Patty Murray

HUD needs to be stepping up, too.

I was pleased that we were able to increase investments to combat homelessness in the spending bill passed last month.

The fight against homelessness remains my top priority as a member of this Subcommittee.

Thank you, Senator Murray, and all others involved for working with the Department to create a bipartisan, win-win solution to the tip pooling issue.

I am concerned will amount to nothing more than amnesty for employers engaged in wage theft.

This is a critical rule and we hope that you urge your Department to move quickly on it.

Well, I appreciate that and I would just say, in general, that reneging on an agreement that took us a long time--it was very hard to get there--if we undo that, it is going to be very hard moving forward for us to be able to know that…

Now, the omnibus bill that we implemented was not one I would have written or Senator Blunt would have written.

I did want to draw your attention that in January, 21 Senators and I sent you a letter asking you to study the economic impacts of workplace harassment.

Enforcing retaliation provisions--this goes back to my point, and they are already in place--enforcing those vigorously is very important and enforcing whistleblower provisions.

I am urging your Department to do what you can to raise that issue and make people aware that we are watching.

I have to say, I am deeply concerned about the Administration's continued efforts to create a duplicative, nonregistered program.

A nationally registered apprenticeship is an essential tool to create a talent ecosystem for our industry.

Providing workers with the skills that they need to succeed in the economy today is one of the smartest investments we can make to grow our economy.

I also hope Republicans will stand with Democrats in vigorously opposing any effort to undo the 2018 omnibus bill we passed.

Will you commit to FTA signing the Full Funding Grant Agreement for the Lynnwood Link extension as soon as the project meets the statutory requirements?

I want to make sure that you follow the congressional intent on this.

This is an incredibly successful program. For every Federal dollar invested, TIGER generates $3.6 of additional investment from private, State, and local resources.

Last year, I shared with you a story from a constituent of mine who bravely told me about being sexually assaulted on a long distance flight.

And similarly on the grant agreement for the Tacoma Link Extension, can you give me a timeline for that one?

Specifically, on the Lynnwood Link Extension, will you commit to moving forward with their full funding grant agreement?

I really appreciated you rejecting the harmful policies and making significant new investments.

I want you to work on meeting that deadline.

I appreciate that. I stand where he does, and your answer was important to all of us.

This is about veterans who have been injured through no fault of their own. Our country has promised to make them whole again, and being a family is part of it.