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[[Conservative]] [[Pundit (expert)|pundit]]s were quick to criticize Murray, accusing her of saying bin Laden was a humanitarian and being uninformed as to the nature of the U.S.'s lack of popularity in Muslim countries.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nationalreview.com/hanson/hanson010303.asp | title=It’s Not the Money, Stupid! | publisher=National Review | author=Victor Davis Hanson | date=2002-01-03 | accessdate=2007-02-24}}</ref> Several local newspapers were quick to come to Murray's defense by saying that even though her comments were over-simplistic and poorly constructed, bin Laden has spent much of his personal fortune to gain influence over local leaders and promote his ideology by making investments, including infrastructure improvement projects, in those countries.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.seattleweekly.com/2003-02-12/news/patty-jennifer-and-osama.php | title=Patty, Jennifer, and Osama | publisher=Seattle Weekly | author=George Howland Jr | date=2003-02-12 | accessdate=2007-02-24}}</ref>
[[Conservative]] [[Pundit (expert)|pundit]]s were quick to criticize Murray, accusing her of saying bin Laden was a humanitarian and being uninformed as to the nature of the U.S.'s lack of popularity in Muslim countries.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nationalreview.com/hanson/hanson010303.asp | title=It’s Not the Money, Stupid! | publisher=National Review | author=Victor Davis Hanson | date=2002-01-03 | accessdate=2007-02-24}}</ref> Several local newspapers were quick to come to Murray's defense by saying that even though her comments were over-simplistic and poorly constructed, bin Laden has spent much of his personal fortune to gain influence over local leaders and promote his ideology by making investments, including infrastructure improvement projects, in those countries.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.seattleweekly.com/2003-02-12/news/patty-jennifer-and-osama.php | title=Patty, Jennifer, and Osama | publisher=Seattle Weekly | author=George Howland Jr | date=2003-02-12 | accessdate=2007-02-24}}</ref>


=== Global Trade Exchange ===
Senator Patty Murray put the controversial intelligence ports-data into the Homeland security budget, alleged, in a case filed with human rights entities, to have led to a covert attack on a U.S. citizen abroad. The attack is considered to have been lawful in the U.S. context, due to immunization of intelligence activities under the [[Protect America Act]] of 2007.
===Senate Initiatives or Positions===
===Senate Initiatives or Positions===
In June 2007,

In May 2006, Murray, along with 38 of 44 Senate Democrats, voted in favor of the [[Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006]] (S. 2611).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00157 | title= On Passage of the Bill (S. 2611 As Amended ) | publisher=United States Senate | date=2006-05-25 | accessdate=2007-02-24}}</ref> The bill includes provisions to improve border security, increases fines and other punishments for employers of [[illegal immigration|illegal immigrants]], creation of a [[guest worker program]] (which includes an almost doubling of the number of [[H1-B visa]]s,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/05/30/78772_HNsenateh1b_1.html | title=Senate immigration bill raises H-1B limit | publisher=InfoWorld | date=2006-05-25 | accessdate=2007-02-24}}</ref> and creates a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02611:@@@D&summ2=m& | title=S.2611 | publisher=Library of Congress | accessdate=2007-02-24}}</ref> The bill, with support from GOP leadership, passed 62-36.
In May 2006, Murray, along with 38 of 44 Senate Democrats, voted in favor of the [[Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006]] (S. 2611).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00157 | title= On Passage of the Bill (S. 2611 As Amended ) | publisher=United States Senate | date=2006-05-25 | accessdate=2007-02-24}}</ref> The bill includes provisions to improve border security, increases fines and other punishments for employers of [[illegal immigration|illegal immigrants]], creation of a [[guest worker program]] (which includes an almost doubling of the number of [[H1-B visa]]s,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/05/30/78772_HNsenateh1b_1.html | title=Senate immigration bill raises H-1B limit | publisher=InfoWorld | date=2006-05-25 | accessdate=2007-02-24}}</ref> and creates a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02611:@@@D&summ2=m& | title=S.2611 | publisher=Library of Congress | accessdate=2007-02-24}}</ref> The bill, with support from GOP leadership, passed 62-36.


Revision as of 08:32, 11 October 2009

Patty Murray
United States Senator
from Washington
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 1993
Serving with Maria Cantwell
Preceded byBrock Adams
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseRob Murray
ChildrenRandy Murray
Sara Murray
Residence(s)Bothell, Washington
Alma materWashington State University
Occupationteacher

Patricia Lynn "Patty" Murray (born October 11, 1950) is the senior United States Senator from Washington. A member of the Democratic Party, Murray was first elected to the Senate in 1992, becoming Washington's first female U.S. senator. She is now the Senate Majority Conference Secretary, the fifth-highest rank in the caucus.[1] Murray is the third female conference secretary and one of four female senators in the Senate's Democratic leadership.

Murray was the chairwoman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from 2001 to 2003, and she is now a senior member of the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations and the chairwoman of its Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.[2]

Sen. Murray may be challenged next year by Diane Tebelius, a former federal prosecutor and candidate for Congress.

Life and career

Murray was born in Bothell, Washington to Beverly A. McLaughlin and David L. Johns.[3] Her father fought in World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart. Her mother was an accountant.

Murray received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington State University in 1972. She was a preschool teacher for several years and taught at Shoreline Community College from 1984 to 1987.[4]

As a citizen-lobbyist for environmental and educational issues, she was once told by a state representative that she couldn't make a difference because she was just a "mom in tennis shoes." The phrase stuck, and she later used it in her successful campaigns for Shoreline School District Board of Directors (1985–1989), Washington State Senate (1989–1993), and United States Senate (1993— ). Murray was successful in gathering grassroots support to strike down proposed preschool program budget cuts.[5]

Her 1988 State Senate campaign was successful and she unseated incumbent Republican Bill Kiskadden. She was commended by the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

Personal life

Murray and her husband, Rob, have two children, Randy and Sara. Murray is a lifelong resident of Bothell, Washington.

United States Senate

In 1992, Murray announced her intention to become the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate following the publication of a series of articles by The Seattle Times alleging that incumbent Democrat Brock Adams had sexually assaulted a number of women.[6]

Senator Murray at the podium, joined by (left to right), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), launching an interactive website regarding the nomination of Judge John Roberts as the Chief Justice of the United States of America.

When Adams dropped out of the election prior to the primary, Murray defeated Representative Don Bonker to win the Democratic nomination. In the general election she faced Republican Representative Rod Chandler, whom she defeated 54 percent to 46 percent despite being outspent by a wide margin. In 1998 she won reelection against Representative Linda Smith, 58 percent to 42 percent. In 2004 she faced another Republican Representative, George Nethercutt, whom she defeated 55 percent to 43 percent, making her the fourth Washington senator to win three consecutive terms.

On August 2, 2006, the New York Times said, "In 1994, Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina was said to have engaged in excessive touching of his then-freshman colleague Patty Murray of Washington. Ms. Murray later asked for and received an apology from Mr. Thurmond, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported at the time. Through a spokeswoman, Ms. Murray declined to comment."

On January 30, 2008, Murray endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries.[7]. One month later, the Washington Democratic caucus awarded two-thirds of its delegates to Barack Obama and one-third to Clinton. After Clinton's June 7 concession, Murray switched her endorsement to Obama.[8]

Positions or Questions on the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

In October 2002, Murray was one of 21 Democrats in the Senate to vote against the War Authoritization for invading Iraq. Quoted from her Senate speech:

Mr. President, if we do take action in Iraq, there is no doubt that our armed forces will prevail. We will win a war with Iraq decisively, and, God willing, we will win it quickly. But what happens after the war? That will have as big an impact on our future peace and security. Will we be obligated to rebuild Iraq? If so, how? Our economy is reeling, our budget is in deficit, and we have no estimate of the cost of rebuilding. And with whom? As New York Times columnist Tom Friedman points out, there's a retail store mentality that suggests to some — if "you break it, you buy it."

In December 2002, while speaking to students at Columbia River High School in Vancouver, Murray made a number of remarks that proved controversial, with one even appearing in a campaign ad by her opponent in 2004. Murray won reelection regardless.[9] These comments linked Osama bin Laden's popularity around the world to his building of infrastructure in Muslim countries and the lack of popularity for the U.S. due to it not helping to build infrastructure.[10]

Conservative pundits were quick to criticize Murray, accusing her of saying bin Laden was a humanitarian and being uninformed as to the nature of the U.S.'s lack of popularity in Muslim countries.[11] Several local newspapers were quick to come to Murray's defense by saying that even though her comments were over-simplistic and poorly constructed, bin Laden has spent much of his personal fortune to gain influence over local leaders and promote his ideology by making investments, including infrastructure improvement projects, in those countries.[12]

Global Trade Exchange

Senator Patty Murray put the controversial intelligence ports-data into the Homeland security budget, alleged, in a case filed with human rights entities, to have led to a covert attack on a U.S. citizen abroad. The attack is considered to have been lawful in the U.S. context, due to immunization of intelligence activities under the Protect America Act of 2007.

Senate Initiatives or Positions

In June 2007,

In May 2006, Murray, along with 38 of 44 Senate Democrats, voted in favor of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 (S. 2611).[13] The bill includes provisions to improve border security, increases fines and other punishments for employers of illegal immigrants, creation of a guest worker program (which includes an almost doubling of the number of H1-B visas,[14] and creates a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country.[15] The bill, with support from GOP leadership, passed 62-36.

Murray repeatedly cosponsored legislation to create the Wild Sky Wilderness area in the Washington Cascade Range.[16] She eventually succeeded, with the bill being signed by President Bush on May 8, 2008.[17] Murray has also supported legislation to increase the size of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, also in the Washington Cascades.[18]

Murray opposes the U.S. Air Force's choice of a consortium consisting of Northrop Grumman and Airbus over Boeing, a major employer in Washington, to build the next generation (KC-X) of refueling tankers.[19] When it was discovered that the Air Force incorrectly calculated the lifetime operating costs of the two planes, a correction that resulted in the Boeing plane having a lower lifetime operating cost, Murray claimed the "process was flawed from the outset and this is further evidence that we need serious answers from the Pentagon before moving forward."[20]

Committee assignments

Electoral history

Washington Senator (Class III) results: 1992–2004[21]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct
1992 Patty Murray 1,197,973 54% Rod Chandler 1,020,829 46%
1998 Patty Murray 1,103,184 58% Linda Smith 785,377 42%
2004 Patty Murray 1,549,708 55% George R. Nethercutt, Jr. 1,204,584 43% J. Mills Libertarian 34,055 1% Mark B. Wilson Green 30,304 1%

See also

References

  1. ^ "Reid announces Democratic leadership for the 110th Congress". democrats.senate.gov. 2006-11-14. Retrieved 2007-01-10.
  2. ^ Pope, Charles (2007-01-04). "Murray has key role as Democrats take reins in Congress". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2007-01-10.
  3. ^ Patty Murray Genealogy
  4. ^ "MURRAY, Patty -- Biographical Information". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 2007-08-24.
  5. ^ http://murray.senate.gov/about/
  6. ^ David Wilma (2004-09-10). "Adams, Brock (1927–2004)". HistoryLink.org. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  7. ^ "Washington Senator Patty Murray Endorses Clinton" (Press release). Hillary for President. 2008-01-30. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  8. ^ "Murray Gets Behind Obama". The Columbian. 2008-06-09.
  9. ^ "Nethercutt uses Osama bin Laden in ad assailing Murray". USA Today. 2004-09-29. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  10. ^ Gregg Herrington (2002-12-19). "U.S. Sen. Patty Murray — Senator asks students to ponder". The Columbian. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  11. ^ Victor Davis Hanson (2002-01-03). "It's Not the Money, Stupid!". National Review. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  12. ^ George Howland Jr (2003-02-12). "Patty, Jennifer, and Osama". Seattle Weekly. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  13. ^ "On Passage of the Bill (S. 2611 As Amended )". United States Senate. 2006-05-25. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  14. ^ "Senate immigration bill raises H-1B limit". InfoWorld. 2006-05-25. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  15. ^ "S.2611". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  16. ^ Sam Goldfarb (2007-02-07). "Wild Sky wilderness bill back in Congress". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  17. ^ "Bush signs Wild Sky wilderness bill". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  18. ^ Lynda V. Mapes (2009-03-27). "More land sought for Alpine Lakes Wilderness". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
  19. ^ Herald Staff and Associated Press (2008-06-13). "Boeing: Air Force Miscaculated Tanker Costs". Everett, WA: HeraldNet. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |accesseddate= ignored (help)
  20. ^ PI Staff and Associated Press (2008-06-12). "Boeing's tanker bid was less expensive". Washington: Seattle Post Intelligencer. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |accesseddate= ignored (help)
  21. ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
Template:Incumbent succession box
U.S. Senate
Preceded by U.S. senator (Class 3) from Washington
1993–present
Served alongside: Slade Gorton, Maria Cantwell 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
2001 – 2003 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States Senators by seniority
31st 		Succeeded by
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