Press Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) introduced legislation this week to allow doctors at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to prescribe medical marijuana to veterans in the 31 states that have established medical marijuana programs.In addition to creating a temporary, five-year safe harbor protection for veterans who use medical marijuana, the bill would also direct the VA to research how medical marijuana could help veterans better...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced today that he will be opposing the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to be a justice on the United States Supreme Court.“I’ve seen enough. As long as the Republicans refuse to release 96 percent of the Kavanaugh records, this process is illegitimate. Every other Supreme Court nominee has turned over nearly everything, and I am now convinced they are hiding something. I will vote no.”  ###

WASHINGTON – Today, the Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be ready to work with the state to address  immediate recovery needs, assess the damage caused by Hurricane Lane, and swiftly approve any request for federal funding to help Hawai‘i recover and rebuild. In a letter to FEMA Administrator Brock Long, the delegation thanked FEMA for its efforts to date, and requested that the federal agency stand ready to approve...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the passing of U.S. Senator John McCain.“We lost a hero at a time when we need them. We lost a statesman when there are so few around. His was a life of service and a life well lived. May his memory be a blessing.” ###

WASHINGTON – Today, Hawai‘i’s Congressional Delegation urged President Donald Trump to act swiftly on Governor David Ige’s request for a presidential disaster declaration for the emergency response to Hurricane Lane. The declaration will help ensure that communities across the state can access important federal funding and resources for emergency services, such as the protection of lives, property, public health, and safety.“Hurricane Lane has the capacity to wreak...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has activated the Secretary’s Operation Center and staff and is standing by to support requests for public health and medical assistance, if needed, as the storm makes landfall.“Our federal agencies are mobilizing and are ready to help,” said Senator Schatz. “As the situation becomes more serious, the federal government will continue...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement slamming President Trump’s proposal to roll back the Clean Power Plan. “President Trump’s proposal is full-fledged climate denial. It gives coal companies the green light to pollute the air we breathe and the water we drink. This proposal flies in the face of scientific fact, morality, and America’s leadership,” said Senator Schatz. “The good news is...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, released the following statement after the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a formal complaint against Facebook. In its complaint, HUD alleges Facebook allowed homeowners and tenants to discriminate against potential buyers and tenants through targeted ads that allowed them limit ads for homes to certain people, violating the Fair Housing...

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution, introduced by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), affirming Congress’ support of the First Amendment and condemning attacks on the free press, which undermine the credibility of journalists and the press as a national institution. The move comes as more than 300 newspapers across the country ran editorials on the...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced and called for the immediate passage of a new resolution affirming Congress’ support of the First Amendment and condemning attacks on the free press, which undermine the credibility of journalists and the press as a national institution. The Senate resolution comes as President Trump and White House officials continue to attack journalists and news...

WASHINGTON – Today, President Donald Trump signed the NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act, legislation authored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and James Risch (R-Idaho). The bipartisan bill will provide a consistent set of resources for small businesses to best protect their digital assets from cybersecurity threats. Small businesses are a pillar of the American economy and make up more than half of all jobs in the United States. But these businesses have also become a...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, called on Wells Fargo to provide more details about a mistake the bank made that caused hundreds of customers to lose their homes and suffer from the extensive consequences of foreclosure.   “It is hard to overstate the impact of a foreclosure on people’s lives. In addition to causing displacement and housing instability, foreclosures have a devastating ripple effect....

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to move ahead with a $100 million telehealth pilot program. The Connected Care Pilot Program would expand broadband access for veterans and patients in low-income communities to connect them to telehealth services.“I’ve seen firsthand how telemedicine can make it easier for patients to see their doctors, bring specialized care to more...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the Senate confirmation of Jill Otake to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawai‘i. Otake was confirmed unanimously.“Ms. Otake’s record shows that she has an impressive legal mind and a steadfast commitment to justice, so it’s no surprise that the Senate has confirmed her to serve as a district judge. This is how the process is supposed to...

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2018, which includes two bills authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i).  The Schatz provisions will open access to commissaries to military heroes – including recipients of the Purple Heart or Medal of Honor and disabled veterans and their caregivers – and protect military bases from flooding by making sure facility planners are aware of and consider...

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and James Risch (R-Idaho). The bipartisan bill will provide a consistent set of resources for small businesses to best protect their digital assets from cybersecurity threats. Small businesses are a pillar of the American economy and make up more than half of all jobs in the United States. But these businesses have also...

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) that will help Hawai‘i Island assess the damage the ongoing Kilauea eruptions has done to farmers and ranchers.“This is about people’s livelihoods, and it’s about Hawai‘i Island’s agricultural history and way of life. My legislation will help us understand how the ongoing eruptions have hurt agriculture...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the Kohala Center in Waimea, Hawai‘i will receive a total of $869,931 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve land management and strengthen local businesses. “For nearly two decades, the Kohala Center has built coalitions and harnessed people and resources to restore the watersheds of Kohala, which play an...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and a group of a dozen Democratic senators met with former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul to reassure him of Congress’ opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s request to question current and former U.S. officials, including Ambassador McFaul.“Today, I met with Ambassador Michael McFaul and told him that the Senate has his back. The Congress will not allow Americans who served our country to...

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) that will help Hawai‘i Island assess the damage the ongoing Kilauea eruptions has made to federal infrastructure, the visitor industry, and the Hawai‘i Island economy. “It’s crucial that we understand how our communities and our local economy are being affected by the Kilauea eruptions and earthquakes,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate...