Press Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that because of the short-term government spending deal, which contained an additional $16 billion in new funding and was signed into law over the weekend, the agency would end its pause on funding for some long-term disaster recovery efforts outside of Maui. FEMA had delayed delivery of nearly $3 billion in disaster relief grants as its funding began...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today voted to pass a bipartisan government funding deal that will avert a catastrophic shutdown and provide $16 billion in new disaster relief funding for Maui and other communities impacted by natural disasters. The bill will keep the government funded through November 17. “We are keeping the government open and providing $16 billion in new disaster relief funding for Maui and other communities recovering from natural disasters across the...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement on the passing of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). “Senator Feinstein was a trailblazer in every sense of the word,” said Senator Schatz. “For more than 50 years, she forged many firsts, in California and in Washington. As the longest-serving female U.S. Senator, she fought to make our country safer and more fair: taking guns off our streets, enshrining marriage equality, and protecting women and...

WASHINGTON – Just two days away from the deadline to fund the federal government, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today called on colleagues in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to pass the Senate’s bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open and avert a disastrous shutdown. “No one wins in a shutdown,” said Senator Schatz. “Not Republicans, not Democrats, and certainly not the people of Hawai‘i and Americans across the country. Anyone that’s serious about...

WASHINGTON – Following calls from U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) for additional disaster relief funding for Maui and other communities impacted by disasters, Senate leaders released a bipartisan short-term spending bill that includes $6 billion in supplemental funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund. The bill would avert a government shutdown and keep the government funded through November 17. “This bill is an important first step in bringing more federal...

WASHINGTON – Following a request from U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), President Joe Biden today announced that the federal government will cover the full cost of debris removal for six months. The 100 percent federal cost share could total in the hundreds of millions of dollars and may be extended at the President’s direction. “This is a significant amount of money. By covering the full cost of debris removal for at least six months, the federal government will help the state and county...

WASHINGTON – With just nine days to go until the September 30 deadline to fund the federal government, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today spoke on the Senate Floor to call on lawmakers in Congress to pass additional disaster relief funding as part of an appropriations bill. Schatz’s remarks come as federal agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), are facing depleting funds for disaster relief even as they continue recovery work on Maui and other states...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a new federal grant totaling more than $7.3 million to aid with the ongoing recovery effort from the Maui fires. “This federal funding will help cover the full costs of initial damage assessments, staffing, and the expenses the state and county have paid for as the recovery process continues to move forward. More funding will be required, and we’re...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approved food benefits through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) for households that were impacted by the fires last month. “A month after the fires, people still need help with basic needs and this new federal assistance will help ensure they can put food on the table,” said Senator Schatz. “We’ll...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today introduced new legislation to fight climate change by helping remove heat-trapping carbon dioxide pollution from the Earth’s atmosphere. The new bill directs agencies across the federal government to boost research, development, and demonstration efforts into carbon removal solutions and calls for a plan on increased international coordination. The Schatz legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Martin...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it is providing nearly $95 million to Hawai‘i to cover the cost of temporary housing at hotels, meals, and services for those impacted by the Maui fires. “This is a down payment on what is necessary, but it is essential help. We will keep working as hard as we can to help to bring federal resources for Lahaina’s recovery,” said Senator Schatz,...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced the nomination of Shanlyn A.S. Park to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. Park was among those recommended to President Biden by Senators Hirono and Schatz, and a merit-based Federal Judicial Selection Commission. “With decades of experience practicing law in Hawai‘i—including nearly two decades as a public defender—Judge Shanlyn A.S. Park has shown herself to be fair,...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) delivered remarks on the Senate floor discussing the impact of the deadly fires on Maui last month and underscoring the need for continued federal support in the months ahead. “People of every age and every background have been devastated by these fires. And their needs are so enormous, they simply cannot do it alone. So it’s our responsibility here in Congress to provide relief – in any way that we can, for as long as people need it,”...

HONOLULU – Following calls from U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i), President Joe Biden sent an updated request to Congress to increase the supplemental Disaster Relief Fund by $4 billion, bringing the new request total to $16 billion. “The President said he would do whatever it takes to help to Maui, and this is a down payment on that commitment. The recovery will take significant...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) today announced the nomination of Micah Smith to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawai‘i. Smith was among those recommended to President Biden by Senators Hirono and Schatz, and a merit-based Federal Judicial Selection Commission. “Micah Smith is an excellent nominee whose professional experience as a federal prosecutor, along with his personal experience as a public school graduate and...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) issued the following statement after the death of three U.S. Marines involved in an aircraft accident during training exercises in Australia. All three Marines were based out of Kane‘ohe Bay. “We mourn the loss of these Marines who dedicated their lives to protecting our country. They called Hawai‘i home and will be missed by their communities. We’re thinking of their loved ones and hope the other injured Marines make a speedy recovery,” said...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono, U.S. Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, Governor Josh Green, M.D., and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke today announced that the Federal Communications Commission has temporarily waived certain eligibility rules to ensure that people receiving federal disaster assistance due to the Maui fires can easily apply for and enroll in Lifeline, a federal program that helps lower the cost of phone and internet service for those in...

HONOLULU – Ahead of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra’s visit to Maui tomorrow, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i) today called on the Secretary to take additional federal actions to support mental health, child care, and language services for survivors. “As you visit Maui, we ask you to take further actions to support the survivors, and ensure...

HONOLULU – Ahead of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra’s visit to Maui tomorrow, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i) today called on the Secretary to take additional federal actions to support mental health, child care, and language services for survivors. “As you visit Maui, we ask you to take further actions to support the survivors, and ensure...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) thanked President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for visiting Lahaina and the strong federal response to the devastating fires, on Monday saying, “Mahalo to the President and the First Lady for making this historic trip to be here in our time of need. We in Hawai‘i have been through hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis, but we have never seen such a robust federal response.” Schatz reiterated that in a letter to the President, and...