Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), both members of the Senate Banking Committee, introduced new legislation to protect people’s credit scores during the coronavirus outbreak. As some families struggle with job losses or reduced incomes, they may fall behind in paying their bills. These late payments could hurt their credit for years and hold them back from accessing credit, taking out a mortgage, applying for a job, or renting...

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Brian Schatz, Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and a number of their Democratic Senate colleagues introduced the Free COVID-19 Testing Act, legislation that would ensure free tests to confirm coronavirus (COVID-19) infections. “Testing should be free and available for everyone who needs it. We can’t stop this outbreak if we don’t know...

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), and Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), John Rutherford (R-Fla.), and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) introduced the Coronavirus Worker Relief Act. The new bipartisan, bicameral legislation will provide disaster unemployment assistance to people who are unable to work due to the current coronavirus outbreak....

WASHINGTON – Today, the State of Hawai‘i will have immediate access to more than $4.5 million in emergency funding. The funding, which was approved by Congress and signed by the president last week, will be used to help Hawai‘i respond to the crisis. “This federal money will help fund Hawai‘i’s response efforts and give us additional resources to keep people safe,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and a group seven senators urged the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to commit that federal workers and contractors will not be penalized for following recommended health procedures to prevent further spread of the coronavirus. In a letter sent to OPM Director Dale Cabaniss, the senators wrote, “As the largest employer in the nation, it is paramount that the federal government lead by example and...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) introduced the Inspiring New STEM Professionals by Investing in Renovation of Education Spaces (INSPIRES) Act. The growth of jobs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields has outpaced all others. However, due to lack of resources, schools serving rural and Native American communities face greater challenges in providing students with a strong STEM education and preparing them for growing workforce...

WASHINGTON – Today, congressional leaders reached an agreement to provide $8.3 billion in emergency funding to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, including at least $4.5 million for Hawai‘i. The bipartisan deal also includes telehealth legislation authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i). Schatz’s legislation will expand the use of telehealth during the current outbreak, allowing more patients to receive care at home, while freeing up health care resources and...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) introduced the State Justice Improvement Act, legislation that will make lasting changes to America’s criminal justice system. Across the country, courts often impose fines, fees, and monetary bail without considering an individual’s ability to pay – disproportionately impacting low income communities and communities of color. This legislation will provide state and local courts with new and expanded federal...

WASHINGTON – Following a series of tragic aircraft crashes in Hawai‘i and recent whistleblower complaints, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) called on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to organize a roundtable discussion with community leaders, independent safety experts, and industry representatives on how to improve air safety in Hawai‘i. “I ask that the NTSB convene a roundtable discussion on aviation safety in Hawai‘i. The NTSB is well...

HONOLULU – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the tragic aircraft crash at Dillingham Airfield. “Our hearts are with those affected by today’s tragic accident. It has become clear that Dillingham Airfield cannot continue to operate safely. Our obligation is to keep people safe, and the only way to do that is to keep the airfield closed. I urge the FAA and HDOT to shut down the airfield until they can guarantee safety of...

      HONOLULU – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) called on Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to provide immediate support to help control and eradicate the invasive avocado lace bug that is threatening Hawai‘i farmers. Schatz requested immediate federal resources for Hawai‘i famers affected by the pest, and asked the Department of Agriculture to develop effective controls to help save avocado trees.   “This pest is a direct...

HONOLULU – Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the state of Hawai‘i will receive $3,702,600 in new federal funding for safety improvements at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, the largest airport on Hawai‘i Island.   “These funds will make it easier to travel to and from our state and are particularly important because Kona International is just one of two points of entry to Hawai‘i,” said Senator Schatz....

WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) reintroduced the Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act (S. 3309). The bipartisan legislation will create a permanent funding mechanism to ensure quick and effective responses to future public health emergencies.   “The coronavirus outbreak – and the inadequate response from the Trump Administration – make clear: we need funding immediately available to respond to public health...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and 26 of his Senate colleagues called on National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien to appoint a qualified, dedicated, senior global health security expert to the White House's National Security Council (NSC) to address and coordinate administration efforts in response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus and other global health security threats. “Families concerned about the novel coronavirus threat need to know the NSC has a...

HONOLULU – Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority (HPHA) will receive a $13,723,489 grant to repair, renovate, and modernize public housing in Hawai‘i. “These federal funds will help our state invest in needed repairs and upgrades to ensure that Hawai‘i public housing residents have a safe place to call home,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced today the names of 33 students nominated to attend one of our nation’s service academies. The four service academies are: the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. “The students who attend our country’s service academies represent the best the United States has to offer,” said Senator...

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and his colleagues called on the Department of Health and Human Services to establish clear guidelines for how state and local governments will be reimbursed for costs incurred while assisting the federal response to the coronavirus outbreak.  “We write to ask that your department establish clear guidelines for state and local governments to receive federal reimbursement for costs they incur as part of the federal...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) called on Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to step in and provide immediate support to efforts to control and eradicate the invasive spittlebug pest that has threatened Hawai‘i Island’s livestock industry. “This invasive pest could destroy Hawai‘i’s proud heritage of ranching by decimating the pastures that allow Hawai‘i cattle to grow strong and healthy,” Senator Schatz wrote in...

WASHINGTON – Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that it is acquiring two new ocean research ships, with the first ship set to be homeported in Honolulu. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped secure federal funding to update Hawai‘i’s aging NOAA vessels. Once operational, the new ships will support a wide variety of missions, including ocean research, marine life exploration,...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s State of the Union address. “Tonight the president had an opportunity to bring people together during this dark time. Unfortunately, what we heard was the same divisiveness that has defined his presidency. While there may be a chance for compromise on infrastructure, the address offered no real solutions to the challenges we face. Nevertheless, I will...