url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/over-the-last-year-schatz-secured-more-than-6-billion-to-support-mauis-recovery-build-more-housing-improve-infrastructure-expand-high-speed-internet-and-advance-other-priorities-across-hawaii,"Over The Last Year, Schatz Secured More Than $6 Billion To Support Maui’s Recovery, Build More Housing, Improve Infrastructure, Expand High-Speed Internet & Advance Other Priorities Across Hawai‘i",2024-12-30,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU – In 2024, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) helped secure more than $6 billion in federal funding for Hawai‘i as he led efforts to deliver resources to support Maui’s recovery from last year’s fires and advance a range of other priorities for the state. Earlier this month, Schatz announced an estimated $1.6 billion in new funding for Maui’s continued recovery, aimed at building permanent housing for survivors, in addition to almost $500 million to support economic development, small business needs, water infrastructure, and more. The funding was approved following efforts led by Schatz for more than a year to press the need for long-term disaster aid both in Congress and with the Biden administration. “Survivors on Maui are doing everything they can to recover – but they can’t do it alone. That’s why getting funding to build housing – which remains the top priority – was so important,” said Senator Schatz. “People can’t fully recover without stable, permanent housing, and it’s critical that homes now get built as quickly as possible.” Senator Schatz added, “We also delivered significant funding this year to improve infrastructure of all kinds, expand access to high-speed internet, and help people transition to clean energy. Tackling Hawai‘i’s housing shortage is one of the biggest challenges of our time – and the new investments to encourage pro-housing policies and build housing on Hawaiian home lands are just the start. Whether it’s increasing SNAP benefits for families or preserving telehealth access or pushing to strengthen Hawai‘i’s security, we made real progress this year to help people across the state.” Earlier this year, Schatz, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), helped secure more than $6.6 million to build housing across the state by removing regulatory barriers that drive up the cost of housing. The funding came from a first-of-its-kind national program created by Schatz – the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) program – for which he secured $100 million in fiscal year 2024. Additionally, as Chair of THUD and Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Schatz delivered record funding to build housing on Hawaiian home lands and in other Native communities. The more than $1.3 billion for Native communities nationwide was an increase of more than $320 million from last year, and is in addition to the $22.3 million he secured to address Native Hawaiian housing needs. Additional highlights include: Helping increase SNAP benefits to reflect food costs in Hawai‘i: Following calls from Schatz to increase SNAP benefits in Hawai‘i in line with the local cost of food, the U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed a $40 – or 2.3 percent – increase in benefits. Schatz worked directly with USDA Secretary Vilsack to update the Hawai‘i cost analysis. Supporting flood management and environmental restoration projects: As part of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024, Schatz secured provisions authorizing feasibility studies for flood risk management projects on Maui, Kaua‘i, and O‘ahu and expediting projects already underway. Improving air tour safety and addressing air noise: Schatz secured several provisions in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 to toughen safety requirements for air tour operators and require the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to participate in a state task force on air tour operations. The bill also helps airports in the state adapt to extreme weather and establishes the first-ever, Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection. Extending telehealth coverage: Schatz led a group of 100 lawmakers in calling for telehealth expansion that were set to expire at the end of the year. Schatz continues to push for the passage of his bipartisan bill to permanently extend telehealth flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries. Leading the push to strengthen national security and protect Hawai‘i: Along with Senator Eric Schmidt (R-Mo.) and a group of bipartisan colleagues, Schatz – a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to clarify that Hawai‘i would be protected by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) under Article V of its treaty should the state ever come under attack by an adversary. Hawai‘i is the only state in the country that does not have full protections under NATO. Renewing COFA agreements and making medical care accessible to U.S. military veterans living in the FAS: Schatz helped extend the United States’ agreements with the Freely Associated States (FAS) of the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia as part of this year’s appropriations process. Additionally, Schatz secured provisions to allow the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide medical care to veterans of the U.S. military living in the FAS. Working to improve evacuation route planning in the event of a disaster or emergency: Following the Lahaina fires, Schatz joined U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) in introducing bipartisan legislation to develop guidelines for state and local governments to improve emergency evacuation preparedness. Funding highlights include: Nearly $108 million to rehabilitate bridges on Hawai‘i Island. $74.6 million in funding will help improve Nanue and Hakalau bridges on Hawai‘i Island in an effort to maintain traffic capacity and safety. The funding will also enable the completion of environmental remediation of lead paint under Hakalau Bridge that led to the closure of Hakalau Beach Park. $33 million of the funding will help strengthen the Wailuku River Bridge by making key improvements to reinforce its foundation. Nearly $100 million to improve airports statewide. The funding will help rehabilitate runways at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport on Hawai‘i Island as well as enable the construction of a new security screening checkpoint facility at Kahului Airport on Maui. At Daniel K. Inouye Airport on O‘ahu, the funding will help improve the Terminal 2 roadway for the Wiki Wiki Shuttle, expand sidewalks and update lighting to the Diamond Head Concourse, and upgrade fire sprinkler and alarm systems. $89 million to expand high-speed internet access on Hawaiian home lands. The funding will help bring broadband internet access to thousands of households on Hawaiian home lands through building new telecommunications infrastructure, workforce development programs, and digital equity initiatives for DHHL lessees. $68.4 million to conserve and restore watersheds and forests. The funding for the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College program will be used to help conserve and restore watersheds and forests; build natural infrastructure to protect communities and habitats; restore Native Hawaiian fishponds, limu, and coral reefs to reinvigorate habitat; and establish new green infrastructure projects to reduce risk and improve disaster resilience. $62.4 million to deliver solar power to low-income homes statewide. The funding will help finance residential rooftop solar projects as well as storage and community-owned solar systems. $42.5 million to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety on Hawai‘i Island and O‘ahu. The funding will be used to reconstruct roadways near Bayfront Highway and Waianuenue Avenue in Hilo to implement a slate of roadway improvements including ADA-compliant sidewalks, pedestrian signals, and traffic management devices. In Honolulu, the funding will be used to add an additional lane and execute a complete redesign of a 1.5-mile segment of Salt Lake Boulevard which includes dedicated bike lanes. $24.4 million to repair roads and structures damaged by storms on Maui and Kaua‘i. The funding will be used to cover the costs of repairs to roadways and structures on Maui and Kaua‘i that were damaged by landslides and severe rain in recent years. $20 million to support Native Hawaiian climate resilience efforts. The funding, awarded to 17 Native Hawaiian Organizations, will help restore native ecosystems and plants and enhance food security while incorporating Indigenous knowledge and practices. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3489,Congressman Case Statement On The Passing Of Former President Jimmy Carter,2024-12-29,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=7,scraper,"(Honolulu, HI) – Congressman Ed Case (First District - Hawai‘i) today issued the following statement on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter: “Faith, hope, service. These will always define President Jimmy Carter. Faith in God and humanity. Hope for our country and world and for each and all of us. Service as the purpose of life, each in our own best way. His was truly a life of consequence.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-the-passing-of-former-president-jimmy-carter,Schatz Statement On The Passing Of Former President Jimmy Carter,2024-12-29,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) issued the following statement after the death of former President Jimmy Carter: “I join Americans across the country in mourning the loss of former President Jimmy Carter. As president, he worked to protect the environment, expand clean energy, champion human rights, and advance Middle East peace. After leaving office, he spent decades helping the less fortunate, in America and around the world. His legacy of service, kindness, and generosity will live on. My deepest condolences go out to the entire Carter family.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/president-biden-signs-rep-tokudas-legislation-to-start-process-of-designating-lahaina-a-national-heritage-area,President Biden Signs Rep. Tokuda’s Legislation to Start Process of Designating Lahaina a National Heritage Area,2024-12-26,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=5&,scraper,"Washington, DC – Earlier this week, President Joe Biden signed U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda’s (HI-02) Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act into law. Under this law, the National Park Service, in consultation with state and local partners, will study the suitability and feasibility of a National Heritage Area designation for Lahaina. These areas are designated by Congress to complement state and local conservation efforts through recognition, federal funding, and technical assistance. “Sixteen months after the horrific fires forever changed Lahaina, the community is still rebuilding while trying to preserve what was miraculously saved. President Biden has always recognized Lahaina’s long road to recovery and continues to lend his unwavering support. I am so proud and grateful that President Biden recognizes Lahaina’s historic and cultural significance and how my legislation helps ensure future generations do as well,” said Rep. Tokuda. U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced the Senate companion of the legislation and helped secure its passage on the Senate floor on December 16, 2024. There are 62 National Heritage Areas in the United States but none in Hawaiʻi. Kaʻena Point is currently being studied for designation. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/president-biden-signs-hirono-cruz-legislation-into-law-to-maintain-access-to-the-federal-courts,"President Biden Signs Hirono, Cruz Legislation Into Law to Maintain Access to the Federal Courts",2024-12-23,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Joseph R. Biden signed the Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act into law. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation led by U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, transitions 10 temporary federal judgeships—including one in Hawaii—to permanent status in order to maintain the current level of access to the federal court for millions of Americans across the nation. “It was heartening to see broad bipartisan consensus on this bill to make the temporary district court judgeships around the country permanent, and I am glad that President Biden signed it into law,” said Senator Hirono. “This legislation will ensure that people in Hawaii, Texas, and across the country can continue to rely on these longstanding temporary judgeships. I thank Senator Cruz for his partnership, and all of the Senate and House cosponsors of this legislation for their support.” The Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act grants permanent status to all 10 currently-existing temporary federal district court judgeships in the following federal district courts: U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama U.S. District Court for the Central District of California U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina The full text of the legislation is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/president-biden-signs-hirono-tokuda-bill-to-study-designating-lahaina-as-national-heritage-area-into-law,"President Biden Signs Hirono, Tokuda Bill to Study Designating Lahaina as National Heritage Area Into Law",2024-12-23,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Joseph R. Biden signed into law the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI). The bicameral legislation directs the National Park Service, in coordination with Maui County and other state and local partners, to study the suitability and feasibility of a National Heritage Area designation for Lahaina. The bill passed the House and unanimously passed the Senate last month. “The historic, natural, and cultural resources found in Lahaina tell a nationally significant story and the devastating August 2023 wildfires shed light on how special this town is to our communities and to the country,” said Senator Hirono. “I am proud President Biden signed the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act into law, as this bill will place Lahaina under consideration to become a National Heritage Area, helping to ensure that this town is celebrated and appreciated for generations to come.” The Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act was also cosponsored by Representative Ed Case (D-HI). The National Park Service currently oversees 62 National Heritage Areas across the country, none of which are in Hawaii. In 2022, the House passed Senator Hirono’s Kaena Point National Heritage Area Act to study designating Kaena Point on Oahu as a National Heritage Area. The full text of the legislation is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-more-than-2-billion-in-new-disaster-aid-funding-for-maui-passes-senate-set-to-be-signed-into-law,"Schatz: More Than $2 Billion In New Disaster Aid Funding For Maui Passes Senate, Set To Be Signed Into Law",2024-12-21,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to pass more than $110 billion in new long-term recovery funding for disaster-impacted communities nationwide. Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, worked to include an estimated $1.6 billion in new Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding for housing on Maui and an estimated $480 million more for economic development, small business loans, and water infrastructure, among other things. The funding bill is expected to be signed into law by the president today. “The $1.6 billion in CDBG-DR funding is for three things: housing, housing, and housing,” said Senator Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “For the past 16 months, the people of Lahaina have done everything in their power to recover as quickly as they can. But they were never meant to do it alone. As disaster response gives way to disaster recovery, building housing is the top priority. People can’t fully recover without permanent, stable housing, and that’s why getting this funding now is so important.” In addition to the estimated $1.6 billion in CDBG-DR funding for housing, about $480 million more will be heading to Maui, including: At least $22 million to support economic recovery, agriculture, and conservation effort At least $12 million to provide loans to impacted small businesses $33 million to repair roads $350 million to build critical water infrastructure $19 million for child care Since the Maui fires in August 2023, Schatz has continually led efforts in Congress to deliver relief for survivors, including securing $16 billion for the national Disaster Relief Fund last year and most recently co-sponsoring the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act which passed the Senate unanimously last week. The bill exempts survivors of the fires from having to pay federal income tax on their settlement money or pay tax on attorney fees included in the settlement. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3488,Case Announces House Passage Of Measure To Provide Continued Critical Disaster Relief For Lahaina,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=8,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1) voted today on the bipartisan continuing resolution drafted by his Appropriations Committee to keep government programs and services funded until March 14, 2025. The package also includes supplemental relief funds necessary to help Maui and other communities across the country recover from recent natural disasters. “Aside from highly disappointing and totally unnecessary last-minute drama leading up to this vote, this measure is critical to the millions across our country who rely on core federal programs for themselves and their families,” said Case. “Especially welcome is the continuation of disaster funding for which the Hawai‘i Congressional delegation has fought hard to help Maui recover from the one of deadliest fires in our nation’s history,” said Case. The House approved the bill by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 366-34. The Senate is expected to approve the bill shortly and send it to the President, who is expected to sign the bill into law. The bill also includes a one-year reauthorization of the Farm Bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation passed by Congress roughly every five years that directs U.S. agricultural and food policies. This will secure key agricultural support and food assistance programs as Congress works to complete a final version of the reauthorization. Further details: The bill includes further emergency funding for both the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Economic Development Administration, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) program, all of which are critical to Maui’s recovery. The bill provides $12 billion to CDBG-DR, which is a crucial resource for the rebuilding of Lahaina. This federal funding program provides financial support for long-term recovery efforts in areas affected by natural disasters. For Lahaina, the CDBG-DR funding will assist in restoring homes, infrastructure and essential services, while also fostering economic revitalization. The funds will enable the construction of safe, affordable housing, support small businesses, and enhance community resilience against future disasters. This funding will provide vital support to restore Lahaina’s social fabric, provide economic stability and ensure the long-term well-being of its residents. This bill provides $29 billion for FEMA’s key Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) so FEMA can continue its critical disaster relief work. The DRF is the primary federal funding mechanism used for disaster response, and it has been severely depleted in recent months as several severe storms, like Hurricanes Helene and Milton, devastated communities across the country, all while the DRF continues to fund long-term recovery for other disasters, including the Maui wildfires. The $1.5 billion allocated to the Economic Development Administration is designated for disaster-related purposes, including long-term recovery efforts, capacity building and addressing unmet needs in areas affected by natural disasters, such as the 2023 wildfires in Hawai‘i. These funds will support rebuilding infrastructure, mitigate future risks, and assist with the economic recovery of communities impacted by the fires. For Hawai‘i, this funding is crucial for restoring essential services, fostering resilience and ensuring comprehensive support for the state’s recovery and rebuilding efforts. The bill allocates $2.2 billion to the SBA’s Disaster Loans Program to address funding shortfalls. This includes $11.7 million in loans already approved for 38 Hawai‘i small businesses, part of approximately 17,000 nationwide awaiting assistance. The funding will help businesses and residents in Hawai‘i recover from past disasters, providing essential financial support for rebuilding efforts. The funds will remain available until fully expended, ensuring continued assistance for Hawaii’s disaster loan applicants to recover and rebuild. The measure also extends the Farm Bill for a year, a program that provides critical support for ranchers and farmers and helps ensure food security and promotes natural resource conservation. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Case helped ensure that another vital program funded under the Farm Bill and administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Supplemental Nutrition Program, or SNAP, will continue to be funded. “This federal assistance is critical to the economic security and well-being especially of women and children in acute needs,” said Case. Other provisions in the bill of special relevance to Hawai‘i include: · $210 million for the U.S. Coast Guard to respond to damage caused by various natural disasters, including to fund necessary repairs at units in Hawai‘i impacted by the Maui wildfires. · Extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities until the end of 2026. · Increased mandatory funding for Community Health Centers and the National Health Service Corps. NOTE: The bill text is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-schatz-secure-several-provisions-to-support-hawaii-communities-and-strengthen-disaster-resilience-in-2024-water-resources-development-act,"Hirono, Schatz Secure Several Provisions to Support Hawaii Communities and Strengthen Disaster Resilience in 2024 Water Resources Development Act",2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate passed the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which includes several provisions secured by U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) to benefit Hawaii’s communities and strengthen the state’s disaster resilience. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, to conduct studies, construct projects, and research activities to improve U.S. waterways. The bill passed the Senate by 97-1 and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “The Water Resources Development Act is crucial legislation to strengthen our country’s water conservation efforts and improve waterways. This year’s bill includes several provisions that will benefit Hawaii’s communities, including projects to expand access to resources for remote communities, reduce flood and storm damages across the state, and support Maui as they continue to recover after the wildfires,” said Senators Hirono and Schatz. “We’re proud to have helped secure these provisions and will continue fighting to ensure that Hawaii has the federal support necessary to enhance our waterway infrastructure and improve disaster resilience efforts.” WRDA—legislation that is passed every two years—enables the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to carry out activities related to the conservation and development of water and related resources, such as flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration. In October 2023, Senator Hirono and Senator Schatz sent a letter to leadership of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works requesting the inclusion of several provisions that would benefit Hawaii’s communities in the 2024 WRDA. Ten of those provisions were included in the final bill, including: Supporting Maui Post-Wildfires Maui Wildfire Response: Prioritizes watersheds of the island of Maui, including Wahikuli, Honokowai, Kahana, Honokahua, and Honolua, as well as the coral reef habitat north of Lahaina, in watershed and river basin assessments recommending construction or modification of water resources development projects. Creates a new project to conduct a feasibility study for flood risk management and ecosystem restoration in the County of Maui. Carries out a post-disaster watershed assessment for areas impacted by the August 2023 wildfires on Maui. Expanding Access to Resources Section 444 Amendments: Adds Hawaii to the “Pacific Region” within Section 444 of the WRDA of 1996. This would allow USACE to partner with stakeholders on a broader range of projects including cultural resources preservation and environmental restoration. Expanding Remote and Subsistence Harbors Eligibility: Expands eligibility for coastal communities whose longevity is linked to harbor accessibility. This change would also allow for greater consideration of cultural, social, and ecosystem benefits to the local community in cost-benefit analyses. Remote, Coastal, or Small Storm Damage Reduction Projects: Creates an avenue for remote, coastal areas to include comprehensive cultural, social, and ecosystem benefits in cost-benefit analyses for small hurricane and storm damage reduction projects. This addition would also allow remote, coastal communities to qualify for projects based on increased area costs, remote location, or the relationship between project success and long-term community viability. Strengthening Disaster Resilience Honolulu Deep-Draft Harbor Funding Modifications: Amends the current study to expand its scope, including to consider disaster resilience and enhanced national security from utilization of the harbor by the Department of Defense. Laupahoehoe Harbor Breakwater: Expedites the completion of the repairs of the damaged seawall at Laupahoehoe Harbor. Flood and Coastal Risk Management Study for County of Kauai: Authorizes a new project to conduct a feasibility study for flood risk management and coastal storm risk management in the County of Kauai. Hanapepe Levee Assessment Expanded Authority: Modifies the current Hanapepe Levee project to evaluate sources of flooding and propose engineering and non-structural solutions to reduce flood damages in the Hanapepe River watershed. Waimea Levee Assessment Expanded Authority: Modifies the current Waimea project to evaluate sources of flooding in the Waimea River watershed and investigate modifications to existing Waimea River levees on the southwest coast of Kauai. Kuliouou Stream Flood Risk Management: Authorizes a new project to conduct a feasibility study for flood risk management in Hawaii Kai. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hirono-secure-several-provisions-to-support-hawaii-communities-and-strengthen-disaster-resilience-in-2024-water-resources-development-act,"Schatz, Hirono Secure Several Provisions to Support Hawaii Communities and Strengthen Disaster Resilience in 2024 Water Resources Development Act",2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate passed the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which includes several provisions secured by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to benefit Hawaii’s communities and strengthen the state’s disaster resilience. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, to conduct studies, construct projects, and research activities to improve U.S. waterways. The bill passed the Senate by 97-1 and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “The Water Resources Development Act is crucial legislation to strengthen our country’s water conservation efforts and improve waterways. This year’s bill includes several provisions that will benefit Hawaii’s communities, including projects to expand access to resources for remote communities, reduce flood and storm damages across the state, and support Maui as they continue to recover after the wildfires,” said Senators Schatzand Hirono. “We’re proud to have helped secure these provisions and will continue fighting to ensure that Hawaii has the federal support necessary to enhance our waterway infrastructure and improve disaster resilience efforts.” WRDA—legislation that is passed every two years—enables the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to carry out activities related to the conservation and development of water and related resources, such as flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration. In October 2023, Senator Schatz and Senator Hirono sent a letter to leadership of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works requesting the inclusion of several provisions that would benefit Hawaii’s communities in the 2024 WRDA. Ten of those provisions were included in the final bill, including: Supporting Maui Post-Wildfires Maui Wildfire Response: Prioritizes watersheds of the island of Maui, including Wahikuli, Honokowai, Kahana, Honokahua, and Honolua, as well as the coral reef habitat north of Lahaina, in watershed and river basin assessments recommending construction or modification of water resources development projects. Creates a new project to conduct a feasibility study for flood risk management and ecosystem restoration in the County of Maui. Carries out a post-disaster watershed assessment for areas impacted by the August 2023 wildfires on Maui. Expanding Access to Resources Section 444 Amendments: Adds Hawaii to the “Pacific Region” within Section 444 of the WRDA of 1996. This would allow USACE to partner with stakeholders on a broader range of projects including cultural resources preservation and environmental restoration. Expanding Remote and Subsistence Harbors Eligibility: Expands eligibility for coastal communities whose longevity is linked to harbor accessibility. This change would also allow for greater consideration of cultural, social, and ecosystem benefits to the local community in cost-benefit analyses. Remote, Coastal, or Small Storm Damage Reduction Projects: Creates an avenue for remote, coastal areas to include comprehensive cultural, social, and ecosystem benefits in cost-benefit analyses for small hurricane and storm damage reduction projects. This addition would also allow remote, coastal communities to qualify for projects based on increased area costs, remote location, or the relationship between project success and long-term community viability. Strengthening Disaster Resilience Honolulu Deep-Draft Harbor Funding Modifications: Amends the current study to expand its scope, including to consider disaster resilience and enhanced national security from utilization of the harbor by the Department of Defense. Laupahoehoe Harbor Breakwater: Expedites the completion of the repairs of the damaged seawall at Laupahoehoe Harbor. Flood and Coastal Risk Management Study for County of Kauai: Authorizes a new project to conduct a feasibility study for flood risk management and coastal storm risk management in the County of Kauai. Hanapepe Levee Assessment Expanded Authority: Modifies the current Hanapepe Levee project to evaluate sources of flooding and propose engineering and non-structural solutions to reduce flood damages in the Hanapepe River watershed. Waimea Levee Assessment Expanded Authority: Modifies the current Waimea project to evaluate sources of flooding in the Waimea River watershed and investigate modifications to existing Waimea River levees on the southwest coast of Kauai. Kuliouou Stream Flood Risk Management: Authorizes a new project to conduct a feasibility study for flood risk management in Hawaii Kai. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-provisions-to-help-veterans-maximize-education-benefits-to-be-signed-into-law,Schatz Provisions To Help Veterans Maximize Education Benefits To Be Signed Into Law,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Provisions from the bipartisan Student Veterans Transparency and Protection Act to provide veterans with up-to-date student outcomes and financial information for eligible educational institutions are set to be signed into law by President Biden after passing Congress this week. The provisions, originally authored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), will require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to make the information available through its G.I. Bill Comparison Tool and train its education counselors in using the tool in order to help veterans make the best choices about where to use their education benefits. “The G.I. Bill benefit has helped open the doors to higher education for so many veterans who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to access it. But to maximize its potential, veterans need to have the most current information about different schools and their benefits,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. “These provisions will help veterans across the country find the education program that’s right for them.” “Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States. When they come home, we have a responsibility to provide the resources and benefits they have earned,” said Senator Rounds. “This includes making certain veterans have the tools and information they need to utilize their G.I. Bill benefits to attain a higher education. I am pleased that this legislation is being signed into law.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-national-defense-authorization-act-containing-over-11-billion-in-hirono-led-provisions-to-strengthen-national-security,Senate Passes National Defense Authorization Act Containing Over $11 Billion in Hirono-led Provisions to Strengthen National Security,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"~ Within the FY25 NDAA, Hirono secured over $2 billion for infrastructure in Hawaii and over $9 billion for projects, capabilities, and exercises to support the Indo-Pacific region ~ WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, voted to pass the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the U.S. Senate, securing several key provisions for Hawaii and the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. military servicemembers, and the maintenance and modernization of Department of Defense (DOD) infrastructure. Senator Hirono’s provisions include over $2 billion for infrastructure projects in Hawaii, over $9 billion for initiatives to support our allies and strengthen deterrence throughout the Indo-Pacific region, and the creation of a new “major mishaps” incident classification within the DOD to bolster accountability. In addition to the provisions Senator Hirono secured, the NDAA also provides a 4.5% pay raise for all servicemembers and a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 85-14 and now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. “This year’s NDAA invests in critical DOD infrastructure, bolsters national security and readiness, supports our servicemembers, and delivers for the people of Hawaii,” said Senator Hirono. “As Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, I’m proud to have helped secure provisions to increase pay for military personnel and ensure servicemembers and their families can access and afford basic needs like child care and health care. I am also glad the bill contains a provision I introduced following the Red Hill fuel spills to create a new classification for major mishaps within the DOD to ensure a more thorough investigative process and provide for greater oversight and accountability of such incidents. While this NDAA takes important steps to ensure the readiness of our military and the health and safety of our servicemembers, it’s unfortunate Republicans demanded the inclusion of a cruel and unnecessary amendment preventing TRICARE from providing gender-affirming care, despite our efforts to strip it from the bill. I’ll continue working to support our servicemembers and their families and fighting to ensure they have access to the care and benefits they need.” Throughout the negotiation process, Senate Democrats also successfully prevented Republicans from adding provisions to the bill that would, among other things, block the Pentagon’s policy to reimburse troops who travel to seek reproductive health care; eliminate DOD’s climate change mitigation efforts; and eliminate DOD’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The FY 2025 NDAA includes several of Senator Hirono’s key priorities, including: Bolstering Critical Infrastructure Increases to $30 million the threshold of authority for the Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to conduct minor military construction projects to improve posture throughout the Indo-Pacific Region. Authorizes over $600 million in additional funding to repair and improve enlisted barracks. Requires the Navy to conduct more extensive planning on large military construction projects to more accurately identify operational mission need dates, and to routinely brief Congress on the status of the Pearl Harbor Dry Dock construction project until it is completed, including an assessment of the likelihood of cost overruns and steps being taken to avoid further cost overruns. Requires DOD to designate two officials, one for Hawaii and one for Guam/Northern Mariana Islands, responsible for the coordination of infrastructure projects with state and local governments and the community to support additional servicemembers and their families who will be stationed in these locations over the next 10 years. Directs DOD to implement all of the Inspector General Report recommendations related to issues identified at Defense Fuel Support Points around the world to prevent future fuel leaks. Equalizes the structure of jointly based services (such as those at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam) by requiring each military department with responsibility for a joint base to submit a prioritized list of military construction projects to Congress. This will help to ensure tenant Services receive equitable prioritization for infrastructure funds from the host Service. Directs the Navy to brief Congress on its plan to repair ship and submarine berths and piers, including the surface ship piers at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, to include a timeline and funding necessary to secure a more resilient source of energy for its ship and submarine piers and berths. Delivering for Hawaii Authorizes over $2.2 billion in DOD investment in Hawaii facilities, to include: $1.2 billion for Dry Dock 3 replacement at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. $505 million for the Water Treatment Plant at Red Hill, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. $231 million for a Wheeler Army Airfield Aircraft Maintenance Hangar. $20 million for an Airfield Operations Building at Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA). $203.5 million for a Hangar and Parking Apron at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. $94 million for Electrical Distribution and Modernization at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. $36.6 million for a Hawaii Air National Guard Space Control Center at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. As a follow-up to the Red Hill fuel leak to bolster accountability within the Department of Defense, the NDAA establishes a new DOD-wide classification system for “major mishap incidents,” defined as incidents that surpass $500,000,000 in damage or loss and have a significant effect on national security. If an incident meets these criteria and is designated by the Secretary of Defense, the DOD will be required to appoint a two-star Admiral or General as the investigating officer and complete the investigation within 12 months. The provision also requires mandatory follow-on reports to Congress until all disciplinary actions are completed. Authorizes over $100 million for the procurement of a dual-use, FAA aviation safety and missile tracking radar in support of the defense of Hawaii. Encourages DOD to finalize a memorandum of agreement with the State of Hawaii formalizing a long-term commitment to environmental restoration and remediation as well as a research program to determine the total volume and location of any contaminated soil. Authorizes an additional $4 million above the President’s budget for the Pacific Intelligence and Innovation Initiative (P3I), which creates a local skilled workforce to meet DOD demand for intelligence, IT, and cyber professionals in Hawaii. Requires the Army and Navy to coordinate a plan for the repair and maintenance of Kolekole Pass for emergency egress. Requires DOD to provide an update on coordination efforts with the State of Hawaii to maintain or extend the Daniel K. Inouye Highway. Requires the Secretary of Defense to enhance efforts to manage, control, and interdict the coconut rhinoceros beetle on military installations in Hawaii. Directs an update from DOD on providing training for cultural adaptation and community orientation for servicemembers assigned to Hawaii and Joint Region Marianas. Supporting People Includes a 4.5 percent pay increase for more senior military personnel, and a significantly larger 14.5% increase for junior enlisted personnel to enhance quality of life and bolster recruiting/retention. It also includes a 2 percent pay raise for DOD civilian employees. Increases the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) for qualifying servicemembers to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines to help military families better afford basic needs. Authorizes an increase of $50 million of Impact Aid to support schools located near DOD concentration areas and an additional $20 million for children with severe disabilities. Includes a provision that would establish contraception coverage parity under TRICARE, eliminating insurance co-pays, to bring military healthcare in line with civilian healthcare. Expands access to and capacity of military child care programs. Improves on my previous work with the Stayskal Act by adjusting the DOD medical malpractice claims process to require that a medical expert be board-certified in the medical specialty related to the underlying claim. Directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out a three-year demonstration program to reimburse covered members for expenses incurred in the retrieval, testing, cryopreservation, shipping, and storage of gametes. Requires the Secretaries of the Military Departments, in coordination with the Defense Logistics Agency, to develop a plan to allow for quick access to all required uniform items. Includes multiple provisions to improve DOD efforts related to traumatic brain injury. Codifies the authority to hire military spouses into noncompetitive appointments in the civil service. Authorizes the military services to provide travel and transportation allowances to pay for the shipping of two privately owned vehicles during military moves (current law limits reimbursement for only one vehicle). Authorizes free high-speed internet access and wireless network connections to be provided to servicemembers who reside in unaccompanied housing within the United States. Encourages the Defense Department to implement recommendations contained in three separate Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports related to improving the Department’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and directs a briefing detailing the progress in implementing all of the outstanding GAO recommendations. Strengthening Our Ability to Protect the Indo-Pacific Region Authorizes almost $10 billion for Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) related items and requires a plan for more effective budgeting for PDI in future years. Directs DOD to create a pilot program for advanced manufacturing (3D printing) in the Indo-Pacific to expedite the building of ship repair parts and autonomous systems. Requires a plan for the establishment of a joint force headquarters subordinate to INDOPACOM in Japan. Authorizes the Commander of INDOPACOM to carry out campaigning exercises that will strengthen alliances and partnerships, deter aggression by adversaries, and allow the U.S. Armed Forces to coordinate and operate with foreign military partners in the region. Authorizes a second Virginia-class attack submarine and a third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Authorizes the Navy to allow U.S. homeported ships (including those in Hawaii) to do up to 21 days of maintenance at foreign shipyards with a cap on the cumulative amount of work of 2% that can be performed of the average total workload in individual homeports. This provision will support the Navy’s need to exercise wartime battle damage repairs at overseas locations while protecting Hawaii’s vital ship repair and maintenance industry. Requires DOD to establish a cross-functional team to implement the recommendations of the Commission on Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) reform. Includes a variety of DOD acquisition reform proposals to streamline the delivery of critical weapons system procurement and save taxpayer money. Establishes a medical readiness program with Indo-Pacific partner nations to ensure access to foreign medical facilities during peacetime and wartime operations. Requires a multi-year plan for DOD activities to establish a regional contingency stockpile for Taiwan. Requires a report on the military cooperation between China and Russia and the implications of such for U.S. national security. Requires a plan for ensuring comprehensive ballistic missile defense radar coverage of Guam against simultaneous ballistic missile threats from China and North Korea. Prioritizing Sustainability and the Environment Authorizes $10 million for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) Program above the President’s budget request of $177 million. REPI has funded many projects in Hawaii since its inception. Includes $16.3 million of Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program funding for solar panel covered parking and EV charging station at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. Authorizes $7 billion for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) defense environmental cleanup activities. Directs the Army to provide a briefing regarding Hawaiian Homelands that surround DOD testing facilities that assess advanced surveillance technologies to locate munitions and unexploded ordnance (UXO) and a schedule of upcoming surveying events. Directs the Navy to mitigate the further spread of the invasive octocoral found in Pearl Harbor. Requires DOD to prioritize the recycling of critical materials and where possible, source materials derived from recycled and reused minerals and metals. Directs a briefing on DOD efforts to enhance military installation resilience through the scaling and adaptation of the DOD Climate Assessment Tool. Directs a briefing on the risks related to flooding and other natural disasters that threaten military installations and surrounding civilian infrastructure. Requires the Defense Department to brief Congress on policies for situations where an environmental release at an overseas base migrates off the installation. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-transportation-department-releases-250-million-to-honolulu-rail-as-part-of-grant-agreement,Schatz: Transportation Department Releases $250 Million To Honolulu Rail As Part Of Grant Agreement,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has released an additional $250 million to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) as part of its Amended Full Funding Grant Agreement signed in February. The funding follows February’s initial release of $125 million and was delivered after HART completed the contract award for the City Center Guideway and Stations. “HART and the City continue to make good progress on the Skyline, and this new funding is proof of that. With this new money, HART will have more resources to complete the line and give the people of Honolulu more travel options,” said Senator Schatz, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. To date, HART has received more than $1.1 billion in federal funding and more than $365 million is expected to be released by DOT as HART continues to meet the milestones outlined in the grant agreement. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-senate-unanimously-passes-hirono-tokuda-bill-to-study-designating-lahaina-as-national-heritage-area,"VIDEO: Senate Unanimously Passes Hirono, Tokuda Bill to Study Designating Lahaina as National Heritage Area",2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"~ Video of Senator Hirono’s floor remarks is available here ~ WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI). The bicameral legislation directs the National Park Service, in coordination with Maui County and other state and local partners, to study the suitability and feasibility of a National Heritage Area designation for Lahaina. The bill passed the House on December 4, 2024 and now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. “The devastating August 2023 wildfires that claimed over 100 lives and destroyed much of Lahaina shed light on how special this town is, not only to the Maui community, but also to Hawaii and the country,” said Senator Hirono. “The historic, natural, and cultural resources found in Lahaina tell a nationally significant story and this bill will help ensure that story can continue to be told and appreciated for generations to come. Since 1984, there have been over 60 National Heritage Areas established across the country, none of which are in Hawaii—it is a fitting tribute that Lahaina is now under consideration to be one of our first. I’m glad the Senate has passed this legislation and look forward to President Biden signing it into law.” “The Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act is about grounding its rebirth and rebuilding in the history, culture, and tradition of the ahupua?a that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawai?i. I am grateful and proud of the overwhelming bipartisan support our bill received in the House, and humbled and honored by Senator Hirono?s leadership and insistence on getting this passed by the Senate before the end of this Congress. I am hopeful the President will also see my bill as a necessary step forward in honoring and healing our community and in getting Lahaina the recognition she long deserves,” said U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02). The Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act was also cosponsored by Representative Ed Case (D-HI). The National Park Service currently oversees 62 National Heritage Areas across the country, none of which are in Hawaii. In 2022, the House passed Senator Hirono’s Kaena Point National Heritage Area Act to study designating Kaena Point on Oahu as a National Heritage Area. The full text of the legislation is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-ndaa-amendment-to-protect-military-parents-right-to-health-care-for-their-kids,"Hirono, Colleagues Introduce NDAA Amendment to Protect Military Parents’ Right to Health Care for Their Kids",2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"~ House-passed NDAA included a ban on health care for transgender kids, stripping servicemembers of parental rights to make health care decisions for their children ~ WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, joined twenty of her colleagues in introducing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2025 to remove language that would strip away servicemembers’ parental rights to access medically necessary health care for their transgender children. The U.S. House of Representatives-passed NDAA includes language that bans health care for transgender kids and TRICARE patients under the age of 18. “Thousands of transgender children, whose families serve in our armed forces, rely on access to medically necessary health care. This draconian policy would strip away this access, endangering the lives and well-being of these children and their families,” said Senator Hirono. “This amendment will help ensure that our servicemembers and their families have the freedom to make their own choices about the care their kids need—because this decision should be made by families, not politicians.” The amendment to the FY2025 NDAA would strike Sec. 708 of the House-passed NDAA, which would ban TRICARE from offering medically sound health care for our youngest transgender servicemembers and to transgender military children under 18. Every major medical and mental health association in the U.S., representing more than 1.3 million U.S. doctors, supports access to this medically necessary, evidence-based health care for transgender people. If the House-passed NDAA becomes law, it is estimated that thousands of transgender children of servicemembers would not be able to access the health care that their parents had approved. The amendment, led by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), is also cosponsored by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Fetterman (D-PA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM). The full text of the amendment is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-durbin-welch-introduce-constitutional-amendment-to-end-undemocratic-electoral-college,"Schatz, Durbin, Welch Introduce Constitutional Amendment To End Undemocratic Electoral College",2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College system and restore democracy by allowing the direct election of presidents through popular vote alone. “In an election, the person who gets the most votes should win. It’s that simple,” said Senator Schatz. “No one’s vote should count for more based on where they live. The Electoral College is outdated and it’s undemocratic. It’s time to end it.” “In 2000, before the general election, I introduced a bipartisan resolution to amend the Constitution and abolish the electoral college. I still believe today that it is time to retire this 18th century invention that disenfranchises millions of Americans,” said Senator Durbin. “The American people deserve to choose all their leaders, and I am proud to support this effort with Senators Schatz and Welch to empower voters.” “Our democracy is at its strongest when everyone’s voice is heard—and right now our elections aren’t as representative as they should be because of the outdated and flawed electoral college. I’m excited to partner with my friends and colleagues Senator Schatz and Chair Durbin on this important constitutional amendment, which will help empower every voter in every state,” said Senator Welch. In all but five presidential elections, the winner of the election received the most votes. Two of those five times came in the last 19 years, handing the presidency to candidates the majority of voters rejected. A handful of states now determine the leader for all 50 states, regardless of each candidate’s final vote tally. Schatz’s constitutional amendment would address this inequality by abolishing the outdated Electoral College system. Specifically, the constitutional amendment would provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President of the United States by a popular vote among voters in each state and the District of Columbia. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have joined a national plan to bypass the Electoral College by agreeing to allocate its electoral votes to whichever candidate wins the nationwide popular vote. The movement to abolish the Electoral College is also gaining popularity among voters with polls showing more voters preferring direct elections through a popular vote over the existing Electoral College system. The constitutional amendment is supported by the NAACP and Common Cause. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3481,Case Announces Nominations To Nation's Service Academies For Incoming '25 Class,2024-12-15,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=8,scraper,"(Honolulu, HI) - U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) today announced his 2025 nominations our nation’s four 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: Miles Schwab Moanalua High School Jacob Barner Radford High School Aidan Bowers Punahou School Emma Campagna Moanalua High School Sidney Cogswell Punahou School Reese Distelzweig Radford High School Dylan Fo Hanalani Schools John Ganske Moanalua High School Bryson Leong Iolani School Samuel Lorge Air Force Preparatory School/Kaiser HS Olivia Moon Moanalua High School Jim Pedroza Radford High School Joshua Rayman Radford High School Jariahlyn Rhoades Punahou School Brad Yoakley Radford High School United States Military Academy at West Point Principal nominee: Joshua Yang Punahou School Noah Ahn Moanalua High School Zachary Carlile Zama American Middle High School Alexander Cramer Mililani High School Constantine Cramer Mililani High School Tyson Drowns NIST International School Thailand Hoyt Fujihara Moanalua High School Rahieum Lee II Moanalua High School Tuan Pettaway Mililani High School Obadiah Scroggins Leilehua High School Temana Shimasaki Kamehameha – Kapālama Campus Tyler Wilson Mid-Pacific Institute United States Naval Academy Principal nominee: Aliyah Converse Radford High school Kai Im Punahou School Joshua Kraft Kapolei High School Joshua Lam Roosevelt High School Phoenix Nguyen-Eden Punahou School Braden Oxendine Radford High School David Partin Saint Louis School Obadiah Scroggins Leilehua High School Reif York-Veirnes Saint Louis School Jia Qi Zhan Roosevelt High School United States Merchant Marine Academy Daniel Arima Iolani School Cooper Johnson Radford High School For the Class of 2025, Case selected 38 applicants from six private schools and seven public schools. Members of Congress are authorized by law to nominate candidates to the four United States Service Academies – the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado; the Military Academy at West Point, New York; and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. The Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. Acceptance of an academy appointment requires at least a nine-year service obligation, including four years at an academy and at least five years of active-duty service. For information on eligibility requirements and how to seek an appointment for the 2026 entering class, please go to Congressman Ed Case’s web site https://case.house.gov/services/service-academy-nominations.htm. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3477,Case Announces 2024 Winners Of His Congressional App Challenge,2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=8,scraper,"(Honolulu, HI) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) today announced the winners of his 2024 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 annual contests in their districts for middle and high school students. For 2024, 389 of the 441 Members of the House, or 87%, 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, ‘Hawaii’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 Hawaii’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 2024. His 2019 Challenge saw ten app submissions from 27 students across four schools. 2024 marks the highest numbers yet, with 28 app submissions from 76 students across 14 schools, including eight public schools, six private schools, and two homeschooled. The winners of Congressman Case’s 2024 Challenge are: 1st Place – Tahan Bapna, Josh Zhang, Connor McCown and Kai Stewart of Punahou High School All 4 are in the 10th grade App: “Isolated Isles” Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5WTUMzg9SM Summary by the creators: “Our app, Isolated Isles, is a simulation game designed to raise awareness about Hawaii’s reliance on commercial imports. In the game, players assume the role of the governor of Hawaii during a two-week crisis triggered by a volcano. “The primary objective, though simplified, is to manage food supplies, energy resources, and public trust while navigating a range of challenges and unexpected events. As governors, players must balance these resources to ensure the survival of the population until the crisis subsides. “Throughout the game, players receive guidance from virtual advisors representing key departments ‚ agriculture, energy, and public safety. This advice helps inform critical decisions, which directly impact the island's resources and the overall well-being of the population. Every day, players encounter semi-realistic events such as food shortages, illness outbreaks, and public unrest. The advisors will give suggestions which the player can choose to authorize. The player can only authorize one event or choose to do nothing at all.” 2nd Place – Jinghao Li of Island Pacific Academy 11th grade App: “CounselAI” Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL16u9SeXLY Summary by the creator: “CounselAI is a college counseling application designed for low-income communities and anyone that wants to have a college counselor but cannot afford one. It is designed to be easy to use, free to use, and quick to use. It is designed to be run on the widest range of computers to ensure that anybody can run it. When a user uses CounselAI, they will fill out information that will appeal to colleges, things such as GPA, standardized test scores, APs, awards, sports, and clubs. All the information then gets evaluated by an algorithm to give the user a score.” “Then, CounselAI would search through its database for a list of universities that they should apply to for their career (like art colleges if the user wants to pursue arts). If the user does not have an intended career field, CounselAI recommends generally good colleges but will not be able to go into specifics. If the user wants to learn more about a college, CounselAI would generate an AI response for the college. “If the user has questions about the college application process, the user would then be able to chat with an AI-based chatbot that will assist them with the college application process.” 3rd Place – Tyler Kagawa (Mid-Pacific Institute, 12th grade), Lilinoe Daniel-Barnes (Kealakehe High School in Kailua-Kona, 11th grade) , Ellie Grace Piianaia (Punahou High School, 12th grade), Kaua Fatu (Kea`au High School in Pahoa, 11th grade) App: “`Ae Hawai`i” Link to video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FBm906OugJ_jcX2ER4dD8vbJOOYyVCXA/view?usp=sharing Summary by the creators: “`Ae Hawai`i is a platform for tourists and local residents to rate an experience throughout the Hawaiian islands on a scale of authenticity. “`Ae Hawai`i came from our team's values and collective ideals, which were to prioritize authenticity while not completely uprooting current norms in terms of tourism. If an industry that's so huge here continues to promote unrealistic and unauthentic experiences and passes them off as real Hawaiian culture, it’s devastating for everyone trying to break this mold. We want to rewrite the narrative promoted to tourists in a way that better represents the people and culture of Hawai`i.” The judges of Case’s 2024 Challenge were: Aaron Kagawa, Platform Engineering Director at global technology startup Kentik Technologies, Inc. and co-founder of Second Wave Technologies; Jimmy Freese, co-founder of Ai.Fish, focused on artificial intelligence specifically computer vision analysis in the commercial fisheries monitoring and marine space; and Dr. Rick Kazman, the Danny and Else Lui Professor of Information Technology Management at the University of Hawai’i.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-markey-introduce-legislation-to-promote-conservation-and-preservation-of-government-and-historic-records,"Hirono, Markey Introduce Legislation to Promote Conservation and Preservation of Government and Historic Records",2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced the Public Archives Resiliency Act, legislation that would authorize grants to promote preservation, climate resilience, adaption, and continuity of vital government records and protect other records of historical or cultural significance. The bill would provide funding for public archives, libraries, museums, institutions of higher education, or non-profits that protect these valuable records. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Representative Alma Adams (D-NC). “In the wake of last year’s Lahaina wildfires, eight of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation’s historic sites were burned down or critically damaged, leading to the loss of thousands of artifacts and records,” said Senator Hirono. “Public records are essential to the preservation of our history and culture. The Public Archives Resiliency Act will help to better protect them from the effects of climate change, including natural disasters like wildfires or floods.” Government records are generated through birth, death, marriage, taxes, military service, education, immigration, property ownership, and much more. Many institutions that manage these records however, are at risk of environmental damage and lack resources to protect themselves and their communities. When these public records are destroyed or become inaccessible, it can delay an individual’s ability to access key government benefits and services, as well as result in the loss of irreplaceable cultural artifacts. “The importance of this bill cannot be overstated,” said Janel Quirante, Head Archivist, at ‘Ulu‘ulu: The Henry Ku‘ualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawai‘i. “This bill provides crucial support to libraries, archives and museums that care for historic and cultural materials endangered by the impacts of climate change. Infrastructure support would allow for critical improvements to aging HVAC systems, especially in Hawai‘i and other tropical climates where high temperature and humidity pose major challenges to maintaining a safe long term preservation environment for archival films. Digitization support would allow for the preservation, access and sharing of our cultural heritage documented on films and videos that are increasingly susceptible to loss from climate disasters.” “Historic records and artifacts left by our kupuna (ancestors) serve as foundational blueprints, offering invaluable guidance for addressing present-day challenges and shaping our future,” said Kai Kahele, Chairman of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees. “The Public Archives Resiliency Act, which allocates additional funding to repositories, greatly strengthens the capacity of Hawai‘i’s archives to preserve and access essential historical records. This support is particularly critical as we confront the challenges of climate change, as recently underscored by the devastating wildfires on Maui in 2023.” “The Public Archives Resiliency Act will provide essential support to Hawai‘i’s repositories dedicated to the preservation and accessibility of historic documents and artifacts,” said Kale Hannahs, Research Systems Administrator at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. “These institutions serve as vital stewards, empowering and educating the communities they support. OHA’s partnership with the Lahaina Restoration Foundation serves as a timely example of the importance of digitizing historic documents for the purpose of preserving Hawai?i’s history and provides a foundational framework upon which we build our future.” Full text of the legislation is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-grijalva-lead-group-of-34-lawmakers-urging-president-biden-to-pardon-native-american-activist-leonard-peltier,"Schatz, Grijalva Lead Group Of 34 Lawmakers Urging President Biden To Pardon Native American Activist Leonard Peltier",2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and U.S. Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee renewed efforts to urge President Joe Biden to pardon Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist convicted of murder in 1977 following a controversial investigation and trial, which many civil rights leaders and legal experts have called unjust, including the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case. In their letter to the president, the lawmakers cite Peltier’s advanced age, illness, and the growing concerns of misconduct and injustice around his arrest and prosecution. “Despite the grave concerns surrounding the continued imprisonment of Mr. Peltier, who is now 80 years old and suffering from severe health conditions, including increasing vision loss, the Bureau of Prisons denied Mr. Peltier a compassionate release or reduction in sentence in April of this year; and in July 2024, the U.S. Parole Commission denied him parole. These recent denials mean only you have the unique ability to grant him clemency and rectify this grave injustice that has long troubled human rights advocates and Native Peoples across the globe,” the lawmakers wrote. The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Peter Welch (D- Vt.), as well as former U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and U.S. Representatives Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Jesús García (D-Ill.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Daniel Kildee (D-Mich.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Erica Lee Carter (D-Texas), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Robert Scott (D-Va.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i), and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.). The full text of the letter can be found below and is available here. Dear President Biden, We write to you with renewed urgency regarding the case of Native American rights activist Leonard Peltier. The power to exercise mercy in this case lies solely within your discretion, and we urge you to grant Mr. Peltier clemency, allowing him to return home and live out his remaining days among his own people. Nearly 50 years ago, Mr. Peltier, a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, was arrested and later convicted for his alleged involvement in the murder of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Since that time, Mr. Peltier has maintained his innocence, and serious concerns have been raised regarding the fairness of his trial and incarceration. Calls for his release have also received sweeping support from civil liberties and human rights organizations – including the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch; faith leaders and other respected voices – including Pope Francis, Saint Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, and Coretta Scott King; and even those previously involved in his prosecution. James Reynolds, the former U.S. Attorney whose office oversaw Mr. Peltier’s prosecution and appeal, has argued that Mr. Peltier has served his sentence “on the basis of minimal evidence, a result that [he] strongly doubt[s] would be upheld in any court today.” Despite the grave concerns surrounding the continued imprisonment of Mr. Peltier, who is now 80 years old and suffering from severe health conditions, including increasing vision loss, the Bureau of Prisons denied Mr. Peltier a compassionate release or reduction in sentence in April of this year; and in July 2024, the U.S. Parole Commission denied him parole. These recent denials mean only you have the unique ability to grant him clemency and rectify this grave injustice that has long troubled human rights advocates and Native Peoples across the globe. We commend the steps that your Administration has taken to right past wrongs of our federal government’s treatment of Native Americans, and the steps you have taken to uphold the American values of liberty and justice, including rectifying inequities in our nation’s criminal justice system. In keeping with these principles, we strongly urge you to commute Mr. Peltier’s sentence. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-debt-ceiling-looms-schatz-introduces-legislation-to-avoid-catastrophic-default,"As Debt Ceiling Looms, Schatz Introduces Legislation To Avoid Catastrophic Default",2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today led a group of 17 colleagues in reintroducing the End the Threat of Default Act, legislation that would permanently remove the threat of a default by repealing the national debt ceiling, an arbitrary limit restricting the amount that the United States Treasury can borrow to pay its debts. In June 2023, the president signed legislation that suspended the statutory debt ceiling until January 2, 2025. “Defaulting on our national debt would be an economic catastrophe for everyone, especially families, veterans, and seniors. Congress has the chance to debate federal spending, and it’s well before the bill comes due,” said Senator Schatz. “We need to stop playing this dangerous game with the nation’s economy and get rid of the debt ceiling for good.” A default would be catastrophic and would likely trigger a recession. Military pay, Social Security and Medicare payments, and Treasury bond yields would all be disrupted. In practice, the debt limit has no impact on government spending, which is authorized and approved through the federal budget and appropriations process. Instead, the ceiling restricts the U.S. Treasury from paying for expenditures already approved by Congress therefore requiring Congress to constantly raise the ceiling before it is reached. In recent years, this has become a politicized procedure that often leads to threats of defaulting on the government’s obligation to pay its bills. The United States is one of only two democratic countries with a statutory debt ceiling, and the only one that could single-handedly cause a global recession. Since 1960, Congress has acted more than 75 times to raise, temporarily extend, or revise the definition of the debt limit. In 2011, the crisis surrounding raising the debt ceiling led credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s to downgrade the U.S. government’s credit rating for the first time ever. Fitch downgraded the U.S. government’s credit rating following debt limit brinksmanship in 2023. In addition to Schatz, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3472,Case Announces Final U.S. House Approval Of The Annual National Defense Authorization Act Including $1.4 Billion In Military Construction Projects For Hawaii,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=8,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) announced that the full U.S. House has approved the final version of the $883.7 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA is the major annual measure authorizing and directing our national defense. The FY 2025 NDAA now goes to the U.S. Senate, which is expected to approve the bill as well before it goes to the President, who is expected to sign it. The FY 2025 NDAA as finally passed incorporates several requests by Case, including five of his full House floor amendments to the bill earlier this year, as well as his priorities on strengthening America’s national security interests in the Indo-Pacific, boosting Hawaii’s economy and continuing to improve the relationship between the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Hawaii’s community. The bill also includes four amendments Case advocated for with the Pacific Islands Caucus, which he cofounded, to identify and report on China’s malign influence in the Pacific Islands and enhance the DoD’s posture and partnership with the Pacific Island nations. “This measure is critical as it not only authorizes defense spending for the year, supplementing my Appropriations Committee’s actual funding responsibilities, but also establishes defense policies and restrictions, and addresses organizational and administrative matters related to the DoD,” said Case, who currently serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and previously served on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. As requested by Case, the NDAA authorizes $505 million for a multi-year project by the Navy to build a water treatment plant to treat water from the Red Hill shaft, which would allow the shaft to be reopened and help remove any residual contaminants from the ground surrounding Red Hill. To begin this important project, the NDAA recommends appropriating $75 million for the project in FY 2025. “This water treatment plant is not just another infrastructure project. It is our assurance that those in the service area can be fully confident that the quality of the water they rely on complies with safe drinking standards,” said Case. The bill authorizes further or continued construction projects in Hawai‘i for FY 2025 with a combined value of $1.4 billion. This includes: · $1.2 billion in current year funding for the new dry dock at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard now underway, · $75 million for the Red Hill Water Treatment Plant, · $36 million for an Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Wheeler Army Airfield, · $36 million for an Air National Guard Space Control Facility at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and · $33 million for an Aircraft Hangar and Parking Apron at Marine Corps Base Kāne‘ohe Bay. Among the other provisions for which Case advocated, and which were included in the measure are: · A pilot program for inclusive playgrounds on military installations for families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program. · An assessment on how to maximize enrollment in the public shipyard apprenticeship programs. · Having the DoD provide an assessment on wildfire mitigation efforts and interoperability in Hawai‘i. · A study on the Navy’s use of net metering to support efforts by the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum to generate and share the power it generates through its solar panels. · Clarifying that the DoD’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation is authorized to support installation and workforce modernization efforts within its grant program and that state and local governments are eligible to apply. This office recently provided a $3.2 million dollar grant to the State of Hawai‘i to establish a Military and Community Affairs Office to determine how to improve the relationship and economic benefit of the defense presence in Hawai‘i. · Fully authorizing the President’s $100 million budget request for replacing the outdated radar on Mt. Ka‘ala needed to help defend Hawai‘i from missile attacks. “These projects, taken together, assures that our military will enhance its good neighbor relationship with the islands by helping to create well-paying local jobs, supporting our energy grid, and assisting in wildfire mitigation, among other benefits for our communities,” said Case. The bill also includes a historical 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and a 4.5% pay raise for all other troops. It also includes the following provisions to help our nation’s servicemembers: · A review of how cost-of-living allowances are calculated so they include appropriate costs of location-specific items, · Permanently grants authority to DoD to make transferring professional licenses between states easier for military spouses. · Increases the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) for qualifying servicemembers to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. The BNA helps military households better afford basic needs. · Requires the DoD to provide a review of the Military Spouse Employment Partnership Program, in order to find ways to maximize spouse participation and awareness of support available. · Requires the DoD to study ways to increase hiring and retaining childcare employees for child development centers and ways to better partner with childcare centers in the community. “While we ensure that our service members have the training, equipment and resources necessary for them to carry out their duties while in the defense of our nation, we also must ensure that we look after their needs and concerns on the home front including their loves ones,” said Case. The bill further includes several provisions to continue the military’s investment in Hawai‘i: · Requires the DoD to provide an assessment on allowing servicemembers with dependents to ship more than one car when they move to or from locations outside the continental United States, to include Hawai‘i. · Creates an initiative to control and combat invasive rhinoceros beetles and put protocols in place to prevent introduction and spread of other invasive species. · Requires the DoD to develop a plan for the repair and maintenance for Kolekole Pass for emergency use in the event of a wildfire or other emergency. The bill continues the DoD’s reinvestment in the Indo-Pacific, including provisions offered by the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus, which Case co-founded and co-chairs. For example, the bill: · Authorizes $2.8 billion for Pacific Deterrence Initiative construction and infrastructure improvement projects aimed at countering China. · Requires the DoD to study ways to expand the State Partnership Program in the Pacific. The Hawai‘i National Guard partners with the Philippines and Indonesia through this program. · Requires a review of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to ensure the program is effectively meeting the needs of US Indo-Pacific Command. · Directs the DoD to provide assessments on Chinese influence in the Pacific Islands and the impacts that may have on our national security. · Requires the DoD to assess workforce investment opportunities in the Freely Associated States to enable military construction projects on the islands. · Requires the DoD to assess establishing a coalition of representatives from federal agencies, the governments of the Freely Associated States, non-governmental organizations and landowners and land managers to advance sustainable land use practices around military properties that would assist in efforts to prevent encroachment and promote conservation in the Freely Associated States. · Authorizes the military to support the Coast Guard in executing existing maritime laws agreed upon between the U.S. and friendly countries to combat transnational crimes, including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. · Establishes an Indo-Pacific medical readiness program that would establish a medical readiness program with countries in the Indo-Pacific region, ensuring access to foreign medical facilities during peacetime and wartime operations. · Supports the restoration of civic action teams in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia, if deemed feasible. NOTE: · A summary of the FY 2025 NDAA is available here. · The text of the bill is available here · The explanatory committee report is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-announces-5-million-for-forestland-management-and-conservation-in-hawaii,Hirono Announces $5 Million for Forestland Management and Conservation in Hawaii,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"~ Funding to support forest management techniques to encourage conservation and lower risk of wildfires ~ WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be awarding $5 million to the State of Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR) to support forest management and restoration activities across the state. Specifically, the grant funding will assist landowners in the protection and restoration of Hawaii’s watersheds, forest resources, wildlife habitats, and endangered species. “Hawaii’s forestlands are essential to its diverse ecosystem and this funding is an important investment in the protection and management of these lands throughout our state,” said Senator Hirono. “As Maui continues to recover following the devastating wildfires last year, this funding will help encourage sustainability in preserving our natural resources and support Hawaii’s efforts to plan for and reduce the risk of future wildfires.” This grant was made possible through investments from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, which Senator Hirono helped pass into law in 2022. The funding is part of nearly $335 million in grants that were awarded to incentivize private forest landowners to manage their forests sustainably and to permanently conserve private forests in partnership with states. Forest management techniques, such as thinning trees or removing invasive species, helps to reduce susceptibility to forests pests and disease and lowers the risks of catastrophic wildfires. More details about these funded proposals are available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-session-nears-end-schatz-continues-leading-calls-to-pass-long-term-disaster-relief-for-maui-survivors,"As Session Nears End, Schatz Continues Leading Calls To Pass Long-Term Disaster Relief For Maui Survivors",2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today reiterated calls for Congress to pass long-term disaster aid for survivors on Maui and nationwide before Congress is scheduled to go on recess at the end of next week. Schatz has repeatedly led calls for flexible, long-term aid for survivors of last year’s Lahaina fires so that they can rebuild as quickly as possible, particularly housing. “I want to be perfectly clear: we cannot and we will not leave town next week without passing disaster aid,” Schatz said. “We’re running out of time. We have just over a week left before Congress goes home for the holidays which means we have just a few days to what we should have done a long time ago and pass long-term disaster relief. People have waited and waited and waited for help to arrive. And every day we don’t get this done this is another day survivors can’t get back to life as they knew it,” said Senator Schatz. “Nobody is asking for charity. What they’re asking for is the kind of aid that’s helped restore so many communities across the country over the years.” The full text of Senator Schatz’s remarks is available below. Video is available here. We’re running out of time. We have just over a week left before Congress goes home for the holidays. And we cannot leave without passing long-term disaster relief. People have waited…and waited…and waited for help to arrive. And every day we don’t get this done this is another day survivors can’t get back to life as they knew it. Going to work…going to school…dropping their kids off at basketball practice…getting together with their friends and neighbors. For people in Lahaina, help can’t come soon enough. Almost a year-and-a-half since the tragic fires, it’s as hard as ever to make ends meet. Housing is uncertain. Prices are going up. And jobs are hard to come by. People are doing everything they can to get by and help each other out. So it’s not for a lack of trying. It’s that they were never meant to confront this recovery alone. When you’ve lost everything…when you’re still mourning friends and loved ones…when you’re 16 months into the recovery and normalcy still feels so far away…you need help. And getting that help is the difference between people being able to stay on Maui or leaving…reluctantly, but out of necessity…from the only place they’ve ever called home. Those are the stakes…and they are not theoretical. Lahaina is not the only community that’s been devastated by a disaster. Communities in 40 states are building back from a disaster of some kind – floods, fires, hurricanes, and the like. And more than 25 states are relying on long-term federal assistance to get survivors back on their feet. No one is asking for charity. What they’re asking for is the kind of aid that’s helped restore so many communities across the country over the years. Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. New York and New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy. Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. California after the 2018 wildfires. And more than a dozen states nationwide as recently as 3 years ago. The Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program – known as CDBG-DR – works. It’s supported millions of Americans struck by disaster over the past 30 years by giving them flexible and long-term assistance. And so, to not do this now – for people in Lahaina and all across the country – would be the unusual thing. We have a simple task here…to help our fellow Americans in their hour of need. And I want to be perfectly clear that we cannot and will not leave town next week without passing disaster aid. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3470,Case Announces U.S. House Approval of Critical Water Infrastructure Projects for Hawai‘i,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=8,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1) announced that the U.S. House has approved a major bill to construct projects, research activities and conduct studies to improve our nation’s rivers, harbors, oceans and water infrastructure. Case’s requests were included in S. 4367, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. WRDA is developed and passed by Congress every two years. The House approved this Congress’ bill by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 399-18. The Senate is expected to approve the bill in the coming days and send it to the President, who is expected to sign the bill into law. This bill authorizes projects to improve the country’s ports and harbors, inland waterways, flood and storm protection and other aspects of water resources infrastructure that keep our communities safe and strengthens the U.S. economy. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) performs these projects in partnership with federal, local and state agencies, non-government organizations and tribal nations to implement the projects. The seven provisions secured by Case in the 2024 WRDA include: 1. Expanding and upgrading Honolulu Harbor. Case secured an authorization for an in-depth study of critical Honolulu Harbor improvements in an earlier WRDA, but at Case’s request this WRDA amends the plan to reflect expanded complexity, scope and funding needs, including elements of coastal storm risk management. This update will help continue the project and focus its benefits on disaster resilience and enhanced national security from improved utilization of the harbor. “As the main port of the State of Hawai‘i, Honolulu Harbor receives and distributes all overseas cargo shipments constituting over 80% of all imports into the state, supports fishing operations and cruise ships and handles federal maritime activity including the U.S. Coast Guard’s 14th District,” said Case. “Providing this additional refined and expanded authorization will ensure our critical harbor is designed for resilience and that this literal lifeline for Hawai‘i remains operational in the face of natural disaster and other contingencies.” Case previously secured $1.5 million for this project through his work on his House Appropriations Committee. With this upgraded authorization, Case will seek additional project funds in the next appropriations cycle. 2. Confirming Honolulu Harbor’s role in defense and national security. Case secured a complementary provision to conduct a full review of Honolulu Harbor’s critical role in our nation's defense and security. “With Honolulu Harbor being the main port for the State of Hawai‘i, our national defense presence also depends on this harbor to remain strong and reliable to maintain a steady flow of resources for our military needs and communities,” said Case. Case added: “Strengthening this harbor will allow for enhanced military readiness and resilience and for our communities to be prepared for a national security threat. This provision directs USACE to consider the benefits of project modification for disaster resilience and enhanced national security from utilization of the harbor by the Department of Defense and assists in paving the way for full funding of improvement projects.” 3. Expediting the Ala Wai Canal flood risk management project. “The Ala Wai Flood Risk Management project is focused on protecting the homes, businesses and communities of central Honolulu from Makiki, Mānoa and Pālolo to the ocean, as well as of Waikīkī, where daily over a hundred thousand residents and visitors live, work and play in the one-square mile engine of our tourism industry,” said Case. “We all are facing the real-life evidence every day of the effects of climate change including disastrous flooding, and we must continue our efforts to mitigate catastrophic impacts to the Ala Wai Watershed including the canal.” This project began in 1999, and the USACE recently solicited public comments on a revised plan for the Ala Wai watershed community. This direction assists in keeping the project on track through the upcoming decision points and facilitates related further funding requests. 4. Including Hawai‘i in USACE studies involving the Pacific Region. Case also won approval to authorize Hawai‘i to partner with USACE when it conducts a broader range of studies in the Pacific, including cultural resources preservation and environmental restoration studies. “This amendment will enable Hawai‘i to work fully with USACE on studies, such as ecosystem restoration, coastal storm risk management and flood risk projects, which the agency already does in the Pacific with Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas,” said Case. “This change will also help streamline USACE negotiations with the Hawai‘i State Historic Preservation Office toward project concerns and conditions.” 5. Expanding eligibility for federal assistance for coastal communities dependent on key ports. Case secured an amendment allowing for expanded project eligibility for coastal communities inextricably linked to harbor accessibility. This change allows for greater consideration of unique economic, cultural, social and ecosystem benefits to such communities in cost-benefit analyses utilized by USACE in determining which projects to pursue. “As Hawai‘i imports such large proportions of goods and relies on our harbors for our very survival, this needed change allows for our unique situation to be factored in to USACE cost-benefit analyses and prevents Hawai’i and other insular areas of our country from being unfairly penalized by a standard formula focused on a continental U.S model,” said Case. 6. Increasing funding for water infrastructure projects for Maui. Case, who remains focused on working with the rest of Hawaii’s Congressional delegation to aid Lahaina in rebuilding following the 2023 wildfires, joined Congresswoman Tokuda (Hawai‘i-District 2) to jointly secure funding for water-related infrastructure projects in Lahaina to help Maui recover from the 2023 wildfire. “This funding would provide another $30 million for Maui County to rebuild damaged infrastructure following the devastating wildfires,” said Case. 7. Authorizing an assessment of Lahaina’s watershed. “This assessment that I requested jointly with Congresswoman Tokuda will identify ways infrastructure can be improved to reduce risks and damage from future natural disasters,” said Case. “It will aid the community in rebuilding and improving damaged infrastructure after the August 2023 wildfires. Other provisions in the bill that would assist the State of Hawai‘i include: · A feasibility study for flood risk management for Hawai‘i Kai · Modification of a navigation upgrade project for the Honolulu Deep Draft Harbor · Flood risk management and protection projects for Kaua‘i NOTE: The bill text is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/full-house-passes-water-resources-development-act-including-rep-tokudas,Full House Passes Water Resources Development Act Including Rep. Tokuda’s Priorities,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=5&,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, the full House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 399-18, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), which includes U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda’s (HI-02) priorities benefiting Hawaii.The bill is expected to be passed by the Senate and later sent to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Top priorities for Hawai‘i secured by Rep. Tokuda include: Increasing the Maui Environmental Infrastructure authorization from $20 million to $50 million to assist with the wildfire recovery. Studying the Lahaina Watershed on Maui, including the coral reef habitat north of Lahaina, which will examine the mauka to makai impacts of the wildfire to better protect the community from flooding and the coast from runoff. Assessing the Kaiaka-Waialua Watershed on Oʻahu to helpprevent future flooding and climate change impacts. Modifyingthe Laupāhoehoe Harbor project on Hawaiʻi Island to allow for the repair of the harbor’s breakwater structure. Evaluating sources of flooding and proposing solutions to reduce flood damages in the Hanapēpē River watershed. “From hurricanes to flooding to wildfires, Hawai‘i has seen an increasing number of extreme weather events that can pose catastrophic damage to our island communities. I am proud this bill includes projects across all four counties to help protect our communities from future disasters. We must continue to do all that we can to ensure our state has the ability to withstand devastation and rebuild when necessary,” said Rep. Tokuda. Congress generally passes a WRDA every two years to provide for conservation and development of water and related resources. These bills also authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct studies, construct projects, and conduct research activities that can lead to the improvement of rivers and harbors across the country. A full summary of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, as passed by the House of Representatives, can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-call-on-president-biden-to-protect-immigrant-families-ahead-of-the-inauguration-of-president-elect-trump,"Hirono, Colleagues Call on President Biden to Protect Immigrant Families Ahead of the Inauguration of President-Elect Trump",2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Senators: “We urge you to act decisively between now and the inauguration of the President-elect to complete the important work of the past four years and protect immigrant families.” WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined six of her colleagues in calling on President Joe Biden to protect immigrant families before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. In addition to Senator Hirono, the letter was also signed by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Alex Padilla (D-CA). “As Senators who represent diverse states across our nation and who collectively represent millions of immigrant families, we write to express our deep concern about the threat the incoming administration poses to immigrants in our communities,” the Senators wrote in a letter to President Biden. “Mass deportations would jeopardize the safety and security of millions of mixed-status families, sow deep distrust and fear in the communities we represent, and destabilize the U.S. economy. While we support common-sense steps to better secure our borders and improve border processing, we will continue to oppose any policies that contradict our nation’s core values.” The letter continues, “We write now because the window to secure and finalize your administration’s policies is closing rapidly. We urge you to act decisively between now and the inauguration of the President-elect to complete the important work of the past four years and protect immigrant families.” The Senators went on to request that the Biden Administration prioritize the following actions: Designate and extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for all eligible countries and consider providing Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) as appropriate; Expedite the processing of benefit requests for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients; Protect the ability for DACA holders and others to travel on advance parole; Prioritize adjudication of pending asylum claims; and Finalize the rule providing automatic extensions for those with work permits and prioritize work permit processing. The Senators concluded their letter, “We stand ready to support you in these efforts and are committed to working together to ensure that these priorities are realized. Thank you for your continued leadership and dedication to the betterment of our nation.” The full text of the letter is available here and below. Dear President Biden: As Senators who represent diverse states across our nation and who collectively represent millions of immigrant families, we write to express our deep concern about the threat the incoming administration poses to immigrants in our communities. Mass deportations would jeopardize the safety and security of millions of mixed-status families, sow deep distrust and fear in the communities we represent, and destabilize the U.S. economy. While we support common-sense steps to better secure our borders and improve border processing, we will continue to oppose any policies that contradict our nation’s core values. We write now because the window to secure and finalize your administration’s policies is closing rapidly. We urge you to act decisively between now and the inauguration of the President-elect to complete the important work of the past four years and protect immigrant families. With this in mind, we respectfully urge you to prioritize the following actions: Redesignate and Extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for All Eligible Countries and Consider Providing Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) As Appropriate. Worsening crises in countries across the world, including in Ukraine, Nicaragua, and eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, continue to endanger hundreds of thousands, underscoring the need for TPS. Additionally, the administration has already affirmed that conditions in El Salvador continue to justify TPS, with over 180,000 Salvadoran nationals having lived in the United States for more than 23 years. We urge your administration to offer vital protections via TPS for eligible countries or parts of countries, providing relief from deportation while allowing these individuals to continue working and contributing to our economy. Where TPS is not an option, we strongly urge the administration to protect qualified vulnerable noncitizens through DED. Expedite the Processing of Benefit Requests for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Recipients. With the ongoing uncertainty around the future of DACA, we urge DHS to process all DACA renewals, Advance Parole requests, 212(d)(3) waivers, and H-1B premium processing applications from DACA recipients as expeditiously as possible. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) should also allow early renewals of DACA and allow DACA grants to maximize each individual’s time in status. Protect the Ability for DACA Holders and Others to Travel on Advance Parole. Toward the end of the first Trump Administration, the Executive Office for Immigration Review proposed a rule restricting the ability of Immigration Judges to manage their court dockets. The rule also proposed, among other things, overturning the Board of Immigration Appeals’ decision in Matter of Arrabally—a seminal case that clarified rules around Advance Parole and has helped many DACA recipients travel to their home countries for the first time in their lives. We request that your administration withdraw the bulk of this proposed rule and codify the Arrabally decision by making it clear that a noncitizen who leaves the country temporarily under a grant of Advance Parole has neither “departed” nor made a “departure” for purposes of triggering an inadmissibility bar under 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(9)(B), as well as all other grounds of inadmissibility. In the alternative, the administration should withdraw the proposed rule in its entirety. Prioritize Adjudication of Pending Asylum Claims. Many asylum claims have been pending in the backlog for many years. We request that your administration ensure that those who started the process, in some cases even years before you took office, can finally complete their cases. Finalize the Rule Providing Automatic Extensions for Those with Work Permits and Prioritize Work Permit Processing. Earlier this year, USCIS published a temporary final rule that increased the automatic extension period for work authorization from 180 days to at least 540 days. This important step helped reduce the risk of employment authorization documents becoming invalid before USCIS could renew them, but the temporary final rule will sunset on October 15, 2025, unless the rule is finalized. We urge your administration to finalize this rule and extend work permits for at least 540 days to ensure work-authorized immigrants do not lose their jobs. The Department of Homeland Security and USCIS should also take immediate action to prioritize work permit processing for vulnerable noncitizens, especially asylum applicants, DACA recipients, and TPS holders. We stand ready to support you in these efforts and are committed to working together to ensure that these priorities are realized. Thank you for your continued leadership and dedication to the betterment of our nation. Senator Hirono is a leading champion in the fight to reform the country’s immigration system, protect immigrant children, and keep lawfully-present immigrant families together. Earlier this month, she introduced the Reuniting Families Act, legislation that would promote family unity in our country’s immigration system, reduce the family-based immigration backlogs, and update our laws to reflect how families immigrate to the United States. The bill also includes Senator Hirono’s Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, legislation that would speed up the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. In June, Senator Hirono led her colleagues in introducing the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2024, which would grant U.S. citizenship to international adoptees who were legally adopted in the U.S. as children but lack citizenship status due to a loophole in the Child Citizenship Act of 2000. In March, Senator Hirono and Representative Grace Meng (D-CA) announced that they stopped Republicans from adding a citizenship question to the next United States Census, blocking their attempt to exclude undocumented immigrants from apportionment decisions in the census. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-hold-statewide-telephone-town-hall,Rep. Tokuda to Hold Statewide Telephone Town Hall,2024-12-09,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=5&,scraper,"(Hawaiʻi) – U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) will be holding a statewide telephone town hall on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm HST. Rep. Tokuda will answer questions from participants live over the phone, provide a legislative update, and discuss her priorities for the upcoming 119th Congress. Those who are interested in joining are encouraged to RSVP to be added to the event call list to receive a call when the event starts. If participants do not receive a call, they can call directly to the event by dialing (833) 946-1568.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-leads-bipartisan-bill-support-health-workforce,Rep. Tokuda Leads Bipartisan Bill to Support Health Workforce,2024-12-09,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=5&,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) and Carol Miller (R-WV-01) introduced the Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act to increase access to federal programs that help grow and strengthen the pipeline of healthcare professionals in primary care, mental and behavioral health, and dental services. The Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act would provide tax-exempt status to certain federal scholarship and loan repayment programs at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) including the Nurse Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs, the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program, and the Faculty Loan Repayment Program. Exempting scholarships and loan repayment awards from federal income tax would allow HRSA to make additional and higher awards to increase program participation. Furthermore, awardees—students, residents, faculty, and providers—would receive the full financial benefit of their awards to cover educational costs without the added tax burden. “The shortage of healthcare workers in the United States has left millions of patients without access to the care they need, while causing undue stress and strain on the current workforce. Without further action, tough working conditions and increased financial barriers will only continue to discourage more people from joining the profession,” said Rep. Tokuda. “That’s why I introduced the Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act, which would boost the value of federal scholarships and loan repayment funds that support aspiring healthcare professionals and enable us to recruit and retain providers in rural and underserved areas. This bipartisan effort will help us fill critical gaps in our healthcare workforce to increase health systems’ capacity and improve patient care and outcomes.” “A shortage of health care workers in rural communities presents many challenges for hospitals and medical facilities trying to provide the best possible care for their patients. The Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act will extend the tax-exempt status provided to awards of the National Health Service Corps programs which would give financial relief to health care personnel. Individuals in the health care industry should receive the full amount of the scholarship or grant they receive, and this legislation will help grow and strengthen the medical field,” said Congresswoman Miller. “For more than 30 years, the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program has been a critical tool to help grow Native Hawaiian leaders in healthcare. But the high cost of living and rising medical education costs have made it increasingly difficult for the program to reach more of our ʻoiwi interested in pursuing careers in healthcare, said Sheri-Ann Daniels, CEO of Papa Ola Lōkahi. “We are grateful for the leadership of Representatives Tokuda and Miller on this issue. This legislation will create more opportunities for Native Hawaiian students and strengthen our ability to recruit and retain more healthcare providers serving our Native Hawaiian communities.” “The savings provided through the Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act will allow HRSA to make additional awards through several important Title VII and VIII workforce programs,” said Danielle Turnipseed, JD, MHSA, MPP, chief public policy officer at the Association of American Medical Colleges. “Studies show that these programs increase the number of underrepresented students enrolled in health professions schools, heighten awareness of factors contributing to health disparities, and attract health professionals more likely to serve in rural and underserved areas.” The bill is endorsed by 50 national and local organizations including the American College of Physicians, America’s Essential Hospitals, Association of American Medical Colleges, National Association of Community Health Centers, National Rural Health Association, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Papa Ola Lōkahi, Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing, Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi, the Queen’s Health Systems, and West Virginia Hospital Association. The full text of the bill can be found here. A summary of the bill and endorsing organizations can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-wicker-lead-group-of-100-lawmakers-in-calling-for-extension-of-telehealth-expansion,"Schatz, Wicker Lead Group Of 100 Lawmakers In Calling For Extension Of Telehealth Expansion",2024-12-09,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) led a bipartisan and bicameral group of 100 lawmakers in calling for the extension of expanded Medicare coverage of telehealth services to be included in a year-end appropriations package. Provisions from the Schatz-Wicker legislation, the CONNECT for Health Act, were included in previous COVID-19 relief legislation to allow Medicare beneficiaries in all areas of the country, and in their homes, to utilize telehealth services, and to expand the types of health care providers eligible to provide telehealth. Medicare beneficiaries have come to rely on expanded access, which have also been proven beneficial to patients. But these provisions will expire at the end of the year, unless congressional leaders act to extend those measures or make them permanent. The full text of the letter can be found below and is available here. Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McConnell, Speaker Johnson, and Minority Leader Jeffries: Expanded Medicare coverage for telehealth services is set to expire on December 31, 2024. As you work to advance a year-end appropriations package, we urge you to extend coverage as much as possible so that all Medicare beneficiaries retain access to these services. Telehealth plays a critical role in health care delivery – a fact that Congress has recognized by expanding coverage during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency. Most recently, in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Congress enacted a two-year extension of Medicare telehealth services coverage. Committees of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives have recently recognized the need to protect patients’ access to telehealth services by voting to advance an additional two-year extension on a bipartisan, unanimous basis. We ask you to prioritize provisions that remove geographic restrictions on telehealth services and permit the home and other clinically appropriate settings as originating sites. Congress should also expand the authority for practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services. Rural and underserved communities rely on telehealth services, and Congress should recognize federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics as telehealth distant site providers. Additionally, Congress should allow the use of telehealth in the recertification of hospice care. Finally, telehealth has transformed mental and behavioral health care, now accounting for 40 percent of telehealth services provided under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Therefore, Congress should permanently repeal the six-month in-person visit requirement for telemental health services. It should also reject similar policies that create barriers to care. Telehealth provides essential access to care and improves outcomes, including reduced emergency department utilization and improved medication adherence. Medicare beneficiaries have come to rely on expanded access to telehealth services and are satisfied with the care they receive. While there is overwhelming support for Congress to enact permanent telehealth legislation, we must provide patients and clinicians with long-term certainty to support continued investment in technology and clinical models to meet the evolving health care needs of Medicare beneficiaries. We appreciate your collaboration and leadership on this issue and look forward to working with you to ensure access to telehealth services is retained by the end of 2024. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-leads-group-of-12-senators-in-renewing-calls-to-biden-administration-to-urge-israeli-government-to-allow-journalists-into-gaza-protect-free-press,"Schatz Leads Group Of 12 Senators In Renewing Calls To Biden Administration To Urge Israeli Government To Allow Journalists Into Gaza, Protect Free Press",2024-12-06,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) led a group of 12 senators today in renewing calls to the Biden Administration to urge the governments of Israel and Egypt to protect press freedom and allow journalists into Gaza to cover the ongoing war. In addition to Schatz, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), George Helmy (D-N.J.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) In their letter to the Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the senators underscored the dangerous conditions for reporters, the importance of safe access into Gaza for journalists, and the need for accurate and independent reporting from inside the warzone. They also raise concerns about violence against journalists in Lebanon and the West Bank. The new letter follows calls led by Schatz a year ago to protect journalists in Gaza. “Since October 7, 2023, over 130 journalists have been killed, the vast majority of whom were Palestinians killed in Gaza. The lack of safe working conditions for journalists in Gaza makes it almost impossible to have an accurate understanding of the humanitarian devastation taking place in the territory,” the senators wrote. They continued, “The United States must make clear to Israel that targeting media organizations and members of the press is unacceptable. It is also important that the United States support UN efforts calling for accountability and protection of journalists in Gaza and the West Bank. The absence of U.S. government support for accountability efforts by the UN and press freedom defenders only undermines U.S. leadership. Promoting press freedom globally, protecting journalist safety, and advancing international laws and norms are essential to sustaining a rules-based international order.” The full letter can be found below and is available here. Dear Secretary Blinken, We appreciate your continued engagement with Congress as you work to resolve the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon and secure the release of all hostages. We write today to follow up on the December 2023 letter to President Biden about the lack of press freedom related to the conflicts. It is crucial for you to work with the Israeli and Egyptian governments to allow all interested journalists to report with appropriate protections and without restriction from Gaza. We appreciate the State Department’s response to the letter which reiterated the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to protecting journalists during armed conflict. However, the situation on the ground in Gaza has gotten worse since last December. Crackdowns and violence against journalists in the West Bank have steadily increased as well. We recognize the longstanding challenges to press freedom in Gaza predate Hamas’s unspeakably brutal attacks on October 7, 2023. Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, has a record of harassing, obstructing, torturing, and using physical violence against journalists in Gaza. Several journalists were among the 1,200 people killed on October 7th. We strongly condemn Hamas’s actions, both in its repression of the Palestinian people and its violent attacks against the Israeli people. However, we must hold our closest democratic allies and partners to a higher standard than a terrorist organization when it comes to protecting the bedrock democratic value of freedom of the press. Over one year into the war, the Israeli government continues to ban journalists from entering Gaza independently, despite standing calls from Israeli and foreign press in the country. With the exception of operational security requirements for embedded journalists, all interested journalists must be allowed to report without restriction from Gaza. As a Haaretz editorial asserts, “By blocking journalists from Gaza, Israel not only prevents coverage of the war’s horrors but also hinders real-time scrutiny of Hamas’ claims – a key Israeli interest.” The Foreign Press Association in Israel calls “...for unfettered and independent access to Gaza. To Israel, we say enough with the excuses. It is time to let us in.” We urge you to prioritize journalists’ immediate access to Gaza with guarantees from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to ensure that it does not target them in its operations. Since October 7, 2023, over 130 journalists have been killed, the vast majority of whom were Palestinians killed in Gaza. The lack of safe working conditions for journalists in Gaza makes it almost impossible to have an accurate understanding of the humanitarian devastation taking place in the territory. Nevertheless, local reporters have continued working despite being displaced repeatedly, losing family members, experiencing hunger, and living under constant threat of violence. Israel has also injured scores of Palestinian journalists and detained dozens, some of whom have been placed in arbitrary administrative detention without access to due process. Journalists face safety threats from the IDF outside of Gaza as well. As you are aware, on October 13, 2023, IDF strikes hit a group of journalists in southern Lebanon. These strikes killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, injured Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalist and U.S. citizen Dylan Collins, and caused severe injuries to another AFP journalist at the scene, Christina Assi, who lost her right leg. The journalists were wearing helmets and jackets clearly marked with the word “press” as they filmed from a location on top of an exposed hillside when they were struck by tank rounds. The IDF has not released a review or investigation into the incident. Violence against journalists in the West Bank is on the rise as the IDF increases its operations. According to the United Nations (UN), there were at least three incidents in September 2024 alone where Israeli security forces fired live ammunition at journalists or their vehicles while they were reporting in the West Bank. Journalists are at risk of being detained and harassed, making it increasingly difficult to operate in the West Bank. On September 22, the IDF raided and closed Al Jazeera’s office in the West Bank for at least 45 days. This followed the IDF’s decision in May to close Al Jazeera’s offices in Israel. The network remains banned and it is unclear what actions the U.S. government has taken on this issue beyond expressing concern. The United States must make clear to Israel that targeting media organizations and members of the press is unacceptable. It is also important that the United States support UN efforts calling for accountability and protection of journalists in Gaza and the West Bank. The absence of U.S. government support for accountability efforts by the UN and press freedom defenders only undermines U.S. leadership. Promoting press freedom globally, protecting journalist safety, and advancing international laws and norms are essential to sustaining a rules-based international order. Considering our profound concern for the safety of journalists and demand for justice for targeted attacks on journalists, we respectfully request detailed responses to the following questions: What specific steps has the State Department taken to secure access for international journalists, including Americans, to Gaza? Has the State Department urged Israel to permit entry to journalists willing to travel to Gaza for reporting? If so, in what ways, by whom, and how often? Has the State Department expressed support for Israeli journalists and international correspondents in Israel seeking to gain independent access to Gaza? If so, in what ways, by whom, and how often? Has the State Department advocated for equipment for journalists, including cell phones and cameras, to be allowed into Gaza? What steps has the State Department taken to ensure that the IDF – a major recipient of U.S. security assistance – reforms its rules of engagement (ROEs) to mitigate harm to journalists in Gaza and the West Bank? If the IDF is unwilling to change ROEs in ways that lessen harm to journalists, what steps are you considering taking to show U.S. government disapproval and secure policy changes that end the pattern of violent attacks on journalists? Is it your assessment that the Israeli government has thoroughly investigated allegations of any wrongdoing, ensuring immediate and transparent accountability for any abuses? Is it your assessment that Israeli government’s actions in Gaza are in accordance with international humanitarian law? What support has the State Department provided to help injured journalists leave Gaza for medical care? What steps have you taken to seek full accountability for the killings of journalists by the IDF? What steps have you taken to ensure accountability for the October 13, 2023 attack that injured Mr. Collins and killed Issam Abdallah in southern Lebanon? Do you have information about the status of the reported Israeli investigation into the incident? Do you have confidence that any Israeli investigation would result in effective accountability and serve to deter future IDF attacks on journalists? What specific steps has the State Department taken to secure the release of journalists in administrative detention? Has the U.S. Embassy assessed allegations of mistreatment in Israeli custody of journalists? Have you discussed allegations of mistreatment of detained journalists with Israeli authorities, including IDF leaders? What steps have you taken to identify the whereabouts of missing Palestinian journalists? Have you asked the Israeli government if missing journalists are in their custody? Is it your assessment that the Israeli government has thoroughly investigated allegations of any wrongdoing, ensuring immediate and transparent accountability for any abuses or violations related to detentions? What steps has the State Department taken to advocate the importance of press freedom within Israel? Have you or other State Department officials raised your concern over the closing of Al Jazeera in Israel and the West Bank to the Israeli government? If so, what responses have you received? What is the State Department assessment of the impact on global press freedom of countries – especially closely allied democracies, like Israel – of placing restrictions on, detaining, or allowing violence against journalists? We appreciate your response to these questions and look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/full-house-passes-rep-tokudas-bill-name-post-office-honor-vietnam-war-veteran,Full House Passes Rep. Tokuda’s Bill to Name Post Office in Honor of Vietnam War Veteran,2024-12-05,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=6&,scraper,"Washington, DC – Yesterday, the full House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill -- introduced by U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) – to name the Captain Cook Post Office on Hawaiʻi Island after First Lieutenant John Kuulei Kauhaihao of Hōnaunau, who was killed in action in Vietnam and posthumously awarded the U.S. Army’s second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross. H.R. 8909 would designate the post office located at 82-6110 Mamalahoa Highway as the ""Army 1st Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao Post Office Building.” On September 5, 1969, at the age of 27, Kauhaihao was fatally injured during a reconnaissance-in-force operation in Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam. When his platoon came under enemy fire, Kauhaihao launched over 30 grenades in 15 minutes at enemy bunkers while simultaneously drawing fire on himself so that his men could sight enemy gunners. He is survived by his widow and Konawaena High School sweetheart, Shirley, and their family. “Naming the post office in the community where generations of Lieutenant [Kauhaihao]’s family lived and still live is more than just honoring and celebrating a fallen kama‘āina warrior who gave his life for our nation,” said Rep. Tokuda on the House Floor. “It is a tribute to an entire generation of men and women who served in Vietnam and who came back to a country that took far too long to honor their service and that is still trying to make this right. It is a reminder of the incredible sacrifices made by those who serve in uniform and the loved ones waiting at home—past, present and future—to whom we are forever indebted and who allow us to live in freedom today.” U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) is an original cosponsor of the bill, which now moves to the Senate for its consideration. If passed in the Senate and signed into law by the President, it would be the first post office in Hawaiʻi to be designated since 2011 and the first in Hawaiʻi to be designated in honor of a Vietnam War veteran or an individual of Native Hawaiian descent. Rep. Tokuda’s speech can be viewed here. Text of the bill can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-and-sen-hirono-celebrate-progress-natural-disaster-tax-relief-bill,Rep. Tokuda and Sen. Hirono Celebrate Progress on Natural Disaster Tax Relief Bill,2024-12-05,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=6&,scraper,"U.S. Senate unanimously passed Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, which includes Tokuda and Hirono legislation to lessen the tax burden on survivors of the Maui wildfires. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) and U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) applauded the U.S. Senate’s unanimous passage of the bipartisan Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5863). The bill, which passed in the U.S. House in May, would exempt wildfire disaster relief payments received between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025, from taxable income. The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act also includes language from Rep. Tokuda and Sen. Hirono’s Natural Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 to make it easier for Maui fire victims to deduct disaster-related losses by eliminating the minimum 10 percent loss threshold, as well as the requirement to itemize deductions to receive this tax benefit. “Since I introduced the Natural Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 last October, I have been fighting to provide financial relief to Lahaina fire survivors and natural disaster victims throughout the country. In a time of extreme partisanship, I’m proud that Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate came together on disaster relief and passed the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act,” said Rep. Tokuda. “We urgently need President Biden to sign this critical bill, which will help disaster victims keep more money in their pockets and provide them with the financial support they will need for what we know will be a long recovery.” “The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act will help to ease the financial burden on communities impacted by wildfires, as well as other disasters, across our country,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m glad the Senate has passed this legislation, which included language from our bill to support the people and families who have already lost so much in the wake of natural disasters. I will continue working to help ensure our communities have the necessary resources to support themselves and I look forward to President Biden signing this crucial legislation into law.” Rep. Tokuda gave remarks on the House floor in May in favor of the bill’s passage. She continues her advocacy for federal disaster assistance funding to support recovery and rebuilding efforts in Lahaina. The bill now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-and-tokuda-applaud-passage-of-natural-disaster-tax-relief-bill,Hirono and Tokuda Applaud Passage of Natural Disaster Tax Relief Bill,2024-12-05,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"~ U.S. Senate unanimously passed Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, which includes Tokuda and Hirono legislation to lessen the tax burden on survivors of the Maui wildfires. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. ~ WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI) applauded the unanimous Senate passage of the bipartisan Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023. The legislation, which passed in the U.S. House in May, would exempt wildfire disaster relief payments received between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025, from taxable income. The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act also includes language from Representative Tokuda and Senator Hirono’s Natural Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 to make it easier for Maui fire victims to deduct disaster-related losses by eliminating the minimum 10 percent loss threshold, as well as the requirement to itemize deductions to receive this tax benefit. “The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act will help to ease the financial burden on communities impacted by wildfires, as well as other disasters, across our country,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m glad the Senate has passed this legislation, which included language from our bill to support the people and families who have already lost so much in the wake of natural disasters. I will continue working to help ensure our communities have the necessary resources to support themselves and I look forward to President Biden signing this crucial legislation into law.” “Since I introduced the Natural Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 last October, I have been fighting to provide financial relief to Lahaina fire survivors and natural disaster victims throughout the country. In a time of extreme partisanship, I’m proud that Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate came together on disaster relief and passed the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act,” said Representative Tokuda. “We urgently need President Biden to sign this critical bill, which will help disaster victims keep more money in their pockets and provide them with the financial support they will need for what we know will be a long recovery.” The bill now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. Following the devastating Maui wildfires, Senator Hirono has worked to support Lahaina in their recovery and rebuilding efforts, while also strengthening Hawaii’s natural disaster response. In August 2024, Senator Hirono delivered remarks on the Senate floor marking one year since the devastating wildfires. During her speech Senator Hirono paid tribute to the individuals lost in the fires, honored the resilience of those impacted by the fires, and also emphasized the need for Congress to pass a supplemental funding bill to provide the resources that Maui, and other communities across the country impacted by disasters will need. In May 2024, Senator Hirono announced that the U.S. Forest Service is awarding more than $5.6 million to help plan for and prevent wildfires in Hawaii. The announcement follows a letter Senator Hirono sent to U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore in November 2023 in strong support of Hawaii’s applications for CWDG funding. In March 2024, Senator Hirono led the Hawaii Congressional delegation in urging the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner, Danny Werfel, to extend the 2023 federal tax filing and payment deadlines for individuals and businesses impacted by the Maui wildfires.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-rep-tokudas-lahaina-national-heritage-area-study-act,House Passes Rep. Tokuda’s Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act,2024-12-04,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=6&,scraper,"Washington, DC – Today, the full House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act – introduced by U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) – marking another significant step forward in her efforts to support the community in recognizing Lahaina’s historic and cultural importance. H.R. 8219, the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, would direct the National Park Service, in consultation with state and local partners, to study the suitability and feasibility of a National Heritage Area designation for Lahaina. These areas are designated by Congress to complement state and local conservation efforts through recognition, federal funding, and technical assistance. “Two weeks ago, I stood inside one of the first transitional homes built by FEMA, looking out at what was once the vibrant and thriving town of Lahaina. For many who see it now, there are only cleared lots, stretching from the hills to the sea. But if you close your eyes, you can feel the deep pangs of loss and grief. It’s a pain that we all carry, softened only by the hope that comes with the very first steps towards rebuilding. In seeking to designate Lahaina a National Heritage Area, we are daring to look beyond what is in front of us,” said Rep. Tokuda on the House Floor. “Beyond the devastation, there is history and culture that predates us all. [...] As we work to rebuild Lahaina, my bill seeks to ensure that this is about not just restoring what was lost but also anchoring our future in the rich history and culture of this sacred places so that they may endure long after we are gone.” Cosponsors of the bill include: Rep. Ed Case (D-HI-01); Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01); Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands; Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries; Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA-39); Del. Gregorio Sabalan (D-MP-AL); and Del. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS-AL). There are 62 National Heritage Areas in the United States but none in Hawaiʻi. Kaʻena Point is currently being studied for designation. Representative Tokuda’s bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for its consideration. Rep. Tokuda’s speech can be viewed here. Text of the bill can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-duckworth-introduce-legislation-to-promote-family-unity-in-us-immigration-system,"Hirono, Duckworth Introduce Legislation to Promote Family Unity in U.S. Immigration System",2024-12-04,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"~ Bill includes Hirono’s Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, legislation that would speed up the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans ~ WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced the Reuniting Families Act, legislation that would promote family unity in our country’s immigration system, reduce the family-based immigration backlogs, and update our laws to reflect how families immigrate to the United States. The bill also includes Senator Hirono’s Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, legislation that would speed up the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. “As the only immigrant currently serving in the U.S. Senate, I am proud to introduce the Reuniting Families Act to update our country’s family immigration system and promote family unity,” said Senator Hirono. “By implementing changes to reduce the backlog of family-based immigration visas, exempting close relatives from visa caps, and preventing the separation of LGBTQ+ families, this bill will better prioritize family unity in our immigration system. We desperately need comprehensive immigration reform, but in the meantime, the Reuniting Families Act is a step in the right direction to help reunite or keep families together as they navigate our immigration system.” “Our country’s broken immigration system is riddled with unnecessary barriers that have created backlogs and kept families apart for years,” said Senator Duckworth. “This legislation would implement commonsense reforms to help end family-based backlogs, which keep too many with approved green card applications stuck in bureaucratic limbo, and get more families where they belong—together.” Specifically, the Reuniting Families Act would: “Recapture” unused visas from previous years, adding them to the number of visas United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may distribute; Exempt close relatives from visa caps, extending the current exemption to spouses, unmarried children under 21, and certain parents of legal permanent residents; Raise the per-country family-based immigration caps, allowing more visas to go to a single country such as India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines; Provide discretion to the government when applying certain “bars” on individuals, eliminating unfair requirements for individuals to go to their home countries if that individual unlawfully entered the United States; Protect children from “aging out” after 21, extending protections for step-children and children of visa holders; Expand cancellation of deportation orders, making it easier for noncitizens to apply in cases of extreme hardship to a family member who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident; and Eliminate discrimination against LGBTQ+ families, ensuring our immigration system treats those in same-sex relationships equally, including resettling partners together with their refugee spouses and allowing spouses to come to the U.S. if their partner is granted asylum. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last year by Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). The Reuniting Families Act, is endorsed by: Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), FWD.us, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), African Communities Together (ACT), Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC), Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), and National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA). The full list of endorsing organizations can be found here. “Like many immigrants, millions of Asian Americans started their American story because of family, and often through the family-based immigration system,” said Asian Americans Advancing Justice. “The last significant legislative change to the family-based immigration system happened in 1990. Yet over 30 years, the system that shapes our country and future has broken down, failing to live up to our values and hopes. The Reuniting Families Act is a vision for a better immigration system – one that recognizes that families belong together. We thank Senator Hirono for reintroducing this bill, which will help reduce needless and punitive barriers in our immigration system that separate parents from their children and permanent partners and spouses from their loved ones.” “Many AAPI individuals live in constant fear of deportation or a constant state of waiting to see their families due to the backlogs of millions of cases. The Reuniting Families Act would strengthen the family-based immigration system and bring us one step closer to creating a fair system that facilitates family reunification,” said Gregg Orton, National Director of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA). “We are grateful for Sen. Hirono’s commitment to advancing the Reuniting Families Act, and we are thrilled to continue the critical work to ensure that families can stay with their loved ones.” “Nearly 50 years ago, Southeast Asian families were separated while being forced to flee their homes due to war,” said Quyen Dinh, Executive Director of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC). “As we near our community’s 50th year of resettlement, many SEAAs still wait to embrace their loved ones as a result of the U.S.’ severely backlogged family immigration system. We thank Sen. Hirono for introducing legislation that centers humanity and will reunite relatives to the care and love of their families and community, where they belong."" ""Families should not have to be stuck in decades-long backlogs due to our failed and outdated immigration system,"" said Todd Schulte, President of FWD.us. ""The Reuniting Families Act offers smart and moral policies, such as recapturing unused visas lost to bureaucratic delay and repealing the harsh and ineffective immigration bars that separate families, to help end the decades-long backlogs and finally begin the process of modernizing our family-based immigration system."" “The Reuniting Families Act emphasizes the importance of a family reunification framework that keeps American families together,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF). “As SALDEF and other communities work to combat disinformation and the negative framing of immigrants, it is crucial to push through false narratives and support our immigrant families. This bill will help millions of people caught in family immigration backlogs, making families whole again and affirming our right to be with our loved ones. SALDEF commends Senator Hirono for her leadership in improving our family-based immigration system that has historically separated many from their families.” “We welcome the introduction of the Reuniting Families Act in the Senate and reaffirm its importance to ensure family unity for many of our members,” said Nils Kinuani, Federal Policy Manager for African Communities Together (ACT). “By increasing the number of visas available to families and setting time limits on visa processing, this bill will modernize and streamline our family-based immigration system.” “Our outdated immigration system is failing our families by keeping them separated for years, sometimes decades,” said Senior Policy Attorney & Strategist Elizabeth Taufa at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). “The Reuniting Families Act will go a long way toward eliminating the unnecessary bureaucracy and delays and will bring relief for families who have been stuck in administrative purgatory for far too long.” “The Reuniting Families Act, reintroduced today by Senator Hirono, is an important step toward a more fair and efficient family-based immigration system,” said Ben Johnson, Executive Director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). “This common-sense bill was first introduced more than a decade ago; since then, the harm caused by delays and separation have only gotten worse. The outrageous backlogs cause immense hardship to American families and stifle our nation’s social and economic growth. This solutions-oriented bill will provide much-needed relief to loved ones that have endured, in some cases decades-long waits, and will prevent others from suffering the same fate moving forward.” “The Reuniting Families Act is common sense legislation that will help keep families together by increasing the number of family-based visas available and reducing the wait time for applicants,” said Jung Woo Kim, co-director of the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and directly impacted community member. “As someone whose petition has been caught in the backlog since I initially applied in 2018, I understand firsthand the harm that systemic barriers – like processing times and arbitrary quotas – does to individuals, families, and communities. We are grateful for the continued work of Senator Hirono to fight for the rights of immigrant families. Every family – native-born, naturalized, and immigrant alike, deserves to live and thrive together.” “We welcome the introduction of Reuniting Families Act by Senator Hirono,” said Angelica Salas, Executive Director at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). “For 36 years CHIRLA has advocated on behalf of all immigrants regardless of their immigration status. In recent years, we have witnessed the consequences of our broken immigration system including significant backlog of family visas. This bill accounts for the various difficulties faced by immigrant families: it is about keeping families together, about reuniting those families that have been separated, and also about ensuring that thousands of people are given the opportunity to join their families in the United States.” “The Reuniting Families Act is a step in the right direction to ensure Pacific Islander families can be together again,” said Karla Thomas, Interim Executive Director of Empowering Pacific Islander Communities. “As a community whose core values are rooted in family and unity, Pacific Islanders deserve an opportunity to live a full and meaningful life together with their loved ones. We thank Senator Hirono for her leadership in ensuring families are reunited and we hope that the family-based immigration system will be better because of it.” The full text of the bill is available here. Senator Hirono is a leading champion in the fight to reform the country’s immigration system, protect immigrant children, and keep lawfully-present immigrant families together. In November 2023, Senator Hirono led 15 of her CAPAC colleagues in urging President Biden to reduce the visa backlog, which keeps millions of immigrants—including many immigrants from Asia—separated from their families. In October 2023, Senator Hirono joined her colleagues in introducing new legislation to provide a comprehensive framework to reform the federal government’s care and custody of unaccompanied noncitizen children (UC). The Protecting Unaccompanied Children Act would address gaps in our system by improving existing safeguards for the release of UC from government custody, increasing UCs’ access to social services and legal protections, and creating new safeguards and services for children’s safety. That same month, Senator Hirono also reintroduced legislation to provide unaccompanied children with access to legal representation when they appear in proceedings before an immigration judge. Earlier that year, Senator Hirono reintroduced the Lifting Immigrant Families Through Benefits Access Restoration Act to eliminate the current five-year waiting period for access to federal public benefits for immigrants. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-urges-president-biden-to-pardon-native-american-activist-leonard-peltier-in-final-weeks-of-term,Schatz Urges President Biden To Pardon Native American Activist Leonard Peltier In Final Weeks Of Term,2024-12-04,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, today again called on President Biden to pardon Native American activist Leonard Peltier who was convicted of murder in 1977 following a controversial investigation and trial, which many civil rights leaders and legal experts have called unjust, including the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case. Since 2022, Schatz has repeatedly led colleagues in calling on the president to grant Peltier, who is now 80 and has been imprisoned for the past 49 years, clemency. “As President Biden considers candidates for clemency in the final weeks of his term, the Native American activist Leonard Peltier is among those who deserve that grace and mercy,” said Senator Schatz. Senator Schatz continued, “Peltier is now 80 years old and has been in prison for almost 50 years. He’s in declining health, experiencing vision loss and other illnesses. If there was ever a case that merited compassionate release, Leonard Peltier’s is it. This is exactly what that awesome presidential power is for. To right a historic wrong. And if not that, then to show mercy and let an old man die with his family.” The full text of Senator Schatz’s remarks is available below. Video is available here. As President Biden considers candidates for clemency in the final weeks of his term, the Native American activist Leonard Peltier is among those who deserve that grace and mercy. Peltier was arrested in 1975 for his alleged involvement in the murder of 2 FBI agents in a shootout on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. But the process that led to his conviction had major issues and inaccuracies from the start. For example, one witness whose statements were used at trial said she was told to lie and say that she was in a relationship with Peltier and that she had witnessed him shoot the agents. She later recanted that statement, saying “I was forced into this, and I feel very awful. I just wish that Leonard Peltier will get out of prison.” In another instance, according to reporting, a juror who, on day 2 of the trial, professed her prejudice against Native Americans was allowed to remain on the panel. If that isn’t enough, take it from the very U.S. Attorney who tried Peltier’s case, James Reynolds, who said Peltier has served his sentence on “the basis of minimal evidence, a result that I strongly doubt would be upheld in any court today.” In the same letter, Reynolds urged President Biden to commute Peltier’s sentence, writing, “I write today from a position rare for a former prosecutor. To beseech you to commute the sentence of a man who I helped put behind bars. With time, and the benefit of hindsight, I have realized that the prosecution and continued incarceration of Mr. Peltier was and is unjust. We were not able to prove that Mr. Peltier personally committed any offense on the Pine Ridge Reservation.” Peltier is now 80 years old and has been in prison for almost 50 years. He’s in declining health, experiencing vision loss and other illnesses. And in spite of all of that, earlier this year, federal officials denied his requests for compassionate release and parole. Even if you believe that he did in fact commit the crime, surely now is the time to let him spend whatever remaining days he has at home and die with his family. He’s done his time. He’s of old age and in poor health. And he poses little threat to society. If there was ever a case that merited compassionate release, Leonard Peltier’s is it. This is exactly what that awesome power is for. To right a historic wrong. And if not that, then just to show mercy and let an old man die with his family. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/following-calls-from-schatz-to-increase-snap-benefits-in-hawaii-usda-proposes-23-boost-in-benefits-to-reflect-food-costs,"Following Calls From Schatz To Increase Snap Benefits In Hawai‘i, USDA Proposes 2.3% Boost In Benefits To Reflect Food Costs",2024-12-03,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Following calls for increased benefits for Hawai‘i families, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed updates to its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Hawai‘i to ensure they accurately reflect the cost of food across the state. The USDA has proposed a 2.3 percent increase in SNAP benefits for Hawai‘i, which would result in an estimated $40 monthly increase for a family of four. “For many in Hawai‘i, SNAP is a lifeline, helping families put food on the table. But to make sure this program continues to help those who rely on it, SNAP benefits need to keep up with the real cost of food across the state,” said Senator Schatz. “I thank the USDA and Secretary Vilsack for working with us to update SNAP benefits for Hawai‘i so that those who need it can continue to access this critical federal program.” Food prices in Hawai‘i are among the highest in the nation. Schatz worked directly with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and urged him to update its cost analysis in the state. Today’s action from the USDA continues a rulemaking process to adjust benefits for Hawai‘i. Today, USDA is proposing a new rule to ensure benefits take into account food costs for residents across the state, and releasing a report that finds an increase in benefit if the rule is finalized. The public can submit comments through February 3, 2025. SNAP is a federal program that provides crucial nutritional benefits to low-income individuals and families that are used at stores to purchase food. It’s administered at the federal level through USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and at the state level in Hawai‘i by the Hawai‘i Department of Human Services. Nearly 200,000 Hawai‘i residents rely on SNAP. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-welcomes-59-million-in-federal-funding-for-honolulu-harbor,Hirono Welcomes $59 Million in Federal Funding for Honolulu Harbor,2024-10-30,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement celebrating the announcement of more than $56 million in federal funding to modernize Honolulu Harbor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the port along with $2.5 million to develop strategies to improve air quality at ports around the state, developed in consultation with communities living near the ports. The funding comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports Program, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act that Senator Hirono helped pass into law. “Honolulu Harbor is essential to the delivery of food, medicine, and other goods people rely on not only on Oahu, but across Hawaii,” said Senator Hirono. “The investments in hydrogen-powered cargo tractors and a hydrogen fueling station will help the port operate more efficiently while decreasing carbon emissions and other pollution that affects surrounding communities. The funding will also support the development of plans to improve air quality at ports and surrounding communities throughout our state. I’m proud to have supported the Inflation Reduction Act, which made this investment possible, and I’ll continue working to secure federal funds for projects that strengthen communities across our islands.” More information on the projects being funded is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3455,Case Introduces Measure To Expand Federal Efforts To Combat Invasive Species,2024-10-27,2024,2024-10,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=8,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (D-HI-01) has introduced legislation in the U.S. House to address invasive species, which he referred to as a “critical and growing challenge that severely impacts our environment.” Case, joined by U.S. Representative James Moylan (R-Guam), introduced the Invasive Species Response Act (Act) to significantly expand federal efforts to combat invasive species, which are severely impacting environments across the country including widespread ripple-effect consequences beyond areas already impacted by non-native plants, animals and pathogens. “Hawai‘i in particular faces unique challenges from invasive species. Its isolation has led to the evolution of many endemic species that are found nowhere else on Earth,” said Case in remarks to the House. “Unfortunately, these native species often lack the defenses to compete with or resist the pressures of invasive plants and animals, which can rapidly alter ecosystems and displace local species. “In Hawai‘i, invasive species have caused significant ecological damage, threatening the survival of native birds and plants. Protecting Hawaii’s unique biodiversity is not just an environmental necessity – it is a cultural imperative that reflects the identity and heritage of the Hawaiian people.” “I’m proud to introduce this legislation with my friend and colleague Rep. Case,” said Congressman Moylan. “This is an important step in controlling and eradicating invasive species and protecting America’s native wildlife, especially in our island communities. This bill provides the tools needed to continue conservation efforts, making them more effective and transparent.” The measure was introduced as federal invasive species experts were touring O‘ahu to research the effects of invasive species on island communities. They will produce a report to advise the U.S. government how it can help Hawai‘i and island territories, as well as associated Micronesian nations. ""With nearly a third of endangered and threatened species in the United States being Hawaiian, we are known as the 'extinction capital of the world,'” said “Jonee” Kaina Peters, Executive Director for Conservation Council for Hawai‘i. “One of the major contributing factors to this heartbreaking fact is that over 5,000 invasive species have been introduced to Hawai‘i, destroying native wildlife as they take-over our formerly thriving and biodiverse ecosystems. “We’re grateful to Congressman Case for introducing a bill that would authorize critical programs to help eradicate invasive species through prevention, early detection, and rapid response measures.” “Invasive species threaten native wildlife and ecosystems across our national wildlife refuges,” said Lindsay Gardner, Director of Marine Conservation, National Wildlife Federation. “We thank Representatives Case and Moylan for introducing a bipartisan bill that provides much-needed funding and sets up strike teams that tackle the threat of invasive species to national wildlife refuges – and help landowners, Tribal Governments, states, and other federal agencies tackle these threats as well.” ""Invasive species pose a national threat to critical habitat, hunting, fishing, and boating access. We applaud Representatives Case and Moylan for introducing the Invasive Species Response Act, which would help improve Federal early detection and rapid response efforts to help prevent the spread of invasives into new areas,"" said Chris Macaluso, Director for the Center of Marine Fisheries at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. Case continued: “Invasive species are not just a localized problem; they pose a significant threat to the integrity of our natural world. Addressing this crisis requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach, focusing on prevention, early detection, and effective management strategies to safeguard our vulnerable ecosystems. “This legislation will codify the existing Invasive Species Strike Teams program currently operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). These specialized teams play an essential role in managing emerging invasive species, employing strategies tailored to local conditions across the National Wildlife Refuge System. With 21 teams strategically positioned in various FWS regions, they are on the front lines, addressing the unique challenges posed by invasive species.” Case said the Act signifies a transformative shift within the FWS, moving from a reactive, species-by-species approach to a more strategic, ecosystem-wide framework for managing emerging invasive species. Key provisions of the bill include formally establishing the Invasive Species Strike Teams program, which will create a stable and legally supported framework to ensure consistent funding and enhance management efforts. “The Act also mandates enhanced coordination and reporting through integrated systems and standardized procedures, ensuring transparency and enabling us to track progress with annual reports to Congress and the public,” said Case. “Furthermore, it authorizes $15 million annually from Fiscal Year 2025 through 2029, aligning with current FWS investment levels to support ongoing initiatives.” · Link to the act is here. · Link to Case’s remarks is here",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3454,Case Announces $40 Million Federal Grant To Improve Resiliency Of O‘ahu Power Grid Serving Both Military And Civilian Communities,2024-10-19,2024,2024-10,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=8,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (D-HI-01) today announced that a $40 million grant funded by the landmark 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) will develop a back-up power source for O‘ahu’s electric grid, providing resiliency to both military and civilian communities in the event of disruptions from various sources. The federal grant award will fund the Pu‘uloa Microgrid and Backbone Project, a partnership between the U.S. Navy, Hawaiian Electric and Ameresco, Inc. “I strongly advocated for this project with the U.S. Department of Energy when the partnership applied for funding under the Department’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program,” said Case. “Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) plays a critical role in promoting national security throughout the Pacific theater. Especially given its importance, the Department of the Navy has identified energy resilience gaps that could significantly impact JBPHH’s ability to respond to and recover from grid outages. Further, new state and federal policy directives have required the Department of the Navy to improve resilience and reduce carbon emissions from the installation. “As the U.S. Congressman in whose district JBPHH is located and a member of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense, I have focused on the installation’s grid challenges and the potential for disruption of service to our civilian communities as well, and on assuring available funding to address these issues. This GRIP funding is critical to enabling this project to succeed.” ""We are thrilled to be chosen for the Department of Energy’s GRIP program,"" said Nicole Bulgarino, Executive Vice President at Ameresco. ""Partnering with the U.S. Navy and Hawaiian Electric Company on the groundbreaking Pu`uloa Microgrid project will not only enhance energy resilience and reliability for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, but also provide significant benefits to the broader O‘ahu community. This project exemplifies our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community engagement."" According to the project description, the Pu`uloa Microgrid will detect the loss of power during grid outages, disconnect from the broader grid and direct power from Pu`uloa Energy to support JBPHH’s national security needs while maintaining civilian community service. During a full island outage, the system will provide black start capabilities. The project will also improve power quality to JBPHH and the local grid through ancillary services such as frequency response and voltage support. Pu`uloa Microgrid is designed to strengthen the grid and improve resilience by increasing or establishing interconnections between Hawaiian Electric substations at JBPHH with new 46 kV transmission infrastructure that will be integrated into the microgrid control system and utilize state of the art smart grid technologies. “Since 2021 I have been working hard to ensure that my government and community partners throughout Hawai‘i are aware of project and funding availability from both the $1.2 trillion BIL, as well as from the $500 billion Inflation Reduction Act (which Congress passed in August 2022). Together these two landmark measures are addressing our country’s most pressing infrastructure needs including those arising from climate change,” said Case. · Details of the project can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-more-than-33-million-heading-to-hawaii-island-to-improve-wailuku-river-bridge,Schatz: More Than $33 Million Heading To Hawai‘i Island To Improve Wailuku River Bridge,2024-10-18,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that Hawai‘i will receive $33 million to rehabilitate the Wailuku River Bridge on Hawai‘i Island. “Upgrading aging infrastructure is critical to ensuring people can get around safely for years to come,” said Senator Schatz, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. “Making these necessary upgrades to the Wailuku River Bridge will result in less disruptions and safer commutes for people on Hawai‘i Island.” The funding will help strengthen the bridge by making key improvements to reinforce its foundation. The bridge will also be widened to be in line with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards, and the bridge railings will be upgraded to meet current safety standards. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-death-of-hamas-leader-yahya-sinwar,Schatz Statement On Death Of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar,2024-10-17,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. “As the leader of Hamas and the mastermind of the October 7th attack in Israel, Yahya Sinwar is responsible for the murders of thousands of innocent civilians, including Americans. His death is welcome news, and we hope it will provide a measure of justice and comfort to the families of victims and hostages terrorized by Hamas. At the same time, this news should set the stage for an end to this cycle of violence and bloodshed, the return of all remaining hostages, and lasting stability and peace in the region.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-defense-department-correcting-discharges-for-service-members-unfairly-discharged-under-dont-ask-dont-tell,"Schatz Statement On Defense Department Correcting Discharges For Service Members Unfairly Discharged Under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’",2024-10-17,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the Department of Defense announced that more than 800 service members who were unfairly discharged from the military under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will be upgraded to an honorable discharge. “It’s long past time that LGBTQ+ veterans who bravely served our country received the honorable service records they deserve and the benefits that go with it,” said Senator Schatz. “While these record corrections are welcome relief for hundreds of service members, it’s essential that the Department of Defense continues its efforts to ensure they receive the full benefits they are entitled to and any veterans not included in this review receive upgrades as quickly as possible.” Schatz has led bipartisan efforts in the Senate through the Restore Honor to Service Members Act to correct the military records of service members unjustly discharged on the basis of their sexual orientation under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and support access to the benefits they have earned. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-ftc-click-to-cancel-rule,Schatz Statement On FTC Click-To-Cancel Rule,2024-10-16,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i) today released the following statement after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its final “click-to-cancel” rule that would help customers more easily get out of unwanted subscriptions. “Free trials should be free, but instead some companies have used that model to lure and trap customers into subscriptions with costly monthly charges they never meant to make. That’s why I introduced a bill to stop those kinds of deceptive business practices. While this FTC action is a good step in the right direction, we also need to pass the Unsubscribe Act to provide consumers with more transparency and protections.” Senator Schatz previously introduced the Unsubscribe Act, bipartisan legislation that would require companies to be more transparent about subscription-based business models and make it easier for consumers to cancel their subscriptions once their free or reduced price trial period has ended. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-cancels-event-participation-walks-hotel-picket-line,"Rep. Tokuda Cancels Event Participation, Walks Hotel Picket Line",2024-10-11,2024,2024-10,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=6&,scraper,"Honolulu – Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda walked the picket line with Local 5 members near the Hilton Hawaiian Village to show her support and loyalty to striking hotel workers. Rep. Tokuda was originally scheduled to participate in the Wahine Forum panel at the hotel but cancelled when union members decided to go on strike after failed contract negotiations. “Every day, Local 5 members are on the front lines as ambassadors of aloha to our visitors. As a former Local 5 member, I stand in solidarity with employees who are fighting for fair wages and safe working conditions,” said Rep. Tokuda. “One job should be enough, but with Hawaii’s high cost of living, many have been forced to juggle multiple positions just to make ends meet and take care of their families. Our workers deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. I will not cross the picket line or attend events where union workers are battling with employers who are turning a blind eye and carrying on with ‘business as usual' and making profits on the backs of our workers. Enough is enough."" Images of Rep. Tokuda at the picket line can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-fema-extending-temporary-housing-support-for-maui-fire-survivors-until-february-2026,Schatz Statement On FEMA Extending Temporary Housing Support For Maui Fire Survivors Until February 2026,2024-10-10,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) issued the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) extended financial assistance and direct temporary housing assistance for survivors of the Maui fires until February 2026. The assistance through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program was originally set to expire in February 2025. “FEMA’s extension means survivors will continue to have homes for their families for the foreseeable future. But let’s be clear about what’s needed – building temporary housing so that survivors have stable roofs over their heads as they recover.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3453,Case Condemns Misinformation On Federal Disaster Relief For Current And Pending Disasters,2024-10-09,2024,2024-10,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=8,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (D-HI-01), a member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Homeland Security with authority over the budget of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal disaster relief efforts, today condemned deliberate misinformation that FEMA and related disaster assistance is being diverted from current and pending disasters to other sources. “Not only is this misinformation fully inaccurate, but it is deliberately harming people and communities in most need of relief by leading them to believe incorrectly that they cannot access critical and available federal assistance,” said Case, whose own state of Hawai‘i continues to be critically impacted by the Maui wildfires of August 2023. “In fact, Congress just approved and the President just signed into law an additional $20 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), the federal government’s main channel of disaster relief, and all of those funds have been delivered to FEMA. These funds will fully continue FEMA’s disaster assistance efforts for all of Maui, recent Hurricane Helene and pending Hurricane Milton and other federally declared disasters until they require further replenishment.” Case noted that in North Carolina alone, which was heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene on September 27th of this year, FEMA continues full efforts on the ground along with some two thousand other federal employees. He further noted that on Maui, FEMA and other federal partners have now provided approximately $3 billion in Maui wildfire efforts and continues its assistance with ongoing DRF funding. FEMA’s DRF is the principal fund for immediate and ongoing disaster relief to affected communities. In the recent Continuing Resolution, which continued federal government funding into current Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 commencing October 1st and was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President on September 26th, the DRF, which was running low, was re-funded at $20 billion. Additionally, although federal government funding was continued through December 20, 2024 to allow for completion of the FY 2025 appropriations process and funding for most federal departments was prorated only through that date, Congress specifically authorized a full FY 2025 funding of $20 billion for the DRF and the money is fully available to FEMA. “The misinformation that FEMA does not have available federal disaster relief, and that these monies have instead been diverted to ‘illegal immigrants’, Ukraine, and elsewhere, is completely false,” said Case. “Not only do the perpetrators and amplifiers know that it is false, not only are they making these statements for political purposes, but they are also deliberately harming the people and communities who most need this assistance as they are effectively being told it’s useless to seek assistance when they most need it.” The Administrator of FEMA, Deanne Criswell, has called the misinformation a “truly dangerous narrative,” adding that it’s not just inconvenient, it is actively hindering disaster relief efforts by “creating this fear of trying to reach out and help us or register to help.” To counter misinformation, FEMA has also launched a Hurricane Rumor Response webpage, which you can view here: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene/rumor-response U.S. Representative Chuck Edwards, a Republican representing one of the districts most heavily impacted by Helene, also issued a press release dispelling misinformation from “untrustworthy sources trying to spark chaos,” assuring people that Hurricane Helene was not geoengineered by the government, FEMA is not turning away donations, FEMA has not diverted disaster response funding to the border or foreign aid, FEMA is not going to run out of money and FEMA cannot seize property or land, among other things. Case continued: “To be clear, there are areas where disaster assistance is running dangerously low, in particular Small Business Administration loan relief, and it is also very clear that even the $20 billion of new appropriations into the DRF will not be sufficient to indefinitely continue disaster assistance to Maui, the communities affected by Helene and Milton and other impacted communities across the country. “This is why I have joined colleagues on my House Appropriations Committee and otherwise in strongly advocating for an emergency supplemental disaster relief package to be passed as soon as Congress reconvenes this November after the elections. My full efforts are devoted to passage of that package and to continued relief for Maui and all other communities affected by disasters.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-cassidy-introduce-bill-to-improve-health-care-for-veterans,"Hirono, Cassidy Introduce Bill to Improve Health Care for Veterans",2024-10-09,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Bill Cassidy (R-IA) introduced legislation to enhance the quality and efficiency of health care services provided to veterans. The VetPAC Act of 2024 creates a new Veterans Health Administration Policy Advisory Commission (VetPAC) to facilitate a transparent, expert-driven review process for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). “As we work to ensure those who served our country can access the high-quality health care they’ve earned, the VetPAC Act of 2024 will create a new independent commission to address challenges the VHA faces and improve care for our veterans,” said Senator Hirono. “As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I am proud to introduce this legislation that will support Congress’ work to help improve health care access, delivery, and quality for veterans. Modeled after the successful Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), the 17-member independent commission will focus on improving health care delivery and addressing the operations challenges within the VHA. Led by health care and large medical system experts, the commission would review pressing veterans’ health topics such as health care delivery and access at VA Health facilities and in the community, workforce issues, and VA medical research. By conducting regular assessments and providing recommendations to Congress, this legislation seeks to ensure critical areas such as technology, staffing, and patient care are continuously improved. This legislation is endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. “The VFW supports the VetPAC Act of 2024 that would establish a commission to review operations at the Veterans Health Administration and submit reports to Congress,” said Veterans of Foreign Wars National Legislative Associate Director Meggan Coleman. “The VFW believes the recommendations from these assessments would aid Congress in proposing meaningful legislation to ensure veterans receive adequate care. We thank Senator Hirono and Cassidy for introducing this bill and we look forward to its passage into law.” The full text of the legislation is available here. As a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Hirono has consistently worked to support veterans in Hawaii and across the country. In May 2024, Senator Hirono introduced the Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act, legislation to improve the affordability of health care services for Native Hawaiian veterans. Among other things, the bill would eliminate copays for Native Hawaiian veterans for care received through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and would enable Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems to seek direct reimbursement from VA for care provided to Native Hawaiian veterans. In April 2024, Senator Hirono introduced the Honoring Veterans’ Legacies and Burial Benefits Enhancements Act to improve memorialization and burial benefits for veterans and their families. In February 2024, following a concerning Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) report finding significant shortfalls in care provided by VA to veterans who seek care after experiencing a sexual assault, Senator Hirono joined her colleagues in sending a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, urging the Department to take immediate steps to improve the readiness of VA facilities and staff to address the needs of veterans.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3447,"Case, Hirono, Steel, Scott, Moylan And Tokuda Lead Introduction Of Measures In U.S. House and Senate Commemorating October As Filipino-American History Month",2024-09-26,2024,2024-09,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=8,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (D-HI 01 and his House colleagues, Reps. Michelle Steel (R-CA 45 ), Robert Cortez (Bobby) Scott (D-VA 3), James Moylan (R-GU) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI 02), have joined U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) in co-leading a bipartisan, bicameral measure commemorating October as Filipino-American History Month. The Members’ resolution (link to copy below), co-sponsored currently by an additional 33 Members, celebrates the long and distinguished history of Filipino Americans in the United States, where FilAms now number over 4,000,000. It resolves that Congress: 1) recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History Month as - · a testament to the advancement of Filipino Americans; · a time to reflect on and remember the many notable contributions that Filipino Americans have made to the United States; and · a time to renew efforts toward the research and examination of history and culture so as to provide an opportunity for all people of the United States to learn more about Filipino Americans and to appreciate the historic contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States; and 2) urges the people of the United States to observe Filipino American History Month with appropriate programs and activities “Since 2019, and as the Member of Congress with the most Filipino Americans of any U.S. House district nationwide, I have been honored to co-lead an annual resolution recognizing October as Filipino American History Month,” said Rep. Case. “I have joined many colleagues in doing so in order to recognize and celebrate the great contributions of Filipino Americans to our country, in government and law, music and entertainment, sports, business and countless other ventures.” “From the first Filipino contract laborers who arrived in Hawai‘i seeking a better life, to the Filipino American leaders in business, health care, and our Armed Forces, this community has contributed to our country’s diversity and helped to shape our identity as a nation,” said Sen. Hirono. “As we continue working to uplift the voices of Filipino Americans in Hawai‘i and across the country, I am proud to introduce this resolution to honor the Filipino American community’s contributions and accomplishments and celebrate their rich history and culture.” “The Filipino community in Southern California adds rich culture and heritage to our communities, and I am proud to serve as the voice of so many of them in Congress,” said Rep. Steel. “As we approach Filipino American History Month, I’m excited to celebrate the enormous contributions of Filipino Americans to our shared American story.” “As the only currently serving Member of Congress with Filipino ancestry and Co-Chair of the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus, I am proud to co-lead this resolution with Reps. Case, Moylan, Steel, Tokuda and Senator Hirono as we celebrate Filipino American History Month,” said Rep. Scott. “This is a time to recognize Filipino Americans’ contributions as our veterans, our healthcare workers, our educators, and so much more. I have the privilege of representing a rich and vibrant Filipino American community in Hampton Roads and I am proud to celebrate this month with Filipino Americans across the nation.” “I am proud to introduce this legislation with my friend, Representative Case. Filipino Americans have been integral to the success of this nation as well as to my district of Guam,” said Rep. Moylan. “It is important we recognize and celebrate the many achievements of these patriots, and I look forward to the countless future achievements by the Filipino American community.” “Since arriving in Hawaiʻi in the late 1800s to work on sugarcane and pineapple plantations, Filipinos played an important role in the history, culture, and fabric of Hawaiʻi,” said Rep. Tokuda. “They have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to my home state and the country and that’s why I’m proud to cosponsor this measure, celebrating the historical achievements and milestones that make up Filipino American History Month.” Case continued: “Since their early beginnings, our Filipino American community has grown to some 4.4 million citizens and is the third largest Asian American and Pacific Islander group in the United States. Their mark lies in all parts of our society, with a bright future of further contributions to come. “In introducing our resolution, we also recognize the increasingly strong and critical ties between our country and the Republic of the Philippines. We also again honor the over 250,000 Filipinos who answered the call to protect and defend America and the Philippines in the Pacific theater, and who were awarded the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal by Act of Congress and bestowed by President Obama in 2016.” Filipino-American History Month resolution is here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/legislation-co-led-rep-tokuda-combat-rapid-ohia-death-passes-us-house,Legislation Co-Led by Rep. Tokuda to Combat Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Passes the U.S. House of Representatives,2024-09-26,2024,2024-09,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=6&,scraper,"Washington, DC — U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement on the Continued Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Response Act of 2023 after the legislation unanimously passed the House of Representatives this week. “Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death presents an existential threat to Hawai‘i’s native forests that are a critical habitat for our endangered birds and other species. If we don’t act now, our native forests will not survive,” said Rep. Tokuda. “This bill would help in the fight against Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death by leveraging federal resources to support statewide efforts in mitigating Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death’s impact on Hawaiʻi’s delicate ecosystems.” The Continued Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Response Act of 2023 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawai‘i on combating Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death. This bill would increase support for continued detection, prevention, and restoration efforts to Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death, including funding and staff for necessary research. This legislation, which she introduced with U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono, is Rep. Tokuda’s first bill to pass the House of Representatives. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for further action. The full text of the bill is available here. Rep. Tokuda’s remarks on the House Floor are available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-bill-commemorating-october-as-filipino-american-history-month,"Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Bill Commemorating October as Filipino-American History Month",2024-09-26,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-HI), Michelle Steel (R-CA), Robert Cortez Scott (D-VA), James Moylan (R-GU), and Jill Tokuda (D-HI) in leading a bipartisan, bicameral resolution commemorating October as Filipino-American History Month. The resolution celebrates the long and distinguished history of Filipino Americans in the U.S. and the cultural and historical contributions made by Filipino American communities nationwide. “From the first Filipino contract laborers who arrived in Hawai‘i seeking a better life, to the Filipino American leaders in business, health care, and our Armed Forces, this community has contributed to our country’s diversity and helped to shape our identity as a nation,” said Senator Hirono. “As we continue working to uplift the voices of Filipino Americans in Hawai‘i and across the country, I am proud to introduce this resolution to honor the Filipino American community’s contributions and accomplishments and celebrate their rich history and culture.” The legislation resolves that Congress: Recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History Month as – A testament to the advancement of Filipino Americans; A time to reflect on and remember the many notable contributions that Filipino Americans have made to the United States; and A time to renew efforts toward the research and examination of history and culture so as to provide an opportunity for all people of the United States to learn more about Filipino Americans and to appreciate the historic contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States; and Urges the people of the United States to observe Filipino American History Month with appropriate programs and activities. The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), George Helmy (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). The resolution is cosponsored by more than 35 representatives in the House. The full text of the legislation is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-votes-prevent-government-shutdown,Rep. Tokuda Votes to Prevent Government Shutdown,2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=6&,scraper,"Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement after voting yes on the House bill to prevent a government shutdown. “Our communities can’t afford to lose critical services, but House Republicans have yet again been unable to write or pass legislation to keep the government operating. A shutdown would hurt working families in Hawaiʻi who are already struggling to make ends meet and that’s why I voted today to send this stopgap funding bill to the Senate to ensure our government remains open through December. It is frustrating that while we kept government running, we are continuing to fail our disaster stricken communities like Maui by not passing critical funding or the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act. This is a rare bipartisan opportunity to help Americans across the country recover, rebuild and heal, and I will keep fighting to bring home the relief Maui needs.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-protect-voters-and-election-workers-at-election-centers,"Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Voters and Election Workers at Election Centers",2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and six colleagues in introducing bicameral legislation to protect voters and election workers from intimidation and threats of violence at the ballot box. The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act would help ensure that every voter and election worker has the right to cast their ballot and conduct their official duties free from fear and intimidation. U.S. Representative Chris Deluzio (D-PA) is leading the introduction in the House. The bill would update existing anti-intimidation provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to limit the presence of visible firearms at locations where voters cast their ballot or election workers perform their official duties, empowering poll workers and election officials to continue safely administering elections. The right to vote is a central pillar of American democracy, but rising political violence against voters and poll workers threatens election security. False allegations of widespread voter fraud have further increased tensions at election centers. As of May 2024, 38% of election workers have reported experiencing threats, harassment, or abuse. Specifically, the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act would: Amend Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act to establish a rebuttable presumption that a person carrying a visible firearm while engaging in election-related activities is engaging in voter intimidation; Provide civil remedies for individuals who experience this type of intimidation, including an emergency injunction that would allow the voter or election official to carry out their duties in peace; and Recognize an exception for law enforcement officers acting within their official duties. In addition to Senators Hirono and Padilla, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). Representative Raul Ruiz (D-CA) is cosponsoring the bill in the House of Representatives. The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act is endorsed by organizations including the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, GIFFORDS, Newtown Action Alliance, Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety, March for Our Lives, Institute for Responsive Government, League of Conservation Voters, Center for American Progress, End Citizens United Action Fund, Common Cause, Defend the Vote Action Fund, Fair Elections Center, Democracy SENTRY, League of Women Voters, Public Citizen, Faith in Public Life Action, Sierra Club, and Voto Latino. Senator Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has been a long-time champion of voting rights legislation and protections. In March, Senator Hirono led 11 of her colleagues in introducing the Time Off to Vote Act, legislation that would require employers—upon the request of the employee—to provide at least two consecutive hours of paid leave in order to vote in federal elections. In September 2023, Senator Hirono joined her colleagues on National Voter Registration Day in introducing a resolution recognizing September as “National Voting Rights Month.” In September 2022, Senator Hirono introduced the Election Worker Protection Act, comprehensive legislation which would provide states with the resources to recruit and train election workers and ensure these workers’ safety, while also instituting federal safeguards to shield election workers from intimidation and threats. The full text of the legislation is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-murkowski-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-hold-judiciary-accountable-for-workplace-misconduct,"Hirono, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Hold Judiciary Accountable for Workplace Misconduct",2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the bicameral, bipartisan Judiciary Accountability Act of 2024 (JAA). The legislation would ensure the more than 30,000 employees of the federal judiciary have strong statutory rights and protections against discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and other forms of workplace misconduct and will guide further conversations with stakeholders and experts about a legislative solution to protect the rights of judiciary employees. U.S. Representatives Hank Johnson (D-GA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Norma Torres (D-CA) introduced a House companion bill. “No one is above the law, but most federal judiciary employees lack essential workplace protections, preventing them from obtaining justice when they face discrimination and harassment,” said Senator Hirono. “Employees of the federal judiciary dedicate their careers to providing justice, and they deserve justice when they face misconduct in the workplace. Yet these employees are among the only ones in the United States who lack the right to sue when they face discrimination or harassment. The Judiciary Accountability Act will help to protect the 30,000 federal judiciary employees by extending basic anti-discrimination protections to cover them, giving them access to federal court to vindicate those rights, and helping to ensure more accountability in the federal courts.” “The Judiciary Accountability Act expands federal laws that prohibit workplace harassment and discrimination to employees of the judiciary, putting them on par with executive branch, congressional, and private sector employees who have long-had these protections,” said Senator Murkowski. “This legislation not only helps safeguard employees from mistreatment at work, but also establishes a review system to foster accountability when those rights are violated. I appreciate the opportunity to lead this bipartisan legislation with Senator Hirono to cultivate transparency and a positive working environment within the judicial branch.” The foundational federal civil rights statutes—such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964—generally do not apply to the federal judiciary, making it one of the only employers in the entire country–public or private–whose employees are not protected by federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination and retaliation. The federal judiciary has faced sustained criticism for its approach to preventing, investigating, and remedying sexual harassment and discrimination by judges and others in the judicial branch. This year, back-to-back reports were released—one from the from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the other from the Federal Judicial Center and National Academy of Public Administration—underscoring that although the Judiciary has taken steps to implement an internal dispute resolution process, that process can be disjointed and confusing. Moreover, no part of that process provides judiciary employees a path to vindicate their rights in court. The Judiciary Accountability Act will: Give judicial branch employees the same anti-discrimination rights and remedies private sector and government employees have had for decades. Today, most judicial branch employees are not protected by the federal civil rights statutes that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, and disability. The Judiciary Accountability Act would correct that injustice. Protect judicial branch employees from retaliation against them by providing them with the right to sue for relief if they are retaliated against. Unlike other federal employees, most judicial branch employees currently have no statutory protection against retaliation. At a House Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020, multiple witnesses testified that they and others were afraid to come forward about the sexual harassment they suffered or witnessed. Establish a comprehensive workplace misconduct prevention program overseen by an improved and expanded Office of Judicial Integrity. The Office’s Board of Directors would include members experienced in investigating and enforcing civil rights laws against workplace discrimination, as well as experience assisting victims of discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment and sexual assault. The Office would administer a nationwide, confidential reporting system and a comprehensive training program addressing workplace behavior and bystander intervention, among other duties. Require regular assessments of workplace culture to determine the effectiveness of judicial branch policies designed to prevent and remedy harassment and discrimination. Make clear that discrimination and retaliation constitute judicial misconduct and ensure that the judicial misconduct laws apply to all federal judges, regardless of whether they subsequently resign, retire, or pass away. The full text of the legislation is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-nationwide-book-bans-top-10000-schatz-raskin-introduce-bicameral-resolution-condemning-book-bans,"As Nationwide Book Bans Top 10,000, Schatz, Raskin Introduce Bicameral Resolution Condemning Book Bans",2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) introduced a resolution condemning an escalating censorship crisis that has removed and targeted thousands of books from the shelves of schools, libraries and universities across the country. The bicameral resolution, coinciding with Banned Books Week, reinforces congressional recognition of students’ First Amendment rights and affirms that the freedom to read is essential to a strong democracy. In the 2023-2024 school year alone, PEN America documented over 10,000 instances of individual books being banned, nearly triple the previous academic year. Many bans have removed books from public shelves with characteristics that would be targeted by Project 2025, which additionally proposes labeling teachers and librarians who distribute such books as sex offenders. “Any attempt to ban books because someone has an ideological disagreement or doesn’t believe in capturing the full scope of history is un-American,” said Senator Schatz. “Freedom of expression is a founding principle of our country, and it's up to all of us to stand up against these attacks on this fundamental right.” “By filling our libraries with a diversity of stories, we help our students understand new perspectives rather than suppressing their freedom to think, read and write independently,” said Representative Raskin. “We must close this chapter of censorship and, rather than continuing to take a page from the world’s dictators and autocrats, turn our attention to the resources students need to succeed. I am grateful to Senator Schatz for his partnership on this resolution.” According to findings from PEN America and the American Library Association, targeted books include classics like To Kill A Mockingbird, 1984, and The Handmaid’s Tale. Books are also more likely to be removed if they feature content related to the LGBTQIA+ experience, race or racial injustice or stories about grief and abuse. “We thank Representative Raskin and Senator Schatz for their continued commitment to academic freedom and the First Amendment. The movement to ban books is an affront to public education and students’ ability to understand the world,” said PEN America’s Congressional Affairs Lead, Laura Schroeder. “The targeted bans intentionally seek to silence the experiences of authors of color, LGBTQI+ authors and stories that explore the themes of racism, trauma, religion, gender identity and sexual identity. Students are being deprived of stories that can help them deal with real lived experiences such as trauma and violence. This must end.” “Libraries defend every American’s freedom to read – a freedom that is increasingly under threat – even though many librarians face criticism and threats to their livelihood and safety,” said Cindy Hohl, president of the American Library Association. “This Banned Books Week, we’re proud to have Congressional leaders standing with us and with communities that are fighting back to protect their libraries and schools from the censors.” The resolution is endorsed by the American Library Association (ALA), Banned Books Week Coalition, EveryLibrary, Interfaith Alliance, JCRC of Greater Washington, Jewish Community Relations Council of Broward County (Florida), Jewish Community Relations Council of Portland, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, National Book Foundation, National Coalition Against Censorship, National Council of Jewish Women, National Council of Teachers of English, National Education Association, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, PEN America, PFLAG National, Red Wine and Blue Education Fund, The Sikh Coalition, Jewish Community Relations Council for Tucson & Southern Arizona, and Urban Libraries Council (ULC). In addition to Schatz, the Senate resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Angus King (I-Maine), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-calls-for-additional-disaster-aid-when-congress-returns-in-november,Schatz Calls For Additional Disaster Aid When Congress Returns In November,2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today called for additional disaster relief funding when Congress returns in November. Speaking on the Senate floor, Schatz stressed the need to provide disaster survivors on Maui and in other disaster-impacted communities with flexible, long-term assistance in the form of Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding which will enable them to rebuild their homes and communities as quickly as possible. “Make no mistake, our work is not over,” said Senator Schatz. “When we return in November, passing disaster aid has to be the top priority of the United States Congress. There is no excuse not to do this. This is an American priority, and we cannot close up shop for this Congress leaving all these Americans behind.” The full text of the senator’s remarks can be found below. Video is available here. It is good that the Senate and the House are working on a bipartisan basis to pass a short-term bill to keep the government open. But make no mistake, our work is not over, because once again we are leaving town for a long period of time not having passed disaster aid to help survivors on Maui and elsewhere. Over the past 13 months since tragic fires tore down the town of Lahaina and claimed 102 lives, I've been here on the floor repeatedly pressing for urgent disaster relief. And in that time, more disasters have devastated communities all over the country. So many people on Maui, in Texas and Vermont, New Mexico, California, Iowa and Florida and 20 states total, and unfortunately rising. They're waiting for help, and the federal government has not come to their aid yet. They've lost loved ones. They've lost homes. They've lost businesses. They've lost livelihoods. And all they want is help and a little bit of hope to get their lives back to something close to normal. What are we doing as a Congress if we can't even deliver help to our fellow Americans when disaster strikes? When we return in November, passing disaster aid has to be the top priority of the United States Congress. There is no excuse not to do this. What's being asked of us is what Congress always does. We simply need to do the thing that we've always done, which is to show up for disaster survivors and get them the help survivors and get them the help that they need. And if you are a member who represents any of the 20-odd states that need this help, we need your help. And if you are a member from one of the other 30 states, there but for the grace of God go I. It will always come around. Everyone needs disaster help. So consider it your priority, even if your state, thank God, hasn't been hit this year or last. Even if you don't have 20 or 30,000 victims waiting for help. This is an American priority, and we cannot close up shop for this Congress leaving all these Americans behind. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-leads-bipartisan-group-of-senators-in-urging-senate-leaders-to-take-up-legislation-to-permanently-extend-telehealth-flexibilities-expand-access,"Schatz Leads Bipartisan Group Of Senators In Urging Senate Leaders To Take Up Legislation To Permanently Extend Telehealth Flexibilities, Expand Access",2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) led members of the bipartisan Senate Telehealth Working Group in calling on Senate leaders to take up legislation to permanently extend telehealth flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries that are set to expire at the end of the year. Specifically, the senators urged for the passage of the bipartisan CONNECT for Health Act which Schatz leads with U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and was reintroduced last year with the support of 66 bipartisan senators. The letter follows Telehealth Awareness Week and comes after the House Energy & Commerce Committee unanimously advanced a two-year telehealth extension. In addition to Schatz, the letter is signed by Wicker and U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.). “At least 66 Democratic and Republican Senators support permanently expanding telehealth access, and similar provisions have passed on a bipartisan unanimous basis in committees of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives. The Senate must quickly act to advance these policies, which protect access to telehealth services and align with your objective to advance bipartisan legislation that promotes the health and well-being of Americans,” the senators wrote. They continued, “Medicare beneficiaries have come to rely on expanded access to telehealth services and are satisfied with the care they receive. We must provide patients and clinicians with long-term certainty of their ability to access and provide care through telehealth. The CONNECT for Health Act will help us achieve this shared goal and has strong, bipartisan support in the Senate.” The CONNECT for Health Act makes permanent telehealth flexibilities made temporarily available during the COVID-19 pandemic and later extended. Additionally, it expands access to telehealth services by removing unnecessary barriers and enabling doctors, particularly in rural and underserved communities, to leverage telehealth to better serve their patients. The bill was first introduced in 2016 and is considered the most comprehensive legislation on telehealth in Congress. Several provisions of the bill have since been enacted into law or adopted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The full text of the letter can be found below and is available here. Dear Leader Schumer and Leader McConnell: With the end-of-year expiration of telehealth flexibilities rapidly approaching, we write to urge you to prioritize policies that ensure all Medicare beneficiaries retain access to telehealth services. At least 66 Democratic and Republican Senators support permanently expanding telehealth access, and similar provisions have passed on a bipartisan unanimous basis in committees of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives. The Senate must quickly act to advance these policies, which protect access to telehealth services and align with your objective to advance bipartisan legislation that promotes the health and well-being of Americans. Under your leadership, Congress has recognized the critical role of telehealth in health care delivery by expanding coverage during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency. Most recently in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Congress enacted a two-year extension of Medicare telehealth services coverage. This ensured continuity of care and provided time for experts to evaluate the effects of expanded telehealth serves. Recent studies by leading researchers and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) are clear: Telehealth provides essential access to care and improves outcomes, including reduced emergency department utilization and improved medication adherence. Access to telehealth is at-risk, as noted by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the Calendar Year 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule: “absent Congressional action, beginning January 1, 2025, statutory restrictions on geography, site of service, and practitioner type that existed prior to the COVID-19 PHE will go back into effect”. Consequently, Congress must advance policies from our consensus bipartisan bill, the CONNECT for Health Act, before the coverage extension lapses. We urge you to prioritize the following provisions from our bill, which would improve American’s access to and quality of care: Telehealth should be available to all Medicare beneficiaries, regardless of where they live. Therefore, Congress should permanently remove geographic restrictions on telehealth services and permit the home and other clinically appropriate settings as originating sites. If budget constraints make permanent policy out of reach, given the significant costs required to ramp up and provide high quality telehealth programs, Congress must provide the maximum extension possible at an adequate length for providers to make necessary investments. Practitioners should be able to provide clinically appropriate telehealth services. The flexibility to provide telehealth, within state scope of practice laws, is particularly critical given high rates of provider shortages across disciplines. Therefore, Congress should expand the authority for practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services. Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics should be able to provide telehealth services, free from unnecessary barriers and disincentives. Therefore, Congress should include federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics as distant site providers and telehealth should be integrated into these providers’ payment systems. Telemental health services should be accessible, free from barriers. Telehealth has transformed mental and behavioral health care, now accounting for 40 percent of telehealth services provided under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Notably, just 20 percent of Medicare beneficiaries with a telemental health visit in the preceding quarter would satisfy the requirements to access these services under current statute. Therefore, Congress should permanently repeal the six-month in-person visit requirement for telemental health services. Patients receiving hospice care should be permitted to receive assessments by telehealth. Therefore, Congress should allow for the use of telehealth in the recertification of a Medicare beneficiary for hospice. Medicare beneficiaries and providers should be supported as health care continues to transition. Therefore, Congress should provide resources to improve beneficiary engagement and health care professional use of telehealth. Congress should also task the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure that telehealth quality is effectively measured, and that limited outlier billing patterns are addressed. Medicare beneficiaries have come to rely on expanded access to telehealth services and are satisfied with the care they receive. We must provide patients and clinicians with long-term certainty of their ability to access and provide care through telehealth. The CONNECT for Health Act will help us achieve this shared goal and has strong, bipartisan support in the Senate. Further, the Ways & Means and Energy & Commerce Committees have unanimously advanced telehealth legislation. We appreciate your collaboration and leadership on this issue and look forward to working with you to ensure access to telehealth services is retained by the end of 2024. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-chu-lead-capac-members-to-urge-omb-to-support-spd-15-implementation-efforts-for-aanhpi-communities,"Hirono, Chu Lead CAPAC Members to Urge OMB to Support SPD 15 Implementation Efforts for AANHPI Communities",2024-09-24,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) led 7 of their colleagues in sending a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shalanda Young on Statistical Policy Directive 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity (SPD 15), urging OMB to take additional action to assist federal agencies in effectively incorporating its revised standards to SPD 15. OMB’s revised standards to SPD 15 include changes that will help to expand demographic reporting requirements and ensure that diverse communities are better reflected in federal datasets. By implementing increased data disaggregation through these revisions, federal agencies would be able to better understand more communities, including the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities that encompass over 70 ethnicities. “Federal data on race and ethnicity is a crucial resource for identifying and addressing inequity,” wrote the Members. “While SPD 15 could be a tremendous asset to our communities, we are concerned with how federal agencies will implement the revised standards.” The letter urges OMB to work directly with federal agencies to provide them with the necessary resources and guidance to produce detailed inventories on their data collections, and to share these data inventories in a centralized manner, as recommended by over 100 AANHPI advocacy groups that have weighed in on the issue. The letter further requests clarification on what a “sufficient justification” would be to exclude an agency from detailed demographic reporting requirements. “OMB plays a critical role in ensuring both the quality and consistency of federal datasets, and the updated SPD 15 is a significant step in improving federal data collection processes,” the lawmakers concluded. “In all, greater transparency and stronger guidance will help federal agencies fulfill the ideals of SPD 15 while providing greater opportunity for community accountability.” Senator Hirono has long advocated on behalf of the AANHPI communities in Hawaii, the U.S., and the Pacific Island nations and territories, working to ensure that all communities are accounted for and supported. Just last year, Senator Hirono reintroduced the All Students Count Act of 2023, legislation that would require more comprehensive and equitable disaggregation of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) student data in K-12 schools, helping to ensure that AANHPI student groups are better accounted for and supported by schools across the country. In addition to Senator Hirono and Representative Chu, the letter was signed by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Representatives Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Dan Goldman (D-NY), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), and Mark Takano (D-CA). The full text of the letter is available here and below: Dear Director Young: Thank you for your continued commitment to advancing racial equity and supporting underserved communities in the United States. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, our country has taken important steps toward promoting an inclusive society where everyone has opportunities to succeed. We write today regarding OMB’s recent revisions to “Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity” (SPD 15) – dated March 28, 2024. We commend OMB for revising these standards, which will help to expand demographic reporting requirements and ensure that diverse communities are better reflected in federal datasets, and thank the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) and other OMB officials for discussing the revisions with Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), on July 31, 2024. In order to ensure that these standards are fully implemented in a manner that supports our communities, we strongly urge OMB to comply with statutory mandates and take additional action to assist federal agencies in effectively and efficiently incorporating the revised standards. Federal data on race and ethnicity is a crucial resource for identifying and addressing inequity. However, since SPD 15 was last updated in 1997, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) advocacy groups have raised concerns over SPD 15’s overly-broad minimum reporting categories, which obfuscate the diverse experiences of over 70 ethnic groups under the AANHPI umbrella. Due to distinct histories and particular experiences with violence and persecution, for example, only 14% of Bhutanese Americans, 19% of Laotian Americans, and 22% of Burmese Americans have obtained a bachelor’s degree—half the rate of all Asian Americans and lower than the overall population. Accurate and comprehensive data on race and ethnicity is necessary for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of our communities. We applaud the 2024 SPD 15 for requiring federal agencies to collect new and more detailed racial and ethnic information, such as “Chinese,” “Nigerian,” and “Native Hawaiian,” by default. This will help illuminate areas of need within particular ethnic and racial communities and allow policymakers to allocate resources appropriately. While SPD 15 could be a tremendous asset to our communities, we are concerned with how federal agencies will implement the revised standards. A recent report from AAPI Data, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), and Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) detailed concerning gaps in the updated SPD 15’s rollout, including the absence of an existing inventory of all federal agency data collections—a requirement of The OPEN Government Data Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-411)— to assist federal agencies in implementing the revised standards. SPD 15 also allows federal agencies to apply for an exception to its new detailed demographic reporting requirements, but does not set a clear standard for what OIRA should consider a “sufficient justification” to grant an exception. In all, greater transparency and stronger guidance will help federal agencies fulfill the ideals of SPD 15 while providing greater opportunity for community accountability. OMB plays a critical role in ensuring both the quality and consistency of federal datasets, and the updated SPD 15 is a significant step in improving federal data collection processes. In order to ensure SPD 15 is implemented in an effective way, we urge OMB to work directly with federal agencies to ensure they have the necessary resources and guidance to produce detailed inventories on their data collections, and to share these data inventories in a centralized manner, as recommended by over 100 AANHPI advocacy groups that have weighed in on the issue. Without such inventories, there is no reasonable way to account for all the data collections taking place within the federal government, and to fully understand whether these collections are in compliance with SPD 15. Thank you for your consideration on this important matter. We look forward to receiving your response. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-support-survivors-of-sexual-assault-on-campus,"Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Support Survivors of Sexual Assault on Campus",2024-09-24,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in introducing legislation to support survivors of sexual assault on college campuses. The Survivor Outreach and Support on Campus Act, or S.O.S. Campus Act, would require that every college and university that receives federal funding have an independent advocate dedicated to campus sexual assault prevention and response. “As we continue working to ensure that our students are safe on campus, the S.O.S. Campus Act would help to ensure that survivors of sexual assault at colleges and universities receive the treatment and support they deserve,” said Senator Hirono. “All students deserve to be safe and supported on campus and I will keep fighting to combat sexual violence and ensure that survivors can access much-needed medical, legal, and mental health resources.” Sexual violence and harassment on college campus is heavily underreported, in part due to shortcomings in existing reporting structures. After a change to Title IX under the Trump administration, many universities experienced a drastic decrease in the number of sexual assaults being reported. The Association of Title IX Administrators estimated that upwards of 90% of sexual misconduct cases are handled “informally” and without formal protections and guidance for survivors. The S.O.S. Campus Act would require campuses to have an independent advocate to conduct public information campaigns on sexual assault prevention and ensure that survivors of sexual assault have access to: Emergency and follow-up medical care, Guidance on reporting assaults to law enforcement, Medical forensic or evidentiary exams, Crisis intervention, ongoing counseling, and assistance throughout the process, and Information on their legal rights. Local rape crisis centers and other community-based organizations are currently providing many of these services in communities and on campuses around the nation. The legislation recognizes the importance of these partnerships by requiring that universities either consult with or partner with these organizations to ensure that survivors can access the services they need. Full text of the legislation is available here. Senator Hirono has been a strong advocate for making sure survivors of campus sexual assault have the resources they need to be supported. Earlier this Congress, she reintroduced the Patsy T. Mink and Louise M. Slaughter Gender Equity in Education Act (GEEA), which, like the S.O.S. Campus Act, would provide additional resources for colleges and universities to support survivors. Specifically, GEEA would create an Office for Gender Equity (OGE) within the U.S. Department of Education (ED) that would, among other things, be responsible for providing Title IX coordinators with annual trainings, detailed information, and best practices about Title IX compliance. ED’s OGE would also be responsible for administering a new $160 million grant program to provide resources for colleges and universities, K-12 schools, and other entities to comply with Title IX. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-senate-passes-schatz-wicker-resolution-designating-telehealth-awareness-week,Senate Passes Schatz-Wicker Resolution Designating Telehealth Awareness Week,2024-09-24,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution authored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) designating September 15-21 as “Telehealth Awareness Week.” The resolution recognizes that telehealth has helped millions of Americans across the country access quality health care, and has become a critical component of health care delivery. “Telehealth helps people access quality health care when and where they need it, and our resolution highlights the broad, bipartisan support for raising awareness of and expanding access to telehealth,” said Senator Schatz, co-chair of the Senate Telehealth Working Group. “Telehealth is a cost-effective way for people in rural and underserved areas to access health care. Increasing the services available to patients remains one of my top priorities,” Senator Wicker said. The resolution affirms the bipartisan support in Congress for telehealth and encourages expanded access to telehealth services for all people, including members of rural and underserved communities. It notes that 25 percent of Medicare beneficiaries used telehealth services at least once in 2023, and that nearly 90 percent were satisfied with their experience. It concludes that “Telehealth Awareness Week” unites the efforts of patients, caregivers, health care providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to advance the role of telehealth in health care. The resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.). Schatz has led efforts to expand access to telehealth, including reintroducing the CONNECT for Health Act, the most comprehensive bipartisan telehealth legislation in Congress. Since its first iteration in 2016, several provisions from the bill have been signed into law. The full text of the resolution is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/committee-sends-rep-tokudas-lahaina-national-heritage-area-study-act-full,Committee Sends Rep. Tokuda’s Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act to Full House,2024-09-20,2024,2024-09,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=6&,scraper,"Washington, DC – Yesterday, the House Natural Resources Committee voted to advance the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act – introduced by U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) – to the full House of Representatives. The committee reported the bill unanimously. H.R. 8219, the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, would direct the National Park Service, in consultation with state and local partners, to study the suitability and feasibility of a National Heritage Area designation for Lahaina. These areas are designated by Congress to complement state and local conservation efforts through recognition, federal funding, and technical assistance. “The passage of this bill into law would mark a significant step forward in our efforts to support the community in recognizing Lahaina’s historic and cultural importance,” said Rep. Tokuda. “A designation would uplift the rich history, environment, and culture embodied by Lahaina and provide support for state and local conservation efforts through federal recognition, seed money, and technical assistance.” Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands Ranking Member Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), and House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Ranking Member Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) are original cosponsors of the bill, along with Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA-39), Gregorio Sablan (D-MP-AL), and Rep. Ed Case (D-HI-01). There are 62 National Heritage Areas in the United States but none in Hawaiʻi. Kaʻena Point is currently being studied for designation. Text of the bill can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-on-senate-floor-hirono-votes-to-protect-access-to-ivf-blasts-republicans-for-blocking-legislation,"VIDEO: On Senate Floor, Hirono Votes to Protect Access to IVF, Blasts Republicans for Blocking Legislation",2024-09-17,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Sen. Hirono: “As Republicans continue on their anti-freedom, anti-women crusade, Democrats will continue fighting to protect the right to IVF as we work to ensure people can make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures, free from government interference.” ~ Video of Senator Hirono’s remarks is available here ~ WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) voted in support of the Right to IVF Act, legislation to protect the right to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) services, as well as expand insurance coverage of IVF treatment for those who struggle with infertility. The legislation, previously blocked by Senate Republicans in June, failed on the Senate floor again, with only two Republicans voting to advance it. Following the vote, Senator Hirono delivered a speech on the Senate floor, highlighting that for decades, IVF treatment and other assisted reproductive technologies have helped people, who otherwise couldn’t, start families on their own. “While some on the right like to paint IVF as some sort of new or untested technology, that is not so,” said Senator Hirono. “The first baby delivered via IVF was more than 45 years ago, and since then IVF has helped bring more than 10 million babies into this world.” Senator Hirono has remained committed to protecting the fundamental right to reproductive care for more than 40 years, working as a State Representative in Hawaii in the 1980s, where she led the passage of a bill making Hawaii one of the first states in the nation to require health insurers to cover IVF treatment. Most recently, following the Alabama state Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos have the same rights as children, effectively halting IVF treatment in the state, Senator Hirono cosponsored the Access to Family Building Act, legislation that would protect IVF and ART services, which was blocked by Republicans. Senator Hirono also highlighted her Republican colleagues’ obsession with power and control over women’s bodies. “Republicans insist they support IVF, but refuse to protect access to IVF. They insist access to contraception is safe, but refuse to codify it into law,” said Senator Hirono. “Frankly, can anyone take Republicans at their word when they say they won’t enact a nationwide abortion ban if given the opportunity?” “As Republicans continue on their anti-freedom, anti-women crusade Democrats will continue fighting to protect the right to IVF as we work to ensure people can make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures, free from government interference.” A transcript of Senator Hirono’s opening remarks is below and video is available for download here. M. President, once again today, our Republican colleagues have shown us where their priorities truly lie. Despite insisting time and again how much they support the right to in vitro fertilization, or IVF, they just voted again nearly unanimously to block a bill protecting that very right. For decades, IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies, or ART, have helped people, who otherwise couldn’t, start families of their own. While some on the right like to paint IVF as some sort of new or untested technology, that is not so. The first baby delivered via IVF was more than 45 years ago, and since then IVF has helped bring more than 10 million babies into this world. In fact, as a State Representative in Hawaii in the 1980s, I led the passage of a bill making Hawaii one of the first states in the nation to require health insurers to cover IVF treatment. And earlier this year, I met Dr. Lori Kamemoto, an OBGYN who, decades ago, helped deliver the first baby born in Hawaii via IVF. But now, thanks to the chaos created by Dobbs, a whole range of reproductive rights, including the right to IVF, are on the chopping block. Look at Alabama, where the state Supreme Court invoked a ‘fetal personhood’ law to call into question the legality of IVF, effectively halting IVF treatment in the state. Despite the fact that more than 85 percent of Americans support IVF, Republicans here in the Senate have now on several occasions blocked our attempts to pass a bill protecting IVF. Apparently, Republicans’ obsession with power and control over women’s bodies and our lives knows few bounds. Republicans insist they support IVF, but refuse to protect access to IVF. They insist access to contraception is safe, but refuse to codify it into law. Frankly, can anyone take Republicans at their word when they say they won’t enact a nationwide abortion ban if given the opportunity? We can’t, M. President. They’ve shown us who they are, and just how wildly out of step they are with the American people. As Republicans continue on their anti-freedom, anti-women crusade, Democrats will continue fighting to protect the right to IVF as we work to ensure people can make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures, free from government intrusion. Thank you.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-leads-bipartisan-group-of-10-senators-in-calling-for-urgent-disaster-relief-funding,Schatz Leads Bipartisan Group Of 10 Senators In Calling For Urgent Disaster Relief Funding,2024-09-17,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) led a group of 10 bipartisan senators in calling on Senate leadership to move quickly to pass additional funding to help states recover from ongoing disasters. Schatz was joined by U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska). “We write as members representing states with ongoing disaster recovery needs to request additional disaster relief funding through a supplemental appropriations package, including additional funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) and Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR),” the senators wrote in their letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine). The senators continued, “Our states experienced varying degrees of damage and have unique recovery needs. While we appreciate the federal support through existing permanently authorized disaster recovery programs, there is no one federal program that will directly address the distinct unmet needs of our communities in these difficult times. That is why over the past 30 years, Congress has allocated nearly $100 billion in CDBG-DR funding to disaster-impacted communities in nearly every state and territory. This tried-and-true program provides flexible financial support that communities can use to address unique outstanding needs unmet by other federal streams of assistance. Our states require this federal support to rebuild.” The full text of the senators’ letter can be found below and is available here. Dear Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Chair Murray, and Vice Chair Collins: We write as members representing states with ongoing disaster recovery needs to request additional disaster relief funding through a supplemental appropriations package, including additional funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) and Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR). We appreciate your efforts to support disaster recovery thus far this Congress, but urgent and pressing needs in our communities require more support. The additional $16 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief fund (DRF) that Congress approved last year as part of the September continuing resolution has gone a long way towards supporting the immediate needs in many disaster-impacted communities. However, new and ongoing recovery efforts require further DRF funding to ensure core disaster response needs are addressed. In addition, other recovery needs that cannot be addressed through FEMA disaster recovery funding persist. To ensure that disaster recovery progress continues, and that communities can truly begin to rebuild, CDBG-DR funding is of paramount importance. Our states experienced varying degrees of damage and have unique recovery needs. While we appreciate the federal support through existing permanently authorized disaster recovery programs, there is no one federal program that will directly address the distinct unmet needs of our communities in these difficult times. That is why over the past 30 years, Congress has allocated nearly $100 billion in CDBG-DR funding to disaster-impacted communities in nearly every state and territory. This tried-and-true program provides flexible financial support that communities can use to address unique outstanding needs unmet by other federal streams of assistance. Our states require this federal support to rebuild. The futures of our communities depend on the Senate’s action this year. Thank you for working with us to provide relief to our states. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-votes-to-protect-ivf-access-nationwide,Schatz Votes To Protect IVF Access Nationwide,2024-09-17,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today voted to protect and expand access to IVF nationwide. The Right to IVF Act failed to pass the Senate after all but two Republicans voted against it for the second time in just over three months. Ahead of the vote, Schatz highlighted a local family from Hawai‘i who conceived their child, Nalu, through IVF. At a press conference ahead of vote, Schatz holds up photo of Hawai‘i family that used IVF to start a family “Today, for the second time in 3 months, Republicans voted against protecting IVF. Many of them claim to be supportive of IVF. All of them profess to be pro-life. But given a chance to be both, they failed,” said Senator Schatz. Schatz continued, “Republicans are doing a lot of mental gymnastics to try and justify their cruel extremism on this issue. But let’s be very clear about what the Right to IVF Act does. It protects every American’s right to access IVF and lowers the cost of the treatment for families who need it. That means anyone struggling to start or grow a family can undergo IVF without fear of interference or punishment by the government. And think about the fact that we have to make a law that says families should not be punished for trying to start a family. That’s what this bill does. It says you should have access to this care and cannot be punished for trying to start a family.” The full text of Senator Schatz’s remarks is below. Video is available here. Here, in this chamber, it’s your vote that counts. Not your tweets, not your public statements, not your TV interviews. But your votes. And today, for the second time in 3 months, Republicans voted against protecting IVF. Many of them claim to be supportive of IVF. All of them profess to be pro-life. But given a chance to be both, they failed. Republicans are doing a lot of mental gymnastics to try and justify their cruel extremism on this issue. But let’s be very clear about what the Right to IVF Act does. It protects every American’s right to access IVF and lowers the cost of the treatment for families who need it. That means anyone struggling to start or grow a family can undergo IVF without fear of interference or punishment by the government. And think about the fact that we have to make a law that says families should not be punished for trying to start a family. That’s what this bill does. It says you should have access to this care and cannot be punished for trying to start a family. It means providers can administer the treatment without worrying that they’ll be thrown in jail or have their license taken away, just for doing their jobs. And it means insurers can cover IVF without implementing absurd restrictions and onerous requirements that would make it all but impossible to access this miraculous treatment. What this bill is is a commonsense measure that is necessary precisely because of the environment Republicans have created with the fall of Roe. An environment where over half of women of reproductive age in America now live in states hostile to abortion rights. And let’s be clear: Republicans did that, through their vessel of the United States Supreme Court. And so they can pretend to be for IVF but vote against the bill that would actually protect it for good. They can pretend to be for life while also trying to restrict access to miraculous treatments that creates life. They can pretend to have their own bill to support IVF when it in fact that bill literally does the opposite. It literally does the opposite. Because here it’s your vote that counts. It is not your rhetoric. It is not your statement. It is not even your explanation. They voted no against IVF. And shame on them. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-testifies-her-parity-native-hawaiian-veterans-act,Rep. Tokuda Testifies on her Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act,2024-09-13,2024,2024-09,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=6&,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, which held a legislative hearing on her bill, H.R. 8562, the Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act of 2024, a bill to improve healthcare access and affordability for Native Hawaiian veterans. “They served and sacrificed the same as their fellow veterans, yet our country is failing to meet our obligations to them. More must be done to eliminate needless barriers to care for our Native Hawaiian veterans,” said Rep. Tokuda during her testimony. “That is why I introduced the Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act to ensure Native Hawaiian veterans can access healthcare services in a similar manner as their American Indian and Alaska Native counterparts.” Currently, the Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribal Health Programs, and IHS-funded Urban Indian Organizations can seek direct reimbursement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for services rendered to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native veterans. Additionally, in 2023, copays were eliminated for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans receiving medical services through VA. The Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act would codify the same reimbursement relationship between VA and Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems to guarantee access to care across all islands. The bill would also eliminate copays for Native Hawaiian veterans for health care and urgent care received through the VA. The bill is cosponsored by Representative Ed Case (HI-01). Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) introduced identical legislation in the Senate. Following the subcommittee hearing, H.R. 8562 can now be considered by the full House Veterans Affairs Committee. Rep. Tokuda’s testimony can be viewed here. The text of the measure can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-introduces-bill-tackle-illegal-campaign-coordination-outside-groups,Rep. Tokuda Introduces Bill to Tackle Illegal Campaign Coordination with Outside Groups,2024-09-12,2024,2024-09,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=6&,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) introduced the Stop Illegal Campaign Coordination Act to end efforts by campaigns to circumvent federal election laws and illegally coordinate with outside groups. Federal law already prohibits campaigns from coordinating their messaging and communications with outside groups like super PACs that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from corporate and special interests. However, campaigns have skirted around these laws through a practice known as “redboxing” in which they publish data and content – such as messaging points and pictures - aimed at supportive outside groups. The Stop Illegal Campaign Coordination Act would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to treat expenditures by outside groups as “coordinated” with a political candidate, campaign, or party if those expenditures are materially consistent with instructions, direction, guidance, or suggestions from campaigns. The bill also establishes factors for the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to assess and determine coordination. “For too long, corporate and special interests have poured dark money in our political system and undermined the trust of millions of Americans in our elections. Redboxing has become just another way for campaigns to violate the intent of the laws meant to prohibit illegal coordination and allows them to take advantage of unlimited spending by special interests,” stated Rep. Tokuda. “My bill fixes this gap in our election laws, restores some integrity to our elections, and helps put American voters and people above special interests.” “The Stop Coordinated Campaign Spending Act is a much-needed step forward to address the risk of corruption fostered by unlawful coordination strategies like ‘redboxing.’ By establishing clear rules and guidelines that better define what makes campaign spending 'coordinated' with outside groups like super PACs and dark money 501(c) groups, we can stop candidates from directing the activities of these allied groups, which are largely funded by wealthy special interests seeking more power and influence over elected officials. This important bill will ensure the integrity of our elections and put a stop to this brazen avenue for political corruption that marginalizes the electoral voices of everyday Americans,” said Saurav Ghosh, Director of Federal Campaign Finance Reform at Campaign Legal Center. The Stop Illegal Campaign Coordination Act has been endorsed by the Campaign Legal Center and Public Citizen. Original cosponsors of the bill are Reps. Ed Case, Pramila Jayapal, and Mark Pocan. Text of the bill can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-tillis-velazquez-kim-reintroduce-bipartisan-bicameral-bill-to-collect-data-about-who-is-applying-for-patents,"Hirono, Tillis, Velázquez, Kim Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Collect Data About Who is Applying for Patents",2024-09-12,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Representatives Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Young Kim (R-CA) announced the reintroduction of the Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement (IDEA) Act of 2024, bicameral, bipartisan legislation to permit the collection of data that will provide a better understanding of the disparate rates at which women, veterans, and other groups apply for patents in the United States. The IDEA Act is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee at its September 19th Executive Business Meeting. “In order for America to remain innovative and competitive on a global scale, we must include inventors from underrepresented groups across the country—such as women, veterans, and communities of color—in our patent system,” said Senator Hirono. “The IDEA Act will help us to better understand who is applying for patents so that we can focus resources and education to help more people participate in this important part of our economy.” “It is vitally important to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to innovate and to seek to protect their innovations,” said Senator Tillis. “I am proud to reintroduce this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to get a better understanding of the background of individuals who apply for patents with the USPTO.” “On the House Small Business Committee, I see every day how innovation and invention drive entrepreneurship and create greater opportunity,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee. “This legislation will drive better policy that ultimately helps more women, people of color and other traditionally disadvantaged groups obtain patents for their inventions, bring new products to markets, creating jobs and enhancing our nation's competitiveness along the way.” “For America to lead in today’s innovative, dynamic economy, we need all of our best and brightest minds at the table. Unfortunately, Americans of different backgrounds can face barriers to making their ideas a reality,” said Rep. Young Kim. “The IDEA Act aims to help us bridge the opportunity gap and identify barriers to developing patents. I am proud to co-lead this bill with Rep. Velazquez and will keep fighting to ensure all Americans have the opportunity to invent and achieve their dream.” In addition to Senators Hirono and Tillis and Reps. Velázquez and Kim, the legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). Studies show that women and other underrepresented groups apply for and obtain patents at significantly lower rates than the population as a whole. There is a complete lack of data around the rate at servicemembers and veterans are using our patent system. The IDEA Act works to provide more data about those gaps by directing the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to collect demographic data—including gender, military or veteran status, and race—from patent applicants on a voluntary basis. It further requires the USPTO to both issue reports on the data collected and make the data available to the public, thereby allowing outside researchers to conduct their own analyses and offer insights into the various patent application gaps. The full text of the bill is available here. “Passing the IDEA Act will help us get the information we need to expand our innovation talent pool and compete globally. We thank Senators Hirono and Tillis and Representatives Velázquez and Kim for their strong commitment to expanding participation in inventing, and we look forward to working with them to enact this important legislation,” said Invent Together Executive Director Holly Fechner. “As the U.S. heads into the next century of innovation and competitiveness, the IDEA Act will provide vital demographic data that can help inform policy-making and educational initiatives,” said Barbara Snyder, President, Association of American Universities. “The Act will also enable academic research into inventorship and entrepreneurship.” “The Society of Women Engineers wholeheartedly endorses the Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement Act,” said Society of Women Engineers Executive Director and CEO Karen Horting. “This vital legislation will not only help bridge the gender gap in innovation, but also empower women engineers to fully contribute to our nation's technological and economic progress. By fostering a more inclusive environment for inventors, we can unlock the untapped potential of diverse minds and drive forward a future of greater innovation and prosperity.” “AUTM, an association whose 3,000+ Members support research commercialization, would like to thank Senator Hirono and her colleagues for their leadership on introducing the IDEA Act,” said AUTM CEO Stephen Susalka. “This legislation is crucial for addressing the underrepresentation of diverse inventors in the patent system.” “Better reporting on underrepresentation in entrepreneurship and patenting is a crucial step for understanding how the government, the academy, and industry can all do better to recognize and reward the full spectrum of genius to be found in inventors across every background and to capitalize on the social and economic benefits that unleashing their innovation will provide,” said Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation CEO Erik Iverson and Chief Intellectual Property and Licensing Officer Michael Falk. “The IDEA Act embraces the above recommendation by requiring that the USPTO collect demographic data on a voluntary basis and then requiring that both reports and the data itself be made public. We strongly support this commonsense step toward ensuring that the benefits of patent protection are shared by inventors of all backgrounds.” “If we want America to lead the world in the development of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, life-saving medicines and quantum computing, we need to expand American innovation geographically, demographically and economically across all American communities,” said Andrei Iancu, former undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (2018-2021), and current board co-chair of the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP). “The IDEA Act will help us gather the data needed to increase access to the intellectual property system so that the United States maximizes its innovation potential.” “Every American, no matter their background, has a right to protect their intellectual property,” said David Kappos, former undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (2009-2013), and current board co-chair of the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP). “The IDEA Act is a much-needed reform that will help policymakers identify and address harmful disparities in the patent system. These disparities deprive inventors of beneficial economic opportunities and prevent groundbreaking products from reaching consumers. The Council for Innovation Promotion thanks Sen. Hirono and her colleagues for their work on this legislation, and we urge Congress to enact it without delay.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-congress-considers-short-term-spending-bill-schatz-stresses-need-to-include-disaster-aid-to-support-survivors-on-maui-nationwide,"As Congress Considers Short-Term Spending Bill, Schatz Stresses Need To Include Disaster Aid To Support Survivors On Maui, Nationwide",2024-09-12,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – As Congress considers a short-term spending bill to keep the government open past the September 30 funding deadline, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today spoke on the Senate floor on the importance of including disaster aid to support survivors on Maui and across the country. In particular, Schatz stressed the need to provide disaster survivors with flexible, long-term assistance in the form of Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding which will enable them to rebuild their homes and communities as quickly as possible. “For Lahaina to recover fully, it needs its people,” said Senator Schatz. “And what those people need right now is tangible help. Help with building a home, with finding a job, with rebuilding their small business. The kind of help that will finally provide a reprieve from the constant worrying about what’s next, and hope that a better future awaits them after months of unimaginable suffering.” Senator Schatz continued, “We have an opportunity not to do something extraordinary but to do something absolutely essential. We have an opportunity to do the thing that Congress always does, which is when a community gets flattened, we're there.” The full text of Senator Schatz’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, can be found below. Video is available here. Congress’ task over the next 2 weeks is pretty straightforward: to keep the government open and avert a pointless and costly shutdown that would hurt so many Americans. And as we do that, the one priority we can’t afford to neglect or punt on is disaster aid. All across the country, in more than 20 states and territories, millions of Americans are reeling from disasters. Wildfires…hurricanes… droughts…floods. And having lost their homes, their communities, and their livelihoods, they’re counting on the federal government for help. For people on Maui, help is needed immediately. More than a year after the deadly fires that levelled an entire town, claimed 102 lives, and stole just about everything from those lucky enough to survive, nothing is yet normal. Survivors in temporary housing are being forced to move every few months. Many have moved 5 times in the last year, shattering any semblance of stability they’ve cobbled together. Meanwhile, not a single home has been rebuilt so far. Not a single home has been rebuilt so far. That’s a dire emergency for any community in any scenario. But it’s especially worrying given temporary housing assistance from FEMA is due to expire in just 5 short months. The long and difficult recovery is squeezing survivors in other ways as well. With fewer jobs and smaller paychecks, people are having to figure out whether they can afford the most basic necessities. A recent poll found that 70 percent of survivors are cutting back on food and groceries. 70 percent…cutting back on food and groceries in the United States of America. And more than half are cutting back on medicine and other health care expenses. So it’s no surprise that people whose families have lived on Maui for generations are giving up and leaving the island altogether. And worse, thousands more are considering doing the same. For Lahaina to recover fully, it needs its people. For Lahaina to recover, it needs its people. And what those people need right now is tangible help. Help with building a home…with finding a job…with rebuilding their small business. The kind of help that will finally provide a reprieve from the constant worrying about what’s next…hope that a better future awaits them after months of unimaginable suffering. Providing that kind of help and relief to our fellow Americans in their hour of need is central to the promise of the federal government. There are not that many things that the federal government absolutely must do. There are not that many things that the federal government absolutely must do. But one of them is when there is a disaster and a state or a county or an island or a reservation or a town is devastated by a natural disaster, and the impact of that natural disaster exceeds the ability for that local unit of government to handle it, the president declares a disaster. And then FEMA comes in. After that HUD comes in with the support of the Congress through a program called Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery. What does that mean? It is flexible funding for those communities to rebuild. FEMA came to the table and did the disaster response. Now we have to recover. People are not recovered. People are not recovered. And so we have an opportunity not to do something extraordinary but to do something absolutely essential. We have an opportunity not to pass the Civil Rights Act but to do the thing that Congress always does. Do the thing that Congress always does which is when a community gets flattened, we're there. Now the good news is that even though the House proposal for a continuing resolution sort of fell flat on its face for other reasons, because it was six months and because it had this other nonsense in it, it did have 10 billion dollars for disaster recovery. Now, that was a very narrow program called the Disaster Relief Fund which absolutely needs those dollars. But the House position, the Republican House position is to fund disaster relief in the continuing resolution. We've got the chair and the ranking member in the United States Senate and the chair and the ranking member in the United States House Appropriations Committee saying they want to do disaster relief. We are not fighting about this as a partisan issue. We are not fighting about this as a partisan issue. So we have an opportunity again not to do something unusual but to do the thing that we've always done. What would be unusual is to keep communities waiting for years now. Wildfires in New Mexico. Unfortunately, there are some wildfires in Nevada as we speak. 20 states waiting on help. Mississippi, Texas, Florida. All over the country, these communities need help. A lot of stuff we do is really hard. A lot of stuff we do is really partisan. This is neither of those things. We just have to decide that among the things that the federal government does is that we come to the table for any American when a disaster hits. Let's get this done. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-introduces-legislation-to-protect-and-expand-social-security-meets-with-social-security-commissioner,"Schatz Introduces Legislation To Protect And Expand Social Security, Meets With Social Security Commissioner",2024-09-11,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) reintroduced the Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security (SAFE Social Security) Act, legislation to expand Social Security for seniors and families in Hawai‘i and across the country. The bill will increase benefits on average by more than $125 per month, ensure the cost of living adjustments adequately reflect the living expenses of retirees, extend the life of the trust fund, remove the wage cap to make sure all Americans contribute equally, and provide additional benefits to older seniors, caregivers, and low-income Americans. Following the bill introduction today, Schatz met with Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley to discuss the urgent need to protect the program and continue helping seniors retire with the dignity and benefits they have earned. “Social Security is the most successful safety net program in American history,” said Senator Schatz. “My bill will expand Social Security, put more money in the hands of seniors who rely on it, strengthen the program for the next generation of retirees, and make sure everyone pays into the system equally.” In Hawai‘i, more than 280,000 people, or over 1 in 6 residents, rely on Social Security benefits. In 2040, the number of Hawai‘i seniors is expected to grow and make up more than 20 percent of the population, making the need to expand the program even more critical. Specifically, the SAFE Social Security Act will: Phase out the payroll tax cap so that payroll taxes apply fairly to every dollar of wages earned; Adjust current benefits calculations to increase average monthly benefits by over $125; Provide an additional 5 percent increase in benefits for older seniors to ensure they can make ends meet as their retirement savings are exhausted; Guarantee a new minimum benefit so that lower income seniors receive enough to survive; Provide a credit for caregivers that would be added to an individual’s earnings to calculate their future Social Security benefits; Ensure that any increase in benefits under this legislation would not harm an individual’s eligibility or cause a reduction in their SSI, Medicaid, or CHIP benefits; Eliminate the waiting period for disability insurance and surviving spousal benefits; Include an increase of 5.7 percent in the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) to extend the solvency of the Trust Fund to 2050; 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. “Enactment of the SAFE Social Security Act would give all Americans confidence that Social Security will be there for them when they need it. It would extend the solvency of the Trust Funds for decades to come by asking the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share. It also provides much needed improvements to Social Security benefits, which have not been boosted in half a century. These include, among other provisions, a minimum benefit that truly keeps those who worked hard all of their lives out of poverty, a more accurate measure of inflation to be used in calculating Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) known as the CPI-E, and Social Security credits for caregivers who take time out of the workforce to care for children or elderly family members. This bill would strengthen and enhance Social Security for current beneficiaries and future generations,” said Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. “Social Security Works enthusiastically endorses Senator Schatz’s Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act of 2024. This essential legislation substantially increases benefits for all current and future beneficiaries, both across the board by an average of $1500 a year and in important targeted ways. It also ensures that all benefits can be paid in full and on time for the foreseeable future,” said Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works. “Through this visionary legislation, Senator Schatz demonstrates his deep understanding of how important Social Security is for all of us, as well as the need to expand these vital benefits. All of us should thank him for his tireless efforts to increase our economic security.” The SAFE Social Security is supported by the Strengthening Social Security Coalition, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Social Security Works, the Alliance for Retired Americans, and the American Federation of Teachers. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3445,U.S. House Passes Case Measure To Further Strengthen Partnerships Between The United States And Pacific Island Nations,2024-09-10,2024,2024-09,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=9,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (Hawai’i-First District) today announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 7159, his proposed Pacific Partnership Act, to further increase U.S. engagement in the critical Pacific region. Case, a Co-Chair and Founding Member of the first-ever Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus, introduced the measure together with 25 other bipartisan colleagues. “Our country’s Indo-Pacific Strategy states in no uncertain terms that no region is of more consequence to the world and to everyday Americans than the Indo-Pacific,” said Case in remarks during full House debate on the measure. “The United States and our allies and partners around the world who are aligned with an international rules-based order share the common vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific whose governance, priorities, goals and prosperity are determined by the countries of the Indo-Pacific without manipulation and dominance by malicious actors. “This is especially true of the Pacific Islands themselves, in the heart of the Pacific, which today face the challenges of increased natural disasters and human and drug trafficking, economic sustainability, threats to democracy and more. It is crucial that the United States continue to extend our hand of full partnership in assisting the countries of the Pacific to meet these challenges, as we have for generations.” The Pacific Partnership Act requires an annually-updated Strategy for Pacific Partnership that sets specific goals for United States engagement with the Pacific Islands, assesses the threats and pressures to the region and a plan to address such threats, and analyzes the needs and goals of the Pacific Islands in the context of the national interests of the United States. The bill also requires the strategy to be developed in consultation with the governments of Pacific Islands countries, ensuring that the United States follows through on its commitment to support Pacific-led priorities. The bill further extends diplomatic courtesies to the Pacific Islands Forum, the primary multilateral organization of the Pacific Islands nations, and requires increased collaboration in U.S. efforts in the Pacific with ally and partner nations including Australia, New Zealand and Japan. “I am honored to co-lead this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Case that builds off of the actions of successive administrations to strengthen United States engagement in the Pacific Islands,"" said Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY 6th District). ""It is essential that the United States demonstrates that we are not merely interested in the region, but we are invested in an evolving, enduring relationship with our Pacific Islands partners. “This important, forward-looking legislation ensures that all arms of the United States government are in coordination to support a rules-based order and address threats to sovereign nations across the region."" ""As a Pacific nation, the United States has a responsibility to engage and strengthen the partnerships that have ensured the region's security and prosperity for decades,” said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY 5th District), the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which approved Case’s bill unanimously. “This legislation will ensure future administrations build on President Biden's leadership to maintain our focus on the Pacific Islands."" “I want to thank Congressman Case for this much-needed bipartisan bill, said Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa). “The United States is a Pacific nation, and our region is critically important to U.S. interests. While Congress has extended the Compacts of Free Association for another 20 years for three Pacific Island countries, there are 11 other nations who need our attention. The United States has enduring cultural, historic, economic, and people-to-people connections with the Pacific Islands. The Pacific Partnership Act will go far in providing better focus for U.S. engagement with Pacific Island nations.” ""The United States is a Pacific nation, and it is critical that we partner with our friends in the Pacific to tackle shared challenges including climate resilience, healthcare, and economic development,"" said Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA 6th District). ""This bill designates the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) as an international organization with diplomatic privileges and encourages the establishment of a PIF mission in America. The bill also solidifies our commitment to the region by codifying the Pacific Partnership Strategy. By strengthening our diplomatic presence in the region, we ensure that the United States remains a reliable partner in promoting a free, resilient, and prosperous Pacific."" ""The Pacific Partnership Act bolsters our longstanding relationship with the Pacific Islands, a crucial region in our defense against the Chinese Communist Party,” said Congressman Steve Womack (R-AR 3rd District). “This bill strengthens our partnerships and supports American defense. This is particularly meaningful to my constituents in Northwest Arkansas, given the high concentration of Marshallese in our region. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill and am pleased it passed the House."" “We must counter ongoing aggression from the PRC by building effective relationships with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA 36th District). “The Pacific Partnership Act would support diplomatic, strategic and economic relationships in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen our defenses against CCP aggression. I am pleased to have been a cosponsor on this important bill and am hopeful that it will be signed into law.” ""Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand the critical importance of American leadership in the Indo-Pacific,” said Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL 2nd District). “Continuing the crucial partnership to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and security ties with the Pacific Islands is essential to counteract the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party. “The Pacific Partnership Act benefits both America and the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. must continue to show strength and promote regional stability and cooperation."" ""The U.S. shares a long history with the Pacific Islands, and we must continue to prioritize our diplomatic, economic, and security relationships in the region,” said Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA 47th District). “Pacific Islanders abroad and in the U.S. are counting on us to counter Chinese aggression, right our historic wrongs, and strengthen our cooperation with these important partners. As a member of the Natural Resources Committee’s Indo-Pacific Taskforce and a cosponsor of the Pacific Partnerships Act, I’m glad we are moving forward on developing a forward-looking framework to help shape U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific for the years to come."" “The Pacific Partnerships Act stands to shift America’s perspective of global affairs, by acknowledging our country's deep cultural ties to the Pacific and refocusing on the region as core to national security,” said Congressman James Moylan (R-Guam). “The bill’s requirement for consecutive national strategies on Pacific will provide continuity and focus to our nation’s engagement with Pacific partners. I thank Rep. Case for his work on this bill, and his specific focus on elevating small pacific island communities such as Guam.” “The U.S.’s longstanding partnerships with the Pacific Islands are critical to national security. The Pacific Partnership Act, which I was proud to cosponsor, ensures we have a strategy for engaging with nations in the Indo-Pacific region and sets us up to support our allies while also preserving U.S. diplomatic, economic, and security interests,"" said Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ 1st District). ""Today, I was pleased to see this legislation pass the House of Representatives, marking an important step forward in enhancing our national security.” “Supporting our friends and allies in the Indo-Pacific is essential to guaranteeing American security in the region and across the world,” said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8th District). “This legislation will bolster security, stability, and growth across the Pacific Islands while expanding collaboration on efforts to combat the Chinese Communist Party’s continuing aggression.” “A strong Indo-Pacific is critical for our national security and economy,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (D-WA 10th District). “The Pacific Islands are key partners, and the Pacific Partnership Act further solidifies our relationship and diplomacy with them.” Case continued: “As ourselves a Pacific nation for over two centuries, we have enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership with the Pacific Islands which only continues to increase in historic, economic, cultural and strategy significance. “Our Pacific Partnership Act advances the breadth and depth of our engagement with the Pacific Islands on issues of particular importance to the Pacific Islands, as recently reconfirmed in the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Tonga. In doing so, we advance the mutual national and international interests of like-minded nations throughout the Indo-Pacific who are committed to an international rules-based democratic order.” · Copy of H.R. 7159 is here. · Summary of the bill is here. · Text of Case’s House Remarks are here. · Video Case’s Remarks Pacific Partnership Act Floor Speech ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-applauds-va-announcement-on-medical-care-for-cofa-veterans,Hirono Applauds VA Announcement on Medical Care for COFA Veterans,2024-09-10,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ (VA) announcement that it intends to offer medical care to American veterans living in the Freely Associated States (FAS) of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, consistent with the updated Compacts of Free Association (COFA) signed into law earlier this year. “COFA citizens who served in our Armed Forces should have access to the same health care and benefits as all other American veterans, regardless of where they live. That’s why my colleagues and I fought to include provisions in the renegotiated Compacts passed earlier this year, which are vital to our national security, to give VA the legal authority needed to provide care in the FAS. Today’s announcement that VA intends to provide comprehensive care to COFA veterans, including medical care, pharmacy services, and travel, is an important step for COFA veterans and our relationship with the Freely Associated States. I appreciate VA Secretary McDonough and his team for working diligently to make this happen, and I’ll continue working with him and our COFA partners to ensure full, timely implementation following negotiations with the Freely Associated States.” The Compacts of Free Association allow citizens of the FAS to live and work in the United States. While COFA citizens can and have served in the U.S. Armed Services for many decades, veterans residing in the FAS have long been unable to access health services except through the Foreign Medical Program, which requires out-of-pocket payment making it difficult for veterans in these nations to utilize. During the most recent COFA renegotiations, Senator Hirono worked with her Congressional colleagues and our FAS partners to secure the restoration of VA benefits for COFA citizens residing in the FAS. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-fcc-implementing-safe-connections-act-provision-enabling-domestic-violence-survivors-to-access-discounted-phone-service-through-federal-lifeline-program,Schatz Statement On FCC Implementing Safe Connections Act Provision Enabling Domestic Violence Survivors To Access Discounted Phone Service Through Federal Lifeline Program,2024-09-10,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it has implemented a key provision of the Schatz-authored Safe Connections Act which enables domestic violence survivors who’ve separated from their abuser’s phone plan to qualify for discounted phone service through the FCC’s Lifeline program. “Survivors of domestic violence should be able to sever ties with their abusers – including their phone plans – while still having the ability to stay connected with their families and support network,” said Senator Schatz. “I’m pleased the FCC is implementing a key component of our Safe Connections Act and enabling survivors to get the help and support they need.” The Safe Connections Act, which was signed into law in 2022, allows survivors to separate a mobile phone line from any shared plan involving an abuser without penalties. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-more-than-18-million-in-federal-funding-heading-to-hawaii-to-help-make-buildings-more-energy-efficient-lower-energy-bills-combat-climate-change,"Schatz: More Than $18 Million In Federal Funding Heading To Hawai‘i To Help Make Buildings More Energy Efficient, Lower Energy Bills, Combat Climate Change",2024-09-09,2024,2024-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced Hawai‘i will receive $18.1 million in federal funding to adopt a building performance standard for energy efficiency in commercial buildings. Improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings – which currently account for approximately one-third of the state’s total electricity use – will both lower energy costs and help Hawai‘i move closer to achieving its climate goals. A significant portion of the funding, which comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, will be used to strengthen Hawai‘i’s workforce in skilled trades through training, education, and apprenticeship programs. “Making our buildings more energy efficient will lower energy bills while also helping us fight the climate crisis,” said Senator Schatz. “This new funding will help strengthen our workforce and enable people across Hawai‘i to reap the benefits of our transition to a cleaner future.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3469,Case Speaks at Maui Field Hearing,2024-09-04,2024,2024-09,Democrat,House,HI,Ed Case,C001055,case.house.gov,case,https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=9,scraper,"Aloha, and mahalo to everyone for joining us today to assist us in assessing our federal government’s response to the devastating and tragic August 2023 Maui wildfires. And a very special thank you to my colleague and friend, Pete Sessions, Chair of our U.S. House Oversight and Accountability Committee’s Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, for coming here personally to assist us in this review and equally importantly to determine our next steps here and to improve our federal government’s efforts at prevention, mitigation and response elsewhere in our country. Our federal government’s Maui’s recovery effort has proceeded on several fronts. As of the one-year anniversary of the fires, the federal government was on track to provide approximately $3 billion towards Maui’s recovery, including $463.1 million in assistance to survivors. However, there is clearly much more that must be done. It is clearly imperative that we continue to provide federal assistance, including through supplemental disaster funding, which I have strongly supported through my work on the House Appropriations Committee. On August 7th, FEMA was forced to implement ""Immediate Needs Funding"" due to a rapidly shrinking Disaster Relief Fund that urgently needs additional appropriated funds. Because of this, FEMA will have to delay obligations for longer-term work to prioritize lifesaving disaster responses. This is why the Hawai’i delegation recently sent a letter to Congressional leadership detailing the need for supplemental funding, including $20.9 billion for FEMA, $3.5 billion for the Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Relief that can assist with housing and more. I ask unanimous consent to enter a copy of our letter into the record of this proceeding. I look forward to hearing from the witnesses about how federal agencies have assisted, what remains to be done, and what are the lessons to be learned both for our own ‘ohana and for our fellow citizens across the country. Mahalo.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-question-officials-maui-wildfires-congressional-hearing,Rep. Tokuda to Question Officials in Maui Wildfires Congressional Hearing,2024-09-03,2024,2024-09,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=6&,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) announced that she will join the House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce in a field hearing in Lahaina next week to take a closer look at the federal issues and improvements needed to help Maui continue to rebuild following last year’s August wildfires. During the one-day hearing titled “Assessing the Federal Government’s Response to the 2023 Maui Wildfires,” Rep. Tokuda is expected to question local, state, and federal officials about the lessons learned, assess congressional action that can better support the community, and determine any changes that may be needed moving forward. Witnesses will include: Mr. Bob Fenton, Regional Administrator (Region 9), Federal Emergency Management Agency Colonel Eric Swenson, Recovery Field Office Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mr. Francisco Sánchez, Jr, Associate Administrator, Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, Small Business Administration Ms. Cheree Peterson, Deputy Regional Administrator (Region 9), Environmental Protection Agency The Honorable Richard Bissen, Mayor, County of Maui Major General Kenneth Hara, Adjutant General, Hawai‘i Department of Defense Ms. Lauren Nahme, Senior Vice President of the Maui Recovery Office, Hawai‘i Community Foundation Mr. Sne Patel, President LahainaTown Action Committee Mr. Keʻeaumoku Kapu, President and CEO, Nā ʻAikāne o Maui What: Assessing the Federal Government’s Response to the 2023 Maui Wildfires When: September 4, 2024 10 a.m. HST Where: Lahaina Civic Center (Social Hall) 840 Honoapiilani Hwy Lahaina, HI 96761 How: The hearing will be open to the public and media and livestreamed at https://oversight.house.gov/",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-schatz-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-promote-native-arts-and-culture-unlock-federal-funds-for-native-hawaiian-organizations,"Hirono, Schatz Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Native Arts & Culture, Unlock Federal Funds for Native Hawaiian Organizations",2024-08-30,2024,2024-08,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced legislation to promote Native arts and culture and unlock federal funding for Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs). The Native Arts & Culture Promotion Act provides a technical fix to the Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts grant program to ensure NHOs can access funding from the program. “Art has the power to connect us, providing a sense of community and cultural identity,” said Senator Hirono. “As we continue working to promote Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native culture and arts, this legislation will help to ensure that Native Hawaiian Organizations receive the grant awards they deserve to support diverse creative projects and make art more accessible in our communities.” Established in 1994, the Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts program awards grants for scholarly study and instruction in Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native contemporary culture and arts. However, outdated and restrictive language in the statute has limited the ability of NHOs to qualify for grant awards. The bill clarifies that NHOs with a governing board that includes Native Hawaiians or individuals widely recognized in the field of Native Hawaiian arts and culture are eligible for funding. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hirono-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-promote-native-arts-and-culture-unlock-federal-funds-for-native-hawaiian-organizations,"Schatz, Hirono Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Promote Native Arts & Culture, Unlock Federal Funds For Native Hawaiian Organizations",2024-08-30,2024,2024-08,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced legislation to promote Native arts and culture and unlock federal funding for Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs). The Native Arts & Culture Promotion Act provides a technical fix to the Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts grant program to ensure NHOs can access funding from the program. “Our bill provides a common-sense fix so that Native Hawaiian Organizations can access federal funding to support their vital cultural and educational programming,” said Senator Schatz, Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Established in 1994, the Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts program awards grants for scholarly study and instruction in Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native contemporary culture and arts. However, outdated and restrictive language in the statute has limited the ability of NHOs to qualify for grant awards. The bill clarifies that NHOs with a governing board that includes Native Hawaiians or individuals widely recognized in the field of Native Hawaiian arts and culture are eligible for funding. “Art has the power to connect us, providing a sense of community and cultural identity,” said Senator Hirono. “As we continue working to promote Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native culture and arts, this legislation will help to ensure that Native Hawaiian Organizations receive the grant awards they deserve to support diverse creative projects and make art more accessible in our communities.” Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-4-million-in-federal-funding-heading-to-hawaii-to-recover-native-plants,Schatz: $4 Million In Federal Funding Heading To Hawai‘i To Recover Native Plants,2024-08-16,2024,2024-08,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced Hawai‘i will receive $4 million in federal funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help recover native plants. The funding, which comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, will be used to identify translocation sites for 425 Hawaiian plants and improve their resiliency to climate change. “Recovering our native plants and preserving our ecosystems are essential to improving Hawai‘i’s resilience to the climate crisis,” said Senator Schatz. “Through investments like these, we’re protecting the natural resources unique to Hawai‘i and making our environment more resilient for years to come.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-joins-effort-urging-senate-act-natural-disaster-tax-relief,Rep. Tokuda Joins Effort Urging Senate to Act on Natural Disaster Tax Relief,2024-08-15,2024,2024-08,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=6&,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) joined Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA), Greg Steube (R-FL), and 76 other House members in sending a letter to Senate leadership urging them to promptly bring the bipartisan Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5863) to the floor for a vote. Cosponsored by Rep. Tokuda, the bill would exempt wildfire disaster relief payments received between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025, from taxable income. In May 2024, the House passed the bill, which also includes language from Rep. Tokuda’s Natural Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 to make it easier for Maui fire victims to deduct disaster-related losses by eliminating the minimum 10 percent loss threshold and the requirement to itemize deductions to receive this tax benefit. “As we pass the one-year anniversary of the devastating Maui wildfires, too many members of our community continue to struggle with the costs of recovery. This bill will ensure that the payments and money meant to help disaster victims stay in their pockets and provide financial support for what we know will be a long recovery. I urge the Senate to quickly act on this important legislation.” said Rep. Tokuda. Rep. Tokuda has given remarks on the House floor in favor of the bill’s passage and continues her advocacy to pass tax relief for disaster survivors. This letter follows the recent failure by the Senate to pass the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, which also included parts of Rep. Tokuda’s disaster tax relief bill passed the House floor in January. The letter to Senate leadership can be viewed here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-joins-congressional-delegation-taiwan,Rep. Tokuda Joins Congressional Delegation in Taiwan,2024-08-13,2024,2024-08,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=6&,scraper,"Taipei – This week, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, is visiting Taiwan as part of a congressional delegation (CODEL). Yesterday, the CODEL met with a number of officials including Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-Khim, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung. “It’s been more than 30 years since Hawaiʻi began a sister-state relationship with Taiwan and the common bonds and shared challenges we face are stronger than ever. As islands, we understand the urgent need to make our communities more resilient in the face of climate change, security threats, food insecurity, and the high cost of living that make it difficult for our families to survive,"" said Rep. Tokuda. “Given our indigenous connections and long-standing cultural and historical ties, I’m proud to be part of this delegation reaffirming the United States’ and Congress’ commitment to Taiwan’s security and democracy and to a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I’ll continue to support critical relationships with allies and partners in the region to deter aggression and promote diplomacy to address shared challenges.” Besides diplomatic and security issues, Rep. Tokuda also encouraged Taiwan officials to restart direct flights between Taiwan and Hawaiʻi to strengthen economic and cultural connections and enhance tourism. Direct routes between Hawaiʻi and Taipei were discontinued during the pandemic, but previously provided Hawaiʻi residents and foreigners alike with the opportunity to travel to Taiwan and to connect with other regional countries like the Philippines. This is Rep. Tokuda’s second CODEL trip to Taiwan and will also include visits with the National Development Council, Ministry of National Defense, and Taichung Coast Guard Base.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/on-one-year-anniversary-of-tragic-fires-schatz-pays-tribute-to-victims-honors-survivors-on-maui,"On One-Year Anniversary Of Tragic Fires, Schatz Pays Tribute To Victims, Honors Survivors On Maui",2024-08-08,2024,2024-08,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"LAHAINA – On the one-year anniversary of the devastating fires on Maui, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) joined state and local leaders and community members to pay tribute to the victims and honor survivors. Earlier today, Schatz addressed community members in Upcountry and joined state and local leaders and the Lahaina community for a memorial paddle out at Hanaka‘o‘o Beach followed by a tribute and remembrance event at the Lahaina Civic Center. “Nothing could’ve prepared people for the horrors they experienced that day 12 months ago. They lost family and friends, homes and schools, entire neighborhoods and communities. All of it was gone in an instant. And yet even amid all that panic and chaos, so many people’s first instinct was to put others before themselves,” said Senator Schatz. “The kindness and generosity have continued in the months since, even as survivors continue to grieve losses and confront uncertainties of their own.” Schatz continued, “We’ve come a long way. Debris removal is running ahead of schedule. Water and wastewater services have been restored. The first few homes are beginning to be rebuilt. And kids are in school learning again at the temporary campus for King Kamehameha III Elementary School that opened earlier this year after being built in just 95 days. But we still have a long way to go. And our promise is that we will be there with this community for as long as it takes, at every step of the way.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokuda-joins-hawaii-delegation-urge-congressional-action-and-more-funding,Rep. Tokuda Joins with Hawaii Delegation to Urge Congressional Action and More Funding for Maui,2024-08-07,2024,2024-08,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=6&,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, the Hawaii delegation sent a letter to House and Senate leaders urging congressional action to ensure Maui receives necessary supplemental disaster funding as the one year anniversary of the Maui fires approaches. The letter details their requests, including an additional $20.9 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund to meet anticipated needs through Fiscal Year 2025, as well as support for President Biden’s request for $3.5 billion for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program which would help communities nationwide, including Maui. “While we mark the one year anniversary since the fires, our work to support our Maui ʻohana as they heal and rebuild is even more urgent. Congress must act now to get much needed funds to communities like Lahaina that have been hit hard by disaster. The ongoing crisis in Maui has affected the entire country, including Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, and has had ripple effects and relocations throughout the state. These funding requests are critical to the survival and well-being of all of Hawaiʻi, and we will continue to fight for these funds,” said U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02). “One year after the terrible tragedy of Maui, we have made solid progress toward full healing, recovery and rebuilding, assisted by some $1 billion in federal disaster relief,” said U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01). “But so much more remains, and our congressional delegation remains fully focused on assuring the further federal assistance that will be necessary.” Action by Congress would allocate much-needed funds, allowing the activation or continuation of recovery programs on Maui by key departments and agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Economic Development Administration, National Park Service, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, Department of Labor, and Department of Energy. The letter to Congressional leadership can be viewed here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-tokuda-introduce-bicameral-legislation-to-strengthen-social-security-program,"Hirono, Tokuda Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Strengthen Social Security Program",2024-08-02,2024,2024-08,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI) introduced the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act, legislation that would strengthen Social Security’s financial state and ensure that seniors continue to benefit from the programs they have paid into throughout their lives. “Social Security provides crucial support to millions of kupuna, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable communities in Hawaii and across the country,” said Senator Hirono. “By lifting the cap on Social Security contributions, the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act will help ensure Social Security remains solvent for decades to come. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to strengthen the program and help ensure the millions of Americans who rely on it will continue to receive the benefits they deserve.” “Americans across the country depend on Social Security. It is a commitment we make to the working men and women who keep America moving forward and they are relying on us to keep Social Security solvent so they can retire with dignity. In Hawaii, where the cost of living is so high, we must ensure these hard-earned benefits keep pace with rising costs of food, housing, and everyday necessities,” said Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02). “Our bill will provide a necessary increase to Social Security payments while reducing the national debt by trillions of dollars and strengthening the Trust Funds to support our kupuna and retirees for decades to come.” This bill will make significant progress toward extending the Social Security lifeline. According to the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Chief Actuary, the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act is expected to extend the ability of the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program to pay scheduled benefits in full and on time for an additional 19 years, moving the date of projected depletion from 2035 to 2054. The bill would also reduce the federal deficit by approximately $13.3 trillion by the end of the 75-year projection period. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act aims to improve the Social Security system’s fairness, solvency, and benefits. Specifically, the bill: Ensures the appropriate weight is given to the real costs in seniors’ budgets by using the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) to calculate the relevant cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), rather than the more generic Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners (CPI-W); and Requires the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share by phasing out the cap on Social Security contributions over the next seven years and encouraging contributions above the cap in exchange for additional benefits. In addition to Senator Hirono, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Tina Smith (D-MN) in the Senate. In addition to Representative Tokuda, the bill is cosponsored by Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) in the House. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act is endorsed by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM); Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA); and Social Security Works (SSW). “The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare commends Senator Hirono for introducing this important legislation that will extend the solvency of the Social Security trust fund and boost benefits for America’s seniors,” said Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. “By adopting the CPI-E as the measure for calculating COLAs, the legislation assures that the purchasing power of Social Security benefits are more fully protected from the ravages of inflation. This legislation represents a bold step on behalf of seniors and all Americans.” “With prices rising, it's more important than ever for Social Security's annual cost-of-living adjustments to reflect the real expenses seniors and people with disabilities face every day. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act would do just that, by updating the formula used to calculate the adjustments,” said Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works. “This wise legislation makes this important improvement while also increasing the financial health of the Social Security system by requiring that the highest-paid workers contribute to Social Security all year long, just like the rest of us.” The full text of the bill is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-leads-colleagues-in-introducing-constitutional-amendment-to-clarify-no-one-is-above-the-law,Hirono Leads Colleagues in Introducing Constitutional Amendment to Clarify No One is Above the Law,2024-08-01,2024,2024-08,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led 28 of her Senate colleagues in introducing a constitutional amendment making clear that no one in the United States is above the law, including the President. In addition to Senator Hirono, the amendment is cosponsored by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senators Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Tom Carper (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Coons (D-DE), Peter Welch (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Gary Peters (D-MI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA). “The rule of law is what separates democracy from other forms of government,” said Senator Hirono. “The unprecedented decision made by the Supreme Court’s misguided majority massively weakened the rule of law as it applies to presidents. This constitutional amendment makes it abundantly clear that even if you are the President, Vice President, or any other government official, no one is above the law.” In response to the Supreme Court’s unprecedented decision last month that Presidents are immune from prosecution for “official” actions, Senator Hirono’s amendment would clarify that Presidents and other federal officeholders are, in fact, accountable to the law for their actions. Specifically, the amendment states that every person holding a position of authority under the United States, including the President and the Vice President, is criminally liable for actions both official and unofficial under any generally-applicable criminal laws they violate. “Americans are tired of the Supreme Court acting without accountability,” said Leader Schumer. “No free nation can condone a king who refuses to acknowledge the limit of his power and vulnerability. But yet – that is what the MAGA Court has allowed Donald Trump to do. The time is now to act. Congress has a duty – and a Constitutional authority – to rein in this disastrous decision and reaffirm that all Presidents do not have immunity in federal crimes.” “I am proud to stand with President Biden, Senator Hirono, and my fellow Senate colleagues in holding elected officials who break the law accountable,” said Senator Butler. “It is important for us to send a clear message to the American people that our nation is a democracy, not a monarchy and that no person, regardless of their position of power, is above the law.” “The far-right radicals on the Supreme Court invented out of thin air an untested and unprecedented new doctrine placing the President above the law, the Founding Fathers’ greatest fear,” said Senator Whitehouse, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts. “President Biden was right to call for a constitutional amendment to fix the right-wing justices’ disastrous decision on presidential immunity, and I’m very pleased to support this effort by Senator Hirono.” “I am proud to stand with my Senate colleagues to propose a constitutional amendment to reaffirm one of our nation’s most fundamental principles: no person, not even the President, is above the law,” said Senator Booker. “The Supreme Court’s decision to effectively grant a ‘law free zone’ around the President is a threat to our democracy and a gross perversion of the constitution just to give cover to a corrupt president. It is imperative that Congress acts now to ensure all people holding office are held accountable for any crimes they may commit.” “No one is above the law — especially not the president of the United States,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The president, vice president, and other government officials must be held accountable if they abuse their official powers and responsibilities. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this constitutional amendment to fix the Supreme Court’s dangerous decision on presidential immunity and clarify that no one is above the law.” “Presidents are not kings. It was a principle first established at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia – not far from the communities I represent today. When Benjamin Franklin was famously asked if our Constitution established a monarchy or a republic, he uttered that America would be ‘a republic, if you can keep it.’ These wise words are particularly relevant today in light of the Supreme Court’s recent unprecedented decision to grant U.S. presidents broad criminal immunity,” said Senator Carper. “It’s clear that Congress must act to protect our republic, and I’m proud to support this proposal to amend our Constitution and affirm that all Americans – even the President of the United States – are held accountable when they break the law. We must reaffirm that absolutely no one is above the law in our country.” “The Supreme Court of the United States had an opportunity to uphold one of our country’s most basic tenets, that we are a nation of laws. Instead, it provided broad immunity to Presidential actions that may apply even if these acts are criminal or treasonous,” said Senator Shaheen. “No one should be above the law, which is why I’m proud to back this constitutional amendment ensuring that this foundational principle applies to everyone —regardless of whether she or he is the President.” “Trump v. United States put lawbreaking presidents like Donald Trump above the law—granting them a legal immunity enjoyed by no other citizen. This constitutional amendment removes the broad shield and legal armor that would allow a president to flagrantly abuse their office—upholding the checks and balances that are central to our fair and democratic government,” said Senator Blumenthal. The full text of the amendment is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-ahead-of-1-year-anniversary-of-maui-fires-hirono-pays-tribute-to-lahaina-and-calls-for-additional-federal-disaster-funding-for-maui-on-senate-floor,"VIDEO: Ahead of 1-Year Anniversary of Maui Fires, Hirono Pays Tribute to Lahaina and Calls for Additional Federal Disaster Funding for Maui on Senate Floor",2024-08-01,2024,2024-08,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) delivered remarks on the Senate floor marking one year since the devastating Maui wildfires. During her speech, Senator Hirono paid tribute to the individuals lost in the fires, honored the resilience of those impacted by the fires, and also emphasized the need for Congress to pass a supplemental funding bill to provide the resources that Maui, and other communities across the country impacted by disasters, will need. “August 8th is a day the people of Maui, and Hawaii, will never forget,” said Senator Hirono in her remarks. “The loss of the town loved by so many was devastating, but even more tragic is the human toll. The fires claimed 102 lives—kupuna who had lived in Lahaina for decades, keiki born and raised in Lahaina, and many more beloved members of this community.” Senator Hirono highlighted the challenges—such as finding long-term, sustainable housing—that families impacted by the fires continue to face, as many members of the community lost their homes, their jobs, and nearly all of their possessions. “In the year since, they’ve had to navigate the challenges of rebuilding their lives—finding housing, getting their keiki back to school, and trying to regain a sense of normalcy amidst confusion and trauma,” continued Senator Hirono. “The uncertainty and instability have left many feeling like they are fighting just to survive.” Senator Hirono also expressed appreciation for the way the community, and the country, came together to support those impacted by the fires. She noted that while the federal government has delivered more than a billion dollars for Maui’s recovery, including nearly $450 million in direct payments to survivors, there is still more work to be done to aid in Lahaina’s eventual rebuilding. “This support has been critical in providing some sense of stability to our communities, but the reality is, Lahaina’s recovery will take time, resources, and continuity of effort,” continued Senator Hirono. “As is often the case with disasters of this magnitude, much more federal support will be needed in the months and years ahead to ensure Maui’s long-term recovery.” “To the people of Maui, we are Maui strong,” concluded Senator Hirono. “Guided by the voices and values of the people of Lahaina, we will rebuild by coming together in solidarity.” A transcript of Senator Hirono’s full remarks is below and video is available for download here. Mr. President, next week marks one year since fires tore through Lahaina and Upcountry on the island of Maui. As we mark one year, we can never forget the tragedy that unfolded on that day. August 8th is a day the people of Maui, and Hawaii, will never forget. In a matter of hours, an entire town—once the seat of the Kingdom of Hawaii—burned to the ground. The loss of the town loved by so many was devastating, but even more tragic is the human toll. The fires claimed 102 lives—kupuna who had lived in Lahaina for decades, keiki born and raised in Lahaina, and many more beloved members of this community. Today, and every day, we mourn their loss as we keep their ohanas, and all who loved them, in our thoughts. The past year has been harrowing for those families, and for all those impacted by this tragedy, many of whom lost their homes and nearly all their possessions in an instant. And in some cases, saw their places of work burn to the ground—losing their jobs on top of everything else. In the year since, they’ve had to navigate the challenges of rebuilding their lives—finding housing, getting their keiki back to school, and trying to regain a sense of normalcy amidst confusion and trauma. Mr. President, the continuing trauma these survivors face is real. They’ve experienced financial, mental, and physical hardship. Many have had to move multiple times and now face under- or unemployment. The uncertainty and instability have left many feeling like they are fighting just to survive. But in these dark times, what has also come to the fore is the unity of this community—unity that has provided a glimmer of light illuminating the path forward. Neighbors coming together to source essential resources in the early days after the fire; strangers who opened their doors to survivors in need of a place to live; and relief workers who have come from across the country to lend their expertise to Maui’s recovery. The federal family of agencies, who have been on Maui since just hours after the fires occurred have been, and continue to be, a key part of Maui’s recovery. From FEMA’s work helping with cleanup and housing, to the Army Corp’s rebuilding of King Kamehameha III Elementary School in a matter of weeks, and so much more by so many, the federal government and the Biden-Harris Administration have been there for the people of Maui. And of course, we can never forget the President—President Biden coming to Maui and saying that this recovery was not going to be top down, that we would listen to the people of Lahaina and Maui. Over the past year, the federal government has delivered more than a billion dollars for Maui’s recovery, including nearly $450 million in direct payments to survivors. This support has been critical in providing some sense of stability to our communities, but the reality is, Lahaina’s recovery will take time, resources, and continuity of effort. As is often the case with disasters of this magnitude, much more federal support will be needed in the months and years ahead to ensure Maui’s long-term recovery. For example, there is work to be done to get people into long-term, sustainable housing, suitable housing, especially given the affordable housing crisis that existed on Maui even before this tragedy. We need CDBG-DR funding to help rebuild Lahaina’s critical infrastructure for things like water and electricity, to lay the groundwork for Lahaina’s eventual rebuilding. And we need to resupply the disaster relief fund, to make sure other communities facing disasters can get the rapid support they need—support that has been essential to Maui’s recovery. This means that before this year comes to an end, we must commit to a supplemental funding bill that will provide the resources Maui needs, and that other communities throughout our country impacted by disasters will need. So, I come to the floor to remind my Senate colleagues of the importance of getting this funding done. To the people of Maui, we are Maui strong. Guided by the voices and values of the people of Lahaina, we will rebuild by coming together in solidarity. Mahalo nui loa, Mr. President. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-release-of-americans-and-others-wrongfully-detained-in-russia,Schatz Statement On Release Of Americans And Others Wrongfully Detained In Russia,2024-08-01,2024,2024-08,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after three Americans – including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva – as well as columnist Vladimir Kara-Murza, were freed from Russian captivity as part of a broader multi-country prisoner swap. “Evan Gershkovich has been wrongfully imprisoned for over a year simply for doing his job as a journalist. Today, thanks to months of diligent diplomacy from President Biden, U.S. government officials, and global allies, Evan will finally be reunited with his family and able to continue doing the job he loves. “A free press is not just an ideal we espouse in America – it’s a value we protect and defend, at home and abroad. The release of Evan, along with Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza, is a significant victory for press freedom. It’s also a reminder that the work to preserve independent journalism and resist the targeting of journalists around the world continues. “I’m also pleased that Paul Whelan and others who have been detained by Russia for years on baseless charges are free at last and coming home to their loved ones.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/bipartisan-hirono-duckworth-daines-bill-to-better-protect-parents-traveling-with-breast-milk-passes-committee,Bipartisan Hirono-Duckworth-Daines Bill to Better Protect Parents Traveling with Breast Milk Passes Committee,2024-07-31,2024,2024-07,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Steve Daines (R-MT) successfully passed through the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST). The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to clarify and regularly update guidance on handling breast milk, baby formula and other related nutrition products, including ice packs, in consultation with leading maternal health groups. “Families have enough to worry about when traveling, they shouldn’t have to fear being harassed, humiliated, and even put in danger simply for traveling with milk and supplies they need to keep their babies fed,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m glad to see the Commerce Committee advance our Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act, to require TSA to clarify its guidance on handling breast milk and baby formula and help ensure parents and families can travel safely and with peace of mind.” The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act would help keep breastfeeding parents and their kids safe and healthy while traveling by air. Mishandled breast milk can become contaminated, which puts children at risk. Moreover, parents who lactate typically need to breastfeed or pump once every few hours. Failure to do so can result in a clogged milk duct, or a painful infection called mastitis. The legislation would better protect families by requiring TSA to: Issue guidance promoting the hygienic handling of any breast milk, baby formula or other infant nutrition products, as well as accessories required to preserve these products; Consult with nationally recognized maternal health organizations in establishing and communicating this guidance; and Update guidance every five years to respond to emerging needs of parents and to account for developments in technology. This legislation would also direct an independent government watchdog to conduct an audit of compliance with TSA screening policies for passengers traveling with breast milk and other infant nutrition products, providing lawmakers with information related to violations of policies. This legislation was first introduced a few months after Emily Calandrelli, host of popular Netflix show Emily’s Wonder Lab, was delayed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) while carrying supplies she needed to safely pump milk for her 10-week-old son. Calandrelli was ultimately forced to check her items despite existing TSA guidelines that permitted her to carry them on. Calandrelli shared her story online and was flooded with hundreds of messages from other mothers who had similar experiences while traveling. The full text of the bill is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-colleagues-introduce-chance-to-come-home-resolution,"Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Chance to Come Home Resolution",2024-07-31,2024,2024-07,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined four of her colleagues in introducing a bicameral resolution aimed at encouraging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide a pathway for individuals who have been unjustly deported from the United States to return and reunite with their families. The Chance to Come Home Resolution, led by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), calls on DHS to use its legal authority to establish a centralized and independent process for reviewing emergency requests from individuals who were wrongfully removed from the country. “By streamlining the petitions process for those who were wrongfully deported, the reforms urged by the Chance to Come Home Resolution would help rectify the injustice of wrongful deportation and more quickly reunite impacted families,” said Senator Hirono. “As the only immigrant currently serving in the U.S. Senate, I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution to urge DHS to mitigate the harm caused by our broken immigration system.” Over the past decade, more than 2 million people have been deported, many of whom have resided in the United States for years, raising families, building businesses, contributing to their communities, and growing local economies. Unfortunately, most people unjustly removed lack legal representation and have no path to meaningfully present their case to reunite with their loved ones in the United States. Wrongful deportation disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities, sending individuals to dangerous conditions without any familial connection and tearing their American families and communities apart. The resolution proposes the creation of a centralized, independent review unit within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to streamline the process for individuals seeking to return to the U.S. following wrongful deportations. This unit would provide consistency in adjudication and reduce the burden on government attorneys and immigration courts. In addition to Senators Hirono and Booker, the resolution is also cosponsored by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). The Chance to Come Home Resolution was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO), David Trone (D-MD), and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY). The full text of the resolution is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-durbin-colleagues-release-gao-report-on-sexual-harassment-in-the-judiciary-system,"Hirono, Durbin, Colleagues Release GAO Report on Sexual Harassment in the Judiciary System",2024-07-31,2024,2024-07,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Representatives Norma Torres (D-CA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), and Jerry Nadler (D-NY) released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report addressing the Judiciary’s policies and practices to prevent and respond to workplace misconduct. The Administrative Office (AO) of the U.S. Courts failed to fully cooperate with the GAO audit, a process that relies heavily on transparency. Over the two-year study, the Judiciary only permitted the GAO to interview one current Judiciary employee and one former employee to gain an “employee perspective,” severely limiting the GAO’s ability to assess the practical implementation of the Judiciary’s policies. The tactics used to delay and restrict the GAO auditors’ access to information and court personnel are deeply concerning. “Everyone deserves to be safe and respected in the workplace,” said Senator Hirono. “But this report makes clear that years after its workplace misconduct problems came to light, the federal judiciary will not prevent workplace misconduct, leaving employees vulnerable to abuse without any recourse. The AO’s refusal to fully cooperate with this report underscores its unwillingness to even understand this issue, let alone address it. If the federal judiciary won’t take even basic action to protect its employees, Congress will. I look forward to introducing strengthened legislation with my colleagues in the weeks ahead to protect judiciary employees and stamp out the workplace misconduct that persists in our courts.” The GAO report concluded that the Judiciary “does not have performance measures in place for its workplace conduct efforts and has not evaluated the effectiveness of its efforts.” Overall, GAO found that the Judiciary’s systems aligned with only 65% of federal standards evaluated. GAO noted that the lack of data collection “may limit” the Judiciary's ability to understand and fully address workplace misconduct within its organization. According to Judiciary officials, a survey was conducted from January 12 through February 17, 2023, and they received responses from approximately 14,000 out of the 28,000 employees surveyed. GAO requested access to the survey data but was denied. Similarly, Congress requested access to the data and was denied. As of now, the circuit courts themselves have not had access to the data. The full report is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-measures-to-improve-fire-weather-forecasts-and-warnings-promote-use-of-ai-to-predict-extreme-weather-passes-key-senate-committee,"Schatz Measures To Improve Fire Weather Forecasts And Warnings, Promote Use Of AI To Predict Extreme Weather Passes Key Senate Committee",2024-07-31,2024,2024-07,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved seven measures authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i). The provisions, included as amendments to several bills, would improve fire weather forecasts and warnings in remote or rural areas in Hawai‘i and across the country and promote the use of artificial intelligence to better predict and respond to extreme weather, among other things. “By improving fire weather forecasts and warnings, we can save lives and communities,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “The committee’s vote today gets us one step closer to enacting life-saving measures that will improve weather forecasts and fire warnings in Hawai‘i and across the country. It also will help us realize AI’s full potential in a safe and responsible way.” The seven Schatz provisions approved by the committee today will: Improve fire weather forecasts and warnings in remote or rural areas The Lahaina wildfire highlighted the dangers that remote communities face from fire, and the need for forecasts and warning services to reach them in a timely and actionable way. Schatz’s provision would mandate fire weather forecasts and warnings be disseminated to remote, isolated, or rural communities as effectively as anywhere else in the country. Strengthen weather forecasts with better data The Schatz measure would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish and maintain a National Mesonet Program. Mesonets are weather observation data networks that observe and track mesoscale weather events, and that are crucial for collecting local meteorological data, such as soil moisture and water levels, to better forecast weather, flood, fire and agricultural impacts. Establishing the National Mesonet Program and outlining its objectives will help address critical gaps in weather data and forecasting. Promote AI technology to improve extreme weather forecasts Schatz’s TAME Extreme Weather Act amendment requires NOAA to adopt and implement AI technologies to better predict and respond to extreme weather. The measure also urges NOAA to consider how to recruit and retain the AI workforce of the future, creating new scientific and technical jobs. Help stop illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing Schatz’s amendment authorizes the U.S. Department of Defense, in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard, to provide maritime technical assistance for combatting illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing to other nations. Some experts estimate that as much as one out of every five fish in the market is caught illegally with negative impacts to the future health of the oceans for a quick profit today, and this technical assistance will help solve this global problem. Encourage AI safety and innovation Schatz’s amendment would award cash prizes to help encourage AI innovations. Support open government datasets to improve AI training The provision would build on Schatz’s Open, Public, Electronic and Necessary (OPEN) Government Data Act, which required that federal agencies by default publish their data in a machine-readable format. This amendment would ensure that the new, curated public datasets for AI systems that are included in the Future of AI Innovation Act build upon the foundation created by the OPEN Government Data Act. AI is only as useful as the data it’s trained on, and making government data safely available for AI means that AI can help solve important problems. Help boost research on AI benefits By improving scientific discovery and automating some tasks, AI has the power to solve problems and help people. The amendment will spur studies to help update or remove unnecessary regulations and allow positive deployments of AI technology to occur. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-statement-on-president-bidens-supreme-court-reform-proposal,Hirono Statement on President Biden’s Supreme Court Reform Proposal,2024-07-29,2024,2024-07,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and leading champion for Supreme Court reform, released the following statement on President Biden’s Supreme Court reform proposal: “Unbound by norms, the Supreme Court has shown itself all too willing to throw out longstanding precedent, putting its ideological agenda above our constitution. The result is a Court deeply out of step with the American people and our values. Despite growing public distrust in the Court and its independence, Justices have refused to take even the most basic steps to affirm their impartiality. “That’s why I’ve worked with my colleagues in the Senate to advance Supreme Court reform, including the creation of a binding code of ethics for Supreme Court Justices, and why I’m glad to see President Biden join in this effort. I’m also glad to see him endorse a constitutional amendment like the one I released earlier this month to clarify that no one—including the President—is above the law. “The rule of law is what separates democracy from other forms of government. The proposals endorsed by the President today will strengthen the rule of law, and Americans’ faith in our democracy. I look forward to working with the President and my colleagues in Congress to pass this vitally-important package into law.” Senator Hirono has been a leading champion for Supreme Court reform and strengthening the rule of law. Earlier this month, she released a discussion draft of a constitutional amendment making clear that no one in the United States is above the law, including the President. Last October, Senator Hirono introduced the Supreme Court Biennial Appointments and Term Limits Act, legislation to establish 18-year term limits and regularized appointments for Supreme Court justices. She also cosponsored the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act and was proud to vote for its advancement out of the Judiciary Committee. This legislation would require the Supreme Court to adopt an enforceable code of ethics. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/chair-schatz-20-million-heading-to-hawaii-to-support-native-hawaiian-climate-resilience-efforts,Chair Schatz: $20 Million Heading To Hawai‘i To Support Native Hawaiian Climate Resilience Efforts,2024-07-29,2024,2024-07,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, today announced that Department of the Interior (DOI) has awarded $20 million to bolster climate resilience in Hawai‘i. The new money from DOI’s Kapapahuliau Climate Resilience Program was funded through a Schatz-authored provision in the Inflation Reduction Act. Funding will be awarded to 17 Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) to restore native ecosystems and plants and enhance food security while incorporating Indigenous knowledge and practices. “Through the Kapapahuliau Climate Resilience Program, the federal government is directly funding Native Hawaiian-led climate solutions for the first time ever,” said Chairman Schatz. “This $20 million down payment – part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s historic investment in climate action – recognizes the critical role of the Native Hawaiian community in charting a path towards a sustainable, climate resilient future in Hawai‘i and beyond.” Funding will be used to support efforts to help raise climate change awareness in the Native Hawaiian community, restore native forests and ahupua‘a-based communities, protect ancestral burials, and promote Native knowledge and practices, including loko i‘a and outrigger canoe paddling, among other things. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/what-people-are-saying-health-equity-and-accountability-act,What People Are Saying: Health Equity and Accountability Act,2024-07-26,2024,2024-07,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA), legislation that would address health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities as well as women, the LGBTQ+ community, rural populations, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities across the United States. Advocates and experts support provisions in this legislation that uniquely target a wide spectrum of health equity concerns. Here's what they have said: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Center for Health Equity: “The NAACP is proud to join our partners in supporting the introduction of the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2024 (HEAA),” said Chris T. Pernell, MD, MPH, FACPM, Director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity. “We know firsthand the disparate impacts that health inequities have on Black and other marginalized communities This legislation takes significant steps to right those wrongs, devising a health equity roadmap to advance health and racial justice at every intersection of the human experience. The NAACP applauds the Congressional Tri-Caucus and Senator Hirono, Congresswoman Lee, and Congresswoman Chu for leading this effort and paving the way for equity. We will not stop fighting for a healthy future, for everybody.” UnidosUS: “UnidosUS is proud to continue its support for HEAA,” said Carmen M. Feliciano, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at UnidosUS. “This groundbreaking legislation would level the healthcare playing field, including for Latino families who continue facing barriers to affordable healthcare coverage and to high-quality care that is linguistically accessible and culturally appropriate.” National Partnership for Women & Families: “The National Partnership for Women & Families is once again proud to endorse the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA),” said Sinsi Hernández-Cancio, Vice President for Health Justice at the National Partnership for Women & Families. “In addition to the inclusion of essential improvements to reproductive and maternal health, we welcome the addition of “Middle Eastern or North African” as a category of racial and ethnic group to ensure that all women are centered in our efforts to improve a health care system that has often failed people of color, women, LGBTQ+ folks, people with disabilities, and immigrants. In the face of constant attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion, it has become even more important to support bold and visionary legislation like the Health Equity and Accountability Act.” Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: “The Health Equity and Accountability Act requires comprehensive tobacco cessation coverage for all Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries without cost sharing, which is critical as Medicaid beneficiaries smoke at more than twice the rate of those with private insurance,” said Yolonda C. Richardson, President and CEO of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “In addition, the bill doubles the cigarette excise tax and creates tax parity for other tobacco products. Raising the price of tobacco products is one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use, especially among price-sensitive kids. We applaud Senator Hirono and Representatives Lee and Chu for their leadership in tackling the enormous problem of health disparities at this critical time, including disparities caused by tobacco use. This legislation will improve health and save lives.” American Kidney Fund (AKF): “AKF is proud to support the Health Equity and Accountability Act, and we thank Sen. Mazie Hirono, Rep. Barbara Lee and Rep. Judy Chu, along with the entire Congressional Tri-Caucus, for reintroducing this important legislation, which would make a number of crucial investments in the kidney health of Americans and improve kidney health equity, a cornerstone of AKF’s mission,” said LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO of AKF. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN): “The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) believes everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer,” said Lisa A. Lacasse, President of ACS CAN. “Guaranteeing that all people have access to quality, affordable health care is a critical factor for eliminating disparities and ensuring health equity. We look forward to working with Congress on this legislation that promotes policy solutions for reducing disparities for cancer and other diseases and conditions that significantly impact people of color.” Feeding America: “Food insecurity can affect anyone, but it’s not the same for everyone,” said Vince Hall, Chief Government Relations Officer at Feeding America. “Some groups, like people of color, are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity. While many factors contribute to food insecurity, systemic racism and discrimination have created significant barriers to food access for such communities. Some of the highest rates of food insecurity are found in rural areas as well. Feeding America supports the Health Equity and Accountability Act introduced by Sen. Hirono and Rep. Lee, and believes this bill is a critical step to address persistent inequities by helping to ensure everyone has access to the food and resources they need to thrive.” Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO): “Like all underserved communities, Asian American, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders face diverse and unique disparities affecting our health and wellbeing,” said Adam Carbullido, Director of Policy and Advocacy at AAPCHO. “HEAA is comprehensive and forward looking legislation that will deliver an equitable health care system that addresses the challenges faced by patients and providers every day. It is imperative that Congress act to secure the health care rights of every person in the U.S., including communities of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, persons with disabilities, rural communities, territory residents, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.” HEAA builds upon policies enacted under landmark health care legislation, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Inflation Reduction Act, and lays out additional investments and policy changes to improve the health and well-being of underserved communities, address systemic health inequities, and ensure access to high-quality and affordable health care for all. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-more-than-68-million-in-new-federal-funding-heading-to-hawaii-to-improve-climate-disaster-resilience-restore-coral-reefs-native-hawaiian-fishponds,"Schatz: More Than $68 Million In New Federal Funding Heading To Hawai‘i To Improve Climate, Disaster Resilience, Restore Coral Reefs, Native Hawaiian Fishponds",2024-07-26,2024,2024-07,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz today announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded $68.4 million in federal funding to the University of Hawai?i Sea Grant College Program, which will work in partnership with a dozen groups spanning government, nonprofits, academia, and local stewards. The new award is through the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and will be used to help improve climate and disaster resilience across the state. “This new federal funding – part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s historic investment in climate action – will restore critical watersheds and forests and utilize Native Hawaiian knowledge and practices to help move us to more a sustainable, climate resilient future for Hawai‘i,” said Senator Schatz. The new funding will help be used to help conserve and restore watersheds and forests, build natural infrastructure to protect communities and habitat, restore Native Hawaiian fishponds, limu, and coral reefs to reinvigorate habitat, and help reduce risk and improve disaster resilience by establishing new green infrastructure projects and building capacity within at-risk communities, among other things. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-and-video-hirono-lee-chu-reintroduce-legislation-to-create-a-more-equitable-health-care-system,"PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono, Lee, Chu Reintroduce Legislation to Create a More Equitable Health Care System",2024-07-25,2024,2024-07,Democrat,Senate,HI,Mazie K. Hirono,H001042,www.hirono.senate.gov,hirono,https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) of 2024, legislation that would address health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities as well as women, the LGBTQ+ community, rural populations, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities across the United States. HEAA has been introduced in every Congress since 2003, with support from CAPAC, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), also known as the Congressional Tri-Caucus. “Everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care, but health disparities prevent many marginalized and underserved communities from accessing these essential resources and services,” said Senator Hirono. “The Health Equity and Accountability Act will help to dismantle these barriers by implementing comprehensive provisions to address inequities, including strengthening data collection, increasing access to health services and resources, and diversifying the health care workforce. I am proud to lead this effort and will continue working to ensure that communities across Hawaii and throughout the country have access to the affordable and equitable health care they deserve.” “As a co-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus healthcare taskforce, and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I am proud to lead the re-introduction of the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA). HEAA is a bold, comprehensive vision for addressing racial health disparities and improving health outcomes in communities of color and the underserved. It’s the only legislation that directly addresses the intersections of health inequities and race and ethnicity,” said Congresswoman Lee. “We need to pass HEAA to address the underlying challenges that prevent communities of color and underserved communities from gaining coverage and accessing high-quality, affordable health care. With the help of our advocates and partners, I know Congress can act to create a truly just health care system for all.” “Higher uninsured rates, language and cultural barriers to care, social determinants, and greater exposure to pollution are just a few of the factors that threaten and hurt the health of Americans of color,” said CAPAC Chair Rep. Chu. “The Health Equity and Accountability Act would create a healthcare system that works for all Americans – no matter their race, ethnicity, gender, or language ability – by advancing culturally and linguistically appropriate health care, improving data reporting, addressing diseases that disproportionately harm certain communities, and so much more. This legislation is a necessary step to take for health equity to be a reality for all, and I am honored to once again join Congressmember Lee and Senator Hirono to lead the introduction of this bold, legislative vision on behalf of the Tri-Caucus this Congress.” “For generations, Black Americans have faced persistent disparities in health outcomes and access to quality, affordable health care in our nation. The Tri-Caucus is committed to removing barriers and expanding access to health care in our communities,” said CBC Chairman Steven Horsford. “The CBC is proud to join our Tri-Caucus partners in cosponsoring the Health Equity and Accountability Act which will take significant steps towards removing systemic barriers, improving outcomes, and making our communities healthier.” “As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I’m proud to join the Tri-Caucus Chairs and leading Congressional Members in introducing the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) of 2024,” said CHC Chair Nanette Barragán. “HEAA is a bold, comprehensive vision to address persistent ethnic and racial health disparities to improve health outcomes for people of color, including millions of Latino families. Data shows Latinos, like many minority populations and underserved communities, face uphill challenges in accessing affordable and high-quality healthcare. This legislation is a critical step toward a fairer healthcare system that prioritizes health equity for all.” “Everyone deserves affordable, high-quality healthcare – no matter the color of their skin, their zip code, sex or gender,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Chair of the CBC Health Brain Trust. “The Health Equity and Accountability Act will address disparities in maternal health, mental health, improve research, and support culturally competent care. Throughout the years, we have been able to pass pieces of this bill and slowly close the gaps in healthcare inequities. But it's not enough. We must continue to build on our progress and improve healthcare outcomes for every American.” “Everyone deserves access to affordable, culturally competent health care,” said Senator Padilla. “Yet persistent structural inequities too often prevent historically marginalized groups from receiving essential care, despite the disproportionate risks they face to their physical and mental health. Our bill takes critical steps to address the unique health needs of these communities, including by expanding access to equitable reproductive care, combating high-impact minority diseases, and diversifying our health care workforce.” “Every individual, regardless of their race, ethnicity or socioeconomic background, has a right to high-quality and affordable health care,” said Senator Booker. “This legislation is designed to dismantle the systemic barriers that prevent many Americans from receiving the dignified, equitable care they deserve. By enhancing data collection, expanding service access, and promoting a diverse health care workforce, we can better address disparities in our health care system and improve the experiences of underserved communities.” HEAA builds upon policies enacted under landmark health care legislation, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Inflation Reduction Act, and lays out additional investments and policy changes to improve the health and well-being of underserved communities, address systemic health inequities, and ensure access to high-quality and affordable health care for all. HEAA’s comprehensive policy changes are laid out across 10 titles as detailed below: Data Collection and Reporting – Strengthens collection of data to better identify health disparities and inform policies and standards to prevent continued bias and inequities. Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Health and Health Care – Improves access to and quality of culturally and linguistically appropriate care for non-English speakers. Health Workforce Diversity – Directs funding to diversify the health care workforce and better supports workforce development for underrepresented minority health professionals. Improving Health Care Access and Quality – Addresses systemic barriers to quality care for disparity-impacted communities through expanding coverage, improving access, innovating in delivery, and creating health empowerment zones. Improving Health Outcomes for Women, Gender-Diverse People, Children, and Families – Addresses reproductive and sexual health needs, aiming to dismantle barriers to access to health coverage and services, information, and other vital resources. Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders – Strengthens protective factors, expands access to services and resources for mental health and substance use disorders, and reduces the structural barriers that contribute to behavioral health inequities. Addressing High-Impact Minority Diseases – Addresses high-impact minority diseases by increasing services and resources including screenings, research, treatments, and coverage. Health Information Technology – Expands and invests in health information technology infrastructure to reduce impact of health disparities on racial and ethnic minority communities. Accountability and Evaluation – Ensures the federal government is held accountable for efforts to reduce health disparities and requires further transparency. Addressing Social Determinants and Improving Environmental Justice – Defines social determinants of health, as well as the role they play in health inequities, and contains proposals to address these root causes for health disparities, including provisions to address environmental hazards, gun violence and hunger for seniors, children, and families. In addition to Senator Hirono, the bill is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). In addition to Representatives Lee and Chu, the bill is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Mark Takano (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Frederica S. Wilson (D-FL), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL), Daniel Goldman (D-NY), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Jesus Garcia (D-IL), Grace Meng (D-NY), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Eleanor Norton (D-DC), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Antonio Cardenas (D-CA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Darren Soto (D-FL), and Adam Schiff (D-CA). HEAA is endorsed by over 70 organizations, including Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, National Immigration Law Center, National Health Law Program, American Kidney Fund, National Minority Quality Forum, Center for Law and Social Policy, and National Network for Arab American Communities. The full list of endorsing organizations can be found here. “As our nation's demographics change, so do our health needs,” said Juliet K. Choi, President & CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum. “Underserved and underrepresented communities face substantial barriers to obtaining quality health care and equitable health outcomes. APIAHF is proud to lead the 118th Congress's reintroduction of HEAA, with AAPCHO, to tackle these health disparities head on. HEAA invests in culturally and linguistically appropriate health care and health services, creates a pipeline for an inclusive workforce, and deploys innovative strategies to reach communities regardless of region, immigration status, gender, ethnicity, age, or disability. Achieving health equity requires a multi-faceted approach, and HEAA provides a blueprint to do exactly that.” “Every person should have high quality and affordable health care regardless of where they live, language they speak, or ability to pay,” said Jeffrey B. Caballero, MPH, Executive Director of the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO). “HEAA is visionary legislation to address the vast inequities facing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and all communities who are underserved in every sector of our health care system, including vulnerable populations getting care at community health centers. AAPCHO is proud to join Senator Hirono, Congresswoman Lee, Congresswoman Chu, and the Congressional Tri Caucus in introducing HEAA in the 118th Congress. We appreciate our partnership with APIAHF and the broad coalition of patient, provider, disease, and civil rights groups who contributed to this bill. We look forward to Congress advancing HEAA’s vision of a health care system that truly meets the needs of our nation’s diverse communities.” “All of us living in the U.S., no matter where we were born or how much money we have, should have quality affordable health care,” said Kica Matos, President of the National Immigration Law Center. “HEAA addresses unfair obstacles so that more people can access care, including ensuring immigration status and language barriers don’t stand between families and the care they need. We are grateful to Senator Mazie Hirono, Representative Barbara Lee, and the Congressional Tri-Caucus, for leading this important effort to eliminate health disparities.” “The Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2024 (HEAA) represents a crucial opportunity to comprehensively fight the vast racial health inequities that mark the U.S., as well as their intersections with xenophobia, sexism, ableism, ageism, and classism,” said Madeline T. Morcelle, Senior Attorney at the National Health Law Program (NHeLP). “HEAA builds upon the Affordable Care Act's achievements through groundbreaking reforms such as closing Medicaid's immigrant and post-pregnancy coverage gaps; establishing Medicaid doula payment models among other payment and service delivery innovations that center racial health equity; and strengthening data collection and access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care. HEAA also recognizes that we cannot achieve racial health equity without a federal right to abortion that includes Medicaid coverage. The National Health Law Program urges Congress to pass this vital legislation.” “Kidney failure has a profound and disproportionate impact on people of color, and we are urgently in need of a national action plan to promote kidney health for all,” said LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO of the American Kidney Fund. “The Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) takes concrete steps to address the striking health disparities: Black people in the U.S. are four times more likely than their white counterparts to develop kidney failure, the prevalence of kidney failure among Hispanic/Latino Americans and Native Americans is more than twice the prevalence in the white, non-Hispanic population, and Asian Americans are 1.4 times more likely to develop kidney failure. The American Kidney Fund applauds the introduction of this important bill, which includes critical action steps to meaningfully reduce inequities in our health system. Through our Kidney Health for All initiative and our recently launched Rare Kidney Disease Action Network, with its initial focus on IgA nephropathy—which disproportionately affects Asian Americans—AKF has been fighting on all fronts on efforts to help eliminate disparities in kidney care access and outcomes.” “We are proud to be a leading partner with Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Senator Mazie Hirono, and the Congressional TriCaucus in their steadfast leadership, bold vision, and unwavering commitment to creating a nation in which health equity is a reality,” said Gary A. Puckrein, PhD, President and CEO of the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF). “NMQF is particularly proud of our continuing work on Title IX - Accountability and Evaluation, which ensures the federal government is responsive to, and held accountable for, efforts to reduce health inequities and disparities by expanding civil rights protections for anyone operating with Federal financial assistance, ensuring populations in correctional facilities receive care, and requiring reporting regarding how those protections are enforced. The National Minority Quality Forum stands ready to help ensure that HEAA advances in Congress and becomes law.” “As an antipoverty organization, the Center for Law and Social Policy knows that health equity is strongly tied to economic justice,” said Isha Weerasinghe, Associate Director of Mental Health and Well-being at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP). “The Health Equity and Accountability Act includes critical language around data equity, culturally and linguistically sensitive health care, restoring federal health benefits for immigrants, improving maternal health care, and ensuring mental health services are available. CLASP supports HEAA as a critical step in ensuring everyone has access to quality health care.” “The Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) is a critical initiative of the broader movement for health equity,” said Adam Beddawi, Policy Manager at the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC). “In every Congress, HEAA outlines an agenda for equitable policymaking in the health sector. These goals are only as achievable as we are willing to challenge our own limitations. On behalf of the racially, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse communities represented in the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), we were honored to participate in the development of HEAA in this Congress. Title I in particular outlines how the recent revision to the federal standards for data on race and ethnicity can be leveraged to improve the quality of health disparities analysis in the federal government. By passing this and other key provisions of HEAA, Congress can take an important step toward the development of a more equitable and evidence-based system of healthcare service provision.” The full text of the bill is available here. A one-pager is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/chair-schatz-appropriations-committee-passes-transportation-housing-and-urban-development-fiscal-year-2025-appropriations-bill,"Chair Schatz: Appropriations Committee Passes Transportation, Housing And Urban Development Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Bill",2024-07-25,2024,2024-07,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The Senate Appropriations Committee today passed the Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The legislation, led by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chair of the subcommittee, will provide $98.737 billion in total discretionary funding. “This bill makes important investments to strengthen our nation’s transportation infrastructure and address the housing crisis affecting so many people across the country,” said Senator Schatz, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. “The funding in this bill will help make homes more affordable, reduce homelessness, improve air traffic safety, and reduce flight delays. Importantly, this bill also makes record investments in Native housing, which will help Native people in Indian Country, Hawai‘i, and Alaska buy and keep their homes. I’m proud of the work this subcommittee has done on a bipartisan basis to produce a strong bill and urge my colleagues to pass it as soon as possible.” Key Points & Highlights – Transportation Department of Transportation (DOT): The bill provides $110 billion in total funding for the Department of Transportation, of which $81.6 billion is from obligation limitations and $28.5 billion is from discretionary funding. This amount includes significant new resources to ensure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is able to maintain the safest, most efficient, and most complex air traffic control system in the world; to strengthen the safety of our rail network; and to make critical capital investments and improve the state of good repair of our transit systems. RAISE Grants: The bill provides $550 million for the RAISE Grant program. When combined with the $1.5 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) advanced appropriations, the RAISE Grant program will see $2.05 billion in total funding in fiscal year 2025. As the only multimodal DOT program available to local governments, the program allows communities to make transformative investments in their transportation infrastructure that help improve mobility and safety. FAA Staffing and Modernization: The bill provides $22 billion for the FAA, an increase of $1.931 billion over fiscal year 2024. This includes: $13.603 billion for FAA operations, which will allow the FAA to continue its air traffic controller hiring surge by adding 2,000 new controllers, improving training facilities at the air traffic controller academy, and hiring 55 new aviation safety inspectors to strengthen oversight of Boeing and Spirit Aerosystems. In addition, the bill fully funds the FAA’s critical telecommunications and IT systems to prevent flight delays or disruptions. $3.6 billion for FAA facilities and equipment, which will help address the backlog of facility, radar, and equipment repair and replacement, as well as accelerate critical next-generation programs. $4.52 billion for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants to improve airport infrastructure and safety, while also reducing emissions. Of this amount, $70 million is for a new PFAS Replacement Program for Airports. This also includes $4 billion in AIP from the Trust Fund, consistent with the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. Highways and Bridges: The bill provides $63.171 billion for federal-aid highways, which includes $61.314 billion in funding from the Highway Trust Fund, and an additional $1.118 billion for Highway Infrastructure Programs. The bill provides $400 million for the competitive bridge bundling grant program, $150 million for the Tribal Transportation Program, $100 million for the Appalachian Development Highway System, $25 million for the Active Transportation program, $20 million for Scenic Byways, and other critical investments. Amtrak and Rail Safety: A total of $3.46 billion is provided for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). This includes $2.63 billion for Amtrak to sustain operations, maintain a state of good repair, and safely get passengers to their destinations—an increase of $210 million over fiscal year 2024. A total of $100 million is allocated to the Fed-State Partnership Program, and $475 million for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant program. The bill increases funding for FRA’s Safety and Operations budget to $292.8 million, which will meet the President’s budget request of increasing rail safety inspectors to a record 400 positions, and increases funding for Research and Development to $54.75 million. To address the NTSB’s investigation of the East Palestine derailment and the subsequent safety recommendations released last month, the report directs FRA to: (1) continue research to inform industry-wide standards for wayside detection technology deployment and rail carrier response protocols; (2) update its 2007 vent and burn guidance and distribute to first responders; and (3) continue to utilize the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee working group to propose new regulations. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA): The bill provides $401 million for the PHMSA, which includes $235 million for pipeline safety and $87 million for hazardous materials safety, including to address NTSB recommendations related to the East Palestine incident. Transit Infrastructure: The bill provides $17 billion for the Federal Transit Administration—including $2.262 billion for Capital Investment Grants, a $57 million increase over fiscal year 2024. When combined with the $1.6 billion in IIJA advanced appropriations, a total of $3.862 billion is available for Capital Investment Grants in fiscal year 2025, which is sufficient to accommodate all projects with full funding grant agreements and those expected to enter into a grant agreement this year. In an effort to improve access to financing for transit-oriented development, the bill establishes an interagency task force between DOT and HUD to leverage the expertise of each agency and accelerate housing development opportunities. Maritime Administration: The bill provides $1.14 billion for the Maritime Administration, $202 million above fiscal year 2024. This includes: $191 million for the United States Merchant Marine Academy, of which $64 million is for capital improvement projects to fully meet the President’s budget request to modernize the service academy’s facilities and train the next generation of mariners; $178.4 million for State Maritime Academies, of which $132.7 million is for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel Program; $20 million for the Small Shipyard Grant Program to modernization our domestic commercial ship construction capacity; $200 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program, which when combined with the $450 in IIJA advanced appropriations makes a total of $650 million available for fiscal year 2025; and $448 million to fund the defense vessel programs, including: $318 million for the Maritime Security Program; $10 million for the Cable Security Fleet Program; and $120 million for the Tanker Security Fleet Program. Transportation Infrastructure for Tribes: The bill includes $25 million to supplement the Rural and Tribal Infrastructure Advancement Pilot Program to deliver financial, legal, technical, and project development assistance in an effort to improve Tribal access to transportation infrastructure programs at DOT. It provides $150 million in FHWA’s Tribal Transportation Program and $500,000 for transit technical assistance for Tribes. The bill also includes a cost share waiver for the Rural and Tribal Formula Program as proposed in the budget request, and a cost share waiver for Tribes in the Low and No Emission Vehicle Grant Program. Key Points & Highlights – Housing and Urban Development Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): The bill provides $78.2 billion in programmatic funding for HUD, which is offset by $8.4 billion in receipts and collections for a net funding level of $69.8 billion. This funding will maintain all existing rental assistance and help build more affordable housing, reduce homelessness, connect people to both housing and health care, and rehabilitate distressed properties to preserve the existing affordable housing stock. Reduces Homelessness and Improves Connections to Health Care: The bill provides $4.32 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants, a $268 million increase above fiscal year 2024. In addition to sustaining investments for existing projects, the bill provides: $100 million for new permanent supportive housing; $107 million for new investments to address youth homelessness; $52 million for new support for survivors of domestic violence; $47 million for an inflationary adjustment for supportive service projects so that providers can hire and retain qualified personnel; and $30 million for one-time capacity-building grants and direct technical assistance to communities that are leveraging other funds, like Medicaid, to connect individuals experiencing homelessness to housing-related services and behavioral healthcare. Increases the Supply of Affordable Housing: As communities across the nation continue to face a shortage of affordable homes, the bill makes critical investments to increase the supply of housing so that Americans can keep a roof over their head. The bill includes: $1.425 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, a $175 million increase above fiscal year 2024. The HOME Program is the primary federal tool for state and local governments to produce affordable rental and owner-occupied housing. This funding level will allow for construction of more than 8,400 new affordable homebuyer and rental units. $100 million for the third year of the “Yes In My Back Yard” grant program. State and local zoning and land use laws and regulations that limit the number of units that can be built are a significant contributor to the lack of housing supply and production. These restrictions on development are driving up housing costs. While some communities have made progress in removing barriers to affordable housing production to keep up with market demand, the federal government must play a supporting role to strengthen these efforts and help jurisdictions increase their housing stock and lower housing costs. $4.6 billion for local community development and affordable housing needs through the Community Development Block Grant formula program and Economic Development Initiatives. $115 million for Section 202 Housing for the Elderly Capital Advance grants, which will lead to over 900 new units of affordable, supportive rental housing for low-income seniors. Expands Access to Housing Assistance for Tribes: The bill provides a record $1.455 billion for the Native American Housing Block Grant program, a $111 million increase over fiscal year 2024. Through this historic level of funding and the sustained investment in the Tribal Housing and Related Agency Infrastructure Interagency Task Force, the bill will make significant progress in addressing the dire housing needs of Indian Country, where residents are nearly twice as likely to live in poverty and nearly three times more likely to live in overcrowded conditions compared to other U.S. households. Preserves and Strengthens Investments in Rental Assistance Programs: The bill maintains critical support for HUD’s rental assistance programs, which help nearly 5 million vulnerable households—more than half of whom are elderly or have disabilities—keep a roof over their heads. It also provides new funding for rehabilitation efforts to help preserve the project-based affordable housing stock and improve living conditions for tenants. This includes: $35.3 billion for tenant-based Section 8 vouchers, a $2.9 billion increase above fiscal year 2024, which includes funding to make 3,000 new incremental vouchers available to youth aging out of foster care and veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness. $16.7 billion for the project-based rental assistance (PBRA) program to renew housing contracts, a $644 million increase above fiscal year 2024. $8.8 billion to operate and address the capital needs of public housing. $10 million for HUD to make rent adjustments to 20-30 PBRA properties that have been renewed through the mark-to-market program and are distressed or at risk of becoming distressed. $25 million for a new loan program to assist in the rehabilitation of 15-20 PBRA properties that are already at market rate rents but need additional capital. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tokudas-statement-prime-minister-netanyahus-address-congress,Rep. Tokuda’s Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Address to Congress,2024-07-23,2024,2024-07,Democrat,House,HI,Jill N. Tokuda,T000487,tokuda.house.gov,tokuda,https://tokuda.house.gov/media/press-releases?PageNum_rs=6&,scraper,"“Foreign dignitaries addressing a joint meeting of Congress is a highly regarded invitation that reflects a mutual relationship based on shared diplomatic values. While the United States has long had a pivotal relationship with Israel to deter our adversaries and maintain stability in the Middle East, I do not feel it is appropriate, or as we say in Hawaii, pono, to invite Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has been indicted for corruption in his own country, to address Congress. I cannot turn a blind eye to the horrific loss of life, indiscriminate bombing, famine, and suffering that have occurred in Gaza under his leadership, and I will not be attending the joint meeting.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-meets-with-white-house-science-and-tech-director-participates-in-dialogue-with-center-for-ai-safety-to-discuss-emerging-benefits-challenges-of-ai,"Schatz Meets With White House Science And Tech Director, Participates In Dialogue With Center For AI Safety To Discuss Emerging Benefits, Challenges Of AI",2024-07-23,2024,2024-07,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a senior member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today met with White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Arati Prabhakar to discuss the potential benefits and emerging safety concerns from artificial intelligence (AI). Later in the day, Schatz participated in a discussion at the Center for AI Safety DC launch reception to discuss his work on AI legislation. Today’s discussions followed a new effort led by Schatz to demand answers from OpenAI on reports of safety, transparency, and whistleblower protection concerns “AI presents us with exciting new possibilities, but it also carries immense risk,” said Senator Schatz. “As the AI industry rapidly grows, it’s critical that we work to ensure the technology is safe for people to use and that companies are holding up their end of the bargain by following through on their safety commitments.” Schatz has been a leader on AI legislation. In 2018, Schatz first introduced the AI in Government Act, bipartisan legislation that would improve the federal government’s use of AI. It was signed into law in 2020, making it one of the first AI bills to be enacted. Since then, Schatz had led legislation to provide more transparency on AI-generated content and protect people from scams through labeling and help improve extreme weather forecasting using AI technology. Senator Schatz meets with Arati Prabhakar, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Senator Schatz discusses his work on AI policy at the Center for AI Safety DC launch reception ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-president-biden,Schatz Statement On President Biden,2024-07-21,2024,2024-07,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement on President Joe Biden. “For over 50 years, Joe Biden has been a selfless patriot and dedicated public servant who’s given everything to the country he so dearly loves. As a senator, vice president, and now president, he has spent most of his life working to make people’s lives better and the world safer. Today, yet again, he has put the country before himself, making the best choice for the American people in this uniquely consequential moment. For that, and for his lifetime of service, we should all be deeply grateful. “It’s not an overstatement to say Joe Biden has been and is the most consequential president of our lifetimes. His legislative accomplishments speak for themselves and will endure for generations to come. He took the biggest climate action in human history. He cut the cost of prescription drugs for seniors and made our communities safer by passing long-overdue gun reform. He’s also revitalized our nation’s infrastructure and strengthened our alliances around the world. “There’s no question Americans today are better off because of Joe Biden.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z