Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) urged the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide increased funding–at least $32 million–for the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHS) in FY 2025 to ensure these highly-trained frontline workers are always ready and...

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to mark May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The resolution recognizes the significant contributions that Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities have made to...

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA) introduced the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, bicameral legislation to guarantee the right of public sector employees to organize, act concertedly, and bargain collectively in states that currently do not afford these basic...

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tom Carper (D-DE), and U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Katie Porter (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), and over 130 colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Daniel...

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Jack Reed (D-RI) joined 17 of their colleagues in urging the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education, and Related Agencies to fully fund Unemployment Insurance (UI) administration based on President Joe Biden’s request in...

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan resolution introduced by Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and four colleagues, that would designate May 18, 2024 as “National Kids to Parks Day.” The resolution encourages young people and their families to get outdoors and promotes healthy...

Lawmakers: “We do not support a system that detains people in inhumane conditions that result in long-term medical issues, psychological trauma, and sometimes death. We urge that these facilities be shut down, in a step towards building an immigration system that welcomes and respects migrants.” WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI)...

~ Lawmakers urge Senate Appropriations Committee leadership to provide no less than $3 billion in FY 2025 funding for FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program ~ WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and 14 colleagues in calling on Senate Appropriations...

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined 11 of her Senate colleagues from disaster-impacted states in urging President Biden to reevaluate and resubmit its request for supplemental disaster funding. The letter, led by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), was also signed by Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Alex...

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, joined a bipartisan group of fourteen members of the Senate in sending a letter to the leadership of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense urging them to preserve the...

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA) in issuing the following statement in...

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) secured several key priorities for Hawaii in the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024, a multi-year Farm Bill proposal recently released by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). “The Farm Bill has a tremendous impact on our country’s food and crops that are grown...

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced a resolution marking May 10, 2024 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day. The resolution recognizes the importance of mental health to the well-being of AANHPI families and communities and acknowledges the importance of raising awareness...

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, applauded the passage of a bill she supported to collectively award a group of Vietnam War veterans known as “Dustoff Crews” with the Congressional Gold Medal. The legislation, led by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA),...

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Susan Collins (D-ME), and 25 colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution to honor our nation’s teachers and commemorate National Teacher Appreciation Week as May 6-10. This resolution recognizes the important work of teachers across the nation and thank...

~ Lawmakers: “We believe this funding request is needed to provide FSA with the resources it needs to fulfill its goal of ensuring that all eligible students and families can access federal student grants, loans, and work-study funds to pursue education and training beyond high school.” ~ WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined...

WASHINGTON, DC – In celebration of May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) is partnering with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) to host a two-part photo exhibition highlighting prominent members of the AANHPI community in the Rotunda of the Russell...

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and 23 Senate colleagues in introducing a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing National Nurses Week. National Nurses Week 2024 is celebrated from May 6-12. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives...

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and six colleagues in reintroducing a joint resolution that would enshrine an explicit, individual right to vote in the U.S. Constitution, and protect all Americans who seek to exercise this fundamental right. “The...