Press Releases
Hirono: Curbing Family Detention Is Step Forward, But Time Is Now For Family Focused Comprehensive Immigration Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson announced substantial changes to immigrant detention practices regarding families, a positive response to calls by Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a fierce advocate for ensuring that family unity remains the guiding principle of our immigration system, to change our nation's treatment of vulnerable families: "My mother brought me and my brother to America when I was a young girl to have a chance at a better life. I k… Continue Reading
June 23, 2015
Hirono Honors Patsy T. Mink On 43rd Anniversary Of Title IX
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono celebrated the 43rd Anniversary of the passage of the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, commonly known as Title IX. "Forty-three years later, the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity Education Act, or Title IX, continues to open the door of opportunity and level the playing field for millions of girls in academics and athletics. This groundbreaking legislation wouldn't have been possible without my friend and inspiration Patsy T.… Continue Reading
June 18, 2015
Hirono: NDAA Does Not Responsibly End Sequester
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted to oppose the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). She joined Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Senator Jack Reed and colleagues in pushing for a responsible, bipartisan way to end the sequester. President Obama has issued a veto threat on this bill. "I am proud of my amendments to the NDAA that reaffirm the importance of the rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, help to address Red Hill, improve military energ… Continue Reading
June 17, 2015
Hawaii Delegation Commends Federal Investments to Preserve Hawaii’s Japanese American Confinement Sites
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Hawaii Congressional Delegation praised the Department of Interior's award of nearly $3 million in Japanese American Confinement Site grants, including two projects in Hawaii. These grants will support projects that will preserve confinement sites across Hawaii and tell the stories of Japanese Americans who were unlawfully detained during World War II. "For decades, the Hawaii delegation and Japanese American community have fought to preserve internment sites as me… Continue Reading
June 17, 2015
Hirono, Reid & Heller Continue To Stand Up For Filipino World War II Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono demanded an explanation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on their proposal to take funds from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund (FVEC) to pay for cost overruns at the mismanaged Denver VA project. In a letter to VA Secretary Robert McDonald, which was also signed by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Dean Heller (R-NV), the Senators underscored the importance of the FVEC, which provides much-delayed compensation to… Continue Reading
June 16, 2015
Senators Hirono And Schatz Recommend Judicial Nominees To White House For U.S. District Court Vacancy
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Senator Brian Schatz announced their recommendation to the White House of three Hawaii residents for consideration to fill the open U.S. District Court Judgeship for the District of Hawaii following Chief Judge Susan Oki Mollway's transition to a senior judge on November 6, 2015. The candidates, Clare Connors, David Louie, and Jill Otake, who are listed in alphabetical order in the letter, were among those recommended by the Federal Judicial S… Continue Reading
June 16, 2015
With Talia’s Law Amendment To Defense Bill, Hirono Fights To Protect Children From Abuse On Our Military Bases
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday on the Senate floor, Senator Mazie K. Hirono shared the heartbreaking story of Talia Williams, a five year old girl who died after months of abuse at the hands of her father and stepmother, to introduce "Talia's Law" as an amendment to this year's National Defense Authorization Act. From Senator Hirono's floor speech: "I am hopeful that, by requiring such dual reporting, no military connected children will remain in abusive homes because information never made it t… Continue Reading
June 11, 2015
Bipartisan and Bicameral Group Introduce Legislation to Award Congressional Gold Medal to WWII Filipino Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) today announced the introduction of legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino Veterans of World War II. They were joined in this effort by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Dean Heller (R-NV), Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Congressman Joe Heck (R-NV), Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA), Congressman Mark Takai (D-HI), Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Congres… Continue Reading
June 10, 2015
Hirono Facilitates Second Annual Hawaii On The Hill Policy Summit, Connects Hawaii Businesses With Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This morning, Senator Mazie K. Hirono welcomed Hawaii businesses to Capitol Hill for the second annual Hawaii on the Hill Policy Summit. More than 50 representatives from businesses across Hawaii attended the Hawaii on the Hill Policy summit held in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center for policy discussions with officials from federal agencies and U.S. Senators. "We're very far away in Hawaii and it makes a big difference when our people can come directly to Washington, D.C. and… Continue Reading
June 08, 2015
Hirono To Welcome Hawaii Businesses To Washington For Second Annual Hawaii On The Hill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Senator Mazie K. Hirono will welcome Hawaii businesses to the U.S. Capitol for the second annual Hawaii on the Hill. Hawaii on the Hill is hosted by Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and consists of the Hawaii on the Hill Policy Summit and Taste of Hawaii on Capitol Hill reception. In 2014, 50 Hawaii businesses participated in the two-day event and approximately 1,000 people attended the Taste of Hawaii on Capitol Hill. "This week, I will welcome over 100 Hawaii reside… Continue Reading
May 29, 2015
Hirono: Expanding Preclearance To Japan Is Good News For Hawaii’s Tourism Industry, Economy & Japanese Visitors Eager To Visit Hawaii
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that it will take a significant new step towards the expansion of its preclearance program to Japan's Narita International Airport which currently offers direct flights to Honolulu International Airport. "The fact that that the United States will go forward in working to expand preclearance to Japan's Narita International Airport is a good news for Hawaii's tourism industry, the ec… Continue Reading
May 27, 2015
Senate Passes Hirono’s Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Late last week, the United States Senate passed Senator Mazie K. Hirono's bipartisan resolution recognizing May as Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month. "Over the course of this month, I've met dynamic Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders who continue to build upon the achievements and foundation laid by Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) trailblazers." said Senator Hirono. "In recognition of APA heritage month, I led a bipartisan group of Senators in p… Continue Reading
May 22, 2015
HIRONO STANDS FOR EVEN PLAYING FIELD FOR U.S. WORKERS & BUSINESSES, OPPOSES FAST TRACK TRADE LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today Senator Mazie K. Hirono opposed trade promotion authority legislation, also known as "fast track" authority, which was passed by the U.S. Senate 62-37: "This was an important vote on an important issue. Congress should set strong, enforceable guidelines that ensure trade deals include strong labor, environmental, and other standards that guarantee workers and businesses in places like Hawaii are on an equal playing field. Trade agreements should not result in a continui… Continue Reading
May 22, 2015
Hirono Continues Commitment To Improving Veterans’ Health Care In New Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Senator Mazie K. Hirono is introducing a package of legislation that continues her ongoing work to prioritize making sure our veterans and their families can access the benefits and care they've earned: "Each Memorial Day, we recognize the brave men and women who sacrificed for our freedom. While some of our servicemen and women have paid the ultimate sacrifice, we honor them by keeping our promise to those who are coming home," said Senator Hirono. "Providing tim… Continue Reading
May 19, 2015
Hirono Leads Bipartisan Resolution To Recognize Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This month, Senator Mazie K. Hirono, the first Asian American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. "Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a celebration of the contributions and progress made by the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in Hawaii and across the country. The AAPI community is the fastest growing minority population in the United States and will have an in… Continue Reading
May 18, 2015
Hirono Appointed To U.S. Air Force Academy Board Of Visitors
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after her appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors: "The outstanding men and women who comprise the Cadet Wing at the U.S. Air Force Academy represent some of our nation's best and brightest. I am honored to accept this appointment to the Academy's Board of Visitors and stand ready to work with my Board colleagues and Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson, the fi… Continue Reading
May 14, 2015
Hirono On NDAA: I Support Fair, Responsible, Balanced Approaches To End Sequester, Not Budget Gimmicks
WASHINGTON , D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted today in committee to oppose the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) as a statement of principle against Washington's sequester budget gimmicks: "Today I reluctantly voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the Senate Armed Services Committee. In spite of all the important provisions in the bill which I support, it did nothing to put our country on a r… Continue Reading
May 13, 2015
Hirono Authors Clean Energy Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono introduced a package of energy bills this week that highlight her commitment to spurring innovation and investment in clean energy in Hawaii and across the country: "While Hawaii leads the way in clean energy goals, we still face the highest energy costs in the nation and are committed to transitioning away from our dependence on fossil fuels and towards clean sources of energy," said Senator Hirono. "Our island state leads the nation in setting goals … Continue Reading
May 12, 2015
Hawaii Delegation Fights To Restore Medicaid Access For COFA Migrants With New Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Senator Brian Schatz, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and Congressman Mark Takai introduced legislation to reinstate Medicaid eligibility for Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants. In 1996, Congress passed a law that made migrants from Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands ineligible for federal Medicaid dollars. Without federal dollars, Hawaii has borne the cost of care for COFA migrants which has strained the state's resources. Each … Continue Reading
May 08, 2015
During National Small Business Week, Hirono Introduces Legislation To Help Hawaii Small Businesses Get Started and Grow Green Jobs
WASHINGTON, DC - This week, during National Small Business Week, Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a Member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, introduced two pieces of legislation to help small businesses in Hawaii and across the country grow and succeed: "All small businesses in Hawaii and across the country deserve a fair shot to succeed and National Small Business Week serves as a reminder that small businesses create 90% of Hawaii's jobs and entrepreneurs are at the forefr… Continue Reading
