Press Releases

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...

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...

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,...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation announced that the University of Hawai‘i will receive $1.5 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for research in high energy physics. Eventually, a total of $8.9 million will be invested. “Investment in science and technology is an investment...

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after the Senate voted 98-1 to pass the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015: “The bipartisan compromise that passed the Senate today is a step forward in reaching...

Washington, DC – The Republican budget favors the wealthy and special interests on the backs of middle class families, seniors, and students in Hawaii and across the country. While Democrats continue to work for a middle class budget that would give hard-working families a fair shot at a better future by creating good paying jobs and creating...

Washington, D.C. – This week during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s official visit to the United States and Japan’s Golden Week, Senator Mazie K. Hirono will participate in several key events to highlight the important alliance spanning seven decades between the United States and Japan. Tonight, Senator Hirono will attend the...

Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on Loretta Lynch’s historic confirmation as the first woman of color to serve as Attorney General of the United States:   “Loretta Lynch is a strong leader with a long and distinguished record of public service.  Her wealth of experience...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono is rolling out her comprehensive plan to permanently protect and expand the Pell Grant program. For over 40 years, the Pell Grant program has been foundational to putting higher education within reach for students from low-income backgrounds across the country. The Pell Grant program has...

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation announced that the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veteran Affairs (VA) awarded $1,252,253.00 to go toward 110 targeted vouchers to help provide housing for Hawaii’s veterans experiencing homelessness. The City and County of Honolulu will...

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21) introduced the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act — a measure that strengthens Social Security for generations to come and improves benefits for all Americans by restoring fairness to Social Security contributions. Currently, most Americans...

Washington, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. The measure passed both the House and the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan majorities, passing in 329-37 and 92-8, respectively. "This is compromise legislation, and while...

HONOLULU – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden traveled across Oahu, meeting with the next generation of Hawaii farmers and visiting programs working to foster and encourage Hawaii’s growing agricultural economy. Today, the average farmer in Hawaii is 60 years old. As Hawaii seeks to...