Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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613 rows where state = "HI" and year = 2025 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-past-year-schatz-worked-to-protect-federal-funding-for-hawaii-amid-national-cuts-secured-more-than-1-billion-to-support-mauis-recovery-improve-infrastructure-expand-high-speed-internet-across-the-state | Over The Past Year, Schatz Worked To Protect Federal Funding For Hawai‘i Amid National Cuts; Secured More Than $1 Billion To Support Maui’s Recovery, Improve Infrastructure, Expand High-Speed Internet Across The State | 2025-12-30 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | HONOLULU – In 2025, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) worked to protect Hawai‘i from significant cuts to federal funding by the Administration across the country and helped secure more than $1 billion for Hawai‘i to support Maui’s ongoing recovery, expand high-speed internet, and improve airports and infrastructure, among other things. “This year, we delivered more than $1 billion to Hawai‘i, including funding to support Maui’s ongoing recovery, help upgrade airports and health centers, and expand high-speed internet. My top priority always is making sure Hawai‘i gets its fair share of federal dollars, and together with the delegation and state and local leaders, we’re going to continue working to lower costs and support families and communities across the state,” said Senator Schatz. Funding highlights include: Nearly $31 million to expand high-speed internet statewide. The federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021 will be used to build out and improve broadband infrastructure statewide. Nearly $9.8 million to support the ongoing recovery effort on Maui following the devastating fires. The funding, which Schatz helped secure, will help the community of Lahaina rebuild the Waiola Church, Hale Aloha Museum, the Old Lahaina Courthouse Building, and the Master’s Reading Room. More than $70 million for Kona International Airport. The federal funding for Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, the largest airport on Hawai‘i Island and the state’s second international entry point, will be used to help complete KOA’s ongoing runway rehabilitation project. $1 million for the Lana?i Community Health Center. The funding will support the Lana?i Community Health Center, a nonprofit and federally qualified health center serving the island of Lana?i, to purchase equipment. More than $140 million for the Red Hill Water Treatment Plant. The funding will help build a water treatment facility provides a drinking water treatment facility at the Red Hill water supply shaft and … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-markey-press-sba-administrator-on-audit-targeting-underserved-businesses | Hirono, Markey Press SBA Administrator on Audit Targeting Underserved Businesses | 2025-12-23 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | Lawmakers: “Rather than using this audit as a pretense to unfairly attack a program with which you have an ideological disagreement, it is our hope that you will refocus on the goals of the 8(a) Program to make sure it continues to support socially and economically disadvantaged businesses—as intended.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Ed Markey (D-MA), Ranking Member for the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, sent a letter to U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler, expressing their deep concerns regarding the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) December 5th announcement of a sweeping, program-wide audit of the 8(a) Business Development Program. SBA’s announcement has left many businesses scrambling to meet the agency’s extensive document request under a short deadline with unclear guidance, while raising concerns about how businesses’ information will be used and secured. The 8(a) Business Development Program was created by Congress to provide training, assistance, and federal contracting opportunities for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses in the U.S. and plays an important role in helping to ensure these businesses have the opportunity to work with federal agencies. Recently, however, the 8(a) program has come under attack as Republicans have unfairly targeted many of these small, socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, which often rely on government contracts to stay in business and keep their staff employed. “While we wholeheartedly support meaningful oversight of all programs that fall under the jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, we disagree with your characterization of the program,” the senators wrote. “We also emphasize that formal audits should be conducted by the appropriate authorities, such as Inspectors General, who are a part of a comprehensive system that has decades of proven success in preventing and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse.” The ambigu… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4804 | Case Announces 2025 Winners Of His Congressional App Challenge | 2025-12-22 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | House | HI | Ed Case | C001055 | case.house.gov | case | https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=2 | scraper | (Honolulu, HI) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) today announced the winners of his 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Hawai‘i’s First Congressional District at a reception at the Entrepreneurs Sandbox in Kaka‘ako. The App Challenge is an official national initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, in which Members of Congress host annuals contests in their districts for middle and high school students. For 2025, 394 of the 441 Members of the House, or 89%, hosted such contests. More information is here: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/. “My Challenge is a great opportunity for our local students to focus their skills and creativity on developing, testing and analyzing new applications for real-world use,” said Case. “Congratulating the contestants and their ‘ohana at the Sandbox, ‘Hawai‘i’s community hub to inspire creativity, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship’, adds an extra boost to what will hopefully be an inspiring and motivating experience for all of them.” “And results of this year’s Challenge prove once again that Hawai‘i’s youth have the skill set, imagination and resolve to compete against the best of our young people nationwide in science, technology, engineering and math, along with the potential to lead the next generations of computer science and technology.” Participation in Congressman Case’s First District Congressional App Challenge has grown significantly from 2019, when he conducted his first Challenge after returning to Congress, to 2025. His 2019 Challenge saw ten app submissions from 27 students across four schools. This year, his challenge saw 16 app submissions from 30 students across 8 schools, including three public schools and five private schools. The winners of Congressman Case’s First Congressional District 2025 Challenge are: · 1st Place – Aren Sawa of Mid-Pacific Institute Grade: 11 Instructor: n/a App: Hawai‘iAlert.jp Video: https://youtu.be/ifxGTRVAL0c Summary, according to the creator: “Hawai‘iAlert.jp is a bilingual disaster alert web a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4800 | Case Announces Nominations To Nation's Service Academies For Incoming '26 Class | 2025-12-19 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | House | HI | Ed Case | C001055 | case.house.gov | case | https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=2 | scraper | (Honolulu, HI) - U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) today announced his 2026 nominations to four of our nation’s service academies: the U.S. Military Academy (West Point/Army); U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis/Navy); U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs/Air Force) and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point). “I take my responsibility to nominate deserving applicants from my district to our legendary service academies very seriously and personally interviewed most of my applicants before making my decisions,” said Case. “I was truly impressed with the applicants, and it was very encouraging and rewarding to have spent time with our next generation of military leaders.” Case named the following nominees to the four service academies (principal nominee and the rest in alphabetical order by last name): United States Air Force Academy Principal nominee: Ryder Goto Kalani High School Kasyn Amazaki ‘Iolani School Luke Barner Radford High School Kodai Eskin Punahou School John Ganske New Mexico Military Institute/ Moanalua High School Timothy Iha Pearl City High School Tuan Pettaway Air Force Academy Preparatory School/ Mililani High School Christophe Tang Air Force Academy Preparatory School/ Campbell High School Derrick Ung ‘Aiea High School United States Military Academy Principal nominee: Anthony Dang University Laboratory School Jacob Blaze Cabuhat Punahou School Liam Martin Punahou School Jazmine Mayo ‘Aiea High School Malia McCoy Punahou School Hayden Noland Punahou School Parker Noland Punahou School ChristopherJay Tenorio ‘Aiea High School United States Naval Academy Principal nominee: Alicya Robson Naval Academy Preparatory School/ Campbell High School Liliana Burrell Abeka Academy (home school) Juliet Caston Campbell High School Adam Ettlich Soli Deo Gloria Academy (home school) Shota Eskin Punahou School Vanessa He Hawaii Baptist Academy Lyla Matthews Radford High School Charlotte Nakagawa Kamehameha Schools - Kapālama Caleb Parsons Moanalua High School Ezekiel Schulz Ra… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-tokuda-obernolte-matsui-hurd-lead-bipartisan-effort-to-improve-staffing-prevent-cuts-at-national-park-service | Reps. Tokuda, Obernolte, Matsui, Hurd Lead Bipartisan Effort to Improve Staffing, Prevent Cuts at National Park Service | 2025-12-19 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23), Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), and Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03) led a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum urging him to address insufficient staffing levels and refrain from additional employee reductions at National Parks across the country, citing the impact of staffing shortages on park visitors and the economies of neighboring “gateway” communities. Since January 2025, the National Park Service (NPS) has fired or lost more than 24 percent of its staff, creating significant challenges at National Parks including decreased capacity for emergency response and disruptions to visitor services, infrastructure maintenance, and conservation work. “[A]t Yosemite National Park, staffing cuts combined with record-setting visitation from January to July led to a 40% increase in search and rescue efforts compared to the same period last year. At Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Montrose, Colorado, the South Rim Fire burned campsites, maintenance vehicles, and other infrastructure, which, when taken along with a one-third reduction in workforce, will impact the local economy as well as park operations such as fire remediation and safety. Furthermore, at Joshua Tree National Park, staffing shortages have reduced fee-booth coverage and eliminated evening shifts, limiting visitor safety information, cutting needed fee revenue, and increasing the likelihood of congestion and search-and-rescue incidents. And at Haleakalā National Park, staffing shortages are delaying critical conservation work and backcountry maintenance, limiting both visitor access and protection of endangered species,” the representatives wrote in the letter. “We recognize the importance of efficiency within the federal government. However, reducing National Park Service staff, including positions in supporting offices across DOI, would only intensify the operational challenges parks already face. We respectfully encourage you to work directly with NPS … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-delegation-condemns-trump-administration-attack-on-native-hawaiian_and-other-minority-serving-institutions | Hawaii Delegation Condemns Trump Administration Attack on Native Hawaiian- and other Minority-Serving Institutions | 2025-12-19 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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 the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel’s recently-released opinion questioning the constitutionality of Native Hawaiian- and other Minority-Serving Institution programs: “Earlier today, the Trump DOJ released a legal opinion that attacked a wide range of programs of higher learning for minority communities. These programs expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and help students who have too often been left behind succeed in higher education. Targeting them does nothing to improve educational outcomes and instead threatens to undermine institutions that are vital to the people they serve. “We also note just how wrong they were with respect to programs impacting the Native Hawaiian community. Let us be clear. The United States has a long-standing trust relationship with the Native Hawaiian community, and we will continue fighting to ensure the U.S. lives up to its end.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-introduces-bill-to-support-law-enforcements-battle-against-zombie-guns | Rep. Tokuda Introduces Bill to Support Law Enforcement’s Battle Against ‘Zombie Guns’ | 2025-12-18 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) introduced a bill to provide public agencies, including police departments, with greater resources to fully and safely destroy seized or surrendered firearms. The Restoring Trust in Public Safety Act would create a new federal grant program to help state, Tribal, and local governments and law enforcement agencies acquire equipment, hire personnel, and conduct training to guarantee the complete destruction of firearms and firearm parts under their control. Last year, Rep. Tokuda met with police chiefs statewide and heard directly about their challenges with properly disposing of retired firearms. This legislation would help police departments tackle their backlogs of surrendered weapons and curb the proliferation of “zombie guns” – weapons that should have been destroyed but are instead broken down, resold online as untraceable components, and frequently used to build ghost guns or sold as repair kids without background checks. “Gun violence is an epidemic in our country that must be stopped, and it starts by making sure illegal and untraceable guns stay off our streets,” said Rep. Tokuda. “The Restoring Trust in Public Safety Act ensures law enforcement agencies have the tools and capacity needed to fully destroy guns that are seized, surrendered, or retired – and reduces dependence on private disposal companies that have profited off inadequate public resources. We must shut down the illegal pipeline that continues to allow discarded weapons to evade background checks and circulate back into our communities.” The Restoring Trust in Public Safety Act builds on the Congresswoman’s previous work to protect communities from the threat of gun violence. Earlier this year, Rep. Tokuda introduced the Gun Hardware Oversight and Shipment Tracking (GHOST) Act to help law enforcement track the interstate shipment of firearm kits and prevent the spread of unserialized firearms. The Restoring Trust in Public Safety Act is cosponsored by Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-blast-trump-administration-for-making-it-harder-for-taxpayers-to-receive-full-refund | Hirono, Colleagues Blast Trump Administration for Making it Harder for Taxpayers to Receive Full Refund | 2025-12-18 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | Lawmakers: “TAS ensures the American people have a voice within the IRS. […] We are concerned that the recent personnel cuts at TAS and the ongoing hiring freeze will greatly hinder these advocates' ability to provide quality, timely service to taxpayers who need help.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and 22 colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to help Americans get their full refund by restoring staff and resources at the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), which is an office within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that helps taxpayers resolve any issues within the IRS. At its current staffing level, TAS may face significant challenges handling its current caseload and helping taxpayers in Hawaii and across the country. The senators are urging Treasury Secretary and Acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent to stop hiring freezes, reduction-in-force efforts, and properly staff TAS. “TAS ensures the American people have a voice within the IRS […] We are concerned that the recent personnel cuts at TAS and the ongoing hiring freeze will greatly hinder these advocates' ability to provide quality, timely service to taxpayers who need help,” wrote the lawmakers. “Since January, the Trump Administration's deferred resignation programs and efforts to reduce the federal workforce have resulted in nearly one in four TAS advocates departing the IRS […] According to the National Taxpayer Advocates FY2026 Report to Congress, these losses of IRS customer service personnel have created "vulnerabilities in service delivery…and taxpayer assistance." We are concerned that the rapid decrease in staff will increase remaining advocate’s case load and taxpayers’ wait times for service,” the senators continued. TAS is an independent organization within the IRS and is considered the voice of the taxpayer at the IRS. TAS helps taxpayers with financial issues with tax refunds, filings, and other problems. “According to the January 20, 2025… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4799 | Case Introduces Measure To Strengthen Economic Partnerships With Pacific Island Nations | 2025-12-17 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | House | HI | Ed Case | C001055 | case.house.gov | case | https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=2 | scraper | (Washington, DC) - U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) today announced introduction of his Promoting Regional Opportunities for Sustainable Prosperity and Economic Resilience in the Pacific (PROSPER) Act to strengthen the U.S. Pacific Islands economic partnership. “The Pacific Islands, spread across the vast Pacific Ocean, are key partners in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific and strengthening mutual economic, security and cultural ties across countries sharing mutual values and goals,” said Case, a founding co-chair of the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus. "It is in our mutual best interests that we develop, maintain and grow our relationships across all levels, of which economic advancement is especially important.” Case continued: “Recognizing this, successive administrations have committed to deepening U.S. engagement in the region, including through trade and investment. Most recently, the 2025 National Security Strategy asserts that ‘the Indo-Pacific is already and will continue to be among the next century’s key economic and geopolitical battlegrounds,’ reaffirms our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and prioritizes winning the economic competition over the long term in the region. “Additionally, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s 2025 Annual Report to Congress recommended that we strengthen economic assistance to Pacific Island countries to support U.S. national security interests and the priorities of partner countries. “However, our economic toolkit for achieving our goals in the Pacific Islands needs to be strengthened. Many Pacific Island countries enjoyed preferential treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) when it was authorized, but the program lapsed in 2020. Some of the Pacific Islands’ top exports to the U.S., including tuna, cane sugar, ginger and taro, would be eligible for duty-free treatment under GSP but for this lapse.” Case noted that the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the leading multinational organization for the Pacific … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-national-defense-authorization-act-containing-key-hirono-led-provisions-for-hawaii-and-indo-pacific | Senate Passes National Defense Authorization Act Containing Key Hirono-led Provisions for Hawaii and Indo-Pacific | 2025-12-17 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | ~ Within the FY26 NDAA, Hirono secured over $1.1 billion for infrastructure in Hawaii and $10 billion for projects, capabilities, and exercises to support the Indo-Pacific region ~ WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, voted to pass the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 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 $1.1 billion for infrastructure projects in Hawaii, $10 billion to support our allies and strengthen deterrence throughout the Indo-Pacific region, and authorizes funding to support a 3.8% pay raise for military servicemembers and DOD civilian employees. The NDAA also secures an additional $25 million for DOD’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program to avoid land use conflicts near military installations, address environmental restrictions that would limit military activities, and increase resilience of military installations. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 77-20 and now heads to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. “Investments in DOD infrastructure, military readiness, and support for our servicemembers are all crucial to bolstering our national security,” said Senator Hirono. “This year’s NDAA makes those critical investments, including funding to facilitate the permanent closure of Red Hill, as well as over $1.1 billion to support infrastructure projects in Hawaii. Additionally, I am proud of the fact that this bill does not provide DOD with any additional authority to condemn state land, despite a last-minute push by the Army. Instead, it includes language encouraging the Army to fully develop and communicate its plans for the leased training lands to all stakeholders a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-presses-fcc-chairman-brendan-carr-on-jimmy-kimmel-suspension-free-speech-trump-administration-overreach | Schatz Presses FCC Chairman Brendan Carr On Jimmy Kimmel Suspension, Free Speech, Trump Administration Overreach | 2025-12-17 | 2025 | 2025-12 | 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), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, pressed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr on his comments that led to the temporary suspension of comedian Jimmy Kimmel earlier this year and whether he believes the commission has the authority to revoke broadcast licenses over political satire it disagrees with. Senator Schatz asked, “So you think you have jurisdiction over political satire under the public interest standard and the news distortion standard?” Chairman Carr responded, “We have jurisdiction with respect to the broadcast airwaves uniquely to ensure that their operations are in the public interest.” Video of the full exchange is available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-and-video-hirono-holds-spotlight-forum-on-trumps-illegal-efforts-to-dismantle-the-education-department | PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono Holds Spotlight Forum on Trump’s Illegal Efforts to Dismantle the Education Department | 2025-12-16 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | ~ Video of the full forum can be found here and photos can be found here ~ ~ Video of Senator Hirono’s opening remarks can be found here ~ WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) held a spotlight forum titled, “Dismantling Education: What the Trump Administration’s Illegal Attacks on Federal Programs Mean for Students, Families, and Educators,” highlighting the dangerous consequences of the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for our nation’s students, families, educators, and schools—among others. During the forum, a panel of witnesses comprised of K-12 education leaders and civil rights experts spoke about how abolishing ED and moving these programs to other federal agencies would harm students across the country, especially those who come from low-income, rural, Native, migrant, and federally-impacted communities. “From Day One, President Trump and his regime have been illegally attacking and undermining the Department of Education, in an attempt to abolish the Department altogether,” said Senator Hirono. “Trump has sown and continues to sow chaos for students across the country: directing the closure of the Department of Education; firing nearly half the Department workforce; slashing, withholding and rescinding funding for federal education programs; and creating a national school voucher program—to name a few things. In the process, he has jeopardized our children’s futures. Today’s forum provided an important opportunity to inform individuals and communities about the destructive actions he has taken so far. Every child in our country deserves access to a quality education, and I will continue working with my colleagues to make sure that is the case.” Specifically, the forum focused on this administration’s recent proposal to illegally move nearly all federal K-12 programs and many higher education programs to other federal agencies that have limited capacity to run these programs and have no experience with dealing with them. ED annou… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-introduces-legislation-to-protect-expand-social-security | Schatz Introduces Legislation To Protect, Expand Social Security | 2025-12-16 | 2025 | 2025-12 | 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) introduced 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 $150 per month, ensure the cost of living adjustments adequately reflect the living expenses of retirees, extend the life of the trust fund, and remove the wage cap to make sure all Americans contribute to the trust fund. “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 $150; and Update the annual cost of living adjustment to better reflect the real costs that seniors face through the use of the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly. "Social Security is the cornerstone of a secure retirement for working families. The SAFE Social Security Act, which lifts the tax cap for high earners, is the fairest and most equitable way to extend the solvency of the program while also improving benefits for everyone who has spent years contributing to the economy. This is critical legislation that safeguards the future of a crucial program while also addressing the economic concerns of everyday voters,” said Jody Calemine, Director of Government Affairs for AFL-CIO. “We applaud… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4795 | Case Moves To Assert Congress' Independent Authority Over Key Legislative Branch Agencies | 2025-12-15 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | House | HI | Ed Case | C001055 | case.house.gov | case | https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=2 | scraper | (Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) today announced the introduction of a measure to assert Congress’ full responsibility and control of key legislative branch positions to counter the Trump administration’s efforts to remove Congressional agency leaders. In May of this year, the administration fired Carla Hayden, head the Library of Congress (LOC), a Congressional entity, the de facto national library of the United States and the world’s largest library. It also sought to remove Shira Perlmutter, the Register of Copyrights, whose was appointed by Hayden and whose office is part of the LOC. “The executive branch has no business selecting or removing the leaders of agencies which are part of the legislative branch and key to its independent operations,” said Case, a member of the House Appropriations Committee who served four years on its Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch. “My bill (H.R. 6517) would amend the appointment processes for three key legislative branch positions - the Librarian of Congress, the Comptroller General and the Director of the Government Publishing Office (GPO) - to provide that appointment and removal of their leaders are the exclusive purview of Congress. These three agencies are critical to the independent operations of Congress and should not be subject to direction by the executive branch or any other external organization.” The Librarian of Congress is also the main research arm of Congress, managing the Congressional Research Service which is Congress’ dedicated source of information, research and legislative development. The Comptroller General leads the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which conducts government-wide audits and reviews government programs to provide nonpartisan oversight for Congress. The GPO prints and distributes official Congressional and federal publications. “To ensure their independence from the executive branch, there must be no question that Congress has complete authority to dictate the appointment as well as the removal of … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-releases-statement-on-passing-of-hawaii-county-fire-chief-kazuo-todd | Rep. Tokuda Releases Statement on Passing of Hawaiʻi County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd | 2025-12-15 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) released the following statement on the passing of Hawaiʻi County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Hawaiʻi County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd. Chief Todd was more than a dedicated public servant — he was a devoted son, a loving husband, and a proud father who carried those values of family into every part of his life and work. I will always remember the way Chief Todd took care of all of Hawaiʻi Island like family. Whether in moments of crisis or calm, he led with compassion, humility, and an unwavering sense of responsibility to the people he served. He was a true servant leader — someone who put others before himself, earned trust through action, and led not for recognition, but out of love for his community. In this moment of deep sadness, perhaps the best way we can honor Chief Todd is to live and lead as he did — with courage, integrity, and care for one another.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/jewish-senate-democrats-statement-on-deadly-attack-on-sydneys-jewish-community-on-first-night-of-hanukkah | Jewish Senate Democrats Statement on Deadly Attack on Sydney’s Jewish Community on First Night of Hanukkah | 2025-12-15 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, Jewish members of the Senate Democratic Caucus released the following statement in reaction to the murder of 15 people in Sydney at a menorah lighting on the first night of Hanukkah. The statement is signed by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). “The Festival of Lights commemorates and celebrates the resilience of the Jewish people, our identity and heritage. As we moved into the first night of Hanukkah, that tenacity was tested once again as we mourn those murdered in Sydney during a menorah lighting. Our prayers go out to the Jewish community in Australia, whom we embrace in their terrible hour of suffering. “We are horrified by the brutality of this attack, which comes at a time when Australia has seen a terrible rise in antisemitism. The disturbing wave of antisemitism around the globe has struck anxiety and fear into the hearts of every Jewish community. Some have faced harassment, vandalism, and discrimination. Others, violence as brutal as what we saw yesterday in Sydney. “This attack is the latest reminder of the work that remains to end the scourge of hatred towards Jews. To combat this disease of antisemitism, we must summon the strength to take action against this ancient hatred, and the courage to press on in the face of such violence against Jewish people at home and abroad. “We must speak out against all discrimination, from heinous acts like today to the normalization of antisemitic rhetoric, and the attempts to blur the line between political disagreement and antisemitic hate. And we give thanks to the bravery of people like Ahmed al Ahmed, a fruit shop owner, who risked his own life on Bondi Beach to stop others from losing theirs. “May the memory of those we lost be a blessing, and may courage flow through the hearts of every Jewish family that lit their first can… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-tran-introduce-resolution-to-commemorate-50-years-of-southeast-asian-diaspora-in-us | Hirono, Tran Introduce Resolution to Commemorate 50 Years of Southeast Asian Diaspora in U.S. | 2025-12-12 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Derek Tran (D-CA) led their colleagues in introducing a bicameral resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in the United States. The resolution recognizes these communities’ immense contributions to our nation’s fabric and advocates for policies that would provide Southeast Asian Americans (SEAA) and refugee communities with greater opportunities to thrive. “Since 1975, over one million Southeast Asian refugees have resettled in the U.S., and for 50 years now these communities have contributed greatly to our country’s economy, military, and culture,” said Senator Hirono. “From serving in our Armed Forces to enriching our economy, this resolution honors the sacrifices many of these refugees have made and reaffirms our commitment to ensuring these communities have access to education, health care, and other resources they need to thrive.” In the aftermath of the Vietnam War, Secret Wars in Laos, and the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia, over a million Southeast Asians fled their homes to escape war, genocide, ethnic and political persecution, and famine. 2025 marks 50 years since the first Southeast Asian refugee arrived in the U.S. Today, over 3 million Southeast Asian American refugees and their families reside in the U.S. and have made innumerable contributions to our military, economy, and social culture. The resolution acknowledges the atrocities and widespread violence that forced millions to flee Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam 50 years ago, and recognizes the profound impact these communities have had on American culture and society since then. It also honors the sacrifices made by SEAAs to defend the United States, and pledges support for comprehensive policies to expand educational, economic, and political opportunities for Southeast Asian citizens, immigrants, and refugees. In addition to Senator Hirono and Representative Tran, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-britt-colleagues-press-ai-companies-to-commit-to-timely-consistent-safety-disclosures-on-models | Schatz, Britt, Colleagues Press AI Companies To Commit To Timely, Consistent Safety Disclosures On Models | 2025-12-12 | 2025 | 2025-12 | 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), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) called on leading artificial intelligence (AI) companies to improve transparency around the capabilities of their models and the risks they pose to users. In letters to OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, Anthropic, Meta, Luka, Character.AI, and xAI, the senators highlighted reports of AI chatbots encouraging dangerous behavior among children, including suicidal ideation and self-harm, and requested commitments to timely, consistent disclosures around model releases as well as long-term research into chatbots’ impacts on the emotional and psychological wellbeing of users. In addition to Schatz and Britt, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.). “If AI companies struggle to predict and mitigate relatively well-understood risks, it raises concerns about their ability to manage more complex risks,” the senators wrote. “While we have been encouraged by the arrival of overdue safety measures for certain chatbots, these must be accompanied by improved public self-reporting so that consumers, families, educators, and policymakers can make informed decisions around appropriate use.” The full text of the letter is below and available here. Dear Mr. Altman, We write to request additional information about your company’s public reporting practices regarding its artificial intelligence (AI) models. As a market leader for consumer AI chatbots, the steps that you take to increase transparency around your capabilities and risk evaluations have direct impacts on the wellbeing of Americans who use your products. We are already seeing how increasingly powerful models have become integrated into many aspects of personal life for users. As demonstrated harms to users’ psychological well-being have emerged, it is critical that, in addition to improving safety design for users, your company takes necessary steps to foster public transp… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-trump-order-banning-states-from-regulating-ai | Schatz Statement On Trump Order Banning States From Regulating AI | 2025-12-12 | 2025 | 2025-12 | 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), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting the ability of states to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) and preventing the enforcement of existing state laws. “Embracing the amazing possibilities of AI can’t come at the cost of leaving Americans vulnerable to its profound risks, which is exactly what this executive order does. Preventing states from enacting common-sense regulation that protects people from the very real harms of AI is absurd and dangerous. Congress has a responsibility to get this technology right – and quickly – but states must be allowed to act in the public interest in the meantime. I’ll be working with my colleagues to introduce a full repeal of this order in the coming days.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-tokuda-fitzpatrick-balint-lamalfa-tran-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-increase-access-to-mental-health-care-services-for-first-responders | Reps. Tokuda, Fitzpatrick, Balint, LaMalfa, Tran Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to Mental Health Care Services for First Responders | 2025-12-11 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), joined by colleagues Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Becca Balint (D-VT-AL), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), and Derek Tran (D-CA-45), introduced legislation to increase access to specialized mental health, substance abuse, and crisis counseling services for first responders. The Crisis Assistance and Resources in Emergencies (CARE) for First Responders Act aims to strengthen resources and support systems for the individuals who are often first on the scene during emergencies. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, rescue workers, 911 operators, and other emergency response personnel regularly face significant yet frequently unseen trauma and challenges as they confront disasters and assist survivors in their moments of greatest need. The CARE for First Responders Act would prioritize the needs of first responders by: Ensuring access to FEMA counseling and mental health services after major disasters. Funding on-site and mobile support through a grant program for mental health and substance use services. Expanding an existing, confidential 24-hour hotline to provide specialized first responder support. Establishing a peer counseling program at HHS to assist first responders and their families. Directing research on best practices for mental health care and suicide prevention for first responders. “Our first responders go above and beyond, carrying the weight of trauma that no one should have to bear alone. After the devastating fires on Maui two years ago, I saw firsthand the toll that disasters can take on first responders and their families,” said Rep. Tokuda. “I’m proud once again to introduce the CARE for First Responders Act to ensure our frontliners who protect our communities have the specialized health support they desperately need and deserve. I’m grateful to my Republican and Democratic colleagues for their partnership in this effort because crises don’t care about politics, and neither should we when it comes to supporting our first… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-duckworth-reintroduce-bill-to-reunite-and-protect-immigrant-families | Hirono, Duckworth Reintroduce Bill to Reunite and Protect Immigrant Families | 2025-12-11 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | ~ The Reuniting Families Act would reduce visa backlogs, boost efficiency across the immigration process, and ensure a fairer, more humane process for immigrant families ~ WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reintroduced the Reuniting Families Act of 2025, legislation to strengthen protections for immigrant families and address long-standing problems in a family immigration system that hasn’t seen meaningful reform in more than three decades. U.S. Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. “Immigrant families currently experience unnecessary obstacles and delays due to our country’s broken immigration system, keeping families separated for potentially long periods of time,” said Senator Hirono. “By reducing family-based immigration backlogs and making common sense updates to how we treat families, the Reuniting Families Act will help take the first step in the right direction to keeping families together as they navigate our immigration system.” “As Donald Trump’s inhumane mass deportation campaign rips apart families and communities across the country, it’s paramount we address the unnecessary barriers in our immigration system that have created backlogs and kept families apart for years,” said Senator Duckworth. “Our 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 help get more families where they belong—together.” "Family-based immigration makes our country stronger. But our broken immigration system is preventing individuals from reuniting with their loved ones and contributing to our communities and economies. With over four million individuals with approved visa applications stuck in limbo through no fault of their own, families are needlessly suffering,” said Representative Chu. “That’s why I am proud to reintroduce the commonsense Reuniting Families Act of 2025 with Senator Hiro… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/more-than-16000-hawaii-residents-join-schatzs-statewide-telephone-town-hall | More Than 16,000 Hawai‘i Residents Join Schatz’s Statewide Telephone Town Hall | 2025-12-11 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – More than 16,000 Hawai‘i residents joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz’s (D-Hawai‘i) statewide telephone town hall today. Senator Schatz heard from constituents about their priorities, provided updates on his work in the Senate, and took questions on rising costs, federal funding, health care, education, immigration enforcement, among many others. “I always appreciate the chance to hear directly from people across Hawai‘i about their priorities and concerns,” said Senator Schatz. “Mahalo to everyone who joined us today for a really productive conversation. We’re going to continue working to make life more affordable and deliver federal resources to every part of the state.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-votes-to-protect-peoples-health-care-prevent-premiums-from-more-than-doubling-next-month | Schatz Votes To Protect People’s Health Care, Prevent Premiums From More Than Doubling Next Month | 2025-12-11 | 2025 | 2025-12 | 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) voted today to protect people’s health care and prevent monthly premiums from more than doubling for tens of millions of Americans starting next month. Senate Republicans rejected the measure which sought to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits through 2028. “Republicans are choosing to rip away health care from millions of Americans on purpose,” said Senator Schatz. “At a time when the cost of everything is going up because of Donald Trump, people are now going to be forced to pay hundreds of dollars every month just to keep their plan or give up coverage entirely. This didn’t have to happen. We’ve been trying for months to prevent exactly this outcome, and people are now going to needlessly lose their coverage, get sick, or worse.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4789 | Case Votes For Annual Defense Policy Bill That Includes Key Case-Requested Provisions For Hawaii And The Indo-Pacific | 2025-12-10 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | House | HI | Ed Case | C001055 | case.house.gov | case | https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=2 | scraper | (Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) today voted for the final compromise version of the $900 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that includes six of his amendments and various other requests for Hawai‘i and the broader Indo-Pacific, including $1 billion for military construction projects in Hawai‘i. The annual measure, setting priorities, policy and funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) and other national security activities and programs for the year, also includes Case-requested provisions to increase funding and staffing for the United States Coast Guard and expand Coast Guard operations in the Indo-Pacific. NDAA. The final version of the NDAA authorizes $900 billion to invest in our service members, their equipment and related infrastructure. The annual authorization is considered must-pass legislation, with Congress enacting one every year since fiscal 1962. It is separate from the regular annual appropriations bills that Congressman Case helps draft as a member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee; these bills actually direct funding using the NDAA as an authorizing framework. “Our National Defense Authorization Act is a critical annual measure that not only authorizes our defense spending for the year, supplementing my Appropriations Committee’s parallel funding responsibilities, but also establishes defense policies, including organization and administration of the Defense Department,” said Case, who serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, responsible for funding all defense and intelligence community programs, and previously served on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. “While the NDAA also addresses military readiness, the measure also supports several quality-of-life provisions that are critical to service members and their families,” said Case. The bill includes language encouraging the Army to fully develop and communicate its plans for the leased lands at… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-secures-key-hawaii-provisions-in-house-passed-annual-defense-policy-bill | Rep. Tokuda Secures Key Hawai‘i Provisions in House-Passed Annual Defense Policy Bill | 2025-12-10 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) voted to pass the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will now go the U.S. Senate for consideration. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Tokuda secured key provisions to address critical needs in Hawaiʻi, support service members and military families, and ensure the nation’s defense. "This year’s NDAA includes important provisions for Hawaiʻi, military families, and the nation as a whole. Most importantly, it does not provide DoD with any authority to condemn state land, despite recent threats by the U.S. Army,” said Rep. Tokuda. “In Hawaiʻi, we have learned a painful truth: once land is taken, it’s gone forever. Under no circumstances should we entertain the idea of giving land away to the military. If they attempt such an illegal action, they will lose in court and more importantly, they will lose the trust of the people of Hawaiʻi." Key provisions authored and supported by Rep. Tokuda in the FY 2026 NDAA would: Require Department of Defense civilian and contractor employees be included in the military’s regular housing market analyses, which is especially important for military installations, like those in Hawai‘i, with substantial civilian and contractor workforces. Mandate an independent review of the suitability of Department of Defense land in Hawaiʻi for service member housing to address the military’s impact on the local housing market. Require 24-hour parental notification for suspected child abuse and neglect in Department of Defense child development centers. Prevent the Trump Administration from decommissioning Kilo Moana and other oceanographic ships. Establish a new authority to fund ordnance disposal through intergovernmental support agreements, allowing state and local governments in Hawai‘i and nationally to assist in the demining of formerly used defense lands. Require the Secretary of Defense to brief Congress on the efficacy of the military’s efforts to prevent cri… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-demand-accountability-from-army-for-sexual-misconduct-failures | Hirono, Colleagues Demand Accountability from Army for Sexual Misconduct Failures | 2025-12-10 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Nanette Barragan (D-CA), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), and Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) led 58 members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, House Democrats, and Democratic Senators in a letter to the Department of Defense (DOD) Acting Inspector General demanding accountability for the Army’s failure to stop widespread sexual misconduct. Recently, over 80 women joined a lawsuit alleging that Dr. Major Blaine McGraw made sexual advances, directed lewd comments towards them, and secretly recorded patients during exams while working at Ford Hood and Tripler Army Medical Center. This included at least 10 patients McGraw saw in Hawaii when he served as a resident at Tripler Army Medical Center from 2019-2023. Dr. McGraw was not suspended from his position until October 2025. “No woman should feel unsafe receiving medical care, especially during sensitive and private health services. Yet, far too many survivors have come forward with their experiences of alleged exploitation and abuse by a doctor who reportedly violated not just the basic principles of medical care and human decency, but also the expected conduct of a U.S. Army officer and physician,” said Senator Hirono. “The Department of Defense and U.S. Army must take accountability for their failure to rapidly respond to servicemembers and patient complaints. While nothing can reverse the harm reported by patients, a comprehensive investigation into this alleged misconduct, resulting in stronger protections for patients, is necessary to ensure that no one experiences abuse by our military health system again.” In their letter, the lawmakers expressed their outrage over Army leadership’s inaction despite numerous complaints from servicemembers and their families that Dr. McGraw had sexually exploited patients in his care for years. They also explained some of the unconscionable abuses women experienced, including details from the story … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/following-new-law-in-australia-banning-kids-from-harmful-addictive-social-media-platforms-schatz-calls-for-passage-of-kids-off-social-media-act | Following New Law In Australia Banning Kids From Harmful, Addictive Social Media Platforms, Schatz Calls For Passage Of Kids Off Social Media Act | 2025-12-10 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – Following the implementation of Australia’s social media ban for children, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today called on Congress to pass the Kids Off Social Media Act. The bipartisan bill, led by Schatz and U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.), would keep young children under the age of 13 off social media and protect teenagers from the harmful impacts of algorithmic targeting. In addition to Australia’s move this week, a number of countries and at least ten U.S. states are considering similar proposals. “Australia is stepping up to protect kids from the addictive and harmful content being constantly fed to them on social media. It’s now time for Congress to do the same and pass the Kids Off Social Media Act,” said Senator Schatz. Senator Schatz continued, “There is no good reason for an 8 or 9-year-old to be on Instagram or TikTok. And until companies are mandated by law to enforce some basic rules and stop profiting off of children, they will continue padding their bottom lines.” Last week, Schatz took to the Senate floor to call for passage of his bill and outlined the strong relationship between social media use and poor mental health, especially among children. Video of Schatz’s remarks is available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-trump-is-making-people-poorer-on-purpose | Schatz: Trump Is Making People Poorer On Purpose | 2025-12-10 | 2025 | 2025-12 | 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) spoke on the Senate floor today about the various ways President Donald Trump is raising prices for Americans, including on food, health care, electricity, home insurance, and Christmas gifts. Schatz highlighted how Trump’s policies, including tariffs and regulatory rollbacks, have sharply driven up prices across Americans’ daily lives. Schatz’s comments come ahead of a Senate vote this week to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits and prevent people’s health care premiums from more than doubling starting next month. “The president of the United States is very focused. He is focused on building a $300 million ballroom in the White House, while the price of everything has gone up: food, housing, health care, electricity, clothes. Costs are up, jobs are down, and wages are flat. And the president is doing worse than nothing. He's going out of his way to raise prices,” said Senator Schatz. “Donald Trump is making people poorer, and he's doing it on purpose.” x A transcript of Senator Schatz’s remarks is below. Video is available here. The president of the United States is very focused. He is focused on building a $300 million ballroom in the White House, while the price of everything has gone up: food, housing, health care, electricity, clothes, you name it. Costs are up, jobs are down, and wages are flat. And the president is doing worse than nothing. And I mean that: worse than nothing. Because it would be one thing to not be focused enough on the question of prices. It is another thing to actively raise the price of everything through federal policy. It's not even that easy to find mechanisms to make prices go up. But he is doing that. He's going out of his way to raise prices. That is not a partisan accusation. That's actually what's happening. And so today I want to go over the five ways that Trump is screwing the average consumer with higher costs, on purpose. Number one: food. Anyone who's been to a grocery store recently knows how expensive cer… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-expedite-recovery-of-missing-servicemembers | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expedite Recovery of Missing Servicemembers | 2025-12-09 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and 6 colleagues in introducing the Bring Our Heroes Home Act, legislation that would eliminate obstacles preventing families and caseworkers from accessing records needed for recovery of America’s prisoners of war (POWs) and missing in action (MIA). “Families of servicemembers who never returned home deserve to know that the government is doing everything it can to determine the fates of their loved ones as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Senator Hirono. “This legislation will help to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles and streamline processes to identify and recover our lost servicemembers so we can properly honor their lives and legacies.” According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, approximately 80,930 Americans remain unaccounted for—including more than 150 individuals from Hawaii—from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, the Gulf Wars and other conflicts. The Bring Our Heroes Home Act would: Create a collection of missing Armed Forces and civilian personnel records at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for families and caseworkers to easily access; Require executive agencies to identify, locate and transmit any missing Armed Forces personnel records to the National Archives for placement in the collection; and Establish an independent Missing Armed Forces and Civilian Personnel Records Review Board to identify missing personnel records, facilitate the transmission and disclosure of these records, and review any decisions by federal agencies to postpone declassification for purposes of protecting sensitive classified material. In addition to Senators Hirono, Shaheen, and Crapo, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV). The full text of the legislation is available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-coons-shaheen-reed-warren-kim-bennet-slotkin-statement-on-president-trumps-decision-to-allow-the-export-of-advanced-nvidia-h200-ai-chips-to-china | Schatz, Coons, Shaheen, Reed, Warren, Kim, Bennet, Slotkin statement on President Trump’s decision to allow the export of advanced NVIDIA H200 AI chips to China | 2025-12-09 | 2025 | 2025-12 | 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-Hawaii), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance, Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), member of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s decision to allow NVIDIA to sell its H200 AI chips to China: “The Trump administration’s announcement that it will allow the export of advanced H200 AI chips to China is a colossal economic and national security failure. The H200s are vastly more capable than anything China can make and gifting them to Beijing would squander America’s primary advantage in the AI race. “Access to these chips would give China’s military transformational technology to make its weapons more lethal, carry out more effective cyberattacks against American businesses and critical infrastructure, and strengthen their economic and manufacturing sector. Chinese AI giant DeepSeek said as recently as last week that the lack of access to advanced American-designed AI chips is the single biggest impediment to its ability to compete with U.S. AI companies. With this decision, President Trump is poised to remove that barrier. “Senate Democrats and Republicans both know that the 21st century will be defined by whether the leading AI systems are built on values of free societies and free markets or the repressive, authoritarian values of the Chinese Communist Party. The Trump administration clearly doesn’t grasp … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4787 | Confusion Over Federal Emergency Assistance To the Islands Draws Concern From The Hawaii Congressional Delegation | 2025-12-05 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | House | HI | Ed Case | C001055 | case.house.gov | case | https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=2 | scraper | (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (HI-01) and Jill Tokuda (HI-02) joined in a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to “express their concern regarding execution challenges with several Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants and the negative effects on the people and institutions of Hawai‘i.” In their letter to Secretary Kristi Noem, whose Department of Homeland Security oversees FEMA, and Karen Evans, FEMA’s Senior Official Performing Duties of Administrator, the delegation stated that they “have heard from various state and local agencies and nonprofits that they have experienced significant delays and obstacles” with grants that support much needed assistance in Hawai‘i but that “the related funds have not been properly awarded and obligated.” After local and state agencies and nonprofits shared several examples of confusion over the way FEMA has administered the various grant programs, the delegation stated that “these examples suggest that FEMA’s current grant-making operations are experiencing significant difficulties marked by challenges in timelines, communication and procedural consistency.” The delegation is calling for answers to several questions by December 31, 2025, which can be found here and below: Dear Secretary Noem and Ms. Evans: We write today to express our deep concern regarding execution challenges with several Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants and the negative effects on the people and institutions of Hawai‘i. We have heard from various state and local agencies and nonprofits that they have experienced significant delays and obstacles with the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program, the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) and the Emergency Management Peformance Grant (EMPG) Program. These grants are critical to the execution of much-needed assistance in Hawai‘i, but as explained below the relate… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4780 | Case Joins Bipartisan Group Of 35 House Members Proposing Solution To Affordable Care Act Crisis | 2025-12-04 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | House | HI | Ed Case | C001055 | case.house.gov | case | https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=2 | scraper | (Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (D-HI-01) today joined 34 House colleagues led by Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05) and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) in the release of their Commonground 2025: A Bipartisan Health Care Framework to address the impending expiration of critical premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace enrollees. “Millions of Americans are facing a crippling increase in their healthcare costs because of Congress’s inability to extend these often literally lifesaving ACA provisions,” said Case during a news conference today at the U.S. Capitol with his colleagues. Their Bipartisan Health Care Framework would prevent impending drastic increases in premiums in 2026 for the more than 24 million Americans who get their health insurance through the ACA marketplaces including nearly 25,000 Hawai‘i residents. In most cases, the ACA is the only health insurance option available to participants, so the practical effect of its expiration would be not only dramatic premium increases but millions without health insurance. “The expiration of these credits at year-end would represent an utter failure of a divided Congress to deliver solutions on the real issues facing Americans,” said Case. “Our plan calls for a two-year extension of expiring health insurance premium savings for American families, including a year of the enhanced Premium Tax Credits, with targeted modifications.” Since the passage of the enhanced premium tax credits, enrollment in ACA plans has increased from 11 million to more than 24 million people. If these enhanced premium tax credits are not extended by December 31, 2025, enrollees could see their premiums jump more than double on average, with some individuals seeing even greater increases. To address the looming crisis, Case and his bipartisan group have worked behind-the-scenes over the last several months, including throughout the government shutdown which resulted in large part from the failure to address this central issue, to develop a … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-blunt-rochester-schiff-introduce-bill-to-protect-and-prepare-workers-as-ais-economic-impact-grows | Hirono, Blunt Rochester, Schiff Introduce Bill to Protect and Prepare Workers as AI’s Economic Impact Grows | 2025-12-04 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced the Workforce of the Future Act. As artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly deploying across many industries, this bill requires a detailed study to grow our understanding of AI, its impact on the economy and workforce, and determine the skills necessary for workers to succeed. “As advanced and emerging technologies—including AI—become rapidly integrated within society, it is imperative that we prepare our workforce for these changes,” said Senator Hirono. “Specifically, we must ensure advances enabled by AI are used to strengthen, not weaken, the workforce. I am proud to introduce the Workforce of the Future Act to better prepare and equip workers with the skills necessary to adapt to AI and a rapidly-changing work environment.” Without proper guardrails, the impact AI could have on our economy is wide-ranging. According to studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), AI could replace nearly 12 percent of the workforce. Currently, many recent college grads report being unable to find work. This legislation addresses the most pressing concerns behind AI’s rapid advancement in our workforce while also providing resources to prepare individuals to succeed in advanced technology sectors. The Workforce of the Future Act will: Require the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Education to jointly and efficiently prepare a report analyzing AI’s impact on the economy and workforce that must identify critical information, including what industries and jobs will be most impacted, how job quality will be impacted, necessary skills for workers, and recommendations for preparing the 21st century workforce; Authorize the Department of Education to award $160 million in grants to support expanding access to emerging and advanced technology education. Grants will help support foundational and innovative STEAM learning for students who need this knowledge to participate in the 21st century w… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-leads-bipartisan-legislation-to-promote-native-arts-and-culture-unlock-federal-funds-for-native-hawaiian-organizations | Schatz Leads Bipartisan Legislation To Promote Native Arts & Culture, Unlock Federal Funds For Native Hawaiian Organizations | 2025-12-04 | 2025 | 2025-12 | 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), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today introduced legislation to promote Native arts and culture and unlock federal funding for Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs). The bipartisan 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 millions of dollars in federal funding to deliver vital cultural and educational programs to communities across Hawai‘i,” said Senator Schatz, Vice 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. “Allowing the National Park Service to award more grants to a greater variety of Native Hawaiian organizations provides a more easily accessible and streamlined process for Native Hawaiian Organizations who are often understaffed and under-resourced to readily submit proposals for their unique initiatives which perpetuate the storytelling and expression of Native Hawaiian arts and cultural practices,” said Janet Bullard, Acting Director of Government Relations for Bishop Museum. Schatz’s bill is supported by the University of Hawai‘i, Bishop Museum, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities, Hawai‘i Community Foundation, and Hawaiian Council. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i) and Ed Ca… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-reintroduces-bill-to-provide-fair-snap-ebt-benefits-for-hawaiis-rural-households | Rep. Tokuda Reintroduces Bill to Provide Fair SNAP EBT Benefits for Hawaiʻi’s Rural Households | 2025-12-03 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) reintroduced a bill that would adjust inequities in how federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT is calculated for Hawaiʻi’s urban and rural areas. The Feeding Rural Families Act would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct separate Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) calculations for urban and rural areas of Hawaiʻi when determining SNAP maximum monthly benefit allotments. Although federal law provides for higher benefit levels in Hawaiʻi, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and in urban and rural parts of Alaska, Hawaiʻi’s current adjustments rely only on Honolulu-area food prices. “It is unreasonable and inaccurate to penalize Hawaiʻi’s neighbor island communities with a broken formula that values convenience over reality. Using a one-size fits-all calculation with no regard for the geography and food scarcity that exists throughout our island state makes absolutely no sense to our families already struggling with sky-high grocery prices,” said Rep. Tokuda. “The Feeding Rural Families Act ensures that SNAP benefits reflect the true cost of living in remote communities, strengthening the purchasing power of our families and helping them put food on the table.” Rep. Ed Case (HI-01) is cosponsoring the bill. Full text of the bill can be found here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/bipartisan-hirono-duckworth-daines-cruz-bill-to-better-protect-parents-traveling-with-breast-milk-signed-into-law | Bipartisan Hirono-Duckworth-Daines-Cruz Bill to Better Protect Parents Traveling with Breast Milk Signed Into Law | 2025-12-03 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – After unanimously passing the Senate in May and passing the House in November, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) to make it easier for parents to safely embark on air travel with breast milk and breastfeeding supplies has been signed into law. The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act requires 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. “Parents and families deserve to be able to travel with peace of mind that they will not be harassed, humiliated, or put in danger, simply for traveling with milk and supplies to feed their babies,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m proud to see the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act signed into law, as it will help to ensure that these families can travel safely, while keeping their children healthy.” The bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act helps 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 better protects families by requiring TSA to: Issue guidance promoting the hygienic handling of any breast milk, baby formula and 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 also directs an independent government w… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-prevent-inexperienced-temporary-immigration-judge-appointments-close-loopholes-exploited-by-trump-administration | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Prevent Inexperienced Temporary Immigration Judge Appointments, Close Loopholes Exploited by Trump Administration | 2025-12-03 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) and 15 colleagues in introducing the Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act, legislation to prevent inexperienced temporary immigration judge appointments in light of the Trump administration’s abuse of loopholes in current regulations. U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (D-CA) is introducing companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. “The Trump Administration’s decision to lower eligibility requirements for immigration judges and reassign 600 military lawyers, including JAGs, threatens the readiness of our military forces and is an injustice to the millions of noncitizens who deserve to have their cases heard by a qualified immigration judge,” said Senator Hirono. “Not only will this legislation help to ensure that temporary immigration judges meet specific experience and training requirements, but it will also help to protect the readiness and function of our military justice system.” Following the Trump administration’s mass firing of immigration judges, the bill aims to close the loopholes the administration has been utilizing to authorize up to 600 military lawyers to serve as temporary immigration judges. The bill would: Cap temporary immigration judge appointments at four consecutive six-month terms: 2-year maximum service limit with at least a 3-year break in between services; Prevent military attorneys and Judge Advocate Generals (JAGs) from being appointed as temporary immigration judges; Authorize appointments of attorneys at the Department of Justice (DOJ) who meet the eligibility requirements; Establish basic training requirements. The bill is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), American Immigration Council (AIC), American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Brennan Center for Justice, and the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ). In addition to Senators Hirono and Schiff, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Michael Bennet (D… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-reverse-harmful-provisions-in-republican-tax-law-and-protect-unaccompanied-immigrant-children | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Reverse Harmful Provisions in Republican Tax Law and Protect Unaccompanied Immigrant Children | 2025-12-03 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), U.S. Representatives Dan Goldman (D-NY), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), and 18 colleagues in the Senate in introducing the Upholding Protections for Unaccompanied Children Act. This legislation would reverse provisions in the Republican tax law (the “Big Ugly Bill”) that harm unaccompanied children who are seeking safety from trafficking, abuse, and exploitation in their home countries. Passed in July, Republicans’ “Big Ugly Bill” imposed a new $5,000 Border Apprehension Fee on those who arrives to the United States between ports of entry. This law also requires individuals to pay a mandatory asylum application fee, as well as new annual asylum maintenance fees for every year their case remains pending in the government’s yearslong backlog. For children fleeing human trafficking and extreme violence, these fees are often impossible to pay. Additionally, their tax bill provides funding for intrusive body examinations of minors who are often the victims of abuse and trafficking. It also provides funding for deporting unaccompanied children who have not been screened for signs of trafficking or allowed a full review of their case before an immigration judge. To reverse these provisions in the Republican tax law and protect unaccompanied children, the Upholding Protections for Unaccompanied Children Act would: Exempt unaccompanied children from all H.R. 1 fees tied to humanitarian protection, including asylum fees, annual maintenance fees, immigration court fees, and the $5,000 Border Apprehension Fee. Eliminate H.R. 1’s fee on abandoned, abused, or neglected children applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Repeal the H.R. 1 provision funding deportations of “specified unaccompanied children” without robust trafficking screenings or full review before an immigration judge. Repeal H.R. 1 provisions funding intrusive body examinations of children in federal custody. Prohibit the use of Office of Refugee Resettleme… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-urge-secretary-bessent-to-reject-proposed-dollar-coin-designs-featuring-donald-trump | Hirono, Colleagues Urge Secretary Bessent to Reject Proposed Dollar Coin Designs Featuring Donald Trump | 2025-12-03 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and 6 colleagues in sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, calling on him to reject the proposed designs for the Semiquincentennial dollar coin featuring the likeness of President Donald Trump. “American lawmakers throughout history have reaffirmed the time-honored tradition of not circulating U.S. currency with images of currently elected officials,” wrote the Senators. “For centuries, minting sitting presidents on U.S. currency has been avoided to prevent the appearance that the U.S. is a monarchy or subject to a cult of personality. While the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have featured images of former Queen Elizabeth II for decades, and now also feature King Charles III on their banknotes, the United States has never, and we should not now, mint circulating currency with images of currently elected officials.” On November 18, the U.S. Mint published draft designs for the Semiquincentennial $1 Coin, which include three different portrait options placing President Trump on the front of the coin. The Senators continue: “A portrait of President Trump is the only CCAC proposed design option for the semiquincentennial $1 coin, all but confirming the U.S. Mint intends to mint a circulating coin with a portrait of President Trump while he is in office. Putting an image of President Trump on a circulating coin is not only inconsistent with congressional intent to honor 250 years of United States’ history, but also un-American. We should not depict a living, current president on U.S. currency.” In addition to Senators Hirono, Merkley, and Cortez Masto, the letter was signed by Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Jack Reed (D-RI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The full text of the letter is available here and below. Dear Secretary Bessent: American lawmakers throughout history have reaffirmed the time-honored tradition… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-congressional-delegation-calls-for-full-investigation-of-former-tripler-doctor-accused-of-secretly-recording-patients | Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation Calls For Full Investigation Of Former Tripler Doctor Accused Of Secretly Recording Patients | 2025-12-03 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINTON – Following reports that a former Tripler Army Medical Center obstetrician-gynecologist secretly recorded patients during examinations, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i) called on the Department of Defense to thoroughly investigate every allegation against Major Blaine D. McGraw and the Army’s own failures in allowing his misconduct to persist. “The damage done by Major McGraw’s alleged actions is irreversible. Major McGraw was entrusted with caring for active-duty servicemembers and military spouses. The Department owes these victims accountability for its failure to stop this misconduct, including a comprehensive investigation and, where supported by the evidence, prosecution of Major McGraw under the Uniform Code of Military Justice to the fullest extent allowed,” the delegation wrote in a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Acting Inspector General Steven Stebbin, and Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll. The lawmakers continued, “The trust of servicemembers and the community they serve must be continually earned. Therefore, we urge the Department of Defense to move swiftly and thoroughly in the investigation to address these allegations.” The full text of their letter can be found below and is available here. Secretary Hegseth, Secretary Driscoll, and Acting Inspector General Stebbins, We write with grave concern regarding the recent allegations of Army obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) Major Blaine D. McGraw. As you know, Major McGraw is alleged to have assaulted and exploited potentially thousands of former patients, including in Hawai‘i – violating the basic principles of medical practice. Major McGraw’s alleged actions run completely counter to the expected conduct of an U.S. Army officer and physician. Given the extent of these allegations, the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s (CID) investigation into Major McGraw’s conduct must be extremely thorough. Major McGraw… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ranking-member-schatz-opening-remarks-at-appropriations-subcommittee-hearing-on-abduction-of-ukrainian-children-by-russia | Ranking Member Schatz Opening Remarks At Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing On Abduction Of Ukrainian Children By Russia | 2025-12-03 | 2025 | 2025-12 | 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), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, delivered the following remarks at the subcommittee’s hearing on the abduction of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation. “The systematic abduction of Ukrainian children by the Russian government is a horrific tragedy for the thousands of families victimized by Putin. But it’s also an issue of global concern. Here in the Senate, colleagues on both sides of the aisle have been working to support efforts to track and return children and hold perpetrators accountable,” said Senator Schatz. Schatz continued, “But I want to be perfectly clear: any peace plan that lets Putin walk away from this war – having illegally seized Ukrainian territory, kidnapped thousands of Ukrainian children, and caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people on both sides – with no consequences is unacceptable.” A transcript of Senator Schatz’s remarks can be found below. Video is available here. Thank you, Chairman Graham, for convening this hearing and for your continued leadership on this important issue. The systematic abduction of Ukrainian children by the Russian government is a horrific tragedy for the thousands of families victimized by Putin. But it’s also an issue of global concern. Here in the Senate, colleagues on both sides of the aisle have been working to support efforts to track and return children and hold perpetrators accountable. That vital work continues, and I hope today’s discussion will add to those efforts. But I want to be perfectly clear: any peace plan that lets Putin walk away from this war – having illegally seized Ukrainian territory, kidnapped thousands of Ukrainian children, and caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people on both sides – with no consequences is unacceptable. It would set a very dangerous precedent for the world, not to mention, undermine future peace in the region. I’m disappointed that the State Department declined to … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bicameral-resolution-recognizing-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-individuals-with-disabilities-education-act | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act | 2025-12-02 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), John James (R-MI), and more than 45 colleagues in introducing a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the historic step this legislation took by mandating that every child with a disability in America be given equal access to a free, appropriate public education. The resolution is endorsed by The School Superintendents Association (AASA), Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), Council for Exceptional Children, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, and National PTA. In addition to Senators Hirono, Van Hollen, and Cassidy, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Edward Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). In addition to Representatives Huffman, Thompson, Scholten, and James, the resolution is cosponsored in the House by 20 Representatives. The full text of the resolution is available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-hawaii-congressional-delegation-calls-for-full-investigation-of-former-tripler-doctor-accused-of-secretly-recording-patients | Hirono, Hawaii Congressional Delegation Calls for Full Investigation of Former Tripler Doctor Accused of Secretly Recording Patients | 2025-12-02 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | ~ Delegation also demands assessment of Army failures to avoid future misconduct ~ WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following reports that a former Tripler Army Medical Center obstetrician-gynecologist secretly recorded patients during examinations, 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) called on the Department of Defense to thoroughly investigate every complaint against Major Blaine D. McGraw and the Army’s own failures in allowing his alleged misconduct to persist. “The damage done by Major McGraw’s alleged actions is irreversible. Major McGraw was entrusted with caring for active-duty servicemembers and military spouses. The Department owes these victims accountability for its failure to stop this misconduct, including a comprehensive investigation and, where supported by the evidence, prosecution of Major McGraw under the Uniform Code of Military Justice to the fullest extent allowed,” the delegation wrote in a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Acting Inspector General Steven Stebbin, and Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll. The lawmakers continued, “The trust of servicemembers and the community they serve must be continually earned. Therefore, we urge the Department of Defense to move swiftly and thoroughly in the investigation to address these allegations.” The full text of the letter is available here and below. Secretary Hegseth, Secretary Driscoll, and Acting Inspector General Stebbins, We write with grave concern regarding the recent allegations of Army obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) Major Blaine D. McGraw. As you know, Major McGraw is alleged to have assaulted and exploited potentially thousands of former patients, including in Hawai‘i – violating the basic principles of medical practice. Major McGraw’s alleged actions run completely counter to the expected conduct of an U.S. Army officer and physician. Given the extent of these allegations, the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s (CID) investigation into… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-launch-inquiry-into-dhs-obstruction-of-congressional-oversight | Hirono, Colleagues Launch Inquiry into DHS’ Obstruction of Congressional Oversight | 2025-12-01 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following credible reports of human rights violations at ICE detention facilities, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and 11 colleagues in pressing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to stop obstructing Congressional oversight. Since the beginning of 2025, there have been numerous, publicly reported examples of members of Congress and their staff facing obstructed access to ICE facilities nationwide, including to ICE field offices where people are being detained. “Obstructing Congressional access to immigration detention facilities violates Federal law and undermines Congress’s inherent authority to conduct oversight that ensures detained individuals’ human rights and protects Americans from agency waste, fraud, and abuse,” the senators wrote. “Members of Congress and their staff must be allowed, pursuant to Congress’s inherent oversight authority and as required by Federal law, to access any facility where individuals are held in federal custody to monitor and prevent these abuses and ensure accountability and compliance with standards for detention,” the lawmakers continued. In addition to Senators Hirono and Ossoff, the letter was also signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The full text of the letter is available here and below. Dear Secretary Noem: We write with alarm regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) arbitrary and illegal obstruction of Congressional access to detention facilities. Obstructing Congressional access to immigration detention facilities violates Federal law and undermines Congress’s inherent authority to conduct oversight that ensures detained individuals’ human rights and protects Americans from agency waste, fraud, and abuse. The Further Consolidated Appropriations Ac… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-tokuda-moore-bacon-introduce-bill-requiring-24-hour-notice-of-alleged-abuse-in-military-child-care-programs | Reps. Tokuda, Moore, Bacon Introduce Bill Requiring 24-Hour Notice of Alleged Abuse in Military Child Care Programs | 2025-11-26 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Blake Moore (R-UT-01), and Don Bacon (R-NE-02) introduced legislation requiring military child and youth programs to notify parents or guardians within 24 hours after learning of alleged or suspected abuse or neglect involving their children that occurred at a military child development center or similar program. The Military Child and Youth Program Abuse and Neglect Notification Act would codify a Department of Defense (DOD) policy that was established after it became known that the Department had no requirement to notify parents in such cases. This legislation also goes beyond current policy by requiring the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, as well as members of Congress who represent the district where the alleged abuse or neglect occurred, be notified within 72 hours. “Parents who entrust their keiki to a military child care center deserve one guarantee: if something happens, they will be told quickly, clearly, and without exception. No family should ever be kept in the dark when it comes to their child’s health, safety, and well-being,” said Rep. Tokuda. “As the mother of two boys, we must demand nothing less for our military families, and as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, we must ensure effective Congressional oversight and accountability across the military child care system, because no federal agency should be allowed to hide the truth.” "As the congressional representative of Hill Air Force Base and father to four boys, it is an honor to serve our military community and their families. I’m proud to co-lead legislation that would require the DOD to immediately brief parents over suspected abuse or neglect of minors at DOD childcare facilities and create additional congressional oversight mechanisms. We must do all we can to ensure safe and healthy environments for all children, including those under the DOD’s care,” said Rep. Moore. Language in the Military Child and Youth Program Abuse and Neglect N… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-adopt-act-to-protect-adoptive-families-from-exploitation | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan ADOPT Act to Protect Adoptive Families from Exploitation | 2025-11-26 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and four colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Adoption Deserves Oversight, Protection, and Transparency (ADOPT) Act to protect adoptive families, children, and expectant mothers from exploitation by unlicensed adoption intermediaries. This legislation would ensure that adoption providers and attorneys operate only in states where they are licensed to do so. The ADOPT Act would protect adoptive families, children, and expectant mothers from exploitation by: Prohibiting adoption advertising and the provision of private adoption services for compensation by any entity not licensed as a child-placing agency or attorney; and Restricting payments to expectant mothers unless made through a provider licensed in the state where the expectant mother resides. The ADOPT Act is endorsed by leading adoption organizations, including the National Council For Adoption (NCFA), Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA), Ethical Family Building, Adoptees United, and Families Rising. In addition to Senators Hirono, Klobuchar, and Blackburn, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Jon Husted (R-OH). Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Laurel Lee (R-FL), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA). The full text of the legislation is available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-senate-democratic-caucus-introduce-legislation-to-reverse-snap-cuts-and-restore-food-security-for-millions-of-americans | Hirono, Senate Democratic Caucus Introduce Legislation to Reverse SNAP Cuts and Restore Food Security for Millions of Americans | 2025-11-26 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and the rest of the Senate Democratic Caucus in introducing the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025. The legislation would repeal all the devastating Republican cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) made in Republicans’ “Big Ugly Bill.” U.S. Representatives Jahana Hayes (D-CT) and Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Additionally, last week, nearly 1,500 national, state, and community-based organizations joined a letter voicing support for this effort. SNAP is a lifeline for over 42 million Americans, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans. In Hawaii, there are over 163,000 SNAP participants across the state. Congress has typically upheld a 50-year bipartisan commitment that Americans should not go hungry, but the Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill breaks that promise with the largest SNAP cuts in history. “Over 160,000 people in Hawaii and 40 million Americans across the country rely on SNAP to support their families and put food on the table. Yet, Trump and Republicans gutted SNAP funding in their ‘Big Ugly Bill’ and refused to fully fund these benefits during the recent shutdown, making it abundantly clear that they do not care if millions of Americans starve,” said Senator Hirono. “As Trump continues to give millions in tax breaks to his billionaire buddies, this Democrat-led legislation would help to reverse these harmful funding cuts. Working families across the country are struggling to afford to eat, and millions more will suffer because of these cuts. Democrats will not stop working until every American has access to the resources to keep their families fed and healthy.” To fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy, Congressional Republicans approved cuts… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-on-senate-floor-hirono-slams-trump-administration-attacks-on-department-of-education-highlights-importance-of-idea | VIDEO: On Senate Floor, Hirono Slams Trump Administration Attacks on Department of Education, Highlights Importance of IDEA | 2025-11-25 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) took to the Senate floor to slam the Trump Administration’s attacks on the Department of Education (ED) and highlight the importance of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ahead of its upcoming 50th anniversary on November 29. From withholding billions in federal funding to firing nearly half of the Department’s staff, since the beginning of his second term, Trump has conducted countless illegal actions against ED, an agency that supports over 50 million students across the country. “It’s clear Trump doesn’t give a rip about our government or the millions of Americans who rely on the services it provides,” said Senator Hirono during her remarks. “Instead of trying to strengthen the Department of Education’s support for our nation’s public schools, Trump and his allies are trying to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education completely.” For decades, ED has worked to protect students against discrimination and ensure equal opportunities in public schools, especially for students with disabilities. Signed into law in 1975, IDEA protects the rights of more than seven million students with disabilities across the country, helping to ensure these students receive free and appropriate education that meets their needs by providing funding and federal oversight of critical services. However, the Trump Administration has taken several steps to undermine the IDEA, even as it announced last week that it would accelerate plans to reorganize ED by moving dozens of other programs to different agencies. “Before IDEA was enacted, we did not have these kinds of federal protections for students with disabilities. As a result, there was no way to ensure that students with disabilities were not denied access to education or neglected in our schools,” said Senator Hirono. “Despite the success of IDEA and programs like this, this regime is accelerating plans to dismantle the Department of Education and roll back the progress it has enabled by moving important… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-introduces-bill-to-repeal-tariffs-on-indo-pacific-allies-including-japan-south-korea-taiwan-and-the-philippines | Rep. Tokuda Introduces Bill to Repeal Tariffs on Indo-Pacific Allies Including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan & the Philippines | 2025-11-24 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) introduced a bill that would eliminate President Trump’s “emergency” tariffs on Indo-Pacific allies, reaffirming our nation’s commitment to our key economic partners. The Chinese Communist Party continues to escalate its aggressive and coercive behavior against our Indo-Pacific partners by developing military bases on artificial islands in the South China Sea, embargoing imports from Pacific countries, and provoking tensions along the border with India, just to name a few examples. The Indo-Pacific Partner and Ally Tariff Repeal Act would reaffirm and strengthen our nation’s alliances by removing unnecessary and counterproductive tariffs on 40 countries, including Japan and South Korea (15 percent), the Philippines (19 percent), and Taiwan (20 percent). “At a time when our Indo-Pacific partners face growing intimidation and coercion from the Chinese Communist Party, the United States cannot afford to send mixed signals. Slapping our closest partners with tariffs while they face down growing Chinese aggression is backwards, counterproductive, and dangerous, and hurts American businesses and consumers,” said Rep. Tokuda, member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. “Introducing the Indo-Pacific Partner and Ally Tariff Repeal Act reaffirms our support for their security and our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. We must stand with our allies, not against them.” Cosponsors of the bill are Reps. Dina Titus (NV-01), Daniel S. Goldman (NY-10), Jim Costa (CA-21), André Carson (IN-07), Ted Lieu (CA-36), and Ed Case (HI-01). Full text of the legislation can be found here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-demand-declassification-and-public-release-of-legal-memo-on-lethal-caribbean-and-east-pacific-airstrikes | Hirono, Colleagues Demand Declassification and Public Release of Legal Memo on Lethal Caribbean and East Pacific Airstrikes | 2025-11-24 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), and the rest of the Democratic SASC members in writing Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth requesting the declassification and public release of the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) written opinion on the Trump Administration’s lethal airstrikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. Members of the committee were finally allowed to review the Trump Administration’s classified OLC opinion in a closed setting last week. To date, the Trump Administration has carried out 21 unauthorized military strikes – primarily off the coast of Venezuela – that have killed 83 people. “Few decisions are more consequential for a democracy than the use of lethal force. We therefore believe that the declassification and public release of this important document would enhance transparency in the use of deadly force by our Nation’s military and is necessary to ensure Congress and the American people are fully informed of the legal justification supporting these strikes,” the Senators wrote. In addition to Senators Hirono, Blumenthal, and Reed, today’s letter was signed by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). The full text of the letter is available here and below. Dear Attorney General Bondi and Secretary Hegseth: We are writing to request expeditious declassification and public release of the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel’s written opinion, dated September 5, 2025, concerning the domestic and international legal basis for recent military strikes of certain vessels near South America and the Caribbean, with appropriate redactions necessary to protect military personnel and sensitive intellig… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-schatz-legislation-to-expand-va-services-to-us-veterans-in-freely-associated-states | Senate Passes Schatz Legislation To Expand VA Services To U.S. Veterans In Freely Associated States | 2025-11-22 | 2025 | 2025-11 | 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 legislation authored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) that will expand Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits to U.S. veterans who reside in the Freely Associated States (FAS) of Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. The Caring for Veterans and Strengthening National Security Act requires the VA to provide telehealth services, mail-order pharmacy benefits, and beneficiary travel reimbursements to U.S. veterans in the FAS. “U.S. veterans in the FAS deserve the same care as all other servicemembers, without having to navigate complex, costly barriers or travel long distances just to see a doctor or get medication,” said Senator Schatz. “This bill ensures servicemembers can finally access the care they deserve.” Citizens of the FAS enlist in the U.S. military at some of the highest enlistment rates per capita. In exchange for exclusive military basing rights, the U.S. provides the military defense of these countries as part of a decades-long compact agreement. In 2024, the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act gave the VA the authority to provide medical services and beneficiary travel benefits to U.S. veterans in the FAS. To date, the VA has not exercised this authority. In addition to Schatz and Moran, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), James Risch (R-Idaho), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). “I strongly support this bipartisan legislation to extend VA health care to veterans in the Freely Associated States,” said Kalani R. Kaneko, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Marshall Islands. “This is not a political issue, it is personal and rooted in shared sacrifice. As a retired U.S. Army veteran, I recruited nearly 200 Marshallese men and women who served under the U.S. flag and earned these benefits. Allowing veterans to receive care at home strengthens… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-leads-bipartisan-bill-to-secure-more-funding-for-native-hawaiian-arts-and-culture | Rep. Tokuda Leads Bipartisan Bill to Secure More Funding for Native Hawaiian Arts & Culture | 2025-11-21 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) reintroduced a bipartisan bill to clear longstanding administrative hurdles that have limited Native Hawaiian–serving arts and cultural organizations’ access to federal grant opportunities. The Native Arts and Culture Promotion Act streamlines the grant application process for Native Hawaiian-serving organizations by eliminating outdated signatory requirements that currently delay or block applications. Additionally, the bill would remove offensive and unnecessarily restrictive statutory language that limits program accessibility for Alaska Native applicants. “This bill is about ensuring that Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native artists, cultural practitioners, and organizations can access the resources they have always been promised by Congress. By breaking down outdated barriers, we are strengthening the ability of our communities to preserve, teach, and share their arts and cultural traditions on their own terms,” said Rep. Tokuda. “Investing in Native arts and culture isn’t just about honoring the past—it’s about safeguarding the knowledge, creativity, and identity that will carry our Indigenous communities forward for generations.” “Throughout my prior service on the House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, and as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have worked to expand and fund programs that promote, sustain and honor the culture and art of our nation’s indigenous peoples,” said Rep. Ed Case (HI-01), cosponsor of the bill. “I’m happy to once again join Rep. Tokuda in this initiative to expand our Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Development Grant Program so that Hawaii’s indigenous peoples can continue to perpetuate traditional knowledge, strengthen their spiritual connection to the land and ancestors and reaffirm their cultural identity and resilience in the modern world.” Established in 1994, the Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development Program provides grants thro… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-repeal-provision-allowing-a-handful-of-republican-senators-to-receive-taxpayer-funded-payouts | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Repeal Provision Allowing a Handful of Republican Senators to Receive Taxpayer-Funded Payouts | 2025-11-21 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | ~ The Anti-Cash Grab Act repeals last-minute provision allowing Republican senators to collect $500,000 per lawfully subpoenaed phone record ~ WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and 24 colleagues in introducing the Anti-Cash Grab Act, legislation that will repeal a provision—quietly added into the government funding bill by U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) at the last minute—that allows senators to collect $500,000 for every phone record lawfully obtained. “While Democrats were fighting for affordable health care during the government shutdown, not only did Senate Republicans refuse to budge on health care subsidies, they also snuck in a taxpayer funded payout for themselves in the government funding bill,” said Senator Hirono. “Americans deserve honest lawmakers who are going to fight for them, not lawmakers who would attempt to sue the government for hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money for themselves while simultaneously enabling the suffering of working families. I am proud to introduce this legislation to repeal this filthy provision.” Senate Republicans’ provisions will specifically benefit eight Republican Senators, each of whom stands to collect at least $1 million in taxpayer money through this provision. In addition to Senators Hirono, Heinrich, and Kelly, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT),… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hawaii-set-to-receive-nearly-31-million-in-new-federal-funding-to-expand-high-speed-internet-statewide | Schatz: Hawai‘i Set To Receive Nearly $31 Million In New Federal Funding To Expand High-Speed Internet Statewide | 2025-11-21 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration this week approved a proposal that will unlock $30.6 million in new federal funding to expand high-speed internet access across Hawai‘i. Hawai‘i is among the first states in the country to receive approval for new funding from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program which will be used to build out and improve broadband infrastructure statewide. “Everyone in Hawai‘i should have access to high-speed internet,” said Senator Schatz. “This new funding puts us one step closer to achieving that goal by helping expand broadband infrastructure across the state. We’re going to continue doing everything we can to deliver federal funding to make affordable, dependable high-speed internet a reality for all.” The BEAD program was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/tokuda-harshbarger-lead-bipartisan-coalition-in-marking-national-rural-health-day-call-for-transformational-action | Tokuda, Harshbarger Lead Bipartisan Coalition in Marking National Rural Health Day, Call for Transformational Action | 2025-11-20 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Representatives Jill Tokuda (HI-02) and Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), co-chairs of the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, led Members of Congress in celebrating National Rural Health Day and highlighting the urgent need for bipartisan efforts to expand access, improve services, and strengthen rural healthcare systems. “National Rural Health Day is a chance to honor the communities that keep this country moving: the farmers, teachers, kūpuna, health workers, first responders, small business owners, and families who fuel our local economies and preserve our way of life. It’s also a moment for Congress to recognize that rural communities face challenges that are different not because they are less—but because they are too often asked to survive systems that were not built for them. Rural America needs a chance to be known as more than just resilient—it deserves a chance to thrive,” said Rep. Tokuda. Reps. Tokuda and Harshbarger convened a Special Order Hour on the House Floor with Caucus members to illustrate the critical challenges confronting rural healthcare and promote legislative solutions that improve telehealth and behavioral health access, strengthen EMS capacity, and support the rural workforce pipeline. The Members’ remarks can be viewed here. The Co-Chairs also convened a roundtable discussion focused on Medicare site neutral payment reforms and the potential impact on rural hospitals and clinics, provider stability, and patient access. Photos from the convening can be viewed here. Capping off the week, Tokuda and Harshbarger introduced H.Res. 891, a resolution recognizing Thursday, November 20, 2025, as “National Rural Health Day” and expressing the House’s commitment to advancing policies to improve health care accessibility and affordability in rural areas. The resolution text and list of cosponsors can be found online here. Rep. Tokuda’s call for action during “National Rural Health Month” follows months of on-the-ground visits across Molokaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, and K… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/11/20/2025/hirono-leads-colleagues-in-introducing-resolution-commemorating-transgender-day-of-remembrance | Hirono Leads Colleagues in Introducing Resolution Commemorating Transgender Day of Remembrance | 2025-11-20 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) led 16 of her Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution commemorating November 20, 2025 as Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). The House companion bill was introduced by U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Mark Takano (D-CA). “As anti-transgender hate continues to rise across the country, it is crucial that we do everything in our power to protect and support transgender and gender-nonconforming communities,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution to educate people about the discrimination and dangers that transgender communities face, as well as to honor the lives of transgender and gender-nonconforming people who were lost to violence. Transgender rights are human rights, and I’ll continue fighting so no one has to live in fear for simply existing as who they are.” Following the still-unsolved murder of Rita Hester, a transgender woman of color, Gwendolyn Ann Smith founded TDOR to honor Hester and other transgender people whose lives were lost to violence. Senator Hirono leads the TDOR resolution each year to memorialize the lives of transgender people lost due to violence in the United States and around the world. The resolution this year also commemorates Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a Black genderqueer transgender rights advocate who passed away last month. Miss Major was a trailblazer of the transgender rights movement and one of this country’s most celebrated transgender rights activists, spending over 50 years fighting at the forefront of the movement and providing a sanctuary for transgender and gender-nonconforming people in her home state of Arkansas. “On Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honor the Americans we have lost to violence and those who continue to suffer discrimination and hate for simply being who they are,” said Bennet. “We must commit to protecting the rights and safety of the transgender community and ensure everyone can live with dignity a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-block-donald-trump-from-getting-230-million-taxpayer-payout-from-justice-department | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Block Donald Trump from Getting $230 Million Taxpayer Payout from Justice Department | 2025-11-19 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) and six colleagues in introducing the No Torts for Trump Act, legislation to prohibit sitting presidents from seeking taxpayer-funded payouts under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). This follows recent reporting that President Trump is pressing the Justice Department to pay him roughly $230 million as a settlement for proper investigations he faced under the Biden administration and during his first term in office. “Trump is turning the DOJ into his personal law firm, and now he’s trying to use it as his personal piggy bank too—demanding the Department pay him over $200 million as some form of a deceitful settlement,” said Senator Hirono. “While Trump tries to line his pockets with taxpayer dollars, this legislation will help to ensure neither he, nor any future president, will be able to carry out this kind of blatant corruption.” Last month, President Trump submitted complaints through an administrative claim process under the FTCA, which Congress enacted to authorize plaintiffs to obtain compensation from the United States for the torts of federal employees. In these claims, President Trump alleged his rights were violated during the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) investigation into his 2016 campaign’s ties to Russia and during the investigation and prosecution for allegedly mishandling hundreds of pages of classified documents. President Trump’s claims pose substantial and concerning ethical challenges due to the unprecedented nature of his demands. Any settlement claims to the DOJ for more than $4 million must be approved by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche or Associate Attorney General for the Civil Division Stanley Woodword – both of whom have personally represented President Trump. The No Torts for Trump Act would amend the FTCA to exclude the president from being eligible to seek relief under the law regardless of when the tort took place or claim was filed. The legislation is supported by Democra… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-markey-lead-colleagues-in-demanding-answers-from-uscis-about-changes-to-the-naturalization-civics-test | Hirono, Markey Lead Colleagues in Demanding Answers from USCIS About Changes to the Naturalization Civics Test | 2025-11-19 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | Senators: “Encouraging naturalization has long been a bipartisan goal, yet USCIS has taken actions that will harm those seeking to become citizens while serving no legitimate public policy interest.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Ed Markey (D-MA) led a letter to Joseph Edlow, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) demanding answers from USCIS regarding the significant changes recently made to the naturalization civics test. The letter also urges the Trump Administration to rethink this policy in order to prevent long-term harm to the country’s naturalization process and immigration system. In addition to Senators Hirono and Markey, the letter is also signed by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Cory Booker (D-NJ). “With little public warning or opportunity for public input through the formal notice-and-comment procedure, USCIS made significant changes to the naturalization civics test, to the detriment of those who file their naturalization applications on or after October 20, 2025,” stated the senators. “Encouraging naturalization has long been a bipartisan goal, yet USCIS has taken actions that will harm those seeking to become citizens while serving no legitimate public policy interest.” The civics test is an oral exam that must be passed by immigrants seeking naturalization as U.S. citizens, with limited exception. The previous version of the test had required applicants to answer 6 questions correctly out of 10. Since the Trump Administration’s changes in October, the new threshold for passing requires applicants to answer twice as many questions correctly—12 out of 20. In addition to increasing the question threshold, USCIS also increased the difficulty of the questions, and expanded the list of potential questions from 100 to 128 options for agents to choose from. “This sudden and arbitrary overhaul of the civics test will disproportionately impact vulnerable appl… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-balint-fernandez-lead-colleagues-in-urging-scotus-to-protect-transgender-rights | Hirono, Balint, Fernández Lead Colleagues in Urging SCOTUS to Protect Transgender Rights | 2025-11-18 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Congressional Equality Caucus Co-Chair Representative Becca Balint (D-VT), and Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) led 130 members of Congress in filing an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in the cases of West Virgina v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, where the Court will be considering whether categorical bans on transgender students participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity violate Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause. The brief, which argues that categorical bans on transgender students participating in school sports violate Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause, was joined by eight of Senator Hirono’s colleagues in the Senate, and over 120 Representatives. “All students deserve equal access to opportunity in schools—whether in the classroom, on the playing field, or in other settings. No student should be discriminated against based on who they are,” said Senator Hirono. “A categorical ban on transgender students participating in sports not only harms these students, but also subjects women and girls to harassment and discrimination, and leads to the policing of children’s bodies. This contradicts the very purpose of Title IX: ending discrimination in federally-funded education programs. These bans are blatant discrimination, and the Court should say so.” In their brief, the Members argue that categorical bans on transgender students participating in school sports violate Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause. The brief highlights: How categorical bans harm all girls and women—including cisgender girls and women—through harassment and policing of children’s “reproductive biology;” How categorical bans both undermine the ability of transgender students to participate in their school community and are not substantially related to an important government interest; and The recent failures to amend Title IX to enact a categorical ban. The brief includes examples where a scho… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-release-the-epstein-files | Schatz: Release The Epstein Files | 2025-11-18 | 2025 | 2025-11 | 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 U.S. Senate unanimously passed a measure to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. “Now that Congress has weighed in on a bipartisan basis, it is the job of the Department of Justice to actually release these files and not cook up a new set of excuses.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/administration-removes-coffee-tariffs-following-bipartisan-effort-led-by-reps-tokuda-timmons | Administration Removes Coffee Tariffs Following Bipartisan Effort Led by Reps. Tokuda, Timmons | 2025-11-14 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) and William Timmons (R-SC-04), co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Coffee Caucus, released the following joint statement after the Trump Administration announced most coffee products would be removed from the list of items subject to reciprocal tariffs: “When we led a bipartisan letter earlier this year urging the Trump Administration to remove coffee from tariffs, we did so to protect American jobs and secure a stable supply chain for the U.S. economy. The Administration's decision reflects what is possible when members of both parties work together with industry and local communities to advocate for a commonsense solution. The Congressional Coffee Caucus will continue working across the aisle and with the Administration to strengthen our nation's competitiveness, support our businesses, and ensure that our nation's trade policies serve hardworking American people.” A copy of the letter can be found here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-urge-trump-administration-to-swiftly-release-home-heating-funds | Hirono, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Swiftly Release Home Heating Funds | 2025-11-14 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and 27 colleagues in a bipartisan push for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as swiftly and at the highest level possible. Currently, the Trump Administration is sitting on $4 billion in federal LIHEAP dollars that have yet to be distributed this year. “As Congress works to finalize the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill for the Department of Health and Human Services, we urge you to immediately release the highest amount of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding available under the Continuing Resolution,” the lawmakers wrote. The bipartisan group of Senators say the federal LIHEAP funding is a crucial lifeline that keeps vulnerable citizens safe and warm during winter by helping low-income households and seniors on fixed incomes pay their energy bills. The program also helps reduce energy costs through improved energy efficiency initiatives. Nationwide, an estimated 6 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP over the last year. States and tribes typically receive their LIHEAP allocations from HHS by early November. Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources. While eligibility varies by state, most applicants must have a household income below 150 percent of the federal poverty guideline or 60 percent of the state median income. The Trump Administration has proposed eliminating LIHEAP, including zeroing out funds in its fiscal year 2026 (FY26) budget plan. The Senate’s Labor-HHS-Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for FY26 would provide a $20 million increase for LIHEAP to $4.045 billion, while the House Appropriations Committee recommended a $10 million increase. LIHEAP applications are now open for all income-eligible households. Senior citizens and thos… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-call-on-trump-administration-to-immediately-halt-plans-to-upend-key-homelessness-program | Hirono, Colleagues Call on Trump Administration to Immediately Halt Plans to Upend Key Homelessness Program | 2025-11-13 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), and 37 colleagues in urging the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner to immediately halt reported plans to make drastic changes to the Continuum of Care (CoC) program, which could result in nearly 200,000 Americans being forced out of their housing and back into homelessness. In their letter, the senators called on Secretary Turner to use the authorities that Congress has given him to renew existing CoC grants for Fiscal Year 2025 to prevent massive disruption and uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable Americans in the coming months. “We write to express our deep concerns regarding the instability the entire homeless support system could face if funding delays, uncertainty, and rushed policy changes continue,” wrote the lawmakers. “HUD must immediately reconsider these harmful and potentially illegal changes that could result in nearly 200,000 older adults, chronically homeless Americans with disabilities, veterans, and families being forced back onto the streets. As Secretary, you have the authority to avoid this worst-case scenario by carrying out the previously planned and Congressionally authorized two-year [Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)], and we strongly urge you to do so expeditiously.” The senators noted that the potentially illegal plans to upend the program, which is the largest source of federal grant funding to prevent homelessness, would cause sudden and significant shortfalls across the country. “The most troubling of these changes is a new, arbitrary cap on the amount of funds that may be used for permanent housing. Currently, 87 percent of CoC funds support permanent housing, but the new NOFO reportedly limits the amount of funding for permanent housing to only 30 percent. This appears to be in contravention of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, undermines local decision… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokudas-statement-on-house-vote-to-reopen-government | Rep. Tokuda’s Statement on House Vote to Reopen Government | 2025-11-12 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) released the following statement after voting against the Republican funding bill that failed to include affordable health care for Americans: “Today’s vote to end the shutdown is NOT a victory. It may reopen government, but it shuts the door on affordable health care for millions. This bill does nothing to help parents take their keiki to the doctor, seniors afford their medications, or small business owners cover their workers. It does nothing for families struggling to put food on the table or keep a roof over their heads. Instead, it keeps the status quo—a status quo that is failing everyday Americans crushed by the rising costs of groceries, gas, rent, and childcare. Over the past 43 days, I’ve seen the pain and frustration firsthand at food distributions, airports, and medical facilities across our islands. That's why I voted 'no.' We can't just do nothing to fix the affordability crisis families are living through, and I will continue to fight to make everything from food to healthcare accessible for the people of Hawaiʻi.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-urge-trump-administration-to-stop-imminent-tax-bomb-for-student-loan-borrowers | Hirono, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Stop Imminent “Tax Bomb” for Student Loan Borrowers | 2025-11-10 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | ~ Borrowers who earn income-driven repayment cancellation after decades of payments could be hit with tax bills as high as $10,000 ~ WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and seven colleagues in a letter urging Secretary of the Treasury & Acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent to use the IRS’s existing legal authorities to stop the looming “tax bomb” facing borrowers who obtain income-driven repayment (IDR) discharges of their student loan debt. In 2021, Congress passed into law a provision excluding student debt cancellation from taxable income. As a result, borrowers who received student debt relief after years of repayment were not faced with high and unexpected tax bills. However, that provision is set to expire at the end of this year. Absent action from President Trump or Republicans in Congress, this expiration will mean that borrowers on IDR plans who have legally earned debt cancellation after 20 or 25 years of repayment will be hit with significant tax bills. “If neither the Trump Administration nor the Republican-controlled Congress act soon, families who earn student debt cancellation after paying their loans for decades will be hit with surprise tax hikes—as high as $10,000 in many cases—starting next tax year,” wrote the senators. “The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service should move immediately to avoid this financial disaster for working-class Americans.” New data from Protect Borrowers reveal that a typical family headed by a borrower receiving IDR cancellation (i.e., a married parent with two children earning $50,000 a year) could see their tax bill spike by $8,789. A similar family making $40,000 a year could shoulder a net tax increase of $10,295. Lower-income borrowers and borrowers with children would likely be forced to pay the most, as they stand to lose access to critical programs like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit. In their letter, the senators laid out the legal cas… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-votes-no-on-proceeding-to-republican-cr | Hirono Votes NO on Proceeding to Republican CR | 2025-11-09 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | “Republicans can find the money to give permanent tax breaks to billionaires, but can’t be bothered to extend the tax credits millions of Americans rely on to afford their health care.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) released the following statement after voting against proceeding to consideration of Republicans’ Continuing Resolution (CR), which fails to address the looming health care crisis facing millions of Americans: “For months, Democrats have fought to prevent health care costs from skyrocketing for millions of Americans. Despite our repeated calls for Republicans to join us in this effort, they have refused to even discuss extending Affordable Care Act subsidies with us. Clearly, Republicans do not care that millions of people in our country will not have health care. “From gutting Medicaid, to allowing ACA premiums to skyrocket and fighting to prevent hungry families from accessing their SNAP benefits, Republicans’ actions make clear their disregard for the well-being of working Americans. Republicans can find the money to give permanent tax breaks to billionaires, but can’t be bothered to extend the tax credits millions of Americans rely on to afford their health care. This bill ends Republicans' painful shutdown, guarantees backpay for federal employees, and will restore SNAP and other programs. However, Republicans’ refusal to include even a one-year extension of ACA subsidies will be disastrous for people across our country, which is why I voted against their CR.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-government-funding-rising-health-care-costs | Schatz Statement On Government Funding, Rising Health Care Costs | 2025-11-09 | 2025 | 2025-11 | 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 voting against a government funding bill that did not address rising health care costs for millions of Americans. “I voted no because this bill does not extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies, but we are not done with this fight. We are going to keep fighting to try to salvage this situation for the tens of millions of Americans who are going to see their health care costs double.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-trump-administration-attempt-to-block-snap-benefits | Schatz Statement On Trump Administration Attempt To Block SNAP Benefits | 2025-11-09 | 2025 | 2025-11 | 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 Trump administration directed states to undo any actions to provide full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to low-income families. “This is inhumane and illogical. The money is there, and we should use it to feed hungry Hawai‘i citizens. Tens of thousands of families rely upon this benefit to put food on the table, and multiple federal courts have determined that using the contingency fund is not just allowed but required. We need to put politics aside and make sure everybody can eat.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-bar-mass-layoffs-during-government-shutdown | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Bar Mass Layoffs During Government Shutdown | 2025-11-07 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) in leading their colleagues in introducing the Securing Assurance for Federal Employees (SAFE) Act. The legislation would explicitly prohibit the federal government from carrying out reductions in force (RIFs) during a lapse in appropriations. The bill would also reverse RIF actions taken during the current government shutdown. “Trump is using RIFs as a political tool to punish hardworking federal workers and their families during this Republican shutdown, sowing chaos for hundreds of thousands of people,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to combat this Administration’s lawlessness and protect the jobs and livelihoods of crucial federal employees.” The SAFE Act comes in response to recent efforts by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to initiate thousands of RIFs during the ongoing shutdown – an unprecedented step that a federal judge has already said appears “politically motivated,” illegal, and “arbitrary and capricious.” More than 4,000 federal employees have received RIF notices since early October. While the court has temporarily blocked these actions, the threat remains for many other federal employees serving the American public without pay during this shutdown. Current law does not permit agencies to conduct RIFs during a lapse in appropriations. This bill reaffirms and makes explicit Congress’s intent that no administration may use a shutdown as a pretext to initiate layoffs. The SAFE Act makes clear that such actions have no legal force and ensures federal workers cannot be targeted for job cuts during a funding lapse. The legislation is endorsed by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), American Federation of State, County & M… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-tokuda-titus-mcgovern-lead-letter-urging-president-trump-to-reverse-course-on-nuclear-testing | Reps. Tokuda, Titus, McGovern Lead Letter Urging President Trump to Reverse Course on Nuclear Testing | 2025-11-05 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), and Jim McGovern (MA-02) led 24 of their House colleagues in a letter to President Trump, expressing opposition to the administration’s reported plans to resume testing of nuclear weapons for the first time since 1992. “We are alarmed and deeply concerned by your announcement that you have instructed the Department of Defense to resume testing of nuclear weapons,” the representatives wrote in the letter. “The United States is a signatory to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and has not tested a nuclear weapon since 1992. While the treaty is not yet in effect, it fostered a new norm, and except for North Korea, no nation has conducted a nuclear test in the 21st Century. Resuming nuclear testing would be a reckless action that would open a Pandora’s box that could lead to dire consequences.” The Members contend that the United States can maintain a safe and reliable nuclear stockpile without live testing, arguing that renewed testing would jeopardize both U.S. security and international stability by encouraging other nations to resume their own nuclear programs. “Restarting nuclear tests would not only betray the memory of those who suffered from past detonations, it would betray our shared responsibility to build a safer world for future generations. Entire communities still live with the physical and generational scars of nuclear testing. We owe it to them, and to the world, to break that cycle of destruction once and for all,” said Rep. Tokuda. “This administration’s reckless, even maniacal disregard for global safety absolutely spits in the face of our duty as Americans to lead with courage and conviction toward peace. I urge the President and his administration to reverse course immediately and honor our responsibility of ensuring nuclear weapons are not part of our future—because it only takes one bomb to eliminate mankind as we know it.” “Donald Trump has put his own ego and authoritarian ambitions before the health … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-demand-trump-administration-reverse-course-on-nuclear-weapons-testing | Hirono, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Reverse Course on Nuclear Weapons Testing | 2025-11-05 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and 13 colleagues in demanding that the Trump Administration reverse course on resuming nuclear weapons testing and instead focus on continuing U.S. leadership in maintaining nuclear deterrence. Resuming U.S. nuclear testing risks prompting China, Russia, and other adversaries who have much more to gain from testing to restart their tests, undermining U.S. national security. “We write to you today to express grave reservation about any action to resume nuclear weapons testing,” wrote the senators. “While Secretary Wright recently sought to provide context to the directive you announced last week, we request that you personally provide clarification. The decision to resume nuclear weapons testing would be geopolitically dangerous, fiscally irresponsible, and simply unnecessary to ensure the ability of the United States to defend itself.” The United States tested nuclear weapons from 1945 to 1992, including in including in the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and other locations in the Pacific Ocean. In their letter, the senators underscored that while these tests improved weapon designs, they also caused serious and lasting health effects for Americans and our partners in the Pacific, including air and groundwater contamination that remains today. The senators emphasized that the United States has spent billions of dollars over the last several decades to alleviate the harm caused by nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific, and that President Donald Trump is clearly aware of this, having signed extensions to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act into law earlier this year. “The National Nuclear Security Administration has built a comprehensive set of tools for guaranteeing the readiness of our weapons,” continued the senators. “These capabilities include the most sophisticated scientific equipment in the world, including experimental facilities such as the Z Machine at Sandia National Laboratories and … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-slam-trump-administration-for-rising-health-care-costs-affordability-crisis-for-american-families | Hirono, Colleagues Slam Trump Administration for Rising Health Care Costs, Affordability Crisis for American Families | 2025-11-05 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | Lawmakers: “We urge the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans to join us to lower Americans’ health care costs and reopen the government.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and 24 colleagues in slamming the Trump administration for its failure to address rising health care costs for American families. In a new letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the lawmakers highlighted the worsening affordability crisis, especially for health care — the crux of the fight surrounding Donald Trump and Republicans’ ongoing government shutdown. “Over 90 percent of American voters say it is important for Congress and the President to lower health care costs,” wrote the lawmakers. “We urge the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans to join us to lower Americans’ health care costs and reopen the government.” The senators explained that Donald Trump has raised health care costs for Americans in the following ways: An estimated 154 million Americans with employer-sponsored health insurance will face the biggest premium increase in over a decade because of Donald Trump’s policies; Over 24 million Americans who get their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will see their premiums skyrocket next year, and families receiving enhanced premium tax credits will face the largest price hike in history if the tax credits expire; 15 million Americans will get kicked off of their health insurance because of Trump and Congressional Republicans’ budget law, and millions more with Medicaid will face new, higher out-of-pocket costs; 15 million Americans with $49 billion in medical debt are being denied federal relief, while 15 million more are at higher risk of accruing medical debt; Millions of Americans will have to pay “hundreds of dollars more in out-of-pocket costs” for ACA coverage due to the Trump administration’s final Marketplace… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-trump-administration-has-enough-money-for-argentina-a-new-golden-toilet-in-the-white-house-but-nothing-to-feed-hungry-families | Schatz: Trump Administration Has Enough Money For Argentina, A New Golden Toilet In The White House, But Nothing To Feed Hungry Families | 2025-11-05 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – Speaking at this afternoon’s Senate Democratic leadership press conference, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) called on President Trump to comply with court orders and fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that nearly 42 million Americans rely on, including more than 160,000 people in Hawai‘i. “There's enough money for a golden toilet. There's enough money for $40 billion for right-wing government in Argentina. There is enough money for a new aircraft for the Secretary of Homeland Security, which is totally unnecessary. There is enough money in the United States of America. What they have decided to do is to withhold it from regular people,” said Senator Schatz. A transcript of Senator Schatz’s remarks can be found below. Video is available here. Everything's more expensive – electricity, food, health care. And that is not a natural consequence of the economic cycle. Those are intentional policies by the Trump administration. And there is enough money. There's enough money for a golden toilet. There's enough money for $40 billion for right-wing government in Argentina. There is enough money for a new aircraft for the Secretary of Homeland Security, which is totally unnecessary. There is enough money in the United States of America. What they have decided to do is to withhold it from regular people. And as it relates to SNAP, in particular. Don't mistake what's happening. Don't allow these gilded walls to confuse you. This is exactly what it looks like. The Trump administration is going out of its way to make sure people don't have enough to eat, and they really are using hunger as a political weapon. It does sound crazy to say, but this is a new low. It is absolutely within the president's authority to make sure everybody gets fed. But what they are arguing is that even though they have the flexibility to provide $40 billion to a right-wing government in Argentina, even though they have the flexibility to purchase a new luxury aircraft, even though they have the fle… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-resolution-demanding-trump-senate-republicans-fully-fund-nutrition-assistance-program-for-millions | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Resolution Demanding Trump, Senate Republicans Fully Fund Nutrition Assistance Program for Millions | 2025-11-04 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and 44 of their Senate Democratic colleagues in introducing a resolution calling on Senate Republicans to force President Trump to immediately use all congressionally approved funding to keep families from going hungry. The senators introduced the resolution after the Trump Administration paused benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for nearly 42 million Americans over the weekend due to the ongoing Republican-led government shutdown. Today, November 4th, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that USDA has sent SNAP guidance to states after they were ordered to provide funding by two federal judges, but claimed that this will be a “cumbersome process” that may delay SNAP benefits for weeks. Shortly after Secretary Rollins’ announcement, President Trump claimed that he would illegally withhold all SNAP benefits until the shutdown ends. However, a few hours later, the White House announced that the Trump Administration is complying with court orders requiring the Administration to use congressionally-appropriated contingency funds to continue providing SNAP benefits. This incoherent back-and-forth has left SNAP recipients in limbo, unsure whether they will receive the benefits they need to feed their families. USDA has the authority to release $6 billion in congressionally-appropriated SNAP contingency funds, and the Trump Administration is required by law to release these funds. USDA also has interchange authority, allowing it to transfer federal funds from other nutrition programs to support SNAP. However, the Trump Administration decided to withhold this available funding, causing SNAP benefits to lapse on November 1st. In addition to Senator Hirono, the resolution was cosponsored by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-call-out-trump-administrations-illegal-move-that-harms-students-with-disabilities | Hirono, Colleagues Call Out Trump Administration’s Illegal Move That Harms Students with Disabilities | 2025-11-03 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and 28 colleagues in pressing the Trump Administration to halt illegal efforts to shut down the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) programs that support students with disabilities through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). A recent report from the Washington Post revealed that the Administration is working to undermine the IDEA, which provides educational opportunities for students with disabilities and protects students with disabilities from discrimination, including by moving IDEA programs away from ED. “Your moves to illegally shut down the U.S. Department of Education’s efforts to administer and enforce the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and potentially shift this work to another agency would reverse decades of progress in how we support students with disabilities and their families,” the senators wrote in a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “When Congress created the U.S. Department of Education, lawmakers intentionally placed enforcement of IDEA under this new Department rather than the Department of Health and Human Services. This was done because of our recognition as a society that students with disabilities should be treated as individuals seeking equal opportunity for learning and independence, rather than as patients and second-class citizens.” “Your latest reported effort to illegally move IDEA responsibilities, oversight, and programming to another federal agency would further erode the protections that countless mothers, fathers, educators, advocates, and students with disabilities have fought for years to build,” continued the lawmakers. In the letter, the senators questioned the legality of the move and emphasized the risk of harm it poses to students. They urged the Administration to instead focus on rebuilding the infrastructure that schools and districts rely on to ensure that students with disabilities receive the education they are entitled to under … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4768 | Long-Time Hawaii Federal, State and Non-Profit Executive Joins Case As Deputy Chief of Staff and Hawaii District Director | 2025-10-31 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | House | HI | Ed Case | C001055 | case.house.gov | case | https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=3 | scraper | (Honolulu, HI) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) has appointed longtime Hawai‘i federal, state and non-profit executive Kekoa Kaluhiwa as his Deputy Chief of Staff and Hawai‘i District Director working out of Case’s Honolulu district office. “In his twenty years of service across our federal, state and non-profit sectors and more, Kekoa has excelled at policy advocacy, community engagement and government relations,” said Case. “He is especially skilled at moving easily among diverse communities, leading teams, building partnerships, and navigating complex cultural, political and environmental issues.” “Especially important are his over ten years of Congressional experience with United States Senator Daniel Akaka. Representing Hawai‘i in Congress requires knowing and working smoothly and interchangeably in two very different worlds, and Kekoa especially brings this ability to my Congressional work.” Kaluhiwa joins Case from eight years with Kamehameha Schools, most recently as Director of ʻĀina Stakeholder Engagement, responsible for advancing the institution’s relationships with the community, government, and business sectors. He also directed Kamehameha’s statewide land operations. Kaluhiwa earlier served as First Deputy Director for the Hawai‘i State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DNLR) during the tenure of Case’s sister, Suzanne Case, as Director. His responsibilities included assisting in management of DLNR’s ten divisions, 900 employees and 1.2 million acres of public trust resources. Kaluhiwa is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools-Kapālama and the University of Washington (B.A., Political Science). He also earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Hawai‘i-Mānoa. Kaluhiwa succeeds Jacqueline (Jackie) Conant, who retired after twenty-five years of federal service. Conant worked for Case the entirety of his service in Congress, from 2002 to 2007 and from 2019 to her retirement. She began in Congress with U.S. Representative Patsy Mink and also served with then-U.S… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-press-for-transparency-on-secretive-ice-air-operations-raise-human-rights-concerns-over-reports-of-improper-treatment-of-detainees | Hirono, Colleagues Press for Transparency on Secretive ICE Air Operations, Raise Human Rights Concerns Over Reports of Improper Treatment of Detainees | 2025-10-30 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and 8 colleagues in pressing the Trump Administration for answers regarding its use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Air Operations (IAO) as part of its mass deportation agenda. In their letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, the senators raised concerns with the “near-total secrecy” under which IAO operates in light of a series of troubling immigration enforcement actions that this Administration has taken – pointing to examples and credible reports of violations of detainees’ rights and inhumane treatment while in ICE custody. They pressed Secretary Noem and acting Director Lyons for responses to a series of questions in the interest of providing much-needed transparency for Congress and the American public on these issues, including around the costs of operations, treatment of deportees, fleet and operations, carriers and contracting, flight data and destinations, and voluntary returns. “We write to express our concerns regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Air Operations’ (IAO) severe lack of transparency. IAO has been at the center of troubling actions ICE has taken under this administration but provides no public data on its operations,” the senators began. “IAO has been centrally involved in facilitating several concerning immigration enforcement actions under the second Trump Administration,” the senators wrote, pointing to the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the relocation of university student Rumeysa Ozturk before a judge could rule on her case, and the attempted deportation of unaccompanied minors to Guatemala without due process. “These cases paint a troubling picture of IAO attempting to shortcut due process rights and avoid or defy judicial authority. “IAO operates in near-total secrecy. ICE does not provide any publicly accessible data on its flights, destinations, costs to ta… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-joins-coons-schumer-murray-reed-introduce-the-armed-forces-pay-act-and-call-for-unanimous-passage-to-ensure-pay-for-military-personnel-intel-community-continues-during-shutdown | Schatz Joins Coons, Schumer, Murray, Reed introduce The Armed Forces Pay Act and call for unanimous passage to ensure pay for military personnel, intel community continues during shutdown | 2025-10-30 | 2025 | 2025-10 | 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 and Chris Coons (D-Del.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and 18 of their Democratic colleagues today introduced the Armed Forces Pay Act, legislation to ensure that military personnel continue to receive pay during the ongoing government shutdown. Shortly afterward, Senator Coons went to the floor of the Senate to call for unanimous consent to pass his legislation, where it was blocked by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Paychecks for servicemembers are scheduled to go out tomorrow. On October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government shut down due to a lapse in appropriations—meaning 1.3 million active-duty personnel and over 750,000 National Guard and Reserve personnel are still required to serve without pay. The Trump administration directed the Pentagon to move approximately $4.5 billion from military research and development accounts to cover payroll costs for military personnel, but the legality and sustainability of that measure is unclear. The administration has announced plans to resort to similar tactics for the next pay period. The Armed Forces Pay Act would provide mandatory funding for fiscal year 2026 during a lapse in appropriations, guaranteeing pay for all active-duty and reserve service members, as well as all civilian employees of the Department of Defense, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the majority of the Intelligence Community. The effort would apply retroactively to September 30, 2025, ensuring no interruption in pay for those affected. “Taking care of the men and women of our armed forces and ensuring they receive their paychecks is our most basic obligation, and I won’t stand by while this Republican shutdown endangers pay for servicemembers and civilians and debilitates troop morale,” said Senator Coons. “The Armed Forces Pay Act will ensure that active duty and reserve troops and their civilian supp… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-pause-student-loans-for-federal-workers-contractors-and-military | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Pause Student Loans for Federal Workers, Contractors, and Military | 2025-10-29 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and 11 colleagues in introducing The Shutdown Student Loans for Feds Act, legislation that would require the Department of Education to pause student loan payments for federal workers – including federal contractors and military personnel – in the event of a federal government shutdown lasting longer than two weeks. If passed, this legislation would take immediate effect for the current Republican shutdown, which has lasted 29 days. The Shutdown Student Loans for Feds Act would require the Department of Education to pause student loan payments for federal workers in the event of a federal government shutdown lasting longer than two weeks – including the current lapse in appropriations. During this time, these loans would not accrue interest, and borrowers would continue to be in good standing for forgiveness programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP), or Retention through Educational Advancement Program (REAP). This legislation will also ensure that the pause for federal workers has no impact on credit reporting. The legislation also authorizes the Secretary to issue a refund for a covered individual for any loan payment already made (if they already paid this month), if requested (to give borrowers flexibility as some may want to voluntarily pay during a period where interest is frozen). This pause would apply to all federal employees (furloughed and excepted), members of the military, and federal contractors. The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), and the National Education Association (NEA) have endorsed The Shutdown Student Loans for Feds Act. In addition to Senators Hirono, Warner, and Kaine, this bill is also cosponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-slam-trump-administration-for-increasing-costs-of-air-travel | Hirono, Colleagues Slam Trump Administration for Increasing Costs of Air Travel | 2025-10-29 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and 13 colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to reverse its decision to roll back consumer protections for airline passengers in Hawaii and nationwide that built on the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and kept costs low. Specifically, Donald Trump’s DOT is rolling back protections implemented under the Biden administration that required airlines to compensate passengers for flight delays and cancellations, and provide consumers transparent information upfront about the costs of extra plane ticket fees. DOT’s actions to roll back these protections will result in American consumers facing higher travel costs, especially as we head into a busy holiday travel season. “Last year, Congress acted to protect the flying public from airline-caused disruptions and surprise costs. The law guaranteed the right to a hassle-free refund for passengers when flights are cancelled or significantly delayed regardless of cause. The law also required airlines to have policies in place to compensate passengers for significant flight disruptions within an airline’s control, and be transparent about fees — such as baggage fees or change fees — that they charge consumers. The regulations recently targeted by the Department build upon the consumer protection framework established under the law,” the senators wrote to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “This is a common-sense proposal: when an airline’s mistake imposes unanticipated costs on families, the airline should try to remedy the situation by providing accommodations to consumers and helping cover their costs. By cancelling this rulemaking, the Department is actively foregoing an easy solution to foster consumer confidence and address the problem of unaffordable travel for many families,” the senators continued. “We urge DOT to reconsider its decision to roll back these import… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-joins-democratic-caucus-in-introducing-bill-to-fund-vital-nutrition-assistance-programs-while-trump-administration-illegally-withholds-funding | Hirono Joins Democratic Caucus in Introducing Bill to Fund Vital Nutrition Assistance Programs While Trump Administration Illegally Withholds Funding | 2025-10-29 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and the rest of the Senate Democratic Caucus in introducing the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act, legislation to provide funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) while the Trump Administration illegally withholds available funds. “The Trump Administration has the authority and means to enable American families to continue receiving their SNAP benefits, yet they are choosing to withhold funding from this critical program, forcing millions into hunger,” said Senator Hirono. “Trump and Republicans already attacked the SNAP program with their Big Ugly Bill, and now they are doubling down—jeopardizing food assistance for millions of people in order to advance their political agenda. This legislation will help to ensure that families across the country can continue to feed their children, despite the Trump Administration’s cruelty and lawlessness.” The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has the authority to release SNAP contingency funds, and the Trump Administration is required by law to release these funds. However, despite having billions of dollars available to fund SNAP, the Trump Administration decided to withhold funding for SNAP benefits in November. The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 would ensure SNAP and WIC benefits are uninterrupted for the remainder of this fiscal year. The legislation also requires the federal government to reimburse states for covering SNAP and WIC benefits during a shutdown. SNAP is the nation’s largest food assistance program, serving 42 million Americans. In July of this year, Republicans voted to strip $186 billion from SNAP in the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill”, marking the largest cut to the program in history. In addition to Senators Hirono and Lujan, the legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-senate-judiciary-democrats-demand-answers-from-doj-on-trumps-military-actions-in-the-caribbean-sea-and-pacific-ocean | Hirono, Senate Judiciary Democrats Demand Answers from DOJ on Trump’s Military Actions in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean | 2025-10-29 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), and the rest of the Senate Judiciary Democrats in demanding answers from the Department of Justice (DOJ) about the legality of military actions ordered by President Trump that have already killed 57 individuals in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. In their letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Senators highlight how the President’s recent strikes may violate an Executive Order, various federal statutes, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The Senators also slammed the Trump Administration for undermining bipartisan efforts to curb drug trafficking, which has had devastating impacts on American families and communities. “Summarily killing criminal suspects is prohibited under domestic and international law in both peacetime and wartime. These recent strikes raise numerous questions about whether the Department provided adequate legal guidance to those involved in ordering, planning, and carrying out the killings,” wrote the senators. “In accordance with the Committee’s constitutional oversight responsibilities, we ask that Committee members and staff be briefed on and afforded the opportunity to review any legal analysis produced by your Department.” The lawmakers slammed Trump’s DOJ for taking counterproductive steps to stem the drug epidemic, writing: “For example, you have diverted thousands of Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal law-enforcement agents from their critical missions to carry out the President’s immigration agenda. You inexplicably shut down the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force, which has dismantled thousands of criminal organizations. You have unilaterally terminated hundreds of grants that provide critical funding to state and local law enforcement. The Administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget would slash the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program by more than a third, fr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-meets-with-air-traffic-controllers-across-hawaii-amid-shutdown-strain | Rep. Tokuda Meets with Air Traffic Controllers Across Hawaiʻi Amid Shutdown Strain | 2025-10-28 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | Hawaiʻi - Today, air traffic controllers nationwide are missing their first full paychecks due to the Republican shutdown, which entered its fifth week. As a show of support and gratitude, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda met with numerous air traffic controllers on Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island over the past two weeks and discussed the ongoing shutdown’s impacts on aviation safety and the livelihoods of federal workers. Nationwide, the workforce includes 10,800 controllers and 3,300 trainees, yet there remains a shortage of 3,800 positions. In addition to understaffing, controllers report burnout from grueling 10-hour shifts, mandatory overtime to keep up with day-to-day operations, and mounting anxiety as Hawaiʻi approaches the busy holiday travel season. Rep. Tokuda thanked controllers for continuing to keep Hawaiʻi’s skies safe despite working without pay and emphasized how essential they are to Hawaiʻi’s medical transport system, economy, and inter-island connectivity. Controllers continue to uphold the highest safety standards even as preventive maintenance stalls, engineers remain furloughed, and staffing needs grow. “It’s important that we recognize the service and sacrifice of our air traffic controllers, and all our dedicated federal workers, not just during a shutdown, but every day,” said Rep. Tokuda. “These men and women are the reason families reach their destinations safely, the reason medical transports land on time, the reason our islands stay connected to one another and the world. They continue to show up, even without pay, out of love for their work and care for Hawaiʻi. I have nothing but the deepest mahalo for their professionalism and sacrifice, and I stand ready to work around the clock, with anyone negotiating in good faith, to reopen the government and give these workers the pay and stability they deserve.” Photos available from Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island visits. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-releases-statement-on-passing-of-maui-county-councilmember-tasha-kama | Rep. Tokuda Releases Statement on Passing of Maui County Councilmember Tasha Kama | 2025-10-27 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | Honolulu, HI — U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) released the following statement on the passing of Maui County Councilmember Tasha Kama: "I am deeply saddened and shocked to hear about the passing of Maui County Councilmember Tasha Kama, a dedicated public servant who gave her heart and soul to the County of Maui. She was a warm hand and mother to all, holding us together during good and bad times. Even in the most challenging moments, she brought people together with calmness, integrity, and a genuine respect for everyone's differences, while remaining committed to finding solutions that worked. Sending my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the Kama ʻohana, friends, and all those who were fortunate enough to work alongside such an inspiring and passionate leader -- she will truly be missed." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-passing-of-maui-county-councilmember-tasha-kama | Schatz Statement On Passing Of Maui County Councilmember Tasha Kama | 2025-10-27 | 2025 | 2025-10 | 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 on the passing of Maui County Councilmember Natalie “Tasha” Kama. “Councilmember Tasha Kama was a dedicated public servant who spent years working to make life better for the people of Maui. She was kind and generous, but not afraid to take on some of the county’s most pressing challenges, including housing and Native Hawaiian health care. Maui, and especially central Maui, are better off today because of her tireless advocacy and hard work. I send my deepest sympathy and aloha to the Kama ‘ohana.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-joins-house-democrats-urging-usda-to-protect-snap-during-republican-shutdown | Rep. Tokuda Joins House Democrats Urging USDA to Protect SNAP During Republican Shutdown | 2025-10-25 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | House | HI | Jill N. Tokuda | T000487 | tokuda.house.gov | tokuda | https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=2& | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) joined 214 House Democrats in calling on U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to use all available authorities, including the $5 billion SNAP contingency fund, to ensure food assistance continues for millions of Americans during the ongoing Republican shutdown. The letter from House Democrats demands that USDA act immediately to provide November SNAP benefits using the contingency reserve fund Congress specifically established for this purpose. Without urgent action, 42 million Americans, including keiki, kūpuna, and veterans, could see their food assistance cut off in November. “Thousands of Hawaiʻi households will soon face an impossible question — how to put food on the table with no certainty that their federal SNAP benefits will come through next month. SNAP contingency funds exist for emergencies like this, yet 42 million Americans, from keiki to kūpuna, risk going hungry. That is unconscionable,” said Rep. Tokuda. “USDA already confirmed SNAP has multi-year contingency funds to keep operating through a shutdown. Now the Trump administration claims their hands are tied, and that guidance has vanished. As this Republican shutdown approaches its second month, the administration has a choice: either continue to use food as a political weapon or use the legal authority given to them by Congress to stop this crisis and keep families fed. I urge Secretary Rollins and the administration to do the right thing and fulfill their responsibility to the American people.” The letter is linked here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-pay-all-federal-employees-servicemembers-and-contractors-during-shutdown | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Pay All Federal Employees, Servicemembers, and Contractors During Shutdown | 2025-10-24 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | ~ Legislation would also prevent Administration’s mass firings while the government is shut down ~ WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and 19 colleagues in introducing legislation to pay all federal employees–both those excepted and furloughed–as well as our servicemembers and federal contractors during the current Republican-led shutdown. The Senators’ legislation, the True Shutdown Fairness Act, would also prevent the Administration’s attempts at mass firings (Reductions in Force or RIFs) while the government is shut down. “Every day, federal workers help to keep the government functioning—protecting our communities and keeping our country safe and healthy,” said Senator Hirono. “Our federal employees should not be unjustly punished during a government shutdown that they had no part in. While Trump wants to pick and choose who gets paid during Republicans’ government shutdown, I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to ensure that ALL federal workers, contractors, and servicemembers are treated fairly and receive the pay they rightfully deserve.” The True Shutdown Fairness Act would immediately restart pay for all excepted and furloughed federal workers, servicemembers, and federal contractors during the current shutdown. The Senators’ legislation also includes a prohibition on Reductions In Force (RIFs) while the federal government is shut down. Federal employees are ensured retroactive pay after a shutdown ends due to the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act. The legislation is endorsed by American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), Partnership for Public Service, and The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). In addition to Senators Hirono… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-press-trump-administration-to-reinstate-furloughed-federal-workers-at-agencies-unaffected-by-republican-shutdown-resume-their-pay | Hirono, Colleagues Press Trump Administration to Reinstate Furloughed Federal Workers at Agencies Unaffected by Republican Shutdown, Resume Their Pay | 2025-10-24 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and James Walkinshaw (D-VA), and over 60 colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to immediately reinstate and resume paying any furloughed federal employees whose positions are funded entirely by collected user fees. In their letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, the lawmakers pointed out that fee-funded positions at federal agencies are unaffected by the lapse in appropriations caused by this Republican-driven shutdown, and that they should continue to deliver services to the American people uninterrupted as they have during past shutdowns. The members stressed that OMB’s directive to temporarily lay off and withhold pay from federal workers whose agencies continue to bring in revenue is unjustified and unnecessarily punitive – and must be reversed. “We are deeply concerned by reports of federal employees whose jobs are fee-funded being furloughed or denied pay while working during the current government shutdown at the direction of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). These moves are unprecedented during a government shutdown and have no legal or financial justification. They are clearly designed simply to inflict pain on the federal workforce and to deprive the American people of the services these federal employees provide,” the lawmakers began. For example, they took issue with furloughs and withholding of paychecks of employees at the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, noting that the Bureau is funded through fees collected for visa and passport processing. “There is no legal or financial reason to deny compensation to these employees as the money necessary to pay them is still being collected for services that are still being rendered,” the lawmakers wrote. “Passport Services did not suffer any disruption to its operations or payroll during either of the government shutdowns during … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-call-out-trump-administrations-dismantling-of-education-offices-responsible-for-supporting-people-with-disabilities | Hirono, Colleagues Call Out Trump Administration’s Dismantling of Education Offices Responsible for Supporting People with Disabilities | 2025-10-23 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and 14 colleagues in calling out the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle U.S. special education with its decision to illegally fire the Department of Education workers who provide education services and resources for people with disabilities and their families. In a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, the lawmakers stressed that firing nearly all of the employees of the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) – in addition to their earlier moves to cancel dozens of special education grants – will leave the Administration unable to meet its legal obligation to ensure access to a quality education for people with disabilities. The Senators press Secretary McMahon and Director Vought to provide answers to critical outstanding questions around these issues. “We write today with outrage at your reported decision to fire nearly everyone at the Department of Education (the Department) dedicated to delivering services and resources to infants, toddlers, children, youth, and adults with disabilities. A federal judge has paused all of the illegal reductions-in-force issued during the government shutdown, noting that they appear to be ‘the epitome of hasty, arbitrary, and capricious decision-making.’ We call on you to immediately end your illegal effort to fire these workers and ensure the offices are restored so that the staff can effectively implement statutorily required responsibilities assigned to the Secretary of Education,” the senators began. Emphasizing the Administration’s legal obligation to carry out education programs for Americans with disabilities, they wrote, “Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every student in America is legally entitled to a free, appropriate public education and yet you have decimated, without justification, the federal offices that help make… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-van-hollen-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-pay-all-federal-employees-servicemembers-and-contractors-during-shutdown | Schatz, Van Hollen, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Pay All Federal Employees, Servicemembers, & Contractors During Shutdown | 2025-10-23 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined over 20 Senators in introducing legislation to pay all federal employees – both those excepted and furloughed – as well as our servicemembers and federal contractors during the current Republican-led shutdown. The Senators’ legislation, the True Shutdown Fairness Act, would also prevent the Administration’s attempts at mass firings (Reductions in Force or RIFs) while the government is shut down. Senator Van Hollen will be calling for a vote on the legislation today. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). The Senators’ legislation is endorsed by American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), Partnership for Public Service, and The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). “While House Republicans are on a paid, monthlong vacation in the middle of a shutdown, federal employees and contractors – who have bills to pay and families to take care of – are being forced to go weeks on end without a paycheck. Our bill ensures that federal workers and servicemembers are not punished because of the Republicans’ refusal to show up to work and negotiate an agreement that prevents health care costs from sk… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-schatz-they-have-money-for-argentina-white-house-ballroom-but-not-enough-money-for-you | Schatz: They Have Money For Argentina, White House Ballroom, But Not Enough Money For You | 2025-10-21 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Brian Schatz | S001194 | www.schatz.senate.gov | schatz | https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – Speaking at this afternoon’s Senate Democratic leadership press conference, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) called on Republicans to work with Democrats to stop health care costs from rising and reopen the government. “This is not about money. There is enough money to bail out Argentina with $20 billion. There is enough money to purchase a brand new aircraft for $173 million for the Homeland Security Secretary. There is enough money to renovate the White House ballroom. What there's not enough money for under this Republican government is you,” said Senator Schatz. “There is only one way out of this shutdown, and it starts with the House of Representatives reporting for duty.” A transcript of Senator Schatz’s remarks can be found below. Video is available here. This is not about money. There is enough money to bail out Argentina with $20 billion. There is enough money to purchase a brand new aircraft for $173 million for the Homeland Security Secretary. There is enough money to renovate the White House ballroom. What there's not enough money for under this Republican government is you. There's not enough money for you. And it is astonishing to me that the party in charge of the government literally won't show up to work during the second longest shutdown in American history. House Republicans have been gone for more than a month. More than a month. They've worked two weeks out of the last three months. Nice work, if you can get it. You were all here. We were here. Two weeks out of the last three months they've even been in the United States Capitol. And so there is only one way out of this shutdown, and it starts with the House of Representatives reporting for duty. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-urge-major-utility-companies-against-imposing-penalties-service-shutoffs-on-federal-workers-amid-shutdown | Hirono, Colleagues Urge Major Utility Companies Against Imposing Penalties, Service Shutoffs on Federal Workers Amid Shutdown | 2025-10-14 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined eight of her Senate colleagues in sending letters to 22 major energy, water, and broadband utility companies urging them to avoid imposing service shutoffs and other penalties for late or missed payments on federal government employees who are not receiving pay during the government shutdown. “We write to urge you to suspend all utility shutoffs imposed on federal workers who are involuntarily furloughed without pay due to the ongoing government shutdown. Without their paycheck, federal workers are at risk of having their electricity, water, and broadband services terminated due to temporary inability to pay. The families you serve must have uninterrupted access to these essential public utilities,” the Senators began. While noting that many states have laws that protect residents facing economic challenges from utility disconnections, they called on the companies to extend these protections to federal employees nationwide—to prevent them from facing additional financial hardship or dangerous conditions in their homes amid a government shutdown caused through no fault of their own. “Suspending utility shutoffs for federal workers during a government shutdown is in line with statutory protections across the country,” the lawmakers wrote, going on to stress the importance of extending utility disconnection protections nationwide. “However, not all states or localities have such protections and federal workers impacted by the government shutdown live in every corner of our country, including in your service areas. As of July 1, 2025, there are over 2.2 million federal civilian workers, with at least 10,000 in 41 out of 50 states and at least 1,000 in each Congressional district. The senators, led by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), also point out that affected workers will receive back pay under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, thus allowing any suspended payments to ultimately be repaid. “Our patriotic, merit-based civil servants work on … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-release-of-living-israeli-hostages | Schatz Statement On Release Of Living Israeli Hostages | 2025-10-13 | 2025 | 2025-10 | 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), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, released the following statement after the 20 surviving Israeli hostages were freed today as part of a ceasefire agreement. “Today, after more than two years of unspeakable suffering, the 20 surviving Israeli hostages are finally home, reunited with their families and communities. While nothing will ever fully mend the trauma from the horrors they endured nor their loved ones’ anguish awaiting answers, today marks a significant step towards closure and healing, both for all those directly affected by this horrific ordeal and the entire nation of Israel. As we celebrate today, we also mourn the hostages who died in Hamas’ captivity and hope for their swift return. May their memory be a blessing. “With hostages home and a ceasefire in Gaza, we sincerely hope that this first phase will lead to a lasting peace in the region - one that ensures safety and security for Israelis and Palestinians in the years to come.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-national-defense-authorization-act-containing-over-10-billion-in-hirono-led-provisions-to-strengthen-national-security | Senate Passes National Defense Authorization Act Containing Over $10 Billion in Hirono-Led Provisions to Strengthen National Security | 2025-10-10 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted to pass the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the U.S. Senate, securing several key provisions for Hawaii and the Indo-Pacific region. As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, the Senator has made modernizing Department of Defense (DOD) infrastructure in Hawaii and across the country a top priority. The Senate-passed NDAA includes numerous provisions secured by Senator Hirono focused on infrastructure; delivering for communities in Hawaii; supporting servicemembers and their families; and prioritizing sustainability within the DOD. The bill will now be conferenced with the NDAA passed by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year. “Investments in DOD infrastructure, military readiness, and support for our servicemembers are all crucial to bolstering our national security,” said Senator Hirono. “This year’s NDAA makes those critical investments, including funding to facilitate the permanent closure of Red Hill, as well as over $1.1 billion to support infrastructure projects in Hawaii. My provisions also prioritize the wellbeing of our servicemembers by securing raises for servicemembers and civilian employees, protecting workers from job cuts, and helping to reunite veterans with their family members. I’ll continue working to advance these key priorities, and strengthen our defenses in the Indo-Pacific, while holding this regime accountable for its decisions that may threaten our international partnerships or hinder our national security.” The FY 2026 NDAA includes several of Senator Hirono’s key priorities that will: Deliver for Hawaii: Continues the Hawaii delegation’s work to safely and expeditiously close the Red Hill Fuel Facility by adding $35 million to support additional environmental restoration and remediation efforts and $5 million to continue ongoing community engagement as the Navy works to close the facili… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-on-senate-floor-hirono-slams-republicans-for-refusing-to-address-health-care-crisis-end-government-shutdown | VIDEO: On Senate Floor, Hirono Slams Republicans for Refusing to Address Health Care Crisis, End Government Shutdown | 2025-10-10 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | Sen. Hirono: “Frankly, Republicans can end the government shutdown today if they agree to restore health care to the American people.” ~ Without an extension of ACA tax credits, average out-of-pocket premium costs for a family of four in Hawaii are expected to increase by more than $500 a month ~ ~ Video of Senator Hirono’s floor speech can be found here ~ WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) took to the Senate floor to slam Republicans for choosing to shut down the government, instead of addressing the health care crisis they created. As a result of their “Big Ugly Bill” they passed earlier this year, which makes drastic cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP benefits, over 24 million Americans who receive health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace will be put at risk of losing their health care coverage. “The truth is that Republicans are happy to make permanent, massive tax cuts for billionaires in their Big Ugly Bill, but refused—refused to make permanent tax credits hard-working families rely on to get their health care,” said Senator Hirono during her remarks. Senator Hirono’s speech comes as Republicans continue to keep the government shut down because of their refusal to extend critical tax credits that help working Americans afford health insurance through the ACA. Passed in 2010, the ACA has enabled millions of people and their families to qualify and afford quality health care, many of whom—prior to the ACA—did not have any coverage at all. Republicans have long-been opposed to the ACA and have repeatedly attempted to repeal this fundamental health care reform law, effectively kicking millions of Americans off of their health care. “Misplaced priorities are nothing new for Republicans,” said Senator Hirono. “It’s rich that the same Republicans who crusaded for years to get rid of the ACA now stand before the American people talking about how much they care about their health care.” With open enrollment under the ACA beginning next month, people who rec… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-blast-secretary-collins-for-politicizing-key-veteran-services-during-shutdown | Hirono, Colleagues Blast Secretary Collins for Politicizing Key Veteran Services During Shutdown | 2025-10-09 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Representative Mark Takano (D-CA), and 10 colleagues in calling out Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins for weaponizing the government shutdown and artificially ending communications with Congress—despite the fact these constituent services have already been funded by multi-year appropriation bills that are not affected by the current government shutdown. The group criticized Collins for spending taxpayer resources to politicize the government shutdown, while simultaneously refusing to assist veterans with their casework. “Congress has provided the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with multi-year funding, which ensures a government shutdown has minimal impact on veterans’ health care and benefits,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to VA Secretary Collins. “That is why we are deeply concerned that your Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs (OCLA) refuses to initiate, dispatch, or respond to congressional inquiries on behalf of our veteran constituents. Every single day, veterans and their families come to our offices for help in getting their health care and benefits from VA. Often, they come to us as their last resort. We take those concerns or their specific cases directly to VA and advocate on their behalf. Thus, any delay in responding to this outreach or dispatching their cases will cause harm to the veterans we serve…The Department must revisit this prioritization scheme and dedicate sufficient staff and resources necessary to accomplish the task of responding in a timely manner to ALL constituent casework requests initiated by Congress.” The lawmakers pressed the Trump Administration for ending all Congressional communications during the shutdown, even though the office which handles these communications—VA’s Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs (OCLA)—has available carryover funding, unrelated to the shutdown, it can use to continue operations: “…[W]e know th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-protect-federal-workers-and-their-families-from-losing-homes-falling-behind-on-paying-bills-during-shutdown | Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect Federal Workers and Their Families from Losing Homes, Falling Behind on Paying Bills During Shutdown | 2025-10-08 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | HI | Mazie K. Hirono | H001042 | www.hirono.senate.gov | hirono | https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and 17 colleagues in introducing the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act. The legislation would protect federal workers, federal contractor employees, and their families from foreclosures, evictions, and loan defaults during a government shutdown. “Federal workers provide essential services to our government and our country, and their livelihoods should not be used by Trump and Republicans as a bargaining chip in this shutdown,” said Senator Hirono. “These workers shouldn’t be punished for a shutdown that they had no control over, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act. This legislation would help hundreds of thousands of federal employees, ensuring that they have a chance to keep up with their bills and continue to support themselves and their families.” The Federal Employee Civil Relief Act addresses the threat of federal workers and contractors losing their homes, falling behind on student loans and other bills, or having their car repossessed because they have been furloughed during a shutdown or required to work without pay. The legislation would protect impacted workers from: Being evicted or foreclosed; Having their car or other property repossessed; Falling behind on their student loan payments; Having negative effects on their credit history; Falling behind on paying their bills; or Losing their insurance because of missed premiums. The protection would last during and 30 days following a shutdown to give workers a chance to keep up with their bills. The government shutdown, now in its second week, impacts thousands of federal workers and federal contractor employees in all 50 states. The Federal Employee Civil Relief Act is supported by the National Treasury Employees Union, International Federal of Professional and Technical Engineers, National Federation of Federal Employees-IAM, American Federation of Government Employees, National Active and Retired Fede… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-leads-group-of-18-senators-in-introducing-legislation-to-protect-federal-workers-and-their-families-from-losing-their-homes-falling-behind-on-paying-bills-during-shutdown | Schatz Leads Group Of 18 Senators In Introducing Legislation To Protect Federal Workers And Their Families From Losing Their Homes, Falling Behind On Paying Bills During Shutdown | 2025-10-08 | 2025 | 2025-10 | 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 led a group of 18 senators in introducing the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act. The legislation would protect federal workers, federal contractor employees, and their families from foreclosures, evictions, and loan defaults during a government shutdown. “While the President and congressional Republicans continue to refuse to work with Democrats to stop health care costs from skyrocketing and reopen the government, people are suffering,” said Senator Schatz. “Right now, hundreds of thousands of federal workers, federal contractor employees, and their families don’t know whether they’ll be able to pay rent and make ends meet. Our bill will protect these workers and make sure they aren’t harmed during this shutdown.” Cosponsors of Schatz’s bill in the Senate include Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.). Companion legislation in the House of Representatives is set to be introduced by U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.). “Republicans control the House, Senate, and Presidency – and they have led our country into a shutdown to avoid bipartisan negotiations or a discussion about the impending Republican-led healthcare crisis. Now, Republicans and the White House are even threatening to not provide legally mandated backpay to workers,” said Leader Schumer. “Unfortunately, there are real people – with real concerns about pay and livelihood – who are being used as political pawns in the Republicans’ attempt to cater to billionaires and special interests. Senate Democrats remain committed to protecting federal workers who are affe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-to-house-republicans-on-third-week-of-vacation-get-back-to-work | Schatz To House Republicans On Third Week Of Vacation: Get Back To Work | 2025-10-08 | 2025 | 2025-10 | 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 spoke on the Senate floor and called on Republicans to work with Democrats to reopen the government and stop health care costs from rising for millions of people. Schatz also called on House Republicans to return to work from their current weeks-long vacation after more than a month off in August. “Get back to work,” Senator Schatz said after detailing House Republicans’ lengthy vacation. “We are facing a health care crisis. For 22 million Americans the price of health care is about to go up 114 percent. Help us help you, Republicans. You created this mess. We're simply saying we can open the government tomorrow morning if Donald Trump and Republicans realize that they’re hurting their own people.” A transcript of Senator Schatz’s remarks is below. Video is available here. It is day eight of the government shutdown, but it is day 19 of the House being on vacation. How is it possible that the party in charge of the government is sitting at home while the government is shut down? Well, let's take a look. So this is the House schedule. These yellow blocks are work days. It's already a pretty nice schedule. Most people, if they are fortunate, get either seven days or ten days of vacation. Some people get less, some people get more, but nobody gets this amount of time off. Now we call that a district work period or a home work period. And that's true. We need to be home to interact with our constituents. But that's what August is for. So here's what happened. They left early on the 25th, specifically to avoid a vote on the Epstein files. And they had this week off, this week off, this week off this week off this week off… Get back to work. Get back to work. We are facing a health care crisis. And we didn't pull this out of some Democratic strategist lab. And the presiding officer knows this in his home state. Prices are about to spike disproportionately among people who voted for Donald Trump, disproportionately in rural communities, disproportionately am… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-trump-is-trying-to-jail-his-political-opponents-actually-going-through-with-authoritarian-actions | Schatz: Trump Is Trying To Jail His Political Opponents, Actually Going Through With Authoritarian Actions | 2025-10-08 | 2025 | 2025-10 | 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) spoke on the Senate floor today about President Trump’s calls for the arrests of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, which came as National Guard troops prepare to deploy to Chicago at the president’s direction and over the objections of local leaders. “Trump is going through with these authoritarian actions. The last time he posted that one of his political enemies should be jailed, it was James Comey. And then James Comey was indicted this morning,” said Senator Schatz. “This morning, Donald Trump is in one of his moods, and he says Governor Pritzker should go to jail. Are we to assume he's kidding this time? I'm asking my Republican colleagues who swore an oath to the Constitution and love this country, just like I do, to say, publicly or privately: ‘Enough is enough.’” A transcript of Senator Schatz’s remarks is below. Video is available here. We all swore an oath to the Constitution. And I am honestly scared. I used to do this sort of shtick on Twitter, where I would say, ‘The thing about what Donald Trump said on Twitter is that he's…’ And then I would just say, ‘He's trying to take your health care away.’ And my point was, that's a distraction from the main issue, which was that he was going to try to take your health care away. That's not true anymore. He's going through with these authoritarian actions. The last time he posted that one of his political enemies should be jailed, it was James Comey. And then James Comey was indicted this morning. He pled not guilty. His trial is in January. And so this morning, Donald Trump, with the assistance of the Texas governor, who is endlessly servile to him, is mobilizing – over the objection of the Illinois governor – two- or three hundred troops to go into Chicago to do it. Nobody knows really what other than to terrorize people. They're belaying off a helicopter into an apartment building in urban Chicago. Give me a break. And lest you think this is theater. This morning, Do… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
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