Ashley Murray

Ashley Murray covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Her coverage areas include domestic policy and appropriations.

The legislation, titled the Purple Heart Veterans Education Act, would permit retroactive award recipients who served on or after Sept. 11, 2001, to transfer their education benefits to one or more dependents.
By Ashley Murray
purple heart
Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., was among the members voting for the ban.
By Ashley Murray
(Canva photo)
Among concerns of Republican U.S. House lawmakers was the Pentagon’s roughly $114 million request for the programs in the military’s $884 billion authorized, but not yet funded, budget.
By Ashley Murray
A Marine Corps staff sergeant helps conduct the final inspection of recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Jan. 5, 2024. During their last inspection, new Marines are tested on everything they’ve been taught, including uniform standards and discipline. (DOD Photo by Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ava Alegria)
If signed into law, which is expected, the roughly $884 billion legislation would authorize a 5.2% pay raise for troops.
By Ashley Murray
soldiers walking in fog
Passage of the PACT Act opened benefits eligibility for up to 3.5 million post-9/11 veterans, and for those who served during the Vietnam and Cold War eras.
By Ashley Murray
fort campbell soldiers
Kentucky has 34,600 service members who would be affected.
By Ashley Murray
Air Commandos assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron participate in an airfield establishment exercise at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Sept. 21, 2023. Members of the 21st STS jumped from an MC-130J to conduct the airfield establishment exercise during the 94th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference at Hurlburt Field. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hussein Enaya)
The deadline to qualify for retroactive benefits dating to law’s enactment has been extended to Aug. 14.
By Ashley Murray
Brielle Robinson, daughter of Sgt. First Class Heath Robinson, listens during a signing ceremony for the "Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promises to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022" Wednesday, August 10, 2022, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Erin Scott)
There is no deadline for qualifying veterans to file under the PACT Act, but former service members or their surviving family members have until Aug. 9 to claim benefits that date back to the law’s enactment in August 2022.
By Ashley Murray
PACT Act banner
Kentucky's share of the broadband allocation is $1.1B.
By Ashley Murray
President Joe Biden shakes hands with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at an event in Covington on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, celebrating federal funding of the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project. (Photo for the Kentucky Lantern by Michael Clubb)
The Fiscal Responsibility Act proposes additional SNAP work requirements for adults without dependents unless the recipient is a veteran, a homeless person or is under 24 and aging out of the foster care system.
By Ashley Murray
food stamps sign
The joint resolution aimed to codify protections from sex discrimination alongside other protected classes, including race, religion and national origin.
By Ashley Murray
Equal Rights Amendment march