Chris Murphy has been fighting for the issues that matter most to us.
Chris Murphy on Affordable Higher Education:
"Too many Connecticut students either don’t go to college or end up dropping out before they ever get their degree, because of the costs associated with attending college. That’s why I have fought to make college more affordable through increasing the maximum Pell Grant by 37% and preventing the interest rate on Stafford loans from doubling from 3.4% to 6.8%. This measure, enacted at the end of June, is helping 7.4 million people with student loans save more than a thousand dollars on average, over the life of their loan. The future of Connecticut’s economy depends on getting more students through college more quickly with the skills they need to compete and succeed in the 21st Century."
Chris Murphy on Environment
"Protecting the environment is one of the reasons that I got involved in public service. In Congress, I have been a leader in the fight against global climate change. The science is clear and those who refuse to acknowledge the causes of climate change are not only denying science itself, they’re endangering our future. I am a strong supporter of making new investments in clean renewable technologies, and market based efforts to cap carbon emissions."
Chris Murphy on LGBT Rights:
"LGBT rights are civil rights. I was one of the first ten Connecticut state legislators to co-sponsor the civil union bill that passed through the General Assembly in 2005. I was a part of the fight to make it legal for same-sex couples to marry in Connecticut, and to allow our men and women in uniform to receive the respect they deserve by ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” I helped pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act to classify crimes against people due to their sexual orientation as hate crimes and also helped pass the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act to help provide life saving treatment to people who have HIV and AIDS. There is still more to be done. I’m working to overturn the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, and to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act, and most importantly I want to make sure LGBT youth know they are not alone and that they have bright futures ahead of them."
Chris Murphy on Women’s Health and Equality:
"Despite the progress we’ve made in the fight for gender equality, social conservatives want to roll back the clock on women’s rights. I fought for the Affordable Care Act which makes being a woman no longer a pre-existing condition and provides free coverage of birth control and other preventative healthcare services. I fought for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act to help remedy unequal wages and overturn barriers that made it more difficult for women to combat pay discrimination.And I repeatedly fought against efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and Title X Family Planning Programs in federal appropriation bills. I am dedicated to achieving equal rights for all and will continue to stand up for women by protecting the progress we’ve already made and fight to correct the injustices that still exist today."
Chris Murphy on Health Care for Young People:
"I fought so hard to pass the health reform law because I believe that health care is a right and not a privilege for the chosen few. During the health care debate, I met with countless Connecticut families whose lives were forever changed after a family member got sick. Some lost their life savings or their house and others struggle to cope with the high costs of living with a chronic disease. No one should face this situation in our country and because of the health reform law they won't in the future if the law stands. One provision that Republicans want to repeal is the ability for young people to stay on their parents insurance until age 26. Just last year, this allowed 6.6 million young people gain coverage. If the Republicans had their way, all of these young Americans would lose coverage or be forced to pay much higher rates. I'm fighting to keep this important law on the books but I need your help."