Patty Murray

I do expect that this will be our final hybrid hearing, and we will be able to return to regular, in-person hearings at our next hearing.

This should be an important reminder when it comes to biomedical research.

I really want to thank all of our clerks and everyone who has really worked hard to get this set up and help us all stay safe and healthy.

We need longitudinal money so that we are able to have sustainable infrastructure that is up to date with the times.

COVID-19 has offered a stark reminder of why we must make and maintain robust investments in public health.

This pandemic, this virus has sent us too many curve balls to say that we--too early to declare victory.

We need to focus on our racial and ethnic minority groups.

I am excited to say this would be the largest budget authority increase for CDC in nearly two decades.

I think they would have been extraordinarily different.

Climate change has increased the risk and extent of wildfires across the western United States.

This budget request is such a breath of fresh air.

I have been pushing for more public health funding for years now.

Are you seeing any political ideology plan to this decision to get vaccinated?

I would just say in closing, you are in a unique position being on the Authorizing and Appropriating Committee.

So what do we need to focus on next?

That is why I have pushed for more funding for public health throughout this crisis.

We should all remember. We have now seen a lot of encouraging progress against COVID over the last several months.

I always say a budget is a reflection of your values and your priorities.

Should we be worried about the variants?

It is far past time we make paid leave a right for all, not a privilege for some.

It is unconscionable, and it is unacceptable.

I have joined Senator Gillibrand, who has long been a champion on this issue, in reintroducing the Family Act to provide paid family and medical leave to all workers.

Providing paid leave is not radical. It is commonsense. It is basic decency, and it is a public health necessity.

It is why I reintroduced my Healthy Families Act with Congresswoman DeLauro, so workers across the Country can earn paid sick days and put their health first.

We cannot rebuild a stronger and fairer economy if workers are forced to choose between their and their families' health, or their paycheck.