Case, Ed RSS Articles

Key U.S. House Committee Approves Case's Bipartisan Bill To Combat Invasive Species

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) announced that the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee (Committee) has unanimously approved his National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act, which would significantly expand federal efforts to combat invasive species, responsible for severely impacting environments across the country.

“Hawai‘i in particular faces unique challenges from invasive species. Our isolation has led to the evolution of many endemic species that are found nowhere else on Earth,” said Case, who formerly served six years on the House Natural Resources Committee and is in his eighth year on the House Appropriations Committee.

“Unfortunately, these native species often lack the defenses to compete with or resist the pressures of invasive plants and animals, which can rapidly alter ecosystems and displace local species.

“In Hawai‘i, invasive species have caused significant ecological damage, threatening the survival of native birds and plants. Protecting Hawaii’s unique biodiversity is not just an environmental necessity – it is a cultural imperative that reflects the identity and heritage of the Hawaiian people.”

“For island communities like Guam, invasive species are more than an environmental concern—they threaten our native ecosystems, agriculture, economy, and way of life,” said Congressman James Moylan (R-Guam).

“Once an invasive species becomes established on an island, the cost of eradication can be enormous, and in many cases, the damage cannot be undone. This bipartisan legislation takes a proactive approach by strengthening rapid response and early detection efforts within our National Wildlife Refuge System. By investing in prevention today, we can better protect America’s natural resources, preserve our unique biodiversity, and reduce far greater costs in the future.”

"We are pleased with the passage of this measure that prioritizes funds and measures towards early detection through identifying, reporting, and eradicating invasive species and the harm it causes in the National Wildlife Refuge System lands and waters and its surrounding areas,” said Jonnetta "Jonee" Leina'ala Peters, Executive Director of the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i. “Early detection is critical in protecting endangered and threatened species. This is also a major step in eradicating invasive species that harm animals, humans, food sources, and the economy."

“Invasive species are putting increased pressure on native wildlife and are especially damaging across our national wildlife refuges,” said Jill Feldhusen, senior manager of wildlife policy at the National Wildlife Federation.

“By establishing dedicated, regional strike teams, this bipartisan bill helps refuges respond more rapidly to invasive species threats before they cause lasting harm. Thank you, Representative Ed Case, for reintroducing the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act and broadening the impact of cross-jurisdictional collaboration.

Case continued: “Invasive species are not just a localized problem; they pose a significant threat to the integrity of our natural world. Addressing this crisis requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach, focusing on prevention, early detection, and effective management strategies to safeguard our vulnerable ecosystems.

“This legislation will codify the existing Invasive Species Strike Teams program currently operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). These specialized teams play an essential role in managing emerging invasive species, employing strategies tailored to local conditions across the National Wildlife Refuge System. With multiple teams strategically positioned in all nine FWS regions across our country, they are on the front lines, addressing the unique challenges posed by invasive species.”

Case said formally establishing the Invasive Species Strike Teams program will create a stable and legally supported framework to ensure consistent funding and enhance management efforts. The act also signifies a transformative shift within the FWS, moving from a reactive, species-by-species approach to a more strategic, ecosystem-wide framework for managing emerging invasive species.

“The act also mandates enhanced coordination and reporting through integrated systems and standardized procedures, ensuring transparency and enabling us to track progress with annual reports to Congress and the public,” said Case.

“Furthermore, it authorizes $10 million annually from Fiscal Year 2027 through 2033 to support ongoing initiatives.”

Case introduced the measure after federal invasive species experts toured O‘ahu to research the effects of invasive species on island communities. The bill also directs these experts to produce a report summarizing the Strike Teams’ work and advising how they can continue to help Hawai‘i and island territories. Following approval by the Committee, the measure awaits action by the full House.

Text of the measure is here.

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Case Votes Against First Version Of Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) Tuesday voted in the full U.S. House against the current version of the $1.15 trillion Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The annual authorization is considered must-pass legislation, with Congress enacting one every year since fiscal 1962. It is separate from the regular annual appropriations bills that Representative Case helps develop as a member of the House Appropriations Committee; those bills actually direct funding using the NDAA as an authorizing framework.

“Our National Defense Authorization Act is a critical annual measure that not only authorizes our defense spending for the year, supplementing my Appropriations Committee’s parallel funding responsibilities, but also establishes defense policies, including organization and administration of the Defense Department,” said Case, who serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, responsible for all defense and intelligence community funding, and previously served on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, responsible for all funding in those areas.

“While this current version of the FY 2027 NDAA includes many critical Hawai‘i and Indo-Pacific priorities I requested, I regrettably had to vote against it at this stage for various reasons. These included the lack of any Congressional authorization of the Iran war; the insufficiency of any justification for the huge authorized increase in defense spending; the lack of any assurance of adequate Congressional oversight of that spending; and the inclusion of various other proposals not relevant to defense such as the SAVE America Act, which I have separately voted against several other times.”

Given the significant economic contribution of military construction to Hawai‘i, Case highlighted various projects he advocated for that were included in the NDAA, including:

· $507 million to continue building Dry Dock 5 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

· $248 million to continue building the Red Hill Water Treatment Plant. Case provided the initial funding for this effort in FY 2026 through his assignment on the House Appropriations Committee.

· $184 million to expand the Ford Island Pacific Warfighting Center at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

· $142 million to make airfield improvements at the Pacific Missile Range Facility.

· $90 million for an aircraft maintenance hangar at Wheeler Army Airfield.

· $77 million to expand an armory at Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i.

· $72 million for water wells and storage tanks at Helemano Military Reservation.

· $71 million for a clear well and booster pump at Fort Shafter.

· $49 million to upgrade the main gate at Marine Corp Base Hawai‘i.

· $34 million at Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i for an air traffic control compound.

· $30 million for a fire station at Schofield Barracks.

· $26 million for an elevated water tank and distribution lines at Schofield Barracks.

· $21 million for a water storage tank Schofield Barracks.

· $4 million for a Secure Integration Support Lab on Maui.

The measure also included three floor amendments (amendments added in full House deliberations) authored by Case that:

· Require a study on the potential benefits of establishing a Strategic Infrastructure Partnership Initiative to assist U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) in identifying, developing and implementing dual-use infrastructure projects across the Indo-Pacific.

· Require a comprehensive analysis of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) influence and activities within the Freely Associated States and recommending steps to help protect these three Pacific nations.

· Direct the Space Force to assess the security, physical, cyber and geopolitical vulnerabilities of commercially owned and operated satellite ground-based nodes located within the Indo-Pacific. Multiple such locations are in Hawai‘i.

The bill further included several provisions advocated for and supported by Case to continue the military’s investment in Hawai‘i and the Indo-Pacific, including:

· Authorizing an additional $2.5 million for the Pacific Disaster Center on Maui.

· Extending the authority for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.

· Formally establishing an Inter-Pacific Air Forces Academy. This existing yet uncodified program focuses on leader-follower self-awareness, enhancing strategic intelligence, cultivating intercultural communication and fostering relationships among the multinational enlisted force.

· Requiring a study on recapitalizing the Army’s watercraft fleet and how they will be supported by uncrewed systems. Hawai‘i is the homeport for three Army watercraft.

· Directing the military to prioritize the distribution and retention of KC-135 tanker aircraft to Air Force and Air National Guard installations in the Indo-Pacific. Hawai‘i Air National Guard’s 154th Wing currently operates KC-135s out of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

· Requiring the military to establish a secure, all-domain, virtual-constructive training environment to support training in the Indo-Pacific. This will help reduce the need to conduct more dangerous live-fire training.

· Directing the Navy to evaluate installations that are critical to force generation, deployment and sustainment for USPACOM and what can be done to improve the capacity of naval shipyards, regional maintenance centers, depots, aircraft maintenance facilities and civilian industrial capacity to maintain, repair and rearm ships and aircraft.

· Authorizing $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative.

· Authorizing $8.4 billion for two Virginia-class attack submarines. Pearl Harbor is the home of this class of submarine and conducts major maintenance on them at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.

The bill additionally included several provisions cosponsored by Case, including amendments that:

· Direct the Defense Department to conduct base hardening assessments at key logistics nodes and commercial interfaces for major defense installations, which would include locations in Hawai‘i.

· Direct the military to inventory, assess and prioritize all military construction and logistics infrastructure projects across the Indo-Pacific to meet USPACOM’s operational requirements.

· Extend the requirement to annually assess of Taiwan’s military readiness, regional allied responses and U.S. contingency planning in the face of rising Chinese aggression.

· Extend the Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative through 2031 and expand it to include unmanned systems.

· Mandate a report to Congress on the military’s strategy for developing a resilient and distributed missile tracking system and authorize funds to implement the report’s recommendations. These efforts can be used to help improve the defense of Hawai‘i.

Finally, the NDAA version included various provisions Case has supported to assist our nation’s servicemembers, including:

· Directs a 7% pay raise for junior enlisted personnel, a 6% raise for senior enlisted personnel and junior officers, and a 5% raise for senior officers.

· Protects the collective bargaining rights of civilian Defense Department employees.

· Authorizes over $1.8 billion for new construction of barracks and family housing.

· Requires an assessment of junior enlisted housing shortfalls and a plan to close housing shortfalls.

· Authorizes incentive pay for medical officers with doctoral degrees.

· Increases the Family Separation Allowance for deployed servicemembers.

· Authorizes $226 million to design and build new childcare centers.

· Authorizes $170 million for new on-base schools.

· Authorizes a pilot program to provide grants to expand access to childcare for military families.

· Authorizes $50 million in Impact Aid assistance to public schools with military dependent students and an additional $20 million in assistance to local schools teaching children with severe disabilities.

· Requires a cost-of-living allowance to eligible servicemembers. The authority is currently optional and only applies to servicemembers assigned to high-cost areas.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 216 to 212 and now heads to the Senate for its consideration. “I am hopeful that, as this critical measure moves further through the legislative process, its serious flaws will be corrected and I will be able to vote yes on the final version, as I have with past NDAAs,” said Case.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. The text of the bill is available here.

2. The explanatory committee report is available here.

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Case Calls On President To Once Again Extend Jones Act Waiver To Address Severe Risk Of Disruption Of Critical Energy Supplies To Hawaii Resulting From Ongoing Iran War

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (Hawai‘i-First) asked President Trump to grant another 60-day extension of the current waiver of the Jones Act, citing continued global shipping disruptions, constrained fuel supply chains and rising gasoline and energy costs in Hawai‘i, along with implications for U.S. military readiness in the Indo-Pacific. In April, Case called on the President to grant the initial extension that is set to expire on August 15.

In his latest letter to the President, Case again urged that: “The waiver should be extended now rather than on current expiration because contracts for the acquisition and shipping of fossil fuel products to U.S. ports are signed well in advance of shipping and delivery and failure to provide clarity on that timeframe will seriously disrupt shipping options and prices with wide ranging effects.

“The waiver is operating nationally to mitigate the effects of market disruption on energy availability and pricing nationally. But the need for the waiver is especially acute in Hawai‘i and other noncontiguous jurisdictions which are largely reliant on external fossil fuel-based products for energy, agriculture, transportation, and other key needs, and where the Jones Act, even in a non-disrupted world, imposes unique severe constraints on the delivery of energy supplies and related pricing.”

Case continued: “As I explained before when asking you to extend the waiver earlier this year, Hawai‘i is one of the most isolated parts of our country and depends on shipping for over ninety percent of our goods, including nearly all of our fossil fuel products. Yet the Jones Act severely limits shipping options from the continental U.S. to U.S. Jones Act vessels only, despite the widespread availability of shipping in the international markets. For fossil fuel products specifically, of the thousands of tankers operating globally, only a small fraction are Jones Act-compliant and available for domestic transport, and virtually none are suited for certain bulk commodities such as fertilizer. As a result, even though the United States is a net energy exporter, Hawai‘i typically relies on foreign imports because Jones Act shipping is far more expensive and less dependable that international shipping.”

The Jones Act, a century-old federal maritime law, mandates that all cargo shipped between U.S. ports be transported on U.S.-flagged vessels, excluding most ships operating in global trade that are flagged internationally. With fewer than 100 oceangoing Jones Act vessels nationwide, limited domestic capacity faces no international competition, contributing to higher shipping costs.

The constraints in oil shipping are even more stark: of the nearly 7,500 oil tankers operating worldwide, only 54 are Jones Act-compliant and eligible to move fossil fuel products from the Continent to Hawai‘i, which remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuel products for energy. As a result, Hawai‘i typically must source most of its essential resources from foreign markets, where shipping is far cheaper.

Case also highlighted to the President the extensive military presence in Hawai‘i, which is largely dependent on the same sources of energy, fuel and other fossil fuel products as the civilian population. He said: “The military in Hawai‘i also depends on this same fuel network. Hawai‘i is the Indo-Pacific home to every service – the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Space Force – along with a significant presence of our nation’s intelligence community.

“It is our nation’s Indo-Pacific headquarters, hosting U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pacific Air Forces, U.S. Army Pacific, Marine Corps Forces Pacific, Special Operations Command Pacific, Space Force Indo-Pacific and the National Security Agency Hawai‘i. It also has many key military installations including Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i, Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter, the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Pōhakuloa Training Area and various other locations. These installations support key operating forces based in Hawai‘i, including nuclear attack submarines, surface combatants, an Army infantry division, F-22s, MV-22s, C-17s, fuel tankers, Apaches, a Marine Corp regiment and approximately 60,000 Department of Defense (DoD) personnel plus families. Both these services and their active duty and civilian personnel and families are all being impacted by substantially higher fossil fuel-related costs.

“The conditions that justified the initial request, including global tanker dislocation, severely constrained availability of U.S.-flagged vessels and disruptions associated with instability in and around the Strait of Hormuz, continue to affect fuel logistics. These ongoing challenges underscore the importance of maintaining maximum flexibility in maritime transport to ensure both civilian and military fuel needs are met.”

In the current 119^th Congress, Case again introduced legislation to reform the Jones Act and open up Hawai‘i - Continent shipping to international competition.

Attachments

Copy of letter to the President: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:04799e35-96b8-496f-9834-97812094233b

Case’s February 14, 2025, press release on introduction of his current measures: https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3520

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Case Statement On The Death Of First Lieutenant Tyler Feehan Of Hawaii

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) issued the following statement on the death of 1^st Lieutenant Tyler Feehan of Ewa Beach in Jordan.

“I join all of our Hawai’i in mourning the passing in Jordan of United States Army First Lieutenant Tyler Feehan of ‘Ewa Beach. The loss of any of our servicemembers is tragic, but of one of our own ‘ohana is especially deep. I extend my deepest sympathies to Lt Feehan’s family with our Hawaii’s lasting gratitude for his service to our country.”

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Case Introduces Bipartisan Measure To Boost Affordable Housing Nationwide In Areas Designated For Transit Oriented Development

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01), joined by Delegate James Moylan (Guam), has co-introduced his bipartisan Transit Oriented Development Act to drive greater development of affordable housing in areas designated for transit oriented development such as along the Honolulu Skyline.

“The affordable housing shortage remains one of the most significant drivers of the unacceptably high cost of living facing most Americans”, said Case. “In my home state of Hawaiʻi, this crisis is particularly acute. Housing costs consume an outsized share of household income, forcing working families to make impossible choices between rent, groceries and health care.

“Far too many of our keiki and kamaʻāina find themselves priced out of the communities they call home. To truly address affordability, we must not only increase the supply of housing but do so in ways that reflect the unique economic realities of our communities and lower overall living costs for families. That means building housing that is attainable, affordable, well-located and connected to jobs and services.”

Case added: “One of the most important federal tools we have to do that is the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which has long been one of our nation's most successful programs for financing affordable rental housing. Yet the current allocation structure does not always reflect the significant differences in housing costs and development challenges that exist across the country. Because allocations are based principally on population, communities facing exceptionally high housing costs—including Hawaiʻi and other non-contiguous jurisdictions—often face greater difficulty producing affordable housing despite having substantial need.”

“For families on Guam, the challenge isn’t just finding affordable housing—it’s finding housing that keeps them connected to jobs, schools, healthcare, and essential services,” said Delegate Moylan. “As America’s westernmost territory, we face unique development constraints and higher construction costs. This bipartisan legislation recognizes those realities by strengthening incentives to build affordable housing in communities where transportation and opportunity come together. I’m proud to co-lead this effort because it helps ensure federal housing policy works not only for the mainland, but for Guam and all of our island communities as well.”

"Increasing the TOD basis boost would significantly improve project feasibility around our lands in East Kapolei, including next to the Ka Makana Aliʻi Shopping Center, as well as in Moanalua Kai,” said Kali Watson, director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. "The additional 25% basis boost would generate approximately $38,000 to $58,000 in additional equity per housing unit, or roughly $3.8 to $5.8 million for a 100-unit project. This would substantially reduce the financing gap and allow more housing for beneficiaries and further revenue-generating opportunities to advance the mission of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920."

“I am pleased to support the reintroduction of the TOD legislation that I originally introduced in the 117th Congress in collaboration with Congressman Case,” said Kaialiʻi Kahele, Chairman of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and former U.S. Congressman for the Second District of Hawaiʻi.

“The enhanced basis adjustment aligns with OHA’s strategic presence within the Iwilei–Kapālama Transit-Oriented Development area, including the proposed Kūwili Skyline Station, and provides an incentive for OHA’s future mixed-use development plans that integrate cultural revitalization, community services, and sustainable revenue generation.”

"The City is laying the foundation for one of Hawaiʻi's largest transit-oriented redevelopment efforts through the master planning of the Iwilei-Kūwili district, where our long-term vision includes more than 2,500 affordable homes surrounding the future Kūwili Skyline Station,” said Kevin D. Auger, Director, City and County of Honolulu Department of Housing and Land Management.

“Delivering projects of this scale requires strategic land assembly, strong public-private partnerships, and financing tools that reflect the realities of building affordable housing in high-cost communities like Honolulu. Legislation that strengthens the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit for transit-oriented development would provide another important tool to help communities advance these critical housing initiatives and create more affordable homes near transit."

"Congressman Case's Transit-Oriented Development Act recognizes that affordable housing and high-quality public transportation go hand in hand,” said Roger Morton, Director, City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services. “For Honolulu, this legislation complements our investment in Skyline by encouraging more affordable housing near transit, reducing transportation costs for working families, and creating more connected, sustainable communities. We appreciate Congressman Case's leadership in advancing this practical approach for Hawaiʻi."

“The Transit Oriented Development Act will help create a safer, more resilient, equitable, reliable, and efficient transportation system, said Mark Garrity, Executive Director of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (Oahu MPO). “OahuMPO strongly supports this critical legislation.”

"This is simple and smart legislation that will stimulate affordable housing development along side of the transportation infrastructure that the government has invested in,” said Craig Watase, Chief Executive Officer of Mark Development, a developer of affordable housing in Hawaiʻi. “This will be a major factor in project feasibility of many affordable housing projects."

Case continued: “Our Transit Oriented Development Act takes a targeted approach to addressing that challenge. The bill provides an enhanced Low-Income Housing Tax Credit incentive for affordable housing developments located within designated transit oriented development areas. This includes places that are already served by rail, bus, harbor or waterway transportation and are zoned for higher-density development.

“By encouraging affordable housing near existing transportation infrastructure, we can help reduce transportation costs for residents, improve access to jobs and essential services and support more efficient and sustainable community growth.”

Text of the Transit Oriented Development Act of 2026 is here

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Case, Moylan Introduce Measure To Counter Transnational Crime In The Indo-Pacific

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

(Washington, DC) -- U.S. Congressmen Ed Case (D-HI-01) and James Moylan (R-Guam) have introduced a measure in the U.S. House to boost U.S. efforts to counter growing transnational crime in the Indo-Pacific.

“Our Pacific Islands Liaison Initiative Act addresses the growing use of Pacific Island nations as transit hubs for cross-Pacific illegal drug trade by transnational criminal networks, particularly narcotics traffickers,” said Case, a founder and Co-Chair of the House Pacific Islands Caucus, a bipartisan Member group focused on the Pacific (https://pacificislandscaucus-case.house.gov).

“Our fellow Pacific Island nations which are being victimized as stop-offs in this Pacific drug highway are now suffering from related domestic crisis including addiction broader public health, such as an HIV epidemic in Fiji primary spread by unsafe injecting practices,” said Case. “Our Pacific ‘ohana (family) have clearly prioritized this crisis and asked for our continued partnership in both reducing the trade to start with and addressing its consequences.”

“Guam sits at the crossroads of the Indo-Pacific, and we understand better than most that transnational crime does not stop at borders,” said Moylan. “Strengthening law enforcement partnerships throughout the Pacific protects our communities, reinforces our alliances, and advances America’s strategic interests in the region. The Pacific Islands Liaison Initiative is a smart investment in regional security, and I’m proud to support efforts that ensure Guam continues to play a leading role in keeping the Indo-Pacific safe, secure, and resilient.”

Case and Moylan noted that while much attention has focused on precursor chemicals moving eastward across the Pacific to illicit drug producers in the Western Hemisphere, a lesser-known trafficking route moves cocaine and methamphetamine westward from the Americas through Oceania to Australia and New Zealand, where significantly higher street prices generate enormous profits for criminal organizations.

In 2017, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Homeland Security Investigations division (HSI) spearheaded the Pacific Islands Liaison Initiative by establishing internal policies and procedures for coordination among HSI Honolulu, HSI Domestic Operations, and HSI International Operations to disrupt and deter transnational criminal organizations that exploit Pacific Island nations as transit points for the movement and concealment of illicit contraband bound for the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Case, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Homeland Security which oversees and funds DHS including HSI, said, “This is not just a regional challenge for the Pacific Islands.

“Those inflated profits flow right back to transnational criminal organizations in the Western Hemisphere, strengthening the networks that threaten communities throughout the U.S.

“Our Pacific partners and allies have also been working tirelessly on this issue, including by coordinating with U.S. government agencies like HSI and the Joint Interagency Task Force – West, but they need more support and our measure is part of that answer.”

The Pacific Islands Liaison Initiative Act would:

· Establish in statute HSI’s Pacific Islands Liaison Initiative;

· Require four full-time HSI personnel at HSI Honolulu and HSI Guam to oversee the Initiative;

· Require an annual report to Congress on the activities of the Initiative; and

· Specifically authorize $5 million a year for the Initiative.

o Text of the Pacific Islands Liaison Initiative Act is here

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Case Leads Bipartisan National Gerrymandering Reform Initiative

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (Hawai‘i-First District) today announced that his U.S. House Problem Solvers Caucus has endorsed a comprehensive proposal to reform runaway gerrymandering of Congressional districts and restore trust in the redistricting process, limit partisan interference, advance broader representation and facilitate real solutions in Congress.

The proposal was developed by the Problem Solvers’ Gerrymandering Working Group, co-chaired by Case, a Democrat, and U.S. Representative Jeff Hurd (Colorado-Third District), a Republican.

“The Problem Solvers is about facing and solving our toughest challenges and making our government work,” said Case, who also serves as Vice Chair of the 45-Member caucus. “The worsening redistricting wars are a direct obstacle to a representative, inclusive, functioning and trusted government, and a solution must be a priority.

“Our Caucus’ endorsed framework lays out the guideposts of for real reform and demonstrates that even the toughest and most political issues can be solved on a bipartisan basis.”

Case said the framework establishes five principles for Congressional redistricting:

· Stability and predictability in representation,

· Transparency and public confidence in the map-drawing process,

· Fair and consistent application of standards across states,

· Respect for communities and political subdivisions, and

· Reduction of incentives for partisan manipulation.

The framework also identifies four bipartisan reforms designed to create a more transparent, fair, and consistent process for drawing congressional districts nationwide:

· Once-a-Decade Redistricting: Restrict Congressional redistricting to once every ten years following the decennial Census.

· Nationwide Uniform Standards: Require Congressional districts to be drawn using clear, objective criteria while rejecting partisan advantage and incumbent protection as legitimate goals.

· Reducing Partisan Influence: Support approaches that minimize partisan influence, including independent commissions, algorithmic mapping and other mechanisms that promote public confidence.

· Federal Resolution of Challenges: Establish a consistent federal process for resolving Congressional redistricting disputes.

“Voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around,” said Case.

“These hyperpartisan gerrymandering wars are destructive to democracy because they effectively disenfranchise large segments of our electorate and balkanize our nation into a state of perpetual partisan warfare.

“We need a Washington that truly represents the American people and works together to solve tough issues, not politicians endlessly pulled and beholden to irreconcilable extremes.

“Our Problem Solvers gerrymandering framework focuses on reforms that facilitate fair inclusion of all viewpoints, democratic debate and representative solutions.”

The House Problem Solvers Caucus is an official group of Members in the U.S. House of Representatives, evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. Founded in 2017, its mission is to foster bipartisan cooperation, overcome legislative gridlock and advance consensus-based solutions on major national issues. More information about the Problem Solvers is available at https://problemsolverscaucus.house.gov.

Case said that over the coming months, the Problem Solvers will further develop these principles into specific common-sense legislation and continue to build a coalition of support from across the political spectrum for essential reform.

Read the full framework here.

Gerrymandering statistics here.

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Introduction of the Cruise Ship Fair Share Act

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Mr. Speaker,

Today I am introducing the Cruise Ship Fair Share Act, which confirms that states, territories and other non-federal entities may levy taxes on cruise ships, their passengers and their crew when those vessels are operating as tourist accommodations.

My legislation is prompted in part by recent litigation by cruise ship companies challenging Hawaii's application of its transient accommodations tax (TAT), a tax on all short-term accommodations like hotels, vacation rentals, timeshares and similar locations, to cruise ship operations in Hawai’i waters at Hawai’i ports. The TAT helps fund public infrastructure and environmental stewardship that is impacted by tourism operations, thus supporting both tourism and community impacts and resilience. Cruise ships, however, have challenged application of the TAT on federal grounds although accommodations on cruise ships are functionally no different from other transient accommodations and have the same impacts on our communities.

For Hawaiʻi, these issues are about more than tax policy alone. Our islands face growing demands to maintain public infrastructure, preserve fragile ecosystems, protect coastal resources and strengthen community resilience in the face of environmental challenges. At the same time, visitors and visitor-serving industries benefit enormously from Hawaii’s natural beauty and unique environment.

The Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act, which this bill would amend, was never intended to exempt ships from generally applicable taxes. This bill confirms that states and territories have the ability to ensure that all sectors of the visitor industry, including cruise ships, help support the stewardship and preservation of the places and resources that make those destinations possible, and that sufficient resources remain available to protect them for future generations. As this bill would make clear, federal law does not place cruise ships in a preferred position over hotels, vacation rentals and other visitor accommodations in who does and does not share the responsibility of addressing operations impacts.

I urge my colleagues to support my measure and confirm the right of states and territories to ensure that those who benefit from their communities contribute fairly to their upkeep and future.

Case Provides Summary Of Legislative Record Since Returning To Congress In 2019

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) provides below and at https://case.house.gov/ detailed information on key portions of his legislative record over the last eight years since he returned to Congress in 2019.

“My mission is to help lead our country, help our Hawai‘i and help my constituents,” said Case, who also previously served in Congress from 2002 to 2007.

“My legislative record is the sum total of my efforts and accomplishments to fulfill that mission. It includes my votes in Congress (6,032 to date), legislation, work in my House Appropriations Committee and other committees and caucuses, speeches, joint letters and statements and more. I believe in making it readily available to let constituents know what I’m doing and why, to answer questions and to correct misunderstandings.

“My first and main effort is to provide a simple, central, transparent resource on my record and other efforts through my official website at https://case.house.gov/. That has information on me, my positions and activities, legislation and votes, public statements and communications, key issue summaries, and how to contact me.

“In addition, I’m providing the following summaries of my record in several areas of interest to me and my constituents:

1. Cost of Living link

2. Crime link

3. Defense link

4. Education link

5. Energy link

6. Federal Deficit/Debt/Finances link

7. Foreign Affairs link

8. Health Care link

9. Kūpuna link

10. Labor link

11. LGBTQ+ link

12. Maui Wildfires link

13. Native Hawaiians link

14. Natural Resources link

15. Oceans link

16. Small Business link

17. Trump Opposition link

18. Veterans link

19. Voting Rights link

20. Women link

“My Appropriations Committee is responsible for all federal discretionary funding, currently at about $1.7 trillion total per year,” said Case. “I’m serving my eighth year on Appropriations overall, and fourth year on our Subcommittee on Defense and Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which together make up almost 60% of our total federal budget. This is a national leadership position that also results in billions of federal funding to Hawai‘i every year. For these reasons, I focus on my Appropriations work and my legislative record reflects my efforts and accomplishments in the oversight and funding of all our federal government.

“Each year in Appropriations, we pass twelve separate measures, each of which covers parts of our federal government and all of which make up our total federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year. We just completed our last measure, Defense, and now move on to full House passage of the measures, and Senate and conference consideration before final passage.

“Here are my news releases on my efforts and accomplishments in Appropriations so far this year as we work to fund Fiscal Year 2027, which starts October 1^st of this year:

· Military Construction and Veterans Affairs link

· Financial Services and General Government link

· National Security, State Department and Related Programs link

· Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies link

· Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies link

· Legislative Branch and Energy and Water link

· Transportation/Housing/Urban Development and Interior Department link

· Labor, Health and Human Services and Education link

· Homeland Security Department link

· Defense Department link

“I was also just ranked #4 of 214 House Democrats in securing direct Congressional funding for worthy community projects in my district (known as Community Project Funding, or CPFs) in our FY27 measures,” said Case. “I secured all 20 of my CPF requests for a total of $18,936,300.

“Overall, for the five years Congress has authorized CPFs, I’ve gained approval of 74 district projects for $326 million. More here.

“Finally, I want to highlight as well the third part of my mission, which is to help my individual constituents with their own questions and concerns,” said Case. “Since 2019 my great staff and I have assisted over 10,000 constituents with concerns with Social Security, Medicare, veterans benefits, immigration and many other matters.

“Again, please see my website at https://case.house.gov/ for more information on my legislative record and other activities. For any questions or further information, please contact me at ed.case@mail.house.gov.”

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Honoring the Crew of Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

I rise today to express my steadfast support for and mahalo to the crew of Coast Guard Hollyhock as we recognize the completion of their first Operation Blue Pacific patrol.

The Hollyhock is a seagoing buoy tender, which the Coast Guard uses to monitor and perform repairs and maintenance on buoys and other navigational aids in U.S. territories and other areas with U.S. shipping interests. Originally ported in Port Huron, Michigan, the Hollyhock was reassigned to Honolulu in October of last year.

In April, the 50-person crew departed from Honolulu for the 42-day long Operation Blue Pacific where they traveled over 7,500 nautical miles throughout the broader Oceania region.

Operation Blue Pacific is an ongoing multi-mission Coast Guard initiative across Oceania to bolster ties with Pacific Island nations and communities. The mission also contributes to broader U.S. efforts to monitor regional security developments and counter malign influence in the Pacific.

My home state of Hawai‘i relies heavily on and has benefited greatly from the presence of the Coast Guard. We fully appreciate the Coast Guard’s direct support of Hawai‘i residents, both generally and through its District Oceania headquarters in Honolulu, in performance of its statutory missions like search and rescue and maritime environmental protection. But I would like to especially highlight the Coast Guard’s indispensable role beyond Hawai‘i throughout the broader Pacific.

The Pacific Islands region has long held critical importance to our country on a number of fronts. As an island state, Hawaiʻi understands better than most the importance of strong relationships, reliable maritime infrastructure and a sustained commitment to the communities that call the Pacific home.

The success of Operation Blue Pacific reflects the many ways in which Coast Guard personnel contribute to these goals every day. Through their technical expertise and commitment to service, the crew of the Hollyhock supported maritime communities in the U.S. territories of Midway and American Samoa while strengthening partnerships with Tonga, Kiribati and the broader Oceania region. Their versatility and professionalism supported the Coast Guard’s interest in maritime safety and advanced the shared interests of the United States and our Pacific neighbors.

These accomplishments are particularly noteworthy because they represent the type of work that often occurs outside the public spotlight. The crew's efforts required long days at sea, adaptability in the face of changing conditions and a willingness to serve far from family and home. Their dedication helped ensure that critical missions were carried out effectively and that longstanding relationships throughout Oceania continued to grow stronger.

At a time when the Pacific region faces evolving challenges and opportunities, the service of the Hollyhock's crew demonstrates the enduring value of American engagement and partnership. Their work reflects the Coast Guard's proud tradition of readiness, cooperation and service to others.

I strongly support the Coast Guard and the resources necessary to carry out its broad and demanding missions. The accomplishments of the Hollyhock crew serve as a reminder of the remarkable men and women who make those missions possible through their skill and dedication.

I extend my sincere congratulations to Commander Jessica McCollum and every member of the Hollyhock crew on the successful completion of this patrol. On behalf of the people of Hawaiʻi, mahalo for your service and for representing our state and our nation with distinction throughout the Pacific.