#Mazie K. Hirono
Hirono co-sponsors bill to protect federal language access services
Hawaiʻi US Sen. Mazie Hirono has joined Sens. Andy Kim of New Jersey and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York in introducing legislation aimed at protecting language access requirements at federal agencies, a potentially impactful measure for Hawaiʻi’s large population of residents with limited English proficiency.
Hirono, colleagues introduce legislation to pay all federal employees during shutdown
US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and 19 colleagues in introducing legislation to pay all federal employees–both those excepted and furloughed–as well as our servicemembers and federal contractors during the current government shutdown.
Hirono, colleagues reintroduce volcano warning and monitoring legislation
In 2022, Hawaiʻi Island residents experienced an eruption from Maunaloa for the first time in nearly 40 years and they continue to see new eruptions from the summit of Kilauea. This program, first authorized in 2019, will help scientists at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to continue improving their volcano monitoring and warning capabilities through expanded infrastructure and modernized technology.
Tokuda joins Hirono in introducing bill to fight Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death
US Rep. Jill Tokuda and US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono have introduced legislation to fight the spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death in Hawaiʻi.
Hirono secures key priorities for Hawaiʻi and Pacific Region in Committee markup of annual defense bill
US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) secured several key priorities for Hawaiʻi and the US military during the Committee’s markup of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.
Hirono proposes bill to create national hub for storing native plant communities
US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has introduced legislation that seeks to create a national support hub and storage center for native plants of all US states and territories.
Hirono leads effort to eliminate copays for Native Hawaiian veterans
The bill would eliminate copays for Native Hawaiian veterans for care received through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and would enable Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems to seek direct reimbursement from VA for care provided to Native Hawaiian veterans.
Sen. Hirono joins colleagues in recognizing the importance of US-Japan alliance
As the Japanese Prime Minister Fumuio Kishida’s visits to Washington this week, a bipartisan resolution has been introduced to underscore the strength and importance of the United State-Japan alliance.
Hirono reintroduces bill to strengthen access to sexual health resources, education
US Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Cory Booker have reintroduced the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act, aiming to improve access to sex education and sexual health services for young adults.
Senator Hirono introduces bill to combat mental health stigma in AANHPI communities
US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono has put forth the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act, a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at addressing mental health stigma in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
Sen. Hirono introduces Extinction Prevention Act to safeguard endangered species
US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono has introduced the Extinction Prevention Act, legislation aimed at securing essential funding for some of the nation’s most imperiled wildlife species, ahead of Endangered Species Day.
Hirono, senators introduce Child Care for Working Families Act to tackle child care crisis
US Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined colleagues in reintroducing the Child Care for Working Families Act, comprehensive legislation to tackle the child care crisis. She said the measure will help to ensure families across America can find and afford the high-quality child care they need.
Following Hirono-led push, DOJ Confirms VA’s legal Authority to provide abortion care
In a Sept. 21 opinion, Christopher H. Schroeder, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel, concluded that, “The rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs on Reproductive Health Services is a lawful exercise of VA’s authority.”
Sen. Hirono urges VA to begin offering abortion services to female veterans
Today, US Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) led 23 members of Congress in calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to immediately offer abortions and all abortion-related services to veterans and eligible dependents.
Hawaiʻi Sen. Hirono compares wave of voter suppression bills to Reconstruction era
Following the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) delivered remarks on the Senate floor discussing the urgent need to pass comprehensive voting rights legislation.
$6 Million Grant Secured to Address Coffee Leaf Rust
Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation announced more than $6 million in funding to address Coffee Leaf Rust.
Senators Reintroduce Bill to Adjust Medicare Payments for Hawai’i, Alaska Nursing Homes
The bipartisan Equitable Payments for Nursing Facilities Act will authorize a cost-of-living adjustment at skilled nursing facilities in those states to take into account the higher costs of delivering care.
Hirono Hopes to Address Maintenance Backlog at Ag Research Facilities
The AG RESEARCH Act would provide competitive grants to schools of agriculture for altering, modernizing, renovating or remodeling research facilities and equipment. The USDA Secretary is directed to distribute the grants equitably based on geography, diversity and size of institutions.
Hirono Introduces Bill To Make VA Information More Accessible
Senator Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced the Veterans and Family Information Act, legislation that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make critical information it provides veterans and their families more accessible for non-English language speakers.
Sen. Hirono Reintroduces Gender Equity in Education Act, Named After Maui Native
Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) reintroduced the bicameral Patsy T. Mink and Louise M. Slaughter Gender Equity in Education Act — legislation that would provide additional resources, training and technical assistance to combat harassment and discrimination in education. Mink was a Maui native.