Press Releases
Hirono, Gillibrand, Harris Introduce Bill to Insulate Immigration Judges from Political Interference
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) introduced the Immigration Court Improvement Act - a bill that would insulate immigration judges from improper political interference or manipulation. The Senators introduced this bill in response to the recent revelations that the Trump administration will impose unfair, unnecessary, and politically-motivated quotas on immigration judges. "At a time when the Trump administration i… Continue Reading
April 17, 2018
Hirono, Senate Democrats Call on Trump Administration to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Nepalese National
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and 22 Senate Democrats joined together to call on the Trump administration to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nepalese nationals living in the United States after the devastating earthquake in April 2015 killed more than 9,000 people and rendered thousands more displaced and homeless. In their letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen and Acting Secretary of State John Sullivan, the Senators argued that extending… Continue Reading
April 16, 2018
Following Hirono, Cruz Request, Supreme Court Approves Release of Same Day Audio in Trump v. Hawaii
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, applauded the Supreme Court's decision to release an audio recording and transcript of oral arguments in the highly-anticipated Trump v. Hawaii case immediately after arguments conclude on April 25. "I thank the Supreme Court for agreeing to our request to release same day audio for Trump v. Hawaii oral arguments," Senator Hir… Continue Reading
April 13, 2018
Hirono Statement on Syrian Airstrikes
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the air strikes in Syria. "Bashar al-Assad has again used chemical weapons against his own people. This is another atrocity and breach of international law, and the international community must hold him accountable. "While today's action was taken in concert with France and Great Britain, the President stated that 'we are prepared for a sustained response … Continue Reading
April 13, 2018
Hirono Votes Against Andrew Wheeler for Deputy EPA Administrator
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) voted against the confirmation of Andrew Wheeler to serve as the Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Mr. Wheeler, a coal industry lobbyist who denies the existence of climate change, was confirmed by the Senate on a 53-45 vote. "At a time when the current EPA administrator is under siege for his lack of ethics, we don't need a deputy administrator who will prioritize the interests of the fossil fuel industry over the public's," Senat… Continue Reading
April 12, 2018
Jill Otake’s Nomination Unanimously Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) urged her colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee to support Jill Otake's nomination to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii in a Committee markup today. Ms. Otake's nomination was approved by the Committee unanimously, and will now be considered by the full Senate. From Senator Hirono's remarks: "As you saw during [Ms. Otake's] confirmation hearing, she respects the rule of law and has given serious thought to how she would ap… Continue Reading
April 11, 2018
Hirono Introduces Ninth Circuit Nominee Mark Bennett During Judiciary Committee Confirmation Hearing
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced former Hawaii Attorney General Mark Bennett during today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to consider his nomination to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. From Senator Hirono's remarks: "Mark has led a distinguished career both in private practice and in public service, and he is very well regarded in the Hawaii legal community "Mark also served two terms as Hawaii's Attorney General - and was unanimously confirmed… Continue Reading
April 10, 2018
Hirono, Senate Democrats Call for Inspector General Investigation into Reports of Science Censorship at National Park Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and four of her colleagues called on U.S. Department of Interior Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall to conduct an investigation into potential alterations to a scientific report titled "Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Projections for the National Park Service" by Department of the Interior employees that removed references to human-caused climate change. "During a hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on March… Continue Reading
April 06, 2018
Hirono Statement on the Passing of Senator Daniel K. Akaka
HONOLULU- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the passing of Senator Daniel K. Akaka: "Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka embodied the Aloha Spirit. He dedicated his life to serving the people of Hawaii as an educator, and in the U.S. Army, state government, the U.S. House, and the U.S. Senate. In Congress, Senator Akaka's care, empathy, and collegiality served as an example for us all. It's an honor to sit at his desk in the Senate chamber, and we continue his work to improv… Continue Reading
March 31, 2018
Hirono Advocacy Allows Hale Makua to Continue Veterans’ Services
Senator Mazie K. Hirono visited Hale Makua on Maui to highlight her work to allow the facility to continue to serve as a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provider. Following the VA's decision to terminate a provider agreement that had been in place since 2013, Senator Hirono facilitated discussions that culminated in Hale Makua being contracted by the VA to provide nursing home care to Maui veterans. "Facilities like Hale Makua who are committed to serving our veterans should be able to do… Continue Reading
March 30, 2018
Ahead of Fifth Annual Hawaii on the Hill, Hirono Visits Participating Small Businesses on Maui
KAHULUI - Senator Mazie K. Hirono visited four Maui small businesses who participate in Hawaii on the Hill, Senator Hirono and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii's annual state showcase in Washington, D.C. Senator Hirono visited Uncle Louie Sausage Inc., Maui Fruit Jewels, Maui Crisps, and Maui Brewing Company. "Our small business participants are the backbone of Hawaii on the Hill, and serve as ambassadors of the Aloha Spirit in Washington, D.C.," Senator Hirono said. "As we look forward to the … Continue Reading
March 29, 2018
Hirono Emphasizes Importance of Impact Aid Funding in Address to Transition Centers Best Practices Conference
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono emphasized the importance of continuing federal funding for Impact Aid that supports the education of federally-impacted students at the Hawaii Department of Education's Transition Centers Best Practices Conference. School transition centers provide peer and educator support to students entering a new school, and are partially funded through federal Impact Aid, which provides funding based on the number of federally-connected students enrolled in Hawaii's sin… Continue Reading
March 29, 2018
Statement From Senator Mazie K. Hirono on the Change in Leadership at the VA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement after President Donald Trump fired Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin and nominated Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson to replace him. "The chaos continues in the White House with the continuous shuffling of cabinet secretaries - the latest being Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin. The Department of Veterans Affairs is an agency already rocked by scandals and reports of infighting, and I had hoped th… Continue Reading
March 27, 2018
Hirono Highlights Recently Passed Bill to Expand Veterans’ Long Term Care Coverage in Visit to Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home
Senator Mazie K. Hirono met with staff and residents at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo to discuss the impact that her recently passed legislation, the State Veterans Home Adult Day Health Care Improvement Act, will have on the facility's ability to continue adult day health care services for service-connected severely disabled veterans. "The Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home adult day health care program provides comprehensive services from medical care to recreational activities… Continue Reading
March 27, 2018
Hirono Receives Rose Award of Excellence from Zonta Club of Hilo
HILO - Senator Mazie K. Hirono received the Rose Award of Excellence from the Zonta Club of Hilo at a ceremony today. Presented every two years, the Award honors women who have "made a significant impact on the lives of others." "I thank the Zonta Club of Hilo for the Rose Award, and for being a hands-on organization. Hilo Zontians don't just talk about how to create opportunities for women in STEM or fight domestic violence-they are out there in the community doing something about it," Senato… Continue Reading
March 26, 2018
Hirono, Maui Students Call for Action on Gun Violence at Concert for Our Lives
KAHULUI - Senator Mazie K. Hirono encouraged students to continue to advocate for safer schools and an end to gun violence at the Concert for Our Lives Maui. "This is a movement that will inspire a generation," Senator Hirono said. "Activists from across the country and around the world came together today to demand sensible gun legislation that will close background check loopholes, eliminate bump stocks, and prevent anyone from owning assault weapons. If these bills pass, it will be because … Continue Reading
March 22, 2018
Hirono Votes in Favor of Omnibus Spending Bill that Fights Back Against Donald Trump’s Misplaced Priorities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono issued the following statement following her vote in favor of the Omnibus Spending Bill for FY2018: "This bill reflects priorities that are very different from the President's. In many ways - and particularly on education, affordable housing, health care, and clean energy - it is a strong repudiation of Donald Trump's misplaced priorities. I hope this bill connotes a sustained Congressional commitment to stand up for our families and communities. "Wh… Continue Reading
March 22, 2018
Hirono, Cruz Call on Supreme Court to Release Same Day Audio of Oral Arguments in Trump v. Hawaii
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, called on the Supreme Court to make an audio recording of oral arguments in the highly-anticipated Trump v. Hawaii case available immediately after arguments conclude on April 25. In their joint letter to Chief Justice John Roberts, the Senators wrote: "Releasing same-day audio has proven to be a valuable resource for individual… Continue Reading
March 22, 2018
Hirono Announces $3.7 Million in Federal Funding to Fight Invasive Species, Support Hawaii Agriculture
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced $3.7 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding for eight Hawaii projects that fight invasive species and protect Hawaii's agriculture industry. "Invasive pests continue to threaten the livelihood of Hawaii farmers and future of our agriculture industry," Senator Hirono said. "This funding will advance research focused on the eradication of several invasive pests and pathogens, as well as provide additional resources… Continue Reading
March 21, 2018
Hirono Receives Perfect Score from Leading Environmental Advocacy Groups
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) received 100% scores from two leading environmental advocacy groups-the League of Conservation Voters and the Defenders of Wildlife for her work in the Senate to stand up for environmental protections and fight the Trump administration's efforts to open public lands for drilling and prioritize fossil fuel extraction over renewable energy. "The Trump administration and Congressional Republicans' anti-environment leaders and policies ignore t… Continue Reading
