Committee positions 2011–⁠2025

Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee
In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Patrick Leahy
Succeeded by	Susan Collins
Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Lamar Alexander
Succeeded by	Bernie Sanders
Chair of the Senate Budget Committee
In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015
Preceded by	Kent Conrad
Succeeded by	Mike Enzi
Chair of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Daniel Akaka
Succeeded by	Bernie Sanders

Party positions 2001–⁠2023

Senate Assistant Democratic Leader
In office January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2023
Leader	Chuck Schumer
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Secretary of the Senate Democratic Caucus
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2017
Leader	Harry Reid
Preceded by	Debbie Stabenow
Succeeded by	Tammy Baldwin
Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Leader	Harry Reid
Preceded by	Bob Menendez
Succeeded by	Michael Bennet
In office January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2003
Leader	Tom Daschle
Preceded by	Robert Torricelli
Succeeded by	Jon Corzine

United States Senator
from Washington

Incumbent

Assumed office
January 3, 1993

Serving with Maria Cantwell

Preceded by

Brock Adams

Member of the Washington Senate
from the 1st district

In office
January 9, 1989 – January 3, 1993

Preceded by

Bill Kiskaddon

Succeeded by

Rosemary McAuliffe

Personal details

Born

Patricia Lynn Johns

October 11, 1950 (age 74)
Bothell, Washington, U.S.

Political party

Democratic

Spouse

Rob Murray

(m. 1972)

Children

Education

Washington State University (BA)

Patricia Lynn Murray (born October 11, 1950) is an American politician. She has been a United States senator for Washington since 1993. She is the state's longest-serving senator. From 2023 to 2025, she was the president pro tempore of the United States Senate. This is a high-ranking position in the Senate.

Patty Murray is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming a U.S. Senator, she served in the Washington State Senate from 1989 to 1993. She was the first woman from Washington to become a U.S. Senator. She is also the first woman in American history to hold the position of president pro tempore. She was also the youngest person to hold this role in over 50 years.

Born and raised in Bothell, Washington, Murray studied physical education at Washington State University. She worked as a pre-school teacher and later taught parenting at Shoreline Community College. She cared deeply about the environment and education. This led her to be elected to her local school board in King County. In 1988, she ran for the Washington State Senate and won. She then ran for the U.S. Senate in 1992 and has been re-elected five times. Her most recent win was in 2022.

As a senator, Murray has been a leader in her party since 2001. She has chaired important committees like the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. She has also been the Democratic Conference secretary and assistant Democratic leader. Currently, she chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. She has also led the Veterans' Affairs Committee, the Budget Committee, and the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. In 2013, she worked with Republican Paul Ryan to create a two-year budget plan. This plan was called the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. Murray is currently one of the most senior senators. She is the longest-serving female senator ever.

Early Life and Education

Patty Murray was born on October 11, 1950, in Bothell, Washington. She was one of seven children. Her mother was an accountant. Her father served in World War II and received a Purple Heart medal. Her family has roots in Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and French Canada.

When she was a teenager, her father became disabled due to multiple sclerosis. He had been a manager at a store. Her family had to get welfare assistance to help them. Murray went to Saint Brendan Catholic School as a young child. In 1972, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education from Washington State University.

Beginning Her Career in Politics

Patty Murray started as a citizen-activist. She worked to support environmental and educational issues. She once said that a state representative told her she couldn't make a difference. The representative called her "just a mom in tennis shoes." This phrase became famous. She later used it in her successful campaigns.

She was elected to the Shoreline School District board of directors in 1985. She served there until 1989. She then won a seat in the Washington State Senate in 1988. She served in the state Senate until 1993. She worked hard to stop proposed budget cuts for preschool programs.

Serving in the U.S. Senate (1993–Present)

Patty Murray has been a U.S. Senator since 1993. In 2023, she became the Senate president pro tempore. This role is usually held by the longest-serving senator from the majority party. Senator Dianne Feinstein was next in line but chose not to take the position. This made Murray the first woman to hold this important role.

On April 20, 2023, Murray made history again. She became the first woman to cast 10,000 votes in the Senate. She is the 33rd senator overall to reach this milestone.

Senate Elections

Patty Murray has won several elections to become a U.S. Senator.

1992 Election

In 1992, Patty Murray ran for the U.S. Senate. The previous senator decided not to run again. Murray won the Democratic nomination. In the main election, she ran against Republican Rod Chandler. Even though she spent less money, she won with 54% of the votes.

1998 Election

In 1998, Murray ran for re-election. She faced Congresswoman Linda Smith. Murray spent a lot more money on her campaign. She was re-elected with 58% of the votes.

2004 Election

In 2004, Murray ran against Republican U.S. Representative George Nethercutt. Nethercutt had promised to serve only a limited number of terms, but he broke that promise. This hurt his campaign. Murray also opposed the war in Iraq, while Nethercutt supported it. Murray won re-election with 55% of the votes.

2010 Election

The 2010 election was the first Senate election under a new primary system. Murray received the most votes in the primary election. She then faced Dino Rossi, a former state senator, in the general election. Murray won with 52.08% of the vote. This was her closest re-election race.

2016 Election

In 2016, Murray ran for her fifth term. She won the primary election easily. In the general election, she ran against King County Councilman Chris Vance. Murray defeated Vance with 59% of the votes.

2022 Election

On May 17, 2021, Murray announced she would run for a sixth term. Her main opponent was Republican Tiffany Smiley. Murray won re-election in 2022.

Committee Responsibilities

Senator Murray at a press conference with other senators in 2005.

Patty Murray has many important roles in the Senate. For the current 118th Congress, her main committee assignments are:

Committee on Appropriations (Chair): This committee decides how the government spends money. As chair, she leads all its subcommittees. She also chairs the subcommittee for military construction and veterans' affairs.
Committee on the Budget: This committee works on the government's budget plan.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: This committee deals with health care, education, and workers' rights. She is also part of subcommittees on children and families, and primary health and retirement security.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: This committee focuses on issues important to military veterans.

Groups She Belongs To

Senator Murray is also a member of several groups in the Senate, including:

Senate Oceans Caucus
Senate Aerospace Caucus
Afterschool Caucuses
Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus
Congressional Coalition on Adoption

Laws She Helped Pass

On February 28, 2013, Murray introduced the Green Mountain Lookout Heritage Protection Act. This bill aimed to protect a historic building in the Glacier Peak Wilderness Area in Washington. She argued that the bill would help tourism and recovery after the 2014 Oso mudslide. The bill successfully passed both the House and the Senate.

Her Stance on Key Issues

Agriculture

In March 2019, Murray and 37 other senators wrote a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture. They expressed concern that dairy farmers were struggling. They asked the department to encourage farmers to use the Dairy Margin Coverage program.

In June 2019, Murray and other senators asked for an investigation into the USDA. They were concerned about possible political decisions and retaliation against employees.

Environmental Protection

In October 2017, Murray and 18 other senators questioned a decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA wanted to cancel the Clean Power Plan. The senators argued that this would harm the environment. They said it would not slow down extreme weather or rising sea levels.

In February 2019, Murray and other senators urged the EPA to set limits for certain chemicals in drinking water. These chemicals are called PFOS and PFOA. They asked the EPA to protect the public from contamination.

Federal Budget

On December 10, 2013, Murray and Republican Representative Paul Ryan announced a budget agreement. This was a two-year plan called the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. It aimed to reduce government spending cuts.

Foreign Relations

Central America

In April 2019, Murray and 33 other senators wrote to President Trump. They asked him to continue foreign aid to Central American countries. They believed this aid helped reduce migration to the U.S. by improving conditions in those countries.

Myanmar

Murray has spoken out against the genocide of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar. She has called for a stronger response to this crisis.

Russia

In December 2010, Murray voted to approve New START. This treaty with the Russian Federation aimed to reduce nuclear weapons. It also allowed for inspections to ensure both countries followed the agreement.

In December 2018, Murray and 25 other senators expressed concern about a treaty with Russia. They urged the Trump administration to continue talks about arms control.

Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

Major General Galen Jackman explains the Manned Ground Vehicle program to Senator Patty Murray in 2008.

In October 2002, Murray was one of 21 Democratic senators who voted against the war in Iraq.

Health Care

In December 2018, Murray and 41 other senators wrote to Trump administration officials. They argued that the administration was weakening health care protections. They believed it was allowing states to increase health care costs and harm people with pre-existing conditions.

Labor

In July 2019, Murray signed a letter to the Secretary of Labor. The letter asked for an investigation into workplace violence at McDonald's. The senators argued that employers must provide a safe workplace.

In March 2021, she voted to include a $15 an hour minimum wage in the American Rescue Plan. This measure did not pass.

LGBTQ Rights

Since 2016, Murray and Representative Ted Lieu have tried to pass the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act. This bill would stop commercial sexual orientation and gender identity conversion therapy.

Other Important Positions

In May 2006, Murray voted for the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. This bill aimed to improve border security and create a guest worker program. It also offered a path to citizenship for some immigrants.

Murray has also supported creating and expanding wilderness areas in Washington. She helped pass the Wild Sky Wilderness bill in 2008. She also supports increasing the size of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

In January 2008, Murray supported Hillary Clinton for president. Later, she endorsed Barack Obama after Clinton ended her campaign.

Personal Life

Patty Murray is married to Rob Murray. They have two adult children, Sara and Randy. She lives on Whidbey Island in Washington.

Patty Murray facts for kids

Contents