Brian Schatz
DSo now we know they traded billions on the Iran war and covered it up while regular people got kicked in the teeth trying to fill up their cars and trucks.
Congratulations to Elise Hannigan of Keaʻau High School for being named the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year! We had the chance to discuss her work with high school students and how we can support teachers and public schools. Mahalo for your service to East Hawaiʻi students.
I was glad to speak with American Cancer Society Hawaiʻi advocates about how we can work together towards a future where every American facing cancer has access to quality, affordable care. Mahalo for all you do. https://t.co/IibkzpBqAG
“Candidate quality” undersells it. We have a genuinely new, fresh, energetic crop running for Senate. Even long-shots are tightening because our candidates are historically talented. Find a Senate race. This thing is real, and the field is so wide we need more help.
Bots are very active today! Be safe everyone.
Very well done. Please read.
“The Iran war will escalate after the midterms” is a hell of a closing message.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after President Donald Trump approved two presidential disaster declarations that will help communities across Hawai‘i impacted by Hurricanes Lala and Lowell recover. Schatz led calls urging the president to quickly approve the state’s disaster declaration requests. “Recovering from back-to-back hurricanes requires significant resources, and help is on the way. I thank the president for approving these disaster declarations which will unlock federal resources and help our state and county governments rebuild. We’re going to keep working to make sure people affected by these storms have all the support they need to recover quickly and fully.” ###
“ I, just like my opponent, hate the Iran war (that I voted for) and the tariffs (which I like) and I also think the Medicaid cuts (which I helped to enact) should be reversed.” - every Republican, this week. I mean, I guess so. But sheesh.
Oh sorry I see that it’s Sarah I thought she noticed it rather than did it. Good work!
This is a good use of money. I don’t know who this is but more please.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration has awarded a grant of up to $6,132,225 to the State of Hawai‘i to help improve and maintain East Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery – No. 2 in Hilo. The cemetery serves more than 11,000 veterans and their family members. “Thousands of brave service members from Hawai‘i put their lives on the line to serve our country. This federal funding will help us improve and maintain Veterans Cemetery No. 2 in Hilo so we can continue to honor their legacies,” said Senator Schatz, a senior member of Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. The grant will fund the raising and realignment of 4,495 grave markers, 5.5 acres of grading, soil, and turf rehabilitation, and the installation of burial section markers and flower watering stations throughout the cemetery. ###
If your theory of change was to prioritize the United States House races and perhaps local legislatures, fair. But now the Senate is in play - tied or ahead in places where the Dem is underfunded and not well known. Now is the time to give to Dem Senate races. Today. Thanks.
Gross. Nobody wants this.
One of the reasons things are getting more expensive is because we’re not addressing climate change. https://t.co/vV88icN635
We don’t have the luxury of time. https://t.co/FSLquTRF7V
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) introduced a Senate resolution designating September 2026 as “Hawaiian History Month.” The resolution recognizes the rich history and culture of Native Hawaiians and Hawai‘i. “Hawaiian cultural traditions and values are an essential part of what makes Hawai‘i special. Hawaiian History Month is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of the Native Hawaiian community and recommit to protecting Native Hawaiian rights,” said Senator Schatz. “Hawai‘i’s story is rooted in the wisdom, leadership, and enduring heritage of Native Hawaiians. As we celebrate our state’s rich culture, I am proud to honor the immeasurable contributions Native Hawaiians have made—and continue to make—across our islands and nationwide,” said Senator Hirono. The full text of the resolution is available here. ###
Livestream: https://www.senate.gov/legislative/floor_activity_pail.htm WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Andy Kim (D-NJ) will speak on the floor of the U.S. Senate TODAY, September 29, at approximately 11:00 AM to ask for unanimous consent and demand passage of the Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act of 2026, legislation to establish enforceable safety and security standards for the most advanced artificial intelligence systems. This legislation comes as leading AI companies and cybersecurity researchers have issued increasingly urgent warnings about the rapidly advancing capabilities of frontier AI systems. The legislation would establish a permanent Artificial Intelligence Safety Board within the Department of Commerce, bringing together representatives from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Commerce, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), National Security Agency (NSA), and Department of the Treasury, along with independent technical experts, to evaluate emerging AI risks and establish technical safety and security standards. Developers of frontier AI models would also be required to provide the Board access to their models at least 45 days before public release. The AI Safety Board would develop enforceable standards for evaluating frontier models and securing testing environments, including safeguards and monitoring procedures for models capable of discovering and exploiting software vulnerabilities without direct human prompting. Developers would be legally required to comply with applicable standards, with violations subject to civil penalties of up to $250,000 per violation, per day. The legislation is designed to address a range of risks associated with increasingly capable AI systems, including their potential to facilitate cyberattacks, evade the control of their developers or operators, assist in the development of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or other weapons, or have their model weights stolen or maliciously modified. Tuesday, September 29, 2026 Sens. Warner, Schatz, and Kim to UC Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act of 2026 Approximately 11:00 AM Livestream is available here. ###
The risks of AI are not theoretical — they are happening in real-time. Immediate risk requires immediate action. https://t.co/VRuQ23kLr5
Honestly had missed the President is running taxpayer funded campaign ads. Not even pretending to have a message that is useful to the public. Even if you agree with him you want the government itself buying 30 second spots?
Code doesn’t have feelings, rights, or standing, and never should. If people cannot keep their heads on straight it is not unreasonable to conclude that the most powerful technology in the history of the world should not be run by those who see humanity as an open question.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement of support after Governor Josh Green requested an emergency declaration from the president ahead of Tropical Storm Nolo. “An emergency declaration is critical to ensuring Hawai‘i has the federal resources it needs to prepare for and respond to Tropical Storm Nolo as we continue recovering from Hurricanes Lala and Lowell. With parts of our state facing the threat of strengthening hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, and mudslides, federal support will help our state and counties protect communities, maintain essential services, and respond quickly to damage and other emergency needs. “We urge swift approval of Governor Green’s request for an emergency declaration and the additional federal assistance it will provide.” ###
There is a reason these disasters are piling up. It’s climate change. https://t.co/WuNeQvApIm
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution authored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) designating September 20-26 as “Telehealth Awareness Week.” The resolution recognizes that telehealth has helped millions of Americans across the country access quality health care and has become a critical component of health care delivery. The resolution is cosponsored by members of the bipartisan Senate Telehealth Working Group, U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.). “Telehealth helps people access quality health care when and where they need it, and our resolution highlights the broad, bipartisan support for raising awareness of and expanding access to telehealth,” said Senator Schatz, co-chair of the Senate Telehealth Working Group. “Telehealth has reduced barriers to health care across Mississippi, yet too many patients around the country are not fully aware of its benefits,” said Senator Wicker. “Our resolution shines a light on the value of telehealth services and encourages further action to expand the offerings and outcomes around this innovative type of care.” The resolution affirms the bipartisan support in Congress for telehealth and encourages expanded access to telehealth services for all people, including members of rural and underserved communities. It notes that 23 percent of Medicare beneficiaries used telehealth services at least once in 2025, and that more than 90 percent were satisfied with their experience. And it underscores that “Telehealth Awareness Week” unites the efforts of patients, caregivers, health care providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to advance the role of telehealth in health care. Schatz has led efforts to expand access to telehealth, including reintroducing the CONNECT for Health Act, the most comprehensive bipartisan telehealth legislation in Congress. Since its first iteration in 2016, several provisions from the bill have been signed into law. The full text of the resolution is available here. ###
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, introduced sweeping legislation to establish enforceable safety and security standards for the most advanced artificial intelligence systems. Later today, Warner and Schatz will speak about the legislation on the Senate floor. The Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act of 2026 comes as leading AI companies and cybersecurity researchers have issued increasingly urgent warnings about the rapidly advancing capabilities of frontier AI systems. Leading AI companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Deepmind, Meta, and Microsoft have issued warnings about the rapidly advancing cybersecurity capabilities of their models, warning that the newest frontier models can identify and exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities without human guidance. Recent incidents have also highlighted alarming deficiencies in frontier labs’ security practices. The combination of these factors underscores a rapidly emerging challenge: AI systems are becoming increasingly capable of performing sophisticated cybersecurity tasks that can be enormously valuable to defenders but could also pose serious risks if misused or inadequately secured. “Every day, we’re seeing new reports of AI models going rogue and hacking systems without our knowledge or oversight. The risks of AI are not theoretical – they are happening in real-time,” said Sen. Schatz. “Our bill is about making sure humans remain in control of AI models and preventing future breaches with rigorous standards, testing, and oversight. Immediate risk requires immediate action.” “The companies building the most powerful AI systems in the world are sounding the alarm: the step-change increase in AI models’ capacity for cyber-offense, combined with clear failures to securely host and deploy these capabilities, could pose serious risks to our national security, our critical infrastructure, and the systems Americans rely on every day,” said Sen. Warner. “I remain enormously optimistic about the potential of AI, but optimism cannot be an excuse for inaction, nor can we normalize these kinds of concerning incidents. If a model is capable of finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in a bank, a water system, or our electric grid, we ought to know that before it is released to the public – not after something goes catastrophically wrong. This legislation establishes basic, enforceable rules of the road to make sure the most powerful models are tested, secured, and responsibly deployed.” The Warner-Schatz legislation would establish a permanent Artificial Intelligence Safety Board within the Department of Commerce, bringing together representatives from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Commerce, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), National Security Agency (NSA), and Department of the Treasury, along with independent technical experts, to evaluate emerging AI risks and establish technical safety and security standards. Critically, developers of frontier AI models would be required to provide the Board access to their models at least 45 days before public release, including model weights, configuration files, runtimes, and software libraries necessary to operate the model, allowing experts to evaluate powerful models before deployment. The legislation would also require AI developers to create and follow Model Safety Plans identifying the capabilities and risks of their systems, the specific steps they will take to mitigate those risks, and the corporate officer responsible for implementing the plan. Under the legislation, the AI Safety Board would develop enforceable standards for evaluating frontier models and securing testing environments, including safeguards and monitoring procedures for models capable of discovering and exploiting software vulnerabilities without direct human prompting. Developers would be legally required to comply with applicable standards, with violations subject to civil penalties of up to $250,000 per violation, per day. The bill would also: Create a secure reporting process and a national AI incident database to track AI safety and security incidents, recurring flaws, and near misses so researchers, government agencies, and developers can learn from failures across different systems. The database would be established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in coordination with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Require frontier AI companies to report serious safety and security incidents, generally within 30 days, and within 72 hours when an incident poses an imminent threat to national security, critical infrastructure, or public safety. Critical infrastructure operators using AI to manage industrial control systems or other operational technologies would also be covered. Establish secure federal testing environments that can use resources at the National Security Agency and Department of Energy National Laboratories to conduct sensitive pre-deployment testing of frontier models. Develop new standards specifically for autonomous AI agents, including risks involving identity, authentication, authorization, access to data and systems, and differing levels of autonomy. Require standardized documentation for AI agents, including their intended uses, authority boundaries, access to data and tools, known limitations, and results of independent evaluations where applicable. The legislation specifically focuses on advanced artificial intelligence models – systems that exhibit, or could be modified to exhibit, high levels of performance on tasks posing serious risks to national security, national economic security, or public health and safety. The legislation is designed to address a range of risks associated with increasingly capable AI systems, including their potential to facilitate cyberattacks, evade the control of their developers or operators, assist in the development of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or other weapons, or have their model weights stolen or maliciously modified. Text of the Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act of 2026 is available here. ###