Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Senator Mazie K. Hirono questioned U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Thomas Tidwell on progress to combat Rapid Ohia Death at today’s Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. Senator Hirono also called for robust funding for the USFS as Congress reviews the President’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono, joined by Senate colleagues and Congressional Black Caucus leaders today, took Senate Republicans to task over their failure to do their job and commit to taking any action on President Obama’s eventual nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy caused by Justice Antonin Scalia’s death.   “It is...

The United States Senate unanimously approved a resolution authored by Senator Mazie K. Hirono recognizing February 2016 as American Heart Month, and February 5, 2016 as National Wear Red Day. This is the second year that Senator Hirono led the effort to recognize American Heart Month and reaffirm the country’s commitment to fighting heart...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono introduced a resolution marking the anniversary of the issuance of Executive Order 9066, which led to the internment of nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II, and affirming that America must stand against intolerance. In a show of support, advocates from nearly ten organizations were...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono applauded President Obama’s nomination of Lucy Koh to serve on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. “Lucy Koh’s experience on the federal bench, in private practice, and as a prosecutor make her a qualified candidate to serve on the Ninth Circuit, whose jurisdiction includes Hawaii, and...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono voted to support the confirmation of Dr. Robert M. Califf to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Califf was confirmed today as FDA Commissioner by a bipartisan 89-4 vote. “The FDA is facing real challenges in addressing the impact of opioid addiction in our country,...

HONOLULU – With the federal tax filing deadline set for April 18th, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono and advocates today urged Hawaii families to utilize helpful tax credits, now that these important benefits have been made permanent by Congress. Representatives from the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), the AARP Foundation Tax Aide program and...

HONOLULU – Today, the U.S. Department of State announced a final agreement between the U.S. and Japanese governments to increase flights from the U.S. to Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Under the new agreement, five round trip flights during the day and one round trip flight at night will operate between the U.S. and Haneda. Currently, U.S. airlines...

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation authored by Senator Mazie K. Hirono that streamlines the process for families of veterans to receive survivors benefits. The Veterans’ Survivors Claims Processing Automation Act was introduced by Senator Hirono in the Senate and identical legislation...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono voted to support H.R.757, the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act, which passed the Senate 96-0. Before the vote, Senator Hirono took to the Senate floor to speak in support of additional sanctions on North Korea in the wake of the North Korean regime’s recent missile tests, and called for continued support for the...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono praised President Obama’s inclusion of a number of Hawaii priorities in his Fiscal Year 2017 budget, released today. “The economic and social progress that our country has made since President Obama took office in 2009 is a testament to the Administration’s work and the resilience of the American people....

Senator Mazie K. Hirono led a bipartisan coalition of 17 senators to introduce a resolution to designate February 2016 as American Heart Month, and February 5, 2016 as National Wear Red Day. “Heart disease kills three out of every ten people in Hawaii and one in seven nationwide, including a significant number of women and minorities,”...

The U.S. Senate unanimously voted to include a provision authored by Senator Mazie K. Hirono that removes offensive terms such as “Oriental” from federal law. The amendment was added to S. 2012, the Energy Policy and Modernization Act, which is currently being debated by the Senate. Legislation removing derogatory terms, sponsored by...

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced her nomination of 46 students to the U.S. military service academies for the Class of 2020. The students’ applications are now being considered by the four academies for final selections. “I commend these students for their years of study, hard work, and dedication as they...

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Senator Mazie K. Hirono welcomed Clare Connors, nominee for the U.S. District Court Judgeship for the District of Hawaii, to the Senate Judiciary Committee today. Senator Hirono affirmed Ms. Connors’ vast experience, and called for the Committee to approve her confirmation quickly. “Clare is a first rate...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the passing of State Senator Gilbert “Gil” Kahele: “Gil Kahele served Hawaii and our country with distinction for more than 50 years, first in the U.S. Marine Corps, then as a community advocate and in elected office. I will remember Gil for his kindness and tireless work...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono took to the Senate floor to mark the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a landmark Supreme Court decision that affirmed a woman’s right to access abortion care. Senator Hirono acknowledged the many challenges that women still face when accessing reproductive care, and called for the Supreme Court to continue to protect a...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the U.S. Marine Corps announcement that it has reclassified the status of the 12 U.S. Marines involved in the January 14 training incident off Oahu’s north shore as “deceased.” “My thoughts, prayers, and aloha are with the families of the...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono today voted against H.R. 4038, legislation that would require the Director of National Intelligence, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to individually review and approve the admission of any refugee from Syria or Iraq. The bill, which needed a 60 vote threshold to move...

The Hawaii Congressional Delegation today announced more than $3.4 million in Department of Energy funding that will allow Hawaiian Electric Company to improve electric grid technology, which will facilitate more renewable energy generation. “Today’s award builds on Hawaii’s record as a state on the forefront of renewable energy...