Press Releases

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to all participating PPP lenders. Small businesses should consult with their lenders and submit First or Second Draw loan applications if eligible. “The new round of funding will help Hawai‘i small businesses meet their payroll and provide people with paychecks,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i). “I encourage all Hawai‘i small...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after a bipartisan majority in the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump. “The article of impeachment approved by the House of Representatives today lays out what we have all witnessed over the last few months – President Trump lied repeatedly about the results of a free and fair election, attempted to cheat by pressuring election officials, and incited an...

HONOLULU — U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i will receive nearly $95 million in a new round of federal funding to support the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution, testing, and contact tracing programs. The new funding from the latest COVID-19 relief package, which was signed into law last month, will be used to support COVID-19 vaccination, testing, contact tracing, surveillance, containment, and other mitigation activities. “This money...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement: “Trump is a danger to democracy itself. I took an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. We must both initiate impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives and invoke the 25th Amendment. Our vigilance must increase, not wane, in the final days.” ###

WASHINGTON – U.S Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement today: “My staff and I are safe and following the guidance of U.S. Capitol Police. We thank everyone for their expressions of aloha and concern. “The attack on the Capitol and our democracy is despicable, but it will not stop us from completing our constitutional duties and affirming the results of the presidential election.” ###

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today voted to override the president’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including key reforms to the Department of Defense’s 1033 program, which authorizes the federal transfer of military equipment to state and local law enforcement agencies. The adoption of the provision follows legislation and calls from U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) to stop police militarization and reform the 1033 program. Schatz first...

WASHINGTON – This week, the Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) 2019 Act was signed into law as part of the annual government funding bill. The bipartisan legislation, authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), establishes a $10 million per year grant program for fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to promote the use of technology to connect health care providers and deliver high-quality care in hard-to-reach regions. “Technology hasn’t just transformed how...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released an updated resource guide to help Hawai‘i small businesses better understand how to access federal loans and new federal funding. The new $900 billion relief package, which is the second largest aid package in American history and was signed into law on Sunday, includes a new round of federal funding for small businesses and nonprofits and a new program to support live venue operators, including museums and...

WASHINGTON – On Sunday, the president signed a bipartisan government funding bill which included a provision authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) that will strengthen protections for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument by starting the process to designate it as a National Marine Sanctuary. “A new sanctuary designation means more resources and stronger protections for Papahanaumokuakea,” said Senator Schatz. “This will give us more...

HONOLULU – Last night, legislation authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) that will expand access to mental health care was signed into law as part of the annual appropriations bill. The provision, which was originally part of Schatz’s CONNECT for Health Act, will allow Medicare beneficiaries across the country to permanently use telehealth to receive mental health services remotely, including in their homes. “This will make it easier for more people in every...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after President Trump signed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package into law. The package includes at least $1.7 billion in funding for Hawai‘i. “Help is on the way. With this bill now signed into law, at least $1.7 billion will now flow to Hawai‘i to help those who’ve lost their job or can’t make rent. It will provide more money for businesses, and give our state,...

HONOLULU — Last night, the bipartisan Restoring Resilient Reefs Act, which wasauthored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), passed the Senate. This bill directs federal funding and technical assistance to states, territories, and local communities for the restoration and management of coral reef ecosystems. It also reauthorizes and modernizes the Coral Reef Conservation Act of...

WASHINGTON – Last night, the U.S. Senate passed an appropriations deal, which includes a provision authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) that will extend the deadline for a $250 million funding grant for the Honolulu Rail Transit project. The federal grant, which was secured by Senator Schatz in FY2015, was set to expire at the end of the year if left unspent. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Schatz worked with congressional leaders to include the...

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate last night voted to pass a bipartisan spending deal that will increase federal funding for critical programs that benefit Hawai‘i for fiscal year 2021. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, successfully advanced state priorities, which are now included in the final deal. A separate COVID-19 relief package was attached to the annual appropriations bill and both were approved by Congress. “This...

WASHINGTON – Today, the Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) Act, bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) that will restore Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated individuals, was included in the annual omnibus spending bill and will be passed by Congress. Schatz’s bipartisan bill will cut the cycle of recidivism, save taxpayer money, and improve safety. The REAL Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Dick Durbin...

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) announced that their Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Government Act was included as part of the must-pass government funding deal and is set to become law. The AI in Government Act will ensure that the use of AI across the federal government is effective, ethical, and accountable by providing resources and guidance to...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Chair of the Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, today commended the inclusion of legislation to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the annual spending deal. Commonly used in refrigerators and air conditioners, HFCs are especially potent greenhouse gases, trapping thousands of times as much heat in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. “This bill is a huge win in our fight against climate change. Specifically, the...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i will receive at least $1.7 billion in estimated funding from a new $900 billion COVID-19 relief package. The bipartisan deal – the second largest emergency relief package in American history – includes funding for unemployment assistance, and aid for small businesses, schools, vaccine distribution, hospitals, and health care workers. “Help is on the way. This relief package will...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Banking Committee and Chair of the Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, today released the following statement on the Federal Reserve's announcement that it has joined the Network for Greening the Financial System as a full member. “The Fed joining the NGFS as a full member is a necessary step forward. Now that they have joined this international effort, I will expect them to take further concrete...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced the Crisis Housing Act, legislation that would establish a new housing assistance program. The new program would be automatically triggered and help ensure that families and individuals who have been forced from their home or are at risk of losing their home as a result of a natural or economic disaster have immediate access to adequate...