Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced their tsunami detection and warning systems legislation unanimously passed the Senate. The bill reauthorizes and enhances tsunami preparedness and increases investment in research to protect coastal communities.   The Tsunami Warning, Education and Research Act of 2015 would strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA)...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i‘), Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, released the following statement in response to the European Court of Justice’s ruling on the Safe Harbor agreement: “The U.S.-E.U. Safe Harbor framework is an important model for transatlantic data transfers and has been critical in protecting both individual privacy and commerce between the European Union and the...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) introduced legislation that would streamline and improve the visa application system for foreign tourists seeking to visit the United States. Current visa procedures make it unnecessarily difficult for tourists from many countries to visit the United States. The bipartisan bill would reform and strengthen the Visa Waiver Program,...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), joined by seven other Senators, introduced the Tobacco to 21 Act (S.2100), legislation that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.“We know that the earlier smokers begin their unhealthy addiction to nicotine, the more likely they are to suffer from tobacco-related diseases or die,” said Senator Schatz.  “This year,...

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping announced significant steps to address climate change, including a pledge by China to curb carbon emissions using a cap-and-trade program: “The momentum is palpable. People, governments, companies, and institutions are beginning to take the kinds of actions that give us a legitimate chance to solve this problem.  I've never...

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) issued statements calling for continued funding for the Preschool Development Grants Program.  “Too many children in Hawai‘i will enter kindergarten without having the benefit of a preschool education,” said Senator Brian Schatz. “As a result, these children will miss out on the preparation they need to be...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee 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.) introduced S. 2044, the Consumer Review Freedom Act. “Reviews on where to shop, eat, or stay on websites like Yelp or TripAdvisor...

Washington, DC—Today, the Hawai'i Congressional Delegation announced that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded $8,610,632 in federal grants to support Native Hawaiian education. The grants, which include funding for every county in Hawai'i, will support eleven education projects to improve academic achievement, strengthen early childhood literacy and readiness programs, assist homeless families, and foster mentorship and academic support programs. “These funds will help...

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) introduced the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act (FEPPLA), legislation that would provide federal employees with six weeks of paid leave, under the Family and Medical Leave Act, for the birth, adoption, or fostering of a child. “While private companies are beginning to see the benefits of providing paid family leave, America is still the only industrial nation in the world...

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) spoke on the Senate floor in support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. “There is no alternative to this agreement—certainly no military option—that eliminates 98 percent of Iran’s fissile material or 2/3 of its operating centrifuges,” said Senator Schatz. On August 10th, Senator Schatz announced his support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. To view video of Senator...

Washington, D.C. – Today, President Obama announced the nomination of Clare Connors to the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii.  Ms. Connors was among those recommended by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), and the Federal Judicial Selection Commission. The Federal Judicial Selection Commission, which included seven members, three appointed by each Senator and a chair jointly agreed upon, reviewed more than 30 applications for the...

Honolulu, HI – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced a $20 million cooperative agreement between the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and the Hawai‘i Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies (HCATT) to develop a microgrid demonstration project at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam that will strengthen energy resiliency for the 154th Wing of the Hawai‘i Air National...

Honolulu, HI – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement in response to former Florida governor Jeb Bush’s statements regarding Asian-American children. “Jeb Bush's comments regarding the children of Asian immigrants are derogatory and offensive.  He should immediately retract his statements and apologize to the Asian community for his insensitive behavior.” ###

Honolulu, HI – Last week, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) introduced the Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act, legislation to expand Social Security for seniors and families in Hawai‘i and across the country.  The bill would increase benefits by about $65 per month, ensure the cost of living adjustments adequately reflect the living expenses of retirees, extend the life of the trust fund, and remove the wage cap to make sure all Americans...

Honolulu, HI – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action: “After multiple readings, numerous briefings with officials, discussions with experts outside of government, consultations with my constituents and my colleagues, I am satisfied that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the best approach to deny Iran a nuclear weapon and place its nuclear program under strict international...

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Ranking Member of the Senate Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet Subcommittee, commended the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) for working to address concerns with LTE-U.  Last week, Senator Schatz led a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to call for more oversight on the potential interference LTE-U could have on Wi-Fi.  Following...

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) issued the following statement on President Obama’s Clean Power Plan: “Regulating carbon pollution under the Clean Air Act is morally and legally the right thing to do.  Climate change impacts the health and welfare of all Americans.  Severe weather events like droughts and wildfires have increased significantly, and coastal states including Hawai‘i face direct threats from the impact of...

Honolulu, HI – Last week, ahead of the Administration’s Clean Power Plan announcement, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) spoke on the Senate floor to address questions about the Clean Power Plan and to urge Congress to act on climate change. To view video of Senator Schatz’s floor speech, click here.The full text of Senator Schatz’s floor speech follows:Mr. President, I'd like to talk a little bit about the particulars of the Clean Power Plan and address some of the questions that have been...

Washington, D.C. – The expansive six year transportation bill passed today by the Senate includes two provisions introduced by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i).  The first provision supports investment in transit-oriented development and the second promotes safer streets and communities. “My transit-oriented development provision will give cities like Honolulu more tools to finance the development of more walkable, bikeable communities near public transit...

Washington, D.C. –  Today, the Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $14,252,365 in various grants to support the development of affordable workforce housing for low and moderate-income persons, address homelessness, and provide housing assistance and supportive services for low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families. “Homelessness is one of the most serious and urgent...