Since joining the Senate, he has focused his work on helping workers, veterans, and families and has led key legislation on health care, climate change, and technology.
Senator Schatz chairs the Indian Affairs Committee, and serves on the Appropriations Committee; the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; the Foreign Relations Committee; and the Select Committee on Ethics. He also serves on the Senate Democratic Caucus's leadership team as Chief Deputy Whip.
Senator Schatz has been steadfast in his commitment to equal rights for all Americans, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, disability, age, religion or sexual orientation. During his time as Chair of the Hawai‘i Democratic Party and then as Lieutenant Governor, Brian was on the frontlines of the long fight to bring marriage equality to Hawai‘i.
Senator Schatz believes America’s rights and freedoms define us as a nation, and while much progress has been made, there is still more work to do.
When the Supreme Court considered the constitutionality of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that prevented same-sex marriage, Senator Schatz submitted an amicus brief to the Court defending marriage equality and urging them to strike down the law as unconstitutional.
Senator Schatz also voted for and helped the Senate at long last pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to prevent gay, lesbian and transgender individuals from being fired simply for being who they are. This legislation expanded existing protections against discrimination in the workplace to include sexual orientation and gender identity, bringing federal protections in line with the policies of the majority of businesses in this country and the State of Hawai‘i’s standard.
Throughout his career, Senator Schatz has proven unwavering in his support for a woman’s constitutionally protected right to make her own decisions about her body. As a member of the Hawai‘i State Legislature, Brian led initiatives to increase access to safe emergency contraceptives, provide better care for low-income women and children, and for families living in rural or remote areas.
In the U.S. Senate, Brian continues to advocate for women’s rights, both at home and abroad. He is partnering with fellow Senators to provide access to greater reproductive health options for servicewomen at U.S. military hospitals and offering stronger protections for our men and women in uniform who have been victims of sexual abuse.
As one of his first acts in the U.S. Senate, Senator Schatz co-sponsored legislation reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, which President Obama then signed into law. The bill broadened protections to include Native Hawaiians, and strengthened sexual assault prevention programs.
Senator Schatz is also fighting to ensure equal work is rewarded with equal pay. He has long championed and is actively engaged in efforts to eliminate pay discrimination on the basis of gender. One of the first bills Senator Schatz supported in the U.S. Senate was the Paycheck Fairness Act – common sense legislation that gives women the legal tools to better combat pay discrimination.
Senator Brian Schatz is a leader in promoting the growth of a strong domestic clean energy economy and reducing the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels. Senator Schatz has been committed to a clean energy future since the beginning of his public life and continues his leadership on clean energy and climate issues in the U. S. Senate.
Working with other clean energy leaders in Congress, Senator Schatz is using his expertise in energy policy to work on legislation that creates a framework for putting a price on carbon pollution. This legislation would accelerate the nation’s transition to a clean energy economy and reduce U.S. carbon emissions, all while creating good jobs and lessening our dependence on fossil fuels.
During his time in the Hawai‘i State Legislature, Brian helped establish Hawai‘i’s Renewable Energy Portfolio and its net energy metering law. This program allows electric customers who own renewable energy resources to sell their unused energy back to the electric grid, reducing their monthly energy bill. Since the measure's passage in 2001, consumers have installed over 12,000 grid-connected PV systems, encouraging even more residents to transition to renewable energy and save money.
As Lieutenant Governor, Brian led the State’s clean energy efforts including the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, a federal and state partnership to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency in Hawai‘i. By bringing a greater focus to energy issues at the highest levels of state government, Brian was able to facilitate discussions among key players in the energy sector, putting Hawai‘i’s Renewable Energy Portfolio on track to be number one in the nation.
The Hawai’i Clean Energy Initiative has become a national model for clean energy growth and Senator Schatz’s leadership in Hawai’i has made him a trusted voice on the development and implementation of clean energy strategies nationwide.
Senator Schatz is actively engaged in expanding hydropower and the important role that water plays in energy production. Senator Schatz is also working to improve Hawai‘i’s water infrastructure to ensure that Hawai‘i families always have clean, safe water. To bring light to this issue, in August 2013, Senator Schatz brought together experts and community leaders to the State Capitol auditorium in Honolulu for a productive discussion about the state of Hawai‘i’s water infrastructure and the future of its water supply.
Senator Schatz is also working across the aisle with his colleagues on commonsense legislation to give federal agencies greater ability to save money and reduce energy usage. Schatz’s Utility Energy Service Contracts Improvement Act of 2013 would give federal agencies more options to achieve cost and energy savings, such as energy efficiency upgrades and innovative clean energy projects.
Senator Schatz is positioned and committed to ensuring we create clean energy jobs for Hawai‘i and build a clean energy future for our nation.
Senator Schatz knows a quality education is the foundation for future success for our children and our growing economy. He is a strong advocate for expanding early childhood education, repairing and modernizing our schools, improving programs that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), and making college more affordable for Hawai‘i families.
As the father of two young children, Brian has made education a top priority in the U.S. Senate and understands how vital early childhood and primary education is to building a better future for Hawai‘i. Children who have access to early childhood education are more likely to succeed in school and after they graduate. That is why he is working with Senator Hirono on legislation to expand early childhood education, giving nationally-recognized programs the resources to reach more low-income and underserved children.
Senator Schatz also knows that the condition of our schools has a big impact on students’ learning. In Hawai‘i, public schools need $265 million in basic repairs and are falling further behind 21st Century standards. The federal government can do more to help states turn dilapidated schools into world-class learning environments for our students. Senator Schatz is working on legislation that would give states and school districts the resources they need to comprehensively repair and modernize schools.
Senator Schatz is working to make sure Hawai‘i students are prepared for the jobs of the future, and is fighting for full funding of science and math education programs. Making these investments will ensure our children will be able to compete globally and develop the technical skills to build a stronger, more innovative economy.
The increasing cost of higher education is putting college out of reach for many Hawai‘i families. To create greater opportunities for our students, Senator Schatz has partnered with Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut to introduce comprehensive legislation to make higher education more affordable for students and families. Together, Senators Schatz and Murphy are working to incentivize colleges to reduce the cost of higher education and make them accountable to students to ensure federal dollars are being spent effectively.
The traditional Hawaiian moral values of compassion and care for each other is embedded in Hawai‘i’s culture and people. Senator Schatz embraces these values and is committed to ensuring that all Hawai‘i families have access to affordable, quality health care.
Thanks to historic health care reforms made in Hawai‘i in the 1970s, Hawai‘i has one of the highest rates of health insurance coverage in the country. Still, while many Hawai‘i families are covered through Hawai‘i’s Prepaid Health Care Act, over 100,000 people remain uninsured. For that reason, Senator Schatz is committed to expanding access to health care for every family, and to making the Affordable Care Act work successfully. This law will give thousands of uninsured people in Hawai‘i access to quality, affordable health care. This historic legislation has allowed thousands of young adults in Hawai‘i to stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26, and protected nearly half a million people in Hawai‘i from being denied coverage by their insurance company because of a pre-existing condition.
In the U.S. Senate, Brian has secured funding for some of the most important health programs in Hawai‘i, particularly those that address the health care needs of Native Hawaiians. To expand health care in rural communities, like those on our neighbor islands, Senator Schatz introduced the Rural Preventive Health Care Training Act. The legislation would fund preventative health care training for students capable of treating 110,000 Hawai‘i residents living in rural areas, expanding access to care by providing medical treatment close to home.
Senator Schatz believes access to quality, affordable health care is a right that must be protected and expanded for all Americans. Brian will continue to fight to ensure every family in Hawai‘i has the health care they need.
Senator Schatz is working to grow Hawai‘i’s economy for working families and the next generation by supporting small businesses, expanding tourism, and growing Hawai‘i’s clean energy sector. Brian firmly believes that the best social program is a good job.
Senator Schatz is committed to making sure Hawai‘i families have a fair shot at attaining economic security. As a member of the State Legislature, Brian voted to raise the minimum wage four times and in the Senate now, he’s fighting to raise the national minimum. In the U.S. Senate, he is a leading supporter of the Working Families Tax Relief Act, which would extend the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. To help families stretched thin, he’s working on an Opportunity Plan to create a better economic environment so families have the chance to move into the middle class. This includes instituting paid family and medical leave, increasing the minimum wage, enacting a child care tax credit, providing easier access to early childhood education, and ensuring equal pay for equal work.
Senator Schatz knows the needs of Hawai‘i’s small business community. That is why he joined a group of Senators to promote new ideas for expanding opportunities for small businesses in growth sectors to create high-quality middle class jobs. As part of this pro-jobs initiative, Senator Schatz introduced bills that would attract more investments to Hawai‘i, expand export opportunities, and create equal opportunities for Native Hawaiian small businesses.
As a strong advocate for Honolulu’s rail transit project, Senator Schatz is working with the Secretary of Transportation, Federal Transit Administrator, and the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure commitments that Honolulu rail will have the full federal funds it was promised. This project will revitalize Hawai‘i’s local economy, improve people’s quality of life, and generate an average of 10,000 jobs each year.
Senator Schatz has also supported vital funding for federal small business programs, because investment in our small businesses will pay off for generations to come. These programs benefit thousands of Hawai‘i small businesses by providing access to credit, training, and global markets. In addition, he voted for the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would ensure that brick-and-mortar small businesses are treated equally when competing with online retailers.
Eighty percent of the everyday goods we depend on are shipped into Hawai‘i’s harbors. That is why Senator Schatz worked with his Senate colleagues to pass the Water Resources Development Act, which would ensure the Army Corps of Engineers has the resources to maintain and improve our harbors so that Hawai‘i’s economy may continue to grow.
During his tenure in the State Legislature, Brian led the fight to expand and diversify Hawai‘i’s economy. In the U.S. Senate, he will continue to find opportunities to leverage federal resources to seed new sectors and develop those that are already succeeding.
As Lieutenant Governor, Brian led the State’s energy initiatives, which included the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, a federal and state partnership that advanced renewable energy and energy efficiency in Hawai‘i. Brian was able to foster discussions among key players in the energy sector, putting the State on track to achieve the most aggressive renewable energy portfolio in the nation. The Hawai’i Clean Energy Initiative has become a national model for clean energy growth, while creating new jobs and contributing to long lasting economic development.
As home to the U.S. Pacific Command, Hawai‘i has a deep and storied history with our military. Senator Schatz is committed to strengthening Hawai‘i’s strategic military position in the Asia-Pacific region and to making smart investments in America’s national defense so that we can continue to support our service members and their families, and ensure that America has the resources it needs to protect its national interests when they are threatened. He is also committed to thinking anew about the role of our military in the world, beginning with moving away from a perennial war posture that erodes our moral standing abroad and adversely impacts our national security.
Supporting Our Military Community
After more than a decade of war, transitioning back to life at home can be difficult for many members of our Armed Forces. Senator Schatz is committed to providing those who have served with the resources they require when they return home after serving our country. That is why he is working on legislation to establish a pilot program that would leverage an online assessment tool to help families and friends identify service members that may be at risk of suicide or are struggling with mental health challenges.
To ensure a safe environment for all service members, Senator Schatz is working with his colleagues to improve the way the military addresses sexual assault in an effort to prevent these tragic crimes from occurring and to bring to justice those that perpetrate these heinous acts. Senator Schatz has cosponsored legislation which would make sure the military justice system is impartial when investigating and prosecuting sexual assault cases. In addition, he is working to expand legal and disability services for victims and require a comprehensive review of the military responsible for sexual assault prevention. These reforms will bring justice to victims, keep our service members safe and guarantee the integrity of our military.
Maintaining Readiness
Senator Schatz is committed to making sure that the United States has the resources it needs to train and ready our service members, prepare the Armed Forces against emerging challenges and ensure the U.S. military remains the best in the world.
As the Obama Administration rebalances America’s foreign policy to the Asia Pacific, Hawai‘i’ will play a pivotal role in supporting U.S. interests in the region. It is important that Hawai‘i support the development of training facilities in balance with local cultural and environmental sensitivities. That is why Senator Schatz worked to help secure funding to construct and operate a new Infantry Platoon Battle Course that will create new jobs in Hawai‘i and give military forces the space they need to train for a range of contingencies. He has also secured funding that will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue its important work to dispose of unexploded ordnance at former military sites across the state, and to restore the environment for the benefit of all of the people of Hawai‘i.
Senator Schatz is helping to bring the Coast Guard’s two new National Security Cutters to Hawai‘i, so the state has the capability it needs to safeguard its maritime interests, including protecting valuable and vulnerable fisheries and saving lives by supporting search and rescue missions. And Brian is working to bring new funding to help improve the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard so that Hawai‘i’s naval engineers can continue to perform the important work of readying our surface and submarine forces to protect America’s interests in the Pacific.
Hawai‘i’s rich culture stems from its people and is centered on family values that include respect for our seniors and a responsibility to care for the needs of our children. Strong multi-generational bonds connect family members, enrich our communities and unite our state. Our culture places a significant value on the place and people that make Hawai‘i our home.
Native Hawaiians continue to make invaluable contributions to our state and to the nation, sharing their traditional knowledge and understanding of biodiversity and sustainability; creating unique and vibrant art forms that define Hawai`i and are enjoyed globally; and preserving and revitalizing the Hawaiian language and creating native language education programs that serve as aspirational models worldwide. The greatest and most enduring gift, however, remains the legacy and power of aloha.
Senator Schatz is working hard to maintain federal funding for Native Hawaiian programs designed to reverse persistent education, health and housing disparities. He has introduced legislation to address unmet housing needs, promote Native Hawaiian homeownership, empower Native Hawaiian homesteaders to plan for their families, honor Native Hawaiian military veterans and expand opportunities for Native Hawaiian small business concerns.
Senator Schatz chose to deliver his maiden Senate floor speech on King Kamehameha Day and lamented that 20 years after the enactment of the Apology Resolution, the federal government has not yet acted to provide a process for reorganizing a Native Hawaiian governing entity. He stressed that this inaction has put Native Hawaiians at a unique disadvantage. Of the three major groups of Native people indigenous to what is now the United States—American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians— only Native Hawaiians currently lack the right of self-determination. Senator Schatz will continue to build upon the accomplishments of his predecessors to fight this great injustice.
Senator Schatz is committed to improving the lives of Native Hawaiian families, advancing Native Hawaiian community prosperity and working to create a better future for all who call Hawai‘i home.
Since its creation, Social Security and Medicare have been the foundation on which millions of middle-class Americans have built a secure retirement after a lifetime of work and paying taxes. Today, these programs are under increasing threat. Senator Schatz firmly believes that Social Security is the most successful antipoverty program in United States history and should be strengthened, not undermined. Senator Schatz has been hard at work to protect and enhance Social Security and Medicare to ensure our kupuna live their golden years with the dignity and respect they have earned.
Social Security is one of our nation’s most successful social programs, yet many in Congress have attempted to cut its funding or further raise the retirement age. In his efforts to preserve and enhance Social Security for our seniors, Senator Schatz strongly opposed the use of the Chained Consumer Price Index (CPI) to calculate cost-of-living adjustments. Implementing the so-called Chained CPI would unfairly cut Social Security and veterans’ benefits. He is also fighting efforts in Congress to raise the Social Security retirement age, which disproportionately affects those that need Social Security the most. These efforts to cut Social Security mean that the nearly 1 in 6 local residents who rely on Social Security would have to make more sacrifices in order to afford even basic necessities.
That is why Senator Schatz introduced legislation that would both increase Social Security benefits and strengthen the financial stability of the program. This legislation would increase benefits by about $65 per month, make cost-of-living adjustments more accurate, and remove the wage cap so that very wealthy Americans pay their fair share.
The Senator is also working with Democratic leadership to protect Medicare and provide seniors with access to quality, affordable care. Currently, drug manufacturers have a deal in place that allows them to charge the government higher prices for prescription drugs for certain seniors and people with disabilities. The Medicare Drug Savings Act would require pharmaceutical companies to charge more reasonable prices for drugs used by low-income seniors and people with disabilities, a commonsense change to level the playing field for Medicare Part D and save the taxpayers money. This bill would make our system fairer, as Medicaid and private insurers are able to negotiate lower drug prices, but Medicare Part D is prohibited from negotiations. By correcting this provision, we would be preventing excessive payments to drug companies, while saving the government money.
Tourism is one of the most important sectors of Hawai‘i’s economy. According to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA), tourism is the largest single source of private capital into Hawai‘i and is the biggest generator of jobs among the major economic sectors.
Senator Schatz has worked to grow tourism by improving the travel experience for both residents and visitors. In order to enable low-risk passengers to move quickly through checkpoint screening, Senator Schatz worked with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to expand its PreCheck Program in Hawai‘i. As a result, Kahului Airport, Kona International Airport, and Lihue Airport were added to the list of airports with a TSA PreCheck option, making it easier for travelers to fly between the Hawaiian Islands and between Hawai‘i and the mainland. Once fully implemented, Hawai‘i will be one of only seven states with at least four airports that offer this service that will result in reduced wait times for all passengers.
Tourism is not only an important economic driver, it brings people from all over the world together to promote greater understanding of other cultures. As a member of the Senate Tourism Caucus, Senator Schatz cosponsored a resolution recognizing National Travel and Tourism Week and these important contributions of tourism to our nation.
As the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Tourism, Competitiveness, and Innovation, Senator Schatz continues his work to expand tourism, grow our economy, and create new jobs in Hawai‘i. While serving in the State Legislature, Schatz supported greater autonomy and increased funding for the HTA. In addition, he supported tax credits for hotel construction and remodeling to ensure Hawai‘i's hotels would remain competitive with the world’s finest resorts.
As Lieutenant Governor, Senator Schatz served on the Host Committee for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting in Hawai‘i. To prepare for the APEC conference, Schatz led the effort to improve the infrastructure around Waikiki and the Honolulu Airport. According to HTA, the APEC conference, which brought in over 20,000 government leaders from around the world, boosted the hospitality industry in Waikiki and brought in $3.7 million that year. More importantly, the successful conference showcased Hawai‘i’s ability to serve as a world-class destination for high-level meetings and conferences.
Senator Schatz has continued his advocacy in bringing major international conferences to Hawai‘i by successfully urging the State Department to support Hawai‘i’s bid to host the prestigious International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conference in 2016, a mission he initiated as Lieutenant Governor.
Senator Schatz recognizes the value of our Island home. Hawai‘i’s natural beauty, unique culture and vibrant people make the Aloha State a premiere visitor destination. Senator Schatz will continue to work to expand Hawai‘i’s tourism sector by helping to secure funds that will improve Hawai‘i’s infrastructure, forge new international bonds, and promote Hawai‘i‘s rich heritage.
Hawai‘i’s unique location and geography mean that safe, efficient, and sustainable transportation by land, air, and sea are all central to our economy and security. Senator Schatz is dedicated to ensuring that Hawai‘i has federal support to build and maintain the transportation infrastructure we need to grow Hawai‘i’s economy and connect our communities.
Senator Schatz is an advocate in the U.S. Senate for Hawai‘i’s critical transportation needs. As a member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security, one of his top priorities has been to guarantee full federal funding for Honolulu rail transit. He has worked with the Secretary of Transportation, Federal Transit Administrator, and the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure commitments that Honolulu rail will have the federal funds promised in order to provide the people of Hawai‘i with more transportation options, stimulate our economy, and protect the environment. Electrically-powered rail transit will not only ease traffic congestion in Honolulu, but it will also advance Hawai‘i’s goal of 70 percent clean energy output by 2030.
As an island state, reliable air travel is especially critical for Hawai‘i residents, visitors, and business travelers. Senator Schatz is dedicated to ensuring that Hawai‘i airports get the federal support they need to improve safety and efficiency. Brian knows how important inter-island travel is for Hawai‘i residents, and worked to expand the Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck Program to neighbor island airports. He helped establish expedited airport security screenings for travelers in Kahului, Lihu‘e, and Kona, easing travel for tourists and residents.
Hawai‘i’s economy also depends on seaborne trade, with more than 80 percent of commodity goods shipped to Hawai‘i in container ships. Senator Schatz is committed to protecting Hawai‘i’s harbors and ports, to ensure the timely delivery of commercial goods to Hawai‘i’s families and businesses. Senator Schatz also understands the importance of the U.S. Merchant Marine fleet and proudly supports federal programs that promote a competitive American shipbuilding industry and merchant marine fleet.
Senator Schatz is dedicated to keeping our seas, skies, and roads safe for all users. Working with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Senator Schatz is promoting road and airport runway improvements as well as airplane navigation system upgrades to keep all travelers in Hawaii safe. Brian secured $2.8 million in federal funding for programs to combat drunk driving, improve safety information systems, and implement programs to reduce highway fatalities.
A strong transportation network is necessary to move Hawai‘i forward. Senator Schatz will continue to support investments in Hawai‘i’s highways, harbors, airports, and transit systems.
Our veterans and their families have made tremendous sacrifices in service to our great nation, and we owe them nothing less than the same commitment that they have showed us. With more than 100,000 veterans in Hawai‘i, Senator Brian Schatz is committed to honoring our veterans and their families, and empowering them to seize new opportunities as they transition back to civilian life.
Senator Schatz believes we have a responsibility to invest in our veterans’ futures. He is committed to ensuring that they have access to transition assistance programs, including career training services and higher education that will better position them to compete for civilian careers. He is dedicated to working with the private sector to showcase important skills that America’s veterans have to offer businesses, such as dependability, initiative and self-direction. And he is devoted to making sure that none of Hawai‘i’s veterans sleep without a roof over their heads.
To expand care and services to veterans across the neighbor islands, Senator Schatz is working to leverage community organizations, including local health clinics, to provide quality health care to veterans in their communities. These community organizations often provide the most common outpatient care, such as health and wellness visits, without the need to travel long distances or to other islands. That is why Senator Schatz is committed to working with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that resources are available to support VA community-based outpatient clinics in Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Kahului, and Lihue. These clinics are important to providing our veterans with more options to access the care they need.
Senator Schatz is working to grant Filipino veterans the benefits they were promised for their service during the Second World War when more than 250,000 Filipinos served under the U.S. flag in the Pacific. Many of these soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve freedom. But many others have lived on quietly, under-recognized and denied the basic veterans’ benefits they earned for their service. The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act that Senator Schatz introduced would right this wrong and make all surviving Filipino veterans eligible to the benefits they earned.
Providing our veterans with the best health care, education, transitional programs and memorials are top priorities for Senator Schatz. He is working to ensure all these vital programs have the resources to care for our veterans.