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I am angered and appalled that the actions of one Republican senator means that unemployment assistance will be cut off for families in Washington state and across the nation on Sunday night. For years these benefits have been routinely extended in tough times. This is just one more example of the Republicans trying to score cheap political points on the backs of America’s families.

Unemployment assistance has become a lifeline many in our state thought they would never need, but now don’t know what they would do without. And it’s unconscionable and unacceptable that one Senator is holding up these benefits and turning his back on those who need help now.

When we see actions like this, it’s no surprise that Americans are frustrated with Washington, D.C. I am too. We have to put politics aside and help the families and businesses that are struggling today. I will continue to fight for these families, and will work next week to get this critical assistance restarted as we continue to work to get our economy back on track.

The Bellingham Herald Politics blog published the following message from the Washington Community Action Network, where Marcelas Owens, a 10-year-old boy who lost his mother because she didn’t have health insurance, thanked Patty Murray for sharing his story at today’s health care summit with President Obama:

Today, at the bipartisan White House Health Care Summit, Senator Patty Murray shared the story of 10-year-old Marcelas Owens from Seattle. Marcelas’ mom lost her job when she got sick. When she lost her job, she lost her health insurance. Without affordable health insurance choices, she didn’t get the care she needed, and she died at the age of 27, leaving Marcelas and his two siblings without a mom.

Marcelas Owens, whose entire family have been longtime members of the Washington Community Action Network, issued the following statement today thanking Senator Murray for her leadership:

“I want to thank Senator Murray for sharing my story with President Obama and other people in Congress. I lost my mom because she didn’t have health care. Every day it’s hard not having her around. I don’t want any other kid to have to go through what I went through. That’s why I don’t understand why some politicians are saying that Congress should stop working to pass the health care reform bill. Every day we wait, more kids like me will lose someone they love. Thank you for fighting for me, Senator Murray.”

I just left the bipartisan health care reform summit with President Obama where I had a chance to listen to and discuss many different proposals for solving the health care crisis facing our nation.

As I heard from many of my colleagues about their ideas, I kept thinking back to Marcelas Owens, a 10 year-old boy I met last year whose mom got sick, lost her job and then lost her health care. Because she couldn’t get the care she needed, she died and Marcelas and his two little sisters lost their mom. I told the President and the other members of Congress in the room today that we need to be thinking about people like Marcelas and the thousands of other Washington state families and businesses I hear from every single day on this issue.

When I think about Marcelas, I know we can’t turn back.

I also told the President and my colleagues that this is why so many Americans are passionate about a public option –- because, like me, they agree that it will give them a choice when other options come up short.

What I listened for in today’s summit was whether any alternative proposals to the current bill will give Americans the choices they need. Will an alternative proposal make sure we never let another little boy lose his mom because of our broken health insurance system?

I think we made some progress today. People were respectful and we talked about some heavy policy issues — but there’s more work to do. I truly do want to thank the nearly 3,000 of you who shared your health care ideas with me, many of which I brought with me to the meeting today. I’m so moved by your stories, and I want you to know I am committed to fighting harder than ever to tackle this problem and make sure health care finally works for –- not against –- Washington’s families and businesses.

Over 1,200 supporters packed the Westin Hotel in Seattle last week to welcome Vice President Joe Biden to the state of Washington.

Thank you so much to everyone who attended. Also, special congratulations to Pat C., Wayne B., and Beatrice G. who received free tickets in our “Breakfast with Biden” contest.

I hope you enjoy these pictures from last Friday’s event. Thanks so much for your continued support!

Thanks to your help and enthusiasm, we are continuing to spread the word, every day, to so many folks in Washington state about what is at stake in this election. I am proud to say that with your support, over the last quarter, 7,977 people contributed to my campaign — thousands of folks through our campaign website alone — and thousands more have joined up to help.

Together, we’re reaching out to all corners of the state to hear from people about their concerns and share our plans for addressing these problems. I am so grateful to you and thousands of other people from all across Washington who are working so hard to get our state back on track.

We have worked hard for the past year to help Americans get back on their feet — but there is still so much to be done. I won’t be satisfied until we turn our unemployment numbers around and get people back to work. I’m looking forward to overcoming the tough challenges ahead to solve critical issues — like growing our economy, creating jobs, providing relief in our housing market, ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare for all Americans, keeping our ports and borders safe, and making sure our veterans get the benefits they deserve.

Please take a moment to tell your friends about what we are doing and encourage them to get involved with our campaign. You and I and people all across Washington state can join in our effort, and together we can make our state better!

Again, thank you so much for your continued support.