Press Releases
Senate Passes Hirono-Moran-Tester Bill To Provide Service Disabled Veteran Employees at VA Additional Paid Leave
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate unanimously passed S. 899, a bill authored by Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) to ensure veterans with a 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 for the purposes of receiving medical care related to their service-connected condition. “This is common-sense legislation that will ensure the … Continue Reading
March 16, 2018
Hirono: I Will Hold U.S. Department of Transportation Accountable to Kalaupapa Community
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) issuance of an Order to Mokulele Airlines to provide unsubsidized Essential Air Service (EAS) to Kalaupapa: "Congress created the Essential Air Service Program to serve communities like Kalaupapa. The U.S. Department of Transportation must uphold its commitments to the Kalaupapa community, and I will hold USDOT accountable to make sure air service to Kala… Continue Reading
March 16, 2018
Hirono Reiterates Support for Students and Teachers During National Public Schools Week
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senator Mazie K. Hirono reiterated her commitment to supporting Hawaii's public schools and fighting against Betsy DeVos and the Trump administration's efforts to undermine public education during National Public Schools Week. "Our nation's public schools are foundational to the success of millions of students in Hawaii and across the country," Senator Hirono said. "At a time when Betsy DeVos and Donald Trump are working to dismantle our public school system and attack teachers… Continue Reading
March 16, 2018
Congress Passes Hirono, Hatch Bill to Expand Long Term Health Care Coverage for Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Orrin G. Hatch's (R-Utah) State Veterans Home Adult Day Health Care Improvement Act (S. 324). This bill ensures that severely disabled veterans are able to receive adult day health care services at no cost to them by defining the program as a reimbursable treatment option through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Senate passed the bill in November 2017 and now goes to the President… Continue Reading
March 14, 2018
Hirono Joins Students from Kauai High School to Demand Action on Gun Violence
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono joined thousands of students, including 22 from Kauai High School, at the U.S. Capitol for the National School Walkout Rally to call for sensible gun safety legislation and an end to gun violence. "So many American students, led by the brave, articulate survivors of Parkland, are standing up, sharing their stories and calling for change," Senator Hirono said. "I'm inspired by their determination and will continue to fight alongside them as we work to … Continue Reading
March 14, 2018
Hirono Nominates 44 Hawaii Students to U.S. Service Academies
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced her nomination of 44 students to the U.S. military service academies for the Class of 2022. The students' applications are now being considered by the four academies for final selection. "Each of these 44 young men and women stood out for their academic and extracurricular achievements," said Senator Hirono. "I commend their commitment to serving our country and look forward to hearing of their continued success." Members of Congress nominat… Continue Reading
March 14, 2018
Hirono to U.S. Department of Transportation: Respect Wishes of Kalaupapa Community in Choosing Essential Air Service Carrier
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) met the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to reinforce the importance of Essential Air Service (EAS) for Kalaupapa and requested that USDOT recognize the concerns of the Kalaupapa community before issuing an Order to an air carrier who submitted a subsidy free proposal. Congress established EAS to ensure small communities that were served by air carriers before deregulation of the industry in the 1970s would continue to receive sched… Continue Reading
March 08, 2018
Hirono Statement on North Korea Talks
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) released the following statement after the South Korean government announced that President Trump will meet with Kim Jong Un: "I have consistently called for a diplomatic process to de-escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Tonight's announcement is an encouraging sign, but the President has left the State Department without the full complement of diplomatic personnel necessary for these talks to be successful. I renew my call for the P… Continue Reading
March 07, 2018
Hirono, Senate Judiciary Committee Hear from Hawaii Nominee to U.S. District Court Jill Otake
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) served as the lead Democrat at today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to consider Jill Otake's nomination to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. From Senator Hirono's remarks: "Ms. Otake's upbringing, education, and career experience all speak to her qualifications to serve on the federal bench. "She has tried a large number of cases to verdict, has navigated difficult legal situations, and understands the pli… Continue Reading
March 06, 2018
Hirono: We Must Stand Together, Fight Back Against Attacks on Native Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) continued to oppose efforts to exclude Native Hawaiians from the reauthorization of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA), which provides affordable housing to the Native Hawaiian and other Native communities. In remarks to the American Indian Housing Council, Senator Hirono pledged to continue to fight to pass a NAHASDA reauthorization that includes Native Hawaiians, and to fully fund other critical Nat… Continue Reading
March 01, 2018
Hirono, Van Hollen Introduce Legislation to Clear Maintenance Backlog, Improve Agricultural Research Facilities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced legislation today to address the significant modernization needs in schools of agriculture and the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facilities. Schools of agriculture across the country, including the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), face a combined $8.4 billion maintenance backlog. In addition, ARS facilities across the… Continue Reading
March 01, 2018
Following Hirono & Udall Advocacy, Department of Defense to Investigate Sexual Assault at U.S. Air Force Academy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) welcomed an announcement that the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General is launching an investigation into the U.S. Air Force Academy's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program. A December report revealed widespread retaliation and lack of support for sexual assault survivors at the Air Force Academy. "As we continue to confront a culture of sexual assault and harassment in all professions and w… Continue Reading
March 01, 2018
Hirono Introduces Bill to Provide Legal Representation for Minors Appearing in Immigration Court
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) led 12 Senators in introducing the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act to provide unaccompanied children with access to legal representation when they appear in removal proceedings before an immigration judge. "Unaccompanied children are seeking a better life away from violence, abuse, and terror in their home countries," said Senator Hirono. "The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act provides these children with an opportunity to tell their stories and assert what legal … Continue Reading
February 26, 2018
Hirono, Inhofe Lead Full Senate in Calling on DHS to Include Israel in Global Entry Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.) led the full Senate in urging the Department of Homeland Security to expedite Israel's full membership in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Global Entry program. In a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, the Senators emphasized that Israel's full membership and reciprocal privileges for Americans would grow the U.S. economy and strengthen national security. Expansion of Global Entry to… Continue Reading
February 22, 2018
Hirono, Google Promote Online Resources for Hawaii Small Businesses
Senator Mazie K. Hirono today addressed small business owners and entrepreneurs at Google’s Get Your Business Online workshop. Senator Hirono also met with participants, who learned about setting up a website and using online advertising tools to grow their businesses. “In a 21st century economy, the internet plays an essential role in helping Hawaii small businesses reach customers across the country and around the world. I look forward to continuing to work with Google to help entrepreneurs an… Continue Reading
February 21, 2018
Hirono Honored by Hawaii Comprehensive Cancer Coalition
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today received the Courage Award from the Hawaii Comprehensive Cancer Coalition for her continued fight on behalf of Hawaii families while battling cancer. From Senator Hirono's remarks: "Mahalo to the Hawaii Comprehensive Cancer Coalition for honoring me today, and for your work every day to raise awareness of what we need to do to fight cancer. "I do not consider myself courageous or brave. I just got on with it. And I made the decision with my h… Continue Reading
February 21, 2018
Hirono Highlights Importance of Federal Funding in Visits to Waikiki Health Center, AmeriCorps Programs
HONOLULU- Senator Mazie K. Hirono today met with staff and volunteers from the Waikiki Health Center and nonprofit organizations who participate in the AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs to discuss how critical federal funding is to continue providing services to communities across Hawaii. "Hawaii's Community Health Centers and programs that receive support through AmeriCorps fill vital needs in our community," said Senator Hirono. "Hearing from AmeriCorps and Senior Corps volunteers, an… Continue Reading
February 15, 2018
Hirono Votes to Protect Dreamers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) released the following statement after voting to protect Dreamers: "I have consistently supported a clean DREAM Act, and voted in favor of the Coons-McCain amendment today that came very close to it. And while it earned the support of a bipartisan group of 52 senators, the vast majority of Republicans blocked this effort. "Unfortunately, we were left with only one option to protect the 800,000 current DACA recipients and an additiona… Continue Reading
February 14, 2018
Hirono Calls on Senate Appropriators to Respect State Marijuana Laws
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) urged Senate Committee on Appropriations Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to include provisions that require the federal government respect states’ laws regarding the regulation of marijuana when finalizing fiscal year 2018 appropriations. Congress has until March 23, 2018 to craft final fiscal year 2018 appropriations bills. The majority of states, including Hawaii, have so… Continue Reading
February 14, 2018
Hirono Honors Fred Korematsu, Urges Continued Fight Against the Muslim Ban
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono joined Karen Korematsu at an event in the Capitol to pay tribute to the life and work of her father Fred T. Korematsu. Hirono urged attendees to continue the fight against President Trump's Muslim Ban. Her remarks accompanied a screening of a new film, "And Then They Came for Us." "Fred Korematsu, Gordon Hirabayashi, and Minoru Yasui fought the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and dedicated their lives to defending civil rights,… Continue Reading
