Aloha, Friend.
When I was sworn into the two-year 117th Congress on January 3rd, I knew 2021 would be another difficult year. The continuing COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty, worsening inequality, climate change, an unstable world and more were all compounded by deepening political division. The January 6th attack on our Capitol, the Afghanistan withdrawal, inflation, COVID-19 conflicts and a new variant, and destructive weather and the Navy water system crisis back home were just some of the additional challenges the year brought.
But the role of our government is to overcome challenges and forge the best path forward for us all. My mission as your U.S. Congressman remains to: (1) contribute to national leadership for our country and world; (2) assure that Hawaii’s needs are addressed by our federal government; and (3) assist you with your individual concerns.
The year brought some successes. We passed a third major COVID-19 emergency assistance measure with federal COVID-19 aid to Hawai‘i topping $20 billion. We passed the largest-ever $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, which will bring some $3 billion to Hawai‘i. And I continued to use my positions and relationships in Congress, especially on the House Appropriations Committee, to focus on the needs of Hawai‘i and the Pacific. But so much more remains for 2022, from COVID-19 to restoring full public confidence in our drinking water.
In all of this I must remain fully connected with you. Below I summarize a a few representative highlights of my activities through 2021, invite you to my website at case.house.gov for more information, offer my assistance with your questions and needs and ask for your continued input. I will also continue my regular open talk story community meetings, hopefully in person again soon.
2021 Highlights
January: Sworn into 117th Congress (2021-2023); reappointed to House Appropriations and Natural Resources Committees, to Executive Board of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, as Co-Chair of Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus, and other caucuses and leadership positions; co-introduced H.R. 1, the For the People Act, the broadest government reform proposal in a generation (later passed by the House); co-hosted seminar with Rep. Kahele for state and county government colleagues on “How To Work With Your Congressional Representatives”; conducted first live talk story (on COVID-19) and roundtable (on small business).
February: Began full appropriations season to develop $1.5 trillion Fiscal Year ’22 spending bills (continued six months thru House passage in July); reintroduced Jones Act reform proposals.
March: Passed the American Rescue Plan, $1.9 trillion in additional emergency assistance to combat COVID-19; began Natural Resources Committee oversight hearings; updated Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i on COVID-19 economic assistance.
April: Conducted roundtable for Hawai‘i labor unions on federal issues and opportunities; joined Congressional delegation to Texas border to review immigration crisis firsthand; visited Boys and Girls Club of ‘Ewa Beach as part of ongoing community outreach; attended the Filipino-American community vaccination drive.
May: Co-introduced Boosting Longterm U.S. Engagement in the Pacific (BLUE Pacific) Act (largely included in measure pending House passage); presented personally to Mililani/Waipi‘o/Melemanu Neighborhood Board as part of office’s ongoing participation in boards.
June: Organized House speeches with colleagues honoring issuance by the U.S. Postal Service of the Go for Broke: Japanese American Soldiers of World War II stamp; marked COVID-19 emergency economic impact (direct) payments to Hawai‘i residents exceeding $1.9 billion.
July: Joined Rep. Kahele and Hawaiian leaders in D.C. to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and honor the legacy of its author, Delegate Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole; co-introduced the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act, a major update of our ocean resources management laws.
August: Urged immediate House passage of the $1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Package, the largest infrastructure reinvestment in our history, including critical climate change and broadband projects (signed into law November 15th); co-introduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (later passed by the House); walked Chinatown with Honolulu Police Dept. and community leaders to review crime and homelessness concerns.
September: Devoted the full resources of the office to evacuating Afghan partners; joined Congress, country and world in remembering 9/11; co-introduced the Women’s Health Protection Act to confirm a woman’s right of choice (later passed by the House).
October: Gave keynote speech at Hawai‘i Economic Association annual conference: “What Have We Learned From COVID-19; Where Do We Go From Here”; walked small businesses in Mānoa, Kaimukī, Kapahulu and Kalihi to update status and needs; hosted delegation in Capitol to honor Saint Damien; conducted social services roundtable for providers on federal programs.
November: Passed the $2.1 trillion Build Back Better Act with major investments in climate change and our social safety net; appointed co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus China Task Force to coordinate legislative proposals regarding our greatest foreign challenge; joined Hawai‘i delegation colleagues in expressing serious concerns with then-emerging Navy water system crisis.
December: Continued full focus on the Navy water system crisis, including joining Hawai‘i delegation colleagues in demanding immediate suspension of Red Hill fuel tank operations and full independent review of leaks; addressed COVID-19 Omicron variant concerns while remembering 800,000-now ‘ohana lost.
SERVING YOU
My staff in D.C. and Honolulu and I are here to serve you. These are just some of our services:
• Welcoming your Input and Questions. We want to know what you think about the issues we’re all facing and to answer your questions.
• Casework. We want to help you and yours with your own concerns, especially in federal government areas like Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ benefits, immigration and many others.
• Joining Your Events and Recognizing Achievements. We want to join your community events as COVID-19 allows. We also welcome opportunities to send Congressional congratulations for special occasions.
As always, I am deeply grateful for your questions, input and partnership. For these and other services, please call me at (808) 650-6688, or email me at ed.case@mail.house.gov or go to my website at https://case.house.gov.
As we look for the opportunities and confront the challenges of 2022 together, my staff and I are here for you and wish you and yours the very best of the New Year!
