Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $20,000,000 grant to the University of Hawaii System for a clean water research project.   The project, titled Ike Wai from the Hawaiian words for knowledge and water, will address the critical needs of the state to maintain its supply of clean water, most of which comes from groundwater sources. “This grant will greatly improve our...

WASHINGTON – In response to a report from the Los Angeles Times that detailed how various Syrian opposition forces funded or equipped by the Department of Defense (DoD) or other U.S. agencies may be fighting each other, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, have called for more transparency on the Syria...

HONOLULU – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement to mark the start of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which commemorates the history, contributions, and achievements of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.“Asian Pacific American Heritage Month reminds us to honor the deep roots and valuable contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Their accomplishments in business, science, public service, the armed...

HONOLULU – Today, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) issued its assessment on the 2016 fire season.  NIFC forecasters predict that Hawai‘i, Alaska, and portions of the Southwest will face an elevated risk of wildfires.  In response, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement. “This elevated threat of wildfires in Hawai‘i should be taken seriously,” said...

Washington, D.C.—Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) issued the following statements after introducing the Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act, which will increase access to high-quality health care in hard-to-reach regions. “In states with large rural populations like Utah, it’s vital that we do everything we can to ensure that patients have access to quality health care—no matter where they live,” Senator Hatch...

WASHINGTON – This morning, the Senate Commerce Committee approved bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). The bill addresses the future impact of new connected technology, known as the “Internet of Things.” This legislation, known as S. 2607, the Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act, builds upon the senators’ resolution,...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of both the Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and the SFRC East Asia Subcommittee, Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Chairman of the SFRC East Asia Subcommittee, Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), a senior member of the SFRC, and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced legislation Wednesday to enhance American maritime capacity and leadership and increase support to our allies in the Asia-Pacific region. The Asia-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative...

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), co-chair of the Senate Tourism Caucus, and John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.  The bipartisan NATIVE Act will enhance and integrate native tourism, empower native communities, and expand unique cultural tourism opportunities in the...

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today introduced the Veterans’ Disability Compensation Automatic Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Act, bipartisan legislation that would require the federal government to provide disabled veterans with an automatic COLA in years when there is an increase in benefits payable under title II of the Social Security Act, which sets the requirements for disability insurance benefits. “While I wish it...

WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced the Fiscal Year 2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, legislation that will provide key funding for programs to support Native Hawaiian housing and address homelessness.  U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, worked to ensure more homeless assistance funds...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) today urged the Department of Commerce to take steps to leverage the connecting of technologies known as the Internet of Things (IoT) for the benefit of consumers, businesses, and the government.  In a joint letter to the Department of Commerce, the senators expressed their concern that U.S. agencies may not be taking a holistic view of how to...

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today voted 85-12 to pass the Energy Policy Modernization Act, a comprehensive and bipartisan bill that will modernize the nation’s aging pipeline and power infrastructure and boost energy efficiency in federal buildings.  The bill also includes an amendment introduced by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) that will authorize increased funding for energy science and technology research.  The amendment will expand funding for the...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, voted to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2016, legislation that reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and approves funding to improve airport safety and infrastructure and maintain air service for underserved areas in Hawai‘i and across the country.  The sweeping legislation also includes a provision introduced by Senator Schatz that...

WASHINGTON– Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senator Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, and other Senate Democrats announced a new letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran calling for immediate passage of President Obama’s emergency supplemental funding request of $1.9 billion for prevention and treatment of the Zika virus outbreak. Specifically, the new letter...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) commended the Senate Judiciary Committee’s vote to approve Clare Connors to fill the vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawai‘i. Senator Schatz recommended Connors’ nomination to President Obama in June of last year. “This is an important step forward, and I congratulate the Senate Judiciary Committee for recognizing Clare Connors as a strong candidate for the U.S. District...

WASHINGTON – In response to suggestions that President Obama should utilize his authorities under the Antiquities Act to expand the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (PMNM), U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, recently wrote to the White House and urged that the administration send representatives to Hawai‘i to meet with key leaders and stakeholders before making any...

ATLANTA —As the outbreaks of Zika and dengue continue to threaten communities in the United States and around the world, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters and met with top officials to discuss the CDC’s response to outbreaks in Hawai‘i.  During the meetings, Senator Schatz called for stronger vector-control programs to fight the spread of mosquito-borne viruses. Zika and dengue are transmitted by the same mosquito...

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today cosponsored a bill to require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to collaborate with experts and consumer advocates to mandate minimum seat size standards consistent with airline passengers’ health and safety needs. The bill would direct the FAA to set standards for minimum seat width, legroom, padding, and aisle width on all commercial passenger planes. “In Hawai‘i, air travel is central to our visitor...

HONOLULU – Earlier today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) met with Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i (BGCH) members, honored this year’s Youth of the Year, and delivered a keynote address. In his keynote address, Senator Schatz recognized the critical work the Boys & Girls Club does and challenged its young members to pursue a life of public service.“Public service takes many forms, and you can find a way to serve that makes sense to you.  But it is up to you to seek out those...

WASHINGTON —As the outbreak of mosquito-borne viruses such as Zika and dengue continue to threaten communities in the United States and around the world, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) led eight senators in calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee to increase funding for mosquito-control programs. “Increased support for vector-control programs at the CDC can help to control the populations of Aedes mosquitoes that transmit viruses such as Zika, dengue, West Nile,...