(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the Senate’s 72-25 vote to pass the continuing resolution.
“I’m glad I was able to work with my colleagues to pass this continuing resolution and keep our government open. While I’m disappointed this package doesn’t include additional resources to protect families from COVID and monkeypox, there are many critical priorities in this package we simply cannot delay.
“This bill provides vital support to Ukraine to continue their progress against Russia in Putin’s war, reauthorizes the user fee programs so the FDA isn’t forced to send out pink slips, secures disaster relief for communities recovering from severe climate events, and helps families stay warm this winter by supporting a program that lowers energy costs for millions of households—including nearly 80,000 in Washington state alone.
“Now, I’m staying focused on delivering funding bills that do more to address the challenges our nation is facing, including the child care crisis. I will continue working with my colleagues on a package that lowers families’ costs, supports working parents, strengthens mental health services, improves our pandemic preparedness, provides resources for the COVID and monkeypox responses—and delivers Washington state the resources it needs.”
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