Thursday - March 28, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Hawaii Newsletter for Sunday April 12, 2020 ( 24 items )  

Rep. Case Announces Live Tele-Talk Story Community Meeting Wednesday Evening on COVID-19
HONOLULU, Hawaii, April 8 -- Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) announced he will host an open all-welcome Tele-Talk Story session on COVID-19 Wednesday evening. "My responsibilities as U.S. Congressman for Hawai'i during this severe crisis are to (2) contribute to the best possible path through and forward for our country, (2) assure that our Hawaii's own needs are fully met, and (3) assist with the needs of my constituents," said Case. "  more

Rep. Case Announces Millions for Community Health Centers in Hawaii to Combat COVID-19
HONOLULU, Hawaii, April 9 -- Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) announced that 14 community health centers throughout the State of Hawaii will receive more than $10 million to help them deal with the health emergency triggered by COVID-19. "The CARES Act included funding to support federal, state and local public health agencies to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus," said Case. "This federal assistance to our communi  more

Rep. Case Announces More Than $130 Million in Initial Emergency Assistance for Hawaii's Healthcare Providers to Address COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release on April 10: Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) announced that $132,536,076 is being paid to Hawaii's healthcare providers to help them address the public health emergency triggered by COVID-19. The funding comes from the $2.2 trillion CARES Act enacted by Congress on March 27 and immediately signed into law by the President. "Ever since this pandemic hit our shores, our healthcare providers and their entire 'ohana have  more

Rep. Gabbard Announces Federal Funding for Hawaii Communities, Transit, and Housing
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) announced Federal funding coming to Hawaii, including over $100 million for COVID-19 response for public transit and over $7 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). The funding implements portions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), passed by Congress just over a week ago. "The recent passage of the CARES Act provided critical assis  more

Rep. Gabbard Talks Small Business Relief With 10,000 Hawaii Residents, Demands Better State Leadership on Coronavirus Crisis
HONOLULU, Hawaii, April 10 -- Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: This afternoon, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) hosted a live, tele-town hall to provide updates on the national and state response to the coronavirus. She was joined by Jane Sawyer, the Hawai'i District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which is providing support for small businesses nationwide during the coronavirus pandemic. They answered questions and discussed the latest develo  more

Sen. Grassley Presses on Unexplained Defense Department Education Activity Travel Expenses
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) renewed his inquiries into potential wasteful and inappropriate travel spending at the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), specifically seeking full and complete answers to prior questions about multiple trips to Hawaii. ".it is my congressional duty to conduct oversight over the Executive Branch, and thus, it is within my discretio  more

Sen. Grassley Presses on Unexplained Defense Department Education Activity Travel Expenses
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news on April 7: Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) renewed his inquiries into potential wasteful and inappropriate travel spending at the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), specifically seeking full and complete answers to prior questions about multiple trips to Hawaii. "...it is my congressional duty to conduct oversight over the Executive B  more

Sen. Hirono Announces Over $10 Million for Community Health Centers in Hawaii to Respond to Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: * * * - Additional Funding for Community Health Centers Was Included in Third Coronavirus Relief Legislation that Congress Passed in March * * * Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced that community health centers across Hawaii will receive over $10 million in additional funding to respond to, prevent, diagnose, and treat COVID-19. The funds are available as part of the CARES Act, the third corona  more

Sen. Hirono Joins Call to Support Local Journalism During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and 17 other Senators to call for funding to support local journalists and media in future COVID-19 relief packages. The letter, sent to Senate leadership, cautions of the already widespread devastation of the coronavirus pandemic on local and regional news outlets who are experiencing sinking advertising revenue while public   more

Sen. Hirono Statement on Additional Funding for the Paycheck Protection Program
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, issued the following statement regarding providing additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program: "Small businesses I've heard from in Hawaii appreciate the action by the federal government to provide relief, but now find themselves frustrated by the confusing rollout of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). "Congress enacted the program to support businesses during the current pandemic so the last thing we need is more uncerta  more

Sen. Hirono Statement on Death of Inouye
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, issued the following statement on the death of Irene Hirano Inouye: "My thoughts go out to the Yasutake and Inouye ohana as we mourn the passing of Irene Hirano Inouye. Irene's passion for serving her community on the local, national and international levels was profoundly evident in her life's work. From her service as the President and founding CEO of the Japanese American National Museum, chair of the Ford and Kresge Foundations, to Pre  more

Sen. Hirono, Hassan, 13 Senate Colleagues to Trump: Protect Americans From Counterfeit Personal Protective Equipment, Price Gouging
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release on April 10: Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) signed onto a letter that Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and 13 of their Senate colleagues sent to President Trump, calling on him to intervene in the production of counterfeit personal protective equipment and price gouging on essential medical goods. The letter calls for a clear and comprehensive national plan to produce and distribute medical supplies ac  more

Sen. Hirono: Hawaii Delegation to USDA, SBA - Small Agricultural Producers Need Your Coordination in Response to Coronavirus
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and Ed Case (D-Hawaii) wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza to request their coordinated assistance for Hawaii's small agricultural producers. The Hawaii delegation sent this letter in respo  more

Sen. Menendez Calls on Facebook to Halt Spread of Coronavirus Misinformation on WhatsApp
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Dangerous, false information about the coronavirus reportedly circulating among two billion WhatsApp users worldwide * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J) called on WhatsApp parent company Facebook to stop the spread of misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic on the instant messaging app. The letter sent by Sens. Menendez, Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Kamala Har  more

Sen. Schatz Calls for Full Funding for Postal Service to Ensure Operations Continue in Hawaii, Across Country
HONOLULU, Hawaii, April 9 -- Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and more than a dozen of his colleagues called on Senate leaders to provide full funding for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in the next COVID-19 relief package. Without such funding, the lawmakers warned, the USPS "may have to reduce or limit its services...as early as June." "We write to urge you to provide appropriate funding to the United States Postal Service (  more

Sen. Schatz Releases New Guide to Help Independent Contractors, Gig Workers Access Federal Aid During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: * * * - For First Time, Hawai'i Gig Economy Workers, Including Ride Sharing Drivers, Are Now Eligible For Unemployment Benefits; Schatz's Resource Guide Is Available At Schatz.Senate.Gov/Coronavirus/Contract-Workers * * * U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) released a new guide to help independent contractors, freelancers, those who are self-employed, and gig-economy workers, including ride sharing drive  more

Sen. Schatz to VP Pence: Where Are the Tests?
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and a group of his colleagues called on Vice President Mike Pence and the Coronavirus Task Force, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to conduct a national inventory of the coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnostic testing supply, publicly release data on testing results, and provide a detailed plan and timeline for addressing future shortages and gaps in   more

Sen. Schatz, Senators Call on Student Loan Companies to Immediately Provide Relief to Private Student Loan Borrowers During Coronavirus Pandemic
HONOLULU, Hawaii, April 8 -- Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: * * * - Schatz Urges Lenders To Allow Borrowers To Pause Payments Without Penalty, Similar To The Steps The Government Has Taken For Borrowers * * * U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and 13 of his colleagues called on student loan companies to allow its borrowers to suspend payments without penalty and take additional steps to aid borrowers affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In a se  more

Sen. Schatz, Senators Call on Trump Administration to Provide Relief to Farmers in Hawaii, Across Country During Coronavirus Pandemic
HONOLULU, Hawaii, April 4 -- Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and 42 of his colleagues called on Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to make temporary flexibilities on Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans permanent for the duration of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Schatz and the senators also urged Secretary Perdue to ensure famers have adequate and equitable access to credit during this time of economic uncertainty to avo  more

Sen. Schatz: Help Available for Hawaii Seniors
HONOLULU, Hawaii, April 8 -- Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: * * * - New Resource Guide Provides Information On How Hawai'i Seniors Can Access Food Assistance, Health Care, Unemployment Programs During Coronavirus Pandemic - Schatz's Resource Guide For Seniors Available At Schatz.Senate.Gov/Coronavirus/Seniors * * * U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) released a detailed guide to help Hawai'i seniors access new and enhanced federal benefits established unde  more

Sen. Schatz: More Than $130 Million in New Federal Funding Heading to Hawaii to Help Hospitals Respond to Coronavirus Pandemic
HONOLULU, Hawaii, April 11 -- Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release on April 10: U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) announced that Hawai'i is set to receive more than $130 million in new federal funding to help local hospitals and health care providers respond to the coronavirus pandemic. "As we continue to fight against this pandemic, these new federal dollars will be a big help to Hawai'i's frontline health care workers," said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senat  more

Sens. Cortez Masto, Rosen Cosponsor Bill to Protect Immigrants During COVID-19 Pandemic
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, April 11 -- Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) to cosponsor the Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act to ensure that all communities have access to urgently needed COVID-19 testing, public health information, and relief benefits regardless of immigration status or limited English profici  more

Sens. Cortez Masto, Rosen Join Colleagues in Push to Ensure All Students Can Continue Education Online During Coronavirus Pandemic
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, April 6 -- Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) joined Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and 29 of their colleagues in a letter to House and Senate leadership requesting robust funding for all K-12 students to have adequate home internet connectivity if their schools close due to the ongo  more

Sens. Hirono, Durbin, Harris, Menendez to Facebook: Shut Down WhatsApp Spread of Coronavirus Misinformation
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), and Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) sent a letter calling on Facebook to stop the spread of misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic on WhatsApp. The Senators sent their letter after widespread reports of dangerous false information about the coronavirus circulating among the two billion What  more