Representatives Tokuda, Kiggans Lead Bipartisan Effort to Invite Japanese Prime Minister Kishida to Address Congress
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) led 44 of their House colleagues in a bipartisan letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives urging him to invite the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, to address a joint meeting of Congress during his upcoming official visit in April 2024. “For over seven decades, the U.S.-Japan alliance has been the anchor of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the representatives wrote in the letter. … Continue Reading
January 31, 2024
Rep. Jill Tokuda Votes to Expand Child Tax Credit and Provide Targeted Tax Relief for Maui Victims
(Washington, D.C.) - Representative Jill Tokuda voted to pass the bipartisan H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, which passed the House with 357 votes. This bill is a significant step forward in reducing child poverty and would help families in Hawaiʻi and across the nation afford essentials like food, rent, and child care. The bill also includes an important provision based on legislation authored and supported by Rep. Tokuda to allow more … Continue Reading
January 23, 2024
Reps. Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06) Introduce Bill to Increase Mental Health Support for Firefighters
Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) joined Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06) in introducing the Peer Support for Firefighters Act to expand access to mental and behavioral health care services for firefighters. “I am proud to join my friend and colleague, Rep. Salinas, in introducing this important bill to address the mental and behavioral health needs of firefighters. The Peer Support for Firefighters Act would ensure existing federal grants to assist firefighters can be … Continue Reading
January 18, 2024
Representative Jill Tokuda Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Workforce Training in Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Representative Jill Tokuda introduced the bipartisan Creating Access to Rural Employment and Education for Resilience and Success (CAREERS) Act to address the skills gap and workforce shortage in rural communities. This legislation is co-led with Representative Nick Langworthy (NY-23). “Hawai‘i has one of the highest costs of living in the country, which means that too many of our people are getting priced out of paradise. We need sustainable career … Continue Reading
January 18, 2024
Rep. Jill Tokuda Announces Winner of the Congressional App Challenge for Second Congressional District
(Honolulu, Hawaiʻi) - Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) is proud to announce the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for Hawaiʻi’s Second District. “I am pleased to congratulate Mazzy McCloud as our winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for Hawaii’s Second Congressional District and extend my sincerest gratitude to all students who have participated,” stated Rep. Jill Tokuda. “This year’s Congressional App Challenge showcased talented youth with a passion for creativity … Continue Reading
January 18, 2024
Representative Jill Tokuda Applauds the United States Department of Agriculture’s Announcement to Review Food Price Data for the State of Hawai‘i
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Jill Tokuda commended the announcement from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service to collect information on food price data for the State of Hawaiʻi as a whole. Tokuda led Members of the Hawaiʻi Congressional Delegation in highlighting the significant disparity between the cost of food on O‘ahu and in rural communities on the neighbor islands in Hawai‘i. The USDA currently uses food cost data from the City and … Continue Reading
January 14, 2024
House Passes FY24 National Defense Authorization Act and Enacts Key Priorities for Hawai‘i Led by Rep. Tokuda
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Representative Jill Tokuda voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill, which the Senate passed earlier this week, passed with a 310-118 vote in the House and will be sent to the President’s desk to be signed into law. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Tokuda fought for and secured provisions that would advance key priorities for Hawai‘i, for service members and their families, and for national … Continue Reading
January 12, 2024
Rep. Jill Tokuda Announces Class of 2028 Nominees to the United States Service Academies
Hawaiʻi - U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) announced the nomination of 11 Hawaiʻi students to U.S. military service academies for the Class of 2028. The academies will now consider the students’ applications for final selections. “I am honored to nominate an inspiring and dedicated group of young people to our nation’s military academies. Their strong commitment to service and to advancing our shared principles leaves me confident that they will represent Hawaiʻi with the highest … Continue Reading
January 08, 2024
Rep. Jill Tokuda Visits Molokaʻi and Hilo Focused on Services to Veterans and Access to Healthcare and Mental Health Services
(Honolulu, HI) - Representative Jill Tokuda had meetings and toured sites on Molokaʻi and in Hilo this week with a focus on veterans and access to healthcare and mental health services in our rural and remote communities. In Hilo, Rep. Tokuda toured the site of Hale Na Koa ‘O Hanakahi, a 92-unit affordable housing development for veterans and their surviving spouses. The site will include a community center and future plans include the addition of an outpatient clinic on the adjoining … Continue Reading
December 07, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Announces District-Wide Telephone Town Hall
(Hawaiʻi) - Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) will be holding a district-wide telephone town hall on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. Rep. Tokuda will provide a 2023 wrap up, cover her work and priorities, provide a legislative update, and take questions from participants. 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, they can call directly to the event … Continue Reading
November 15, 2023
Rep. Tokuda Delivers Second “Maui Minute” Floor Speech Honoring First Responders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 15, 2023 Carly Sylva-Gabrielson, (202) 374-3738 Rep. Tokuda Delivers Second “Maui Minute” Floor Speech Honoring First Responders (Washington, D.C.) - Yesterday, Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) addressed the U.S. House of Representatives to deliver her second “Maui Minute” floor speech. She spoke about the first responders involved with evacuating communities and keeping people safe from the devastating Maui wildfires. Rep. Tokuda … Continue Reading
November 14, 2023
Tokuda, Fitzpatrick, Balint, LaMalfa Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to Mental Health Services for First Responders
Washington, D.C - Today, Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02), alongside Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01, Becca Balint (VT-AL), and Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) introduced the Crisis Assistance and Resources in Emergencies (CARE) for First Responders Act, bipartisan legislation to provide specialized mental health, substance abuse, and crisis counseling services to first responders including law enforcement, firefighters, emergency response workers, and 9-1-1 operators. In the United States, there are roughly … Continue Reading
November 09, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Marks Three-Month Anniversary of Maui Fires, Delivers First “Maui Minute” Speech to U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C - Last night, Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) addressed the U.S. House of Representatives to mark the three-month anniversary of the deadly Maui fires and to deliver her inaugural “Maui Minute” floor speech. Tokuda will deliver a “Maui Minute” speech every week the House is in session to share the stories, the needs, and the hopes of the people of Maui to make sure Congress and our country does not forget the collective responsibility it has to help Maui recover and rebuild. … Continue Reading
November 03, 2023
Rep. Tokuda Delivers Remarks Honoring Former Hawaiʻi State Senator Sam Slom
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) delivered remarks honoring former Hawaiʻi State Senator Sam Slom, who will be celebrated and remembered this Sunday at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol. Slom served in the Hawaiʻi State Senate for 20 years, from 1996 to 2016, serving as the only Republican member in the State Senate from 2010 to 2016. “I had the honor and privilege of serving alongside Sam. Yes, we disagreed on many things but more than not, we saw eye to eye. … Continue Reading
November 03, 2023
Heeding Call from Hawaii Delegation, SBA Announces Loan Deferments for Maui Businesses
WASHINGTON, DC - In response to a letter from the Hawaii Congressional delegation, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it is implementing a 6-month deferment period for Maui businesses impacted by the Hawaii wildfires. This deferment period covers principal and interest payments, as well as a pause on interest accrual, and includes all COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and any previous disaster loans that are still being repaid. “Thousands of people, … Continue Reading
October 30, 2023
Rep. Tokuda and Sen. Hirono Lead Hawaiʻi and Alaska Delegations in Introducing Bill to Expand Opportunities for Native Hawaiian and Alaska Natives in Agriculture
(Washington, D.C.) Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) and Senator Mazie Hirono (HI) led the Hawaiʻi and Alaska delegations in introducing the Parity for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Students in Agriculture Act. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Brian Schatz, and Representatives Ed Case and Mary Peltola are also original co-sponsors of the bill. The bill would reauthorize the Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program for … Continue Reading
October 27, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda to Hold Virtual Town Hall for Kauai
(Washington, D.C.) Representative Jill Tokuda announced today that her town hall in Kauai scheduled for Wednesday, November 1, 2023, will be moved to a virtual platform. Due to unforeseen changes in the congressional calendar, Rep. Tokuda must now be in Washington, D.C. to vote on the House floor. “While my official duties are keeping me from being home to do these town halls, continuing to connect with my constituents is important to me,” stated Tokuda. “I look forward to being back on … Continue Reading
October 25, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda’s Statement on Speaker Mike Johnson
(Washington, D.C.) Representative Jill Tokuda issued the following statement about the election of Speaker Mike Johnson: “After three weeks of chaos and inaction and three unsuccessful nominees, Republicans chose to elect a Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives with little experience in actual governance and a long record of dangerous and extreme far-right positions. Speaker Johnson’s past words and actions have focused on criminalizing abortion nationwide, stripping away … Continue Reading
October 24, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Introduces the MAUI STRONG Act, a Bill to Support Maui Small Businesses and Nonprofits
(Hawaiʻi) - Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) introduced the Micro-enterprise Assistance and Urgent Investment for Supporting Trade, Recovery Operations, and Neighborhood Growth (MAUI STRONG) Act, a bill that would provide nonprofits, small businesses with 25 or fewer employees, and independent contractors that experienced revenue loss because of the Maui fires grants of $20,000 to help with a variety of expenses. If enacted, the bill would establish the Emergency … Continue Reading
October 20, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda and Sen. Mazie Hirono Introduce Bill to Lessen Tax Burden for Those Impacted by Natural Disasters
(Washington, D.C.) Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) and Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI) recently introduced the Natural Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023. The bill would lessen the tax burden on people impacted by major natural disasters in 2023. It would allow more individuals impacted by the wildfires to claim a personal casualty loss by eliminating the requirement to itemize deductions and removing the 10 percent loss requirement to qualify. It would also waive the 10 percent penalty on hardship withdrawals … Continue Reading