Press Releases
Following Hirono, Schatz Advocacy, Congress Poised to Restore Medicaid Eligibility for Citizens of the Freely Associated States Living in the United States
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) announced that Congress is poised to restore Medicaid eligibility for citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau - collectively known as the Freely Associated States - living in the United States under the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) as part of the bipartisan omnibus appropriations bill unveiled today. If enacted, the legislation would … Continue Reading
December 18, 2020
Senator Hirono Meets with Denis McDonough, Nominee for Secretary of Veterans Affairs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) met today with Denis McDonough, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Senator Hirono and Mr. McDonough discussed a wide range of concerns regarding the ongoing challenges facing the VA. Mr. McDonough said that he is committed to being an advocate for veterans with a whole-of-government approach to problem solving on behalf of veterans. They agreed there is more to be done to uphold prom… Continue Reading
December 17, 2020
Senator Hirono Meets with Secretary of Defense Nominee Lloyd Austin, Announces Support for His Nomination and NSA Waiver
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, announced today that she would support a waiver to the National Security Act of 1947 to allow General Lloyd Austin to serve as the next Secretary of Defense after meeting with the nominee. "After speaking with General Austin today in a meeting that covered a wide range of issues - including our strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region and the importance of diplomacy to our nation… Continue Reading
December 16, 2020
Following Hirono and Ernst Advocacy, Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Permanently Establish Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act in Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division Passes Senate, Heads to President
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Representatives Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) and Van Taylor (R-Texas), announced that their bipartisan, bicameral legislation to permanently establish the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative (SVI) inside the Justice Department (DOJ)'s Civil Rights Division passed the Senate, sending the bill to the President. The Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act of 2020, ensures that the SVI, which started as an indep… Continue Reading
December 15, 2020
Senator Hirono Meets with Katherine Tai, Nominee for U.S. Trade Representative
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) met today with Katherine Tai, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for U.S. Trade Representative. Senator Hirono and Ms. Tai discussed the need to make sure U.S. trade policies work for everyone-specifically workers and consumers. They discussed the need to make sure trade deals consider important questions like worker protections, environmental protections, and whether Hawaii small businesses and farmers are supported by these deals. They al… Continue Reading
December 11, 2020
Hirono Statement on the FDA Granting Emergency Use Authorization to the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization to the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: "Today's announcement is a long-awaited milestone in our nation's fight against COVID-19, and I commend the many people in government and the private sector whose dedication, professionalism, and ingenuity made this achievement possible. While we celebrate the authorization of the first coro… Continue Reading
December 11, 2020
Hirono, Blumenthal Introduce Social Security COVID Correction and Equity Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced S. 4986, the Social Security COVID Correction and Equity Act, which provides temporary emergency relief for Social Security beneficiaries, and makes a technical correction to the formula used for determining benefits to prevent substantial cuts for individuals turning 60 this year. Specifically, the bill ensures that these individuals are not penalized due to the economic downturn caused by the cor… Continue Reading
December 11, 2020
Hirono Amendment to Boost Military Spouse Education Opportunities Passes in NDAA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), a Senate Armed Services Committee member, announced that a provision she authored to help military spouses achieve their professional goals through licensing, certification, or associate degree programs passed the Senate and is expected to become law. The provision was included in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the Senate and House with veto-proof majorities. Senator Hirono's provision expands t… Continue Reading
December 11, 2020
Hirono Encourages President-Elect Biden to Appoint Julie Su as Secretary of Labor
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a letter to President-Elect Joe Biden, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) expressed her "strong support" for California Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary Julie Su to serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Labor. "I am strongly supporting Julie Su for the position of Secretary of Labor and I hope you will nominate her. She is highly qualified and well respected and her dedication to protecting worker and civil rights has spanned decades and earned h… Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Hirono Welcomes Establishment of New Navy Tech Bridge in Hawaii
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, welcomed the U.S. Navy's announcement today that it was establishing a new Tech Bridge in Hawaii. A collaboration between the Navy, the University of Hawaii's Office of Innovation and Commercialization, and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), the Tech Bride program aims to deepen the Navy's collaboration with and expand opportunities for Hawaii academics, small busines… Continue Reading
December 04, 2020
Hirono Effort to Approve Construction of Two Military Child Care Centers in Hawaii Included in Legislation Expected to Be Made Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), a Senate Armed Services Committee member and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conferee, successfully included $65 million to construct a child development center at Aliamanu Military Reservation and $39 million for a Schofield Barracks child development center in the Fiscal Year 2021 NDAA conference report, which is expected to pass Congress and become law in the coming weeks. Senator Hirono also successfully advocated for the con… Continue Reading
December 04, 2020
Following Hirono Advocacy, Senate Clears Key Procedural Hurdle to Build Community-Based Outpatient Clinic for Leeward Oahu Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, announced that the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee approved a resolution that would allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award a lease for the Advanced Leeward Outpatient Health Care Access (ALOHA) Project. Once the project receives similar approval from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the VA could formally move forward with the lease a… Continue Reading
December 04, 2020
Hirono Statement on First Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Shooting
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today issued the following statement on the first anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard shooting: "One year ago, Roldan Agustin and Vincent Kapoi, Jr. reported to work at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to continue their vital role supporting our military and national security. By that afternoon, our state was shaken by news of a mass shooting at the shipyard. The anxiety of waiting for more information turned to grief at the news t… Continue Reading
December 03, 2020
Hirono Announces $1.3 Million in Funding for West Hawaii Community Health Center
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced that West Hawaii Community Health Center (CHC) is set to receive $1,311,644 in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to continue offering critical health services, including medical, dental, and behavioral health care, to rural and underserved communities at eight locations in West Hawaii. West Hawaii CHC also offers coronavirus testing and telemedicine to better serve their patients during the ongoing … Continue Reading
November 30, 2020
Hirono Statement on the Nomination of Neera Tanden to Serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) issuing the following statement after President-elect Joe Biden announced the nomination of Neera Tanden to serve as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget: "President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris have committed to building an administration of highly-qualified individuals that reflect the diversity of our country. They continued to make good on this promise by nominating a groundbreaking economic team - includin… Continue Reading
November 23, 2020
Hirono Statement on the Nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas to be Secretary of Homeland Security
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement after President-elect Joe Biden announced he selected Alejandro Mayorkas to serve as the next Secretary of Homeland Security: "Today, President-elect Biden made a historic decision in selecting Alejandro Mayorkas to serve as the next Secretary of Homeland Security. The first Latino and immigrant nominated to serve in this role, Mr. Mayorkas will bring critical experience and perspective to the Department of Homeland Se… Continue Reading
November 19, 2020
Hirono Introduces Bill to Permanently Establish Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative in Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced S. 4915, the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act of 2020, to permanently establish the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative (SVI) within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). In 2015, DOJ announced the creation of the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative. The SVI coordinated and expanded the Department's efforts to enforce the statutes created to protect the rights and legal interests of the men … Continue Reading
November 18, 2020
Hirono Announces More Than $2 Million in Federal Grants to Hawaii in National Coastal Resilience Fund Awards
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced that Hawaii will receive more than $2 million in federal grant funds from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 2020 National Coastal Resilience Fund. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife received $1,861,422 to build community resiliency by restoring native ecosystems and constructing strategic firebreaks on Molokai. The … Continue Reading
November 17, 2020
Hirono Leads 11 Senate Democrats in Calling for Trump Administration to Support Nationwide Capacity for Shipping, Handling, and Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines Requiring Ultra-Cold Storage
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and 11 of her Senate Democratic colleagues wrote to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Robert Redfield, urging the agencies to work with state, Tribal, territorial, and local stakeholders to identify gaps in ultra-cold storage capability, particularly in rural and underserved communities, and use existing authority to prevent supply shortages. Thi… Continue Reading
November 13, 2020
Hirono, Cortez Masto, Klobuchar, Senators Urge DHS to Increase Air Travel Safety and Support Tourism Industry and Workforce During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led seven of their Senate colleagues in writing to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf, asking for DHS to increase the safety of air travel and support the recovery of our nation's travel and tourism industry. The senators detailed the dramatic job losses across the travel and tourism industry, including jobs related to air travel and tourism, airline… Continue Reading
