Press Releases

  WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) announced today that they will reintroduce a bipartisan bill to extend two key statutory deadlines for the 2020 Census. This bill would set the deadline for the apportionment data to April 30, 2021, as well as extend the deadline to deliver redistricting data to the states to September 30, 2021 from March 31, 2021.   These extensions would allow the Census Bureau to...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will install 23 weather cameras across the state. These cameras will improve safety by providing pilots with near-real time video of weather conditions at their destinations and along their flight routes. After the program was a proven success in Alaska and Colorado, Schatz worked within the Senate Appropriations Committee to direct the FAA to expand the program into...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) agreement to reimburse up to $175 million to the State of Hawai‘i for certain vaccine distribution expenses. FEMA announced today it has already reimbursed half of the approved amount to the state, providing more than $87 million. Reimbursable expenses cover emergency protective measures, including supplies and personnel needed to safely...

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i will receive $1,033,100 to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic among Pacific Islanders. This grant will support community outreach programs in Pacific Islander languages to help families navigate health resources. The new funding will also be used to purchase more personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies for Pacific Islander communities....

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced today the introduction of new legislation to promote press freedom and the protection of journalists worldwide. The Global Press Freedom Act would direct the U.S. State Department to establish an Ambassador-at-Large for press freedom and train Foreign Service Officers on how to help promote media independence and...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House today to discuss COVID-19 relief for Native communities in Hawai‘i and across the country. The meeting comes one day after Senate Democratic leaders announced Senator Schatz’s elevation to Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Schatz was joined by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and nine other Senate...

WASHINGTON – The United States Senate Democratic leadership today announced the selection of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) to serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “As we work to confront the global climate crisis and reinforce Hawai‘i’s key role in rebuilding our relationships in the Asia Pacific region, this will put me in a better position to serve Hawai‘i and the nation and represent our values on the global stage,” said Senator...

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i K-12 schools will receive a projected $56,517,953 in new federal funding for the 2021-2022 school year to support teacher professional development, additional educators, new technology, and other academic programs at public schools serving low income students. These funds will be given directly to Title I schools – where a disproportionate number of students live in poverty – and will...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced new legislation to help survivors of domestic violence and other crimes cut ties with their abusers and separate from shared wireless service plans, which can be exploited to monitor, stalk, or control victims. “Giving domestic violence abusers control over their victims’ cell phones is a terrifying reality...

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the Hawai‘i Department of Human Services will receive $1,188,723.75 in federal funding to cover the cost of meals provided to individuals who tested positive for COVID-19, those who have been exposed but do not require hospitalization, and high risk individuals over the age of 65 with underlying health conditions. “This federal funding will help pay back the cost of the meals provided to the most...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement on new executive actions announced by President Joe Biden to address the climate crisis. “President Biden’s announcement today shows the commitment, urgency, and scope of action we need to fight the climate crisis. Together, these steps put the nation on a path to cut emissions, grow our economy, create jobs, and prioritize environmental justice. I am particularly encouraged to see...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the passing of former Hawai‘i County Mayor Billy Kenoi. “Billy Kenoi was one of Hawai‘i’s most talented political leaders. His understanding of, and empathy for Hawai‘i and its people drove his meteoric rise and motivated his public service. His love for Hawai‘i Island, his intellect, and his heart will leave a mark in our collective consciousness and in...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on a new executive order issued by President Joe Biden that will provide more Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps, to the most needy families, including nearly 33,000 people in Hawai‘i. The order also includes a 15 percent increase in benefits for families of the more than 93,500 Hawai‘i students who qualify for free or reduced-priced...

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the County of Hawai‘i will receive $2,251,163 in new federal funding to help Puna recover from the 2018 Kilauea eruption and improve resiliency for future natural disasters. This grant will go toward rebuilding the area's wastewater collection and treatment system, which was damaged in 2018. By funding the creation of a new, centralized system — instead of repairing the previous cesspool...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after President Joe Biden took executive action to authorize an extension and fully reimburse Hawai‘i and states across the country for the use of the National Guard to support COVID-19 response operations. “This will save Hawai‘i millions of dollars and allow soldiers and airmen who are performing essential missions that will help us safely reopen our economy, including...

WASHINGTON — Today, Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) will receive $300,000 in federal funding to develop a work-based apprenticeship program, offering Maui residents unique on-the-job training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills to help solve challenges faced by local companies. “We need more workers with STEM skills to help us rebuild our economy. This new...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on a new executive order issued by President Joe Biden that will extend the federal eviction moratorium and the moratoriums on foreclosures of federally guaranteed mortgages until the end of March 2021. Without action, these protections would have expired on January 31. “These extensions will stop evictions for thousands of Hawai‘i residents who are struggling to make their mortgage...

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on President Biden’s executive action to rejoin the Paris Agreement today. “By rejoining the Paris Agreement, President Biden and Vice President Harris are sending a strong signal to the world: America is back. “During our absence from the world stage, the climate crisis has only grown more dire. We're already seeing the devastating effects of climate impacts here at home and abroad....

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s plan to reverse the previous administration's unconstitutional policy of excluding undocumented immigrants in the 2020 Census count. “This last administration’s attempt to scare people from participating in the Census and influence congressional representation was unlawful and unconstitutional. I look forward to working with the Biden Administration on...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the inauguration of Joe Biden as president and Kamala Harris as vice president. “Today marks a day of hope for Hawai‘i and our country. The last four years have been difficult. It has tested the very idea of who we are as a country and what we stand for. We have experienced historic challenges, real pain, and a despicable attack on our Capitol two weeks ago today. But through it...