meanwhile Trump has actually pardoned criminals convicted of Medicaid fraud. MURRAY: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think we can all agree can we do need to crack down on fraud, especially in a program like Medicaid that so many Americans really rely on. So, Mr. Ingram, let me just ask you: Yes or no? You agree that we need to be cracking down on Medicaid fraud, not letting criminals off the hook, yes? INGRAM: Yes. MURRAY: Thank you. So, I hope my Republican colleagues will use some part of this hearing to condemn President Trump for pardoning criminals who were convicted of major Medicaid fraud. Trump pardoned five former executives from Florida who committed serious Medicaid fraud to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. That is p… 1 2026-08-05T07:37:37Z 2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-remarks-on-averting-shutdown-democrats-fight-to-deliver-for-families-in-spending-bills/ Senator Murray Remarks on Averting Shutdown & Democrats’ Fight to Deliver for Families in Spending Bills 2026-08-04 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full remarks*** Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks at the Senate Democratic leadership press conference on the Senate advancing the bipartisan continuing resolution (CR), which extends government funding through December 11. Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below: “Well, as last night’s vote made clear: no one wants a shutdown. It is a good thing we were able to come together to produce a reasonable CR that addresses some key problems with the CR that the House Republicans passed and that will give us the runway we need to reach a bipartisan agreement on funding levels—and then negotiate the bills for the coming year. “The bill closes the loophole in the Republicans’ bill, which would have allowed funding to be transferred to the Border Patrol. No reforms; no new money—it’s that simple. “The CR also adds important language to extend authorization for key programs and ensures there is enough funding to—for example—make sure low-income seniors have food on their tables. “It rejects the wish list President Trump requested for the Pentagon. There’s no funding for so-called ‘Trump-class’ battleships, for example, and this bill does nothing to fulfill his $70 billion request to bankroll his disastrous Iran war. “Thanks to Democrats, this bill will block OMB’s corrupt new grants rule from taking effect for the duration of the CR. What Trump and Russ Vought want is the ability to take every federal grant in America hostage. They are not interested in making our tax dollars work better—they just want them to work for Donald Trump. Cancer research, bridges, hospitals—under [this] rule, a Trump appointee could decide to strip funding for almost anything. No cause. No notice. No appeal. “So, Democrats said no way. Every single Senate Democrat joined me in demanding OMB withdraw the rule. “Today, it is on ice. I did try to stop this rule outright in the negotiations, but my… 1 2026-08-05T07:37:37Z 2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-vows-to-get-spokane-and-wa-federal-resources-for-wildfire-response-and-recovery/ Senator Murray Vows to Get Spokane and WA Federal Resources for Wildfire Response and Recovery 2026-08-04 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Murray: “To every family in Spokane and across Eastern Washington who has lost a home, or a business, or a lifetime of memories—hear me: I promise you—I am with you, today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes to rebuild.” Murray: “There is not a single dollar I won’t pursue if it means helping Spokane and communities across the state as they rebuild from these devastating fires. Whatever it takes—for as long as it takes.“ ICYMI: Senator Murray Leads Entire WA Delegation in Requesting Expedited Emergency Declaration for Devastating Wildfires in Spokane ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks*** Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the senate floor about the devastating wildfires sweeping through Spokane, Central, and Eastern Washington state, Senator Murray reinforced her commitment to ensuring Spokane and the rest of the state have the federal resources necessary to rebuild and recover after the fires. Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below: “M. President, I rise today with a very heavy heart because right now, huge swaths of my state are being confronted by some of the worst fires that we have ever seen. “This weekend, three fast-moving wildfires exploded across Spokane County. In a matter of hours, entire neighborhoods were told: ‘Leave now. This may be your only notice.’ “Over sixty-five thousand people I represent have been forced to evacuate their homes. At least seven hundred homes, businesses, and buildings have been destroyed already. Families are sleeping in the Spokane Convention Center tonight, not knowing whether they even still have a home to go back to. And as of this morning, these fires are still not contained. “The photos and videos tell a story: Houses reduced to ash. Families embracing outside the burned remains of what they once called a home. It is heartbreaking. Smoke so thick over Spokane that the air itself has become a health hazard. “To every family in Spokane and across Eastern Washingto… 1 2026-08-05T07:37:37Z 2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-joins-entire-wa-delegation-in-requesting-expedited-emergency-declaration-for-devastating-wildfires-in-spokane-central-wa Cantwell Joins Entire WA Delegation in Requesting Expedited Emergency Declaration for Devastating Wildfires in Spokane, Central WA 2026-08-03 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Joins Entire WA Delegation in Requesting Expedited Emergency Declaration for Devastating Wildfires in Spokane, Central WA S-R: Wildfire leaves Northwest Spokane in a ‘war zone’; KXLY: “Thousands of people had to leave their homes as fires exploded in the Spokane area over the weekend. More than 700 structures have burned, many of them homes, while thousands of people are still not allowed back in their neighborhoods.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Washington state’s entire congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson’s request last night for an expedited Emergency Declaration for the devastating wildfires sweeping through Central and Eastern Washington state. On Saturday, Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency and issued a statewide burn ban through September 30, 2026. The National Weather Service upgraded the Red Flag Warning on Saturday, to a Particularly Dangerous Situation, which is very rare and typically reserved for extreme fire weather conditions. The Spokane Area Fires consist of the Old Trails Fire burning in northwest Spokane, the Autumn Lane Fire burning near Nine Mile Falls, and the Fairview Fire burning in Mead. Over 700 structures have been lost in the fires so far and over 14,000 structures are threatened, 67,000 people have been evacuated, the three fires have burned over 8,000 acres combined and are still 0% contained, nearly 1,000 firefighters battling fires in the Spokane area, and thousands of more people remain under a Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuation. “Large and fast-moving wildfires are burning in Central and Eastern Washington. Dangerous conditions, including strong winds, low humidity, and extremely high temperatures, intensified existing fires and ignited new fires, the worst of which started in Spokane and Ste… 1 2026-08-04T07:35:49Z 2026-08-04T07:37:27Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/on-senate-floor-senator-murray-urges-trump-administration-to-support-expedited-emergency-declaration-for-spokane-wildfires/ On Senate Floor, Senator Murray Urges Trump Administration to Support Expedited Emergency Declaration for Spokane Wildfires 2026-08-03 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ICYMI: Senator Murray Leads Entire WA Delegation in Requesting Expedited Emergency Declaration for Devastating Wildfires in Spokane ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks*** Washington, D.C. – Today, following remarks urging passage of the bipartisan short-term funding bill introduced yesterday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, briefly spoke on the senate floor about the devastating wildfires sweeping through the Spokane region in Washington state, and urged Trump to approve the Expedited Emergency Declaration for Central and Eastern Washington state. Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below: “Finally, I cannot come to the Senate floor without acknowledging the heartbreaking devastation we are seeing in Spokane and across Eastern Washington. “My heart is with everyone who is affected by these horrific fires, and please know I will keep doing all I can to ensure the federal government steps up. “This short-term funding bill importantly includes flexibilities for the Disaster Relief Fund, so it can serve our communities in need during the CR. “I am glad that FEMA has so far approved the F-MAG requests our local officials have made as they are fighting these wildfires. And last night, our Governor made a formal request to the President for an expedited emergency declaration. “I am leading our entire congressional delegation—Democrats and Republicans—in urging the President to approve that request immediately. “And I do want to say how grateful I am to the fire crews and first responders who are working around the clock to save lives and property. And how inspired I am by the way the Spokane community has come together to support those who have lost their homes or are under evacuation orders. “I will have far more to say on this crisis, but let me close with this: as the Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and a voice for Spokane here in the United States Senate, I will do everything in my power to make certain Eastern Washington gets every cen… 1 2026-08-04T07:35:49Z 2026-08-04T07:37:27Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-floor-remarks-on-bipartisan-cr/ Senator Murray Floor Remarks on Bipartisan CR 2026-08-03 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper ICYMI: Senator Murray on Release of CR Text ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full speech*** Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor ahead of the first procedural vote on the bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) released on Sunday, which extends government funding through December 11. Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below: “M. President, we have our work cut out for us as we work to fund the government for the coming fiscal year. “As costs for our families go up and up and up, the president wants a $1.5 trillion war budget, and he wants to cut programs working people depend on to pay for it. No, no way. “And as his disastrous war with Iran rages on, Trump is even asking for another $70 billion on top of that to bankroll the war. It is really hard to imagine more backward funding priorities—especially as so many families are struggling and being hurt by Republicans’ cuts to health care and food aid. “Congress is not an ATM to fund Trump’s disastrous wars abroad. So, as I’ve said many times, we need to rip up the president’s budget and write an entirely new one. “I’ve been clear from the very start that we absolutely must prioritize helping families and lowering costs as we do that. That means rejecting the president’s astronomical defense request and instead delivering significantly more funding for our nondefense budget, so that we can invest in helping people here at home. “Now, it’s clear that we will definitely need more time to get this done and reach bipartisan agreement on funding levels—just as we have done in the Senate over the last three years—which then allows us to draft bipartisan bills for FY27. “So, I am glad we were able to craft a bipartisan CR to keep the government funded and to make sure we can avert a shutdown that no one wants—while giving us time to reach bipartisan agreement on a topline and our funding bills. “Two weeks ago, House Republicans sent us an incomplete CR with seve… 1 2026-08-04T07:35:49Z 2026-08-04T07:37:27Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-leads-entire-wa-delegation-in-requesting-expedited-emergency-declaration-for-devastating-wildfires-in-spokane/ Senator Murray Leads Entire WA Delegation in Requesting Expedited Emergency Declaration for Devastating Wildfires in Spokane 2026-08-03 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper S-R: Wildfire leaves Northwest Spokane in a ‘war zone’ KXLY: “Thousands of people had to leave their homes as fires exploded in the Spokane area over the weekend. More than 700 structures have burned, many of them homes, while thousands of people are still not allowed back in their neighborhoods.” ***LETTER HERE*** Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson’s request last night for an expedited Emergency Declaration for the devastating wildfires sweeping through Central and Eastern Washington state. On Saturday, Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency and issued a statewide burn ban through September 30, 2026. The National Weather Service upgraded the Red Flag Warning on Saturday, to a Particularly Dangerous Situation, which is very rare and typically reserved for extreme fire weather conditions. The Spokane Area Fires consist of the Old Trails Fire burning in northwest Spokane, the Autumn Lane Fire burning near Nine Mile Falls, and the Fairview Fire burning in Mead. Over 700 structures have been lost in the fires so far and over 14,000 structures are threatened, 67,000 people have been evacuated, the three fires have burned over 8,000 acres combined and are still 0% contained, nearly 1,000 firefighters are battling fires in the Spokane area, and thousands of more people remain under a Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuation. “Large and fast-moving wildfires are burning in Central and Eastern Washington. Dangerous conditions, including strong winds, low humidity, and extremely high temperatures, intensified existing fires and ignited new fires, the worst of which started in Spokane and Stevens Counties on Saturday, August 1. According to the Northwest Coordination Center (NWCC), the Pacific Northwest is experiencing wildfire activity not normally seen until much later in the fire… 1 2026-08-04T07:35:49Z 2026-08-04T07:37:27Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/at-briefing-cantwell-discusses-federal-resources-helping-spokane-fight-fires At Briefing, Cantwell Discusses Federal Resources Helping Spokane Fight Fires 2026-08-02 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper At Briefing, Cantwell Discusses Federal Resources Helping Spokane Fight Fires “Today, it is the top fire in our nation. That means [the federal government is] going to give us the resources that we need here on the ground,” says Cantwell SPOKANE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and a senior member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, spoke at a media briefing about the ongoing Spokane fires. “There are some up here with us who have been evacuated. There are some that have lost their homes. So we are with you in this situation, and we're going to do everything we can to get the federal resources to help you,” said Sen. Cantwell. “I talked to the U.S. [Forest Service] Chief Schultz, who basically said, this is the most [high] risk and resourced fire in the United States. Today, it is the top fire in our nation. That means they are going to give us the resources that we need here on the ground.” Added Sen. Cantwell: “I ask our fellow Washingtonians to help this region, to be as patient as you can, to listen to what the first responders are saying because we're not out of danger yet. The next couple of days will be challenging, but we are going to do everything we can to make sure the resources are here and continue to make sure that this issue gets our nation's attention.” At the briefing, in addition to Sen. Cantwell, Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown, Governor Bob Ferguson, Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove, and other elected and emergency officials provided the latest information on the efforts to contain the wildfires in the Spokane area. Video of today’s entire press conference is HERE; photos are HERE; a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s statement is HERE; and a video of Sen. Cantwell’s statement is HERE. A background document detailing Sen. Cantwell’s work to reverse President Trump’s cuts to wildfire funding and bolster wildfire preparedness is available HERE. ### 1 2026-08-04T07:35:49Z 2026-08-04T07:37:27Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-on-release-of-cr-text/ Senator Murray on Release of CR Text 2026-08-02 2026 2026-08 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the release of text of a continuing resolution (CR) that keeps the government funded through December 11. “It’s good that we were able to produce a much-improved CR to keep the government funded and avert a shutdown that no one wants. “This bill includes important extensions and language that House Republicans’ CR did not, and it rejects Trump’s frivolous war spending wish list. Importantly, we closed the loophole in House Republicans’ CR that would have allowed the Trump administration to transfer funding provided for other programs to Border Patrol, which desperately needs reform, not more money. “Because of Democrats’ unrelenting efforts, this bill blocks implementation of OMB’s corrupt new grants rule for the duration of the CR. The proposed rule would systematically politicize federal funding and allow Trump officials to cancel grants at any time for any reason. Enabling this rule would only give Trump the greenlight to take even more federal funding hostage. While Republicans rejected killing the proposed rule outright, I’m going to keep fighting to put a stop to it once and for all, and I will keep pressing my Republican colleagues to do exactly that. “I pushed hard to extend infrastructure funding set to run out on September 30, so that we can save jobs and keep fixing America’s roads and bridges, and I also fought to protect Congress’ power of the purse and prevent Russ Vought from attempting another end-run around Congress with illegal ‘pocket rescissions.’ Ultimately, Republicans refused to work with us to get these common sense priorities enacted in law, but I hope everyone who shares my frustration that Republicans refuse to do more to stand up to this president will join us in speaking out and speaking up for change in every way possible.” The CR addresses key problems with House Republicans’ CR: It closes the loophole that would have allowed the Trum… 1 2026-08-04T07:35:49Z 2026-08-04T07:37:27Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-celebrates-port-of-grays-harbor-terminal-4-grand-opening Cantwell Celebrates Port of Grays Harbor Terminal 4 Grand Opening 2026-07-31 2026 2026-07 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Celebrates Port of Grays Harbor Terminal 4 Grand Opening “This is what America gets and American workers get when you make port infrastructure investment,” says Cantwell; Cantwell led the fight to secure a historic $2.25B for Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) in 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law; Terminal 4 project made possible by $25.5M PIDP grant; Grays Harbor is the largest U.S. exporter of soymeal, & 47,000 new feet of rail line allows the port to ship more product faster GRAYS HARBOR, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined local union leaders, businesspeople, and elected officials to celebrate the grand opening of the Port of Grays Harbor’s Terminal 4. “ILWU 24 workers are making sure that a soybean farmer 1,000 miles away in South Dakota can compete with Asia, and that is what we're doing here today,” said Sen. Cantwell. “This $25.5 million dollar investment that helps this project is going to attract over $100 million in private sector development, and that is why you put federal dollars on the table, and that's what you sent me to Washington to do.” Sen. Cantwell added: “We are now working hard to pass another infrastructure investment bill, because we have to continue to make port infrastructure investment. And I'm going to use this project to tell all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle: ‘This is what America gets and American workers get when you make port infrastructure investment.’" The Port of Grays Harbor is the state's largest commercial seafood landing port. It’s the largest exporter of soymeal on the West Coast, with product coming from states like South Dakota and Nebraska, and last year it handled a record number of automobiles. The Terminal 4 expansion more than doubles the rail infrastructure at the port to 90,000 feet, allowing ships to be loaded almost twice as fast, and speed soymeal grown across the United Sta… 1 2026-08-01T07:27:26Z 2026-08-01T07:28:22Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-and-colleagues-demand-trump-administration-restore-funding-for-pnw-hydrogen-hub-other-energy-projects-that-were-illegally-canceled_politically-targeted Cantwell & Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Restore Funding for PNW Hydrogen Hub, Other Energy Projects That Were Illegally Canceled & Politically Targeted 2026-07-30 2026 2026-07 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell & Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Restore Funding for PNW Hydrogen Hub, Other Energy Projects That Were Illegally Canceled & Politically Targeted Letter follows Trump administration confession energy project grant cancellations were decided “based solely” on whether states voted for Trump; Trump DOE clawed back $1B from the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association Hub, costing $5B in additional private investment, 10,000 jobs, and an opportunity to lower energy costs for the entire nation WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, joined her colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought demanding that the Trump administration restore funding for the 223 energy projects canceled in October 2025. The Trump administration has since admitted to illegally canceling energy grants because those projects were in states that did not vote for President Trump in the 2024 election. In WA, politicized grant cancellations hit energy projects across the state, totaling $1.14 billion in lost funding including: $1 billion lost for the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association Hub (Bellingham, Richland, & Chehalis, WA) $68 million lost for PACCAR (Renton, Bellevue & Mount Vernon, WA) $46.6 million lost for Nippon Dynawave (Vancouver, WA) $10 million lost for CleanFiber (Chehalis, WA) $9.9 million lost for Washington State University $5.3 million lost for Spokane Edo $3 million lost for SILFAB Solar (Burlington, WA) The letter was led by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Patty Murray (D-WA). In addition to Sen. Cantwell, they were joined by 37 other Democratic senators -- all from states with canceled grants and funding. “Now that court documents have confirmed what we knew to be true, we write to demand that you restore pr… 1 2026-07-31T07:49:23Z 2026-07-31T07:50:48Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-republican-vote-to-make-child-care-cost-more Cantwell Statement on Republican Vote to Make Child Care Cost More 2026-07-30 2026 2026-07 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Statement on Republican Vote to Make Child Care Cost More Senate votes on party lines to uphold new HHS rule eliminating copayment cap that helps more than 15,000 WA families afford childcare WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, released this statement following the failure of a joint resolution of congressional disapproval to overturn a recent Trump Administration rule that makes childcare less affordable by eliminating the federal affordability benchmark that capped family copayments at 7% of household income. “More than 15,000 low-income families in Washington rely on the Child Care and Development Fund,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Today, Senate Republicans voted to keep a Trump Administration policy that will make childcare more expensive and less accessible for many of those families. While we were unable to reverse these harmful changes, I will keep fighting to make childcare more affordable.” Childcare costs have risen at the twice the rate of inflation over the last two years. According to research released earlier this year by the Brookings Institution, “by some estimates, families can now expect to pay more for childcare than they would for a college degree. Capping childcare costs “at equitable, affordable thresholds would enable up to 3.7 million more families to make ends meet,” and “allow an additional 1.3 million parents of young children to participate in the labor force.” The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is a federal-state partnership, authorized though the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) that supports childcare costs for low-income families, enabling parents to work, attend school, or participate in job training. According to ACF, CCDF supports childcare for approximately 23,300 children and 15,100 families in the State of Washington. In May, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in coordin… 1 2026-07-31T07:49:23Z 2026-07-31T07:50:48Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-votes-to-cancel-corrupt-doj-deal-to-give-trump-family-blanket-immunity-from-tax-audits Cantwell Votes to Cancel Corrupt DOJ Deal to Give Trump Family Blanket Immunity from Tax Audits 2026-07-30 2026 2026-07 Democrat Senate WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov cantwell https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Cantwell Votes to Cancel Corrupt DOJ Deal to Give Trump Family Blanket Immunity from Tax Audits Cantwell cites 7,000 messages from outraged constituents; says Congress needs to show honest taxpayers “the well-connected are not above the law” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today at a Senate Finance Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, voted yes on legislation that would prohibit the IRS and Treasury from entering into or enforcing any agreement or settlement that grants audit immunity to a sitting President, their family members, or related business entities. This would have effectively barred implementation of the settlement deal that the Department of Justice cut with President Trump that included a broad grant of immunity from IRS tax audits. “My constituents were outraged by the $1.8 billion slush fund, but the offer of blanket immunity from any tax enforcement claims was especially appalling,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Our office has received more than 7,000 messages from constituents expressing their opposition and anger.” “Over 165 million individual tax returns were filed in 2025, approximately 4 million from the state of Washington. We need to make clear to those law-abiding citizens that the well-connected are not above the law, and they don't get a free pass when it comes to compliance with our tax laws,” Sen. Cantwell continued. The amendment, led by Committee chair Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), was voted down 13-14, along party lines. The amendment was offered to the Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act, bipartisan legislation that strengthens taxpayer rights, and modernizes IRS operations, helping build a more efficient, responsive and taxpayer-focused tax administration system, that Cantwell supported and was reported out of Committee by a vote of 26-1. During her opening comments on the TAS Act, Cantwell pressed her colleagues to ensure that the IRS is adequately funded and ful… 1 2026-07-31T07:49:23Z 2026-07-31T07:50:48Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-heinrich-lead-37-colleagues-in-demanding-trump-administration-restore-funding-for-energy-projects-that-were-illegally-canceled-and-politically-targeted/ Murray, Heinrich Lead 37 Colleagues in Demanding Trump Administration Restore Funding for Energy Projects That Were Illegally Canceled and Politically Targeted 2026-07-30 2026 2026-07 Democrat Senate WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/category/press-releases/ scraper The letter follows an admission from the Trump administration that the decision to cancel energy project grants in states that did not vote for Trump was “based solely” on politics Murray, Heinrich, colleagues: “It is an attack on the rule of law and the basic democratic principle that the federal government serves the entire country—not merely those who support the President.” ICYMI: Murray Blasts Trump Admin After Lawyers Admit Cancellations Were Purely Political Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, were joined by 37 senators in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought demanding that the Trump administration restore funding for the 223 energy projects canceled in October 2025. The Trump administration has since admitted to illegally canceling energy grants because those projects were in states that did not vote for President Trump in the 2024 election. Alongside Murray and Heinrich, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tina Smith (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Angus King (I-ME)… 1 2026-07-31T07:49:23Z 2026-07-31T07:50:48Z

Next page

Advanced export

JSON shape: default, array, newline-delimited, object

CSV options:

CREATE TABLE [releases] (
   [url] TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
   [title] TEXT,
   [date] TEXT,
   [year] TEXT,
   [month] TEXT,
   [party] TEXT,
   [chamber] TEXT,
   [state] TEXT,
   [member_name] TEXT,
   [bioguide_id] TEXT,
   [domain] TEXT,
   [scraper] TEXT,
   [source] TEXT,
   [date_source] TEXT,
   [text] TEXT,
   [has_text] INTEGER,
   [collected_at] TEXT,
   [updated_at] TEXT
);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_date]
    ON [releases] ([date]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_year]
    ON [releases] ([year]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_party]
    ON [releases] ([party]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_chamber]
    ON [releases] ([chamber]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_state]
    ON [releases] ([state]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_bioguide_id]
    ON [releases] ([bioguide_id]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_has_text]
    ON [releases] ([has_text]);
Powered by Datasette · Queries took 462.7ms · Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press