Rep. Jill Tokuda Joined CODEL to Affirm U.S. Commitment to Peace and Security in the Indo-Pacific
Washington, D.C. - Last week, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, joined a bipartisan congressional delegation (CODEL) trip to Hawai‘i, Guam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, and Okinawa. “I am proud to have joined Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith on this important CODEL to learn, discuss and see first-hand the many security challenges we face in the Indo-Pacific, as well as the opportunities for partnerships and soft power diplomacy … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Advances Hawai‘i Priorities in Committee Markup of FY24 National Defense Authorization Act
(Washington, D.C.)- Today, Representative Jill Tokuda, a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) voted to report the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to the full House. Enacted into law annually for over sixty consecutive years, the NDAA is a critical piece of legislation that addresses the Department of Defense and national security-related programs. Representative Tokuda participated in a 14-hour markup of the NDAA that began on Wednesday morning … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Introduces the Grow Your Own Food Act to Increase Quality & Quantity of Locally Grown Food
(Washington, D.C.)- Today, Representative Jill Tokuda announced the recent introduction of the Grow Your Own Food Act to expand the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program. The program assists agricultural departments in eligible states and territories to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in food insecure communities through small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations in food insecure communities in areas of the United States that have significant levels of … Continue Reading
June 20, 2023
Reps. Jill Tokuda and Diana Harshbarger Launch Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) and Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) along with the National Rural Health Association announced the launch of the Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus. The Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus will provide a forum for Members of Congress to advocate for legislation and policy actions that help increase access to quality, affordable health care and mental health services for all rural Americans. In addition to … Continue Reading
June 06, 2023
Reps. Jill Tokuda, Smith, Blumenauer, Armstrong Introduce Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act
Washington, D.C. - Recently, Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Adrian Smith (R-NE), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) introduced the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Burden Reduction Act. This legislation would modernize RHC regulations to ensure RHCs can effectively treat patients. The members released the following statements: “For so many in rural and underserved communities, their only means of accessing health care is through a rural health clinic. Communities in … Continue Reading
May 31, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Statement on Debt Limit Agreement Vote
(Washington, D.C.)- Today, Representative Jill Tokuda issued the following statement on the debt limit agreement vote: “From day one of this debate, I have said we cannot raise the debt limit on the backs of our keiki, our kupuna, and the most vulnerable. For months, Democrats have been offering a clean and swift solution, while House Republicans chose to play partisan politics. To default on our debt would be catastrophic for our people, our economy, our environment, and global … Continue Reading
May 24, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Introduces the Keep Kupuna Fed Act to Maintain SNAP Food Benefits, Delivers Floor Speech
(Washington, D.C.)- Today, Representative Jill Tokuda spoke about her recently introduced bill, the Keep Kupuna Fed Act, on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would exempt Title II Social Security benefits (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) from the SNAP program’s income eligibility requirements to ensure that kupuna (seniors) can stay on SNAP, despite any future cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) to Social Security. During her recent visits throughout … Continue Reading
May 23, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Gives Speech on House Floor Congratulating Iam Tongi on Winning American Idol’s Season 21
(Washington, DC) - Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) addressed the U.S. House of Representatives to congratulate Hawaiʻi-born performer, Iam Tongi, a proud son of Kahuku, on winning American Idol’s Season 21. “Iam Tongi, a proud son of Kahuku, just won American Idol’s Season 21 and today I congratulated him on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Iam captured the hearts of millions across the country with his soulful performances, becoming the first Hawaiʻi-born and … Continue Reading
May 11, 2023
Reps. Jill Tokuda, Mary Peltola, and Ed Case Introduce Legislation to Increase Medicare Payments for Nursing Facilities
(Washington, D.C.)- Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) led Reps. Mary Sattler Peltola (AK-At Large) and Ed Case (HI-02) in announcing the introduction of legislation to ensure skilled nursing facilities in Hawaiʻi and Alaska receive fair reimbursements for the services they provide. The Equitable Payments for Nursing Facilities Act of 2023 would authorize a cost-of-living adjustment to the Medicare payment formula for skilled nursing facilities in Hawaiʻi and Alaska to account for the … Continue Reading
May 08, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Announces Winner of Second Congressional Art Competition from Maui High School
(Washington, D.C.)- Saturday, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) held a ceremony in Oahu to announce the winner of the U.S. Hou Representatives Artistic Discovery Contest, a high school art competition in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to showcase their artistic talent. Rep. Tokuda announced that the panel of three local artist judges selected art created by Cailyn Omuro from Maui High School. Cailyn's masterpiece will hang in the U.S. Capitol in the Cannon … Continue Reading
May 05, 2023
Rep. Tokuda Statement on Investigation of AFFF Spill at Red Hill
“This investigation makes clear that the November 29, 2022 AFFF spill at Red Hill should never have happened. When incident after incident is the result of “human error,” there comes a time when we need to recognize that there are systemic problems. The Navy needs to act now to hold people accountable for this spill and ensure that its continued work to remediate and close Red Hill meets the standards of quality and safety that the people of Hawai‘i deserve. Moving forward, we need to ensure … Continue Reading
May 05, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Announces Congressional Art Competition Finalists for Second Congressional District
(Washington, D.C.)- Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) is thrilled to announce three finalists in the U.S. House of Representatives Artistic Discovery Contest, a high school art competition in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to showcase their artistic talent. The finalists were selected by three local renowned artists: Kirk Kurokawa, based on Maui; Brook Parker from Kahalu’u, O’ahu; and Iliahi Anthony, based in Hilo. The top three high school … Continue Reading
April 28, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Holds Press Conference to Announce Farm Bill Listening Sessions
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) will hold a press conference with Hawaiʻi media to announce her statewide Farm Bill Listening Session tour to hear from farmers, agriculture producers, nutrition advocates, and workers on what they’re hoping to see from the 2023 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is renegotiated every five years, and Rep. Tokuda is the only member of Hawaiʻi’s Delegation to hold a seat on the Agriculture Committee, making her uniquely positioned to … Continue Reading
April 27, 2023
Rep. Tokuda Joins White House, U.S. Treasury, Hawaiʻi Delegation, and Gov. Green to Announce $115.5 Million to Expand Broadband in Hawaiʻi
(Washington, DC) - Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) joined the White House, U.S. Tresury, Hawaiʻi Delegation, and Governor Josh Green to announce $115.5 million in funding to expand broadband in Hawaiʻi. The Capital Projects Funding is a part of President Biden’s Invest in America agenda. Specifically, the funding will implement two programs: $101.7 million investment in the Hawaiʻi Subsea Middle Mile Program to address the subsea cable infrastructure needed to provide … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Gives Speech Congratulating Sasha Colby, RuPaul Drag Race Winner, and Honoring Hawaiian Māhū Trans Culture
(Washington, DC) - Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) addressed the U.S. House of Representatives to congratulate Hawaiʻi-born drag performer, Sasha Kekauhoa, more famously known as Sasha Colby, on being crowned the winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 15. “I am so proud that a fellow Windward girl, hailing from the homesteads of Waimanalo, has earned the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar,” said Rep. Jill Tokuda. “From the very start of the 15-week-long competition, Sasha … Continue Reading
April 25, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Joins Booker, Welch, Casar in Introducing Bicameral Bill to Hold Corporations Accountable for Child Labor Violations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) joined U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas), alongside more than 50 advocacy organizations, in introducing the bicameral Child Labor Exploitation Accountability Act, legislation aimed at holding corporations accountable for the exploitation of children and workers in the food industry. The bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from engaging in contracts with … Continue Reading
April 04, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda Receives Large Turnout at Hilo Townhall, Announces Three Additional Events
(Hawai‘i)- Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) announced that her first townhall in Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island received a large response from the community with more than 80 people in attendance. “It was valuable hearing directly from Hilo residents about their needs and concerns,” said Rep. Jill Tokuda. “From lack of access to healthcare and mental health services, to issues with the USPS, to concerns about wastewater treatment and clean water, the community conversation that we had … Continue Reading
March 31, 2023
Rep. Tokuda Announces Congressional Art Competition, Asks for Submissions from High School Students
(Washington, DC) - Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) announced that her office is accepting submissions for the 2023 Congressional Art Competition sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is open to all high school students in Hawaiʻi’s Second Congressional District. Finalists will be selected from each county in the Second Congressional District and will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol in the Cannon tunnel, which Members of … Continue Reading
March 30, 2023
Rep. Tokuda Statement on the Indictment of Former President Trump
(Washington, DC) - Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement on the indictment of former President Trump: “The rule of law is a pillar of any democracy, and that means that no one, including former presidents, are above the law. The indictment of a former president is unprecedented in our nation’s history, yet so is the harm that Trump caused the country and to the office of the President. I have faith in our legal system and our courts to hear this case … Continue Reading
March 30, 2023
Rep. Tokuda Speaks Against and Votes NO on Republican Giveaway to Oil, Gas, and Mining Industries
(Washington, DC) - Today, Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) voted no on H.R. 1, “the Polluters of People Act.” This bill is House Republicans’ shameless giveaway to polluters and is full of loopholes to benefit the oil, gas, and mining industries. It would reverse the significant climate provisions included in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, including repealing: The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a $27 billion program focused on investing in clean energy projects to create … Continue Reading