Press Releases

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced the University of Hawai‘i will receive a $86,462 grant from the National Science Foundation to improve monitoring of Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. “Kilauea’s spectacular volcanic eruptions have attracted much attention over the last three decades. More than 5000 travelers visit Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park each day,” Senator Schatz said. “And...

Washington, DC – Today, the United States Senate passed the bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), legislation that improves workforce development programs to prepare American workers for the jobs of tomorrow.  U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) voted to pass the legislation and worked with Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) to make sure funding for youth, adult, dislocated, and Native Hawaiian workforce...

Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the City and County of Honolulu will receive a $5 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to maintain Honolulu’s bus system. “Investing in Honolulu’s bus system means that the many residents who depend on it to get to school or work every day will continue to have an affordable way to get around,” Senator Schatz said.  “This funding will maintain Honolulu’s buses,...

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the City and County of Honolulu will receive $250 million from the Department of Transportation next week to fund continued construction of the Honolulu Rail Transit project.  The $250 million grant was made possible through appropriations provided in the Fiscal Year 2014 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill as part of the Federal Transit...

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the Senate Committee on Appropriations approved $16.7 million in federal funding for the East-West Center.  Senator Schatz worked with Appropriations Committee leaders to ensure continued federal funding levels for the East-West Center, which supports U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific region by providing critical research and analysis, and to increase funding $5.9 million above the President's...

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i will receive three Continuum of Care (CoC) awards totaling $663,793 from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). “Overcoming homelessness is a big challenge that requires the support of our entire community,” Senator Schatz said.  “This important investment will give state and local programs the resources to help vulnerable individuals and...

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hilo International Airport will receive a $2,278,800 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to improve security at the facility and keep travelers safe. “Investing in our airport infrastructure is critical to ensuring our state’s transportation system operates safely and securely and our tourism industry remains strong,” Senator Schatz said.  “This important grant will...

Washington, DC – Today, in a bipartisan vote, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced the SECURE Water Amendments Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i).  The SECURE Water Amendments Act will increase grant funding for water conservation and drought projects, provide resources for better data collection and analysis of water supply and use, and finally make Hawai‘i water conservation projects eligible for WaterSMART grants...

Washington, DC – The White House announced today President Barack Obama plans to issue an executive order prohibiting companies that contract with the federal government from employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.  U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) sent a letter in March with U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and House LGBT Equality Caucus leadership urging President Obama to issue this...

Washington, DC – Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Appropriations advanced the Fiscal Year 2015 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which provides funding for important public safety programs.  U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) secured $26.88 million in the bill to strengthen the tsunami warning system that protects Hawai‘i and coastal communities across the nation.  The funding allows the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation...

Washington, DC – The Senate Committee on Appropriations advanced the Fiscal Year 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which delivers funding for programs that build the nation’s transportation network and invest in infrastructure and affordable housing projects.  U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) secured and increased funding for several programs key to reducing housing and transportation costs for Hawai‘i...

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) cosponsored the Ensuring Veterans Access to Care Act of 2014, legislation that would make the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) more accountable, make way for a major new VA medical facility on Oahu, cut wait times, and improve access to health care for veterans.  The Senate is likely to consider the new legislation on the floor next week. “Our veterans and their families have made tremendous...

HONOLULU, HI – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement regarding Veterans Affairs Secretary Shinseki's resignation this morning. "General Shinseki is a war hero and public servant who gave everything he had to our country and the job of Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  In his judgment, it was time for new leadership to move forward. The problems uncovered are appalling and unacceptable and the VA must deliver accountability for any wrongdoing and systemic changes to...

Honolulu, HI – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced more than $2 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help fund Head Start programs in Maui County.  Head Start is a federal early childhood education program that promotes the school readiness of children from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development. “We know that when we prepare our kids for school, they have a better shot at...

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) introduced legislation in the Senate with U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), to provide a pay increase for federal employees who lost over a billion dollars in salary and benefits due to sequestration and a three-year pay freeze from January 2011 to December 2013.  The Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act would provide a 3.3 percent pay raise to federal workers in calendar year 2015.  “Hawai‘i’s...

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz hailed the selection today of Hawai‘i to host the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Conservation Congress – the world’s largest conservation event – in 2016.  “The World Conservation Congress coming to Hawai‘i is a big deal and will benefit our local economy.  This is the first time the United States is hosting this important meeting of world leaders and it is an honor...

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) called for improvements in the safety of roads in Hawai‘i and across the country following a new report out today, Dangerous by Design 2014, by the National Complete Streets Coalition that found more than 200 people were killed while walking in Hawai‘i from 2003 to 2012, accounting for more than 20 percent of traffic deaths in the state.  The report also found that Hawai‘i had the highest pedestrian death...

Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) co-sponsored the Social Security and Marriage Equality (SAME) Act of 2014 to make sure all legal marriages are treated equally by the Social Security Administration (SSA).  The bill would ensure that same-sex spouses receive the same spousal benefits afforded to married, heterosexual couples.  Because the Social Security Administration uses an individual’s current place of residence to determine benefits, many legally...

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) stood with students and the Young Invincibles today and sent a letter to U.S. Department of Education urging it to put in place stronger protections for students in career education programs—particularly those at for-profit colleges—who take on significant debt to attend but are frequently left with meager job prospects.  Schatz sent the letter together with Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin...

    Washington, D.C. – In advance of the release of the bipartisan, bicameral agreement on the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Chairman of the Senate’s Subcommittee on Water and Power announced key provisions included in the bill that would improve Hawai‘i harbors and provide resources for flood control, water supply, and wastewater infrastructure projects.  The bill is scheduled to be released...