Press Releases
Hirono Statement on Supreme Court Decision Overturning Roe v. Wade
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) released the following statement after the Supreme Court issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, overturning Roe v. Wade and ending the constitutional right to abortion: "Today is a horrific day in America. The Supreme Court was confronted with a fundamental question: who should have control over a woman's body, a woman or a bunch of politicians. Today, the Supreme Court decided it should be a bunch of politicians. Their decision to overturn … Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
Hirono Statement on Senate Passage of Bipartisan Gun Safety Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, legislation that would take meaningful steps to make communities safer from the epidemic of gun violence. The Senate passed this legislation-which now heads to the House where it is also expected to pass-following the dangerous and troubling Supreme Court decision to limit the ability of state and local governments to restrict guns outside th… Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
Hirono Introduces Legislation to Study Designating Kaena Point a National Heritage Area
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced legislation to study designating Kaena Point on Oahu as a National Heritage Area. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study assessing the feasibility of designating certain land on the westernmost tip of Oahu as the Kaena Point National Heritage Area. A National Heritage Area designation would unlock federal resources to help elevate public awareness of Kaena Point and enhance management activities to protect cu… Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
On 50th Anniversary of Title IX, Hirono Blocks GOP Attempt to Advance Anti-Transgender Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, blocked Republicans from advancing the anti-transgender Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, legislation to ban transgender women and girls from participating in sports consistent with their gender. In her remarks on the Senate floor, Senator Hirono disputed the false, detrimental claim that allowing trans women and girls to play sports is harmful to cisgender women and girls, and highligh… Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
Hirono Honors Patsy Mink at U.S. Congress Portrait Unveiling on the 50th Anniversary of Title IX
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) delivered remarks at a portrait unveiling for the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink at the U.S. Capitol on the 50th Anniversary of Title IX becoming law. Senator Hirono celebrated the life and legacy of Congresswoman Patsy Mink, who introduced and championed Title IX. In honor of her leadership on the issue, Title IX was renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act after Congresswoman Mink's passing in 2002. Photos from th… Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
As SCOTUS Prepares to Overturn Roe, Hirono and Murray Host Abortion Storyteller Roundtable To Hear Directly From Patients
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, hosted a roundtable with patients from across the country to hear directly about how Roe and the right to abortion have shaped their lives-and to make clear what's at stake with the Supreme Court set to end Americans' constitutional right to abortion any day. "What could be more fundamental … Continue Reading
June 22, 2022
Hirono, Duckworth Lead Colleagues in Calling on TSA to Address Inconsistent Enforcement of Screening Processes for Breastfeeding Individuals
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, led 12 of their colleagues in calling on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to address inconsistent implementation of the 3-1-1 Liquids Rule Exemption travel policy for breastmilk and formula at airport security checkpoints, and ensure lactating individuals and their infants can travel safely without fear of harassment. Under … Continue Reading
June 21, 2022
Hirono, Wyden, Jacobs Introduce Bill to Protect Reproductive Health Data
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA), today introduced the My Body, My Data Act, legislation to protect personal reproductive health data by minimizing the information collected and retained, and preventing that information from being disclosed or misused. With the right-wing majority on the Supreme Court poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, the … Continue Reading
June 17, 2022
Hirono Joins 32 Colleagues in Push to Fight Food Insecurity
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined 32 of her Senate colleagues, in a letter led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), to extend child nutrition waivers ahead of their expiration and enact a robust set of child nutrition priorities in any upcoming legislative vehicles. As school summer break is already underway in many states, it is vital that Congress extends and expands these programs as low-income families are facing a steep benefits cliff when the waivers expire on … Continue Reading
June 16, 2022
Hirono Secures $1 Billion for Red Hill Closure, Other Key Priorities for Hawaii and Pacific Region in Committee Markup of the National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today secured several key priorities for Hawaii and the U.S. military during the Committee's markup of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The provisions Hirono secured deliver robust investment in Hawaii, strengthen the military's national security presence in the Pacific, and promote environmental sustainability. Additionally, Senator Hirono secured provisions autho… Continue Reading
June 16, 2022
Hirono Statement on Senate Passage of Legislation to Expand VA Health Care for Hawaii Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, voted to pass the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to expand VA health care for veterans with health conditions related to burn pit and Agent Orange exposure. As a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Hirono helped negotiate the bipartisan bill. Upon Senate passage of the b… Continue Reading
June 15, 2022
VIDEO: Hirono Highlights Progress on Red Hill Closure, Efforts to Support Servicemembers in NDAA Subcommittee Markups
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered remarks in two subcommittee markups for the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) reiterating her support for the closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu, and highlighting the need to support servicemembers. Specifically, she highlighted efforts to combat military sexual harassment, protect servicemembers' access to abortion, and provide fertili… Continue Reading
June 14, 2022
Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Make Registering to Vote Easier for All Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined nine of her colleagues in introducing legislation to make registering to vote easier for all Americans. The Register America to Vote Act, led by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), would require every state to create a system to register all eligible citizens to vote when they turn 18, and ensure all eligible voters are covered by automatic registration through motor vehicle agencies. "The freedom to v… Continue Reading
June 13, 2022
President Signs Bill Establishing Commission to Study Creation of National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, President Joseph R. Biden signed into law legislation brought to the Senate floor by Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), to establish a commission to study the creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. Amid a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, the creation of such a museum would help promote understanding about Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) communities and their many contributions to American history and culture. The bill previously … Continue Reading
June 13, 2022
Hirono and Warren Lead Colleagues in Legislation to Electrify Military Vehicle Fleet and Cut Emissions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in introducing the Military Vehicle Fleet Electrification Act, which would transition the nontactical fleet of the Department of Defense (DoD) to electric or other zero-emission vehicles. The legislation would require at least 75% of all non-tactical vehicles, such as cars, vans, and light-duty trucks, purchased or leased by DoD or procured or leased by th… Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Hirono Calls for Federal Investment in Affordable, Accessible Child Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) delivered remarks in support of child care investments during a press conference with parents, child care advocates, and other members of Congress. Senator Hirono emphasized the importance of making high-quality child care both affordable and accessible, and also highlighted the disproportionate impact that the lack of child care has on women. "I'm really glad to stand here with my colleagues from both the House and the Senate to say that… Continue Reading
June 08, 2022
Hirono Delivers Floor Remarks in Support of Legislation to Expand VA Benefits for Toxic-Exposed Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, delivered floor remarks in support of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to expand VA health care for veterans with health conditions related to burn pit and Agent Orange exposure. Earlier today, the Senate voted to adopt the motion to proceed to the Honoring Our PACT Act, setting it … Continue Reading
June 08, 2022
Hirono, Colleagues Unveil Bill to Expand Affordable Over-the-Counter Birth Control
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the Affordability is Access Act (AAA) to help ensure that people across the country can access and afford over-the-counter birth control options and plan their own reproductive lives, on their own terms. The bills comes as the Supreme Court appears poised to overturn Roe v. Wade and eliminate women's constitutional right to abortion. Companion legislation was introduced in the Hous… Continue Reading
June 07, 2022
Senator Hirono Highlights Need for Gun Safety Laws at Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned witnesses at a full Committee hearing that examined the growing domestic terrorism threat in the U.S. Following tragic acts of hatred and violence in Buffalo, California, Uvalde, and elsewhere, Senator Hirono questioned experts and heard from individuals impacted by these attacks about the danger of domestic terrorism and what Congress can do to combat this mounting threat. During the … Continue Reading
June 07, 2022
Hirono Bill Naming ALOHA VA Clinic For Senator Daniel K. Akaka Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, President Joseph R. Biden signed into law legislation introduced by Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to name the Advanced Leeward Outpatient Health Care Access (ALOHA) VA clinic-which is currently under construction on Oahu-after the late former Hawaii Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka. During his time in the Senate, Senator Akaka first spearheaded the project working alongside Hawaii veterans. "Throughout his decades of public service, including as chair of the Senate Vet… Continue Reading
