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Hill Policy
U.S. SENATE

Patty Murray

DemocratWashingtonCurrently serving

Senate service began on Source ↗

What they said 35

Their stated policy positions and commitments, with quotes and links to the original sources.

All statements (35)Campaign (14)After election (13)In office (8)
While serving · Original date not established
Civil rights & justiceEconomy, taxes & work

Provide paid and unpaid leave for survivors

AI-assisted summary

Patty Murray supports the SAFE for Survivors Act, which would allow survivors of gender-based violence to take five weeks off work without penalty, including two weeks of paid leave. The leave could be used for needs such as attending court, seeking legal help, and safety planning. Murray says the measure is intended to help survivors address safety needs without losing their income.

Context: The act was reintroduced as proposed legislation; it is not described as enacted.

While serving · legislative priority · Original date not established
Foreign affairs & defense

Create an arms-sale oversight board

AI-assisted summary

Murray’s bill would create a Human Rights and Law of War Oversight Board with authority to designate countries of concern, investigate and conduct oversight, monitor compliance, and assess new policies. The board’s work would aim to keep human rights and the law of armed conflict central to future arms decisions.

Context: The board would be created under the proposed bill.

While serving · legislative priority · Original date not established
Foreign affairs & defense

Restrict arms sales after further violations or insufficient reforms

AI-assisted summary

Under Murray’s bill, a country would be barred from U.S. arms sales for ten years if it commits further violations during its three-year designation period, is designated a second time within ten years, or fails to make sufficient progress on reforms. The country would have to stop using U.S.-provided weapons or return them. The bill would also allow the ban to end early.

Context: The bill provides for a mechanism for early termination of the ban, but the source does not describe its terms.

While serving · legislative priority · Original date not established
Foreign affairs & defense

Monitor countries over arms-related violations

AI-assisted summary

Murray’s bill would let the Executive Branch, Congress, or a new Human Rights and Law of War Oversight Board designate a country as a “country of concern” for violating internationally recognized human rights or international humanitarian law. A designation would last three years and require the country to enter an enhanced monitoring program.

Context: The proposal applies to partner countries that receive U.S. weapons.

While serving · legislative priority · Original date not established
Foreign affairs & defense

Strengthen congressional oversight of arms sales

AI-assisted summary

Patty Murray reintroduced the Values in Arms Export Act of 2026 to strengthen Congress’s authority over international arms sales. The bill would require the State Department, Defense Department, and Intelligence Community to assess the risk that weapons could be used to violate human rights or the laws of war before approving a sale or export license.

Context: The bill is proposed legislation, not enacted law.