I will continue to work on the Appropriations Committee to secure federal funding so that DoD’s budget reflects its commitment to regaining that trust and rectifying their wrongs at Red Hill.
Continue working on the Appropriations Committee to secure federal funding so the Defense Department rectifies its wrongs at Red Hill and rebuilds trust in Hawaii.
Occurrences
Evidence
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
Schatz’s Senate office said that, as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he secured new and increased federal funding for Hawai‘i priorities. The bill included new funding to defuel and shut down Red Hill, including a $1 billion Red Hill Recovery Fund to enable the Navy and Joint Task Force Red Hill to defuel and shut down the facility, support DoD compliance with Hawai‘i Department of Health standards, and support environmental monitoring and health remediation. It also included $25 million for a Red Hill Water Treatment Facility.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill states that it remains committed to open communication and collaboration with the community, continues to engage community leaders, stakeholders, and regulators, and uses forums to communicate progress and challenges and listen to input. The page lists neighborhood board/community association meetings on 08 SEPT in Aiea and 10 SEPT in Ewa & Salt Lake, plus a Sept. 17 open house/town hall on decommissioning and drinking water safety.
Assessments
Schatz materially advanced the promise in his federal Senate role by using his Appropriations Committee position to secure major Red Hill funding, including the $1 billion Red Hill Recovery Fund and $25 million for water treatment planning tied to defueling, shutdown, monitoring, remediation, and compliance with Hawaii DOH standards. The promised end state was broader than appropriations alone: DoD completed defueling in March 2024, but permanent closure, environmental remediation, and public trust rebuilding were still active as of September 2026. That supports substantial same-term progress but not full delivery of the rectification-and-trust outcome.