#US Senate
US Senate passes resolution marking ‘National Wildfire Preparedness Month’
The US Senate unanimously passed a resolution Monday — introduced by US Sens. Mazie Hirono of Hawaiʻi and John Barrasso of Wyoming to designate May as “National Wildfire Preparedness Month.” The resolution aims to increase public awareness and preparedness in response to the increasing scale, complexity, and severity of wildfires across the country. In August […]
Schatz introduces legislation to boost cultural trade amid competition from China
US Sens Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee introduced on Wednesday the Cultural Trade Promotion Act of 2025. The bipartisan legislation aims to strengthen America’s creative industries and expand cultural exports. By bolstering the creative economy, this legislation will help US businesses — including Native-owned, small, and rural enterprises — reach new […]
Schatz named lead Democrat on appropriations subcommittee overseeing state department, USAID funding
On Wednesday, US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) was named Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. Schatz is also a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Schatz: Nearly $9.8 million in federal funding to rebuild historic Lahaina landmarks
Hawai‘i US Sen. Brian Schatz says Hawai‘i will receive nearly $9.8 million in new federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help rebuild wildfire-ravaged historic Lahaina landmarks, like the Old Lahaina Courthouse, Waiola Church, Hale Aloha Museum and the Master’s Reading Room.
Carving history: Junior New Jersey senator discovers late Hawaiʻi’s Senator Inouye’s name on bottom of desk drawer
The legacy of late longtime Hawaiʻi US Sen. Daniel Inouye came up during a nationally televised CNN “State of the Union” interview of Andy Kim, the new junior US senator from New Jersey and the first Korean-American elected to the US Senate.
US Senate passes bill to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s disaster resilience, West Maui watershed
The US Senate has passed the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act, which includes several provisions secured by US Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz.
US Senate approves passage of Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act
The US Senate has unanimously passed the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, a bill introduced by US Sen. Mazie Hirono and US Rep. Jill Tokuda.
IDEA Act advances from Senate Judiciary Committee
The Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement, known as the IDEA Act, has advanced through the Senate Judiciary Committee. The measure was introduced by US Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaiʻi and North Carolina Sen. Thorn Tillis, a Republican.
Schatz calls for more federal disaster aid for Maui wildfire survivors
With the balance of power in Washington shifting into the hands of Republicans and incoming President Donald Trump, Hawai‘i Democratic US Sen. Brian Schatz appealed to Senate colleagues to prioritize passage of a disaster aid funding for long-term relief of Maui wildfire survivors.
Rep. Tokuda joins effort urging US Senate to act on natural disaster tax relief
US Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) joined Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA), Greg Steube (R-FL), and 76 other House members on Thursday in sending a letter to Senate leadership urging them to promptly bring the bipartisan Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5863) to the floor for a vote.
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.
Rep. Case urges congress to pass amendment renewing COFA, military rights in Western Pacific
The COFA Amendments Act of 2023 would update and extend for 20 years COFA provisions that provide economic assistance and federal programs to the FAS.
Hirono backs legislation to crack down on algorithms that fix rent prices
US Senator Mazie K. Hirono colleagues in introducing the Preventing the Algorithmic Facilitation of Rental Housing Cartels Act, legislation that would crack down on companies that help landlords increase rents in already high-priced markets.
US Senate passes legislation to support Native Hawaiian survivors of gender-based violence
Native Hawaiian women have been unable to access critical resources included in the Violence Against Women Act, but a recently passed amendment to the law will make it possible.
US Senate passes bipartisan bill to help toxic-exposed veterans; goes to US House next
the US Senate passed comprehensive, bipartisan legislation that would deliver expanded health care for veterans with health conditions related to toxic burn pits and Agent Orange exposure.
US House passes wildlife protection act; next stop the US Senate
The US House of Representatives today passed the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA), which includes earmarking an estimated $60 million annually to Hawai’i for endangered species protection.
US Sen. Schatz’ Bill To Fight Cybercrime Passes Senate, Goes to House
The US Senate passed the bipartisan Better Cybercrime Metrics Act, legislation authored by Hawaiʻi Sen. Brian Schatz that would help fight cybercrime and help keep people safe from online scams.
$715 Billion Surface Transportation and Water Infrastructure Measure Advances
Congressman Ed Case announced the full House passage of the INVEST in America Act on Thursday, July 1, calling for a $715 billion five-year federal government investment in our nation’s surface transportation and water infrastructure.
Schatz Provisions To Strengthen US-Oceania Ties Passes Senate
The U.S. Senate passed the United States Innovation and Competition Act, major bipartisan legislation that enhances American global competitiveness and strengthens America’s foreign policy commitment to allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific and around the world.
Gabbard Will Not Seek Re-Election to House, Focusing on Presidential Race
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard announced that she will not seek re-election to the US House of Representatives and will continue to focus her efforts on her campaign for President.