Press Releases
Hirono Joins Resolution Recognizing National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Steve Daines (R-MT) in introducing a resolution designating May 5th as National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The resolution aims to raise awareness, honor Indigenous people who are missing or murdered, and identify solutions to end this violent epidemic. "Today, on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person Awareness Day, we mourn the countless Native Hawaiian, Ameri… Continue Reading
May 05, 2022
Amid Rising Gas Prices, Hirono Questions Energy Secretary Granholm on Efforts to Lower Energy Costs, Expand Clean Energy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy, questioned Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on the Department of Energy's efforts to lower energy costs for families and expand access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy in a full Committee hearing on the Department of Energy's (DOE) budget request for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). In her question line, Senator Hirono asked about DOE's efforts to lower gas price… Continue Reading
May 02, 2022
Senator Hirono Statement on Commencement of APA Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) released the following statement to commemorate the start of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: "Every May, our country recognizes and celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to highlight the significant contributions Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities have made to this country. This month is a time of celebration, but also a reminder of the many challenges our communities have fac… Continue Reading
April 28, 2022
Senator Hirono Introduces Legislation to Remove Sexual Harassment from the Military Chain of Command
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the Sexual Harassment Independent Investigations and Prosecutions (SHIIP) Act to remove sexual harassment from the military chain of command. The bill contains key provisions of the I am Vanessa Guillen Act not included in the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Companion legislation was int… Continue Reading
April 27, 2022
Hirono Leads Senate Colleagues in Supporting Biden Admin Proposal to Reverse Harmful Trump Immigration Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-NJ) led 10 of their Senate colleagues in submitting comments in support of the Biden Administration's proposal to better support immigrants by updating the "public charge" regulation. The Biden Administration's proposed regulation would replace the public charge rule enacted by the Trump Administration in 2019, which made it significantly more difficult for many immigrants to become lawful permanent res… Continue Reading
April 26, 2022
Hirono Questions Navy and Marine Corps Leadership on FY23 Investment Priorities in Seapower Subcommittee Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, convened a subcommittee hearing to examine investment priorities for the Navy and Marine Corps for fiscal year 2023 (FY23). In the hearing, she questioned Navy and Marine Corps leadership about budget priorities including fleet size and sustainment, multi-year procurement authority, the proposed reorganization of the Marine Corps, and the modernization of public shipyards, inclu… Continue Reading
April 21, 2022
PHOTOS: Senator Hirono Holds Events on Hawaii Island Highlighting Efforts to Lower Costs for Working Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) held events on Hawaii Island focused on lowering costs for working families and investing in Hawaii communities. Amid rising costs around the world, Senator Hirono and her Democratic colleagues are doing everything in their power to lower costs for families. Senate Democrats have taken action to address short-term supply chain issues, increase oil supply, push for lower prescription drug prices and child care costs, and promote competition… Continue Reading
April 19, 2022
Senator Hirono Meets with Hawaii Diabetes Advocates to Discuss Need to Cap the Cost of Insulin and Prescription Drugs
HONOLULU, HI - Today, Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) held a roundtable discussion with members of the American Diabetes Association Hawaii Chapter on the need to address the rising cost of insulin and other prescription drugs. Last month, Senator Hirono co-sponsored the Affordable Insulin Now Act, legislation to limit out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 a month. The conversation is one of several events Senator Hirono is hosting this week focused on lowering costs for working families in Hawaii. … Continue Reading
April 18, 2022
PHOTOS: Senator Hirono Tours Kalihi Kai Elementary Cafeteria to Highlight Need to Extend Child Nutrition Flexibility Set to Expire in June
HONOLULU, HI - Today, Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) visited Kalihi Kai Elementary School to meet with Hawaii Department of Education officials and discuss the need to extend flexibilities that have allowed schools to continue feeding students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, Senator Hirono co-sponsored legislation to extend these flexibilities, which are currently set to expire in June, and urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to do everything in its power to extend them. "What c… Continue Reading
April 12, 2022
Senator Hirono & Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Tour Red Hill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and SASC Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) toured the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu and met with Servicemembers at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. During the tour, they received an update on the Department of Defense's (DOD) plans for the closure of Red Hill from senior military leaders. The tour is part of a week-long Congressional Delegation trip to Hawaii and is an opportuni… Continue Reading
April 08, 2022
Senator Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Renew Protections for Child Abuse Victims
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) introducing bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCAA). The law, first enacted in 1990, provides the only dedicated source of funding for Children's Advocacy Centers, which bring together teams of law enforcement, medical personnel, and service providers to ensure the best outcome for child victims and help hold perpetrators responsible for their crimes. Compan… Continue Reading
April 08, 2022
Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Prohibit Price Gouging During Crises
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) in reintroducing legislation to prohibit the selling of essential goods and services at exorbitant prices during or in anticipation of a natural disaster, pandemic, or state of emergency. Currently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other federal agencies have limited legal authority to prevent price gouging. The Disaster and Emergency Pricin… Continue Reading
April 07, 2022
Hirono Questions Defense Secretary Austin on DOD Plans Following the Announced Closure of Red Hill & Budget Priorities for Hawaii
WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin about next steps for fuel storage and environmental remediation following his decision to defuel and permanently close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu, which Senator Hirono strongly supports. The hearing was Secretary Austin's first appearance before the Committee since the announced closure of Red Hill last month. "The closure of Red Hill … Continue Reading
April 07, 2022
Senator Hirono Votes to Confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to Serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, voted to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Judge Jackson was confirmed by a vote of 53-47. "Today is a historic day. For the first time in our country's history, an exceptionally qualified Black woman will serve on the Supreme Court-and the Court's decisions will be better as a result. Judge Jackson is a brilliant leg… Continue Reading
April 06, 2022
VIDEO: Senator Hirono Lauds Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Historic Nomination to the Supreme Court in Senate Floor Speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered remarks on the Senate floor in support of the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Throughout the confirmation process, Senator Hirono has repeatedly expressed her support for Judge Jackson's historic nomination. In her remarks, Senator Hirono highlighted Judge Jackson's impressive career and broad suppor… Continue Reading
April 04, 2022
Senator Hirono Votes to Advance the Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted to advance the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States out of Committee. "Through 2 days of questioning in front of the Judiciary Committee, Judge Jackson displayed the intellect, integrity, and temperament necessary in a Supreme Court Justice," said Senator Hirono. "Her experience as a clerk, federal judge, … Continue Reading
April 01, 2022
Senator Hirono Joins House & Senate Colleagues in Urging Biden Administration to Extend the Payment Pause and Cancel Student Debt
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), 18 of their Senate colleagues, and 76 members of the House in a letter to President Biden urging the administration to act now and extend the pause on federally-held student loan payments until at least the end of the year and to provide meaningful student debt cancellation. "Given the fast-approaching deadline for borrowers to resume payments, your administra… Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
With Child Nutrition Waivers Set to Expire, Senator Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Extend Meal Flexibilities to Keep Children Fed
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing the Support Kids Not Red Tape Act, legislation to keep children from going hungry by extending U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) school and summer meal flexibilities from June 30, 2022 to September 30, 2023. At the beginning of the pandemic, Congress established child nutritio… Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Hirono, Schatz, and Colleagues Introduce Resolution Celebrating International Transgender Day of Visibility
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and 15 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution recognizing the achievements and courage of the transgender, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming, and gender-diverse communities around the world, and to celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility. "Despite the progress we've made toward equality, trans people-particularly trans people of color-continue to face discrimination and attacks.… Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Sen. Hirono Joins Bipartisan Group of Women Senators in Letter to President Biden Urging Response to Taliban for Reneging on Commitment to Allow Afghan Girls to Return to School
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined a bipartisan group of women Senators in sending a letter to President Biden, urging his administration to take action in response to the Taliban's decision to renege on a commitment to allow Afghan girls to return to secondary school. The Senators wrote, "While we are not surprised that the Taliban has once again dismissed the rights of girls and young women, we are alarmed by the implications of their decision for 50 percent of th… Continue Reading
