Press Releases

Washington, D.C – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, voted against partisan resolutions to roll back new rules that would regulate carbon pollution from new and existing power plants.  Experts estimate that when the Clean Power Plan is fully in place in 2030, there will be 1,500 to 3,600 fewer premature deaths, 90,000 fewer asthma attacks in children, up to 1,700 fewer heart attacks, 1,700 fewer hospital admissions,...

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) introduced legislation to help prevent youth homelessness, improve support services and housing for youth and families, and help ensure children are raised in supportive, stable households. The Family Unification, Preservation and Modernization Act would improve supportive housing - programs that integrate housing with social services – and policies...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement today in honor of Veterans Day: “On Veterans Day, Americans remember and give thanks to veterans past and present.  Every gesture matters today, whether it is laying a wreath at Punchbowl Cemetery, marching in the Waianae Veterans Day Parade, or simply saying ‘thank you for your service.’ But our commitment to the more than 120,000 veterans who call Hawai‘i home...

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate passed the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2016.  U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, worked to include $444 million for military construction projects across Hawai‘i. “The $444 million in funding for military construction projects that the Senate approved today reflects the long-term...

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Ranking Member of the Senate Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet Subcommittee, introduced the Promoting Unlicensed Spectrum Act, legislation that would ensure our national spectrum pipeline strategy includes a thoughtful approach to unlicensed spectrum. “As unlicensed spectrum usage continues to grow, our national spectrum policy should reflect the critical role it plays in innovation and our...

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate passed a revised 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 91-3.  The updated bill will authorize funding for programs important to Hawai‘i’s economy and military community. “The defense authorization bill includes many provisions that strengthen our national defense, reinforce the need to rebalance to the Asia Pacific—through which Hawai‘i is central—and provide our service members with the...

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, praised President Obama’s official rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline.“Climate change is the greatest challenge of our generation, and it is time to transition away from dirty energy projects like Keystone and move toward clean renewable energy.  Today’s rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline is a victory for our environment, for our communities,...

Washington, D.C. – Last night, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, spoke on the Senate floor to discuss solutions to climate change, including addressing deforestation and the Administration’s Clean Power Plan. “The Clean Power Plan has sent a signal to the rest of the world that the United States is serious about preventing catastrophic changes to our climate,” said Senator Schatz.  “This is the...

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Representatives Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Members of the LGBT Equality Caucus urged the passage of the Restore Honor to Service Members Act at a press conference on Capitol Hill. The legislation would help service members discharged solely due to their sexual orientation correct their military records to reflect their honorable service and reinstate the benefits they earned. “We have a sacred...

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), members of the Senate Commerce Committee and Co-Chairs of the Senate Tourism Caucus, wrote to the State Department to follow up on a recently released report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that evaluated the State Department’s capacity to meet the expected increase in demand for travel visas.  The report, which was requested by Senators Schatz and Klobuchar, found...

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), released a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) evaluating the ability of federal...

Washington, D.C. – With more than 80 major corporations now signed onto the White House’s American Business Act on Climate Pledge, a group of U.S. Senators is writing to the CEOs of those companies to applaud their commitment, but to also deliver an important message: don’t forget about Congress. “All of the President’s work is critical, but Congress can play a key role in achieving our climate goals,” the Senators write.  “From our perspective your...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement on the Administration’s announcement that it will deploy a small number of Special Operations Forces to Syria: “The Administration’s announcement that it will deploy Special Operations Forces into Syria to combat ISIL marks a major shift in U.S. policy—a shift that is occurring without congressional debate, is...

Washington, D.C. – Today, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA), a national organization representing the native hospitality and tourism industry, presented U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) with a special “Enough Good People” Award for his efforts to champion economic development and cultural strength for Native Hawaiians, American Indians, and Alaska Natives.“Tourism is not only good for our economy, but it is one of the best ways for Native communities to tell...

Washington, DC – Today, the Senate unanimously passed the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015. In May, Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced legislation to combat the multi-billion dollar threat posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities. The legislation passed today is the House companion to the Senate bill, which passed the House of Representatives in July. The bill now heads to...

Washington, D.C. –Today, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee advanced the Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), and Tom Udall (D-N.M.). The Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act creates a new grant initiative to establish or expand Native language immersion programs.  The grants will support the revitalization and...

Honolulu, HI – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) introduced legislation to explore the viability of creating a National Museum of the American People (NMAP) in Washington, D.C.  The proposed museum would be the first of its kind to tell the immigration stories of every American and celebrate the contributions of every ethnic and cultural group in the country.  It would provide a venue to unite the diverse stories that connect us as Americans.  The museum will offer...

Honolulu, HI – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced today the selection of fifteen outstanding Hawai‘i high school students to participate in this year’s Schatz Seniors High School Internship program. “Every one of our Schatz Seniors is a stand-out,” said Senator Schatz. “They all share an interest in civic leadership and are highly engaged in their schools and communities. My staff and I look forward to working with them.” Now in...

Honolulu, HI - U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James spoke today before members of Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE).  WiRE is a non-profit organization for women working in the fields of energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency and transportation. In his opening remarks, Senator Schatz highlighted the partnership between Hawai'i and the Air Force to research, develop, and implement clean energy solutions. “The Air Force and other...

Washington, D.C. – Today, in a bipartisan vote, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee advanced the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and John Thune (R-S.D.).  The bipartisan NATIVE Act would enhance and integrate native tourism, empower native communities, and expand unique cultural tourism opportunities in the United States. “Whether you’re from Hawai‘i or South...