Press Releases
Hirono, Hassan, Warren Lead Senate Colleagues in Urging Drug Manufacturer to Update Medication Label to Protect Women Experiencing Early-Pregnancy Miscarriage
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) led 5 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Danco Laboratories, a manufacturer of mifepristone, urging them to submit an application to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to add miscarriage management to the medication's label-which currently only includes medication abortion but can also be safely and legally used for miscarriage management. Given that many states are tryin… Continue Reading
February 01, 2023
VIDEO: Hirono Condemns GOP for Holding U.S. Economy Hostage Over Debt Limit, Joins Colleagues in Calling on Republicans to Put Forward a Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) in a press conference calling on Republicans to show the American people their plan to end the threat of a first-ever default on the national debt. "The Trump administration added to the debt with the massive tax breaks that they gave to the richest people and corporations in our country," said Senator Hirono during t… Continue Reading
January 31, 2023
VIDEO: Hirono Joins Colleagues and Advocates in Calling for Congressional Action to Affirm Ratification of Equal Rights Amendment in U.S. Constitution
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined several of her House and Senate colleagues to introduce a bicameral resolution affirming the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which would enshrine gender equity in the U.S. Constitution. Despite the required 38 states voting to ratify the amendment, ratification has been stalled due to an arbitrary deadline put in place when Congress passed the ERA in 1972. The members joined advocates and leaders in the fight … Continue Reading
January 30, 2023
Hirono, Tokuda Introduce Legislative Package Honoring Civil Rights Icon Fred Korematsu
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI) joined their colleagues in introducing a bicameral package of bills honoring civil rights icon Fred Korematsu on the anniversary of his birthday. The bills, also introduced by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Representative Mark Takano (D-CA), include a resolution establishing a national "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution;" the Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act… Continue Reading
January 30, 2023
Hirono Presses Navy on Compliance with Red Hill Investigation Report Recommendations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro pressing him for details on the Navy's response to the fuel leaks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu. Specifically, Senator Hirono requests updates on a series of recommendations made in Admiral Samuel Paparo's report on the investigation into the May 6, 2021 and November 20, 2021 fuel releases at the Red Hill, which was released… Continue Reading
January 27, 2023
Hirono Applauds FDA Change to Discriminatory Blood Donation Policies
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) released the following statement applauding the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to update their discriminatory blood donor deferral policies for men who have sex with men (MSM): "For too long, gay and bisexual men have been unjustly banned from donating blood, even during a nationwide blood supply shortage," said Senator Hirono. "I applaud the FDA for revising this outdated, discriminatory and medically unnecessary poli… Continue Reading
January 27, 2023
VIDEO: Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Provide Historic, Permanent Investment in Home Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined 37 of her Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to expand access to home and community-based services for older adults, people with disabilities, and injured workers, while increasing pay and improving benefits for the caregivers who provide this life-sustaining care. The Better Care Better Jobs Act, led by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), would enhance Medicaid funding for home care, helping many of the over 650,000 people on waiting… Continue Reading
January 24, 2023
Hirono Joins Senate Democrats, Patients, Providers, Advocates to Mark 5oth Anniversary of Roe and Recommit to Fight for Reproductive Rights
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined several of her Senate Democratic colleagues and patients, providers, and leaders in the fight for reproductive rights to mark the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision. During the press conference, Senator Hirono and her colleagues underscored their commitment to block House Republicans' extreme antiabortion attacks and keep fighting to protect Americans' reproductive rights and restore Roe once and for a… Continue Reading
January 24, 2023
VIDEO: Hirono, Judiciary Committee Colleagues Investigate Live Nation & Anti-Competitive Behavior in the Live Entertainment Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned executives from Live Nation and competing live event companies, as well as antitrust experts and a musician, during a full committee hearing on anti-competitive behavior in the live entertainment industry. The hearing follows Live Nation subsidiary Ticketmaster's disastrous pre-sale of tickets for the Taylor Swift Eras Tour late last year, which ultimately forced the company to can… Continue Reading
January 19, 2023
Hirono Announces Class of 2027 Nominees to the United States Service Academies
HONOLULU, HI - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced the nomination of 32 Hawaii students to U.S. military service academies for the Class of 2027. The academies now consider the students' applications for final selections. "Every year, I'm impressed and inspired by the young people from across our state who seek to serve their nation by attending one of our military service academies," said Senator Hirono. "This year's applicants have displayed academic excellence and a commitment to servic… Continue Reading
January 19, 2023
Hirono Statement on Progress of COFA Negotiations with Republics of Palau and Marshall Islands
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the United States, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) as part of ongoing Compact of Free Association (COFA) negotiations: "The Freely Associated States are important diplomatic, economic, and defense partners, and I'm glad we've reached agreements with Palau and the Marshall Islands," sa… Continue Reading
January 17, 2023
Hirono Convenes Roundtable Discussion on Native Hawaiian Gender-Based Violence with Organizations and Survivors
HONOLULU, HI - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) convened a roundtable discussion with organizations that support Native Hawaiian women and Native Hawaiian survivors of gender-based violence. During the conversation, Senator Hirono heard from participants about the challenges and obstacles they face, and what more needs to be done to better combat this crisis and support survivors of gender-based violence and sex trafficking. The roundtable comes just weeks after President Biden signed into … Continue Reading
January 13, 2023
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono Visits Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge in Commemoration of 50th Anniversary
HONOLULU, HI - Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, visited the Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge (PHNWR) on Oahu to see the wetland habitat and plant akulikuli, a type of native coastal ground covering. While there, Senator Hirono also presented a framed copy of a resolution she led recognizing the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the refuge, which unanimously passed the Senate in November. "The Pearl Harbor Nati… Continue Reading
January 13, 2023
Hirono Announces Over $8.1 Million in Federal Funding for Five Hawaii Community Health Centers
HONOLULU, HI - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced that Community Health Centers (CHCs) on Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and Hawaii Island will receive over $8.15 million in federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services to support the delivery of health care services to underserved communities across the state. The five grantees include Hana Community Health Center; Kalihi-Palama Health Center; Waimanalo Health Center; Molokai Ohana Health Care, Inc. (Molokai Community Health Cent… Continue Reading
January 12, 2023
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono Visits UH West Oahu to Discuss Sustainable Agriculture and Labor Education and Research
HONOLULU, HI - Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) visited the University of Hawaii West Oahu (UHWO) campus to speak with UHWO students, faculty, administrators, and staff about their initiatives in sustainable food and agriculture, food security, digital media, and labor education and research. As part of her visit, Senator Hirono toured the student organic garden, the state's official digital archives, and the new Academy for Creative Media Student Production Center. "For the last de… Continue Reading
January 04, 2023
Hirono Breaks Ground on New Mokapu Elementary School at Marine Corps Base Hawaii
HONOLULU, HI - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Mokapu Elementary School at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe. Once completed, the new school will have the capacity to serve nearly 1,000 students on base and will replace the current dated campus. The project is made possible by $96 million in federal funding through the Department of Defense's Public Schools on Military Installations (PSMI) pr… Continue Reading
December 30, 2022
2022 Year in Review
Aloha, Over the past year, Democrats in Congress have passed landmark legislation to lower energy costs, support veterans and seniors, uplift underrepresented communities, and provide funding to upgrade aging infrastructure. As the year comes to a close, I'd like to reflect on the work we've done to support families and communities in Hawaii and across our country. Lowering Prescription Drug Costs The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 passed in August will lower prescription drug costs fo… Continue Reading
December 27, 2022
President Biden Signs Hirono Legislation to Support Native Hawaiian Survivors of Gender-Based Violence
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, President Joseph R. Biden signed into law legislation led by Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to allow Native Hawaiian survivors of gender-based violence to access critical programs and resources provided by Congress through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The reauthorization of VAWA—which was signed into law in March, 2022—provides funding to Native Hawaiian survivors of all types of sexual and gender-based violence, including sexual assault, sex-traffickin… Continue Reading
December 23, 2022
Hirono Bills to Protect Coral Reefs, Reconnect Families Separated by Korean War, Create New VA Advisory Committee Enacted Into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, President Joe Biden signed into law three bills introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to protect coral reefs, connect families separated by the Korean War, and create a new Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) Advisory Committee. Senator Hirono's Coral Reef Sustainability Through Innovation Act and Korean War Divided Families Reunification Act were both signed into law as part of the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), as was l… Continue Reading
December 23, 2022
Hirono-Led Provision Providing $1 Billion to Close Red Hill Signed Into Law as Part of Annual Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, President Biden signed into law the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizing $1 billion for the defueling and closure of Red Hill secured by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. In addition to the $1 billion for Red Hill, Senator Hirono also secured nearly $800 million for other military infrastructure upgrades in Hawaii in the annual defense bill. "Over the past year, I have fought t… Continue Reading
