Press Releases
Hirono, Blumenthal, Wyden, Schatz, Shaheen Call for President Biden to Address Sexual Harassment in the Sciences
WASHINGTON, DC -Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), along with her colleagues Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) sent a letter to President Biden calling on him to direct his administration to address sexual harassment in the scientific professions. As President Biden works to restore scientific integrity throughout the federal workforce, the lawmakers suggest that he also address sexual and gender-based harassm… Continue Reading
April 26, 2021
Hirono Announces More Than $2 Million in USDA Funding to Support Kona Biodiversity, Wildlife Habitat
WASHINGTON, DC -Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced that the Kona Soil and Water Conservation District and seven partners have been awarded $2,028,572 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to boost biodiversity and support wildlife habitat for a variety of Hawaiian forest birds, including the akiapolaau, Hawaii akepa, and Hawaii creeper. The forest restoration efforts resulting from this project, titled "Innovation in Kona's Upland Forests," are estimated to sequester 30… Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Senate Passes COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act
WASHINGTON, DC -Today, the U.S. Senate passed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act by a vote of 94-1, a bill to address the rise in hate crimes and violence against the AAPI community. Following its passage, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Representative Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) called for swift House consideration of the bill so President Biden can sign the bill into law. "Today's historic, bipartisan vote on the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act sends a powerful message of sol… Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Hirono, Colleagues Reintroduce Child Care for Working Families Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced the Child Care for Working Families Act, comprehensive legislation to address the child care crisis and ensure that working families can find and afford high-quality child care, along with 34 additional cosponsors in the Senate. Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Representative Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan introduced companion legislation in the House, along with 64 additional cosponsors. Across the country, too many fam… Continue Reading
April 21, 2021
Hirono, Collins Announce Agreement on Updated, Bipartisan Language to Amend COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act
WASHINGTON, DC -Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced they have reached an agreement on language amending the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to broaden bipartisan support while retaining the purpose of the bill. The substitute bill language is available here. "Working closely together, Senator Collins and I identified changes that will broaden support for the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act while retaining the bill's core purpose to combat anti-Asian hate. I am co… Continue Reading
April 16, 2021
Hirono Visits White House, Meets with President Biden, Vice President Harris to Discuss CAPAC, AAPI Community Priorities
WASHINGTON, DC -Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House, along with Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) leadership. President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the CAPAC members discussed critical issues facing the country during a productive meeting, among them President Biden's infrastructure package, presidential appointments of AAPI candidates, and immigration. During the visit, Senator Hirono thanked … Continue Reading
April 15, 2021
Hirono Votes to Advance Admiral Aquilino’s Nomination for Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Chair of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, voted with her Senate Armed Services Committee colleagues to unanimously advance the nomination of Admiral John C. Aquilino to serve as the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command. Admiral Aquilino's nomination now goes to the full Senate for consideration. "At a time when we are confronting an increasingly aggressive China and looking to deepen our defense ties with allies i… Continue Reading
April 14, 2021
Hirono Statement on Appointment of Erika Moritsugu to be Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison
WASHINGTON, DC -Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono issued the following statement after President Biden named Erika Moritsugu as Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison: "Erika is an excellent choice to serve as the White House AAPI Senior Liaison. I'm proud to say that Erika is from Hawaii and that I've known her family for decades. Erika's designation as a deputy assistant to the president demonstrates that the White House heard the AAPI community'… Continue Reading
April 07, 2021
Following Lease Award Announcement, Hawaii Congressional Delegation Announces Plan to Name New Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Leeward Oahu for Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka
HONOLULU -- Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz, and Representatives Kaialii Kahele and Ed Case announced their intention to name the Advanced Leeward Outpatient Health Care Access (ALOHA) Project after former Hawaii Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka - who first spearheaded the project working alongside Hawaii veterans. Earlier today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it had awarded a lease to Hunt Companies to begin construction on the facility, which is expected to open to … Continue Reading
April 02, 2021
Hirono Statement on Today’s Attack at the U.S. Capitol
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on today's attack at the U.S. Capitol: "I join the entire Congressional community in mourning the death of Officer William Evans in today's senseless attack at the U.S. Capitol. This tragedy occurred only three months after a violent insurrection at the Capitol that resulted in the deaths of Capitol Police officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood. "Our Capitol remains a target and we must demonstrate an urgency to protect… Continue Reading
March 30, 2021
Hirono Statement on President Biden’s First Judicial Appointments
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after President Joe Biden announced his initial slate of 11 nominations to fill judicial vacancies: "Over his four years in office, Donald Trump nominated a series of extreme, unqualified, and ideologically-driven judges to lifetime appointments that will have an enduring impact on issues such as a woman's right to choose, voting rights, and civil rights. I am gratified that, in contra… Continue Reading
March 29, 2021
Hirono, Gillibrand, Smith, Colleagues Reintroduce Impact Aid Bill to Fund School Infrastructure Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and their colleagues introduced the Impact Aid Infrastructure Act (IAIA) last week, which would provide $1 billion in supplemental funding for school infrastructure construction grants in Fiscal Year 2022 through the Impact Aid program. Similar legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives. "This legislation builds on the critical investments made through the American Resc… Continue Reading
March 25, 2021
Hirono Announces 14 Hawaii Community Health Centers to Receive Nearly $32 Million from American Rescue Plan to Expand COVID-19 Response and Vaccine Access for Underserved Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced that 14 community health centers across Hawaii would receive a total of $31,969,250 from the American Rescue Plan to expand COVID-19 vaccine access for at-risk and hardest-hit communities, and provide more testing, treatment, and preventative care. The funds will also allow health centers to expand their capacity to provide care by modifying and improving existing structures, and adding mobile units. The Department of Health a… Continue Reading
March 24, 2021
Hirono, Kahele Successfully Secure Final Approval for Construction of Community-Based Outpatient Clinic for Leeward Oahu Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Congressman Kai Kahele (D-Hawaii), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, announced that the T&I Committee approved a resolution that is the final step for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award a lease to construct the Advanced Leeward Outpatient Health Care Access (ALOHA) Project. Following years of sustained advocacy from Sena… Continue Reading
March 24, 2021
Hirono, Duckworth, Colleagues Introduce Resolution Condemning Anti-Asian Hatred, Discrimination Related to COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) along with 35 of their Senate colleagues introduced a resolution to condemn all forms of anti-Asian sentiment, racism, and discrimination, and call on federal officials, in collaboration with state and local agencies and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community organizations to address the rise in COVID-19-related hate crimes. The resolution was introduced in the wake of the Atlanta shooting-whe… Continue Reading
March 23, 2021
Hirono, Capito, Whitehouse, Scott Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Seniors’ Access to All CDC-Recommended Vaccines
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act of 2021, legislation that would provide Medicare beneficiaries access to all recommended vaccines at no additional cost, including shingles and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap). Immunization coverage currently varies by vaccine under Medicare. Some immunizations are covered under Medic… Continue Reading
March 23, 2021
Hirono Introduces Admiral John C. Aquilino at His Confirmation Hearing to Serve as Next Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, Enthusiastically Endorses His Nomination
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, introduced and enthusiastically endorsed the nomination of Admiral John C. Aquilino to serve as the next commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command during his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee today. From Senator Hirono's Remarks: "At a time when we are confronting an increasingly aggressive China, and looking to deepen our defense ties with allies in the Indo-Pacific, it… Continue Reading
March 11, 2021
Hirono and Meng Introduce Bill to Address Surge of Anti-Asian Hate Crimes During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Representative Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) introduced the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, legislation to address the rise of hate crimes and violence targeted at Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) by assigning a point person at the Department of Justice (DOJ) to expedite the review of COVID-19-related hate crimes, providing support for state and local law enforcement agencies to respond to these hate crimes, and coordinating with local… Continue Reading
March 09, 2021
Hirono, Tillis, Velázquez, Stivers Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Close the Patent Gap Faced by Women, Minorities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.), and Congressman Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) introduced the Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement (IDEA) Act of 2021, bicameral, bipartisan legislation to close the gap that women, minorities, and others face when procuring patent rights in the United States. The same coalition introduced the IDEA Act in 2019. "Our nation is home to millions of inventors-and we … Continue Reading
March 06, 2021
Hirono: American Rescue Plan Will Deliver Urgently-Needed Relief to Hawaii Residents Struggling During COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan - comprehensive COVID relief legislation that will provide billions of dollars in aid and support to Hawaii families and communities. The legislation passed the Senate 50-49 without a single Republican voting to support American families, businesses, and communities. "The COVID-19 pandemic has touched every family and community in Hawaii and across our country. With so many people still out of work and … Continue Reading
