#brian schatz
Schatz, colleagues introduce legislation to repeal Trump’s AI Moratorium
US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaiʻi) led a group of six senators in introducing the Guaranteeing and Upholding Americans’ Right to Decide Responsible AI Laws and Standards (GUARDRAILS) Act to repeal President Trump’s executive order seeking to prevent states from regulating artificial intelligence.
Schatz introduces legislation to prevent youth suicide
The Child Suicide Prevention Act would fund suicide prevention initiatives, ensure health care providers receive training to prevent intentional harm, and create a centralized hub to provide safety information to at-risk youth and their support networks.
Governor orders flags flown at half-staff with passing of former US Rep. Colleen Hanabusa
Gov. Josh Green has ordered that the US and Hawaiʻi state flags be flown at half-staff at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol and all state offices and agencies to honor former US Rep. and Hawaiʻi Senate President Colleen Hanabusa. She died March 5. Born and raised in Waiʻanae, Hanabusa was a graduate of the University of […]
President Trump explains US Military action in Iran; Hawaiʻi Congressional delegation responds with criticism
On Friday night, President Donald Trump announced the US Military began major combat operations in Iran in what is being called Operation Epic Fury. The announcement drew criticism from the Hawaiʻi Congressional delegation over lack of Congressional authorization.
Schatz, Hirono lead resolution celebrating Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
US Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) introduced a resolution celebrating Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, also known as Hawaiian Language Month.
Schatz secures $2M earmark for new Pu‘uhonua O Waiʻanae homeless village
US Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i secured $2 million in congressionally directed spending, also known as an earmark, in this year’s appropriations deal for construction of the new Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae homeless village. The funding will be used to construct water, sewer and road infrastructure for the permanent supportive site that will house 250 homeless individuals and provide wraparound services.
Schatz proposes 4.1% pay raise for federal workers
US Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaiʻi introduced legislation Tuesday that would give federal workers a 4.1% pay raise in 2027, a move that federal employee unions say is needed to keep government jobs competitive.
Schatz secures $1.3 million earmark to support Hawaiian language early childhood education centers
US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) secured $1.3 million in congressionally directed spending, also known as an earmark, in this year’s appropriations deal for ʻAha Pūnana Leo. The funding will be used to train teachers, support families, and develop new early childhood education Hawaiian language materials, such as books and videos, to help young children build literacy and math skills.
Senate passes Schatz measure to extend medicare telehealth coverage for two years
The US Senate passed a bipartisan funding bill that included a provision authored by US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) that will extend telehealth access for Americans enrolled in Medicare through the end of 2027.
Schatz secures nearly $75M in new earmark funding, including housing and infrastructure on Maui
The funding includes $1.9 million for Hale Makua Health Services to purchase and replace nursing home beds; $1.2 million in funding to Maui County to support the first phase of an affordable housing development on Lānaʻi; and $1 million for Molokaʻi Airport to rehabilitate the runway and taxiways.
Schatz secures nearly $34 million in federal funding for Hawaiʻi; Maui County projects
US Sen. Brian Schatz announced Monday that the Senate approved a bipartisan funding package including nearly $34 million in congressional directed spending for the state, with allocations designated for infrastructure and environmental protection in Maui County. The funding comes amid nationwide federal budget cuts. Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, indicated that more […]
US Senate bill includes millions for East Maui rainforest, Kahului Harbor maintenance
A bipartisan appropriations deal passed by the US Senate on Thursday includes millions of dollars in federal funding designated for the acquisition of East Maui rainforest lands, maintenance for Kahului Harbor and an assessment of Maui watersheds.
Maui Prep Senior selected for US Senate Youth Program
The United States Senate Youth Program announced that high school students Anna Nguyen of Maui Preparatory Academy and Lotus Yasuda will join US Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono in representing Hawaiʻi during the 64th annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 7-14, 2026.
Bill improves on the NATIVE Act, which was signed into law in 2016
The original law enhances and integrates Native tourism, empowers Native communities, and expands unique cultural tourism opportunities in the United States. The bill passed by the US Senate in December, makes key updates to the existing law that will help improve the program and make it easier for Native communities to access federal resources.
Senate passes Schatz legislation to expand VA services to US Veterans in Freely Associated States
The US Senate passed legislation authored by US Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) that will expand Department of Veterans Affairs health care and benefits to US veterans who reside in the Freely Associated States of Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.
Schatz introduces legislation to expand Social Security benefits
US Sen. Brian Schatz has introduced legislation aimed at expanding Social Security benefits for seniors and families in Hawaiʻi and across the nation. The Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act, or SAFE Social Security Act, seeks to increase average monthly benefits by more than $150. The bill also proposes adjusting how cost-of-living adjustments […]
Schatz calls for passage of Kids Off Social Media Act following new law in Australia
Following the implementation of Australia’s social media ban for children, US Sen. Brian Schatz called on Congress to pass the Kids Off Social Media Act. The bipartisan bill would keep young children under the age of 13 off social media and protect teenagers from the harmful impacts of algorithmic targeting.
Hawaiʻi residents invited to join Schatz’s noon town hall call on Thursday
Join US Sen. Brian Schatz in a statewide telephone town hall on Dec. 11 to discuss key federal issues impacting Hawaiʻi.
Senators introduce bill to expand federal arts funding for Native Hawaiian organizations
Hawaiʻi US Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and Alaska US Senator Lisa Murkowski have introduced legislation intended to increase access to federal grants for native arts and culture. The bipartisan Native Arts and Culture Promotion Act aims to amend the Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts grant program. The proposed legislation would […]
Final request: Kama asks Council to consider appointing Kauanoe Batangan as her successor
Seven-year Maui County Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama, who died Sunday night at Maui Memorial Medical Center, has asked fellow council members to appoint Kauanoe Batangan to serve out the remainder of her term. “In her final request to the Maui County Council, she humbly asked that Kauanoe Batangan, an experienced and distinguished public servant, […]
