Press Releases

Senator Mazie K. Hirono issued the following statement on the partial government shutdown: “Two nights ago, the Senate did its job by passing a bill to keep the government open with the expectation that the House would pass it and that the President would sign it into law. But at the 11th hour, Donald Trump succumbed to pressure from his far...

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) to recognize the contributions of more than 18,000 Chinese-American World War II veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal—the highest civilian honor that Congress can bestow. The Chinese American World War II Veterans...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono issued the following statement after the Trump Administration announced it would end its policy of requiring fingerprinting of all adult members in the households of potential sponsors for unaccompanied minor immigrants to the United States: “Last weekend, I visited Tornillo – a tent city housing 2,700...

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s resignation: “During his tenure as Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke continuously demonstrated blatant disregard for science, conservation, and the federal workforce—all critical components of the Department. Like...

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) voted today to pass a resolution to end U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Following the 56-41 vote, Senator Hirono released the following statement: “The humanitarian crisis in Yemen continues unabated. But today, a bipartisan majority in the Senate voted to end U.S. military...

Washington, D.C. – In a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and 33 colleagues in calling on the Federal Aviation Administration to implement Section 152 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.   This provision will provide...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono successfully included her Macadamia Tree Health Initiative – legislation that prioritizes research into combating the macadamia felted coccid, an invasive pest threatening Hawaii’s macadamia nut industry – in the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Report. The bipartisan Farm Bill, which sets...

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Senate unanimously passed legislation supported by Senator Mazie K. Hirono that would remove existing barriers that limit citizens of the Freely Associated States (FAS) from accessing long-term, REAL ID compliant, state-issued driver’s licenses and identification.  The bill, H.R. 3398, the REAL ID Act Modification...

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, released the following statement on the nomination of William Barr to serve as Attorney General: “The selection of William Barr to serve as Attorney General is another example of Donald Trump’s...

WASHINGTON, DC – After passing the House of Representatives last week, bipartisan legislation to improve access to dental health services will head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the legislation, the Action for Dental Health...

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The IRS office in Honolulu and 45 other offices across the country will continue to have access to automatic external defibrillators (AED) following intervention from Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) in opposition to the IRS’ plan to remove the devices. The IRS suspended its plan to...

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced S.3660, the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) of 2018. HEAA lays out a comprehensive roadmap to address health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ community, rural populations, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. “Minority communities...

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) voted today to advance a resolution to end U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Following the vote, Senator Hirono released the following statement: “I remain deeply concerned about the Trump Administration’s policy toward Saudi Arabia. The President believes that we...

WASHINGTON, D.C.– In response to a request by Senator Mazie K. Hirono, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report reviewing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) role in the January 13, 2018 false missile alert sent to Hawaii residents. The OIG’s report...

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Senators Mazie K.  Hirono (D-Hawaii), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI.) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s appointment of Matthew Whitaker as the Acting Attorney General. On...

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.) urged Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to expand any investigation into Facebook and Cambridge Analytica to include whether Facebook—or any other entity affiliated with or hired by...

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) will receive $1.59 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding to improve water infrastructure of the Hoolehua Water System on Molokai. “More than 2,000 Molokai residents depend on the Hoolehua Water System for...

HONOLULU– Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) released the following statement on Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ forced resignation: “In a direct move to undermine the Mueller investigation, Donald Trump forced Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign. I am concerned that the Mueller investigation will now be overseen by Acting...

HONOLULU – Senator Mazie K. Hirono joined Unite Here Local 5 workers on the picket line outside the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel in Waikiki, and stood in solidarity with them in their fight for a higher wages. “I’m proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with my brothers and sisters in Local 5 on the picket line, fighting for...

HONOLULU- Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Representative Colleen Hanabusa introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution in the United States Senate to recognize the month of October as Filipino American History Month. The resolution acknowledges the key role Filipino Americans play in shaping our country. “In Hawaii, we see the many contributions...