Press Releases
Hirono: I Stand in Solidarity with Unite Here Local 5 Members on Strike
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) released the following statement in solidarity with Unite Here Local 5 members striking at Marriott-operated hotels on Oahu and Maui: "I stand in solidarity with Hawaii's hotel workers. Their collective action to go on strike is a powerful reminder that big corporations' profits and success come from the labor of thousands of dedicated workers in Hawaii and elsewhere. If a corporation wants to succeed in the long run, workers' voices need to… Continue Reading
October 09, 2018
Hirono Stands with Hawaii Postal Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) released the following statement in support of Hawaii U.S. Postal Service (USPS) workers' rally to oppose the Trump administration's efforts to privatize USPS: "To the more than 2,000 hardworking employees of the U.S. Postal Service in Hawaii, I stand in solidarity with you and strongly oppose President Trump's push to privatize the U.S. Postal Service. Privatization means prioritizing profits over people. President Trump's plan would hurt l… Continue Reading
October 05, 2018
Hirono & Schatz Urge IRS to Reconsider Plan to Remove Lifesaving Devices from Offices in Hawaii & Other States
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) urged the new Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service Charles P. Rettig to reconsider the IRS' plan to remove automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) from IRS offices with fewer than 100 employees, including the Honolulu IRS Office and 45 other offices. "We have serious questions as to how the removal of equipment that can save the life of an employee or a visitor in the case of an emergency contribu… Continue Reading
October 03, 2018
Congress Passes Hirono Measures to Support Hawaii’s Aviation Workforce and Rural Air Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) voted today for the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which passed the Senate 93-6. The bill provides nearly $1.7 billion in disaster relief funds, and includes provisions authored by Senator Hirono which help ensure reliable air service to Kalaupapa, Molokai; close loopholes that leave veterans working for the FAA and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) without full veterans' preference protections; set minimum rest periods for flig… Continue Reading
October 03, 2018
Agreement Reached to Include Australia in Global Entry Program
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) hailed an agreement reached between the United States and Australia to launch a pilot program allowing Australian citizens to apply for expedited customs clearance through U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Global Entry program. Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is one of 57 airports nationwide that participate in the program. "Expanding Global Entry and other trusted traveler programs helps grow Hawaii's international… Continue Reading
October 02, 2018
Hirono Votes to Advance Key Bills to Protect Public Lands, Natural Resources
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, voted to advance bills that would make the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) permanent, increase federal resources for programs that engage young people and veterans in conservation careers, and address the more than $12 billion deferred maintenance backlog at America's National Parks. "Hawaii's native ecosystems have benefitted from LWCF investments for decades," Senator … Continue Reading
October 02, 2018
Hirono, 14 Senators Call for Inspector General to Investigate Political Interference in Science at the Department of the Interior
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono led 14 Senators in urging the Department of the Interior (DOI) Inspector General Mary Kendall to investigate any political interference in scientific research or communications at the Department. "In April of this year news surfaced alleging political interference with a report by the National Park Service on sea level rise. In response to that news, a number of us wrote a letter requesting that you open an investigation into the matter," the Senators … Continue Reading
October 01, 2018
Hirono Announces $483,000 in Federal Funding to Assist Agriculture Community in Volcano Recovery Efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced that the Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council (SHAC) will receive more than $483,000 in federal funding from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to assist farmers impacted by the volcanic activity on Hawaii Island. "In July, I met with members of Hawaii Island's floriculture industry whose livelihoods were devastated by the volcanic eruption. They told me that despite the challenges they face, they want to restart their b… Continue Reading
September 16, 2018
Hirono Statement on Christine Blasey Ford
"It took a lot of courage for Christine Blasey Ford to come forward to share her story of sexual assault by Brett Kavanaugh. Her story is very credible and I believe her. "As I said during the hearing, this is why the #MeToo movement is so important, because often in these situations, there is an environment where people see nothing, hear nothing, and say nothing. That is what we have to change. "This development is yet another reason not to rush Brett Kavanaugh's nomination. The Committe… Continue Reading
September 14, 2018
Hawaii Congressional Delegation Urges USDA to Release Federal Funding to Hawaii Farmers Affected by Natural Disasters
The Hawaii Congressional Delegation urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to utilize its existing authority to provide direct assistance to Hawaii farmers affected by recent natural disasters. "The dire situation that our farmers and producers are currently experiencing as a result of recent disasters cannot be overstated," the Delegation wrote. "We are already hearing reports of farmers, who employed multiple families and had millions invested in their agricultural business, having… Continue Reading
September 11, 2018
University of Hawaii Awarded More than $4.1 Million to Broaden Participation in STEM Workforce
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded more than $4.1 million to the University of Hawaii to promote diversity and improve engagement in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. The University of Hawaii will receive $3,824,364 through the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Program (LSAMP) and $299,208 through the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program. "As the need f… Continue Reading
September 11, 2018
Hirono, Moran, Tester Bill to Provide Service Disabled Veteran Employees at VA Additional Paid Leave Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Saturday, the President signed S.899, the Veterans Providing Healthcare Transition Improvement Act. Introduced by Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), the new law ensures veterans with a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability rating of 30% or higher who are hired by the VA in critical medical positions can access additional paid sick leave during their first year on the job. The Senate unanimously passed the bill,… Continue Reading
September 11, 2018
Hirono, Boozman Introduce Bill to Protect Programs Helping to End Veteran Homelessness
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and John Boozman (R-Ark.), members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, introduced legislation to renew a number of important federal homeless veteran programs for the next fiscal year through 2020. The bill, known as the Keeping Our Commitment to Ending Veteran Homelessness Act of 2018, would renew seven U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Department of Labor programs that provide outreach and services to homeless vetera… Continue Reading
September 04, 2018
Hirono: Ultra-Right-Wing Forces Have Been Working for Decades to Secure Decisive Fifth Vote on the Supreme Court to Radically Change the Direction of Our Country
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution,forcefully outlined what's at stake in the fight for the future of the Supreme Court and the threat Judge Brett Kavanaugh would pose to the constitutional rights of millions of Americans during her opening statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee today. From Senator Hirono's remarks: "Before Justice Kennedy retired, so many important Constitutional rights were h… Continue Reading
August 28, 2018
Hawaii Congressional Delegation Honors Little League World Series Champions
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz, and Representatives Colleen Hanabusa and Tulsi Gabbard filed bicameral Congressional resolutions honoring the Honolulu Little League team, who won the 2018 Little League World Series. "Congratulations to each of the athletes on the Honolulu Little League team on becoming the 2018 Little League World Series champions, and mahalo to their manager, coaches, family members, and all of the volunteers and fans who supported the team on its … Continue Reading
August 25, 2018
Hirono Statement on the Passing of Senator John McCain
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono issued the following statement following statement on the passing of Senator John McCain: "We mourn the passing of a great American and human being, John McCain. He fought many battles, met many extraordinary challenges, and faced the end with the courage he exemplified throughout his life. And yet, the end came too soon. "Much will be said and written about John McCain over the days and months ahead, all paying tribute to this grand patriot. All of us who… Continue Reading
August 22, 2018
Congress Passes Hirono-Moran-Tester Bill to Provide Service Disabled Veteran Employees at VA Additional Paid Leave
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. House and Senate unanimously passed the Veterans Providing Healthcare Transition Improvement Act (S. 899), a bipartisan bill authored by Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) to ensure veterans with a disability rating of 30% or higher who are hired by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in critical medical positions can access additional paid sick leave during their first year on the job for the purposes of receiv… Continue Reading
August 22, 2018
Hirono Cancels Meeting with Brett Kavanaugh, Calls for Delay of Hearing
Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced that she will cancel her meeting with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Senator Hirono delivered the following statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning: "Mr. Chairman, I want to take a moment to react to yesterday's news of the conviction of the President's campaign chairman and the guilty plea of his personal lawyer to crimes, at the direction of the President, designed to influence the 2016 election. "As I and others have said … Continue Reading
August 22, 2018
Hirono to Oppose Kavanaugh Nomination
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced that she will oppose the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the Supreme Court: "I will be voting no on Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court of the United States. "Donald Trump long ago announced his intention to nominate a judge off of a list prepared by the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation. When it became clear he chose the one person from that list who believes Presidents should not be subject to c… Continue Reading
August 20, 2018
Hirono, Veterans’ Affairs Committee Democrats Call for Oversight Hearing on Inappropriate Influence of So-Called “Mar-a-Lago Crowd” on VA
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Led by Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), five Democratic members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee urged Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) to convene an oversight hearing to examine the inappropriate influence of three members of President Trump's private club Mar-a-Lago on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operations. The request follows reports by ProPublica and the New York Times of the inappropriate influence of these individuals, including pushing out former VA S… Continue Reading
