Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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318 rows where chamber = "Senate", state = "HI" and year = 2024 sorted by date descending
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| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/over-the-last-year-schatz-secured-more-than-6-billion-to-support-mauis-recovery-build-more-housing-improve-infrastructure-expand-high-speed-internet-and-advance-other-priorities-across-hawaii | Over The Last Year, Schatz Secured More Than $6 Billion To Support Maui’s Recovery, Build More Housing, Improve Infrastructure, Expand High-Speed Internet & Advance Other Priorities Across Hawai‘i | 2024-12-30 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | HONOLULU – In 2024, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) helped secure more than $6 billion in federal funding for Hawai‘i as he led efforts to deliver resources to support Maui’s recovery from last year’s fires and advance a range of other priorities for the state. Earlier this month, Schatz announced an estimated $1.6 billion in new funding for Maui’s continued recovery, aimed at building permanent housing for survivors, in addition to almost $500 million to support economic development, small business needs, water infrastructure, and more. The funding was approved following efforts led by Schatz for more than a year to press the need for long-term disaster aid both in Congress and with the Biden administration. “Survivors on Maui are doing everything they can to recover – but they can’t do it alone. That’s why getting funding to build housing – which remains the top priority – was so important,” said Senator Schatz. “People can’t fully recover without stable, permanent housing, and it’s critical that homes now get built as quickly as possible.” Senator Schatz added, “We also delivered significant funding this year to improve infrastructure of all kinds, expand access to high-speed internet, and help people transition to clean energy. Tackling Hawai‘i’s housing shortage is one of the biggest challenges of our time – and the new investments to encourage pro-housing policies and build housing on Hawaiian home lands are just the start. Whether it’s increasing SNAP benefits for families or preserving telehealth access or pushing to strengthen Hawai‘i’s security, we made real progress this year to help people across the state.” Earlier this year, Schatz, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), helped secure more than $6.6 million to build housing across the state by removing regulatory barriers that drive up the cost of housing. The funding came from a first-of-its-kind national program created by Schatz – the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Ho… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:07:19Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-the-passing-of-former-president-jimmy-carter | Schatz Statement On The Passing Of Former President Jimmy Carter | 2024-12-29 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) issued the following statement after the death of former President Jimmy Carter: “I join Americans across the country in mourning the loss of former President Jimmy Carter. As president, he worked to protect the environment, expand clean energy, champion human rights, and advance Middle East peace. After leaving office, he spent decades helping the less fortunate, in America and around the world. His legacy of service, kindness, and generosity will live on. My deepest condolences go out to the entire Carter family.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:07:19Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/president-biden-signs-hirono-cruz-legislation-into-law-to-maintain-access-to-the-federal-courts | President Biden Signs Hirono, Cruz Legislation Into Law to Maintain Access to the Federal Courts | 2024-12-23 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Joseph R. Biden signed the Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act into law. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation led by U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, transitions 10 temporary federal judgeships—including one in Hawaii—to permanent status in order to maintain the current level of access to the federal court for millions of Americans across the nation. “It was heartening to see broad bipartisan consensus on this bill to make the temporary district court judgeships around the country permanent, and I am glad that President Biden signed it into law,” said Senator Hirono. “This legislation will ensure that people in Hawaii, Texas, and across the country can continue to rely on these longstanding temporary judgeships. I thank Senator Cruz for his partnership, and all of the Senate and House cosponsors of this legislation for their support.” The Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act grants permanent status to all 10 currently-existing temporary federal district court judgeships in the following federal district courts: U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama U.S. District Court for the Central District of California U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina The full text of the legislation is available here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:07:19Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/president-biden-signs-hirono-tokuda-bill-to-study-designating-lahaina-as-national-heritage-area-into-law | President Biden Signs Hirono, Tokuda Bill to Study Designating Lahaina as National Heritage Area Into Law | 2024-12-23 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Joseph R. Biden signed into law the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI). The bicameral legislation directs the National Park Service, in coordination with Maui County and other state and local partners, to study the suitability and feasibility of a National Heritage Area designation for Lahaina. The bill passed the House and unanimously passed the Senate last month. “The historic, natural, and cultural resources found in Lahaina tell a nationally significant story and the devastating August 2023 wildfires shed light on how special this town is to our communities and to the country,” said Senator Hirono. “I am proud President Biden signed the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act into law, as this bill will place Lahaina under consideration to become a National Heritage Area, helping to ensure that this town is celebrated and appreciated for generations to come.” The Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act was also cosponsored by Representative Ed Case (D-HI). The National Park Service currently oversees 62 National Heritage Areas across the country, none of which are in Hawaii. In 2022, the House passed Senator Hirono’s Kaena Point National Heritage Area Act to study designating Kaena Point on Oahu as a National Heritage Area. The full text of the legislation is available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:07:19Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-more-than-2-billion-in-new-disaster-aid-funding-for-maui-passes-senate-set-to-be-signed-into-law | Schatz: More Than $2 Billion In New Disaster Aid Funding For Maui Passes Senate, Set To Be Signed Into Law | 2024-12-21 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to pass more than $110 billion in new long-term recovery funding for disaster-impacted communities nationwide. Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, worked to include an estimated $1.6 billion in new Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding for housing on Maui and an estimated $480 million more for economic development, small business loans, and water infrastructure, among other things. The funding bill is expected to be signed into law by the president today. “The $1.6 billion in CDBG-DR funding is for three things: housing, housing, and housing,” said Senator Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “For the past 16 months, the people of Lahaina have done everything in their power to recover as quickly as they can. But they were never meant to do it alone. As disaster response gives way to disaster recovery, building housing is the top priority. People can’t fully recover without permanent, stable housing, and that’s why getting this funding now is so important.” In addition to the estimated $1.6 billion in CDBG-DR funding for housing, about $480 million more will be heading to Maui, including: At least $22 million to support economic recovery, agriculture, and conservation effort At least $12 million to provide loans to impacted small businesses $33 million to repair roads $350 million to build critical water infrastructure $19 million for child care Since the Maui fires in August 2023, Schatz has continually led efforts in Congress to deliver relief for survivors, including securing $16 billion for the national Disaster Relief Fund last year and most recently co-sponsoring the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act which passed the Senate unanimously last week. The bill exempts survivors of the fires from having to pay federal income tax on their settlement money or pay tax on attorney fees included in the settlement. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:07:19Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-schatz-secure-several-provisions-to-support-hawaii-communities-and-strengthen-disaster-resilience-in-2024-water-resources-development-act | Hirono, Schatz Secure Several Provisions to Support Hawaii Communities and Strengthen Disaster Resilience in 2024 Water Resources Development Act | 2024-12-19 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate passed the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which includes several provisions secured by U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) to benefit Hawaii’s communities and strengthen the state’s disaster resilience. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, to conduct studies, construct projects, and research activities to improve U.S. waterways. The bill passed the Senate by 97-1 and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “The Water Resources Development Act is crucial legislation to strengthen our country’s water conservation efforts and improve waterways. This year’s bill includes several provisions that will benefit Hawaii’s communities, including projects to expand access to resources for remote communities, reduce flood and storm damages across the state, and support Maui as they continue to recover after the wildfires,” said Senators Hirono and Schatz. “We’re proud to have helped secure these provisions and will continue fighting to ensure that Hawaii has the federal support necessary to enhance our waterway infrastructure and improve disaster resilience efforts.” WRDA—legislation that is passed every two years—enables the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to carry out activities related to the conservation and development of water and related resources, such as flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration. In October 2023, Senator Hirono and Senator Schatz sent a letter to leadership of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works requesting the inclusion of several provisions that would benefit Hawaii’s communities in the 2024 WRDA. Ten of those provisions were included in the final bill, including: Supporting Maui Post-Wildfires Maui Wildfire Response: Prioritizes watersheds of the island of Maui, including Wahikuli, Honokowai, Kahana, Honokahua, and Honolua, as well as the coral reef habitat north of Lahaina, in water… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:07:19Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hirono-secure-several-provisions-to-support-hawaii-communities-and-strengthen-disaster-resilience-in-2024-water-resources-development-act | Schatz, Hirono Secure Several Provisions to Support Hawaii Communities and Strengthen Disaster Resilience in 2024 Water Resources Development Act | 2024-12-19 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate passed the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which includes several provisions secured by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to benefit Hawaii’s communities and strengthen the state’s disaster resilience. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, to conduct studies, construct projects, and research activities to improve U.S. waterways. The bill passed the Senate by 97-1 and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “The Water Resources Development Act is crucial legislation to strengthen our country’s water conservation efforts and improve waterways. This year’s bill includes several provisions that will benefit Hawaii’s communities, including projects to expand access to resources for remote communities, reduce flood and storm damages across the state, and support Maui as they continue to recover after the wildfires,” said Senators Schatzand Hirono. “We’re proud to have helped secure these provisions and will continue fighting to ensure that Hawaii has the federal support necessary to enhance our waterway infrastructure and improve disaster resilience efforts.” WRDA—legislation that is passed every two years—enables the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to carry out activities related to the conservation and development of water and related resources, such as flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration. In October 2023, Senator Schatz and Senator Hirono sent a letter to leadership of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works requesting the inclusion of several provisions that would benefit Hawaii’s communities in the 2024 WRDA. Ten of those provisions were included in the final bill, including: Supporting Maui Post-Wildfires Maui Wildfire Response: Prioritizes watersheds of the island of Maui, including Wahikuli, Honokowai, Kahana, Honokahua, and Honolua, as well as the coral reef habitat north of Lahaina, in waters… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:07:19Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-provisions-to-help-veterans-maximize-education-benefits-to-be-signed-into-law | Schatz Provisions To Help Veterans Maximize Education Benefits To Be Signed Into Law | 2024-12-19 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – Provisions from the bipartisan Student Veterans Transparency and Protection Act to provide veterans with up-to-date student outcomes and financial information for eligible educational institutions are set to be signed into law by President Biden after passing Congress this week. The provisions, originally authored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), will require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to make the information available through its G.I. Bill Comparison Tool and train its education counselors in using the tool in order to help veterans make the best choices about where to use their education benefits. “The G.I. Bill benefit has helped open the doors to higher education for so many veterans who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to access it. But to maximize its potential, veterans need to have the most current information about different schools and their benefits,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. “These provisions will help veterans across the country find the education program that’s right for them.” “Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States. When they come home, we have a responsibility to provide the resources and benefits they have earned,” said Senator Rounds. “This includes making certain veterans have the tools and information they need to utilize their G.I. Bill benefits to attain a higher education. I am pleased that this legislation is being signed into law.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-national-defense-authorization-act-containing-over-11-billion-in-hirono-led-provisions-to-strengthen-national-security | Senate Passes National Defense Authorization Act Containing Over $11 Billion in Hirono-led Provisions to Strengthen National Security | 2024-12-18 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | ~ Within the FY25 NDAA, Hirono secured over $2 billion for infrastructure in Hawaii and over $9 billion for projects, capabilities, and exercises to support the Indo-Pacific region ~ WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, voted to pass the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the U.S. Senate, securing several key provisions for Hawaii and the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. military servicemembers, and the maintenance and modernization of Department of Defense (DOD) infrastructure. Senator Hirono’s provisions include over $2 billion for infrastructure projects in Hawaii, over $9 billion for initiatives to support our allies and strengthen deterrence throughout the Indo-Pacific region, and the creation of a new “major mishaps” incident classification within the DOD to bolster accountability. In addition to the provisions Senator Hirono secured, the NDAA also provides a 4.5% pay raise for all servicemembers and a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 85-14 and now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. “This year’s NDAA invests in critical DOD infrastructure, bolsters national security and readiness, supports our servicemembers, and delivers for the people of Hawaii,” said Senator Hirono. “As Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, I’m proud to have helped secure provisions to increase pay for military personnel and ensure servicemembers and their families can access and afford basic needs like child care and health care. I am also glad the bill contains a provision I introduced following the Red Hill fuel spills to create a new classification for major mishaps within the DOD to ensure a more thorough investigative process and provide for greater oversight and accountability of such incidents. While this NDAA takes important steps to ensure the readiness o… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:07:19Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-transportation-department-releases-250-million-to-honolulu-rail-as-part-of-grant-agreement | Schatz: Transportation Department Releases $250 Million To Honolulu Rail As Part Of Grant Agreement | 2024-12-18 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has released an additional $250 million to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) as part of its Amended Full Funding Grant Agreement signed in February. The funding follows February’s initial release of $125 million and was delivered after HART completed the contract award for the City Center Guideway and Stations. “HART and the City continue to make good progress on the Skyline, and this new funding is proof of that. With this new money, HART will have more resources to complete the line and give the people of Honolulu more travel options,” said Senator Schatz, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. To date, HART has received more than $1.1 billion in federal funding and more than $365 million is expected to be released by DOT as HART continues to meet the milestones outlined in the grant agreement. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:07:19Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-senate-unanimously-passes-hirono-tokuda-bill-to-study-designating-lahaina-as-national-heritage-area | VIDEO: Senate Unanimously Passes Hirono, Tokuda Bill to Study Designating Lahaina as National Heritage Area | 2024-12-17 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | ~ Video of Senator Hirono’s floor remarks is available here ~ WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI). The bicameral legislation directs the National Park Service, in coordination with Maui County and other state and local partners, to study the suitability and feasibility of a National Heritage Area designation for Lahaina. The bill passed the House on December 4, 2024 and now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. “The devastating August 2023 wildfires that claimed over 100 lives and destroyed much of Lahaina shed light on how special this town is, not only to the Maui community, but also to Hawaii and the country,” said Senator Hirono. “The historic, natural, and cultural resources found in Lahaina tell a nationally significant story and this bill will help ensure that story can continue to be told and appreciated for generations to come. Since 1984, there have been over 60 National Heritage Areas established across the country, none of which are in Hawaii—it is a fitting tribute that Lahaina is now under consideration to be one of our first. I’m glad the Senate has passed this legislation and look forward to President Biden signing it into law.” “The Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act is about grounding its rebirth and rebuilding in the history, culture, and tradition of the ahupua?a that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawai?i. I am grateful and proud of the overwhelming bipartisan support our bill received in the House, and humbled and honored by Senator Hirono?s leadership and insistence on getting this passed by the Senate before the end of this Congress. I am hopeful the President will also see my bill as a necessary step forward in honoring and healing our community and in getting Lahaina the recognition she long deserves,” said U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02). The Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act wa… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:07:19Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-ndaa-amendment-to-protect-military-parents-right-to-health-care-for-their-kids | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce NDAA Amendment to Protect Military Parents’ Right to Health Care for Their Kids | 2024-12-16 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | ~ House-passed NDAA included a ban on health care for transgender kids, stripping servicemembers of parental rights to make health care decisions for their children ~ WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, joined twenty of her colleagues in introducing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2025 to remove language that would strip away servicemembers’ parental rights to access medically necessary health care for their transgender children. The U.S. House of Representatives-passed NDAA includes language that bans health care for transgender kids and TRICARE patients under the age of 18. “Thousands of transgender children, whose families serve in our armed forces, rely on access to medically necessary health care. This draconian policy would strip away this access, endangering the lives and well-being of these children and their families,” said Senator Hirono. “This amendment will help ensure that our servicemembers and their families have the freedom to make their own choices about the care their kids need—because this decision should be made by families, not politicians.” The amendment to the FY2025 NDAA would strike Sec. 708 of the House-passed NDAA, which would ban TRICARE from offering medically sound health care for our youngest transgender servicemembers and to transgender military children under 18. Every major medical and mental health association in the U.S., representing more than 1.3 million U.S. doctors, supports access to this medically necessary, evidence-based health care for transgender people. If the House-passed NDAA becomes law, it is estimated that thousands of transgender children of servicemembers would not be able to access the health care that their parents had approved. The amendment, led by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), is also cosponsored by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory B… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-durbin-welch-introduce-constitutional-amendment-to-end-undemocratic-electoral-college | Schatz, Durbin, Welch Introduce Constitutional Amendment To End Undemocratic Electoral College | 2024-12-16 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College system and restore democracy by allowing the direct election of presidents through popular vote alone. “In an election, the person who gets the most votes should win. It’s that simple,” said Senator Schatz. “No one’s vote should count for more based on where they live. The Electoral College is outdated and it’s undemocratic. It’s time to end it.” “In 2000, before the general election, I introduced a bipartisan resolution to amend the Constitution and abolish the electoral college. I still believe today that it is time to retire this 18th century invention that disenfranchises millions of Americans,” said Senator Durbin. “The American people deserve to choose all their leaders, and I am proud to support this effort with Senators Schatz and Welch to empower voters.” “Our democracy is at its strongest when everyone’s voice is heard—and right now our elections aren’t as representative as they should be because of the outdated and flawed electoral college. I’m excited to partner with my friends and colleagues Senator Schatz and Chair Durbin on this important constitutional amendment, which will help empower every voter in every state,” said Senator Welch. In all but five presidential elections, the winner of the election received the most votes. Two of those five times came in the last 19 years, handing the presidency to candidates the majority of voters rejected. A handful of states now determine the leader for all 50 states, regardless of each candidate’s final vote tally. Schatz’s constitutional amendment would address this inequality by abolishing the outdated Electoral College system. Specifically, the constitutional amendment would provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President of the United States by a popular vote among voters in each state and the District of Columbia. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia ha… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-markey-introduce-legislation-to-promote-conservation-and-preservation-of-government-and-historic-records | Hirono, Markey Introduce Legislation to Promote Conservation and Preservation of Government and Historic Records | 2024-12-13 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced the Public Archives Resiliency Act, legislation that would authorize grants to promote preservation, climate resilience, adaption, and continuity of vital government records and protect other records of historical or cultural significance. The bill would provide funding for public archives, libraries, museums, institutions of higher education, or non-profits that protect these valuable records. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Representative Alma Adams (D-NC). “In the wake of last year’s Lahaina wildfires, eight of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation’s historic sites were burned down or critically damaged, leading to the loss of thousands of artifacts and records,” said Senator Hirono. “Public records are essential to the preservation of our history and culture. The Public Archives Resiliency Act will help to better protect them from the effects of climate change, including natural disasters like wildfires or floods.” Government records are generated through birth, death, marriage, taxes, military service, education, immigration, property ownership, and much more. Many institutions that manage these records however, are at risk of environmental damage and lack resources to protect themselves and their communities. When these public records are destroyed or become inaccessible, it can delay an individual’s ability to access key government benefits and services, as well as result in the loss of irreplaceable cultural artifacts. “The importance of this bill cannot be overstated,” said Janel Quirante, Head Archivist, at ‘Ulu‘ulu: The Henry Ku‘ualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawai‘i. “This bill provides crucial support to libraries, archives and museums that care for historic and cultural materials endangered by the impacts of climate change. Infrastructure support would allow for critical improvements to aging HVAC systems, especially in Hawai‘i and other tropical climates where high temperature and … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-grijalva-lead-group-of-34-lawmakers-urging-president-biden-to-pardon-native-american-activist-leonard-peltier | Schatz, Grijalva Lead Group Of 34 Lawmakers Urging President Biden To Pardon Native American Activist Leonard Peltier | 2024-12-13 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and U.S. Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee renewed efforts to urge President Joe Biden to pardon Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist convicted of murder in 1977 following a controversial investigation and trial, which many civil rights leaders and legal experts have called unjust, including the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case. In their letter to the president, the lawmakers cite Peltier’s advanced age, illness, and the growing concerns of misconduct and injustice around his arrest and prosecution. “Despite the grave concerns surrounding the continued imprisonment of Mr. Peltier, who is now 80 years old and suffering from severe health conditions, including increasing vision loss, the Bureau of Prisons denied Mr. Peltier a compassionate release or reduction in sentence in April of this year; and in July 2024, the U.S. Parole Commission denied him parole. These recent denials mean only you have the unique ability to grant him clemency and rectify this grave injustice that has long troubled human rights advocates and Native Peoples across the globe,” the lawmakers wrote. The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Peter Welch (D- Vt.), as well as former U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and U.S. Representatives Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Jesús García (D-Ill.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Daniel Kildee (D-Mich.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Erica Lee Carter (D-Texas), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Janic… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-debt-ceiling-looms-schatz-introduces-legislation-to-avoid-catastrophic-default | As Debt Ceiling Looms, Schatz Introduces Legislation To Avoid Catastrophic Default | 2024-12-12 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today led a group of 17 colleagues in reintroducing the End the Threat of Default Act, legislation that would permanently remove the threat of a default by repealing the national debt ceiling, an arbitrary limit restricting the amount that the United States Treasury can borrow to pay its debts. In June 2023, the president signed legislation that suspended the statutory debt ceiling until January 2, 2025. “Defaulting on our national debt would be an economic catastrophe for everyone, especially families, veterans, and seniors. Congress has the chance to debate federal spending, and it’s well before the bill comes due,” said Senator Schatz. “We need to stop playing this dangerous game with the nation’s economy and get rid of the debt ceiling for good.” A default would be catastrophic and would likely trigger a recession. Military pay, Social Security and Medicare payments, and Treasury bond yields would all be disrupted. In practice, the debt limit has no impact on government spending, which is authorized and approved through the federal budget and appropriations process. Instead, the ceiling restricts the U.S. Treasury from paying for expenditures already approved by Congress therefore requiring Congress to constantly raise the ceiling before it is reached. In recent years, this has become a politicized procedure that often leads to threats of defaulting on the government’s obligation to pay its bills. The United States is one of only two democratic countries with a statutory debt ceiling, and the only one that could single-handedly cause a global recession. Since 1960, Congress has acted more than 75 times to raise, temporarily extend, or revise the definition of the debt limit. In 2011, the crisis surrounding raising the debt ceiling led credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s to downgrade the U.S. government’s credit rating for the first time ever. Fitch downgraded the U.S. government’s credit rating following debt limit brinksmanship in 2023. In addition t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-announces-5-million-for-forestland-management-and-conservation-in-hawaii | Hirono Announces $5 Million for Forestland Management and Conservation in Hawaii | 2024-12-11 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | ~ Funding to support forest management techniques to encourage conservation and lower risk of wildfires ~ WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be awarding $5 million to the State of Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR) to support forest management and restoration activities across the state. Specifically, the grant funding will assist landowners in the protection and restoration of Hawaii’s watersheds, forest resources, wildlife habitats, and endangered species. “Hawaii’s forestlands are essential to its diverse ecosystem and this funding is an important investment in the protection and management of these lands throughout our state,” said Senator Hirono. “As Maui continues to recover following the devastating wildfires last year, this funding will help encourage sustainability in preserving our natural resources and support Hawaii’s efforts to plan for and reduce the risk of future wildfires.” This grant was made possible through investments from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, which Senator Hirono helped pass into law in 2022. The funding is part of nearly $335 million in grants that were awarded to incentivize private forest landowners to manage their forests sustainably and to permanently conserve private forests in partnership with states. Forest management techniques, such as thinning trees or removing invasive species, helps to reduce susceptibility to forests pests and disease and lowers the risks of catastrophic wildfires. More details about these funded proposals are available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-session-nears-end-schatz-continues-leading-calls-to-pass-long-term-disaster-relief-for-maui-survivors | As Session Nears End, Schatz Continues Leading Calls To Pass Long-Term Disaster Relief For Maui Survivors | 2024-12-11 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today reiterated calls for Congress to pass long-term disaster aid for survivors on Maui and nationwide before Congress is scheduled to go on recess at the end of next week. Schatz has repeatedly led calls for flexible, long-term aid for survivors of last year’s Lahaina fires so that they can rebuild as quickly as possible, particularly housing. “I want to be perfectly clear: we cannot and we will not leave town next week without passing disaster aid,” Schatz said. “We’re running out of time. We have just over a week left before Congress goes home for the holidays which means we have just a few days to what we should have done a long time ago and pass long-term disaster relief. People have waited and waited and waited for help to arrive. And every day we don’t get this done this is another day survivors can’t get back to life as they knew it,” said Senator Schatz. “Nobody is asking for charity. What they’re asking for is the kind of aid that’s helped restore so many communities across the country over the years.” The full text of Senator Schatz’s remarks is available below. Video is available here. We’re running out of time. We have just over a week left before Congress goes home for the holidays. And we cannot leave without passing long-term disaster relief. People have waited…and waited…and waited for help to arrive. And every day we don’t get this done this is another day survivors can’t get back to life as they knew it. Going to work…going to school…dropping their kids off at basketball practice…getting together with their friends and neighbors. For people in Lahaina, help can’t come soon enough. Almost a year-and-a-half since the tragic fires, it’s as hard as ever to make ends meet. Housing is uncertain. Prices are going up. And jobs are hard to come by. People are doing everything they can to get by and help each other out. So it’s not for a lack of trying. It’s that they were never meant to confront this recovery alone. When you’ve lost everything…wh… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-call-on-president-biden-to-protect-immigrant-families-ahead-of-the-inauguration-of-president-elect-trump | Hirono, Colleagues Call on President Biden to Protect Immigrant Families Ahead of the Inauguration of President-Elect Trump | 2024-12-10 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | Senators: “We urge you to act decisively between now and the inauguration of the President-elect to complete the important work of the past four years and protect immigrant families.” WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined six of her colleagues in calling on President Joe Biden to protect immigrant families before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. In addition to Senator Hirono, the letter was also signed by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Alex Padilla (D-CA). “As Senators who represent diverse states across our nation and who collectively represent millions of immigrant families, we write to express our deep concern about the threat the incoming administration poses to immigrants in our communities,” the Senators wrote in a letter to President Biden. “Mass deportations would jeopardize the safety and security of millions of mixed-status families, sow deep distrust and fear in the communities we represent, and destabilize the U.S. economy. While we support common-sense steps to better secure our borders and improve border processing, we will continue to oppose any policies that contradict our nation’s core values.” The letter continues, “We write now because the window to secure and finalize your administration’s policies is closing rapidly. We urge you to act decisively between now and the inauguration of the President-elect to complete the important work of the past four years and protect immigrant families.” The Senators went on to request that the Biden Administration prioritize the following actions: Designate and extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for all eligible countries and consider providing Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) as appropriate; Expedite the processing of benefit requests for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients; Protect the ability for DACA holders and others to travel on advance pa… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-wicker-lead-group-of-100-lawmakers-in-calling-for-extension-of-telehealth-expansion | Schatz, Wicker Lead Group Of 100 Lawmakers In Calling For Extension Of Telehealth Expansion | 2024-12-09 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) led a bipartisan and bicameral group of 100 lawmakers in calling for the extension of expanded Medicare coverage of telehealth services to be included in a year-end appropriations package. Provisions from the Schatz-Wicker legislation, the CONNECT for Health Act, were included in previous COVID-19 relief legislation to allow Medicare beneficiaries in all areas of the country, and in their homes, to utilize telehealth services, and to expand the types of health care providers eligible to provide telehealth. Medicare beneficiaries have come to rely on expanded access, which have also been proven beneficial to patients. But these provisions will expire at the end of the year, unless congressional leaders act to extend those measures or make them permanent. The full text of the letter can be found below and is available here. Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McConnell, Speaker Johnson, and Minority Leader Jeffries: Expanded Medicare coverage for telehealth services is set to expire on December 31, 2024. As you work to advance a year-end appropriations package, we urge you to extend coverage as much as possible so that all Medicare beneficiaries retain access to these services. Telehealth plays a critical role in health care delivery – a fact that Congress has recognized by expanding coverage during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency. Most recently, in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Congress enacted a two-year extension of Medicare telehealth services coverage. Committees of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives have recently recognized the need to protect patients’ access to telehealth services by voting to advance an additional two-year extension on a bipartisan, unanimous basis. We ask you to prioritize provisions that remove geographic restrictions on telehealth services and permit the home and other clinically appropriate settings as originating sites. Congress should also expand the aut… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-leads-group-of-12-senators-in-renewing-calls-to-biden-administration-to-urge-israeli-government-to-allow-journalists-into-gaza-protect-free-press | Schatz Leads Group Of 12 Senators In Renewing Calls To Biden Administration To Urge Israeli Government To Allow Journalists Into Gaza, Protect Free Press | 2024-12-06 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) led a group of 12 senators today in renewing calls to the Biden Administration to urge the governments of Israel and Egypt to protect press freedom and allow journalists into Gaza to cover the ongoing war. In addition to Schatz, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), George Helmy (D-N.J.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) In their letter to the Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the senators underscored the dangerous conditions for reporters, the importance of safe access into Gaza for journalists, and the need for accurate and independent reporting from inside the warzone. They also raise concerns about violence against journalists in Lebanon and the West Bank. The new letter follows calls led by Schatz a year ago to protect journalists in Gaza. “Since October 7, 2023, over 130 journalists have been killed, the vast majority of whom were Palestinians killed in Gaza. The lack of safe working conditions for journalists in Gaza makes it almost impossible to have an accurate understanding of the humanitarian devastation taking place in the territory,” the senators wrote. They continued, “The United States must make clear to Israel that targeting media organizations and members of the press is unacceptable. It is also important that the United States support UN efforts calling for accountability and protection of journalists in Gaza and the West Bank. The absence of U.S. government support for accountability efforts by the UN and press freedom defenders only undermines U.S. leadership. Promoting press freedom globally, protecting journalist safety, and advancing international laws and norms are essential to sustaining a rules-based international order.” The full letter can be found below and is available here. Dear Secretary Blinken, We appreciate your continue… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-and-tokuda-applaud-passage-of-natural-disaster-tax-relief-bill | Hirono and Tokuda Applaud Passage of Natural Disaster Tax Relief Bill | 2024-12-05 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | ~ U.S. Senate unanimously passed Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, which includes Tokuda and Hirono legislation to lessen the tax burden on survivors of the Maui wildfires. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. ~ WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI) applauded the unanimous Senate passage of the bipartisan Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023. The legislation, which passed in the U.S. House in May, would exempt wildfire disaster relief payments received between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025, from taxable income. The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act also includes language from Representative Tokuda and Senator Hirono’s Natural Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 to make it easier for Maui fire victims to deduct disaster-related losses by eliminating the minimum 10 percent loss threshold, as well as the requirement to itemize deductions to receive this tax benefit. “The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act will help to ease the financial burden on communities impacted by wildfires, as well as other disasters, across our country,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m glad the Senate has passed this legislation, which included language from our bill to support the people and families who have already lost so much in the wake of natural disasters. I will continue working to help ensure our communities have the necessary resources to support themselves and I look forward to President Biden signing this crucial legislation into law.” “Since I introduced the Natural Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 last October, I have been fighting to provide financial relief to Lahaina fire survivors and natural disaster victims throughout the country. In a time of extreme partisanship, I’m proud that Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate came together on disaster relief and passed the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act,” said Representative Tokuda. “We urgently need President Biden to sign this critical bill, which will help disaster … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-duckworth-introduce-legislation-to-promote-family-unity-in-us-immigration-system | Hirono, Duckworth Introduce Legislation to Promote Family Unity in U.S. Immigration System | 2024-12-04 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | ~ Bill includes Hirono’s Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, legislation that would speed up the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans ~ WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced the Reuniting Families Act, legislation that would promote family unity in our country’s immigration system, reduce the family-based immigration backlogs, and update our laws to reflect how families immigrate to the United States. The bill also includes Senator Hirono’s Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, legislation that would speed up the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. “As the only immigrant currently serving in the U.S. Senate, I am proud to introduce the Reuniting Families Act to update our country’s family immigration system and promote family unity,” said Senator Hirono. “By implementing changes to reduce the backlog of family-based immigration visas, exempting close relatives from visa caps, and preventing the separation of LGBTQ+ families, this bill will better prioritize family unity in our immigration system. We desperately need comprehensive immigration reform, but in the meantime, the Reuniting Families Act is a step in the right direction to help reunite or keep families together as they navigate our immigration system.” “Our country’s broken immigration system is riddled with unnecessary barriers that have created backlogs and kept families apart for years,” said Senator Duckworth. “This legislation would implement commonsense reforms to help end family-based backlogs, which keep too many with approved green card applications stuck in bureaucratic limbo, and get more families where they belong—together.” Specifically, the Reuniting Families Act would: “Recapture” unused visas from previous years, adding them to the number of visas United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may distribute; Exempt close relatives from visa caps, extendin… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-urges-president-biden-to-pardon-native-american-activist-leonard-peltier-in-final-weeks-of-term | Schatz Urges President Biden To Pardon Native American Activist Leonard Peltier In Final Weeks Of Term | 2024-12-04 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, today again called on President Biden to pardon Native American activist Leonard Peltier who was convicted of murder in 1977 following a controversial investigation and trial, which many civil rights leaders and legal experts have called unjust, including the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case. Since 2022, Schatz has repeatedly led colleagues in calling on the president to grant Peltier, who is now 80 and has been imprisoned for the past 49 years, clemency. “As President Biden considers candidates for clemency in the final weeks of his term, the Native American activist Leonard Peltier is among those who deserve that grace and mercy,” said Senator Schatz. Senator Schatz continued, “Peltier is now 80 years old and has been in prison for almost 50 years. He’s in declining health, experiencing vision loss and other illnesses. If there was ever a case that merited compassionate release, Leonard Peltier’s is it. This is exactly what that awesome presidential power is for. To right a historic wrong. And if not that, then to show mercy and let an old man die with his family.” The full text of Senator Schatz’s remarks is available below. Video is available here. As President Biden considers candidates for clemency in the final weeks of his term, the Native American activist Leonard Peltier is among those who deserve that grace and mercy. Peltier was arrested in 1975 for his alleged involvement in the murder of 2 FBI agents in a shootout on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. But the process that led to his conviction had major issues and inaccuracies from the start. For example, one witness whose statements were used at trial said she was told to lie and say that she was in a relationship with Peltier and that she had witnessed him shoot the agents. She later recanted that statement, saying “I was forced into this, and I feel very awful. I just wish that Leonard Peltier will get out of prison.” In another … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/following-calls-from-schatz-to-increase-snap-benefits-in-hawaii-usda-proposes-23-boost-in-benefits-to-reflect-food-costs | Following Calls From Schatz To Increase Snap Benefits In Hawai‘i, USDA Proposes 2.3% Boost In Benefits To Reflect Food Costs | 2024-12-03 | 2024 | 2024-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – Following calls for increased benefits for Hawai‘i families, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed updates to its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Hawai‘i to ensure they accurately reflect the cost of food across the state. The USDA has proposed a 2.3 percent increase in SNAP benefits for Hawai‘i, which would result in an estimated $40 monthly increase for a family of four. “For many in Hawai‘i, SNAP is a lifeline, helping families put food on the table. But to make sure this program continues to help those who rely on it, SNAP benefits need to keep up with the real cost of food across the state,” said Senator Schatz. “I thank the USDA and Secretary Vilsack for working with us to update SNAP benefits for Hawai‘i so that those who need it can continue to access this critical federal program.” Food prices in Hawai‘i are among the highest in the nation. Schatz worked directly with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and urged him to update its cost analysis in the state. Today’s action from the USDA continues a rulemaking process to adjust benefits for Hawai‘i. Today, USDA is proposing a new rule to ensure benefits take into account food costs for residents across the state, and releasing a report that finds an increase in benefit if the rule is finalized. The public can submit comments through February 3, 2025. SNAP is a federal program that provides crucial nutritional benefits to low-income individuals and families that are used at stores to purchase food. It’s administered at the federal level through USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and at the state level in Hawai‘i by the Hawai‘i Department of Human Services. Nearly 200,000 Hawai‘i residents rely on SNAP. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T22:13:55Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-welcomes-59-million-in-federal-funding-for-honolulu-harbor | Hirono Welcomes $59 Million in Federal Funding for Honolulu Harbor | 2024-10-30 | 2024 | 2024-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement celebrating the announcement of more than $56 million in federal funding to modernize Honolulu Harbor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the port along with $2.5 million to develop strategies to improve air quality at ports around the state, developed in consultation with communities living near the ports. The funding comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports Program, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act that Senator Hirono helped pass into law. “Honolulu Harbor is essential to the delivery of food, medicine, and other goods people rely on not only on Oahu, but across Hawaii,” said Senator Hirono. “The investments in hydrogen-powered cargo tractors and a hydrogen fueling station will help the port operate more efficiently while decreasing carbon emissions and other pollution that affects surrounding communities. The funding will also support the development of plans to improve air quality at ports and surrounding communities throughout our state. I’m proud to have supported the Inflation Reduction Act, which made this investment possible, and I’ll continue working to secure federal funds for projects that strengthen communities across our islands.” More information on the projects being funded is available here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:57:20Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-more-than-33-million-heading-to-hawaii-island-to-improve-wailuku-river-bridge | Schatz: More Than $33 Million Heading To Hawai‘i Island To Improve Wailuku River Bridge | 2024-10-18 | 2024 | 2024-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that Hawai‘i will receive $33 million to rehabilitate the Wailuku River Bridge on Hawai‘i Island. “Upgrading aging infrastructure is critical to ensuring people can get around safely for years to come,” said Senator Schatz, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. “Making these necessary upgrades to the Wailuku River Bridge will result in less disruptions and safer commutes for people on Hawai‘i Island.” The funding will help strengthen the bridge by making key improvements to reinforce its foundation. The bridge will also be widened to be in line with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards, and the bridge railings will be upgraded to meet current safety standards. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:57:20Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-death-of-hamas-leader-yahya-sinwar | Schatz Statement On Death Of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar | 2024-10-17 | 2024 | 2024-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. “As the leader of Hamas and the mastermind of the October 7th attack in Israel, Yahya Sinwar is responsible for the murders of thousands of innocent civilians, including Americans. His death is welcome news, and we hope it will provide a measure of justice and comfort to the families of victims and hostages terrorized by Hamas. At the same time, this news should set the stage for an end to this cycle of violence and bloodshed, the return of all remaining hostages, and lasting stability and peace in the region.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:57:20Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-defense-department-correcting-discharges-for-service-members-unfairly-discharged-under-dont-ask-dont-tell | Schatz Statement On Defense Department Correcting Discharges For Service Members Unfairly Discharged Under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ | 2024-10-17 | 2024 | 2024-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the Department of Defense announced that more than 800 service members who were unfairly discharged from the military under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will be upgraded to an honorable discharge. “It’s long past time that LGBTQ+ veterans who bravely served our country received the honorable service records they deserve and the benefits that go with it,” said Senator Schatz. “While these record corrections are welcome relief for hundreds of service members, it’s essential that the Department of Defense continues its efforts to ensure they receive the full benefits they are entitled to and any veterans not included in this review receive upgrades as quickly as possible.” Schatz has led bipartisan efforts in the Senate through the Restore Honor to Service Members Act to correct the military records of service members unjustly discharged on the basis of their sexual orientation under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and support access to the benefits they have earned. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:57:20Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-ftc-click-to-cancel-rule | Schatz Statement On FTC Click-To-Cancel Rule | 2024-10-16 | 2024 | 2024-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i) today released the following statement after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its final “click-to-cancel” rule that would help customers more easily get out of unwanted subscriptions. “Free trials should be free, but instead some companies have used that model to lure and trap customers into subscriptions with costly monthly charges they never meant to make. That’s why I introduced a bill to stop those kinds of deceptive business practices. While this FTC action is a good step in the right direction, we also need to pass the Unsubscribe Act to provide consumers with more transparency and protections.” Senator Schatz previously introduced the Unsubscribe Act, bipartisan legislation that would require companies to be more transparent about subscription-based business models and make it easier for consumers to cancel their subscriptions once their free or reduced price trial period has ended. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:57:20Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-fema-extending-temporary-housing-support-for-maui-fire-survivors-until-february-2026 | Schatz Statement On FEMA Extending Temporary Housing Support For Maui Fire Survivors Until February 2026 | 2024-10-10 | 2024 | 2024-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) issued the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) extended financial assistance and direct temporary housing assistance for survivors of the Maui fires until February 2026. The assistance through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program was originally set to expire in February 2025. “FEMA’s extension means survivors will continue to have homes for their families for the foreseeable future. But let’s be clear about what’s needed – building temporary housing so that survivors have stable roofs over their heads as they recover.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:57:20Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-cassidy-introduce-bill-to-improve-health-care-for-veterans | Hirono, Cassidy Introduce Bill to Improve Health Care for Veterans | 2024-10-09 | 2024 | 2024-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Bill Cassidy (R-IA) introduced legislation to enhance the quality and efficiency of health care services provided to veterans. The VetPAC Act of 2024 creates a new Veterans Health Administration Policy Advisory Commission (VetPAC) to facilitate a transparent, expert-driven review process for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). “As we work to ensure those who served our country can access the high-quality health care they’ve earned, the VetPAC Act of 2024 will create a new independent commission to address challenges the VHA faces and improve care for our veterans,” said Senator Hirono. “As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I am proud to introduce this legislation that will support Congress’ work to help improve health care access, delivery, and quality for veterans. Modeled after the successful Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), the 17-member independent commission will focus on improving health care delivery and addressing the operations challenges within the VHA. Led by health care and large medical system experts, the commission would review pressing veterans’ health topics such as health care delivery and access at VA Health facilities and in the community, workforce issues, and VA medical research. By conducting regular assessments and providing recommendations to Congress, this legislation seeks to ensure critical areas such as technology, staffing, and patient care are continuously improved. This legislation is endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. “The VFW supports the VetPAC Act of 2024 that would establish a commission to review operations at the Veterans Health Administration and submit reports to Congress,” said Veterans of Foreign Wars National Legislative Associate Director Meggan Coleman. “The VFW believes the recommendations from these assessments would aid Congress in proposing meaningful legislation to ensure veterans receive a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:57:20Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-bill-commemorating-october-as-filipino-american-history-month | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Bill Commemorating October as Filipino-American History Month | 2024-09-26 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-HI), Michelle Steel (R-CA), Robert Cortez Scott (D-VA), James Moylan (R-GU), and Jill Tokuda (D-HI) in leading a bipartisan, bicameral resolution commemorating October as Filipino-American History Month. The resolution celebrates the long and distinguished history of Filipino Americans in the U.S. and the cultural and historical contributions made by Filipino American communities nationwide. “From the first Filipino contract laborers who arrived in Hawai‘i seeking a better life, to the Filipino American leaders in business, health care, and our Armed Forces, this community has contributed to our country’s diversity and helped to shape our identity as a nation,” said Senator Hirono. “As we continue working to uplift the voices of Filipino Americans in Hawai‘i and across the country, I am proud to introduce this resolution to honor the Filipino American community’s contributions and accomplishments and celebrate their rich history and culture.” The legislation resolves that Congress: Recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History Month as – A testament to the advancement of Filipino Americans; A time to reflect on and remember the many notable contributions that Filipino Americans have made to the United States; and A time to renew efforts toward the research and examination of history and culture so as to provide an opportunity for all people of the United States to learn more about Filipino Americans and to appreciate the historic contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States; and Urges the people of the United States to observe Filipino American History Month with appropriate programs and activities. The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), George Helmy (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-protect-voters-and-election-workers-at-election-centers | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Voters and Election Workers at Election Centers | 2024-09-25 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and six colleagues in introducing bicameral legislation to protect voters and election workers from intimidation and threats of violence at the ballot box. The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act would help ensure that every voter and election worker has the right to cast their ballot and conduct their official duties free from fear and intimidation. U.S. Representative Chris Deluzio (D-PA) is leading the introduction in the House. The bill would update existing anti-intimidation provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to limit the presence of visible firearms at locations where voters cast their ballot or election workers perform their official duties, empowering poll workers and election officials to continue safely administering elections. The right to vote is a central pillar of American democracy, but rising political violence against voters and poll workers threatens election security. False allegations of widespread voter fraud have further increased tensions at election centers. As of May 2024, 38% of election workers have reported experiencing threats, harassment, or abuse. Specifically, the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act would: Amend Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act to establish a rebuttable presumption that a person carrying a visible firearm while engaging in election-related activities is engaging in voter intimidation; Provide civil remedies for individuals who experience this type of intimidation, including an emergency injunction that would allow the voter or election official to carry out their duties in peace; and Recognize an exception for law enforcement officers acting within their official duties. In addition to Senators Hirono and Padilla, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). Representative Raul Ruiz (D-CA) is co… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-murkowski-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-hold-judiciary-accountable-for-workplace-misconduct | Hirono, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Hold Judiciary Accountable for Workplace Misconduct | 2024-09-25 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the bicameral, bipartisan Judiciary Accountability Act of 2024 (JAA). The legislation would ensure the more than 30,000 employees of the federal judiciary have strong statutory rights and protections against discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and other forms of workplace misconduct and will guide further conversations with stakeholders and experts about a legislative solution to protect the rights of judiciary employees. U.S. Representatives Hank Johnson (D-GA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Norma Torres (D-CA) introduced a House companion bill. “No one is above the law, but most federal judiciary employees lack essential workplace protections, preventing them from obtaining justice when they face discrimination and harassment,” said Senator Hirono. “Employees of the federal judiciary dedicate their careers to providing justice, and they deserve justice when they face misconduct in the workplace. Yet these employees are among the only ones in the United States who lack the right to sue when they face discrimination or harassment. The Judiciary Accountability Act will help to protect the 30,000 federal judiciary employees by extending basic anti-discrimination protections to cover them, giving them access to federal court to vindicate those rights, and helping to ensure more accountability in the federal courts.” “The Judiciary Accountability Act expands federal laws that prohibit workplace harassment and discrimination to employees of the judiciary, putting them on par with executive branch, congressional, and private sector employees who have long-had these protections,” said Senator Murkowski. “This legislation not only helps safeguard employees from mistreatment at work, but also establishes a review system to foster accountability when those rights are violated. I appreciate the opportunity to lead this bipartisan legislation with Senator Hirono to cultivat… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-nationwide-book-bans-top-10000-schatz-raskin-introduce-bicameral-resolution-condemning-book-bans | As Nationwide Book Bans Top 10,000, Schatz, Raskin Introduce Bicameral Resolution Condemning Book Bans | 2024-09-25 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) introduced a resolution condemning an escalating censorship crisis that has removed and targeted thousands of books from the shelves of schools, libraries and universities across the country. The bicameral resolution, coinciding with Banned Books Week, reinforces congressional recognition of students’ First Amendment rights and affirms that the freedom to read is essential to a strong democracy. In the 2023-2024 school year alone, PEN America documented over 10,000 instances of individual books being banned, nearly triple the previous academic year. Many bans have removed books from public shelves with characteristics that would be targeted by Project 2025, which additionally proposes labeling teachers and librarians who distribute such books as sex offenders. “Any attempt to ban books because someone has an ideological disagreement or doesn’t believe in capturing the full scope of history is un-American,” said Senator Schatz. “Freedom of expression is a founding principle of our country, and it's up to all of us to stand up against these attacks on this fundamental right.” “By filling our libraries with a diversity of stories, we help our students understand new perspectives rather than suppressing their freedom to think, read and write independently,” said Representative Raskin. “We must close this chapter of censorship and, rather than continuing to take a page from the world’s dictators and autocrats, turn our attention to the resources students need to succeed. I am grateful to Senator Schatz for his partnership on this resolution.” According to findings from PEN America and the American Library Association, targeted books include classics like To Kill A Mockingbird, 1984, and The Handmaid’s Tale. Books are also more likely to be removed if they feature content related to the LGBTQIA+ experience, race or racial injustice or stories about grief and abuse. “We thank Representative Raskin and Senator Scha… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-calls-for-additional-disaster-aid-when-congress-returns-in-november | Schatz Calls For Additional Disaster Aid When Congress Returns In November | 2024-09-25 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today called for additional disaster relief funding when Congress returns in November. Speaking on the Senate floor, Schatz stressed the need to provide disaster survivors on Maui and in other disaster-impacted communities with flexible, long-term assistance in the form of Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding which will enable them to rebuild their homes and communities as quickly as possible. “Make no mistake, our work is not over,” said Senator Schatz. “When we return in November, passing disaster aid has to be the top priority of the United States Congress. There is no excuse not to do this. This is an American priority, and we cannot close up shop for this Congress leaving all these Americans behind.” The full text of the senator’s remarks can be found below. Video is available here. It is good that the Senate and the House are working on a bipartisan basis to pass a short-term bill to keep the government open. But make no mistake, our work is not over, because once again we are leaving town for a long period of time not having passed disaster aid to help survivors on Maui and elsewhere. Over the past 13 months since tragic fires tore down the town of Lahaina and claimed 102 lives, I've been here on the floor repeatedly pressing for urgent disaster relief. And in that time, more disasters have devastated communities all over the country. So many people on Maui, in Texas and Vermont, New Mexico, California, Iowa and Florida and 20 states total, and unfortunately rising. They're waiting for help, and the federal government has not come to their aid yet. They've lost loved ones. They've lost homes. They've lost businesses. They've lost livelihoods. And all they want is help and a little bit of hope to get their lives back to something close to normal. What are we doing as a Congress if we can't even deliver help to our fellow Americans when disaster strikes? When we return in November, passing disaster aid has to be the top … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-leads-bipartisan-group-of-senators-in-urging-senate-leaders-to-take-up-legislation-to-permanently-extend-telehealth-flexibilities-expand-access | Schatz Leads Bipartisan Group Of Senators In Urging Senate Leaders To Take Up Legislation To Permanently Extend Telehealth Flexibilities, Expand Access | 2024-09-25 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) led members of the bipartisan Senate Telehealth Working Group in calling on Senate leaders to take up legislation to permanently extend telehealth flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries that are set to expire at the end of the year. Specifically, the senators urged for the passage of the bipartisan CONNECT for Health Act which Schatz leads with U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and was reintroduced last year with the support of 66 bipartisan senators. The letter follows Telehealth Awareness Week and comes after the House Energy & Commerce Committee unanimously advanced a two-year telehealth extension. In addition to Schatz, the letter is signed by Wicker and U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.). “At least 66 Democratic and Republican Senators support permanently expanding telehealth access, and similar provisions have passed on a bipartisan unanimous basis in committees of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives. The Senate must quickly act to advance these policies, which protect access to telehealth services and align with your objective to advance bipartisan legislation that promotes the health and well-being of Americans,” the senators wrote. They continued, “Medicare beneficiaries have come to rely on expanded access to telehealth services and are satisfied with the care they receive. We must provide patients and clinicians with long-term certainty of their ability to access and provide care through telehealth. The CONNECT for Health Act will help us achieve this shared goal and has strong, bipartisan support in the Senate.” The CONNECT for Health Act makes permanent telehealth flexibilities made temporarily available during the COVID-19 pandemic and later extended. Additionally, it expands access to telehealth services by removing unnecessary barriers and enabling doctors, particularly in rural and underserved communities, to leverage telehealth to better serve their patients. The bill was first i… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-chu-lead-capac-members-to-urge-omb-to-support-spd-15-implementation-efforts-for-aanhpi-communities | Hirono, Chu Lead CAPAC Members to Urge OMB to Support SPD 15 Implementation Efforts for AANHPI Communities | 2024-09-24 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) led 7 of their colleagues in sending a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shalanda Young on Statistical Policy Directive 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity (SPD 15), urging OMB to take additional action to assist federal agencies in effectively incorporating its revised standards to SPD 15. OMB’s revised standards to SPD 15 include changes that will help to expand demographic reporting requirements and ensure that diverse communities are better reflected in federal datasets. By implementing increased data disaggregation through these revisions, federal agencies would be able to better understand more communities, including the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities that encompass over 70 ethnicities. “Federal data on race and ethnicity is a crucial resource for identifying and addressing inequity,” wrote the Members. “While SPD 15 could be a tremendous asset to our communities, we are concerned with how federal agencies will implement the revised standards.” The letter urges OMB to work directly with federal agencies to provide them with the necessary resources and guidance to produce detailed inventories on their data collections, and to share these data inventories in a centralized manner, as recommended by over 100 AANHPI advocacy groups that have weighed in on the issue. The letter further requests clarification on what a “sufficient justification” would be to exclude an agency from detailed demographic reporting requirements. “OMB plays a critical role in ensuring both the quality and consistency of federal datasets, and the updated SPD 15 is a significant step in improving federal data collection processes,” the lawmakers concluded. “In all, greater transparency and stronger guidance will help federal agencies fulfill the ideals of SPD … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-support-survivors-of-sexual-assault-on-campus | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Support Survivors of Sexual Assault on Campus | 2024-09-24 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in introducing legislation to support survivors of sexual assault on college campuses. The Survivor Outreach and Support on Campus Act, or S.O.S. Campus Act, would require that every college and university that receives federal funding have an independent advocate dedicated to campus sexual assault prevention and response. “As we continue working to ensure that our students are safe on campus, the S.O.S. Campus Act would help to ensure that survivors of sexual assault at colleges and universities receive the treatment and support they deserve,” said Senator Hirono. “All students deserve to be safe and supported on campus and I will keep fighting to combat sexual violence and ensure that survivors can access much-needed medical, legal, and mental health resources.” Sexual violence and harassment on college campus is heavily underreported, in part due to shortcomings in existing reporting structures. After a change to Title IX under the Trump administration, many universities experienced a drastic decrease in the number of sexual assaults being reported. The Association of Title IX Administrators estimated that upwards of 90% of sexual misconduct cases are handled “informally” and without formal protections and guidance for survivors. The S.O.S. Campus Act would require campuses to have an independent advocate to conduct public information campaigns on sexual assault prevention and ensure that survivors of sexual assault have access to: Emergency and follow-up medical care, Guidance on reporting assaults to law enforcement, Medical forensic or evidentiary exams, Crisis intervention, ongoing counseling, and assistance throughout the process, and Information on their legal rights. Local rape crisis centers and other community-based organizations are currently providing many of these services in communities and on campuses around the nation. The legislation recognizes the importance of these partners… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-senate-passes-schatz-wicker-resolution-designating-telehealth-awareness-week | Senate Passes Schatz-Wicker Resolution Designating Telehealth Awareness Week | 2024-09-24 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution authored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) designating September 15-21 as “Telehealth Awareness Week.” The resolution recognizes that telehealth has helped millions of Americans across the country access quality health care, and has become a critical component of health care delivery. “Telehealth helps people access quality health care when and where they need it, and our resolution highlights the broad, bipartisan support for raising awareness of and expanding access to telehealth,” said Senator Schatz, co-chair of the Senate Telehealth Working Group. “Telehealth is a cost-effective way for people in rural and underserved areas to access health care. Increasing the services available to patients remains one of my top priorities,” Senator Wicker said. The resolution affirms the bipartisan support in Congress for telehealth and encourages expanded access to telehealth services for all people, including members of rural and underserved communities. It notes that 25 percent of Medicare beneficiaries used telehealth services at least once in 2023, and that nearly 90 percent were satisfied with their experience. It concludes that “Telehealth Awareness Week” unites the efforts of patients, caregivers, health care providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to advance the role of telehealth in health care. The resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.). Schatz has led efforts to expand access to telehealth, including reintroducing the CONNECT for Health Act, the most comprehensive bipartisan telehealth legislation in Congress. Since its first iteration in 2016, several provisions from the bill have been signed into law. The full text of the resolution is available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-on-senate-floor-hirono-votes-to-protect-access-to-ivf-blasts-republicans-for-blocking-legislation | VIDEO: On Senate Floor, Hirono Votes to Protect Access to IVF, Blasts Republicans for Blocking Legislation | 2024-09-17 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | Sen. Hirono: “As Republicans continue on their anti-freedom, anti-women crusade, Democrats will continue fighting to protect the right to IVF as we work to ensure people can make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures, free from government interference.” ~ Video of Senator Hirono’s remarks is available here ~ WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) voted in support of the Right to IVF Act, legislation to protect the right to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) services, as well as expand insurance coverage of IVF treatment for those who struggle with infertility. The legislation, previously blocked by Senate Republicans in June, failed on the Senate floor again, with only two Republicans voting to advance it. Following the vote, Senator Hirono delivered a speech on the Senate floor, highlighting that for decades, IVF treatment and other assisted reproductive technologies have helped people, who otherwise couldn’t, start families on their own. “While some on the right like to paint IVF as some sort of new or untested technology, that is not so,” said Senator Hirono. “The first baby delivered via IVF was more than 45 years ago, and since then IVF has helped bring more than 10 million babies into this world.” Senator Hirono has remained committed to protecting the fundamental right to reproductive care for more than 40 years, working as a State Representative in Hawaii in the 1980s, where she led the passage of a bill making Hawaii one of the first states in the nation to require health insurers to cover IVF treatment. Most recently, following the Alabama state Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos have the same rights as children, effectively halting IVF treatment in the state, Senator Hirono cosponsored the Access to Family Building Act, legislation that would protect IVF and ART services, which was blocked by Republicans. Senator Hirono also highlighted her Republican colleagues’ obsession with power and control over women… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-leads-bipartisan-group-of-10-senators-in-calling-for-urgent-disaster-relief-funding | Schatz Leads Bipartisan Group Of 10 Senators In Calling For Urgent Disaster Relief Funding | 2024-09-17 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) led a group of 10 bipartisan senators in calling on Senate leadership to move quickly to pass additional funding to help states recover from ongoing disasters. Schatz was joined by U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska). “We write as members representing states with ongoing disaster recovery needs to request additional disaster relief funding through a supplemental appropriations package, including additional funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) and Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR),” the senators wrote in their letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine). The senators continued, “Our states experienced varying degrees of damage and have unique recovery needs. While we appreciate the federal support through existing permanently authorized disaster recovery programs, there is no one federal program that will directly address the distinct unmet needs of our communities in these difficult times. That is why over the past 30 years, Congress has allocated nearly $100 billion in CDBG-DR funding to disaster-impacted communities in nearly every state and territory. This tried-and-true program provides flexible financial support that communities can use to address unique outstanding needs unmet by other federal streams of assistance. Our states require this federal support to rebuild.” The full text of the senators’ letter can be found below and is available here. Dear Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Chair Murray, and Vice Chair Collins: We write as members representing states with ongoing disaster recovery needs to… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-votes-to-protect-ivf-access-nationwide | Schatz Votes To Protect IVF Access Nationwide | 2024-09-17 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today voted to protect and expand access to IVF nationwide. The Right to IVF Act failed to pass the Senate after all but two Republicans voted against it for the second time in just over three months. Ahead of the vote, Schatz highlighted a local family from Hawai‘i who conceived their child, Nalu, through IVF. At a press conference ahead of vote, Schatz holds up photo of Hawai‘i family that used IVF to start a family “Today, for the second time in 3 months, Republicans voted against protecting IVF. Many of them claim to be supportive of IVF. All of them profess to be pro-life. But given a chance to be both, they failed,” said Senator Schatz. Schatz continued, “Republicans are doing a lot of mental gymnastics to try and justify their cruel extremism on this issue. But let’s be very clear about what the Right to IVF Act does. It protects every American’s right to access IVF and lowers the cost of the treatment for families who need it. That means anyone struggling to start or grow a family can undergo IVF without fear of interference or punishment by the government. And think about the fact that we have to make a law that says families should not be punished for trying to start a family. That’s what this bill does. It says you should have access to this care and cannot be punished for trying to start a family.” The full text of Senator Schatz’s remarks is below. Video is available here. Here, in this chamber, it’s your vote that counts. Not your tweets, not your public statements, not your TV interviews. But your votes. And today, for the second time in 3 months, Republicans voted against protecting IVF. Many of them claim to be supportive of IVF. All of them profess to be pro-life. But given a chance to be both, they failed. Republicans are doing a lot of mental gymnastics to try and justify their cruel extremism on this issue. But let’s be very clear about what the Right to IVF Act does. It protects every American’s right to access IVF and lowers the cost … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-tillis-velazquez-kim-reintroduce-bipartisan-bicameral-bill-to-collect-data-about-who-is-applying-for-patents | Hirono, Tillis, Velázquez, Kim Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Collect Data About Who is Applying for Patents | 2024-09-12 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Representatives Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Young Kim (R-CA) announced the reintroduction of the Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement (IDEA) Act of 2024, bicameral, bipartisan legislation to permit the collection of data that will provide a better understanding of the disparate rates at which women, veterans, and other groups apply for patents in the United States. The IDEA Act is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee at its September 19th Executive Business Meeting. “In order for America to remain innovative and competitive on a global scale, we must include inventors from underrepresented groups across the country—such as women, veterans, and communities of color—in our patent system,” said Senator Hirono. “The IDEA Act will help us to better understand who is applying for patents so that we can focus resources and education to help more people participate in this important part of our economy.” “It is vitally important to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to innovate and to seek to protect their innovations,” said Senator Tillis. “I am proud to reintroduce this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to get a better understanding of the background of individuals who apply for patents with the USPTO.” “On the House Small Business Committee, I see every day how innovation and invention drive entrepreneurship and create greater opportunity,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee. “This legislation will drive better policy that ultimately helps more women, people of color and other traditionally disadvantaged groups obtain patents for their inventions, bring new products to markets, creating jobs and enhancing our nation's competitiveness along the way.” “For America to lead in today’s innovative, dynamic economy, we need all of our best and brightest minds at the table. Unfortunately, Americans of different backgrounds can face ba… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-congress-considers-short-term-spending-bill-schatz-stresses-need-to-include-disaster-aid-to-support-survivors-on-maui-nationwide | As Congress Considers Short-Term Spending Bill, Schatz Stresses Need To Include Disaster Aid To Support Survivors On Maui, Nationwide | 2024-09-12 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – As Congress considers a short-term spending bill to keep the government open past the September 30 funding deadline, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today spoke on the Senate floor on the importance of including disaster aid to support survivors on Maui and across the country. In particular, Schatz stressed the need to provide disaster survivors with flexible, long-term assistance in the form of Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding which will enable them to rebuild their homes and communities as quickly as possible. “For Lahaina to recover fully, it needs its people,” said Senator Schatz. “And what those people need right now is tangible help. Help with building a home, with finding a job, with rebuilding their small business. The kind of help that will finally provide a reprieve from the constant worrying about what’s next, and hope that a better future awaits them after months of unimaginable suffering.” Senator Schatz continued, “We have an opportunity not to do something extraordinary but to do something absolutely essential. We have an opportunity to do the thing that Congress always does, which is when a community gets flattened, we're there.” The full text of Senator Schatz’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, can be found below. Video is available here. Congress’ task over the next 2 weeks is pretty straightforward: to keep the government open and avert a pointless and costly shutdown that would hurt so many Americans. And as we do that, the one priority we can’t afford to neglect or punt on is disaster aid. All across the country, in more than 20 states and territories, millions of Americans are reeling from disasters. Wildfires…hurricanes… droughts…floods. And having lost their homes, their communities, and their livelihoods, they’re counting on the federal government for help. For people on Maui, help is needed immediately. More than a year after the deadly fires that levelled an entire town, claimed 102 lives, and stole just about everything fro… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-introduces-legislation-to-protect-and-expand-social-security-meets-with-social-security-commissioner | Schatz Introduces Legislation To Protect And Expand Social Security, Meets With Social Security Commissioner | 2024-09-11 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) reintroduced the Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security (SAFE Social Security) Act, legislation to expand Social Security for seniors and families in Hawai‘i and across the country. The bill will increase benefits on average by more than $125 per month, ensure the cost of living adjustments adequately reflect the living expenses of retirees, extend the life of the trust fund, remove the wage cap to make sure all Americans contribute equally, and provide additional benefits to older seniors, caregivers, and low-income Americans. Following the bill introduction today, Schatz met with Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley to discuss the urgent need to protect the program and continue helping seniors retire with the dignity and benefits they have earned. “Social Security is the most successful safety net program in American history,” said Senator Schatz. “My bill will expand Social Security, put more money in the hands of seniors who rely on it, strengthen the program for the next generation of retirees, and make sure everyone pays into the system equally.” In Hawai‘i, more than 280,000 people, or over 1 in 6 residents, rely on Social Security benefits. In 2040, the number of Hawai‘i seniors is expected to grow and make up more than 20 percent of the population, making the need to expand the program even more critical. Specifically, the SAFE Social Security Act will: Phase out the payroll tax cap so that payroll taxes apply fairly to every dollar of wages earned; Adjust current benefits calculations to increase average monthly benefits by over $125; Provide an additional 5 percent increase in benefits for older seniors to ensure they can make ends meet as their retirement savings are exhausted; Guarantee a new minimum benefit so that lower income seniors receive enough to survive; Provide a credit for caregivers that would be added to an individual’s earnings to calculate their future Social Security benefits; Ensure that … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-applauds-va-announcement-on-medical-care-for-cofa-veterans | Hirono Applauds VA Announcement on Medical Care for COFA Veterans | 2024-09-10 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ (VA) announcement that it intends to offer medical care to American veterans living in the Freely Associated States (FAS) of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, consistent with the updated Compacts of Free Association (COFA) signed into law earlier this year. “COFA citizens who served in our Armed Forces should have access to the same health care and benefits as all other American veterans, regardless of where they live. That’s why my colleagues and I fought to include provisions in the renegotiated Compacts passed earlier this year, which are vital to our national security, to give VA the legal authority needed to provide care in the FAS. Today’s announcement that VA intends to provide comprehensive care to COFA veterans, including medical care, pharmacy services, and travel, is an important step for COFA veterans and our relationship with the Freely Associated States. I appreciate VA Secretary McDonough and his team for working diligently to make this happen, and I’ll continue working with him and our COFA partners to ensure full, timely implementation following negotiations with the Freely Associated States.” The Compacts of Free Association allow citizens of the FAS to live and work in the United States. While COFA citizens can and have served in the U.S. Armed Services for many decades, veterans residing in the FAS have long been unable to access health services except through the Foreign Medical Program, which requires out-of-pocket payment making it difficult for veterans in these nations to utilize. During the most recent COFA renegotiations, Senator Hirono worked with her Congressional colleagues and our FAS partners to secure the restoration of VA benefits for COFA citizens residing in the FAS. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-fcc-implementing-safe-connections-act-provision-enabling-domestic-violence-survivors-to-access-discounted-phone-service-through-federal-lifeline-program | Schatz Statement On FCC Implementing Safe Connections Act Provision Enabling Domestic Violence Survivors To Access Discounted Phone Service Through Federal Lifeline Program | 2024-09-10 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it has implemented a key provision of the Schatz-authored Safe Connections Act which enables domestic violence survivors who’ve separated from their abuser’s phone plan to qualify for discounted phone service through the FCC’s Lifeline program. “Survivors of domestic violence should be able to sever ties with their abusers – including their phone plans – while still having the ability to stay connected with their families and support network,” said Senator Schatz. “I’m pleased the FCC is implementing a key component of our Safe Connections Act and enabling survivors to get the help and support they need.” The Safe Connections Act, which was signed into law in 2022, allows survivors to separate a mobile phone line from any shared plan involving an abuser without penalties. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-more-than-18-million-in-federal-funding-heading-to-hawaii-to-help-make-buildings-more-energy-efficient-lower-energy-bills-combat-climate-change | Schatz: More Than $18 Million In Federal Funding Heading To Hawai‘i To Help Make Buildings More Energy Efficient, Lower Energy Bills, Combat Climate Change | 2024-09-09 | 2024 | 2024-09 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced Hawai‘i will receive $18.1 million in federal funding to adopt a building performance standard for energy efficiency in commercial buildings. Improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings – which currently account for approximately one-third of the state’s total electricity use – will both lower energy costs and help Hawai‘i move closer to achieving its climate goals. A significant portion of the funding, which comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, will be used to strengthen Hawai‘i’s workforce in skilled trades through training, education, and apprenticeship programs. “Making our buildings more energy efficient will lower energy bills while also helping us fight the climate crisis,” said Senator Schatz. “This new funding will help strengthen our workforce and enable people across Hawai‘i to reap the benefits of our transition to a cleaner future.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:43:57Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-schatz-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-promote-native-arts-and-culture-unlock-federal-funds-for-native-hawaiian-organizations | Hirono, Schatz Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Native Arts & Culture, Unlock Federal Funds for Native Hawaiian Organizations | 2024-08-30 | 2024 | 2024-08 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced legislation to promote Native arts and culture and unlock federal funding for Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs). The Native Arts & Culture Promotion Act provides a technical fix to the Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts grant program to ensure NHOs can access funding from the program. “Art has the power to connect us, providing a sense of community and cultural identity,” said Senator Hirono. “As we continue working to promote Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native culture and arts, this legislation will help to ensure that Native Hawaiian Organizations receive the grant awards they deserve to support diverse creative projects and make art more accessible in our communities.” Established in 1994, the Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts program awards grants for scholarly study and instruction in Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native contemporary culture and arts. However, outdated and restrictive language in the statute has limited the ability of NHOs to qualify for grant awards. The bill clarifies that NHOs with a governing board that includes Native Hawaiians or individuals widely recognized in the field of Native Hawaiian arts and culture are eligible for funding. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI). ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:36:13Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hirono-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-promote-native-arts-and-culture-unlock-federal-funds-for-native-hawaiian-organizations | Schatz, Hirono Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Promote Native Arts & Culture, Unlock Federal Funds For Native Hawaiian Organizations | 2024-08-30 | 2024 | 2024-08 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced legislation to promote Native arts and culture and unlock federal funding for Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs). The Native Arts & Culture Promotion Act provides a technical fix to the Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts grant program to ensure NHOs can access funding from the program. “Our bill provides a common-sense fix so that Native Hawaiian Organizations can access federal funding to support their vital cultural and educational programming,” said Senator Schatz, Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Established in 1994, the Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts program awards grants for scholarly study and instruction in Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native contemporary culture and arts. However, outdated and restrictive language in the statute has limited the ability of NHOs to qualify for grant awards. The bill clarifies that NHOs with a governing board that includes Native Hawaiians or individuals widely recognized in the field of Native Hawaiian arts and culture are eligible for funding. “Art has the power to connect us, providing a sense of community and cultural identity,” said Senator Hirono. “As we continue working to promote Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native culture and arts, this legislation will help to ensure that Native Hawaiian Organizations receive the grant awards they deserve to support diverse creative projects and make art more accessible in our communities.” Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i). ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:36:13Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-4-million-in-federal-funding-heading-to-hawaii-to-recover-native-plants | Schatz: $4 Million In Federal Funding Heading To Hawai‘i To Recover Native Plants | 2024-08-16 | 2024 | 2024-08 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced Hawai‘i will receive $4 million in federal funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help recover native plants. The funding, which comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, will be used to identify translocation sites for 425 Hawaiian plants and improve their resiliency to climate change. “Recovering our native plants and preserving our ecosystems are essential to improving Hawai‘i’s resilience to the climate crisis,” said Senator Schatz. “Through investments like these, we’re protecting the natural resources unique to Hawai‘i and making our environment more resilient for years to come.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:36:13Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/on-one-year-anniversary-of-tragic-fires-schatz-pays-tribute-to-victims-honors-survivors-on-maui | On One-Year Anniversary Of Tragic Fires, Schatz Pays Tribute To Victims, Honors Survivors On Maui | 2024-08-08 | 2024 | 2024-08 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | LAHAINA – On the one-year anniversary of the devastating fires on Maui, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) joined state and local leaders and community members to pay tribute to the victims and honor survivors. Earlier today, Schatz addressed community members in Upcountry and joined state and local leaders and the Lahaina community for a memorial paddle out at Hanaka‘o‘o Beach followed by a tribute and remembrance event at the Lahaina Civic Center. “Nothing could’ve prepared people for the horrors they experienced that day 12 months ago. They lost family and friends, homes and schools, entire neighborhoods and communities. All of it was gone in an instant. And yet even amid all that panic and chaos, so many people’s first instinct was to put others before themselves,” said Senator Schatz. “The kindness and generosity have continued in the months since, even as survivors continue to grieve losses and confront uncertainties of their own.” Schatz continued, “We’ve come a long way. Debris removal is running ahead of schedule. Water and wastewater services have been restored. The first few homes are beginning to be rebuilt. And kids are in school learning again at the temporary campus for King Kamehameha III Elementary School that opened earlier this year after being built in just 95 days. But we still have a long way to go. And our promise is that we will be there with this community for as long as it takes, at every step of the way.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:36:13Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-tokuda-introduce-bicameral-legislation-to-strengthen-social-security-program | Hirono, Tokuda Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Strengthen Social Security Program | 2024-08-02 | 2024 | 2024-08 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI) introduced the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act, legislation that would strengthen Social Security’s financial state and ensure that seniors continue to benefit from the programs they have paid into throughout their lives. “Social Security provides crucial support to millions of kupuna, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable communities in Hawaii and across the country,” said Senator Hirono. “By lifting the cap on Social Security contributions, the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act will help ensure Social Security remains solvent for decades to come. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to strengthen the program and help ensure the millions of Americans who rely on it will continue to receive the benefits they deserve.” “Americans across the country depend on Social Security. It is a commitment we make to the working men and women who keep America moving forward and they are relying on us to keep Social Security solvent so they can retire with dignity. In Hawaii, where the cost of living is so high, we must ensure these hard-earned benefits keep pace with rising costs of food, housing, and everyday necessities,” said Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02). “Our bill will provide a necessary increase to Social Security payments while reducing the national debt by trillions of dollars and strengthening the Trust Funds to support our kupuna and retirees for decades to come.” This bill will make significant progress toward extending the Social Security lifeline. According to the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Chief Actuary, the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act is expected to extend the ability of the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program to pay scheduled benefits in full and on time for an additional 19 years, moving the date of projected depletion from 2035 to 2054. The bill would also reduce the federal deficit by approximately $13.3… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:36:13Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-leads-colleagues-in-introducing-constitutional-amendment-to-clarify-no-one-is-above-the-law | Hirono Leads Colleagues in Introducing Constitutional Amendment to Clarify No One is Above the Law | 2024-08-01 | 2024 | 2024-08 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led 28 of her Senate colleagues in introducing a constitutional amendment making clear that no one in the United States is above the law, including the President. In addition to Senator Hirono, the amendment is cosponsored by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senators Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Tom Carper (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Coons (D-DE), Peter Welch (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Gary Peters (D-MI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA). “The rule of law is what separates democracy from other forms of government,” said Senator Hirono. “The unprecedented decision made by the Supreme Court’s misguided majority massively weakened the rule of law as it applies to presidents. This constitutional amendment makes it abundantly clear that even if you are the President, Vice President, or any other government official, no one is above the law.” In response to the Supreme Court’s unprecedented decision last month that Presidents are immune from prosecution for “official” actions, Senator Hirono’s amendment would clarify that Presidents and other federal officeholders are, in fact, accountable to the law for their actions. Specifically, the amendment states that every person holding a position of authority under the United States, including the President and the Vice President, is criminally liable for actions both official and unofficial under any generally-applicable criminal laws they violate. “Americans are tired of the Supreme Court acting without accountability,” sai… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:36:13Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-ahead-of-1-year-anniversary-of-maui-fires-hirono-pays-tribute-to-lahaina-and-calls-for-additional-federal-disaster-funding-for-maui-on-senate-floor | VIDEO: Ahead of 1-Year Anniversary of Maui Fires, Hirono Pays Tribute to Lahaina and Calls for Additional Federal Disaster Funding for Maui on Senate Floor | 2024-08-01 | 2024 | 2024-08 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) delivered remarks on the Senate floor marking one year since the devastating Maui wildfires. During her speech, Senator Hirono paid tribute to the individuals lost in the fires, honored the resilience of those impacted by the fires, and also emphasized the need for Congress to pass a supplemental funding bill to provide the resources that Maui, and other communities across the country impacted by disasters, will need. “August 8th is a day the people of Maui, and Hawaii, will never forget,” said Senator Hirono in her remarks. “The loss of the town loved by so many was devastating, but even more tragic is the human toll. The fires claimed 102 lives—kupuna who had lived in Lahaina for decades, keiki born and raised in Lahaina, and many more beloved members of this community.” Senator Hirono highlighted the challenges—such as finding long-term, sustainable housing—that families impacted by the fires continue to face, as many members of the community lost their homes, their jobs, and nearly all of their possessions. “In the year since, they’ve had to navigate the challenges of rebuilding their lives—finding housing, getting their keiki back to school, and trying to regain a sense of normalcy amidst confusion and trauma,” continued Senator Hirono. “The uncertainty and instability have left many feeling like they are fighting just to survive.” Senator Hirono also expressed appreciation for the way the community, and the country, came together to support those impacted by the fires. She noted that while the federal government has delivered more than a billion dollars for Maui’s recovery, including nearly $450 million in direct payments to survivors, there is still more work to be done to aid in Lahaina’s eventual rebuilding. “This support has been critical in providing some sense of stability to our communities, but the reality is, Lahaina’s recovery will take time, resources, and continuity of effort,” continued Senator Hirono. “As is often the case with d… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:36:13Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-release-of-americans-and-others-wrongfully-detained-in-russia | Schatz Statement On Release Of Americans And Others Wrongfully Detained In Russia | 2024-08-01 | 2024 | 2024-08 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after three Americans – including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva – as well as columnist Vladimir Kara-Murza, were freed from Russian captivity as part of a broader multi-country prisoner swap. “Evan Gershkovich has been wrongfully imprisoned for over a year simply for doing his job as a journalist. Today, thanks to months of diligent diplomacy from President Biden, U.S. government officials, and global allies, Evan will finally be reunited with his family and able to continue doing the job he loves. “A free press is not just an ideal we espouse in America – it’s a value we protect and defend, at home and abroad. The release of Evan, along with Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza, is a significant victory for press freedom. It’s also a reminder that the work to preserve independent journalism and resist the targeting of journalists around the world continues. “I’m also pleased that Paul Whelan and others who have been detained by Russia for years on baseless charges are free at last and coming home to their loved ones.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:36:13Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/bipartisan-hirono-duckworth-daines-bill-to-better-protect-parents-traveling-with-breast-milk-passes-committee | Bipartisan Hirono-Duckworth-Daines Bill to Better Protect Parents Traveling with Breast Milk Passes Committee | 2024-07-31 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Steve Daines (R-MT) successfully passed through the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST). The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to clarify and regularly update guidance on handling breast milk, baby formula and other related nutrition products, including ice packs, in consultation with leading maternal health groups. “Families have enough to worry about when traveling, they shouldn’t have to fear being harassed, humiliated, and even put in danger simply for traveling with milk and supplies they need to keep their babies fed,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m glad to see the Commerce Committee advance our Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act, to require TSA to clarify its guidance on handling breast milk and baby formula and help ensure parents and families can travel safely and with peace of mind.” The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act would help keep breastfeeding parents and their kids safe and healthy while traveling by air. Mishandled breast milk can become contaminated, which puts children at risk. Moreover, parents who lactate typically need to breastfeed or pump once every few hours. Failure to do so can result in a clogged milk duct, or a painful infection called mastitis. The legislation would better protect families by requiring TSA to: Issue guidance promoting the hygienic handling of any breast milk, baby formula or other infant nutrition products, as well as accessories required to preserve these products; Consult with nationally recognized maternal health organizations in establishing and communicating this guidance; and Update guidance every five years to respond to emerging needs of parents and to account for developments in technology. This legislation would also direct an independent government watc… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-chance-to-come-home-resolution | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Chance to Come Home Resolution | 2024-07-31 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined four of her colleagues in introducing a bicameral resolution aimed at encouraging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide a pathway for individuals who have been unjustly deported from the United States to return and reunite with their families. The Chance to Come Home Resolution, led by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), calls on DHS to use its legal authority to establish a centralized and independent process for reviewing emergency requests from individuals who were wrongfully removed from the country. “By streamlining the petitions process for those who were wrongfully deported, the reforms urged by the Chance to Come Home Resolution would help rectify the injustice of wrongful deportation and more quickly reunite impacted families,” said Senator Hirono. “As the only immigrant currently serving in the U.S. Senate, I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution to urge DHS to mitigate the harm caused by our broken immigration system.” Over the past decade, more than 2 million people have been deported, many of whom have resided in the United States for years, raising families, building businesses, contributing to their communities, and growing local economies. Unfortunately, most people unjustly removed lack legal representation and have no path to meaningfully present their case to reunite with their loved ones in the United States. Wrongful deportation disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities, sending individuals to dangerous conditions without any familial connection and tearing their American families and communities apart. The resolution proposes the creation of a centralized, independent review unit within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to streamline the process for individuals seeking to return to the U.S. following wrongful deportations. This unit would provide consistency in adjudication and reduce the burden on government attorneys and immigration courts. In addition to Senators Hiro… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-durbin-colleagues-release-gao-report-on-sexual-harassment-in-the-judiciary-system | Hirono, Durbin, Colleagues Release GAO Report on Sexual Harassment in the Judiciary System | 2024-07-31 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Representatives Norma Torres (D-CA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), and Jerry Nadler (D-NY) released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report addressing the Judiciary’s policies and practices to prevent and respond to workplace misconduct. The Administrative Office (AO) of the U.S. Courts failed to fully cooperate with the GAO audit, a process that relies heavily on transparency. Over the two-year study, the Judiciary only permitted the GAO to interview one current Judiciary employee and one former employee to gain an “employee perspective,” severely limiting the GAO’s ability to assess the practical implementation of the Judiciary’s policies. The tactics used to delay and restrict the GAO auditors’ access to information and court personnel are deeply concerning. “Everyone deserves to be safe and respected in the workplace,” said Senator Hirono. “But this report makes clear that years after its workplace misconduct problems came to light, the federal judiciary will not prevent workplace misconduct, leaving employees vulnerable to abuse without any recourse. The AO’s refusal to fully cooperate with this report underscores its unwillingness to even understand this issue, let alone address it. If the federal judiciary won’t take even basic action to protect its employees, Congress will. I look forward to introducing strengthened legislation with my colleagues in the weeks ahead to protect judiciary employees and stamp out the workplace misconduct that persists in our courts.” The GAO report concluded that the Judiciary “does not have performance measures in place for its workplace conduct efforts and has not evaluated the effectiveness of its efforts.” Overall, GAO found that the Judiciary’s systems aligned with only 65% of federal standards evaluated. GAO noted that the lack of data collection “may limit” the Judiciary's ability to understand and … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-measures-to-improve-fire-weather-forecasts-and-warnings-promote-use-of-ai-to-predict-extreme-weather-passes-key-senate-committee | Schatz Measures To Improve Fire Weather Forecasts And Warnings, Promote Use Of AI To Predict Extreme Weather Passes Key Senate Committee | 2024-07-31 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved seven measures authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i). The provisions, included as amendments to several bills, would improve fire weather forecasts and warnings in remote or rural areas in Hawai‘i and across the country and promote the use of artificial intelligence to better predict and respond to extreme weather, among other things. “By improving fire weather forecasts and warnings, we can save lives and communities,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “The committee’s vote today gets us one step closer to enacting life-saving measures that will improve weather forecasts and fire warnings in Hawai‘i and across the country. It also will help us realize AI’s full potential in a safe and responsible way.” The seven Schatz provisions approved by the committee today will: Improve fire weather forecasts and warnings in remote or rural areas The Lahaina wildfire highlighted the dangers that remote communities face from fire, and the need for forecasts and warning services to reach them in a timely and actionable way. Schatz’s provision would mandate fire weather forecasts and warnings be disseminated to remote, isolated, or rural communities as effectively as anywhere else in the country. Strengthen weather forecasts with better data The Schatz measure would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish and maintain a National Mesonet Program. Mesonets are weather observation data networks that observe and track mesoscale weather events, and that are crucial for collecting local meteorological data, such as soil moisture and water levels, to better forecast weather, flood, fire and agricultural impacts. Establishing the National Mesonet Program and outlining its objectives will help address critical gaps in weather data and forecasting. Promote AI technology to improve extreme weather forecasts Schatz’s TAME Extreme Weather… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-statement-on-president-bidens-supreme-court-reform-proposal | Hirono Statement on President Biden’s Supreme Court Reform Proposal | 2024-07-29 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and leading champion for Supreme Court reform, released the following statement on President Biden’s Supreme Court reform proposal: “Unbound by norms, the Supreme Court has shown itself all too willing to throw out longstanding precedent, putting its ideological agenda above our constitution. The result is a Court deeply out of step with the American people and our values. Despite growing public distrust in the Court and its independence, Justices have refused to take even the most basic steps to affirm their impartiality. “That’s why I’ve worked with my colleagues in the Senate to advance Supreme Court reform, including the creation of a binding code of ethics for Supreme Court Justices, and why I’m glad to see President Biden join in this effort. I’m also glad to see him endorse a constitutional amendment like the one I released earlier this month to clarify that no one—including the President—is above the law. “The rule of law is what separates democracy from other forms of government. The proposals endorsed by the President today will strengthen the rule of law, and Americans’ faith in our democracy. I look forward to working with the President and my colleagues in Congress to pass this vitally-important package into law.” Senator Hirono has been a leading champion for Supreme Court reform and strengthening the rule of law. Earlier this month, she released a discussion draft of a constitutional amendment making clear that no one in the United States is above the law, including the President. Last October, Senator Hirono introduced the Supreme Court Biennial Appointments and Term Limits Act, legislation to establish 18-year term limits and regularized appointments for Supreme Court justices. She also cosponsored the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act and was proud to vote for its advancement out of the Judiciary Committee. This legislation would require the Supreme Court to adopt an enfo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/chair-schatz-20-million-heading-to-hawaii-to-support-native-hawaiian-climate-resilience-efforts | Chair Schatz: $20 Million Heading To Hawai‘i To Support Native Hawaiian Climate Resilience Efforts | 2024-07-29 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, today announced that Department of the Interior (DOI) has awarded $20 million to bolster climate resilience in Hawai‘i. The new money from DOI’s Kapapahuliau Climate Resilience Program was funded through a Schatz-authored provision in the Inflation Reduction Act. Funding will be awarded to 17 Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) to restore native ecosystems and plants and enhance food security while incorporating Indigenous knowledge and practices. “Through the Kapapahuliau Climate Resilience Program, the federal government is directly funding Native Hawaiian-led climate solutions for the first time ever,” said Chairman Schatz. “This $20 million down payment – part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s historic investment in climate action – recognizes the critical role of the Native Hawaiian community in charting a path towards a sustainable, climate resilient future in Hawai‘i and beyond.” Funding will be used to support efforts to help raise climate change awareness in the Native Hawaiian community, restore native forests and ahupua‘a-based communities, protect ancestral burials, and promote Native knowledge and practices, including loko i‘a and outrigger canoe paddling, among other things. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/what-people-are-saying-health-equity-and-accountability-act | What People Are Saying: Health Equity and Accountability Act | 2024-07-26 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA), legislation that would address health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities as well as women, the LGBTQ+ community, rural populations, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities across the United States. Advocates and experts support provisions in this legislation that uniquely target a wide spectrum of health equity concerns. Here's what they have said: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Center for Health Equity: “The NAACP is proud to join our partners in supporting the introduction of the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2024 (HEAA),” said Chris T. Pernell, MD, MPH, FACPM, Director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity. “We know firsthand the disparate impacts that health inequities have on Black and other marginalized communities This legislation takes significant steps to right those wrongs, devising a health equity roadmap to advance health and racial justice at every intersection of the human experience. The NAACP applauds the Congressional Tri-Caucus and Senator Hirono, Congresswoman Lee, and Congresswoman Chu for leading this effort and paving the way for equity. We will not stop fighting for a healthy future, for everybody.” UnidosUS: “UnidosUS is proud to continue its support for HEAA,” said Carmen M. Feliciano, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at UnidosUS. “This groundbreaking legislation would level the healthcare playing field, including for Latino families who continue facing barriers to affordable healthcare coverage and to high-quality care that is linguistically accessible and culturally appropriate.” National Partnership for Women & Families: “The National Partnership for Women & Families is once again proud to endorse the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA),” s… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-more-than-68-million-in-new-federal-funding-heading-to-hawaii-to-improve-climate-disaster-resilience-restore-coral-reefs-native-hawaiian-fishponds | Schatz: More Than $68 Million In New Federal Funding Heading To Hawai‘i To Improve Climate, Disaster Resilience, Restore Coral Reefs, Native Hawaiian Fishponds | 2024-07-26 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz today announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded $68.4 million in federal funding to the University of Hawai?i Sea Grant College Program, which will work in partnership with a dozen groups spanning government, nonprofits, academia, and local stewards. The new award is through the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and will be used to help improve climate and disaster resilience across the state. “This new federal funding – part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s historic investment in climate action – will restore critical watersheds and forests and utilize Native Hawaiian knowledge and practices to help move us to more a sustainable, climate resilient future for Hawai‘i,” said Senator Schatz. The new funding will help be used to help conserve and restore watersheds and forests, build natural infrastructure to protect communities and habitat, restore Native Hawaiian fishponds, limu, and coral reefs to reinvigorate habitat, and help reduce risk and improve disaster resilience by establishing new green infrastructure projects and building capacity within at-risk communities, among other things. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-and-video-hirono-lee-chu-reintroduce-legislation-to-create-a-more-equitable-health-care-system | PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono, Lee, Chu Reintroduce Legislation to Create a More Equitable Health Care System | 2024-07-25 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) of 2024, legislation that would address health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities as well as women, the LGBTQ+ community, rural populations, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities across the United States. HEAA has been introduced in every Congress since 2003, with support from CAPAC, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), also known as the Congressional Tri-Caucus. “Everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care, but health disparities prevent many marginalized and underserved communities from accessing these essential resources and services,” said Senator Hirono. “The Health Equity and Accountability Act will help to dismantle these barriers by implementing comprehensive provisions to address inequities, including strengthening data collection, increasing access to health services and resources, and diversifying the health care workforce. I am proud to lead this effort and will continue working to ensure that communities across Hawaii and throughout the country have access to the affordable and equitable health care they deserve.” “As a co-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus healthcare taskforce, and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I am proud to lead the re-introduction of the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA). HEAA is a bold, comprehensive vision for addressing racial health disparities and improving health outcomes in communities of color and the underserved. It’s the only legislation that directly addresses the intersections of health inequities and race and ethnicity,” said Congresswoman Lee. “We need to pass HEAA to address the underlying challenges that prevent communities of color and underserved communities from gaining cover… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/chair-schatz-appropriations-committee-passes-transportation-housing-and-urban-development-fiscal-year-2025-appropriations-bill | Chair Schatz: Appropriations Committee Passes Transportation, Housing And Urban Development Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Bill | 2024-07-25 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – The Senate Appropriations Committee today passed the Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The legislation, led by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chair of the subcommittee, will provide $98.737 billion in total discretionary funding. “This bill makes important investments to strengthen our nation’s transportation infrastructure and address the housing crisis affecting so many people across the country,” said Senator Schatz, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. “The funding in this bill will help make homes more affordable, reduce homelessness, improve air traffic safety, and reduce flight delays. Importantly, this bill also makes record investments in Native housing, which will help Native people in Indian Country, Hawai‘i, and Alaska buy and keep their homes. I’m proud of the work this subcommittee has done on a bipartisan basis to produce a strong bill and urge my colleagues to pass it as soon as possible.” Key Points & Highlights – Transportation Department of Transportation (DOT): The bill provides $110 billion in total funding for the Department of Transportation, of which $81.6 billion is from obligation limitations and $28.5 billion is from discretionary funding. This amount includes significant new resources to ensure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is able to maintain the safest, most efficient, and most complex air traffic control system in the world; to strengthen the safety of our rail network; and to make critical capital investments and improve the state of good repair of our transit systems. RAISE Grants: The bill provides $550 million for the RAISE Grant program. When combined with the $1.5 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) advanced appropriations, the RAISE Grant program will see $2.05 billion in total funding in fiscal year 2025. As the only multimodal DOT program available to local governments, the program allow… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-meets-with-white-house-science-and-tech-director-participates-in-dialogue-with-center-for-ai-safety-to-discuss-emerging-benefits-challenges-of-ai | Schatz Meets With White House Science And Tech Director, Participates In Dialogue With Center For AI Safety To Discuss Emerging Benefits, Challenges Of AI | 2024-07-23 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a senior member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today met with White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Arati Prabhakar to discuss the potential benefits and emerging safety concerns from artificial intelligence (AI). Later in the day, Schatz participated in a discussion at the Center for AI Safety DC launch reception to discuss his work on AI legislation. Today’s discussions followed a new effort led by Schatz to demand answers from OpenAI on reports of safety, transparency, and whistleblower protection concerns “AI presents us with exciting new possibilities, but it also carries immense risk,” said Senator Schatz. “As the AI industry rapidly grows, it’s critical that we work to ensure the technology is safe for people to use and that companies are holding up their end of the bargain by following through on their safety commitments.” Schatz has been a leader on AI legislation. In 2018, Schatz first introduced the AI in Government Act, bipartisan legislation that would improve the federal government’s use of AI. It was signed into law in 2020, making it one of the first AI bills to be enacted. Since then, Schatz had led legislation to provide more transparency on AI-generated content and protect people from scams through labeling and help improve extreme weather forecasting using AI technology. Senator Schatz meets with Arati Prabhakar, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Senator Schatz discusses his work on AI policy at the Center for AI Safety DC launch reception ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-president-biden | Schatz Statement On President Biden | 2024-07-21 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement on President Joe Biden. “For over 50 years, Joe Biden has been a selfless patriot and dedicated public servant who’s given everything to the country he so dearly loves. As a senator, vice president, and now president, he has spent most of his life working to make people’s lives better and the world safer. Today, yet again, he has put the country before himself, making the best choice for the American people in this uniquely consequential moment. For that, and for his lifetime of service, we should all be deeply grateful. “It’s not an overstatement to say Joe Biden has been and is the most consequential president of our lifetimes. His legislative accomplishments speak for themselves and will endure for generations to come. He took the biggest climate action in human history. He cut the cost of prescription drugs for seniors and made our communities safer by passing long-overdue gun reform. He’s also revitalized our nation’s infrastructure and strengthened our alliances around the world. “There’s no question Americans today are better off because of Joe Biden.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/following-unprecedented-supreme-court-decision-hirono-releases-constitutional-amendment-to-clarify-no-one-is-above-the-law | Following Unprecedented Supreme Court Decision, Hirono Releases Constitutional Amendment to Clarify No One is Above the Law | 2024-07-19 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released a discussion draft of a constitutional amendment making clear that no one in the United States is above the law, including the President. “The rule of law is what separates democracy from other forms of government,” said Senator Hirono. “For centuries, Americans have understood the rule of law to apply to all Americans, including the President. But in a misguided and ahistorical decision, the Supreme Court majority massively weakened the rule of law as it applies to presidents. This constitutional amendment would make clear that the rule of law applies to everyone, including presidents.” In response to the Supreme Court’s unprecedented decision last month that Presidents are immune from prosecution for “official” actions, Senator Hirono’s amendment would clarify that Presidents are, in fact, accountable to the law for their actions. Specifically, the amendment states that the President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the U.S. government are criminally liable for actions both official and unofficial under any generally-applicable criminal laws they violate. The full text of Senator Hirono’s amendment is available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/07/19/2024/statement-from-senator-schatz | Statement From Senator Schatz | 2024-07-19 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled address to a joint session of Congress next week. “Nine months after the atrocities of October 7 and the ensuing conflict, negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of all hostages are ongoing – and that should be the focus. Instead, Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to deliver what is clearly a partisan address to Congress just months ahead of our elections. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I welcome a substantive discussion about the future, not political rhetoric that will do nothing to bring peace in the region. I therefore will not attend Wednesday’s address.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/two-years-after-dobbs-hirono-joins-colleagues-in-releasing-report-on-nationwide-impact-of-abortion-bans | Two Years After Dobbs, Hirono Joins Colleagues in Releasing Report On Nationwide Impact of Abortion Bans | 2024-07-16 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | ~ In new interviews and discussions with more than 80 doctors, educators, and advocates across the country, dire post-Dobbs trends emerge: Longer wait times, onerous travel, worsening health care deserts, a thinning workforce pipeline, & harrowing cases of patients airlifted out of state ~ WASHINGTON, DC – Two years after the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and 14 other women Democratic senators in releasing a new report, Two Years Post-Dobbs: The Nationwide Impacts of Abortion Bans. The report details how the Dobbs decision is harming women’s health care in states across the U.S.—whether those states have abortion bans or not. “This report illustrates the state of our strained reproductive health care system and the nationwide impact of Republicans’ extremist ideological agenda to exert power and control over women’s bodies,” said Senator Hirono. “Two years after the Supreme Court’s devastating Dobbs decision, women continue to face attacks on their fundamental reproductive rights—from being denied life-saving emergency care to being forced to travel long distances for abortion care—and I will continue fighting for reproductive freedom for all.” The report is based on interviews and discussions with more than 80 health care providers and advocates from across the country. These front-line workers describe how overturning Roe v. Wade has harmed care for women across America. The key findings of the report include that: Women are being denied emergency health care. In some cases of women requiring emergency abortion care, patients are being airlifted to protective states to receive the care they need. Patients are traveling far distances for the abortion care they need. The report contains new data on how Florida’s abortion ban is burdening patients across the South, forcing some to travel as far as Illinois for care. Health care workers are avoiding states with abortion bans, c… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-hirono-votes-to-pass-reproductive-freedom-for-women-act-blasts-republicans-on-senate-floor | VIDEO: Hirono Votes to Pass Reproductive Freedom for Women Act, Blasts Republicans on Senate Floor | 2024-07-11 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) voted to advance the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act, legislation that expresses support for women’s reproductive freedom and protecting access to reproductive health care. The vote failed on the Senate floor with a final tally of 49-44—with nearly every Republican voting against it. Prior to the vote, Senator Hirono delivered a speech in which she highlighted the horrifying consequences of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision for women across the country. “We often refer to the states as ‘laboratories of democracy,’” said Senator Hirono during her remarks. “Sadly, these laboratories are now experimenting on women, with dystopian results. This hellish experimentation has resulted in devasting consequences for millions of women and families across the country, who are now subject to state-imposed abortion bans.” Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade, over 20 states have enacted abortion bans, some without exception for rape or incest. This has forced women throughout the country to travel far distances for abortion care or risk continuing their pregnancies despite health concerns. It has also threatened health care workers in states with abortion bans, preventing doctors from providing emergency treatment and causing them to flee their practices, contributing to reproductive health care deserts across the country. During her remarks, Senator Hirono criticized Republicans for enacting dangerous reproductive policy changes, despite their claims to support women’s health, and called on them to stand behind their rhetoric and vote for the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act. “Let’s be clear—abortion bans aren’t about protecting anyone. They’re about the Right’s obsession with power and control, plain and simple,” continued Senator Hirono. “Time after time, Republicans have come to this floor insisting that they support women’s health, only to turn around and vote against bill after bill that would do just that.” “This should be a no-brainer for anyone who ac… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-schatz-colleagues-call-for-protections-for-hawaii-under-north-atlantic-treaty | Hirono, Schatz, Colleagues Call for Protections for Hawaii Under North Atlantic Treaty | 2024-07-10 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Eric Schmitt (R-MO), along with a bipartisan group of eleven other senators, urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to take steps to rectify Hawaii’s exclusion from the North Atlantic Treaty as military threats in the Indo-Pacific grow. In their letter to Secretary Blinken, the senators raised concerns about the omission of Hawaii under Article 6 of the Treaty, meaning an armed attack on Hawaii would not be seen as an attack on all NATO countries and therefore not necessitate collective self-defense. “When the Senate Foreign Relations Committee recommended the Senate ratify the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949, it was with the understanding that overseas territories would not be covered by Article 6,” the senators wrote. “At the time, Hawai‘i was a U.S. territory and the drafters of the Treaty were reluctant to include all territories of the Treaty Parties under the NATO security umbrella. However, the world has changed significantly since 1949. Not only did Hawai‘i become a U.S. state, the importance of the Indo-Pacific to U.S. security has increased tremendously. Although since 1949, NATO’s footprint has expanded from 12 founding members to 32, the alliance has not accounted for the inclusion of Hawai‘i as the 50th state of the union. The alliance also has not accounted for the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific – and the need to deter destabilizing regional conflict – or the need to be more responsive and respectful toward Hawai‘i residents.” In order to deter potential future conflict in the Indo-Pacific and protect Hawaii’s residents, as well as U.S. and allied interests, the senators called on the State Department to pursue a range of diplomatic measures to address the issue, including ultimately formally amending the North Atlantic Treaty. Potential short-term measures include clarifying statements from the North Atlantic Council regarding the Treaty language, for which there is precedent. The senators continued, … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-republicans-blocking-bill-expressing-support-for-reproductive-rights | Schatz Statement On Republicans Blocking Bill Expressing Support For Reproductive Rights | 2024-07-10 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to block the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act which expresses support for women’s reproductive rights in the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision. “It’s absurd that Republicans couldn’t bring themselves to even express support for protecting access to reproductive care for women across America. Time and again, at every turn, Republicans have chosen to decimate reproductive freedoms and control women’s bodies. Today’s failure to pass this very simple bill is yet more proof that we need to codify Roe for good as soon as we can.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/with-nato-summit-underway-schatz-schmitt-lead-bipartisan-group-of-senators-in-calling-for-protections-for-hawaii-under-north-atlantic-treaty | With NATO Summit Underway, Schatz, Schmitt Lead Bipartisan Group Of Senators In Calling For Protections For Hawai‘i Under North Atlantic Treaty | 2024-07-10 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) today led a bipartisan group of 12 senators in urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to take steps to rectify Hawai‘i’s exclusion from the North Atlantic Treaty as military threats in the Indo-Pacific grow. In a letter to Secretary Blinken, the senators raised concerns about the omission of Hawai‘i under Article 6 of the Treaty, meaning an armed attack on Hawai‘i would not be seen as an attack on all NATO countries and therefore not necessitate collective self-defense. In addition to Schatz and Schmitt, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.). “When the Senate Foreign Relations Committee recommended the Senate ratify the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949, it was with the understanding that overseas territories would not be covered by Article 6,” the senators wrote. “At the time, Hawai‘i was a U.S. territory and the drafters of the Treaty were reluctant to include all territories of the Treaty Parties under the NATO security umbrella. However, the world has changed significantly since 1949. Not only did Hawai‘i become a U.S. state, the importance of the Indo-Pacific to U.S. security has increased tremendously. Although since 1949, NATO’s footprint has expanded from 12 founding members to 32, the alliance has not accounted for the inclusion of Hawai‘i as the 50th state of the union. The alliance also has not accounted for the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific – and the need to deter destabilizing regional conflict – or the need to be more responsive and respectful toward Hawai‘i residents.” In order to deter potential future conflict in the Indo-Pacific and protect Hawai‘i’s residents, as well as U.S. and allied interests, the senators called on the State De… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-maui-to-receive-5-million-in-federal-funding-for-new-electric-buses | Schatz: Maui To Receive $5 Million In Federal Funding For New Electric Buses | 2024-07-03 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, on behalf of the County of Maui, will receive $5 million in federal funding to purchase hybrid electric buses and replace older diesel models. By adopting zero-emissions buses, Maui will help the state advance its goal of achieving a fully electric bus fleet. The new funding comes from the infrastructure law Congress passed in 2021. “This new funding will help bring cleaner, more efficient buses to Maui while also moving us closer to achieving the state’s critical clean energy goals,” said Senator Schatz, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-supreme-courts-trump-immunity-decision | Schatz Statement On Supreme Court’s Trump Immunity Decision | 2024-07-01 | 2024 | 2024-07 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. United States, ruling that former President Donald Trump is partially immune from prosecution. In sending the case back down to the lower court, the decision is poised to delay the pivotal criminal trial on charges against Trump of attempting to overthrow the 2020 election. “Despite today’s ruling from the MAGA Court, no one is above the law, including former presidents. We all saw with our own eyes Trump’s repeated – and in the case of January 6th, violent – efforts to overturn the completely legitimate results of the 2020 election. He deserves to be held accountable for his crimes, just as any other American would.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:24:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-congressional-delegation-statement-on-president-bidens-supplemental-request-for-additional-disaster-aid | Hawaii Congressional Delegation Statement on President Biden’s Supplemental Request for Additional Disaster Aid | 2024-06-28 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-HI) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI) released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s new supplemental appropriations request, which includes funding for disaster recovery on Maui and across the country. “Almost a year since the devastating fires on Maui, the people of Lahaina still need help. Their lives are nowhere near back to normal and it will take sustained support from the federal government to get them fully back on their feet. President Biden’s new supplemental appropriations request is an important and necessary investment in them and disaster survivors across the country. Now Congress needs to pass this funding quickly and get people the help they urgently need.” President Biden’s new request for disaster response funding includes a $4 billion increase from the request made last October. Among other things, this $4 billion request includes an additional $700 million for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, which will continue to support Maui—and other states impacted by disasters—in its recovery efforts following the wildfires last August. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-statement-on-supreme-courts-ruling-in-chevron-cases | Hirono Statement on Supreme Court’s Ruling in Chevron Cases | 2024-06-28 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, a case concerning the Chevron doctrine. Earlier this month, Senator Hirono spoke on the Senate floor to raise alarm about the Court’s then-pending Chevron doctrine decision. “Another day, another longstanding precedent cast aside by a radical Supreme Court majority hellbent on rewriting the rules to suit their corporate sponsors. By overturning Chevron, the conservative majority on this Court has jeopardized the entire regulatory system on which much of our country and our economy rests. As Justice Kagan wrote in her dissent, Chevron ‘has formed the backdrop against which Congress, courts, and agencies—as well as regulated parties and the public—all have operated for decades. […] It has become part of the warp and woof of modern government, supporting regulatory efforts of all kinds—to name a few, keeping air and water clean, food and drugs safe, and financial markets honest.’ She continued, ‘In every sphere of current or future federal regulation, expect courts from now on to play a commanding role. It is not a role Congress has given to them, in the [Administrative Procedure Act] or any other statute. It is a role this Court has now claimed for itself, as well as for other judges.’ At its core, this case was about who should be making policy decisions on issues that affect our lives—subject matter experts, or federal judges? Congress created federal agencies to implement informed, evidence-based regulations that protect the American people and small businesses across the country. By eliminating Chevron, the Court has empowered hundreds of individual federal judges to overrule carefully-considered decisions made by agency experts, turning a consistent regulatory framework into a chaotic mess of conflicting opinions—just as big business has long hoped. Today’s decision is yet one more component of… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-congressional-delegation-statement-on-president-bidens-supplemental-request-for-additional-disaster-aid | Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation Statement On President Biden’s Supplemental Request For Additional Disaster Aid | 2024-06-28 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s new supplemental appropriations request, which includes funding for disaster recovery on Maui and across the country. “Almost a year since the devastating fires on Maui, the people of Lahaina still need help. Their lives are nowhere near back to normal, and it will take sustained support from the federal government to get them fully back on their feet. President Biden’s new supplemental appropriations request is an important and necessary investment in them and disaster survivors across the country. Now, Congress needs to pass this funding quickly and get people the help they urgently need.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-supreme-court-chevron-deference-decision | Schatz Statement On Supreme Court ‘Chevron Deference’ Decision | 2024-06-28 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling on Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, overruling the Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council precedent set four decades ago. “The corrupt MAGA Court’s disastrous decision to kneecap federal agencies from doing their jobs means Americans will have weaker protections on everything from the climate to health care to food safety. The Constitution is clear: Congress makes laws and the executive branch – through federal agencies – implements them, making sure they’re responsive to the country’s ever-changing needs. In upending decades of precedent, this extreme court has once again tried to make it more difficult for the federal government to serve and defend the public’s interests. But make no mistake: the progress we’ve made in protecting our environment and making health care more affordable cannot be undone by a single decision from a group of unelected justices. Instead, outrageous decisions like this one should deepen our resolve to continue fighting for enduring progress on the issues that matter to people, whether it’s cleaner skies or healthier food or fairer workplaces.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-statement-on-supreme-courts-ruling-in-emtala-case | Hirono Statement on Supreme Court’s Ruling in EMTALA Case | 2024-06-27 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in United States v. Idaho, a case concerning the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). Following the Dobbs decision in 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice sued Idaho, arguing that the state’s anti-abortion law is preempted by EMTALA, which requires Medicare-funded hospitals to provide abortion care, not just when it is necessary to prevent the death of a patient, but also when an abortion is deemed necessary to stabilize a patient during emergency medical treatment. “The Supreme Court has avoided cleaning up its own mess. When the conservative justices on the Court overturned Roe, chaos followed by enabling states to implement draconian abortion bans—such as the law in Idaho where patients have to be at death’s door before a doctor can treat without being criminally prosecuted. Today, the Supreme Court shirked its responsibility to patients and providers across the country. Justice Jackson said it best, ‘This Court had a chance to bring clarity and certainty to this tragic situation and we have squandered it.’ Patients will continue to suffer and doctors will remain hamstrung in their ability to provide care for fear of prosecution. This situation will continue to sow chaos and confusion and is just one more example of the consequences of the Dobbs decision, giving control of our bodies to far-right politicians and judges.” A long-time champion for abortion access, Senator Hirono is committed to protecting the fundamental right to reproductive health care for all. This month, Senator Hirono led eleven of her colleagues in speaking on the Senate floor in support of the Right to Contraception Act—legislation she leads with Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—and calling out Republicans for blocking the bill. This legislation would guarantee the right for people to obtain and use contraceptives and for… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-supreme-courts-ohio-v-epa-decision | Schatz Statement On Supreme Court’s Ohio v. EPA Decision | 2024-06-27 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling on Ohio v. Environmental Protection Agency. “Air pollution doesn’t recognize borders—that’s exactly why Congress gave EPA the authority to regulate it. This ruling delays critical action to support the health of our communities and our planet.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/more-than-66-million-in-federal-funding-from-new-schatz-created-grant-program-heading-to-hawaii-to-build-more-housing | More Than $6.6 Million In Federal Funding From New Schatz-Created Grant Program Heading To Hawai‘i To Build More Housing | 2024-06-26 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Development, today announced Hawai‘i has been awarded more than $6.6 million in new federal grant funding to help build more housing. The funding comes from a new grant program based on Schatz’s bipartisan ‘Yes In My Backyard’ legislation and was first funded in the fiscal year 2023 appropriations bill. The new Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) program rewards state and local governments that reform land-use policies and other local barriers that constrain the supply of affordable housing. In Hawai‘i, lack of infrastructure has been cited as an important obstacle to building more housing. With this PRO Housing grant, Hawai‘i will create a State Infrastructure Bank as long-term infrastructure financing solution to unlock housing production at a larger, more impactful scale than existing initiatives. The state also recently passed a landmark pro-housing package to allow more homes in urban areas and in commercial zones. “Solving our state’s housing crisis is one of the biggest challenges of this generation. It will take our collective efforts – federal, state, and county – to solve it. That’s why we created this grant program and are helping reward states like Hawai‘i that are doing the right thing to build more housing and help local families find an affordable home,” said Senator Schatz. For decades, local zoning and land use regulations as well as lack of necessary housing-related infrastructure have prevented housing production from keeping pace with population and economic growth, resulting in a nationwide housing shortage. The PRO Housing program, a first-of-its-kind federal program, will help reverse this trend by rewarding state, local, and regional jurisdictions that address exclusionary zoning practices, land use policies, and housing infrastructure to increase the supply of affordable housing. These policies include increasing density, reducing minimum lot sizes… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-president-bidens-pardon-of-wrongly-convicted-lgbtqi-veterans | Schatz Statement On President Biden’s Pardon Of Wrongly Convicted LGBTQI+ Veterans | 2024-06-26 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), lead author of the bipartisan Restore Honor to Service Members Act, released the following statement after President Joe Biden announced he has pardoned former service members who were wrongly convicted because of their sexual orientation. “The president’s action today will give thousands of brave veterans a chance to correct their military records—to remove an unwarranted discharge that was given to them for no other reason other than being gay. It would remove the mark of shame they carry, give them access to benefits they have earned, and finally give them the respect and honor they rightly deserve.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hawaii-set-to-receive-more-than-42-million-in-new-federal-funding-to-improve-roads-sidewalks-traffic-lights-in-hilo-honolulu | Schatz: Hawai‘i Set To Receive More Than $42 Million In New Federal Funding To Improve Roads, Sidewalks, Traffic Lights In Hilo, Honolulu | 2024-06-24 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the Hawai?i Department of Transportation (HDOT) and the City and County of Honolulu will receive a total of more than $42.5 million in new federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to support a improvements to roads, sidewalks, and infrastructure in Hilo and Honolulu. “This new federal funding will help make streets in Hilo and Honolulu safer for everyone – drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians,” said Senator Schatz, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. Schatz’s office worked closely with HDOT throughout the grant application process to ensure the state submitted a strong, competitive application. The DOT funding, which comes from two Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants, includes the following: Hilo Bayfront Highway and Waianuenue Avenue Intersection in Hilo – $17.5 million | The funding will be used to reconstruct roadways adjacent to and at the intersection of Bayfront Highway and Waianuenue Avenue to allow for a single-lane roundabout, ADA-compliant sidewalks and roadway crossings, drainage improvements, reconfiguration of parking, and other roadway improvements including new highway lighting, electrical infrastructure relocations, signage, pavement markings, pedestrian signals, raised crosswalks, landscape, traffic management devices, and other utility adjustments. In the past two years, this intersection saw three collisions and one tragic death, in which the police cited lack of bicyclist infrastructure as the reason for the cyclist’s unfortunate death. Salt Lake Boulevard Complete Streets in Honolulu – $25 million | The funding will be used to add an additional lane and execute a complete streets redesign of a 1.5-mile segment of Salt Lake Boulevard near the newly opened Halawa Rail Station. The project includes expanding the roadway from 2-lanes to 4-lanes, turning lanes, dedicated bicycle lanes, widened ADA sidewalks, waterl… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-murray-reed-whitehouse-pocan-scott-introduce-bill-to-double-pell-grant-make-college-more-affordable | Hirono, Murray, Reed, Whitehouse, Pocan, Scott Introduce Bill to Double Pell Grant, Make College More Affordable | 2024-06-21 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) introduced the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024, bicameral legislation that would nearly double the Pell Grant maximum award, index the maximum award for inflation, and make other changes to expand the award for working students and families. The Pell Grant program is the cornerstone of federal financial aid for postsecondary education, serving over 6 million undergraduate students. “Pell Grants help to make postsecondary education more affordable for thousands of students in Hawaii and millions across the country,” said Senator Hirono. “However, as the cost of attending college has continued to rise over the years, the purchasing power of the Pell Grant has steadily declined. I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation to restore the value of Pell Grants and enable more students to access higher education.” “My siblings and I were able to go to college thanks to federal support, and students today deserve to know the federal government has their back and will help them pursue their dreams, too. Pell Grants cover far less than they used to, but this bill will help fix that—and provide long-term stability for Pell—by doubling the maximum award and indexing it to inflation,” said Senator Murray. “I'm going to keep pushing to pass this legislation and help ensure every student can pursue a higher education—no matter how much money their family has.” “The Pell grant is the cornerstone of our federal financial aid programs. But over the years, the grant has covered a shrinking percentage of the actual cost of college, requiring students to take on more debt or, even worse, not continue their education. This legislation would help expand access to Pell grants, lower student debt, strengthen our workforce and economy, and help deserving students achieve their full potential,” said U.S. Senator Jack Ree… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-murkowski-announce-legislation-to-establish-a-commission-on-federal-boarding-school-policies-heading-to-senate-floor-for-consideration | Schatz, Murkowski Announce Legislation To Establish A Commission On Federal Boarding School Policies Heading To Senate Floor For Consideration | 2024-06-20 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Committee, today announced the release of S.1723, Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act from Committee. The legislation, authored by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), would establish a federal commission to investigate, document, and acknowledge past injustices of the federal government's former Indian Boarding School policies. The bill now heads to the Senate floor for consideration. “For more than a century, the federal government’s Indian Boarding School policies and practices sought to destroy Native languages, cultures, and identities. The Committee has heard from and reflected on over 100 comments from survivors, descendants, Tribal leaders, Tribal citizens, advocates, religious organizations, local governments, and experts about the need for Congress to act and help address the intergenerational impacts of the shameful history of Indian Boarding Schools,” said Chairman Schatz. “It’s long past time that we reckon with this painful history. Now that this bill is ready for floor action, I look forward to moving it through the Senate quickly.” “It is the responsibility of the U.S. government to come to terms with the dark legacy of the Indian boarding school era, and to help all those affected to find healing. That’s why I introduced legislation with Senator Warren to create this formal truth and healing commission,” said Senator Murkowski. “By acknowledging past wrongs and actively working toward transparency and justice, we can begin to rebuild trust with Indigenous communities who still feel the repercussions of these federal assimilationist policies. The details and the work documented in today’s committee report further demonstrate the need for this legislation. I encourage my colleagues to act quickly to enact this legislation into law before the end of the year.” “For over a century, the cruel Indi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-and-video-hirono-and-chamber-of-commerce-hawaii-host-8th-annual-hawaii-on-the-hill-in-washington-dc | PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Host 8th Annual “Hawaii on the Hill” in Washington, D.C. | 2024-06-18 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, hosted several events as part of the 8th Annual Hawaii on the Hill (HOH) in Washington, D.C. Hawaii on the Hill, a partnership between Senator Hirono and the Chamber of Commerce (CoC) Hawaii, was a four-day event that provided members of the Hawaii business community with the opportunity to meet directly with Congressional leaders and Administration officials, while also showcasing Hawaii businesses and products to Members of Congress, their staff, and the D.C. community. This year, dozens of individuals from across the islands, representing nearly 60 Hawaii businesses and nonprofits from the state, were in attendance. “This year’s Hawaii on the Hill events were a huge success—from the welcome reception to the policy summit, local business owners and members of the Hawaii community had many opportunities to connect with federal policymakers, experts, and my colleagues here in D.C.,” said Senator Hirono. “Mahalo to all of the people and businesses who made these events possible, especially our popular ‘Taste of Hawaii on the Hill’ event—it is no small task to prepare perishable products and supplies, then ship them thousands of miles across the country. I am grateful for the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s partnership in hosting a successful 8th Annual Hawaii on the Hill, and I look forward to continuing our work together to support Hawaii’s small businesses and business owners.” “Taste of Hawaii on the Hill is one of our greatest ambassadors of culture during our visit to Washington, D.C.,” said Chamber of Commerce Hawaii CEO Sherry Menor-McNamara. “This served as a signature event to bring the capitol community together, in unity, around a shared love for the products and services of Hawaii. This year more than a thousand people came from offices from across the nation to celebrate the culture of Hawaii. Our 2024 delegation of proprietors represented the delicious diversity of our busi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-on-senate-floor-hirono-raises-alarm-about-pending-scotus-chevron-doctrine-decision | VIDEO: On Senate Floor, Hirono Raises Alarm About Pending SCOTUS Chevron Doctrine Decision | 2024-06-18 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor about the Supreme Court’s pending decision in Loper Bright Enterperises v. Raimondo, which threatens to upend the federal regulatory system by eliminating the Chevron doctrine. In her speech, Hirono laid out the disastrous impacts overturning Chevron could have on everyday decisions that federal agency experts have to make, jeopardizing the regulatory system of our country. “To be clear, this case is not about the so-called major questions doctrine, but about the sorts of day-to-day decisions that federal agency experts have to make when implementing programs to protect the American people,” said Senator Hirono. “It would empower the hundreds of individual federal judges to overrule carefully-considered rule-making decisions by agency experts, turning a consistent regulatory framework into a chaotic mess of conflicting opinions.” The Chevron doctrine, a 40-year-old doctrine—with roots that go back to our country’s founding—is to a functioning federal government. The Chevron doctrine recognizes that Congress delegates authority to technical experts at federal agencies, so that those agencies can effectively and efficiently implement federal laws in their areas of expertise, in line with Congressional intent. As a result, courts have generally deferred to reasonable interpretations by administrative agencies when the law is unclear or ambiguous. The Chevron doctrine was originally favored by conservative judges who viewed it as a check against judicial activism. In recent years, however, many conservatives have turned against the Chevron doctrine, viewing it as an impediment to their efforts to consolidate power and enable far-right judges to legislate from the bench. Now, the same far-right ideologues that fought to end Roe are all in for ending Chevron as well. “Eliminating Chevron now, after more than four decades, would sow chaos and confusion on agency actions moving for… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/06/14/2024/hirono-secures-key-priorities-for-hawaii-and-pacific-region-in-committee-markup-of-annual-defense-bill | Hirono Secures Key Priorities for Hawaii and Pacific Region in Committee Markup of Annual Defense Bill | 2024-06-14 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, secured several key priorities for Hawaii and the U.S. military during the Committee’s markup of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Since the fuel leaks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in 2021, Senator Hirono has continued to work closely with Department of Defense (DOD) leadership, community leaders in Hawaii, and her Senate colleagues to help ensure the safe and timely defueling and closure of Red Hill. In the FY 2023 NDAA, Senator Hirono also helped secure $1 billion for the defueling and closure of Red Hill. Building on that progress, she secured additional Red Hill-related provisions in this year’s NDAA, including the creation of a new “major mishaps” classification within the DOD. “While we have made progress in defueling the Red Hill facility, we must address the long-term issues surrounding the health and safety of our servicemembers, families, and communities impacted by the fuel leaks,” said Senator Hirono. “As we continue to work towards the permanent and safe closure of Red Hill, it is crucial that transparent, open communication with the community is maintained and that systemic changes are made to prevent future incidents. That is why I have prioritized making improvements to the DOD’s processes for handling major mishaps, and I’ll continue working to ensure the impacted communities are protected and supported throughout this process.” Specifically, the bill includes Red Hill-related provisions introduced by Senator Hirono that: Invests $505 million for the Water Treatment Plant at Red Hill, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam; Continues the Hawaii delegation’s work to hold the DOD accountable for the Red Hill fuel leak by including language acknowledging the ongoing, long-term responsibility the Department has regarding Red Hill. Specifically, it encourages the DOD to finalize a memorand… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-announces-more-than-189-million-to-expand-access-to-safe-drinking-water-in-west-oahu | Hirono Announces More Than $18.9 Million to Expand Access to Safe Drinking Water in West Oahu | 2024-06-14 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced more than $18.9 million in funding for the Honolulu Board of Water Supply’s “Kalaeloa Seawater Desalination Project.” The funding for this project will go toward designing and building a desalination facility that will remove dissolved mineral salts in seawater to obtain fresh drinking water, creating a new sustainable water source on Oahu. “As we work to combat the impacts of climate change, it is important that we protect Hawaii’s natural resources and strengthen our water infrastructure,” said Senator Hirono. “This project will help reduce reliance on our finite groundwater, while also creating a new reliable and sustainable water source on Oahu to meet increasing demand. Hawaii’s families deserve access to clean, safe drinking water and I am glad this funding will support our sustainability efforts and community growth in West Oahu.” The new desalination facility will use reverse osmosis to remove salt from seawater, effectively creating a sustainable water source that can be used during periods of drought—for climate change resilience—and will reduce water transfers from Central Oahu to Ewa. The facility will also help meet increased demand for safe, potable drinking water and reduce reliance on groundwater as a water source. It will produce 1.7 million gallons of potable water per day, with provisions for future expansion to 5 million gallons of potable water a day. This funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation Title XVI Program, which identifies and investigates opportunities to reclaim and reuse wastewaters and impaired ground and surface water in the 17 Western states and Hawaii. Senator Hirono, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has championed legislation to protect Hawaii’s environment and natural resources, while also working to support local farmers and agriculture, and speed the transition to clean, ren… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-statement-on-supreme-courts-ruling-in-mifepristone-case | Hirono Statement on Supreme Court’s Ruling in Mifepristone Case | 2024-06-13 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a case concerning access to mifepristone. “Today’s decision has preserved access to mifepristone for now, however, the door remains open so that this access could be challenged again in the future. Let’s be clear—we are in this position because the far-right super majority on the Supreme Court overturned Roe and sowed chaos for millions of people across the country. Our rights should not be dependent on the ideological whims of this Court—we must secure the fundamental rights of all Americans to access abortion and make decisions about their own bodies and futures. That is why we need to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act and protect access to reproductive health care for all.” A long-time champion for abortion access, Senator Hirono is committed to protecting the fundamental right to abortion care for all. Last April, Senator Hirono joined over 200 of her colleagues in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in the case of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA, in support of the Biden administration’s appeal of federal district court judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk’s Friday ruling that suspends the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) more than 20-year-old approval of mifepristone—threatening access to mifepristone for patients nationwide, as well as FDA’s Congressionally-mandated authority and drug approval process. That month, she also released a statement in response to a Trump-appointed, right-wing U.S. District Court Judge’s decision that would effectively ban mifepristone nationwide. The lawsuit, which was filed in November 2022 by the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine—a coalition of anti-abortion medical associations and doctors—sought a preliminary and permanent injunction ordering the FDA to withdraw approval for mifepristone, which it issued over 20 ye… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-hirono-votes-to-protect-access-to-ivf-blasts-republicans-on-senate-floor | VIDEO: Hirono Votes to Protect Access to IVF, Blasts Republicans on Senate Floor | 2024-06-13 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) voted in support of the Right to IVF Act, legislation to protect the right to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) services, as well as expand insurance coverage of IVF treatment for those who struggle with infertility. Prior to the vote—which failed on the Senate floor, with only two Republicans voting to advance it—Senator Hirono delivered a speech blasting Republicans for blocking IVF protection bills twice this year and highlighted that IVF treatment has been provided safely for over 45 years. “For decades, IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies, or ART, have helped people, who otherwise couldn’t, start families of their own,” said Senator Hirono. “While some on the right like to paint IVF as some sort of new or untested technology, that is not so. The first baby delivered via IVF was more than 45 years ago, and since then IVF has helped bring more than 10 million babies into this world.” In her remarks, Senator Hirono spoke to the importance of Senate Democrats’ legislation to protect the right to IVF, amid rising attacks on IVF from Republicans across the country. “The last thing people trying to conceive need to worry about is being criminalized by some of the states I mentioned like Alabama because of the whims of far-right jurists and politicians,” continued Senator Hirono. “That’s why this bill is so important. It would establish a nationwide right for patients to access IVF and other ART services, and a right for doctors to provide IVF treatment. And, crucially, it would require and expand health insurance coverage of IVF, because we know access without affordability is not true access.” Senator Hirono also called out Republican colleagues for voting against the legislation, despite claiming to support IVF access. “My Republican colleagues appear blinded by their obsession with power and control over women’s bodies that they’re unable to support even this common-sense bill—again indicatin… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-quigley-introduce-bicameral-legislation-to-create-national-seed-and-restoration-center-conserve-and-restore-native-plant-species-across-us | Hirono, Quigley Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Create National Seed and Restoration Center, Conserve and Restore Native Plant Species Across U.S. | 2024-06-07 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL) introduced the National Interagency Seed and Restoration Center Establishment Act, legislation that would create and fund a National Interagency Seed and Restoration Center within the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to promote the conservation and restoration of native plant communities across the U.S. “In Hawaii, native plants are not just significant to our state’s history and culture, they also provide restorative benefits to our local ecosystems and habitats,” said Senator Hirono. “Native plants also play a crucial role in strengthening the landscape resilience and biodiversity in every region of our country. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to help combat harmful invasive species, and protect and restore native plant communities across the country.” “As our earth braces for more climate disasters, native plants are the key to protecting our landscapes and the precious ecosystems within them. Not only are native plants more resilient to climate change, they are actively removing carbon dioxide from our air, protecting us in the process,” said Quigley. “This bill ensures we can research the most effective methods for native plant restoration. It also invests in our future by building an archive of seeds to guarantee these plants are protected for generations to come. It is clear that if we are to defend our environment from climate change, native plants are at the heart of this mission.” Native plant communities across the country are at-risk or going extinct as a result of invasive species and climate change-related impacts, including extreme weather events such as wildfires. In order to conserve and restore these native plant communities, a robust native seed and plant material supply chain is necessary. The National Interagency Seed and Restoration Center Establishment Act would codify the establishment of a National Interagency Se… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-collins-smith-bacon-lead-bipartisan-bicameral-legislation-to-close-loophole-and-grant-citizenship-to-international-adoptees | Hirono, Collins, Smith, Bacon Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Close Loophole and Grant Citizenship to International Adoptees | 2024-06-06 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representatives Adam Smith (D-WA) and Don Bacon (R-NE) led their colleagues in introducing the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2024, which would grant U.S. citizenship to international adoptees who were legally adopted in the U.S. as children but lack citizenship status due to a loophole in the Child Citizenship Act of 2000. “For years, thousands of internationally-adopted children from American families across the country have had to live with uncertainty and fear without U.S. citizenship due to an oversight in the Child Citizenship Act,” said Senator Hirono. “The Adoptee Citizenship Act would provide a long overdue solution to fix this oversight by simply confirming the citizenship status of international adoptees who had already turned 18 when the Child Citizenship Act took effect. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to help ensure these adoptees are afforded the rights they deserve as U.S. citizens.” Families who adopted children from abroad were previously required to go through a lengthy process to naturalize and gain U.S. citizenship for their adopted children. Sometimes, the necessary paperwork was not entirely completed, and significant numbers of adoptees grew up for years unaware that they were living in the U.S. as non-citizens. The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA) eliminated the need for many adoptive families to apply to naturalize their newly adopted children. Unfortunately, the 2000 CCA law only applied to future adoptees and adoptees who were under the age of 18 on its effective date; it did not apply retroactively to those adoptees who faced the same dilemma but aged into adulthood before the CCA took effect. For these international adoptees, the U.S. is the place they grew up and the place they call home. Yet, through no fault of their own, they never received their citizenship and are living in uncertainty about their future. Without citizenship, these international adoptees face man… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-on-senate-floor-hirono-leads-colleagues-in-calling-out-republicans-for-blocking-right-to-contraception-act | VIDEO: On Senate Floor, Hirono Leads Colleagues in Calling Out Republicans for Blocking Right to Contraception Act | 2024-06-05 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) led eleven of her colleagues in speaking on the Senate floor in support of the Right to Contraception Act—legislation she leads with Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—and calling out Republicans for blocking the bill. This legislation would guarantee the right for people to obtain and use contraceptives and for health providers to prescribe contraceptives, and give information related to contraception, free from government interference. The bill failed on the Senate floor, with only two Republicans voting to advance it. “As Republican states across the country roll back fundamental reproductive rights, including the right to contraception, it is critical we protect access to contraceptives at the federal level,” said Senator Hirono. “The Right to Contraception Act is a straightforward bill that would do exactly that, protecting patients’ right to access contraception, as well as providers’ right to provide it. But once again, Republicans have shown they’re more interested in controlling women’s bodies than protecting our freedoms. Senate Democrats will continue working to protect reproductive rights and ensure that every person can access the health care they need.” The vote comes at a crucial time as right-wing judges, U.S. Supreme Court Justices, and Republican-led state governments work to restrict contraception access across the country. Some states have attempted to ban some or all contraceptives, and others have defined abortion so broadly so as to include contraceptives in abortion bans. Despite nine out of ten voters believing that birth control should be legal, Senate Republicans have blocked the bill from passing twice already, once in 2022 and again in 2023. Passage of the Right to Contraception Act would codify the right to contraception and ensure that extremist Republicans would no longer be able to hide their position on reproductive rights from the American people. Contraception is essential not only for sexua… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-full-federal-government-cost-share-will-deliver-millions-for-mauis-recovery | Schatz: Full Federal Government Cost Share Will Deliver Millions For Maui’s Recovery | 2024-06-05 | 2024 | 2024-06 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after President Joe Biden announced that he has made additional disaster assistance available to the State of Hawai‘i following the Maui fires. Biden’s authorization increases the federal cost share for federal assistance to 100 percent for an additional 90-day period. “This extension means tremendous savings for the state. By covering the full cost of recovery efforts for another three months, the federal government will help the West Maui community rebuild and save the state and county millions of dollars in non-federal matching funds,” said Senator Schatz. “We will keep working as hard as we can to help to bring more federal resources to help restore Lahaina.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-07T21:11:47Z |
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