Chair Yarmuth, Ranking Member Smith, members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to share thoughts with you today. I need not dwell on the state of our national budget. By any measure – annual deficits, total debt, debt-to-GDP, interest as a percentage of on and on – it is severe and worsening. The only measure cited as positive – year-over-year deficit improvement – is meaningless aga... Read more »
Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in strong support of House passage of S. 1760, introduced by my colleague, Senator Mazie Hirono, and passed unanimously by the Senate. This critical measure, companion legislation to HR 3406, which I co-introduced in the House with its principal sponsor, Congressman Kaiali’i Kahele, will designate the new community-based outpatient clinic of the De... Read more »
Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Rodgers and Members of the Committee. Aloha, and thank you for the opportunity to focus on the national security challenges and opportunities that face us in my part of the world - the Indo-Pacific – and Hawaii’s continued critical role. Today I’d like to address three specific issues: the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility crisis; the Pacific Deterrence Initiative;... Read more »
Senator Clarence Nishihara, Chair, Senator Lynn DeCoite, Vice Chair, and members of the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs: Thank you for holding this hearing today on a resolution that would honor the memory and the extraordinary heroism of Telesforo Trinidad. As I and several of my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives stated in a letter last May ... Read more »
First and foremost, to the thousands of our ohana who have suffered harm, whose lives are upended, this should not have happened to you and we remain completely focused on you. Second, I thank my colleague, Congressman Kahele, for his full partnership throughout this crisis and for his leadership in introducing our legislation. I support our military. We must remain strong and prepared throughout ... Read more »
Madam Speaker, each year our country recognizes October as Filipino American History Month, a time for all Americans to celebrate the incredible past, present and future of our fellow citizens whose heritage lies in the great country of the Philippines. I am especially humbled to do so as the Representative of Hawaii's First Congressional District, where some 195,000 Filipino Americans live, more ... Read more »
Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to share our collective recommitment to end domestic violence. Each October, we remember all those lost to and scarred by domestic violence, a tragic continuing scourge that cuts across all boundaries. Long after we have said goodbyes, long after physical wounds have healed, the psychological and social consequences con... Read more »
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2662, the IG Independence and Empowerment Act, of which I am a cosponsor. The work of our Inspectors General throughout government in providing an independent, objective and professional review and assessment of legal compliance and waste, fraud and abuse is critical to the overall functioning of government and to ensuring public tr... Read more »
During a House Small Business Committee Member Day hearing, U.S. Congressman Ed Case spoke about the continued recovery needs of Hawaii's small businesses and tourism industry. His full committee testimony is available online and below: Member Day Testimony to the Small Business Committee Chairwoman Velázquez, Ranking Member Luetkemeyer and members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity t... Read more »
