Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) issued the following statement after the manager’s amendment for The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was introduced. The bill, which lowers costs, expands coverage and increases competition among insurance companies, was projected by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) today to reduce the deficit by $132 billion over ten years.

The holiday season enters the final stretch this week, and while it can be a joyful time spent with friends and family, for some people it's not necessarily - in the words of one Christmas carol - "the most wonderful time of the year."

With Washington state budget outlook threatening services, Murray helps pass bill that extends unemployment insurance and COBRA tax credits, blocks cuts to physician payments under Medicare, and prevents low-income families from losing food stamps, Medicaid, and heating assistance

Funding will support Armed Forces while creating family wage jobs and helping Washington state remain at the forefront of technology, research, and innovation