Press Releases

HONOLULU- Senator Brian Schatz announced today the submission of the 2017 Service Academy nominees. “Today, I am pleased to announce that 16 of our brightest students from throughout Hawai’i were nominated to attend one of our nation’s service academies,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz. “These men and women went through a rigorous selection process led by Senator Inouye and submitted by my office in order to serve and protect our nation.  I would like to...

WASHINGTON – Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement in support of marriage equality: "The time has come to make marriage equality a reality for Americans around the country, so that all people can exercise that right in freedom and without restriction. I am pleased that President Obama supports marriage equality, and that the State of Hawai'i has a proud history of leadership in civil rights. I encourage State lawmakers to pass legislation that will ensure equal rights for...

WASHINGTON - “Today we honor the work of Martin Luther King who dedicated himself to the American principle that we are all created equal.  He was a steadfast guardian of the freedoms that make us a stronger people and a greater country.  “Today we also inaugurate President Obama, a celebration in itself, of the importance of all women and men being given the opportunity to achieve their potential.  This day is doubly a reminder of what is possible if we work to...

"The President, supported by the people of this country, has made it clear that the nation has a moral obligation to reduce gun violence.  His administrative actions and his legislative proposals are designed to keep all people, especially our children safer, while still respecting the rights established in our United States Constitution.  We expect rigorous debate because some of these issues are difficult.   Let’s bear in mind that no one is talking about taking away...

HONOLULU - Senator Brian Schatz returns to Hawai`i for the first time since being appointed to fill Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s seat on December 26, 2012.  During the week of January 14, 2013, Senator Schatz will participate in two public events. On Monday, January 14, Senator Schatz will join Governor Neil Abercrombie and members of the state Legislature in honoring former U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka as he is inducted to the inaugural Aloha Order of Merit.  "Senator Akaka has...

WASHINGTON - Senator Brian Schatz has named Andy Winer as his Chief of Staff in Washington. D.C. “We’ve got a great office, Room G-11 in the Dirksen Senate Building.  Andy is a leader who knows Washington well and whose working roots are in Hawai`i.  He has excellent contacts within President Obama’s administration, deep familiarity with what’s happening back home and will serve the people of our State with distinction,” Schatz stated in making the...

WASHINGTON - United States Senator Brian Schatz today called the committee assignments he’s received “strategically excellent” for Hawai`i. Schatz has been named as a member of the U.S. Senate Committees on Energy and Natural Resources, Indian Affairs and Commerce. “I could not have asked for better assignments for the needs and future of our State,” said Schatz about the three committees. “The Commerce Committee is very important because of its breadth...

WASHINGTON – The legislation that the United States Senate just passed is not ideal but the alternatives will be disastrous for the middle class in Hawai`i, and for the American economy.  With this legislation, we can generate some of the needed revenue to fund important programs, and prevent a tax hike on lower and middle-income families.  And it can put off damaging cuts to critical safety net programs and the military. I’m pleased about the extension of unemployment...

WASHINGTON - Senator Brian Schatz will be staffing his office in the weeks ahead. “Getting my office operational and building our team is essential and we’ve made good progress in a very short period of time,” Senator Schatz stated.  “We will be receiving resumes of people interested in serving in either our Washington D.C. or Hawai`i offices.  We’re looking for talented, energetic and public-minded people who want to serve their State and their...