Patty Murray seeks top spot on budget committee

November 16, 2012 @ 9:18 am

SEATTLE (AP) - U.S. Patty Murray wants to be chairwoman of the Senate Budget Committee.

The Seattle Times reports that Murray announced Thursday she would seek to succeed retiring Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. Murray is currently the budget panel's second-most senior Democrat. She said she plans to give up her position as chairwoman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee in exchange, but will retain a seat on the committee.

The budget committee writes an annual blueprint for spending on education, housing, transportation and other discretionary spending by the federal government.

Murray, the No. 4 Senate Democratic leader, co-chaired the bipartisan deficit-reduction "supercommittee" in 2011 that failed to find ways to reduce federal red ink by $1.2 trillion over 10 years. She also sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which allocates money to discretionary programs.

Committee leadership posts will be finalized later this year.


(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Nature's Reality Check
    We can conquer terrorism, cure cancer, but a tornado can remind us of our insecurity

  • Back to Work
    Ten observations from practice that only a backup, middle child, left-handed QB can provide

  • Going 'Bulworth'
    When Obama is exasperated with the ways of Washington, he dreams of getting honest
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (6)


  • Add A Comment

  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Patty Murray on the Budget committee
    November 16, 2012 8:39 am
    is like putting a gambling addict in charge of payroll.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HLC wrote...
    The last committee she chaired was a total failure.
    November 16, 2012 9:12 am
    If she had a clue we wouldn't be looking over the Fiscal Cliff. Just another taxacrat failure. There are many and growing.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    the problem I see is
    November 16, 2012 9:13 am
    the same problem Murray faced when on the debt committee.

    the old school mens club known as the GOP can't negotiate with a lesser species.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Howdy wrote...
    Wow Calapete
    November 16, 2012 2:34 pm
    I'm not a fan of Murray and never have been, but to call her a "lesser species"? Do you think of all women that way?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • flipper wrote...
    REALLY?
    November 16, 2012 9:36 am
    This "Senator" couldn't get out of her own way. The reason we're looking at the fiscal cliff is because of her ineptitude in bringing both sides together and getting an agreement.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Lonestar wrote...
    The Peter Principle
    November 16, 2012 9:41 am
    Personified
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }