Press Releases
Hirono Leads Pledge to Fight Unfair Trump Attacks on Federal Workers
Senator Mazie K. Hirono and 14 Senate Democrats unveiled their "Five Fights for Federal Employees," a proposal to protect current and retired government workers from ideologically motivated attacks from Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration. This resolution is a statement of principles that Senate Democrats intend to use to fight back against Republican attacks on the federal workforce. These principles include a commitment to defend fair pay and earned benefits, oppose the erosi… Continue Reading
February 06, 2017
Hirono Shares Messages from Hawaii Educators Opposed to Betsy DeVos
Today on the Senate floor, Senator Mazie K. Hirono shared messages from two Hawaii educators opposed to the nomination of Betsy DeVos to serve as Secretary of Education. From Senator Hirono's remarks: "It shouldn't be asking too much to have an Education Secretary who will stand up for public schools and the millions of our children who attend public schools. That person is not Betsy DeVos." Click on the photo above to watch Senator Hirono's remarks From Senator Hirono's remarks, as prepar… Continue Reading
February 03, 2017
Hirono Continues Representative Mark Takai’s Efforts to Provide Health Care to Atomic Veterans
Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Al Franken (D-Minn.) introduced the Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act, legislation that Representative Takai introduced last Congress. This bill would provide important health care benefits to Atomic Veterans who were exposed to high levels of harmful radiation when assigned to clean up nuclear testing sites during the late 1970s. "Mark's legislative priorities made clear his commitment to his fellow service members," said Senator Hirono. "It's not … Continue Reading
February 03, 2017
On National Wear Red Day, Hirono, Murkowski Lead Effort to Recognize American Heart Month
Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) led a bipartisan resolution designating February 2017 as American Heart Month, and Feb. 3, 2017 specifically as National Wear Red Day. "Heart disease kills three out of every ten people in Hawaii and one in three nationwide, including a significant number of women and minorities," said Senator Hirono. "The bipartisan support of this resolution is a testament to the commitment by our nation's lawmakers to raise awareness about the… Continue Reading
February 03, 2017
Hirono Honors Fred Korematsu, Denounces Trump’s Targeting of Muslim & Minority Communities
Senator Mazie K. Hirono introduced a resolution honoring Fred Korematsu, who challenged the internment of Japanese Americans, for his work and advocacy of the civil rights and liberties of all people, and denouncing President Donald Trump's executive order establishing a Muslim ban. "In the face of overwhelming prejudice and adversity, Fred Korematsu stood up for the civil rights of 120,000 Japanese Americans, then spent the rest of his life fighting for justice," said Senator Hirono. "Today, F… Continue Reading
February 03, 2017
Hirono to Oppose Betsy DeVos’ Nomination for Secretary of Education
Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced that she will oppose the nomination of Betsy DeVos to serve as Secretary of Education. From Senator Hirono's remarks: "Why are we even debating the nomination of a person who clearly does not believe in our nation's public schools? "We are going down the rabbit hole where up is down and down is up. It shouldn't be asking too much to have an education secretary who will stand up for public schools and the millions of our children who attend our public sc… Continue Reading
January 31, 2017
ICYMI: Hirono Stands Up to Trump on MSNBC
Senator Mazie K. Hirono continued to call for President Trump to rescind his immoral executive order on immigration, and raised concerns about several of his nominees today on MSNBC with Jacob Soboroff. From the segment: "Actions speak louder than words. We're not even through week two of the Trump presidency and already he has issued an executive order that has raised concerns all over the world - his executive order on immigration that targets Muslims. "Every time we go down that path to ta… Continue Reading
January 31, 2017
Hirono Statement on Nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court
Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court: "In his first two weeks as President, Donald Trump has demonstrated minimal tolerance for independent thinking and dissent. I am deeply concerned that his choice for the Supreme Court, Judge Neil Gorsuch, will be a rubber stamp for the President's radical agenda. We owe it to the American people to vet this nominee extensively and ex… Continue Reading
January 31, 2017
Hirono to Oppose Nominees for Energy & Interior Secretaries
Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will oppose the nominations of Governor Rick Perry to serve as Secretary of Energy and Representative Ryan Zinke to serve as Secretary of the Interior. The Energy and Natural Resources Committee will vote on the nominations this morning. "The Trump Administration has made it clear they intend to deny the reality of climate change and prioritize fossil fuel extraction above responsible use of our public lands… Continue Reading
January 31, 2017
Hirono Vows to Defend Park Service Employees from Retaliation as Ranking Member of National Parks Subcommittee
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairwoman Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) named Senator Mazie K. Hirono as the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. "Since day one of his Presidency, Donald Trump has attacked the National Park Service for telling the truth and silenced objective science about climate change," Senator Hirono said. "As Ranking Member of the National Parks Subcommittee,… Continue Reading
January 30, 2017
Hirono Demands President Trump Rescind “Despicable, Immoral” Executive Order Establishing a Muslim Ban
Senator Mazie K. Hirono demanded that President Donald Trump rescind his executive order establishing a Muslim ban during a rally on the steps of the Supreme Court today. "Donald Trump can deny it all he wants, but we understand him loud and clear. This is a Muslim ban, and it's deeply wrong," Senator Hirono said. "If we don't speak out against Trump's Muslim ban now, we will be complicit in what comes next. President Trump must rescind this despicable, immoral executive order immediately." Se… Continue Reading
January 30, 2017
At Hirono’s Request, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Launches One-Week Pilot Program for Biometrics Services on Maui
Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will pilot a one-time, one-week biometrics collection for immigration benefits on Maui from February 27 to March 3, 2017. "This decision will allow USCIS to provide services in an equitable manner to individuals on Maui and ease the financial burden faced by already vulnerable immigrant families," said Senator Hirono. In June 2016 Senator Hirono wrote to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director u… Continue Reading
January 27, 2017
Hirono to Trump: ‘Despicable’ Executive Order Exploits Fear of Immigrants & Refugees
Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement: "It's despicable that President Trump chose Holocaust Remembrance Day to issue yet another executive order that exploits fear of refugees and immigrants. This is wrong. I will continue to fight the President's extreme, knee jerk actions that divide our country."… Continue Reading
January 26, 2017
Hirono Calls for Exemption of Federal Hiring Freeze for Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard
Senator Mazie K. Hirono and a bipartisan group of seven Senators wrote to Secretary of Defense James Mattis to call for exempting Department of Navy shipyard civilian employees from the recent executive order signed by President Trump that freezes federal hiring. While the President's executive order states that it does not apply to military personnel or positions considered essential to meet national security responsibilities, the uncertainty has caused shipyards across the country to suspend h… Continue Reading
January 20, 2017
Hirono: I Will Resist Any Attempt the President Makes to Dismantle the Progress We’ve Made
Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the inauguration of President Donald Trump: "I attended today's inauguration out of respect for our democracy, our institutions, and the peaceful transition of power, but remain deeply concerned about President Trump's vision for America. I will resist any attempt the President makes to dismantle the progress we've made to increase health care access, protect immigrants and working families, and expand civil rights."… Continue Reading
January 20, 2017
Hirono: I Believe General Kelly Will Provide Candid Advice to President Trump
After voting in support of General John Kelly, President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security, Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement: "General Kelly has testified before the Senate Armed Services numerous times as the commander of U.S. Southern Command. I believe he will provide candid, reasoned advice to President Trump. "While I supported his confirmation as Secretary of Homeland Security, I have serious concerns about whether he would accede to and implement… Continue Reading
January 18, 2017
Hirono to Continue Leadership Role on Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) announced that Senator Mazie K. Hirono will continue to serve as the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower in the 115th Congress. "Hawaii continues to be the center of America's strategic interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific," said Senator Hirono. "As Ranking Member of the Seapower Subcommittee, I will continue to advocate for a strong Navy and Marine Corps, and in s… Continue Reading
January 12, 2017
Hirono to oppose Sessions nomination for Attorney General
Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced that she would vote against the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) to serve as Attorney General. From Senator Hirono's remarks: "Over the past two months, I've heard from hundreds of my constituents and a number of prominent civil rights organizations - including a number who testified yesterday - on this issue. "I will vote against the nomination of Jeff Sessions to serve as Attorney General because I am… Continue Reading
January 09, 2017
Hirono: Fight continues to protect Medicare and Medicaid
Senator Mazie K. Hirono vowed to keep up the fight to protect Medicare and Medicaid after all but two Republican Senators voted against her amendment to prevent any changes to either program without a supermajority in the Senate. "During the campaign, President-elect Trump promised not to cut Medicare and Medicaid. Senate Republicans broke this promise tonight and demonstrated that they are willing to sell-out seniors and working families in their crusade to repeal Obamacare," Senator Hirono sa… Continue Reading
January 09, 2017
Hirono, Donnelly introduce amendment to protect Medicare and Medicaid
Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Senator Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), and 17 Senate Democrats introduced an amendment to protect Medicare and Medicaid from the budget reconciliation process. "For the past 50 years, seniors and working families have enjoyed the peace of mind of knowing that Medicare and Medicaid will be there for them," Senator Hirono said. "This budget resolution would dismantle these critical programs and our social safety net, resulting in too many families losing their health insurance. I… Continue Reading
