Hawai‘i’s U.S. senators and house members received their committee assignments Friday. Sen. Schatz called the new committee assignments “strategically excellent” for Hawai‘i in a statement Friday afternoon. Schatz, who was sworn in Dec. 27 to fill the seat of the
Hawai‘i’s U.S. senators and house members received their committee assignments Friday.
Sen. Schatz called the new committee assignments “strategically excellent” for Hawai‘i in a statement Friday afternoon.
Schatz, who was sworn in Dec. 27 to fill the seat of the late Sen. Daniel Inouye, was named a member of the U.S. Senate Committees on Energy and Natural Resources, Indian Affairs and Commerce.
“The Commerce Committee is very important because of its breadth — covering infrastructure like rail and roads as well as the oceans,” said Schatz, the only freshman senator to be named on the committee.
“As we work our way through economic recovery and create the right kind of future for our state and country, this is a pivotal committee. … I could not have asked for better assignments for the needs and future of our state.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono, who was sworn in Thursday with the rest of the 113th Congress, was assigned to the Senate Committee on Armed Services.
“I am honored to serve on the Senate Committee on Armed Services,” Hirono said in a statement. “Hawai‘i is home to the US Pacific Command and thousands of men and women who serve our country in the armed forces. Our military’s presence in Hawai‘i not only plays a critical role in our national security but also in driving our state’s economy and supporting thousands of jobs in the public and private sectors. I look forward to partnering with my colleague on the House Armed Services Committee, Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa, in preserving Hawai‘i’s important role in our national security. Our nation owes a tremendous debt to our service members and military families, and I look forward to fighting for them on this new committee.”
Hirono will also serve on the Judiciary Committee and Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Rep. Hanabusa, who is starting her second term in Congress, will continue to serve on the House Armed Services and Natural Resources committees. Newly-elected Rep. Tulsi Gabbard will serve on the Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees.
“As the U.S. pivots its focus toward the Asia-Pacific region, my work on the Foreign Affairs Committee will ensure Hawai’i benefits from, and provides leadership in, this shift in policy and strategy,” Gabbard said in a statement Friday afternoon.
“By drawing on military background and experience leading counterterrorism training during my deployment to Kuwait, I plan to bring unique insights and a firsthand perspective to my position on the Homeland Security Committee. Given Hawai‘i’s location and crucial international ports, I will work to bring into focus the impact our nation’s Homeland Security policies have on the islands.”
With the death of Inouye and the retirement of Sen. Daniel Akaka after 22 years, there are concerns if Hawai‘i’s junior delegation will be able to secure the same level of federal support their predecessors did.
