HONOLULU (KHON2) — With our focus on local life here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, we sometimes forget about the elected folks who live in Washington D.C. which means we often don’t really know what they are doing.
So, KHON2.com decided to check in on Senator Mazie Hirono to find out what she has been hard at work on for 2024.
January
In January, Sen. Hirono launched out of the gate to provide a positive view of the person being appointed as the new United States Secretary of Labor.
“Throughout her career, Acting Secretary Su has been a strong and effective champion for working people and families across the country—work she has continued at the Department of Labor,” said Sen. Hirono. “As Acting Secretary, she has played a critical role supporting workers—mediating several high-profile labor disputes and helping find consensus to move our country and our economy forward. Her work as Acting Secretary has been praised by business and labor leaders alike. Now is the time for the Senate to confirm her as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor, so she can continue building upon the Biden-Harris Administration’s progress supporting workers, businesses, and our economy.”
She followed up this with by recommending 32 Hawaii students to U.S. military service academies for the Class of 2028. The nominees will advance for consideration by each academy’s director of admissions.
“It is inspiring to see students across Hawaii, year after year, apply to our military service academies with the intent of serving our country,” said Senator Hirono. “I am proud to announce this year’s impressive group of nominees to the service academies. I am confident they will represent our state with pride and distinction.”
Sen. Hirono then went on to urge her fellow lawmakers to ban menthol cigarettes. Along with her fellow Congresspersons, she released this statement.
“We are extremely concerned that the rule is now expected to be released in March 2024, which is two years after the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) April 2022 announcement of the proposed rule. Likewise, we are also awaiting a final rule to ban all flavors in cigars, a proposed rule that was also announced in April 2022. Youth who smoke are more likely to smoke menthol cigarettes than older smokers, with almost half of the cigarette smokers ages 12-18 choosing to smoke menthol cigarettes. Big Tobacco has also aggressively targeted minority communities, particularly the African American community, through efforts at the point of sale, branding, and sponsorship to push these products. As a result, among individuals who smoke, nearly 85 percent of African Americans use menthol cigarettes, compared to 47.7 percent of Hispanics, 41.1 percent of Asians, and 30.3 percent of whites. The data uncovered over the last decade is more than clear. Menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars have contributed to a public health crisis, and the administration must center those impacted and finalize these rules immediately.”
The letter, led by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), was also signed by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Peter Welch (D-VT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tom Carper (D-DE), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ben Cardin (D-MD).
Near the end January, she and Senator Brian Schatz began working on bills that will improve evacuation planning routes for Hawaii as well as the rest of the United States.
“As natural disasters and extreme weather events—such as wildfires—become increasingly common in the U.S., it is crucial that our communities have effective, reliable emergency evacuation routes,” said Sen. Hirono. “The Emergency Vehicle and Community Planning Act will help Hawai‘i, and states across the country, strengthen emergency preparedness efforts and develop infrastructure that prioritizes the safety of our communities.”
She also voiced their support for the new capital rules that were proposed by agencies in order to strengthen the financial system and protect Americans’ jobs, businesses and money. Sen. Hirono said she believes strong capital rules allow banks to continue to serve their communities during difficult financial periods.
“Capital is the linchpin of safety and soundness in our banking system. When a bank uses more capital to fund its investments and activities instead of debt, it is investors and shareholders, not workers and taxpayers, that take a hit if the bank faces challenges. Strong capital is the shock absorber on banks’ balance sheets during economic downturns. It allows banks to keep making loans exactly when businesses and households might need an economic lifeline the most. Banks that conduct business without capital levels that reflect their risk and complexity present an outsized threat to our financial system and economy.”
Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Fetterman (D-PA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Angus King (I-ME), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).
Sen. Hirono along with Representatives Grace Meng (D-NY) and Judy Chu (D-CA) led 12 of their House and Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to prevent the reinstatement of the “China Initiative”.
“This prosecutorial initiative was a blunt instrument wielded against anyone who had ‘some nexus to China. Chinese American and Chinese researchers and scholars—who have made valuable contributions to science, technology, and academia in this country for decades—reported that they felt targeted by a racial profiling campaign and fearful of conducting research,” said Sen. Hirono and Reps. Meng and Chu, the letter was signed by Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Peter Welch (D-VT), as well as Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Katie Porter (D-CA), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI).
She then made the move to begin elevating the professions associated with teaching by introducing a resolution to recognize National Board Certified Teachers by designating the last week of January as “National Board Certified Teacher Week”.
“This week, we recognize over 130,000 National Board Certified teachers across the country,” said Sen. Hirono. “By opting to complete this rigorous certification process, these caring, competent, and creative educators have shown their commitment to improving their schools and enhancing the learning experience of their students. This resolution celebrates these educators and their dedication to children in Hawaii and across the nation.”
Sen. Hirono went on to announce that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) awarded grants totaling $423,000 to groups and organizations in Hawaii in order to promote the arts across the islands.
The recipients include: the Bishop Museum; Hawaii Women in Filmmaking; Honolulu Biennial Foundation; Honolulu Theatre for Youth; Moanalua Gardens Foundation Inc.; PAI Foundation; Tau Dance Theater; the County of Maui; Hana Arts; Hawaii Forest Institute; Holani Hana Inc.; and Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra Society.
“Through its many forms, art has the power to connect us by inspiring, engaging, and providing a sense of cultural identity,” said Sen. Hirono. “I have consistently championed participation in the arts and I am glad to see this NEA funding coming to Hawaii to help support diverse creative projects throughout our state, making art more accessible in our communities.”
As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Hirono questioned CEOs of five major social media platforms about protecting children online as part of a full Committee hearing.
And to wrap up January, Sen. Hirono worked with U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY) led 48 other Senators and Representatives to send a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), to urge them to block an attempt to exclude undocumented immigrants from apportionment decisions in the census. This would effectively force the Census Bureau to include a citizenship question which would result in damaging the accuracy of the census.
February
Sen. Hirono kicked off February with a bang by introducing the Preventing the Algorithmic Facilitation of Rental Housing Cartels Act. The legislation would crack down on companies that help landlords increase rents in already high-priced markets. The lawmakers cited that these services allow landlords to collude to set prices via software and price-setting algorithms and would achieve the ability to open up tight housing markets so people can afford housing.
“Landlords have been colluding by using pricing algorithms to keep rent artificially high, cheating families out of fair housing prices,” said Sen. Hirono. “This bill would regulate the use of these collusive pricing algorithms and ensure that families can access the housing they deserve on fair terms.”
Sen. Hirono then went on to work with Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to introduced legislation that will increase the amount hospitals in Hawai‘i and Alaska can be reimbursed by Medicare to perform outpatient care. This included emergency department visits and imaging services for enrolled seniors.
Sen. Hirono pointed out that, historically, rural states have had significant cost disparities for Medicare reimbursement that drive up costs for both hospitals and patients. Hence, she proposed legislation that would recognize the unique cost-of-living challenges that hospitals in Hawai‘i and Alaska face and would increase reimbursement for hospitals in both states to ensure that they can continue to serve seniors.
“Hawai‘i’s unique geography and high cost of living makes accessing and providing health care more difficult, which is why hospitals in Hawai‘i have long received higher Medicare reimbursement for inpatient care than those in other states,” said Sen. Hirono. “This bill would similarly raise outpatient Medicare reimbursements in Hawai‘i, helping to ensure our hospitals—especially on neighbor islands—have the resources they need to provide outpatient care for our communities.”
She then worked with U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined over 65 of her congressional colleagues in sending a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman, Jessica Rosenworcel, supporting the Commission’s proposal to expand the E-Rate program to allow schools and libraries to loan out Wi-Fi hotspots to students and educators. In the letter, led by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Representative Grace Meng (D-NY), the lawmakers specifically call for the expansion and modernization of the E-Rate hotspot program to help reduce educational disparities and ensure that low-income students are no longer left behind.
“[We] are excited that the Commission has proposed to update the E-Rate program to allow schools and libraries to provide Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless internet services to students and educators. “This proposal properly recognizes that learning now extends beyond the physical premises of school buildings. When a sixth grader is completing a homework assignment through an online educational platform or a ninth grader is attending class through a video conferencing application, they are clearly engaged in educational activities. In the Communications Act, Congress rightfully provided the FCC with the flexibility to structure and strengthen the E-Rate program as educational conditions change. With millions of students at risk of losing internet access at home, we are glad to see the FCC exercising this authority and modernizing the E-Rate program, and we encourage the Commission to provide schools and libraries with the flexibility to adapt their programs to local conditions while continuing to effectively guard against fraud and waste.”
Sens. Hirono, Markey and Van Hollen, the letter was also signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D- IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
After that project, she went on to work with Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA), U.S. Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA) and 18 colleagues to introduce bicameral legislation aimed at improving voter registration efforts at naturalization ceremonies.
The Including New Voters In The Electorate (INVITE) Act designates U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices as voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act. It requires USCIS staff to help new U.S. citizens complete their voter registration forms and return them to the appropriate state agency following their naturalization.
“Voting is a cornerstone of our democracy and exercising this fundamental right should be as simple and easy as possible,” said Sen. Hirono. “By improving voter registration opportunities at naturalization ceremonies, this legislation will help expand access to voter registration, empowering new U.S. citizens to participate in our democracy and make their voices heard.”
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Hirono released the following statement after voting yes on a procedural vote on the Senate’s national security supplemental funding bill. Sen. Hirono provided an update that he measure, which needed 60 votes to advance, failed by a vote of 50-49.
“The fate of our allies should never have been pitted against the fate of migrants in search of a better life. With Ukraine’s future on the line, I voted to advance consideration of this bill today, but I object to many of the immigration provisions in this package,” said Sen. Hirono. “Our country is in desperate need of bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform, like we attempted in 2013, to address our border and the millions of undocumented immigrants, including more than 500,000 DACA recipients, who live in and contribute to our communities. If Republicans decide to get serious about addressing immigration, I would welcome the opportunity to engage in open, good-faith negotiations on bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform. We’ve done it before, and we can do it again.”
On February 8, Hawaii recognized the six-month mark since the devastating fires that ravaged Maui.
“Six months after fires tore through Lahaina and Upcountry Maui, we continue to see the heart and resilience of our communities as we recover and remember the lives lost to this disaster,” said Sen. Hirono. “As recovery efforts continue, I am grateful to the thousands of people who have come together to support our neighbors on Maui. Since August 8, the federal government has sent more than 1,000 personnel to Maui to support recovery efforts and has delivered more than $1.5 billion in recovery and relief funding to Maui, demonstrating the strong commitment to our communities. This is an important start, but we have to stay the course—Maui’s recovery will take time, resources, and a continuity of effort, and I will keep working with my partners at all levels of government to ensure Maui has the resources it needs to recover and rebuild, guided by the voices and values of the community.”
Following this, she worked with Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) to lead 27 of their Senate colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Johnson (R-LA), to encourage him to invite Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to address a Joint Session of Congress during his Official Visit to the United States in April.
“This year marks the 64th anniversary of the signing of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty as well as the 5th anniversary of the signing of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement and U.S.-Japan Digital Trade Agreement. Inviting Prime Minister Kishida to address Congress would be a timely and tangible expression of the unwavering commitment of the United States to our Alliance and to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Our Alliance with Japan is also fundamental to stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. Japan—a vibrant democracy with strong people-to-people ties with our country—is the fifth-largest goods trading partner with the United States. Japanese firms are the second-largest source of foreign direct investment in our country. A strong U.S.-Japan Alliance is more important than ever. Inviting Prime Minister Kishida to address a Joint Session of Congress would further enhance our bilateral diplomatic ties and highlight the shared strategic interests and values between our two nations.”
Sens. Hirono and Hagerty, the letter was also signed by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Barrasso, M.D. (R-WY), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Angus King (I-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Todd Young (R-IN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jim Risch (R-ID), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Steve Daines (R-MT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
Sen. Hirono’s efforts to convince the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to grant the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) with the flexibility to provide K-12 students with free school meals at six Maui schools for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year was successful.
The six schools include: King Kamehameha III Elementary, Princess Nahienaena Elementary, Lahaina Intermediate, Lahainaluna High, Kihei Elementary and Kula Elementary.
“As Maui works to recover and rebuild, we remain committed to doing everything we can to support those impacted by the fires,” said the Hawaii Congressional delegation. “Providing these students on Maui with free and nutritious meals will give families critical financial relief and peace of mind in the months ahead.”
She then went on to host a roundtable with U.S. Trade Representative and Hawaii Small Business Owners.
“Millions of jobs in our country can be attributed to small businesses, which is why it is crucial that our trade policies support efforts made by our locally-owned businesses to export their products to consumers around the world,” said Sen. Hirono. “I appreciated hearing from these business owners and other members of our community about the importance of export development and broadening the reach of local small businesses beyond our islands. I’ll continue working with Ambassador Tai and other state, local, and federal partners to expand opportunities for Hawaii’s local businesses.”
March
In the wake of even more restrictions on the choices women are allowed to make regarding their health and healthcare, Sen. Hirono joined Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA) and more than 40 colleagues in cosponsoring the Access to Family Building Act.
Sen. Hirono said the legislation is meant to protect access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) by establishing a statutory right to access IVF for all Americans who need it to start or grow a family.
“Since before the disastrous Dobbs decision, Republicans have constantly attempted to exert control over our lives and our bodies—and the Alabama Supreme Court ruling is yet another extreme attack on women and their reproductive freedoms,” said Sen. Hirono. “I am proud to support this bill, which would protect the right to access IVF and other assisted reproductive technology, defending the rights of families and safeguarding this important resource.”
She then moved to secure the reinstatement of Federal Benefits for COFA Citizens, which offers more than $307 Million for Hawaii in the federal spending bill.
“These renegotiated Compacts of Free Association will continue the United States’ decades-long relationship with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau,” said Sen. Hirono. “In addition to solidifying our relationship with the Compact nations for the next 20 years, this agreement corrects a nearly 30-year old policy failure that has prevented the tens of thousands of COFA citizens who live, work, and pay taxes in the U.S.—many of whom choose to build their lives in Hawaii—from accessing federal benefits. I’m glad that after years of advocacy to restore these benefits, and following restoration of eligibility for Medicaid, this bill includes my provision to provide access to federal benefits—including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and more—for COFA citizens living in the U.S. This change will make life better for thousands of COFA citizens in Hawaii. I’ve appreciated the partnership of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and thank the many advocates—in Hawaii and in COFA communities across the country—whose hard work made this victory possible.”
Sen. Hirono along with helped lead 24 of their colleagues in reintroducing a bicameral resolution that will honor abortion providers and staff by designating March 10 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day”.
The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day resolution affirms that abortion providers are valued as they provide reproductive care despite pressures, restrictions, political interference and threats to their personal safety.
It also highlights the essential role that these providers play in providing safe access to reproductive care, including abortions.
The introduction of this resolution follows a 2022 report by the National Abortion Federation, which shows a rise in major incidents like stalking and death threats directed at patients, abortion care providers, and volunteers.
“Following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights for people across the country continue to be attacked and the challenges faced by abortion providers, staff, and patients continue to grow,” said Sen. Hirono. “I am proud to reintroduce this resolution to honor these essential reproductive health care providers who help patients receive the high-quality care they deserve, even in the face of violence, threats, and intimidation. On Abortion Providers Appreciation Day, we honor the bravery of these health professionals across our country and reaffirm our commitment to protecting access to abortion care for all.”
Sen. Hirono then went on to introduce legislation to give workers time off to vote. This much needed time off is a break with the 248 year history of the U.S. not providing adequate access via time to vote.
“Voting is essential to our democracy and all eligible voters deserve to be able to exercise their fundamental right to have their voices heard,” said Sen. Hirono. “I am proud to introduce the Time Off to Vote Act, legislation that will empower more eligible voters to participate in our democracy. As we continue working to protect voting rights and defend democracy, this bill will help to expand voter participation, especially in underrepresented communities.”
As tax season approached, Sen. Hirono did not forget about those still recovering from the Maui wildfires. She and her colleagues urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner, Danny Werfel, to extend the 2023 federal tax filing and payment deadlines for individuals and businesses impacted by the Maui wildfires.
“As these members of our community continue to process trauma, experience displacement, and assess the damage from the wildfires, we ask for your assistance in making sure individuals and businesses have enough time to file their taxes and make payments for the 2023 tax season,” wrote the lawmakers. “In the wake of the wildfires, survivors received federal, state, county, and community disaster assistance to provide them with initial relief to meet their basic needs. It will likely take individuals additional time to evaluate the tax liabilities of various types of disaster assistance they received last year. And on top of that, survivors are still processing the loss of loved ones, neighbors, and other members of their communities and the physical devastation that has completely altered the course of their lives.”
Sen. Hirono’s fight to protect women’s ability make health and healthcare decisions for themselves led her to work with Sen. Tammy Duckworth to lead seven of their colleagues in introducing the Abortion Care Capacity Enhancement and Support Services (ACCESS) Act.
It is meant to establish a federal grant program for health care organizations to expand their capacity to provide abortion services and other reproductive care in states where it remains legal. In recent months, the number of patients traveling out of state to access reproductive health care has nearly doubled and is beginning to overwhelm clinics in states where abortion services are legal, causing longer wait times and other barriers for patients.
“As Republicans continue to attack women’s reproductive rights, too many people have been forced to travel across state lines to receive essential, and sometimes life-saving, reproductive health care,” said Sen. Hirono. “The devastating Dobbs decision has worsened logistical and financial barriers for women accessing abortion care, and further strained our provider shortage and health care system. I am proud to introduce this legislation to help ensure medical facilities have the capacity to provide quality reproductive care to those who need it.”
She then went on to work with colleagues to reintroduce the bicameral Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2024. The legislation intends to create new federal grants for programs focused on professional development, training, mentoring and outreach activities of women and minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
“Diversity is something that should be celebrated and championed in every field, including STEM fields,” said Sen. Hirono. “Building more diverse pipelines into science and engineering careers is critical to developing creative solutions to many of the biggest challenges we face today. By creating grants specifically focused on outreach and support to women and other underrepresented communities, this bill will promote diversity in STEM fields and help ensure our country benefits from the talent and innovation of a diverse STEM workforce.”
On the heels of this, Sen. Hirono worked with colleagues to introduce the bipartisan and bicameral Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act. Legislation that aims to transition 10 temporary federal judgeships—including one in Hawaii—to permanent status in order to maintain the current level of access to the federal court for millions of Americans across the nation.
“By making several long-standing temporary judgeships permanent, this bill will help provide certainty and stability to federal courts in Hawaii and other states across the country,” said Sen. Hirono. “I’m glad to introduce this bill with Senator Cruz to help ensure people in Hawaii, Texas, and across the country can access our justice system.”
Then, she celebrated the release of the Patsy Mink quarter.
“As the first woman of color to serve in Congress, Patsy Mink was a trailblazer who fought to ensure that generations of girls and women could have every opportunity men have,” said Sen. Hirono. “Congresswoman Mink’s legacy lives on through Title IX, the landmark legislation she authored to outlaw sex-based discrimination in education. As we work to build on the progress she made, I am proud to announce the launch of this quarter honoring Patsy and her legacy, so that people across our state and country can learn more about her life and contributions to the fight for social justice, equality, and civil rights.”
Finally, Sena. Hirono held events on Kauai that focused on renewable energy, small businesses and community members from the Compacts of Freely Associated (COFA) States.
Touring Pacific Biodiesel’s new facility in Hanapepe, Sen. Hirono learned about how they are modernizing their production facility using federal funding she helped to secure.
“As we work to combat climate change and advance Hawaii’s clean energy goals, Pacific Biodiesel’s new facility will help produce sustainable and renewable biofuel, while also supporting our local farmers,” said Sen. Hirono. “I supported the federal funding for this project, which will help reduce our reliance on imported oil, while creating local jobs, and bolstering our agriculture industry.”
Well, that was a busy three months. Hope you enjoyed learning about the work Sen. Hirono is doing for our state and its residents as she represents us and our interests in the nation’s capital.
Check back in July when we take a look at her second quarter.
