Press Releases

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced today the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will lift a ban on Hawaii Sharwil avocado shipments to the mainland. Earlier this year, Hirono wrote and sent a letter – signed by Hawaii’s congressional delegation – urging the USDA to lift its 1992 ban, arguing that...

Washington, D.C. – On the 12th anniversary of the September 11 attack, Senator Mazie K. Hirono commemorated those who lost their lives. Earlier this summer, Senator Hirono joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in paying her respects at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, and this morning, she joined her...

Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono commended President Obama today for selecting Hawaii’s Esther Kiaaina to serve as Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas at the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). “Congratulations to Esther on her selection as DOI Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas,” Hirono said. “Esther has a...