Hirono, Mazie K.

Mazie Hirono represents Hawaii in the U.S. Senate as a Democrat and serves as ranking member of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support. As the minority party member leading this subcommittee, she shapes oversight of military readiness, defense logistics, and operational capabilities. The Armed Services Committee broadly controls defense policy, military nominations, and Pentagon spending—among Congress's most consequential jurisdictions. Hirono's role means she leads Democratic questioning during hearings, proposes amendments during markups, and coordinates the minority's legislative strategy on defense matters.

Hirono brings substantial legislative experience to her committee work. She served in the Hawaii House of Representatives for 13 years before becoming Hawaii's lieutenant governor, then represented Hawaii's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House for six years before her 2012 Senate election. She is the first Asian-American woman elected to the Senate, the first U.S. senator born in Japan, and the nation's first Buddhist senator. Her background reflects deep roots in Hawaii and progressive advocacy, having been endorsed by Democracy for America for her progressive values.

Throughout her Senate tenure since 2013, Hirono has established herself as an outspoken voice on civil rights and national security matters. During the 2018 Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings, she vocally supported Christine Blasey Ford's sexual assault allegations. Following the January 6 Capitol attack, she called for the resignation of senators who opposed certifying the 2020 election results. In 2021, she sponsored legislation that passed the Senate 94-1 to combat hate crimes against Asian Americans amid COVID-19-related xenophobia. She has also championed voting rights expansion and co-sponsored the Youth Voting Rights Act.

Hirono maintains broad committee assignments spanning Armed Services, Energy and Natural Resources, the Judiciary, Small Business, and Veterans' Affairs. She has won reelection decisively—capturing 71.2 percent of the vote in 2018 and securing a third term in 2024. Her legislative profile combines defense and military oversight with advocacy for civil rights, voting access, and constituent services for Hawaii.