Press Releases

Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced that she will oppose the nomination of Betsy DeVos to serve as Secretary of Education. From Senator Hirono’s remarks: “Why are we even debating the nomination of a person who clearly does not believe in our nation’s public schools? “We are going down the rabbit hole where up is down...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono continued to call for President Trump to rescind his immoral executive order on immigration, and raised concerns about several of his nominees today on MSNBC with Jacob Soboroff. From the segment: “Actions speak louder than words. We're not even through week two of the Trump presidency and already he has issued an...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court: “In his first two weeks as President, Donald Trump has demonstrated minimal tolerance for independent thinking and dissent. I am deeply concerned that his choice for the Supreme...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will oppose the nominations of Governor Rick Perry to serve as Secretary of Energy and Representative Ryan Zinke to serve as Secretary of the Interior. The Energy and Natural Resources Committee will vote on the nominations this morning. “The Trump...

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairwoman Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) named Senator Mazie K. Hirono as the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. “Since day one of his Presidency, Donald Trump has attacked the National Park...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono demanded that President Donald Trump rescind his executive order establishing a Muslim ban during a rally on the steps of the Supreme Court today. “Donald Trump can deny it all he wants, but we understand him loud and clear. This is a Muslim ban, and it’s deeply wrong,” Senator Hirono said. “If we...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will pilot a one-time, one-week biometrics collection for immigration benefits on Maui from February 27 to March 3, 2017. “This decision will allow USCIS to provide services in an equitable manner to individuals on Maui and ease the financial burden faced by...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement: “It’s despicable that President Trump chose Holocaust Remembrance Day to issue yet another executive order that exploits fear of refugees and immigrants. This is wrong. I will continue to fight the President’s extreme, knee jerk...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono and a bipartisan group of seven Senators wrote to Secretary of Defense James Mattis to call for exempting Department of Navy shipyard civilian employees from the recent executive order signed by President Trump that freezes federal hiring. While the President’s executive order states that it does not apply to...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the inauguration of President Donald Trump: “I attended today’s inauguration out of respect for our democracy, our institutions, and the peaceful transition of power, but remain deeply concerned about President Trump’s vision for America. I will resist any attempt the...

After voting in support of General John Kelly, President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security, Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement: “General Kelly has testified before the Senate Armed Services numerous times as the commander of U.S. Southern Command. I believe he will provide candid, reasoned advice...

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) announced that Senator Mazie K. Hirono will continue to serve as the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower in the 115th Congress. “Hawaii continues to be the center of America’s strategic interests in the...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced that she would vote against the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) to serve as Attorney General. From Senator Hirono’s remarks: “Over the past two months, I’ve heard from hundreds of my constituents and a number of prominent civil rights...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono vowed to keep up the fight to protect Medicare and Medicaid after all but two Republican Senators voted against her amendment to prevent any changes to either program without a supermajority in the Senate. “During the campaign, President-elect Trump promised not to cut Medicare and Medicaid. Senate Republicans broke...

 Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Senator Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), and 17 Senate Democrats introduced an amendment to protect Medicare and Medicaid from the budget reconciliation process. “For the past 50 years, seniors and working families have enjoyed the peace of mind of knowing that Medicare and Medicaid will be there for...

The Department of the Navy honored Senator Mazie K. Hirono for her advocacy for Navy and Marine Corps service members. Rear Admiral Craig Faller, on behalf of Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, presented Senator Hirono with the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honor that the Secretary of the Navy can award to a civilian who is not...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono criticized President-elect Donald Trump’s hypocrisy in denying Russian interference in the election during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on cybersecurity threats. “It’s more than ironic that we have a President-elect who kept talking about our elections being rigged, but at the same time denying...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono attended joint remarks by President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe marking their visit to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. “President Obama and Prime Minister Abe’s visit to Pearl Harbor is a testament to reconciliation and a continued, strong alliance between our two...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono welcomed visitors from Hawaiian Airlines’ inaugural flight on its new direct route from Haneda Aiport in Tokyo to Kona International Airport. “Today’s flight is the culmination of years of effort to reestablish international flights outside of North America to Kona, which is important for the Hawaii Island...

Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that she will return to serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee – which will be instrumental in defending civil rights, vetting a Trump administration’s Supreme Court nominees, and standing up for immigrant communities – in the 115th Congress. Senator Hirono will also continue to serve on the...