Press Releases
Hirono: Defense Authorization Bill Includes Provisions to Keep Hawaii Safe, Strengthen Hawaii’s Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, successfully secured provisions that will strengthen Hawaii's security and economy in the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act that passed the Senate today. Senator Hirono also served as a member of the NDAA Conference Committee, which reconciled the different versions of the bill passed by the House and Senate. The NDAA is a bill that lays out the resource levels and def… Continue Reading
November 15, 2017
Hirono Introduces Bill to Close Loophole in Military Justice System that Enables Convicted Abusers to Buy Guns
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono today introduced the Military Domestic Violence Reporting Enhancement Act, legislation to close a dangerous loophole in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) that enables convicted abusers to purchase firearms. Federal civilian law mandates that those convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are not authorized to purchase a firearm. Under the current UCMJ, which is applied to military personnel on active duty, a domestic violence conv… Continue Reading
November 13, 2017
Senate Passes Hirono, Hatch Bill to Expand Long Term Health Care Coverage for Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. Senate unanimously passed Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Orrin G. Hatch's (R-Utah) State Veterans Home Adult Day Health Care Improvement Act, a bill to ensure 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). "VA coverage of adult day health care allows Hawaii veterans and their families to afford comprehens… Continue Reading
November 11, 2017
Hirono Honors Servicemembers on Veterans Day
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day: "Each Veterans Day, we are reminded of the bravery and commitment of the men and women who have served and are still serving our country. We honor our servicemembers, our veterans, and their families for their dedication and sacrifices to defending the values of liberty and freedom. "We also recognize our brave servicemen and women by supporting their transition back to civilian life, inc… Continue Reading
November 09, 2017
Hirono, Capito, Green, Bucshon Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Seniors’ Access to Shingles Vaccine
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) and Representatives Gene Green (D-Texas) and Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) introduced the Protecting Seniors through Immunization Act (or "Shingles Prevention Act")-bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would eliminate Medicare Part D beneficiaries' out of pocket costs for the shingles vaccine and raise awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated. One in three Americans will develop shingles in their lifetime. "Fin… Continue Reading
November 08, 2017
Hirono, Feinstein, Senate Democrats Introduce Assault Weapons Ban
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced the Assault Weapons Ban of 2017, a bill to ban the sale, transfer, manufacture, and importation of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. "Thoughts, prayers, and moments of silence will not curb the epidemic of mass shootings in our country," said Senator Hirono. "Removing military-style assault weapons from our streets is a concrete step we can take to reduce gun violence." T… Continue Reading
November 07, 2017
Hirono: University of Hawaii Granted $1.7 Million to Support Agricultural Education
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that the University of Hawaii will receive more than $1.7 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support agriculture and sustainability education programs. "As we work toward growing more of our food at home, this funding will support programs across the University of Hawaii system that create pathways for local students to have meaningful careers in Hawaii's agricultural industry," said Senator Hirono. The University of Hawaii's… Continue Reading
November 03, 2017
Hirono, Hawaii Congressional Delegation Introduce Legislation to Address Working Conditions in Hawaii’s Longline Fishing Fleet
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono and the Hawaii Congressional Delegation introduced the Sustainable Fishing Workforce Protection Act, legislation that would address concerns about the status of foreign workers in Hawaii's longline fishing fleet. "This bill provides necessary protections for foreign fishermen and ensures the continued viability of Hawaii's longline fishing fleet, which is important to our culture," said Senator Hirono. "Throughout this process, I have worked with a rang… Continue Reading
November 03, 2017
Hirono, Daines Bill Signed into Law to Make APEC Travel Card Permanent
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Steve Daines' (R-Mont.) bill to make permanent the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card program was signed into to law by the President. The law, which grants Americans and citizens from APEC nations access to fast-track processing lanes at Daniel K. Inouye Honolulu International Airport and airports across the U.S. and Asia-Pacific, was passed by Congress last month. "The APEC Business Travel Card program has … Continue Reading
November 02, 2017
Hirono Opposes Mandate to Energy Committee to Pay for GOP Tax Proposal with Arctic Drilling
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono opposed plans to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development to fulfill a mandate in the Republican tax and budget plan that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee raise $1 billion in new revenue to pay for tax cuts to corporations and the wealthiest Americans by November 13. In a hearing this morning, Senator Hirono questioned U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Principal Deputy Director Greg Sheehan on the Trump administ… Continue Reading
November 01, 2017
Hirono: Taiwan’s Inclusion in Global Entry Strengthens Hawaii’s Visitor Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today announced that Taiwan has officially been added to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry program. This decision enables Taiwanese to apply for expedited customs clearance when visiting the United States. American citizens will also be extended similar benefits on arrival in Taiwan. "Taiwan's inclusion in the Global Entry program further strengthens our ties to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, and allows CBP to direct s… Continue Reading
October 30, 2017
Hirono, Duckworth Lead Effort to Recognize Women’s Small Business Month in Senate
Washington, D.C.-Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) led a Senate resolution recognizing October as Women's Small Business Month, and encouraging minority women entrepreneurs. "National Women's Small Business Month is an opportunity to celebrate women entrepreneurs in Hawaii, and recommit to creating opportunity for more women to start their own businesses," said Senator Hirono, a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. "While the overall… Continue Reading
October 26, 2017
Hirono Applauds TSA PreCheck Expansion to All Nippon Airways
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today hailed the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) decision to expand its PreCheck program to All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan's largest airline. ANA operates three flights daily from Tokyo to Daniel K. Inouye Honolulu International Airport. TSA PreCheck allows pre-approved travelers to receive expedited security screening at U.S. airports without the need to remove shoes, laptops, certain liquids, belts or light jackets. "Includ… Continue Reading
October 25, 2017
Hirono, Gabbard Present Filipino World War II Veterans with Congressional Gold Medal
20 Hawaii Veterans & Family Members Attend Capitol Ceremony Ceremony Follows Years-Long Effort to Recognize Filipino World War II Veterans WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and Congressional leaders presented the Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino World War II veterans. The presentation ceremony was the culmination of Senator Hirono and Congresswoman Gabbard's years-long effort to recognize Filipino World War II veterans with the Congressional Gold … Continue Reading
October 24, 2017
Congress Passes Hirono, Daines Bill to Make APEC Travel Card Permanent
Legislation Now Goes to President for Approval Over 200 Hawaii Residents Currently Benefit from the Program WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives passed Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Steve Daines' (R-Mont.) bill to make permanent the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card Program. The bill, which grants Americans and citizens from APEC nations access to fast-track processing lanes at Daniel K. Inouye Honolulu International Airport and airports a… Continue Reading
October 20, 2017
Hirono, Schatz, Gabbard Announce Nearly $3 Million to Improve Drinking Water Infrastructure in Puna
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz, and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard announced that the Hawaiian Shores Community Association (HSCA) will receive nearly $3 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve its community drinking water system in Puna, Hawaii. "Rural communities in Hawaii face unique challenges in maintaining and updating aging water infrastructure," said Senator Hirono. "This federal investment will help HSCA make needed impro… Continue Reading
October 19, 2017
Hirono: Republican Budget “Inflicts Pain,” Reflects Trump’s “Misplaced Priorities”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted against the Republican budget resolution for federal fiscal year 2018. The resolution passed on a 51-49 vote. While the budget resolution does not become law, it outlines the budget and tax priorities that Congress will pursue in the coming year. "This budget reflects Donald Trumps misplaced priorities-giving tax cuts to the richest in our country and paying for it by inflicting pain on virtually everyone else. It's yet another broken Trum… Continue Reading
October 19, 2017
Hirono Secures Commitment from Department of Defense to Promote New Cybersecurity Requirements for Contractors
WASHINGTON, D.C. - During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on strengthening cybersecurity, Senator Mazie K. Hirono questioned Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security Kenneth Rapuano on how the Department is helping defense contractors comply with heightened requirements to ensure sensitive information is protected. "As we continue to face cybersecurity threats, it's critical that we increase data protection," said Senator Hirono, Ranking Member of the Se… Continue Reading
October 17, 2017
Hirono Grills D.C. Circuit Nominee on Past Opposition to Native Hawaiian Rights
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono grilled Greg Katsas, a nominee to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, about his past opposition to Native Hawaiian rights during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee today. As a senior official in the George W. Bush Justice Department, Mr. Katsas testified against the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, also known as the Akaka Bill, during a Senate hearing in 2007. In his testimony, Mr. Katsas s… Continue Reading
October 13, 2017
Hirono: Trump Decision to Decertify Iran Nuclear Deal Is “Dangerous, Political”
HONOLULU - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the President's decision to decertify the Iran Nuclear Deal: "Our European Allies, the United Nations, and the President's own civilian and military national security team all agree that Iran is not in material breach of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "In making the dangerous, political decision to decertify Iran's compliance with the agreement, Donald Trump is jeopardizing our national security by undermin… Continue Reading
