In the Tri-Cities, Murray Rejects Trump’s Budget Cuts, Affirms Commitment to Hanford Cleanup and Workers

ICYMI: Senator Murray on President Trump's Budget Request for Hanford

***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL HERE***

Pasco, WA - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a roundtable discussion on the Hanford cleanup with labor leaders and regional stakeholders on the historic progress being made to move cleanup efforts forward. Senator Murray highlighted her fight to reject President Trump's FY27 budget proposal that includes a $400 million cut to Hanford. Earlier in the day, Senator Murray also toured the Hanford site.

Joining Senator Murray for the discussion today were: Nick Bumpaous, Business Manager for UA 598, Plumbers and Steamfitters in Pasco, Washington, and Former President of the Central Washington Building and Construction Trades Council; Seth Worley, Government Affairs Director and PAC Chairman for UA 598; David Reeploeg, Vice President for Federal Programs, Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC) and Executive Director of Hanford Communities; TJ Carter, Business Representative for IBEW Local 112; Jeff McDaniel, Hanford Atomic Metal Trades Council (HAMTC) President; and Barry Shoemake, Business Agent for UA Local 598.

"It's been a battle to fund the Hanford cleanup every year since I came to the Senate, inevitably having to fight with nearly every President to write a budget that lives up to the federal government's moral and legal obligation to this community and our state. Finally, last year we saw an incredible milestone-as we began turning nuclear waste into glass thanks to the tireless efforts of the workers who power the Hanford cleanup," said Senator Murray. "This is no time to set this critical work back by accepting President Trump's egregious budget cuts-cutting corners now would only impair the cleanup, creating pointless delays and driving up costs. It's clear that President Trump just does not get it, but he doesn't get the final say on funding for Hanford-Congress does. And just like every year before, I am going to make sure we tear up President Trump's budget and write a new one. I'll always stand up for Hanford workers, fight to make sure we keep the cleanup on track, and make sure Central Washington's priorities are the federal government's priorities."

"Hanford cleanup only succeeds with steady, sufficient funding. Anything less drives up long-term costs and delays progress. Senator Murray understands this, and she has fought relentlessly - and delivered - year after year to ensure Hanford gets the resources it needs. With low-activity waste vitrification now underway and many more accomplishments on the horizon, we're grateful for Senator Murray's continued leadership and unwavering commitment to Hanford cleanup and the Tri-Cities community," said David Reeploeg, Vice President for Federal Programs, Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC).

For FY26, Senator Murray secured a record $3.22 billion for the Hanford cleanup-$277 million or a 9.39% increase over last year's funding level. This amount includes $1.051 billion for Richland operations, and $2.173 billion for the Office of River Protection-a $235.7 million increase over fiscal year 2025. Notably, the legislation Senator Murray negotiated rejects major cuts to Richland that were proposed in the Trump administration's FY26 budget request, which would have been devastating for the Hanford workforce. Within the Office of River Protection, the bill includes $611.5 million for the High Level Waste (HLW) facility ($11.58 million above FY25 spend plan levels), and $480 million for Direct-Feed Low Activity Waste (DFLAW) facility operations ($89.5 million above the FY26 budget request level). This funding will enable the site to accelerate waste retrievals and throughput at DFLAW.

Senator Murray has worked tirelessly to support Hanford workers and ensure the federal government lives up to its cleanup obligations at Hanford throughout her time in Congress-beating back efforts by multiple administrations to underfund the Hanford cleanup. Last year she called out the administration when they mass fired federal workers, including at the Hanford site, and joined Tri-City leaders in denouncing Trump's FY26 budget proposal which would have gutted key federal investments for the Tri-Cities. Murray also slammed the administration for threatening to drastically derail cleanup efforts and ax the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant Project. Following the public pressure from Murray, the administration relented and allowed cleanup efforts to proceed as planned which ultimately resulted in nuclear waste officially being turned into glass at Hanford.

###