Chairman's Press
MURRAY AT BUDGET HEARING: GOP Needs to Stand Up to Tea Party, End the Constant Crises
Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the Impact of Political Uncertainty on Jobs and the Economy. Witnesses included Dr. Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics; Dr. Chad Stone, Chief Economist at the Center on Budget and Policy; and Dr. Allan H. Meltzer, Professor of Political Economy at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University. At the hearing, Murray examined how manufactured fiscal crises cause uncertainty in the economy, a… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Opening Statement of Chairman Patty Murray at the Senate Budget Committee Hearing: The Impact of Political Uncertainty on Jobs and the Economy
"This hearing will now come to order. "I would like to thank Ranking Member Senator Sessions, and all of my colleagues, for coming today. And I would also like to welcome and thank our witnesses, Dr. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, Dr. Chad Stone, chief economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and Dr. Allan Meltzer, professor of political economy at Carnegie Mellon University. "We are glad to have you all here to discuss the ways that uncertainty in federal po… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Chairman Murray and Baucus Refute GOP Debt Limit Claims, Make Case for Clean Bill in Memo to Senate Democrats
(Washington, D.C.) - Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) released a joint letter and memo to Senate Democrats refuting recent Republican claims that attempt to justify playing partisan games with the debt ceiling, explaining why Republican debt prioritization proposals are unworkable and equivalent to default, laying out the economic danger of GOP brinkmanship, and making the strong case for a clean debt limit bill and an e… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Chairman Patty Murray on House Spending Bill: "Irresponsible Exercise in Tea Party Pandering"
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement after Republicans in the House of Representatives continued pushing the country toward a government shutdown by passing their legislation to defund health care reform. "Today's vote in the House is a deeply irresponsible exercise in Tea Party pandering that does nothing more than push us closer to a completely unnecessary government shutdown. The American people are sick and tired of the const… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Americans Across the Country: Sequestration Has To Go
Republican leaders say they are committed to keeping harmful cuts from sequestration in place. But from furloughed workers to home-bound seniors losing Meals on Wheels to scientists unable to conduct research, Americans across the country are speaking up about the impact of sequestration. And it's time Republicans listened. Many Republicans in Washington D.C. are focused on keeping sequestration in place… Senator Risch (R-ID): The Debate Over Sequestration Is "In The Rearview Mirror." "… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Murray Calls for End to Republican Budget Brinkmanship and Tea Party Threats to Health Care Reform
Today, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor criticizing Tea Party efforts to shut down the government over the funding of the Affordable Care Act. With less than two weeks until a potential government shutdown, Murray called on Republican leadership to stop focusing on the extreme Tea Party minority and come to the table to work with Democrats on a balanced and bipartisan budget deal. Murray emphasized that Democrats are going to not agree t… Continue Reading
12.30.13
Murray Statement on New Data Demonstrating the Harmful Impact of Sequestration on Head Start
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement on new Health and Human Services data showing the impact of sequestration on Head Start programs across the country. "It has been heartbreaking to visit Head Start centers where, even after laying off staff and asking others to take unpaid leave, budget cuts still require cutting the number of children who benefit from the crucial services Head Start offers. I've heard stories like this from W… Continue Reading
07.30.13
ICYMI: Chairman Murray Holds Senate Budget Committee Hearing on Containing Health Care Costs: Recent Progress and Remaining Challenges
Today, Chairman Murray and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing about the recent encouraging news regarding health care spending trends and delivery system reforms, and discussed areas of further work that focus on aligning incentives and making the system more efficient, rather than simply shifting costs to seniors and families. "The cost of health care affects every kitchen table and conference table conversation in the United States, as American households and American businesses face t… Continue Reading
07.23.13
ICYMI: Chairman Murray Holds Senate Budget Committee Hearing on the Impact of Sequestration on the Economy and National Security
Today, Chairman Murray and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing about the impact defense sequestration is having on national security, veterans, families and communities, "At a time when too many Americans are still struggling to find work, civilian defense employees are being furloughed, and small businesses are struggling to stay afloat, our economic recovery and our military preparedness is suffering." Chairman Murray said at the hearing today. "While I believe there are responsible… Continue Reading
07.01.13
Senate Budget Committee Marks 100 Days Since Senate Passed Budget with Animated Web Video “I’m Just a Budget”
Today, the Senate Budget Committee majority released an animated web video, "I'm Just a Budget," in which an animated singing budget explains why it's been 100 days since the Senate passed him and he still can't go to conference. Additional background here: LINK Web video "I'm Just a Budget" script: Budget is sitting on Capitol steps. Child approaches. Child: What's that crumpled up stack of papers? Budget: Oh me? I'm a budget resolution! The Senate spent hundreds of hours debating … Continue Reading
07.01.13
BACKGROUND: 100 Days Since the Senate Passed a Budget and Republicans Are Still Blocking the Bipartisan Budget Conference They Called For
FLASHBACK TO MARCH 23, 2013: The Senate Budget Passes, and Senate Republicans Praised The "Open" And "Full Debate" On The Senate Budget. Minority Leader McConnell Thanked Chairman Murray And Senator Sessions For Conducting "An Open And Complete And Full Debate." "I want to commend Senator Murray, Senator Sessions, and the majority leader for conducting an open and complete and full debate. I know everyone is exhausted, and people may not feel it at the moment, but this is one of the Senate's… Continue Reading
06.28.13
Senate Approves Nomination of Brian Deese as the Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget
The Senate confirmed the nomination of Brian Deese as the Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget by unanimous consent. After the confirmation, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement: "Brian knows firsthand how to create fiscal policies that work for middle class families and help our economy grow, and I am very glad that the Senate approved his nomination unanimously today. Brian possesses the experience, judgment, and strong unde… Continue Reading
06.27.13
ICYMI: Chairman Murray Holds Senate Budget Committee Hearing on Investing in our Future: The Impact of Federal Budget Decisions on Children
Photo Source: Tri-City Herald Today, Chairman Murray and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing about the impact federal budget decisions have on our children. As Chairman Murray said in her opening statement, "…there's one group in particular whose voices are not often heard when it comes to the federal budget process-and that's our nation's children. They may not be walking the halls of Congress-or calling up their Senators-or strategizing with lobbyists about how to protect fundi… Continue Reading
06.10.13
Chairman Patty Murray Announces MyBudget Online Platform to Engage Public in Budget Process
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray released the following statement announcing the start of MyBudget, the committee's new online effort to engage members of the public in the federal budget process. MyBudget launched today at http://budget.senate.gov/democratic/ with a call for members of the public to share their stories, budget priorities, and ideas with the committee. It will be expanded with new tools and resources over the coming months as the Budget Committee writes a pro-growth… Continue Reading
06.06.13
Senate Budget Committee Approves Nomination of Deputy OMB Director Brian Deese in Bipartisan Vote
Chairman Murray and the Senate Budget Committee held a markup on the nomination of Brian Deese to the position of Deputy Director of OMB. The nomination passed through the Committee on a voice vote with strong bipartisan support and will now head to the Senate floor. Murray released the following statement following the vote: "Brian possesses the kind of experience, knowledge, and judgment necessary to succeed in this leadership position - and I am glad that his nomination was approved by t… Continue Reading
03.22.13
Broad Support for Balanced Approach that Puts Families, Seniors, and Communities First
Today, the Senate Budget Committee released the following excerpts from statements put out by some of the many organizations representing families, workers, seniors, and communities across the country that have expressed support for pro-growth Senate Budget that puts the economy first, tackles the deficit and debt responsibly, and keeps the promises made to seniors, veterans, families and communities. The Senate is expected to vote on the budget resolution later today. Center on Budget and Poli… Continue Reading
03.14.13
Senate Budget Committee Passes Pro-Growth Budget Plan, Resolution Heads to Senate Floor
Washington D.C.-Today, the Senate Budget Committee passed the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2014 by a vote of 12-10 with the support of all the Democrats and Independents on the Committee. The budget resolution now proceeds to the Senate floor. Chairman Patty Murray released the following statement following the vote: "The pro-growth budget plan we advanced today takes the balanced and responsible approach to our fiscal and economic challenges that the American people ex… Continue Reading
03.20.12
Senate Democrats Set Spending Levels For 2013 and Budget Enforcement Through 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - Senate Democrats today set discretionary spending limits for fiscal year 2013 and budget enforcement levels for the Senate through 2022. The "deeming" resolution filed today by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) adheres to the reduced discretionary spending levels established in last summer's Budget Control Act. His action allows Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) to proceed with drafting spending bills for fiscal year 2013, and ens… Continue Reading
02.27.12
Politico Op-Ed: GOP Budget Attacks Misguided
By Sen. Kent Conrad and Rep. Chris Van HollenRepublican reaction to the president's budget highlighted just how out of touch our colleagues across the aisle are when it comes to the nation's economy. They seem to be unaware of the economic disaster President Barack Obama inherited and oblivious to the recovery now under way. To fairly evaluate the president's budget, we must keep both in mind. When the president took his oath of office, we were in the midst of the worst recession since the Grea… Continue Reading
02.07.12
Sens. Levin and Conrad Introduce Cut Tax Loopholes Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Two Senate committee chairmen introduced legislation today to help reduce the budget deficit and pay for important priorities by closing tax loopholes. Sens. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and Kent Conrad, D-N.D., chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, introduced the Cut Unjustified Tax Loopholes Act, or CUT Loopholes Act. The bill would crack down on offshore tax abuses, close tax … Continue Reading
