Full House Passes Water Resources Development Act Including Rep. Tokuda’s Priorities
Washington, D.C. — Today, the full House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 399-18, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), which includes U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda’s (HI-02) priorities benefiting Hawaii.The bill is expected to be passed by the Senate and later sent to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Top priorities for Hawai‘i secured by Rep. Tokuda include: Increasing the Maui Environmental Infrastructure authorization from $20 million to … Continue Reading
December 09, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Leads Bipartisan Bill to Support Health Workforce
Washington, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) and Carol Miller (R-WV-01) introduced the Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act to increase access to federal programs that help grow and strengthen the pipeline of healthcare professionals in primary care, mental and behavioral health, and dental services. The Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act would provide tax-exempt status to certain federal scholarship and loan repayment programs at the … Continue Reading
December 09, 2024
Rep. Tokuda to Hold Statewide Telephone Town Hall
(Hawaiʻi) - U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) will be holding a statewide telephone town hall on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm HST.Rep. Tokuda will answer questions from participants live over the phone, provide a legislative update, and discuss her priorities for the upcoming 119th Congress.Those who are interested in joining are encouraged to RSVP to be added to the event call list to receive a call when the event starts. If participants do not receive a call, … Continue Reading
December 05, 2024
Rep. Tokuda and Sen. Hirono Celebrate Progress on Natural Disaster Tax Relief Bill
U.S. Senate unanimously passed Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, which includes Tokuda and Hirono legislation to lessen the tax burden on survivors of the Maui wildfires. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) and U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) applauded the U.S. Senate’s unanimous passage of the bipartisan Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5863). The bill, which passed in the U.S. … Continue Reading
December 05, 2024
Full House Passes Rep. Tokuda’s Bill to Name Post Office in Honor of Vietnam War Veteran
Washington, DC - Yesterday, the full House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill -- introduced by U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) - to name the Captain Cook Post Office on Hawaiʻi Island after First Lieutenant John Kuulei Kauhaihao of Hōnaunau, who was killed in action in Vietnam and posthumously awarded the U.S. Army’s second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross. H.R. 8909 would designate the post office located at 82-6110 Mamalahoa Highway as the "Army … Continue Reading
December 04, 2024
House Passes Rep. Tokuda’s Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act
Washington, DC - Today, the full House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act - introduced by U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) - marking another significant step forward in her efforts to support the community in recognizing Lahaina’s historic and cultural importance.H.R. 8219, the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, would direct the National Park Service, in consultation with state and local partners, to study the suitability and … Continue Reading
November 22, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Leads Bipartisan Coalition in Elevating Rural Health Priorities
Washington, DC - This week, as the country celebrates National Rural Health Month, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02), co-chair of the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, led several bipartisan efforts to recognize the importance of rural health care, medical providers, and the communities they serve. On Thursday, Rep. Tokuda, along with Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01), introduced a resolution recognizing November 21, 2024, as “National Rural Health Day.” The resolution highlights … Continue Reading
October 11, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Cancels Event Participation, Walks Hotel Picket Line
Honolulu - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda walked the picket line with Local 5 members near the Hilton Hawaiian Village to show her support and loyalty to striking hotel workers. Rep. Tokuda was originally scheduled to participate in the Wahine Forum panel at the hotel but cancelled when union members decided to go on strike after failed contract negotiations. “Every day, Local 5 members are on the front lines as ambassadors of aloha to our visitors. As a former Local 5 member, … Continue Reading
September 26, 2024
Legislation Co-Led by Rep. Tokuda to Combat Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Passes the U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC — U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement on the Continued Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Response Act of 2023 after the legislation unanimously passed the House of Representatives this week. “Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death presents an existential threat to Hawai‘i’s native forests that are a critical habitat for our endangered birds and other species. If we don’t act now, our native forests will not survive,” said Rep. Tokuda. “This bill would help in the fight against … Continue Reading
September 25, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Votes to Prevent Government Shutdown
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement after voting yes on the House bill to prevent a government shutdown. “Our communities can’t afford to lose critical services, but House Republicans have yet again been unable to write or pass legislation to keep the government operating. A shutdown would hurt working families in Hawaiʻi who are already struggling to make ends meet and that’s why I voted today to send this stopgap funding bill to … Continue Reading
September 20, 2024
Committee Sends Rep. Tokuda’s Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act to Full House
Washington, DC - Yesterday, the House Natural Resources Committee voted to advance the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act - introduced by U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) - to the full House of Representatives. The committee reported the bill unanimously. H.R. 8219, the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, would direct the National Park Service, in consultation with state and local partners, to study the suitability and feasibility of a National Heritage Area designation … Continue Reading
September 13, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Testifies on her Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act
Washington, D.C. - On Wednesday, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, which held a legislative hearing on her bill, H.R. 8562, the Parity for Native Hawaiian Veterans Act of 2024, a bill to improve healthcare access and affordability for Native Hawaiian veterans. “They served and sacrificed the same as their fellow veterans, yet our country is failing to meet our obligations to them. More must be done to … Continue Reading
September 12, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Introduces Bill to Tackle Illegal Campaign Coordination with Outside Groups
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) introduced the Stop Illegal Campaign Coordination Act to end efforts by campaigns to circumvent federal election laws and illegally coordinate with outside groups. Federal law already prohibits campaigns from coordinating their messaging and communications with outside groups like super PACs that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from corporate and special interests. However, campaigns have skirted around these … Continue Reading
September 03, 2024
Rep. Tokuda to Question Officials in Maui Wildfires Congressional Hearing
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) announced that she will join the House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce in a field hearing in Lahaina next week to take a closer look at the federal issues and improvements needed to help Maui continue to rebuild following last year’s August wildfires. During the one-day hearing titled “Assessing the Federal Government’s Response to the 2023 Maui Wildfires,” Rep. … Continue Reading
August 15, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Joins Effort Urging Senate to Act on Natural Disaster Tax Relief
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) joined Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA), Greg Steube (R-FL), and 76 other House members in sending a letter to Senate leadership urging them to promptly bring the bipartisan Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5863) to the floor for a vote. Cosponsored by Rep. Tokuda, the bill would exempt wildfire disaster relief payments received between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025, from taxable income. In May … Continue Reading
August 13, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Joins Congressional Delegation in Taiwan
Taipei - This week, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, is visiting Taiwan as part of a congressional delegation (CODEL). Yesterday, the CODEL met with a number of officials including Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-Khim, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung. “It’s been more than 30 years since Hawaiʻi began a sister-state relationship with Taiwan and the common bonds and shared challenges we … Continue Reading
August 07, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Joins with Hawaii Delegation to Urge Congressional Action and More Funding for Maui
Washington, D.C. - Today, the Hawaii delegation sent a letter to House and Senate leaders urging congressional action to ensure Maui receives necessary supplemental disaster funding as the one year anniversary of the Maui fires approaches. The letter details their requests, including an additional $20.9 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund to meet anticipated needs through Fiscal Year 2025, as well as support for President Biden’s request for $3.5 billion for the Community Development … Continue Reading
July 23, 2024
Rep. Tokuda’s Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Address to Congress
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress scheduled for tomorrow and her decision not to attend. “Foreign dignitaries addressing a joint meeting of Congress is a highly regarded invitation that reflects a mutual relationship based on shared diplomatic values. While the United States has long had a pivotal relationship with Israel to deter our adversaries and … Continue Reading
July 13, 2024
Rep. Tokuda's Statement on Incident at Trump Rally
“Sending out my deep condolences to those affected by today’s tragic incident, and prayers of recovery and safety to everyone impacted. I spent most of today encouraging civic engagement, telling AANHPI to use their voice and be seen. Our democracy must be grounded in civil discourse, mutual respect, and most of all aloha. These kinds of horrific acts only serve to silence and instill fear, and do not reflect the values of our country. We are better than this, and we must come together to … Continue Reading
July 09, 2024
Rep. Tokuda Introduces Bill to Provide More Funding for Native Hawaiian Culture & Arts
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) introduced a bill to ensure that Native Hawaiian organizations can fully access funding they are entitled to under the Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development Program for cultural programming and activities. The Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development Program was created in 1984 to provide grants through the National Park Service for the scholarly study of and instruction in … Continue Reading