Press Releases

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today voted 55-37 to include an amendment to the Energy Policy Modernization Act that will authorize increased funding for energy science and technology research.  The amendment, offered by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), will boost funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E), an agency within the Department of Energy tasked with funding energy technology projects that help the United States compete, prosper, and...

WASHINGTON – In a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and 19 other senators are urging the agency to expand its regulation of methane emissions. As a part of the president’s Climate Action Plan, the EPA has begun to address industrial sources of methane, but not all sources of the gas are currently included in the final rule. The senators wrote, “Your agency has...

Honolulu, HI – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) issued the following statement after the death of Hawai‘i State Senator Gil Kahele. “Gil Kahele was one of the kindest, most decent, most caring public servants that I have ever known.  His heart for the people of his community made him an effective leader, community organizer and Senator.  He was so kind to me and to everyone whom he touched.  This is a sad day and he will be missed.”  

Honolulu, HI – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) issued the following statement after the death of 12 U.S. Marines involved in a training accident in Hawai‘i on January 14. “This is a tragic loss of 12 Marines from all over our great country and whose lives were filled with promise.  In service to their country, they called Hawai‘i home and so the loss we feel today is like the loss of family.  Their loss is also a reminder of the dangers faced by...

Standing with Advocates & College Students Saddled by Student Loan Debt, Senate Democrats Unveiled A New Legislative Package and Campaign to Address College Affordability in 2016, Dubbed #InTheRed, That Seeks to Put the Country on a Path Toward Debt-Free College  Senate Dems Vow to Continue Efforts and Momentum From Last Week, In Which Dozens Of Dems Brought Attention To The New #InTheRed Campaign On Capitol Hill By Bringing A Local Student As Their Guest To The State Of The Union,...

Honolulu, HI – Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” –Martin Luther King, Jr. “Today we honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. whose dedication to peace, equality and justice has helped shape our country and inspire generations. At a time when our country was suffering from intense racism, Dr....

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement in response to the president’s annual State of the Union address: “Tonight, we heard the president reflect on the significant progress we have made in the last seven years. From the economic recovery to health care reform to historic global action on climate change, we have seen real results that have strengthened our economy and provided more opportunities for working families. But there...

Honolulu, HI – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement today following the announcement that the Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Co. Plantation on Maui will close by the end of the year: “I am deeply saddened by today’s announcement that sugar operations at HC&S will close this year.  For over 130 years, sugar production on Maui was more than a business, spawning a way of life and generations of hard working women and men who made our...

Honolulu, HI – On Friday, President Obama signed into law legislation to extend a tax credit that helps families pay for residential clean energy equipment, such as solar photovoltaics and solar hot water heaters, for five years. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) first introduced legislation, S.1755, to extend the Residential Energy Efficient Property Tax Credit, also known as 25D.  Schatz then worked to include the five-year tax credit extension into the...

Washington, D.C. – Today, congressional appropriators released a bipartisan spending deal that will increase federal spending in Hawai‘i for fiscal year 2016.  U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, advanced Hawai‘i priorities during committee consideration this year, which are now reflected in the final deal.  Overall, defense spending in Hawai‘i will increase by more than $200 million, and transportation...

Washington, D.C. – Today, congressional appropriators released a bipartisan spending deal that guarantees the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will have the budget it needs to fulfill its mission and ensure that the American people have access to leading edge communications services.  U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Ranking Member of the Commerce Committee’s Communications, Technology, Innovation and the...

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate today passed by unanimous consent S. 2044, the Consumer Review Freedom Act, introduced by Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet Subcommittee Ranking Member Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). The bipartisan bill is also co-sponsored by the full committee’s Ranking Member, Senator Bill...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, released the following statement on the Paris Climate Agreement: “This is an historic moment – when the international community finally takes responsibility for climate change in a meaningful way. This is a global problem that cannot be solved by nations acting alone. We must come together, and with this agreement, we did.”

Washington, D.C – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), and U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded $1,485,007 in various grants to support coral reef conservation and coastal management in Hawai‘i and throughout the Pacific. “Coastal communities live by the health of the ocean, reefs, and beaches,” said Senator Brian...

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate voted 85-12 to pass the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) – legislation that reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and replaces No Child Left Behind.  U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, worked to include key provisions in the legislation that support funding for Hawai‘i schools and improve Native...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s proposal to bar all Muslims from entering the United States: “When Donald Trump proposed to block all Muslims from entering the United States, he referred to Roosevelt’s classification of thousands of Japanese, Germans, and Italians during the war as “enemy aliens” as precedent.   This shameful page of our history led to the...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) issued the following statement commemorating the 74th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor: “Seventy-four years ago today, the attack on Pearl Harbor forever changed Hawai‘i, the country, and the world.  We will never forget the thousands of men and women who lost their lives that day and the countless others who bravely stepped forward to defend our home.  We honor them and all of those who...

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate voted to pass bipartisan legislation to fund highway and transportation projects in Hawai‘i and across the country for five years, making it the longest highway funding bill in more than a decade. If signed into law this bill would increase funding in Hawai‘i by $83 million next year and $241 million by 2020. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development...

Washington, D.C.  – Today, the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously approved S. 2206, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Act.   U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) introduced the legislation with bipartisan support from U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Thune (R-S.D.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). The bill...

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee approved an amended version of S. 2044, the Consumer Review Freedom Act, introduced by Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet Subcommittee Ranking Member Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), and Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). The bipartisan bill is also co-sponsored by the full...