Press Releases

HONOLULU- During the week of March 29th, Senator Schatz will meet with constituents and stakeholders across neighbor islands and Oahu to discuss issues facing Hawai‘i today.  “My goal is to continue an open dialogue with my constituents so that I can hear from them on what I can do in Washington to better represent the people of Hawai‘i.  Whether it’s our oceans, fisheries, parks, health care facilities, or small businesses, I’m seeking input from the...

WASHINGTON – Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement today as the Supreme Court hears arguments to determine the constitutionality of Proposition 8, California’s ban on same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court will also hear a challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage between a man and a woman, thereby denying federal benefits to same-sex couples. Schatz joined his Senate colleagues in filing an amicus brief in the DOMA case that is before the...

Washington, DC—Senator Brian Schatz and Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii introduced bills that will help expand the number of Native Hawaiians eligible for homeownership, grant additional options when transferring ownership, and provide more financial assistance tools to secure a home. Senator Schatz introduced three amendments to the Native Hawaiian Homes Commission Act (HHCA), which will expand housing program eligibility and succession authority to those who are one-quarter Hawaiian. It...

WASHINGTON- During today’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee meeting, Senator Brian Schatz made clear that President Obama’s nominee for Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will work with the Hawaii Congressional Delegation on Hawai‘i’s priorities. Schatz confirmed that the Department of Interior will remain committed to ensuring Native Hawaiians are on equal footing with Alaska Natives and Native American Indians.  Schatz also underscored the Department of...

Washington, D.C. –Senator Brian Schatz and Senate leadership, including Majority Leader Reid, and Senators Begich and Cantwell, hosted 18 native leaders from across the country at the invitation of the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee (DSOC). D. Keola Loyd with the Lanikuhonua Cultural Center and Kawika Riley with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs were invited to attend the meeting by Senators Schatz and Hirono. Topics of discussion included federal recognition of Native Hawaiians,...

Moving Towards a Clean Energy Economy By Senator Brian Schatz Posted: 03/15/2013 3:29 pm Climate change is the challenge of our generation, and Congress must act. First, let's accept the facts: Climate change is real. It is caused by humans. It must be confronted. And it is solvable. Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels in 2012 experienced the second highest rise since record-keeping began in 1959. This jump in carbon...

Washington, D.C. –Senators Harry Reid (D-NV), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mark Begich (D-AK), and Brian Schatz (D-HI) are supporting legislation that would reunite Filipino World War II veterans with their families. Certain Filipino veterans of World War II were offered U.S. citizenship in recognition of their service; however their children were not. As a result, the veterans who came to the United States could only reunite with their children by filing a petition...

WASHINGTON – Senator Brian Schatz announced his opposition for the Republican plan that does not avert the harmful impacts of sequestration and would only hurt middle-class families by not addressing the deficit. President Obama announced today that he would veto the legislation (S. 16). “I stand with President Obama and Majority Leader Harry Reid in opposing the Republican plan,” said Senator Schatz.  “President Obama has clearly stated that he will veto this...

WASHINGTON – Senator Brian Schatz, member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, met with Sally Jewell, President Obama’s nominee for Secretary of the Interior, about the priorities for the state of Hawai‘i.  Jewell has served as the President and CEO of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) for the past eight years. “I had a productive conversation with President Obama’s nominee Sally Jewell about the issues that are important to the people of...

HONOLULU- Senator Brian Schatz discusses how the sequester will hurt middle-class families and why Democrats have proposed a balanced approach that increases revenues and makes reductions in domestic spending and defense spending. While in Hawai‘i, Schatz is meeting with a wide variety of agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Governor and other State Administration officials, to discuss the potential impacts of sequestration. "Sequestration was designed not to take effect but...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Senator Brian Schatz, and Representative Tulsi Gabbard announced today that Hawaii will receive $17 million for disaster relief. The funds come from a grant administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant will help the state repair roads and highways damaged by heavy rains causing flooding and landslides on Kauai and Maui in late February and early March 2012. Repair work will include emergency repairs to restore traffic flow,...

HONOLULU- Senator Brian Schatz has selected five field representatives with proven records of leadership from across Hawai‘i to serve as his regional liaisons to the community.  The field representatives are: Clyde Kodani (Kaua‘i), Marlena Castro Dixon (East Hawai‘i Island), Kari Luna Nunokawa (Maui), Helen Nielsen (Maui), and Bryan Andaya (O‘ahu).   Senator Schatz picked a broad group of individuals that will serve as community liaisons to ensure that the...

WASHINGTON – Senator Ron Wyden, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, announced Senator Brian Schatz as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Water and Power.  Schatz will serve on additional Subcommittees within Energy and Natural Resources, including the Subcommittee on National Parks and the Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. In addition to Schatz’s Subcommittee assignments on Energy and Natural Resources, the Senator has been assigned...

WASHINGTON–Navatek CEO Martin Kao and Kupu CEO John Leong joined 14 companies from a dozen states to share their success stories on creating jobs in their communities with Democratic senators today. These businesses and organizations from across the country met with nearly 20 senators, including Majority Leader Harry Reid and Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Chairman Mark Begich, to highlight how small and medium-sized businesses have continued to create jobs and strengthen...

WASHINGTON – In response to tonight’s State of the Union address, Senator Brian Schatz praised President Obama’s clear plan to strengthen our middle-class and his commitment to a clean energy economy. “President Obama laid out a clear plan to help middle-class families grow and prosper once again.  While we’ve made progress to get our economy back on track, the President’s commitment to a thriving clean energy economy ensures that we will get people back...

WASHINGTON– Senator Brian Schatz has invited Patrick Branco, 25, from Kailua, as his guest to the State of the Union.  Branco entered the Foreign Service in September of 2012, and will commence his service in June as the Assistant Information Officer in the U.S. Embassy, Bogota, Colombia.  “In just a few short years, Patrick has demonstrated a clear commitment to public service and dedication to the State of Hawaii through his work in the state legislature and his time in...

WASHINGTON –Senator Brian Schatz announced today that he is a proud co-sponsor of the Voter Empowerment Act. In addition, he joined his Senate colleagues in co-sponsoring a resolution honoring Black History Month.  “I’m proudly co-sponsoring the Voter Empowerment Act in order to give the federal government additional tools to ensure that every voter can cast their vote and have that vote counted free of discrimination.  Over the last few years, we have seen voter...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Senator Brian Schatz, and Representative Tulsi Gabbard announced today that Hawaii will receive more than $1 million to expand and improve the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe. The funds come from a grant administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The grant will help the state provide enhanced service for nearly 80,000 veterans and their families by adding a family room addition at the administration building, a new...

WASHINGTON – On the anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, Senator Brian Schatz urges Congress to act now and pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, which is common sense legislation that would require women to be paid the same as men for the same job. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 is the first piece of legislation signed by President Obama during his first term and takes steps towards eliminating pay discrimination on the basis of gender.  “Today marks the...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz praises the confirmation of Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State and for his leadership in clean energy that will make a mark in history.  “Senator John Kerry is a tireless leader and public servant with decades of foreign policy experience, and I can’t think of a better person to represent our country as Secretary of State.  His leadership in addressing climate change and making it an issue of national security will no doubt...