Press Releases

Washington, D.C.  – Today U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) applauded President Obama’s announcement on his intention to nominate former Bank of Hawai‘i Chief Executive Officer Allan R. Landon to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. “The Federal Reserve is responsible for regulating nearly every aspect of our banking industry and it is critical that its members reflect the diversity in the industry,” Senator Schatz said. ...

Washington, D.C. – United States Senate Democratic leadership announced the selection of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) to serve on the key Senate Committee on Appropriations. The appointment is an especially important one.  Prescribed in the U.S. Constitution, the Committee writes the legislation that allocates funds to government departments, agencies and organizations.  The Committee also has responsibility for supplemental spending bills as may be needed during...

Washington, DC – Today U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced the Promoting Regional Energy Partnerships for Advancing Resilient Energy Systems Act (PREPARE Act), legislation that would help states modernize U.S. energy systems to make them cleaner, more efficient, cost-effective, reliable and resilient.  With an aging U.S. energy infrastructure in need of replacement and...

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) have written Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) requesting an extension to a provision that allows the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the maximum home loan guaranty amount for veterans in high cost of living areas.  A current provision enacted by...

Honolulu, HI —Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) issued the following statement commemorating the 73rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor: “Today, we remember the thousands who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor and we honor our service members in Hawai‘i who made the ultimate sacrifice. Seventy-three years later, we remain grateful to the men and women who fought with bravery to protect the daily liberties all Americans enjoy, and we keep...

Honolulu, HI – As Super Typhoon Hagupit, also named Ruby, threatens to make landfall in the Philippines, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) encourages all of Hawai‘i to extend support and help during a time of need: “This impending typhoon that is expected to make landfall this weekend could potentially cause devastating losses for the Philippines. Many people are still recovering from the tragedy left by Typhoon Haiyan that wreaked havoc just 18 months ago. My prayers...

Washington, DC -- Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i) joined Carole Hayashino, the president and executive director of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, and Jacce Mikulanec, president of the Honolulu Japanese American Citizens League, to present Interior Department Secretary Sally Jewell with petitions from more than 6,000 Americans requesting the inclusion of Honouliuli Internment Camp in the national park system. “The Honouliuli Internment Camp serves as...

Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced Nani Coloretti’s Senate confirmation as Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, becoming the highest ranking Filipino-American in the Obama Administration.  Coloretti hails from Kapahulu and graduated from ‘Iolani School in 1987.  “The Department of Housing and Urban Development will gain an outstanding, well-qualified Deputy Secretary in Nani...

Honolulu, HI – Following reports of small unmanned aircraft sightings near commercial airports in New York and Florida, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta calling for immediate action to address the safety concerns and potential security risks of small unmanned aircraft, also known as drones. “I recognize the opportunities with the expanded use of unmanned aircraft and the benefits of using...

Washington, DC – President Barack Obama today announced new executive actions to address the nation’s broken immigration system. The executive actions, which have been used by every president since the 1950’s, will make sure our immigration enforcement efforts are used to secure the border, prevent threats to national security, and protect public safety – instead of wasting our resources deporting law-abiding immigrants who have lived in the country for years.  U.S....

Washington, DC – As President Obama and Senate Democrats continue to make clear that they are not backing off in the fight against climate change following the election, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today unveiled legislation that would reduce carbon pollution and generate as much as $2 trillion dollars over ten years – all of which would be returned to the American people.  The American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act offers solutions...

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) voted against S.2880, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would carry 830,000 barrels per day of dirty tar sands oil bound for global markets from Canada to refineries along the Gulf Coast.  The U.S. Senate failed to reach the 60 vote threshold to advance the bill, voting 59-41. The House of Representatives passed their version of the bill on Friday by a vote of 252-161. “Encouraging the...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced today the selection of 15 outstanding Hawai‘i high school students to participate in this year’s Schatz Seniors Internship Program. This year’s class represents eight public and seven private schools on Hawai‘i Island, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu. “Our Schatz Seniors are some of the most active and community-engaged high school students in our state,” Senator Schatz said.  “I...

Washington, DC – Today U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the White House’s announcement of an agreement between President Obama and President Xi Jinping of China to address the global threat of climate change: “The groundbreaking climate change and clean energy cooperation agreement announced by President Obama and President Xi demonstrates the necessary leadership from the United States and China to continue addressing the global...

Honolulu, HI – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) applauded President Barack Obama’s announcement that the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award on November 24: “All of Hawai‘i is deeply proud that Patsy Mink has been named to posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  As a daughter of the islands, she fought every day of her life to make real the possibilities of equal opportunity for all and the...

Honolulu, HI – Today, President Obama announced the United States and the People’s Republic of China have agreed to increase the validity period of short-term visas for tourists and business travelers from one to ten years, the longest validity period possible under U.S. law.  In addition, both countries agreed to extend the validity period of student and exchange visas from one to five years.  U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Chairman of the Subcommittee on...

Hilo, HI – President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the State of Hawai‘i today, activating the release of federal funds to help with the recovery effort from the Puu Oo Volcanic Eruption and Lava Flow that began September 4, 2014. “Pahoa and its people are resilient. Our continued efforts to help this community, particularly those impacted by the ongoing lava flow, will now be supplemented by much-needed federal funds," Senator Schatz...

Honolulu, HI – Today U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has approved Amendment 7, a rule proposed by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council to establish a management framework and process for specifying fishing catch and accountability measures for fisheries in the U.S. Pacific territories. Senator Schatz successfully pressed Hawai‘i’s case to the Senate Appropriations Committee, and...

Honolulu, HI – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i County and the National Park Service have reached a formal agreement to begin construction that will restore Chain of Craters Road to include two lanes of traffic.  Construction is scheduled to begin on Friday, October 24th. “I am pleased to see construction will soon begin on the expansion of Chain of Craters Road,” Senator Schatz said.  “The two-lane road is...

Honolulu, HI– U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today announced U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants totaling $3,110,862 to seven Hawaii organizations to support programs that promote asset building, financial literacy and child care for indigenous communities. “Quality child care and early education are two crucial needs for many of Hawaii’s families,” Senator Schatz said. “For Native Hawaiian...