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Honolulu, HI – In a divided decision, the U.S. Supreme Court today ruled in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby that closely-held private corporations can impose their religious beliefs on women by denying them birth control coverage as part of their health insurance. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the ruling. “Employers should never have the right to make personal health decisions for women,” Senator Schatz said. “I am...
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Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced Esther Kia‘aina’s Senate confirmation as Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas at the U.S. Department of the Interior. “President Obama recognized a tremendous individual for this important post in Esther Kia‘aina,” Senator Schatz said. “Her confirmation is a testament to her distinguished career and expertise on Native Hawaiian issues and land management. Esther is an...
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Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Tourism, Innovation, and Competitiveness held a hearing on the state of U.S. tourism and travel industry today and announced plans to work with the U.S. Department of State on legislation to make it easier for low-risk international travelers to visit the United States, boosting tourism and helping the government achieve its goal of attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2021. ...
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Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i will receive two grants totaling $1,752,905 from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to help unemployed individuals train for and transition to new employment. Hawai‘i will receive $897,420 through the Job-Driven National Emergency Grant program to train unemployed workers for jobs in high-demand industries and $855,485 through the Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment (REA)...
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Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced the University of Hawai‘i will receive a $86,462 grant from the National Science Foundation to improve monitoring of Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. “Kilauea’s spectacular volcanic eruptions have attracted much attention over the last three decades. More than 5000 travelers visit Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park each day,” Senator Schatz said. “And...
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Washington, DC – Today, the United States Senate passed the bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), legislation that improves workforce development programs to prepare American workers for the jobs of tomorrow. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) voted to pass the legislation and worked with Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) to make sure funding for youth, adult, dislocated, and Native Hawaiian workforce...
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Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the City and County of Honolulu will receive a $5 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to maintain Honolulu’s bus system. “Investing in Honolulu’s bus system means that the many residents who depend on it to get to school or work every day will continue to have an affordable way to get around,” Senator Schatz said. “This funding will maintain Honolulu’s buses,...
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Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the City and County of Honolulu will receive $250 million from the Department of Transportation next week to fund continued construction of the Honolulu Rail Transit project. The $250 million grant was made possible through appropriations provided in the Fiscal Year 2014 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill as part of the Federal Transit...
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Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the Senate Committee on Appropriations approved $16.7 million in federal funding for the East-West Center. Senator Schatz worked with Appropriations Committee leaders to ensure continued federal funding levels for the East-West Center, which supports U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific region by providing critical research and analysis, and to increase funding $5.9 million above the President's...
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Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i will receive three Continuum of Care (CoC) awards totaling $663,793 from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). “Overcoming homelessness is a big challenge that requires the support of our entire community,” Senator Schatz said. “This important investment will give state and local programs the resources to help vulnerable individuals and...
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Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hilo International Airport will receive a $2,278,800 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to improve security at the facility and keep travelers safe. “Investing in our airport infrastructure is critical to ensuring our state’s transportation system operates safely and securely and our tourism industry remains strong,” Senator Schatz said. “This important grant will...
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Washington, DC – Today, in a bipartisan vote, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced the SECURE Water Amendments Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i). The SECURE Water Amendments Act will increase grant funding for water conservation and drought projects, provide resources for better data collection and analysis of water supply and use, and finally make Hawai‘i water conservation projects eligible for WaterSMART grants...
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Washington, DC – The White House announced today President Barack Obama plans to issue an executive order prohibiting companies that contract with the federal government from employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) sent a letter in March with U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and House LGBT Equality Caucus leadership urging President Obama to issue this...
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Washington, DC – Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Appropriations advanced the Fiscal Year 2015 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which provides funding for important public safety programs. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) secured $26.88 million in the bill to strengthen the tsunami warning system that protects Hawai‘i and coastal communities across the nation. The funding allows the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation...
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Washington, DC – The Senate Committee on Appropriations advanced the Fiscal Year 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which delivers funding for programs that build the nation’s transportation network and invest in infrastructure and affordable housing projects. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) secured and increased funding for several programs key to reducing housing and transportation costs for Hawai‘i...
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Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) cosponsored the Ensuring Veterans Access to Care Act of 2014, legislation that would make the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) more accountable, make way for a major new VA medical facility on Oahu, cut wait times, and improve access to health care for veterans. The Senate is likely to consider the new legislation on the floor next week. “Our veterans and their families have made tremendous...
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HONOLULU, HI – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement regarding Veterans Affairs Secretary Shinseki's resignation this morning. "General Shinseki is a war hero and public servant who gave everything he had to our country and the job of Secretary of Veterans Affairs. In his judgment, it was time for new leadership to move forward. The problems uncovered are appalling and unacceptable and the VA must deliver accountability for any wrongdoing and systemic changes to...
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Honolulu, HI – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced more than $2 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help fund Head Start programs in Maui County. Head Start is a federal early childhood education program that promotes the school readiness of children from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development. “We know that when we prepare our kids for school, they have a better shot at...
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Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) introduced legislation in the Senate with U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), to provide a pay increase for federal employees who lost over a billion dollars in salary and benefits due to sequestration and a three-year pay freeze from January 2011 to December 2013. The Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act would provide a 3.3 percent pay raise to federal workers in calendar year 2015. “Hawai‘i’s...
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Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz hailed the selection today of Hawai‘i to host the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Conservation Congress – the world’s largest conservation event – in 2016. “The World Conservation Congress coming to Hawai‘i is a big deal and will benefit our local economy. This is the first time the United States is hosting this important meeting of world leaders and it is an honor...
