Press Releases

Washington, DC - Today, Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i), who was at the White House for the Medal of Freedom ceremony, applauded President Obama for awarding Senator Daniel K. Inouye with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor.  “No one is more deserving of this honor than Senator Inouye,” said Senator Brian Schatz.  “Senator Inouye is Hawai‘i’s hero, he is an American hero,...

Typhoon Yolanda – How to Help the Survivors Resource Center The stories of loss and devastation coming out of the Philippines are shocking and heartbreaking, and the full extent of the ravage is not yet even known.  My prayers and I know the prayers of all of us in Hawai‘i are with the people of the Philippines. They are a strong people and I know they will come back from this epic tragedy, but they need our help. I'm working to make sure the United States keeps supporting the...

Washington, DC—Today, the U.S. Senate passed Senator Brian Schatz’s (D-Hawai‘i) Senate resolution (S.Res. 292) expressing the United States Senate’s support for the Philippines and the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.  Earlier today, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee considered and approved the resolution. “The United States and the Philippines share a special bond rooted in strong cultural and historical ties between our two countries. The Philippines is a...

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) to introduce legislation that would prevent states from passing laws that restrict or bar women from accessing reproductive care.  The groundbreaking Women’s Health Protection Act would prevent states from imposing burdensome and unconstitutional restriction anti-choice laws. “Every woman, regardless of where she...

Washington, DC—Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) took to the Senate floor to introduce a resolution expressing the United States Senate’s support for the Philippines and the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.  On the Senate floor, Schatz described the devastation in the Philippines, the U.S. government’s response efforts, and called on viewers to make donations to help survivors. “The Philippines is a resilient nation and a true American ally, and they need...

Washington, DC--Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement celebrating Governor Abercrombie signing SB1, which ensures marriage equality for all individuals in the State of Hawai‘i, into law. “Today we achieved a long-fought victory for civil rights in Hawai‘i,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz. “I congratulate those who have dedicated years, and even decades, to seeing marriage equality become a reality. This is a historic and celebratory day...

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz commended the U.S. Department of State for their support to bring the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) conference to Hawai‘i in 2016. Following calls and letters from Senator Schatz urging their support, the State Department reversed its position and issued a letter to the leading international conservation organization supporting the State of Hawai‘i’s bid to host the World Conservation...

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today created a comprehensive resource center for the people of Hawai‘i looking for information about Typhoon Yolanda and how to help the survivors. The website will be continually updated with the U.S. Federal government's response efforts and includes information about how people can find loved ones in the Philippines. "The stories of loss and devastation coming out of the Philippines are shocking and heartbreaking, and...

The stories of loss and devastation coming out of the Philippines are shocking and heartbreaking, and the full extent of the ravage is not yet even known.  My prayers and I know the prayers of all of us in Hawai‘i are with the people of the Philippines. They are a strong people and I know they will come back from this epic tragedy, but they need our help. I'm working to make sure the United States keeps supporting the Philippines now in this emergency and in their recovery...

Honolulu – United States Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i) issued the following statement on the devastation in the Philippines from Typhoon Haiyan, what he is doing to help, and resources for people in Hawai‘i looking to help: "The stories of loss and devastation coming out of the Philippines are shocking and heartbreaking, and the full extent of the ravage is not yet even known. Millions of people were hit by Typhoon Haiyan and while there is no...

Honolulu, HI—Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement: “America would not be what it is without the bravery of our men and women in uniform, and we owe them our deepest gratitude.  We have a responsibility to honor this service with not just our words, but with our deeds as well.  We need to remember the sacrifices that our veterans, as well as their families, have made to protect us, and remember that we owe them nothing less than the same...

Washington, DC—Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i) hailed the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives' passage of SB1, ensuring marriage equality for all individuals in the State of Hawai‘i. “Today’s vote in Hawai‘i is a step forward for equality and civil rights,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz. “No one should be treated differently under the law based on who they love.” Last week, Linda Schatz...

Washington, DC—Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i) voted for final passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which he co-sponsored. This legislation provides workplace protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and extends federal employment rights to LGBT individuals.  The legislation passed by a final vote of 64-32 and will now move to the House for consideration. “Equal treatment under every aspect of the...

Washington, DC--Yesterday, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D- Hawaii), Lamar Alexander (R – Tenn.), and Dan Coats (R- Indiana) introduced bipartisan legislation to give federal agencies greater ability to save money and reduce energy usage.  The Utility Energy Service Contracts Improvement Act of 2013 makes changes to existing law in order to clarify that federal agencies may enter into long-term contracts with utilities for energy saving services – giving agencies more options to...

Washington, DC—Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i) voted to advance key legislation to provide workplace protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and expand federal equal rights to LGBT individuals.  The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), co-sponsored by Schatz, would expand existing protections against employment discrimination to apply to sexual orientation and gender identity. Current law protects employees from discrimination based on...

Washington, DC—Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz highlighted the important role after-school programs play in Hawai‘i at a meeting with former Governor Schwarzenegger and Leader Harry Reid.  Senator Schatz also spoke today at the launch of the DC After-School All-Stars chapter, a sister chapter of Hawai‘i’s After School All-Stars program. “I have seen first-hand the difference after-school programs make for our children and their families,” said U.S....

Washington, DC—Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz introduced two bills that will create high-quality jobs in Hawai‘i and promote American manufacturing as part of a collaborative “Make it in America” initiative with Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and other Senate colleagues. The SelectUSA Authorization Act would help businesses tap into the investment needed to expand and create jobs, spur economic growth and promote American competitiveness. A companion bill in the House...

Washington, DC—Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz joined a bipartisan group in voting for a deal to end the government shutdown and raise the debt ceiling, preventing our nation from defaulting on its loans. “This shutdown caused terrible, unnecessary pain for Hawaii families, and we are all relieved that it is nearly over,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz. “It’s time for Congress to get back to work, and focus on helping the middle class. “We’ve got lots...

Washington, DC—Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz took to the Senate floor to denounce so-called “conservatives” for their willingness to put our economy and middle-class families at risk by shutting down the government and threatening to allow America to default. To view the speech, click here. Below is text of the speech. Thank you, Madame President.  Yesterday, Senate Republicans rejected a cloture motion, on a strictly party line basis, for a simple measure to prevent...

Washington, DC—On Saturday, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz took to the Senate floor to call out House Republicans for their unprecedented and reckless refusal to vote on a Continuing Resolution without unrelated amendments. Because of their “temper tantrum,” people in Hawai‘i are suffering. Senator Schatz highlighted some of those people and their situations in his floor speech. View the speech here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-Hp5m0af-A Download the speech here: HD...