Press Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, today questioned Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the FY25 defense budget request, called on Secretary Austin to commit to investing in long-term support for the land and the people impacted by the Red Hill fuel leak, and provide a full detailed accounting of federal spending. In questions directed to Secretary Austin, Senator Schatz asked, “The thing that the community is working...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today called on Congress to pass long-term disaster relief funding for impacted communities across the country, including on Maui and Vermont. Speaking on the Senate floor, Schatz underscored the need to pass funding for the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program in order to provide survivors with flexible assistance to rebuild their homes, small businesses, and communities over the long-term. “Disaster survivors...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement in honor of World Press Freedom Day. “A free press is a cornerstone of any healthy democracy – and it’s vital that we protect and defend it, at home and abroad,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “The growing attacks on credible, independent journalism are alarming, particularly given the many crises and conflicts happening globally. People rely on journalists to...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee, Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) introduced new legislation to keep kids off social media and help protect them from its harmful impacts. The Kids Off Social Media Act updates legislation Schatz introduced last spring and would set a minimum age of 13 to use social media platforms and prevent social media...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement in response to new rules from the Biden administration enabling the transfer of tax credits for clean energy projects, as well as a new effort to streamline federal permitting for transmission development. The U.S. Treasury Department issued final rules regarding the transfer of clean energy tax credits created under the Inflation Reduction Act – a move that will lower financing costs, increase flexibility for...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation will receive $5.25 million in federal funding to reduce emissions and improve operational efficiency at Sand Island Terminal in Honolulu Harbor. Last summer, Schatz wrote to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in support of the funding which comes from the infrastructure law Congress passed in 2022. “Cutting emissions at our ports is critical to achieving Hawai‘i’s clean...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, released the following statement after the Biden administration announced over $1 billion in federal funding to build out Tribal water and sanitation infrastructure. Specifically, the funding will help develop clean drinking water sources, reliable sewage systems, and effective solid waste disposal facilities in Tribal communities. “For Native communities, water is a trust resource,” said Chair...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after the Senate passed a national security supplemental funding package with military assistance for Ukraine and other allies, as well as vital humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza and other regions. “In recent months, we’ve watched in horror as Ukrainian soldiers were forced to ration bullets and artillery...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced Hawai‘i will receive more than $3.8 million for projects on Kaua‘i and O‘ahu to improve climate resiliency through the restoration of dunes and wetlands. “This new funding will help make our communities more resilient to climate change while also protecting essential natural resources and increasing food security,” said Senator Schatz. “We’re going to continue fighting to bring federal resources to protect our environment in Hawai‘i...

WASHINGTON – Today, on Earth Day, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the Hawai‘i Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA) is receiving $62.45 million in grant funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to deliver solar power to low-income households across the state. HGIA is a part of the State of Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and will help finance residential rooftop solar projects as well as storage and community-owned solar systems. In...

WASHINGTON – Today, on Earth Day, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement regarding new actions taken by the Biden administration to expand access to affordable solar energy, further promote the development of renewable energy, and protect public lands. “Buoyed by the biggest climate action in human history with the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden administration is continuing to take significant steps to accelerate the clean energy revolution underway and...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) led a group of 14 senators in introducing a resolution designating April 2024 as “Preserving and Protecting Local News Month.” The resolution recognizes local news as a public good that serves an essential function in American democracy. “Americans rely on local news to stay informed about their communities and the country,” said Senator Schatz. “As the industry continues to face unprecedented challenges resulting in newsroom closures, layoffs,...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai?i), chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) this week led a roundtable discussion on the national housing crisis and how “Yes In My Backyard” policies and reforms can address our nation’s housing shortage. “The housing shortage didn’t happen overnight. It’s a product of decades of broken and racist housing policy – particularly zoning laws, restrictive...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced updates to his bill to protect kids from the harmful impacts of social media. In a speech on the Senate floor, Schatz discussed his Healthy Kids Act which would set a minimum age of 13 to use social media platforms and prevent social media companies from algorithmically targeting content to users under the age of 17. The updated legislation follows extensive consultation with advocates and stakeholders, as well as Senate and...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after the committee voted to advance 21 well-qualified nominees for key diplomatic posts to the Senate floor for confirmation. “These nominees represent the very best of U.S. diplomacy, and am confident they will continue to help strengthen relationships with our allies and partners around the world,” said Senator Schatz. The committee also advanced...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after House Republicans delivered articles of impeachment against U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate. “The Senate has a solemn obligation to fully consider articles of impeachment sent by the House. It is a responsibility I take seriously. After reviewing the articles of impeachment against Secretary Mayorkas, one thing is clear: there is no actual allegation of an...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) today introduced legislation to combat the rampant and unnecessary overuse of solitary confinement in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)-operated and ICE contract facilities.  Today’s bill introduction comes before the Senate Judiciary Committee’s full committee hearing tomorrow entitled “Legacy of Harm: Eliminating the Abuse of Solitary Confinement,” which will examine the frequent...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the heavy rainfall and flooding on Kaua‘i. “I am closely monitoring the severe flooding on Kaua‘i, and am in touch with Mayor Kawakami. I stand ready to work with county, state, and federal agencies to make sure that Kaua‘i gets all the support it needs from the federal government. I encourage everyone to stay safe by following the advice of county officials and avoiding flooded areas.” ###

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) this week introduced a resolution calling out the attacks on LGBTQI+ students in schools and urging communities across the country to demand equal educational opportunities, basic civil rights, and freedom from erasure for all students in K-12 schools. “Every child deserves to feel safe at school,” said Senator Schatz. “As attacks against LGBTQI+ students are on the rise across the country, we need to take action to protect these students and...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed a joint session of Congress. “Japan is one of our closest and most important allies, and our long-standing shared values and interests provide incredible opportunities to deepen our partnership in every sector. As Prime Minister Kishida highlighted in his address to Congress, our two countries are working...