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{{Short description|American educator and politician (born 1972)}}{{redirect|Senator Schatz}}{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}

factoids

Ann Arbor, Michigan>Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.| death_date = | death_place = Democratic Party (United States)>DemocraticGreen Party (United States)>Green (formerly)| spouse = Linda Kwok Kai Yun| children = 2Pomona College (Bachelor of Arts>BA)schatz.senate.gov|Senate website}}| signature = Brian Schatz Signature.svgpos=centerfilename=Brian Schatz on the benefits for Native Americans in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the 2022 Budget Reconciliation Bill.oggtype=speech|description=Brian Schatz on the benefits for Native Americans in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the 2022 Budget Reconciliation BillRecorded August 9, 2021}}}}Brian Emanuel Schatz ({{IPAc-en|ʃ|ɑː|t|s}} {{respell|SHAHTS}}; born October 20, 1972) is an American educator and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Hawaii, a seat he has held since 2012. A member of the Democratic Party, Schatz served in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 1998 to 2006, representing the 25th legislative district; as the chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii from 2008 to 2010; and as the 12th lieutenant governor of Hawaii from 2010 to 2012.Schatz also worked as chief executive officer of Helping Hands Hawaii, an Oahu nonprofit social service agency, until he resigned to run for lieutenant governor of Hawaii in the 2010 gubernatorial election as Neil Abercrombie’s running mate.NEWS, DePledge, Derrick, Abercrombie trumps Aiona to become Hawaii’s next governor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, November 2, 2010,www.staradvertiser.com/elections/2010/election_day_stories/Abercrombie_leads_in_governors_race.html, November 3, 2010, He served as lieutenant governor until December 26, 2012, when Abercrombie appointed him to serve the rest of Daniel Inouye’s U.S. Senate term after Inouye’s death.WEB,www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/Schatz-appointed-to-fill-Sen-Inouye-s-seat/-/8905354/17906038/-/m4cpc5/-/index.html, Schatz appointed to fill Sen. Inouye’s seat, KITV, dead,www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/Schatz-appointed-to-fill-Sen-Inouye-s-seat/-/8905354/17906038/-/m4cpc5/-/index.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130510050243www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/Schatz-appointed-to-fill-Sen-Inouye-s-seat/-/8905354/17906038/-/m4cpc5/-/index.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130510050243www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/Schatz-appointed-to-fill-Sen-Inouye-s-seat/-/8905354/17906038/-/m4cpc5/-/index.html, May 10, 2013, December 27, 2012, Schatz was the youngest U.S. senator in the 112th Congress. He won the 2014 special election to complete the remainder of Inouye’s Senate term with just under 70% of the vote, was reelected in 2016 with 73.6%, and again in 2022 with 71.2%.{{TOC limit|3}}

Early life

Brian Schatz was born into a Jewish-American family in Ann Arbor, Michigan, along with an identical twin brother, Steve. He is the son of Barbara Jane (née Binder) and Irwin Jacob Schatz, a cardiologist and native of Saint Boniface, Manitoba.WEB,www.mayo.edu/mayo-edu-docs/alumni-documents/irwinschatz.doc, Irwin Schatz, M.D.,www.mayo.edu/mayo-edu-docs/alumni-documents/irwinschatz.doc," title="web.archive.org/web/20140221233134www.mayo.edu/mayo-edu-docs/alumni-documents/irwinschatz.doc,">web.archive.org/web/20140221233134www.mayo.edu/mayo-edu-docs/alumni-documents/irwinschatz.doc, February 21, 2014, Mayo.edu, WEB,www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/Schatz-sworn-in-as-Hawaii-s-6th-U-S-senator/17915300, Schatz sworn in as Hawaii’s 6th U.S. senator, KITV, kitv.com, January 4, 2015, December 27, 2012, dead,www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/Schatz-sworn-in-as-Hawaii-s-6th-U-S-senator/17915300," title="web.archive.org/web/20141105045902www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/Schatz-sworn-in-as-Hawaii-s-6th-U-S-senator/17915300,">web.archive.org/web/20141105045902www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/Schatz-sworn-in-as-Hawaii-s-6th-U-S-senator/17915300, November 5, 2014, Schatz’s father was the first to complain about the ethics of the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, in a 1965 letter. The letter was ignored until the problem finally came to public attention in 1972. Irwin Schatz wrote that he was “astounded” that “physicians allow patients with potentially fatal disease to remain untreated when effective therapy is available.” Brian Schatz said that his father didn’t talk about the letter, but that it influenced him to pursue the public good.WEB,www.nytimes.com/2015/04/19/health/irwin-schatz-83-rare-critic-of-tuskegee-study-is-dead.html, Irwin Schatz, 83, Rare Critic of Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Is Dead, April 19, 2015, The New York Times, September 2, 2016, WEB,www.civilbeat.com/2013/08/19744-hawaii-dr-irwin-schatz-stand-against-racism-resonates-decades-later, Hawaii Dr. Irwin Schatz’ Stand Against Racism Resonates Decades Later - Civil Beat News, Kery Murakami, Civil Beat News, August 22, 2013, October 28, 2015, When Schatz and his brother were two years old the family moved to Hawaii,WEB,www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-native-brian-schatz-named-us-senator-for-hawaii, Ann Arbor native Brian Schatz named U.S. senator for Hawaii, AnnArbor.com, December 27, 2012, December 27, 2012, Arndt, Danielle, where Schatz graduated from Punahou School.WEB,www.civilbeat.com/topics/brian-schatz, Brian Schatz, Honolulu Civil Beat, December 27, 2012, WEB,www.punahou.edu/page.cfm?p=3221, Punahou School: Brian Schatz ‘90, Punahou.edu, December 6, 2010, January 12, 2013, dead,www.punahou.edu/page.cfm?p=3221," title="web.archive.org/web/20130101170329www.punahou.edu/page.cfm?p=3221,">web.archive.org/web/20130101170329www.punahou.edu/page.cfm?p=3221, January 1, 2013, Schatz enrolled at Pomona College in Claremont, California; he spent a term studying abroad in Kenya on a program of the School for International Training (SIT).WEB,www.civilbeat.org/2010/10/qa-with-brian-schatz/, Q&A With Brian Schatz, October 15, 2010, Honolulu Civil Beat, WEB,www.pomona.edu/news/2012/12/26-schatz-hawaii-senator.aspx, Brian Schatz ‘94 Appointed to U.S. Senate Representing Hawaii â€” Pomona College, Pomona.edu, December 26, 2012, January 12, 2013, dead,pomona.edu/news/2012/12/26-schatz-hawaii-senator.aspx," title="web.archive.org/web/20130124154840pomona.edu/news/2012/12/26-schatz-hawaii-senator.aspx,">web.archive.org/web/20130124154840pomona.edu/news/2012/12/26-schatz-hawaii-senator.aspx, January 24, 2013, As a U.S. senator, Schatz is one of Pomona’s highest-profile alumni; Pomona invited him to be the commencement speaker for its Class of 2017.NEWS,www.pomona.edu/news/2017/03/06-us-senator-brian-schatz-%E2%80%9994-deliver-keynote-speech-commencement, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz ‘94 to Deliver Keynote Speech at Commencement, March 6, 2017, Pomona College in Claremont, California - Pomona College, August 7, 2018, en, After graduating in 1994 with a B.A. in philosophy, he returned to Hawaii, where he taught at Punahou before taking on other jobs in the nonprofit sector. He was briefly a member of the Green Party.WEB,twitter.com/brianschatz/status/1058443160475467776, I didn’t vote in every election when I was young. Also, I was briefly a Green Party member. Since then I’ve devoted a lot of my professional life to climate action. So let me say this plainly: The most important thing you can do for the climate is vote Tuesday., Twitter, Brian Schatz,

Early career

Schatz became active in the community as a teenager through his involvement in Youth for Environmental Services. He then served as CEO of Helping Hands Hawaii and director of the Makiki Community Library and of the Center for a Sustainable Future. In March 2010, Schatz stepped down from Helping Hands to run for lieutenant governor.NEWS, Duane, Shimogawa,www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12153377, Schatz lending a hand full-time to politics,www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12153377," title="web.archive.org/web/20120306010957www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12153377,">web.archive.org/web/20120306010957www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12153377, March 6, 2012, Hawaii News Now, May 16, 2010, He was a member of the 2007 class of the Pacific Century Fellows.WEB,www.pacificcenturyfellows.com/brian-schatz, Brian Schatz;— by Yunji De Nies, Pacific Century Fellows Program, April 18, 2021,

Hawaii House of Representatives (1998–2006)

In 1998, Schatz challenged the incumbent State Representative of the 24th district of the Hawaii House of Representatives, Republican Sam Aiona, and won, 53%–47%.WEB,www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=626793, HI State House 24 Race â€” November 3, 1998, Our Campaigns, January 12, 2013, In the 2000 rematch he was reelected, 57%–43%.WEB,www.pacificcenturyfellows.com/brian-schatz, Brian Schatz, Pacific Century Fellows Program, April 18, 2021, In 2002 he ran in the newly redrawn 25th House district, and defeated Republican Bill Hols, 69%–31%.WEB,www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=25447, HI State House 25 Race â€” November 5, 2002, Our Campaigns, January 12, 2013, In 2004 he defeated Republican Tracy Okubo, 64%–36%.WEB,www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=212687, HI State House 25 Race â€” November 2, 2004, Our Campaigns, January 12, 2013, The 25th district includes Makiki and Tantalus on Oahu.

Subsequent political career (2006–2010)

2006 congressional election

Schatz ran for {{ushr|Hawaii|2|}}, vacated by Ed Case, who had decided to run for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Daniel Akaka. The Democratic primary featured 10 candidates, seven of whom served in the Hawaii Legislature. Mazie Hirono, the lieutenant governor, was the only one who had held statewide office and thus enjoyed the most name recognition. She also raised the most money, mostly because of the endorsement of EMILY’s List,Carries Giddins. “Emily’s list announces the endorsement of Mazie Hirono for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional District”, “Essential Elements.”. Retrieved June 14, 2006. and lent her own campaign $100,000. She won the primary with 22% of the vote, just 845 votes ahead of State Senator Colleen Hanabusa. Schatz finished sixth with 7% of the vote, behind Hirono and four state senators.WEB,www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=277648, HI District 2 – D Primary Race, September 23, 2006, Our Campaigns, June 3, 2012, WEB, Rachel, Kapochunas,www.cqpolitics.com/2006/09/akaka_survives_challenge_from.html, Akaka Survives Challenge from Case in Hawaii Democratic Primary,www.cqpolitics.com/2006/09/akaka_survives_challenge_from.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20071013183758www.cqpolitics.com/2006/09/akaka_survives_challenge_from.html,">web.archive.org/web/20071013183758www.cqpolitics.com/2006/09/akaka_survives_challenge_from.html, October 13, 2007, CQ Politics, September 24, 2006,

Support for Obama

One of the earliest supporters of Barack Obama for president, Schatz founded a group with other Hawaii Democrats in December 2006 to urge Obama to run, saying, “For the last six years we’ve been governed by fear, fear of terrorists, fear of other countries, even fear of the other party...everyone is governing by fear and Barack Obama changes all of that. He wants to govern the United States by hope.“WEB,mywebtimes.com/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=288653,mywebtimes.com/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=288653," title="archive.today/20130129163808mywebtimes.com/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=288653,">archive.today/20130129163808mywebtimes.com/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=288653, dead, January 29, 2013, Hawaii group launches Obama for president effort, December 14, 2006, MyWebTimes.com, December 27, 2012, In 2008, Schatz worked as spokesman for Obama’s campaign in Hawaii.WEB,www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/12/who-is-brian-schatz-the-new-us-senator-from-hawaii/266652/, Who Is Brian Schatz, the New U.S. Senator From Hawaii?, Graham, David E., The Atlantic, December 27, 2012, September 16, 2020,

State chairman

In April 2008, Schatz began running for the position of chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii,WEB,www.kpua.net/news.php?id=14507, Brian Schatz running for chair of Hawaii Democratic Party, April 14, 2008, KPUA Hawaii News, dead,www.kpua.net/news.php?id=14507," title="web.archive.org/web/20140226204511www.kpua.net/news.php?id=14507,">web.archive.org/web/20140226204511www.kpua.net/news.php?id=14507, February 26, 2014, December 27, 2012, and won the job at the state convention the following month. During his tenure, the Democrats increased the number of active party members and delivered Obama’s best performance of any state in the country. Hawaii native Obama won the state with 72% of the vote; just 54% of the state voted for Democratic nominee John Kerry in 2004. Schatz stepped down as party chairman on January 9, 2010.WEB,www.hawaiinewsnow.com/global/story.asp?s=11622652, Schatz stepping down as Hawaii Democratic Party chair, December 4, 2009, Hawaii News Now, December 27, 2012, August 20, 2018,www.hawaiinewsnow.com/global/story.asp?s=11622652," title="web.archive.org/web/20180820113621www.hawaiinewsnow.com/global/story.asp?s=11622652,">web.archive.org/web/20180820113621www.hawaiinewsnow.com/global/story.asp?s=11622652, dead,

Lieutenant Governor (2010–2012)

2010 election

(File: Abercrombie and Schatz 2010.jpg|thumb|Schatz, his wife, Linda Kwok Kai Yun Schatz; incoming Hawaii First Lady Nancie Caraway; and Governor-elect Neil Abercrombie on Election Day 2010.){{See also|2010 Hawaii gubernatorial election}}On January 10, 2010, Schatz announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor of Hawaii.NEWS,www.khon2.com/content/news/developingstories/story/Brian-Schatz-Enters-Race-for-Lieutenant-Governor/slGW4PyZQE2MPQlPFi971A.cspx, Brian Schatz Enters Race for Lieutenant Governor,www.khon2.com/content/news/developingstories/story/Brian-Schatz-Enters-Race-for-Lieutenant-Governor/slGW4PyZQE2MPQlPFi971A.cspx," title="web.archive.org/web/20110616212238www.khon2.com/content/news/developingstories/story/Brian-Schatz-Enters-Race-for-Lieutenant-Governor/slGW4PyZQE2MPQlPFi971A.cspx,">web.archive.org/web/20110616212238www.khon2.com/content/news/developingstories/story/Brian-Schatz-Enters-Race-for-Lieutenant-Governor/slGW4PyZQE2MPQlPFi971A.cspx, June 16, 2011, KHON2, January 1, 2010, His campaign priorities included the creation of clean-energy jobs, public education, and technological improvements in the public sector. He also declared his support for Hawaii House Bill 444,NEWS,honoluluweekly.com/feature/2010/06/lg-style/, LG style Q and A with Brian Schatz,honoluluweekly.com/feature/2010/06/lg-style/," title="web.archive.org/web/20180208124317honoluluweekly.com/feature/2010/06/lg-style/,">web.archive.org/web/20180208124317honoluluweekly.com/feature/2010/06/lg-style/, February 8, 2018, Rangar, Carlson, Honolulu Weekly, June 30, 2010, which would have allowed same-sex civil unions in Hawaii but was vetoed by Republican Governor Linda Lingle.Lingle vetoes civil unions bill, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, July 6, 2010. A number of Hawaii labor unions endorsed Schatz for lieutenant governor in the Democratic primary, held on September 18, 2010.2010 Elections website of Hawaii Office of Elections. Retrieved July 20, 2010, Schatz won the nomination with 34.8% of the vote, and thus became Neil Abercrombie’s running mate in the November general election.

Tenure

On December 6, 2010, Schatz was inaugurated as Hawaii’s 11th lieutenant governor alongside Abercrombie, who had defeated Republican incumbent Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona in the gubernatorial election. Hawaii State Supreme Court Associate Justice James E. Duffy, Jr. administered the oath of office at the Coronation Pavilion on the grounds of Ê»Iolani Palace.

U.S. Senate (2012–present)

Appointment

Shortly before Senator Daniel Inouye died on December 17, 2012,NEWS, Daniel Inouye, Hawaii’s Quiet Voice of Conscience in Senate, Dies at 88, McFadden, Robert D.,www.nytimes.com/2012/12/18/us/daniel-inouye-hawaiis-quiet-voice-of-conscience-in-senate-dies-at-88.html?ref=danielkinouye&_r=1&, The New York Times, December 17, 2012, July 2, 2013, he dictated a letter to Governor Neil Abercrombie asking that U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa be appointed to finish his term.NEWS, Inouye wanted Hanabusa to succeed him in U.S. Senate, DePledge, Derrick,www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/183871561.html?id=183871561, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, December 17, 2012, July 1, 2013, NEWS,www.scribd.com/doc/117299648/Sen-Inouye-s-letter-to-Gov-Abercrombie, Sen. Inouye’s letter to Gov. Abercrombie, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, July 2, 2013, Hawaii law on interim appointments to the U.S. Senate requires the governor to choose from three candidates selected by the party of the previous officeholder. On December 26, 2012, the Hawaii Democratic Party nominated Schatz, Hanabusa, and deputy director of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Esther Kia’aina. The same day, Abercrombie appointed Schatz, despite Inouye’s request.NEWS, December 26, 2012, Hawaii governor names Democrat, Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, to succeed Inouye in US Senate, Associated Press,www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2012/12/26/Hawaii-governor-names-Democrat-Lt-Gov-Brian-Schatz-to-succeed-Inouye-in-U-S-Senate.html, Later that night, Schatz accompanied President Barack Obama back to Washington, D.C. on Air Force One.WEB,www.politico.com/politico44/2012/12/schatz-to-join-obama-on-af-to-washington-152838.html, Schatz to join Obama on AF1 to Washington, Slack, Donovan, December 26, 2012, Politico, December 27, 2012, On December 27, Schatz was sworn in as a senator by Vice President Joe Biden. He became only the sixth person to represent Hawaii in the U.S. Senate, and only the second who was not Asian American, after Oren E. Long.

Elections

2014

{{See also|2014 United States Senate special election in Hawaii}}Schatz announced his intention to run for election in the special election to be held in 2014 for the balance of Inouye’s ninth term. In April 2013 Hanabusa announced she would challenge Schatz in the primary. The core of the Schatz campaign was climate change and renewable energy.NEWS , Schatz defeated Hanabusa by 1,782 votes (0.75%)WEB, Primary Election, Statewide, Final Summary,hawaii.gov/elections/results/2014/primary/elections/results/2014/primary/files/histatewide.pdf, hawaii.gov, State of Hawaii, August 26, 2014, in a primary delayed in two precincts by Hurricane Iselle.NEWS , As expected in heavily Democratic Hawaii, Schatz went on to win the general election, defeating Republican Campbell Cavasso with about 70% of the vote.WEB ,

2016

{{See also|2016 United States Senate election in Hawaii}}In 2016, Schatz ran for and easily won his first full six-year Senate term against only nominal opposition.NEWS, Prichard, James, Schatz, Hanabusa, Gabbard handily win their congressional races - Pacific Business News,www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2016/11/08/schatz-hanabusa-gabbard-hold-large-leads-in.html, Pacific Business News, November 8, 2016, According to New York magazine, Schatz had a low-profile but highly influential effect on the Democratic primary for the 2020 presidential election by pushing fellow Democrats to commit to progressive positions on issues such as healthcare, climate, college affordability and Social Security.NEWS,nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/07/brian-schatz-progressive-senator-reshapes-2020-campaign.html, The Progressive Hawaii Senator Reshaping the 2020 Race, Without Even Running, Debenedetti, Gabriel, Daily Intelligencer, New York Media LLC., July 20, 2018, en, July 19, 2018,

2022

{{See also|2022 United States Senate election in Hawaii}}Schatz announced he intended to run for reelection for a second full term.WEB, April 26, 2021, Campaign Finance Records Suggest An Easy Reelection Bid For Brian Schatz,www.civilbeat.org/2021/04/campaign-finance-records-suggest-an-easy-reelection-bid-for-brian-schatz/, February 23, 2022, Honolulu Civil Beat, en, He was challenged by Republican state representative Bob McDermott.WEB, Republican state representative announces run against Schatz for US Senate,www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/01/18/republican-state-representative-announces-run-against-schatz-us-senate/, www.hawaiinewsnow.com, Hawaii News Now, January 18, 2022, January 19, 2022, Schatz won overwhelmingly, earning 69.4% of the total vote.WEB, GENERAL ELECTION 2022,elections.hawaii.gov/wp-content/results/histatewide.pdf, elections.hawaii.gov, State of Hawaii Office of Elections, November 20, 2022, February 22, 2023,

Tenure

During his time in the Senate, Schatz has developed a reputation as a liberal Democrat. He tends to vote with his party on both policy and procedural issues most of the time.WEB, Brian Schatz {{!, United States senator {{!}} Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Brian-Schatz|access-date=February 23, 2022|website=www.britannica.com|language=en}} GovTrack ranks Schatz as a more moderate member of his caucus.WEB, Brian Schatz, Senator for Hawaii,www.govtrack.us/congress/members/brian_schatz/412507, February 23, 2022, GovTrack.us, en, Schatz has been a part of numerous pieces of bipartisan legislation. He has co-sponsored 48 bills that have become law, including the bipartisan Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021 and the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act.WEB, Brian Schatz,www.congress.gov/member/brian-schatz/S001194, February 23, 2022, www.congress.gov, He has been the primary sponsor for seven bills, including the Native American Veterans’ Memorial Amendments Act of 2013 and the NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act. His primary areas of focus include healthcare, education, government operations, and national security. Schatz was instrumental in increasing the minimum smoking age to 21WEB, December 18, 2019, Federal Spending Deal Pumps Millions Of Dollars Into Hawaii,www.civilbeat.org/2019/12/federal-spending-deal-pumps-millions-of-dollars-into-hawaii/, February 23, 2022, Honolulu Civil Beat, en, and securing paid family leave for federal workers.WEB, December 11, 2019, Paid Family Leave Likely For Nearly 20,000 Federal Workers In Hawaii,www.civilbeat.org/2019/12/paid-family-leave-likely-for-nearly-20000-federal-workers-in-hawaii/, February 23, 2022, Honolulu Civil Beat, en, He has also led efforts to expand telehealth services.Schatz has also brought a large amount of federal funding to Hawaii. He secured reservation fundingWEB, December 4, 2018, Hawaii Does Fine Raking In Federal Dollars Without Earmarks,www.civilbeat.org/2018/12/hawaii-fared-well-in-era-of-congressional-earmarks-will-they-return/, February 23, 2022, Honolulu Civil Beat, en, and transportation funding.WEB, March 1, 2021, COVID-19 Relief Bill Includes $70 Million For Honolulu Rail,www.civilbeat.org/2021/03/covid-19-relief-bill-includes-70-million-for-honolulu-rail/, February 23, 2022, Honolulu Civil Beat, en, Schatz was participating in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count when Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol. He called the storming “despicable.“NEWS, Hawaii leaders condemn anti-democratic action,www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2021/01/hawaii-leaders-condemn-anti-democratic-action/, January 8, 2021, Maui News, January 7, 2021, Schatz called for Trump’s removal from office through both the invocation of the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the impeachment process.NEWS, Grube, Nick, Members Of Hawaii Delegation Call For Immediate Removal Of Trump,www.civilbeat.org/2021/01/members-of-hawaii-delegation-calls-for-immediate-removal-of-trump/, January 8, 2021, Honolulu Civil Beat, January 7, 2021, en, He called Trump a “danger to democracy itself”.NEWS, Schatz and Kahele Call for Impeachment and Removal of President Trump {{!, Maui Now |url=https://mauinow.com/2021/01/07/schatz-and-kahele-call-for-impeachment-and-removal-of-president-trump/ |access-date=January 8, 2021 |work=Maui Now |date=January 7, 2021}} Schatz twice voted to impeach Trump.

Leadership positions

• Chief Deputy WhipWEB, Schatz, Booker Elevated To Leadership Posts,www.schatz.senate.gov/press-releases/schatz-booker-elevated-to-leadership-posts, schatz.senate.gov, January 9, 2017, September 29, 2018, WEB, Blair, Chad, Schatz Named Chief Deputy Whip,www.civilbeat.org/2017/01/schatz-named-chief-deputy-whip/, Honolulu Civil Beat, January 10, 2017, September 29, 2018,
• Co-chair, Senate Climate Change Task ForceWEB, Schatz: We Are Not Deterred, Climate Is On The Ballot In 2020,www.schatz.senate.gov/press-releases/schatz-we-are-not-deterred-climate-is-on-the-ballot-in-2020, schatz.senate.gov, June 1, 2017, September 29, 2018,
• Chair, Senate Democratic Special Committee on the Climate CrisisMAGAZINE, Meyer, Robinson, The Plan to Fix Climate Change in the Senate,www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/07/senate-democrats-are-getting-head-start-climate-change/593824/, July 19, 2019, The Atlantic, July 12, 2019,
• Member, Board of Trustees for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship foundation

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Asian Pacific American CaucusWEB, Members,capac-chu.house.gov/members, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, May 17, 2018,
• Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 CaucusWEB, Members,www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus, Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus, June 15, 2018, June 12, 2018,www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus," title="web.archive.org/web/20180612142643www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus,">web.archive.org/web/20180612142643www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus, dead,
• Expand Social Security Caucus

Political positions

According to New York magazine, Schatz is a progressive but not a “Sanders-style bomb-thrower.” He was characterized as a low-profile yet highly influential senator in pushing fellow Democrats to adopt progressive policy positions. The American Conservative Union gave him a 3% lifetime conservative rating in 2013.WEB, The Voter’s Self Defense System,justfacts.votesmart.org/interest-group/1481/rating/7224, Vote Smart,

Abortion

Schatz is pro-choice. He supports access to legal abortion without restrictions.WEB, Brian Schatz on the Issues,www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Brian_Schatz.htm, February 23, 2022, www.ontheissues.org, NARAL Pro-Choice America gave him a 100% rating.WEB, The Voter’s Self Defense System,votesmart.org/, February 23, 2022, Vote Smart,

Budget and economy

Schatz supports income tax increases to balance the budget and federal spending to support economic growth.

LGBTQIA+ rights

Schatz supports same-sex marriage.WEB, B.J., Reyes,www.pressreader.com/usa/honolulu-star-advertiser/20130817/281513633799960, Congressional Delegation Pushes for Gay Marriage, PressReader, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, August 17, 2013, August 26, 2017,web.archive.org/web/20170826193337/https://www.pressreader.com/usa/honolulu-star-advertiser/20130817/281513633799960, August 26, 2017, He sponsored legislation in 2015 to allow married gay couples to have equal access to the veterans benefits and Social Security they have earned.NEWS, Dennis, Steven T., Same-Sex Marriage Benefits Endorsed on Senate Floor (Updated),www.rollcall.com/news/home/same-sex-marriage-benefits-endorsed-on-senate-floor, Roll Call, March 27, 2015, Schatz supports LGBTQIA+ rights and same-sex marriage. He received a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign. Schatz supports transgender rights.WEB, U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein, Brian Schatz, Colleagues Call for Reversal of Previous Administration’s Harmful Transgender Prison Policy,goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/news/local-news/34455-u-s-senators-dianne-feinstein-brian-schatz-colleagues-call-for-reversal-of-previous-administration-s-harmful-transgender-prison-policy, Sierra Sun Times, Mariposa, California, October 30, 2021, October 30, 2021, 45,

Drugs

Schatz stopped short of calling for the legalization of marijuana in Hawaii in 2014, and has called for the criminalization of date-rape drugs. In 2016, he advocated for immunity for banks offering services to marijuana businesses.

Economy

To encourage tourism in West Hawaii, Schatz proposed that customs begin in Japan so that planes can arrive in West Hawaii as domestic flights.NEWS, Miller, Erin, U.S. Senate candidates offer diverse choices,westhawaiitoday.com/news/decision-2014/us-senate-candidates-offer-diverse-choices, November 7, 2014, West Hawaii Today, October 12, 2014, dead,westhawaiitoday.com/news/decision-2014/us-senate-candidates-offer-diverse-choices," title="web.archive.org/web/20141107120715westhawaiitoday.com/news/decision-2014/us-senate-candidates-offer-diverse-choices,">web.archive.org/web/20141107120715westhawaiitoday.com/news/decision-2014/us-senate-candidates-offer-diverse-choices, November 7, 2014,

Environment

In March 2014, Schatz was a lead organizer of an overnight talkathon devoted to discussing climate change. The gathering of over two dozen Senate Democrats took place on the Senate floor. The League of Conservation Voters supported the talkathon and ran campaign ads on Schatz’s behalf.NEWS, O’Keefe, Ed, What the Senate’s all-nighter on climate change is really about,www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/03/10/what-the-senates-all-nighter-on-climate-change-is-really-about,www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/03/10/what-the-senates-all-nighter-on-climate-change-is-really-about/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140311032139www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/03/10/what-the-senates-all-nighter-on-climate-change-is-really-about/,">web.archive.org/web/20140311032139www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/03/10/what-the-senates-all-nighter-on-climate-change-is-really-about/, dead, March 11, 2014, August 14, 2014, Washington Post, March 10, 2014, He has received a perfect score from the League of Conservation Voters.WEB,www.ontheissues.org/domestic/Brian_Schatz_Environment.htm, Brian Schatz on Environment, www.ontheissues.org, January 24, 2019, In 2019, Schatz voiced his support for both a Green New Deal and a carbon tax as means to reduce emissions, saying that the two proposals are “perfectly compatible” with each other.WEB, CLIMATE: Carbon tax backers grapple with ‘Green New Deal’,www.eenews.net/stories/1060118143, December 12, 2020, www.eenews.net, en, WEB, Cohen, Rachel M., Will Bernie Sanders Stick With a Carbon Tax In His Push For a Green New Deal?,theintercept.com/2019/07/03/bernie-sanders-climate-change-policy-carbon-tax/, December 12, 2020, The Intercept, July 3, 2019, en, Schatz believes that climate change is a threat and has supported clean energy initiatives. In 2013, he wrote an op-ed promoting subsidies for wind turbines. He has advocated for 50% clean and carbon-free electricity by 2030. He opposed the Keystone Pipeline.Along with Martin Heinrich and Sheldon Whitehouse, Schatz is one of the “Three Climateers” of the Senate, driving and negotiating legislation to address climate change, culminating in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.NEWS, ‘The Three Climateers’ represent a new type of climate hawk on Capitol Hill, The Washington Post,www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/08/18/the-three-climateers-represent-new-type-climate-hawk-capitol-hill/,

Foreign policy

Schatz criticized China’s island-building activities, saying that “China’s outsized claim to the entire South China Sea has no basis in international law.“WEB, Schatz Statement on South China Sea Ruling,www.schatz.senate.gov/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-south-china-sea-ruling, schatz.senate.gov, July 12, 2016, September 16, 2020, In October 2017, Schatz condemned the genocide of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar and called for a stronger response to the crisis.NEWS, Sen. Todd Young urges action to end Muslim genocide in Myanmar,eu.indystar.com/story/news/2017/10/20/sen-todd-young-urges-action-end-muslim-genocide-myanmar/784590001/, Hussein, Fatima, IndyStar, October 22, 2017, Schatz spearheaded a nonbinding resolution in July 2018 “warning President Trump not to let the Russian government question diplomats and other officials”. The resolution states the United States “should refuse to make available any current or former diplomat, civil servant, political appointee, law enforcement official or member of the Armed Forces of the United States for questioning by the government of Vladimir Putin”. It passed 98-0.WEB, Carney, Jordain, Senate approves resolution warning Trump not to hand over US officials,thehill.com/homenews/senate/397904-senate-approves-resolution-warning-trump-not-to-hand-over-us-officials/, The Hill, July 19, 2018, July 22, 2018, In 2024, Schatz introduced an amendment to a national security package endorsing the creation of a Palestinian state in response to the 2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip and inflammatory statements by Benjamin Netanyahu. He called the amendment a message of “hope for a peaceful and prosperous and healthy future”.NEWS, Solender, Andrew, January 24, 2023, Nearly all Senate Democrats sign onto Palestinian statehood measure,www.axios.com/2024/01/24/nearly-all-senate-democrats-sign-onto-palestinian-statehood-measure, 2024-01-24, Axios,

Gun law

Schatz supports gun control legislation. He voted for a 2013 bill banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets, and co-sponsored legislation requiring background checks for every firearm sale in 2019. As of 2010, the National Rifle Association had given Schatz a “C” rating for his mixed voting record regarding gun law.WEB, The Voter’s Self Defense System,votesmart.org/interest-group/1836/rating/5585#.WdR1WJOGNE4, Vote Smart, October 4, 2017, Schatz participated in the Chris Murphy gun control filibuster in 2016.JOURNAL, Mathis-Lilley, Ben, Hannon, Elliot, Senate Democrats’ Surprise Gun-Control Filibuster Ended at 2:11 a.m.,www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/06/15/connecticut_s_chris_murphy_democratic_senators_filibuster_on_gun_control.html, Slate, October 4, 2017, June 15, 2016, He expressed disappointment when both the Democrat-proposed Feinstein Amendment (making the sale of firearms to individuals on the terrorist watchlist illegal) and the Republican-supported background check changes and gun sale alert system did not pass the Senate. He said:WEB, Pignataro, Anthony, Hawaii Senators Mazie Hirono, Brian Schatz react to gun control bill failures - Maui Time,mauitime.com/news/politics/hawaii-senators-mazie-hirono-brian-schatz-react-to-gun-control-bill-failures/, Maui Time, October 4, 2017, June 20, 2016, More than 90% of Americans demand we take action on gun violence, but again Senate Republicans refuse to act. It’s unacceptable. Right now, known terrorists are banned from getting on an airplane, but they are still allowed to buy military-style weapons. It is absolutely insane. After one of the most horrific mass shootings in our history, we saw people across the country courageously stand up against gun violence and hatred. When will Republicans in Congress finally do the same?In response to the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Schatz said, “We can do more than lower the flag to half-mast. We can take a stand against gun violence by passing common-sense gun safety laws.“WEB, Limon, Alexandria, Democrats criticized for talking gun control so soon after Vegas shooting,wytv.com/2017/10/03/democrats-criticized-for-talking-gun-control-so-soon-after-vegas-shooting/, WYTV.com, October 4, 2017, October 3, 2017,

Health care

Schatz supports Sen. Bernie Sanders’ single-payer proposal, but also introduced his own proposal which would allow states to expand Medicaid into a universal system.WEB, Foran, Clare, Can Democrats Revive the Possibility of a Public Option for Health Care?, The Atlantic, October 25, 2017,www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/10/health-care-democrats-public-option-schatz-single-payer/543726/, June 26, 2018, WEB, Stein, Jeff, Dylan, Scott, We asked 7 experts about Sen. Brian Schatz’s big new Medicaid buy-in plan, Vox, August 23, 2017,www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/8/23/16186390/brian-schatz-medicaid-buy-in-proposal-experts, June 26, 2018, Schatz supports the Affordable Care Act but supported a religious exemption from its individual mandate.

Housing

In April 2019, Schatz was one of forty-one senators to sign a bipartisan letter to the housing subcommittee praising the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 4 Capacity Building program as authorizing “HUD to partner with national nonprofit community development organizations to provide education, training, and financial support to local community development corporations (CDCs) across the country” and expressing disappointment that President Trump’s budget “has slated this program for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development.” The senators wrote of their hope that the subcommittee would support continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020.NEWS,www.ktvz.com/news/wyden-merkley-urge-more-affordable-housing-funds/1069680950, Wyden, Merkley urge more affordable housing funds, April 16, 2019, ktvz.com, April 17, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190418125917/https://www.ktvz.com/news/wyden-merkley-urge-more-affordable-housing-funds/1069680950, April 18, 2019, dead, In 2021, Schatz and Senator Todd Young co-authored the Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Act, which created a federal fund that encourages new home construction and less restrictive local zoning laws.NEWS, Grabar, Henry, 2023-04-03, The Democratic Senator Who Says Liberals Have Lost Their Way on Housing, en-US, Slate,slate.com/business/2023/04/brian-schatz-senate-housing-yimby.html, 2023-04-04, 1091-2339, The bill passed as part of the $1.7 trillion spending bill (H.R. 2617) on December 20, 2022.WEB, Congressional Spending Bill Includes First Ever Federal ‘YIMBY’ Grant Program,www.planetizen.com/news/2022/12/120612-congressional-spending-bill-includes-first-ever-federal-yimby-grant-program, 2023-04-04, www.planetizen.com, en,

Privacy rights

In one of his first Senate votes, Schatz voted against the FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012.WEB,www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/112-2012/s236, H.R. 5949: FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 (On Passage of the Bill), govtrack.us, December 28, 2012, December 28, 2012, On April 17, 2013, he voted to expand background checks for gun purchases.WEB,www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00097, U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 113th Congress – 1st Session, Legislation & Records, United States Senate, July 30, 2013, Schatz voted for the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act, a bill many civil liberties groups opposed.WEB,www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=114&session=1&vote=00291, U.S. Senate: Roll Call Vote, January 27, 2015, senate.gov, October 28, 2015, WEB,www.politico.com/tipsheets/morning-cybersecurity/2015/07/civil-liberties-groups-mobilize-against-cisa-will-the-chrysler-hack-make-automakers-more-open-to-security-researchers-212543, Civil liberties groups mobilize against CISA — Will the Chrysler hack make automakers more open to security researchers?, Perera, David, POLITICO, July 27, 2015, October 28, 2015,

Personal life

Schatz is married to Linda Kwok Kai Yun. They have two children.WEB, About Brian,brianschatz.com/about/, BrianSchatz.com, August 16, 2021, Schatz has three brothers, including an identical twin brother, Steve. Steve is executive director of Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, an interagency educational partnership at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.NEWS, Kalani, Nanea, DOE deputy Stephen Schatz accepts UH position,www.staradvertiser.com/2017/01/27/hawaii-news/doe-deputy-stephen-schatz-accepts-uh-position/, October 22, 2019, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, January 27, 2017, He formerly ran the Hawaii Department of Education’s Office of Strategic Reform.NEWS,www.staradvertiser.com/editorials/20110723_off_the_news.html?id=126052783, Off the News, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, July 23, 2011, December 27, 2012,

Electoral history

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Statewide - November 8, 2022, Hawaii Office of Elections, November 9, 2022, November 13, 2022,elections.hawaii.gov/wp-content/results/histatewide.pdf, }}{{Election box winning candidate with party link|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Brian Schatz (Incumbent)|votes=289,585|percentage=71.25%|change={{nowrap|–2.41}}}}{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Bob McDermott|votes=105,704|percentage=26.01%|change=+3.76}}{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Libertarian Party (United States)|candidate=Feena Bonoan|votes=4,870|percentage=1.20%|change={{nowrap|–0.63}}}}{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Green Party (United States)|candidate=Emma Jane Pohlman|votes=4,102|percentage=1.01%|change=N/A}}{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Aloha ʻĀina Party|candidate=Dan Decker|votes=2,189|percentage=0.54%|change=N/A}}{{Election box total|votes=406,450|percentage=100.0%}}{{Election box hold with party link no swing|winner=Democratic Party (United States)}}{{Election box end}}

References

{{reflist|33em}}

External links

{{Sister project links |wikt=no |b=no |d=Q1827902 |n=no |v=no}}

• Senator Brian Schatz official U.S. Senate website
• Brian Schatz for Senate campaign website
• {{Curlie|Regional/North_America/United_States/Hawaii/Government/Federal/US_Senate/Brian_Schatz_%5BD%5D}}
• {{C-SPAN|87784}}

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