Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Senator Brian Schatz announced $2.8 million in federal funding for Hawaii programs that will assist Hawaii’s infrastructure and help train the workforce. “This $2.8 million in federal funding will help the state of Hawaii during a time that the state faces severe spending cuts due to sequestration,” said Senator Brian Schatz, member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. “It is critical that we continue to find ways to expand...

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Brian Schatz joined a bipartisan group of Senators in passing S.744, which will provide a pathway to citizenship for 11.5 million people living in the shadows, reunite families by clearing the visa backlog, and reduce the deficit. “For those of us who live in Hawaii, this has special meaning. What makes our state so special is the ability to welcome people from all over the world to make a thriving economy, culture, and community. This vote is consistent...

WASHINGTON—Today, Senator Brian Schatz joined Senators Reed, Hagan, Franken, Harkin, Warren, and Stabenow, among others, in taking action to prevent student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1st.  The Keep Student Loans Affordable Act, in which Senator Schatz is an original co-sponsor, would extend current student loan interest rates for a year so that students do not face the costly burden of Congress’ inaction.  Senator Schatz recently joined Senator Elizabeth...

WASHINGTON – Today, Appropriations Committees in both chambers approved $250 million for Honolulu’s rail project, the amount requested by Senator Schatz and his Senate colleagues.  The Senate also confirmed Anthony Foxx as President Obama’s Secretary of Transportation. In meetings with Senator Schatz, Foxx fully committed to federal funds for Honolulu's rail project. “The confirmation of Secretary Foxx and the approval of $250 million for the Honolulu rail...

WASHINGTON- Senator Brian Schatz praised the Supreme Court decision on the Defense of Marriage Act. “The Supreme Court deeming the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional is a victory for all Americans. Today’s decision means that LGBT individuals across the country are given the same rights under federal law as every married couple, and equal treatment under the law. Because of this decision, the federal government can no longer tell men and women who they can or cannot marry, and...

WASHINGTON- Today, Senator Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, attended President Obama’s landmark address on climate change at Georgetown University. “President Obama took a big step towards addressing climate change today by announcing new efforts to cut carbon pollution from power plants and make homes and businesses more efficient, while also creating valuable local jobs,” said Senator Brian Schatz, Chair of the Senate Energy and...

Washington, DC—Today, Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act: “Today, the Supreme Court struck down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, a key element of the law that provides the formula for determining which state is covered by the law’s pre-clearance requirement.  Pre-clearance of voting law changes is an essential tool for fighting discrimination across the country....

Washington, DC—This week, as part of National Small Business Week, the National Retail Federation (NRF) named Senator Brian Schatz one of its “Heroes of Main Street” for his commitment to supporting local retail. This year, in particular, the NRF recognized members of Congress who are seeking to level the playing field between brick and mortar and online retailers. “Retail is critical to Hawai‘i’s economy, and we’ve got to do everything we can to help...

Washington, DC—Today, Senator Brian Schatz joined Senators Boxer, Harkin, Franken and Mikulski in sponsoring the GI Bill Protection Act. This legislation would provide the same protection for the phrase “GI Bill” already enjoyed by other governmental terms, such as “Medicare” and “Social Security,” by restricting the use of the phrase without permission from the Veteran Affairs Secretary. Passage of this legislation would permanently ban the...

Washington, DC—Yesterday, Senator Brian Schatz sent a letter to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John Pistole requesting that TSA expand the PreCheck program to include interisland flights in the State of Hawaii. PreCheck enables low-risk passengers to move more quickly through checkpoint screening while allowing TSA to focus on passengers considered higher risk. Passengers participating in PreCheck lanes are not required to remove shoes and outerwear or laptops...

WASHINGTON- Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement on  the purchase of the Tesoro Corporation by Par Corporation.  This purchase will save the jobs of Hawaii’s workers. “This is encouraging news for Hawaii’s economy and for the workers at Tesoro,” said Senator Brian Schatz. “We have been in constant contact with Tesoro Corporation about maintaining fuel security in our state and working hard to ensure that the workers at the refinery keep...

The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a hearing today to consider the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2013 – only a few months after it was introduced by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI).  The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act would provide Filipino soldiers who fought for the United States with the same benefits afforded to other veterans who defended our country during World War II.   Movement on this issue is critical as many Filipino veterans are in their 90s and...

WASHINGTON- Senator Brian Schatz delivered a major address on the floor of the United States Senate on the need for the federal government to treat Native Hawaiians fairly, and apply to them the same federal policy of self-determination available to other Native groups in the United States.   “The reason that I have chosen to carry forward this fight on behalf of Native Hawaiians is simple:  it’s right to seek justice,” said Senator Brian Schatz. “It is...

Below please find Senator Schatz's full floor speech on achieving fairness for Native Hawaiians: June 11th marks a public holiday in the State of Hawaii – King Kamehameha Day – celebrated since 1872.  We hold a statewide festival and mark the day with lei draping ceremonies, parades, hula competitions and other festivities.  It is a day to honor Kamehameha the Great, who unified the Kingdom of Hawaii, and to celebrate the rich culture and traditions of the Hawaiian...

WASHINGTON –Senator Brian Schatz co-chaired today’s Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee meeting with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) leaders for a discussion on immigration reform, ensuring fairness for Native Hawaiians, and economic opportunity for the community. “Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders greatly impacted the history and culture of America, by shaping our military, political, and industrial history,” said Senator Brian Schatz....

WASHINGTON –Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel proposed holding the first-ever U.S.-hosted meeting of ASEAN Defense Ministers in Hawaii. Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement on the announcement: “The Secretary of Defense’s invitation to hold the next ASEAN Defense Ministers’ meeting in Hawaii is great news for us. This Defense Ministers’ meeting addresses issues of vital importance to countries in the Asia Pacific, from maritime security cooperation...

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Begich (D-AK), Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) today continued the long legacy of two states working together and working for their native populations. The Senators were joined by roughly 100 Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian business, policy, and community leaders to discuss a range of topics including ways to improve education in Native communities, and how to stimulate Native owned businesses. The roundtable was hosted by...

WASHINGTON, DC--Today, Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement regarding the layoffs at the Tesoro refinery: “My office has been in constant communication with the Tesoro companies and is working with the relevant state agencies to ensure that unemployment assistance, job placement and other help be provided to the workers that may be laid off. In addition, we are coordinating our efforts with the refinery task force to ensure that there is no disruption in fuel supply in the...

Washington, DC—Today, Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement upon hearing the news of Senator Lautenberg’s passing: “Today, we lost a friend and colleague in the United States Senate, Frank Lautenberg. Senator Lautenberg was a WWII hero and progressive voice in the United States Senate who not only fought for the people of New Jersey, but for Americans everywhere.  Whether it was working to ensure universal access to affordable health care, or continuing his...

“A couple of weeks ago with hurricane season facing the people of Hawai`i, I met with high ranking officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and urged them to rescind any furloughs for their Hawai`i staff and to consider the same action for the rest of the country.  I followed up on May 24th with an official letter to the Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank that underscored the point that weather forecasts matter and save lives.   ...