Press Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today called for transparency in the Federal Reserve’s (“Fed”) efforts to sustain our financial markets during the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, the senators urged the Fed to disclose the terms and criteria guiding corporate debt purchases, which will be executed by BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, and detailed transaction...

HONOLULU – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that veterans and their beneficiaries in Hawai‘i and across the country who receive benefit payments will now automatically receive their Economic Impact Payments and will not need to file any additional paperwork. “This is welcome news for veterans. I’m glad the Treasury Department and the VA heard us out and are taking action to get these payments to our veterans without delay,” said Senator...

HONOLULU – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and 32 of his colleagues called for state, local, and tribal governments to receive dedicated, flexible funding in the next COVID-19 emergency funding package. While Hawai‘i will receive $1.25 billion under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act’s Relief Fund to help state and local governments respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, more flexible, dedicated funding in the next emergency funding...

HONOLULU – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawai‘i) and Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) called on U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to support Hawai‘i farmers and ranchers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The delegation presented specific proposals for how the $9.5 billion in federal aid made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security...

HONOLULU – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i airports will receive more than $133 million in new federal funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The new funding will help support airports and its workers experiencing severe economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. “Hawai‘i airport workers and the entire airline industry have taken a significant hit during this...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today led a group of senators in announcing new legislation they plan to introduce to create the America Forward Commission, a panel of independent experts tasked with developing a broad strategy of how and when to safely reopen the country. Schatz was joined by U.S. Senators Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). “Reopening communities, schools, and businesses...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that Kauai will receive $4.5 million in federal funding to support public transit operations during the coronavirus pandemic. The new funding is part of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “For the essential workers who rely on public transportation, this new funding means the Kauai bus system will have the resources to continue operating, while keeping passengers and...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that Hawai‘i is set to receive at least $32 million in new federal funding to help higher education institutions respond to the coronavirus crisis.  “As students leave campus and educators adapt to distance learning programs, Hawai‘i colleges and universities are struggling to stay afloat,” said Senator...

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and a group of his colleagues called on Vice President Mike Pence and the Coronavirus Task Force, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to conduct a national inventory of the coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnostic testing supply, publicly release data on testing results, and provide a detailed plan and timeline for addressing future shortages and gaps in the testing supply chain. “Over three weeks after...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i is set to receive more than $130 million in new federal funding to help local hospitals and health care providers respond to the coronavirus pandemic. “As we continue to fight against this pandemic, these new federal dollars will be a big help to Hawai‘i’s frontline health care workers,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “We expect to see...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and more than a dozen of his colleagues today called on Senate leaders to provide full funding for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in the next COVID-19 relief package. Without such funding, the lawmakers warned, the USPS “may have to reduce or limit its services…as early as June.” “We write to urge you to provide appropriate funding to the United States Postal Service (USPS) in the next coronavirus package that...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that 14 health centers in Hawai‘i will receive $10,037,995 in new federal funding to increase their capacity to respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The funding can be used for the detection, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19. “Health centers play a major role in our state's response to the coronavirus pandemic,” said Senator Schatz....

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released a detailed guide to help Hawai‘i seniors access new and enhanced federal benefits established under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “There are new programs and funding for Hawai‘i seniors who need help with their rent, getting basic groceries, receiving health care, or just need financial assistance,” said Senator...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and 13 of his colleagues today called on student loan companies to allow its borrowers to suspend payments without penalty and take additional steps to aid borrowers affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In a series of letters to Wells Fargo, SLM Corporation (Sallie Mae), Navient, Citizens Financial Group, Discover Financial Services, the PNC Financial Services Group, Truist Financial Corporation, the Pennsylvania Higher...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released a new guide to help independent contractors, freelancers, those who are self-employed, and gig-economy workers, including ride sharing drivers, better understand how to apply for new benefits established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “These federal programs can help thousands of Hawai‘i workers who are struggling to get by,” said Senator Schatz. “If you’re...

HONOLULU – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and 42 of his colleagues called on Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to make temporary flexibilities on Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans permanent for the duration of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Schatz and the senators also urged Secretary Perdue to ensure famers have adequate and equitable access to credit during this time of economic uncertainty to avoid disruption in the country’s food supply chain....

HONOLULU – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and 44 of his colleagues called on the Trump Administration to issue direct payments automatically to recipients of benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Supplemental Security Income program. In their letter, the senators point out that these are two groups with large numbers of non-filers and groups that the federal government has the data necessary to deliver the stimulus checks automatically. The...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that starting on April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply for and receive loans to cover their payroll and other certain expenses through existing Small Business Administration (SBA) lenders. Independent contractors and those who are self-employed can begin applying on April 10, 2020.“This new loan program will help Hawai‘i small businesses meet their payroll and provide people with...

  HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released a comprehensive resource guide to help Hawai‘i families, workers, and small businesses better understand how to apply for new benefits and access federal funds established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The full guide provides detailed information on eligibility, coverage, and directions on how to access dozens of federal programs, including unemployment assistance,...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that Hawai‘i is set to receive at least $4 billion in federal coronavirus relief funding. “Billions of dollars in federal money are on the way,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This new funding will support state and local response efforts and help Hawai‘i families and businesses struggling to get...