Press Releases

Washington, DC– The U.S. Senate tonight passed the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compromise bill by a vote of 84-15, which will fund provisions important to Hawai‘i’s economy and military community, and increases overall defense funding in Hawai‘i while other states have seen reductions in defense spending.  NDAA also included bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) - the Military Installations Enhancement Act of...

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz  (D-Hawai‘i) spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate today about how the long-term budget will protect jobs in Hawai‘i and prevent another government shutdown.  Republicans blocked an amendment Schatz and Senate leaders requested to be introduced to the budget to extend long-term unemployment benefits.  Without an extension, 7,700 people in Hawai‘i will lose out on crucial benefits beginning on December 28th.Schatz...

Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i), released the following statement on the two-year Bipartisan Budget Act, which the Senate voted 67 – 33 to advance today, and which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week.  From Senator Schatz: “In a divided government, the people expect responsible leaders to find ways to govern and work together.  For too long, the United States government has been lurching from crisis to manufactured crisis...

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) is helping introduce legislation today to safeguard military retirees from changes in cost of living adjustments (COLA) in the bipartisan budget agreement.  The proposal would be fully-paid for by eliminating a corporate tax loophole for companies that use offshore tax havens to avoid paying U.S. taxes.“The budget agreement is an important step forward for our country – it protects jobs in Hawai‘i and...

Washington, DC – Tomorrow, December 17th, marks the one-year anniversary of the passing of Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who served Hawai‘i in the United States Senate for nearly 50 years.  U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i) released the following statement in remembrance of Senator Inouye’s life and service. “We mark this day by remembering the extraordinary life and service of Senator Daniel K. Inouye, a great leader and a true patriot.  His courage,...

Washington, DC– Today, the House passed the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compromise bill, which included the Military Installations Enhancement Act of 2013— legislation introduced by U.S Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and cosponsored by Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) — as an amendment.  The Defense Authorization bill will fund provisions important to Hawai‘i’s economy and military community, and increases overall Defense funding in...

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released condolences yesterday upon the passing of Hawai‘i State Health Department Director Loretta Fuddy, who was killed in a Makani Kai commuter airplane crash off Kalaupapa. The eight other passengers, including the pilot, survived. “Loretta Fuddy was one of the finest, most capable, and most caring public servants I have ever known,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz. “This is a sad day for...

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i) today received a perfect 100 percent score on the 2013 National Food Policy Scorecard put out by Food Policy Action (FPA) for his work to make sure Hawai‘i families have access to food. “Having healthy, nutritious food is a basic necessity for everyone, but access to that food may not be so basic,” said Senator Schatz. “More than 90,000 Hawai‘i families rely on help from the...

Honolulu, HI – The Schatz Seniors Internship Program attracted high school applicants from across the state. Thirty high school seniors, made up of public, private, charter and homeschool students will participate in the inaugural program. “This internship provides a hands-on learning experience for these young leaders about the U.S. Senate,” said Senator Schatz. “Our seniors recently attended our Hawai‘i Family Issues Summit where they worked with our community...

Washington, DC - After Republicans blocked updated safety measures to ban at-home production of plastic guns, which U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Senate leaders were working to pass, Senator Schatz said that the ten year extension of the ban on plastic, undetectable guns does not go far enough to protect Hawai‘i families. The Senate passed the House version of the Undetectable Firearms Act, which did not address technological advances in at–home...

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Senate Leaders are fighting to include an extension of unemployment insurance in budget negotiations in order to prevent benefits from lapsing on December 28, 2013. If unemployment insurance lapses, 1,900 people in Hawai‘i would immediately lose crucial emergency unemployment benefits, and an additional 5,800 Hawai‘i citizens would lose out on future benefits. “Hawai‘i families expect the...

Honolulu —Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) issued the following statement on the 72nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor:“Today as we observe the 72nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, let us stop to remember and honor those brave service members in Hawai’i who served with honor and made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms and rights of our great country.”  ###

Honolulu, HI – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz met with students and faculty from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa for a talk story forum hosted by UH Social Leaders at Manoa (SLAM) on Wednesday.  Senator Schatz encouraged the students to get involved in public service and help make Hawai‘i a better place for future generations. “Your opportunity is limited only by your vision,” Senator Schatz told the students. “You get to define what kind of leader you want to be and the way you can make our...

Washington, DC—Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) called on the Senate to pass a ten year ban on undetectable firearms, including plastic and 3-D printed guns, which do not show up on x-ray machines or through metal detectors.  The current ban is set to expire this Monday, December 9.  Schatz is co-sponsoring legislation - the Undetectable Firearms Modernization Act – to extend the ban for ten years and put in...

Honolulu, HI –Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced a $3.47 million grant to go towards replacing an important water pipeline near Hilo on Hawai‘i Island. The funds will go to the County of Hawai‘i and Kahuku Development Foundation, Inc. for a pipeline in Papaikou, ensuring safer, clean water and providing adequate water flow for fire protection. “Water infrastructure requires special attention, expertise, and maintenance on our neighbor...

Honolulu, HI - Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i) announced $741,897 in federal health care funds for the Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children. The federal money will help Kapi‘olani cover stipends and salaries for residents and faculty, overhead costs and other medical education costs.  The funds come through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Payment Program. “This...

Honolulu, HI – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the Affordable Care Act has helped 15,318 seniors in Hawaii save a total of $35,300,393 on their prescription drug costs so far this year. “The Affordable Care Act is saving Hawaii’s seniors real money on their prescription drugs,” said Senator Brian Schatz. “The implementation of the law needs to be improved, but this is good policy that is helping seniors and we can’t go back to...

Honolulu – United States Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i) issued the following statement today regarding the passing of former Lieutenant Governor Jean King, who served as the State of Hawai‘i’s Lieutenant Governor from 1978 to 1982: “Our condolences to the family and many friends across the State of the former Lieutenant Governor Jean King.  She was a trailblazing leader known for her work on the State Sunshine Law, the Shoreline Protection Act and...

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) announced their plans to introduce new legislation to make college more affordable for students across the United States. Over the last 30 years, the cost of college has increased by a whopping 300 percent, forcing some students to take on crushing student loan burdens or putting a degree entirely out of reach for others. Student loan debt is now the highest form of personal debt in the nation,...

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) issued the following statement today on ending Republican obstruction and making the Senate work for the people of Hawai‘i and Americans across the country. “We have seen an unprecedented abuse of the filibuster by Republicans during the Obama Administration – not a use of it – but an abuse.  Since President Obama took office, Republicans have filibustered executive and judicial nominations more times...