Schatz, Hirono Named to Committee on Budget & Appropriations Process Reform

Courtesy photos.

U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono were named to the Joint Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform. The joint select committee was established as part of the bipartisan budget agreement reached on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018.

The Joint Select Committee on Budget Appropriations Process Reform will provide recommendations and legislative language to significantly improve the budget and appropriations process.

“This new committee has been tasked with making key decisions about how we go about funding our national priorities, and as a member of the Appropriations Committee, this new role will put me in a better position to make sure Hawai‘i’s needs are strongly represented,” said Sen. Schatz. “Government is a public trust, and we have a unique opportunity here to make it work better for the American people.”

“Our federal budget should reflect our priorities—protecting the vulnerable, investing in and securing our communities, and creating opportunities for the future,” Sen. Hirono said. “Hawai‘i families deserve better than brinksmanship, finger pointing, stalemates, and shutdowns. I appreciate the opportunity to serve on the Select Committee, and look forward to representing the values of Hawai‘i families as we focus on improving the budget and appropriations process.”

“We need to make sure that Congress is focused on working to protect and benefit the middle class and our most vulnerable citizens, not just the wealthiest Americans or biggest corporations – and that work starts with fixing the budget and appropriations process,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. “As leading Democrats in Congress fighting on behalf of the middle class and our most vulnerable citizens across the country, Senators Schatz and Hirono are just the right people we need on this new select committee to get the job done.”

In addition to Senators Schatz and Hirono, Democratic members of the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform include U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.).