Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, the chair of the budget-writing Senate Ways & Means Committee, issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling upholding the federal Affordable Care Act:

"This ruling is a victory for Washingtonians -- for the more than 1 million who have no health insurance today, for the parents who are now able to keep their children on their plans, for the small businesses that will be able to offer affordable coverage to employees, and for those who are sick and will no longer be denied coverage.

"Given those benefits for Washingtonians, the Legislature has consistently supported the Affordable Care Act, laying groundwork like a state insurance exchange, which will be necessary to offer coverage to everyone when the law goes into full effect. Helping people get care and stay healthy is a Washington value, and we have worked hard throughout the economic crisis to protect public services like the Basic Health Plan. Beyond the rhetoric of the long legal battle over reform, caring for our neighbors is the right thing to do, and we will continue that work in Washington state."