Press Releases

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released new guidance to help renters and homeowners with government-guaranteed mortgages who may fall behind on monthly payments due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Lots of Hawai‘i residents are struggling to make their mortgage or their rent, and these programs can help tens of thousands of people who need it,” said Senator Schatz. “Please call either your mortgage servicer, your landlord, or a...

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released a resource guide to help Hawai‘i small businesses better understand how to access federal loans and new programs established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The bipartisan $2 trillion CARES Act is the largest aid package in American history and was signed into law on Friday. “This new law will help Hawai‘i small businesses meet their payroll and provide people with...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) voted to pass a massive $2 trillion coronavirus economic recovery package. The bipartisan deal – the largest emergency relief package in American history – includes billions to help those who are unable to work due to the outbreak, direct cash payments to millions of Americans, new funding for state and local governments, including at least $1.2 billion for Hawai‘i, and aid for small businesses, hospitals,...

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Monday announced the Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act, legislation to force President Trump to implement the Defense Production Act of 1950 (P.L. 81-774, 50 U.S.C. §§4501 et seq.) and federalize the manufacture and distribution of scarce in-demand medical supplies in order to cure the growing inefficiencies of 50 states and...

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai?i), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) led a bipartisan group of 26 senators in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to increase subsidies to health care providers through the Rural Health Care Program. The additional funding would ensure that providers have the resources they need to deliver and expand telehealth services for rural communities during the coronavirus (COVID-19)...

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) voted to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and called for more federal support to help people. The bill bolsters the federal government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak and provides limited relief for some American families hurt by the personal and economic impact of the outbreak. “This bill will help some people get relief right now, but it is just not enough,” said Senator Schatz....

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...