Press Releases
HIRONO JOINS BIPARTISAN GROUP OF COLLEAGUES TO CALL FOR FAIR MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined today with sexual assault survivor advocates and a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues to build support for legislation that would reform the military justice system to make it fairer to survivors of sexual assault. The Military Justice Improvement Act would remove the chain of command's sole decision-making power over whether cases move forward to trial. "The crime of sexual assault in the mil… Continue Reading
November 06, 2013
HIRONO TAKES TO SENATE FLOOR, CALLS TO END BUDGET CUTS THAT UNDERMINE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND HURT OUR ECONOMY
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono took to the Senate floor to call for the end of harmful sequestration cuts. "Just as a hollowed out force will struggle to meet mission requirements, a hollowed out workforce will struggle to compete in the global economy. These two things are tightly linked. That is why I urge my colleagues to support eliminating sequestration for both defense and non-defense programs," said Hirono. Watch the full speech here: http://youtu.be/wH8Ik6iRtmQ. Read Hiron… Continue Reading
November 05, 2013
HIRONO, COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO PROTECT MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS DURING ARTICLE 32 PROCEEDINGS
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined a bipartisan group of colleagues to introduce legislation today to amend Article 32 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to help prevent abusive treatment of sexual assault victims in a pre-trial setting. "Given that too many sexual assaults already go unreported, it is simply wrong that the men and women who have the courage to step forward and report their attacks have to endure humil… Continue Reading
November 01, 2013
HIRONO IS HARD AT WORK WITH THE SENATE BACK IN SESSION
Senator Hirono Leads Effort to Take the Threat of Default off the Table After last month's near-catastrophic default on our debt, Senator Hirono announced the introduction of the Pay Our Bills Act, which would permanently allow Congress to disapprove debt ceiling increases instead of approving them. "This bill prevents the debt limit from being used as a political football in the future," argued Hirono. "It will make sure we meet our obligations and prevent the kind of brinksmanship that the Ame… Continue Reading
October 31, 2013
HIRONO STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF PATRICIA MILLETT’S NOMINATION TO D.C. CIRCUIT COURT
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement in support of Patricia Millett's nomination to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The nomination was filibustered today by Senate Republicans. "As my colleagues have noted, Patricia Millett will bring a wealth of experience and skill to the bench. She is a nationally recognized appellate attorney. She has argued 35 cases in nearly all of the federal appellate courts and 32 cases at the Supr… Continue Reading
October 30, 2013
HIRONO, MORAN, ISAKSON AND BEGICH INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO EXTEND EMERGENCY CARE COVERAGE FOR VETERANS
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Jerry Moran (R-KS), Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Mark Begich (D-AK), members of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, announced new legislation this week to help extend emergency care coverage for veterans. Currently, a veteran enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system can only be reimbursed for emergency care at a non-VA facility if he or she has received treatment at the VA within the past two years. However, veterans who ha… Continue Reading
October 29, 2013
HIRONO, COLLEAGUES URGE ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDER TO PREVENT TAXPAYERS FROM FOOTING WALL STREET’S PENALTY BILL
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Bill Nelson (D-FL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) called on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to prevent American taxpayers from having to foot the bill as a result of settlement negotiations between the U.S. Department of Justice and JPMorgan Chase over the bank's mortgage lending practices in the lead up to the financial crisis. While the details of the settlement are not final, numerous me… Continue Reading
October 29, 2013
HIRONO, COLLEAGUES ANNOUNCE LEGISLATION TO TAKE THE THREAT OF DEFAULT OFF THE TABLE FOR GOOD
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) introduced new legislation - the Pay Our Bills Act - that would permanently allow Congress to disapprove debt ceiling increases, instead of approving them. The plan, based on the 'McConnell rule' first proposed in 2011 and employed again in the most recent agreement to end the shutdown and avoid default, would drastically reduce the chances that the debt ceiling could be used as a politica… Continue Reading
October 25, 2013
HIRONO RETURNS TO HAWAII, LISTENS TO ORGANIZATIONS AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Honolulu, HI - After voting to end the government shutdown and pay our nation's bills, Senator Mazie K. Hirono returned to Hawaii to hear firsthand how local residents and organizations were impacted by the 16-day debacle. Hirono also focused on comprehensive immigration reform - a major upcoming priority outlined by President Obama - and heard from DREAM Act students, who were brought to the United States as children. "Throughout the government shutdown, I strongly believed the most compelling… Continue Reading
October 23, 2013
SENATOR HIRONO STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF SHIZUKO "MARY" TESHIMA
Honolulu, HI - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today released the following statement on the passing of Shizuko "Mary" Teshima. "Hawaii has lost a true ambassador of aloha with the passing of my friend, "Grandma" Mary Teshima. In all the years I had known her, Grandma Teshima was always warm, caring and energetic. Stopping by her iconic Teshima's restaurant in Kona and enjoying comfort food, such as the famous tempura and udon, made me feel right at home. "Grandma Teshima had been one of my strongest … Continue Reading
October 16, 2013
HIRONO VOTES TO END GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND PAY NATION’S BILLS
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono voted today to end the government shutdown and pay the nation's bills. "It should be clear that dysfunction is not the proper way to govern. We cannot continue to lurch from crisis to crisis every few weeks or months. An extreme faction in Washington thought that Congress' basic responsibilities were viable negotiating chips and put our nation on the precipice of default. The shutdown was senseless and hurt people and businesses in Hawaii and across t… Continue Reading
September 27, 2013
HIRONO VOTES TO PREVENT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND PROTECT KUPUNA, SERVICE MEMBERS AND WORKING FAMILIES
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono voted today to stop a government shutdown by passing a clean continuing resolution that also protects health care reform funding. The U.S. House of Representatives now must follow suit before midnight October 1 to avoid a government shutdown that would furlough thousands of federal workers in Hawaii alone. "Today, the far-right quest to defund Obamacare failed. Now it is time for House Republicans to act responsibly to stop a government shutdown that w… Continue Reading
September 25, 2013
HIRONO JOINS WOMEN SENATORS, MOTHERS & MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN BLASTING REPUBLICAN ATTEMPTS TO DEFUND OBAMACARE, SHUTDOWN GOVERNMENT
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono joined her Democratic female colleagues, pregnant women, new mothers and medical professionals today to blast Republican attempts to defund health care reform by forcing a government shutdown. Repealing or defunding the Affordable Care Act would take away basic coverage like maternity care, prenatal care, preventive screenings like mammograms, and other services for millions of women. Gutting the law would return women to the days when they could be cha… Continue Reading
September 20, 2013
HIRONO STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF DR. VICTOR HAO LI
Honolulu, HI - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today released the following statement on the passing of former President of the East-West Center, Dr. Victor Hao Li. "I am saddened to hear of the passing of Victor Hao Li. Dr. Li's leadership helped guide and nurture the East-West Center into an institution that strengthens diplomatic ties and promotes greater understanding between the United States, Asia and the Pacific. Dr. Li worked extensively on expanding our knowledge of the cultural influences a… Continue Reading
September 20, 2013
HIRONO DISCUSSES REBALANCE TO THE PACIFIC WITH TOP MILITARY, DEFENSE LEADERS
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, met this week with top military and defense leaders and discussed critical military issues including the rebalance to the Pacific, the harmful effects of sequestration, investments in sustainable energy technology and efforts to prevent and prosecute sexual assaults in the military. Hirono met separately with Admiral Harry Harris, who will take over as Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in October, and … Continue Reading
September 19, 2013
HAWAII RECEIVES FULL FISCAL YEAR 2013 FUNDING FOR THE HONOLULU RAIL PROJECT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded the appropriated amount under Fiscal Year 2013 for Honolulu's rail project today. Both the Senate and House approved the funding in March. "Today's rail funding announcement demonstrates the federal government's ongoing commitment to Honolulu's rail project," Hirono said. "This project is already creating jobs and, when completed, will provide transportation o… Continue Reading
September 18, 2013
HIRONO TAKES TO SENATE FLOOR, URGES PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN BILL PROMOTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY, JOB CREATION
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono took today to the Senate floor in support of a bipartisan bill that would help promote energy efficiency in Hawaii and around the country. The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act would help states reduce our nation's CO2 emissions while also saving taxpayers money by making the federal government more energy-efficient and supporting job creation and training in the commercial building design and operation industry. If signed into law, the … Continue Reading
September 17, 2013
SENATOR MAZIE K. HIRONO ANNOUNCES $7,485,000 TO IMPROVE INTER-ISLAND FERRIES THAT CONNECT LANAI, MAUI AND MOLOKAI
Washington, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that $7,485,000 in U.S. Department of Transportation funding is coming to Hawaii to improve its inter-island ferries. The funding will be used to support ferries from Kaunakakai, Manele, and Maalaea small boat harbors, located on Molokai, Lanai, and Maui respectively. "Connecting our islands through transit and supporting air transit alternatives are necessary strategies to develop a more sustainable economy," said Hirono. "This fundin… Continue Reading
September 16, 2013
HIRONO ANNOUNCES NEARLY $3 MILLION FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced seven Hawaii educational and community institutions will receive nearly $3 million for Native Hawaiian career and technical education programs from the U.S. Department of Education. These projects will be directed by Alu Like, Inc., a private, non-profit service organization that assists Native Hawaiians in their efforts to achieve social and economic self-sufficiency. "This critical education funding demonstrates our nation's commitmen… Continue Reading
September 12, 2013
WHAT HAWAII RESIDENTS ARE READING TODAY ABOUT HIRONO’S SUCCESSFUL PUSH TO END HAWAII AVOCADO BAN
Here is what folks in Hawaii are saying after Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will lift its ban on Hawaii Sharwil avocado shipments to the mainland. Hirono led efforts among her delegation colleagues to get the USDA to lift the ban, a goal long-sought by Senator Dan Inouye: "Move over, Haas. Guacamole connoisseurs around the U.S. will soon have a new domestic avocado to try - not from California or Florida, but Hawaii," announced the A… Continue Reading
