Over The Past Year, Schatz Worked To Protect Federal Funding For Hawai‘i Amid National Cuts; Secured More Than $1 Billion To Support Maui’s Recovery, Improve Infrastructure, Expand High-Speed Internet Across The State

HONOLULU – In 2025, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) worked to protect Hawai‘i from significant cuts to federal funding by the Administration across the country and helped secure more than $1 billion for Hawai‘i to support Maui’s ongoing recovery, expand high-speed internet, and improve airports and infrastructure, among other things.
“This year, we delivered more than $1 billion to Hawai‘i, including funding to support Maui’s ongoing recovery, help upgrade airports and health centers, and expand high-speed internet. My top priority always is making sure Hawai‘i gets its fair share of federal dollars, and together with the delegation and state and local leaders, we’re going to continue working to lower costs and support families and communities across the state,”said Senator Schatz.
Funding highlights include:
This year, Senator Schatz secured Senate passage of key legislation, including a bill to help stop illegal ahi from reaching people’s plates, while protecting Hawai‘i fishermen. The bipartisanRed Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Actwould direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of red snapper and certain species of tuna imported into the United States.
Schatz also authored and secured Senate passage of the Caring for Veterans and Strengthening National Security Act, bipartisan legislation to expand Department of Veterans Affairs health care and benefits to U.S. veterans who reside in the Freely Associated States of Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.
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