Hirono Appointed Chair of Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness & Management Support

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was named Chair of the Committee’s Subcommittee on Readiness & Management Support for the 118^th Congress. The Readiness Subcommittee oversees the capabilities and preparedness of U.S. Armed Forces and has jurisdiction over military training, logistics, and maintenance; military construction; base housing construction and privatization; contracting and acquisition policy; business and financial management; base realignment and closure; and defense energy and environmental programs.

As Chair of the Subcommittee, Senator Hirono will build on her work to safely and quickly defuel the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu and advance other critical military infrastructure projects across Hawaii and the country, and strengthen the Department of Defense’s (DOD) work to combat climate change. In addition to serving as Chair of Readiness, Senator Hirono will also remain on the Committee’s Seapower and Personnel Subcommittees.

“As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I’m working to ensure our military is always ready and able to defend our nation and that our servicemembers and their families receive the support they deserve—and I appreciate the opportunity to serve as Chair of the Readiness Subcommittee in order to continue advancing these priorities,” said Senator Hirono. “As Chair, I will be focused on overseeing the safe closure of Red Hill, rebuilding and modernizing military infrastructure, and strengthening DOD’s work to combat climate change. I thank Senator Kaine for his leadership of this important Subcommittee over the past two years and I look forward to working with Ranking Member Sullivan and our colleagues to support our servicemembers and defend our national security.”

Senator Hirono’s appointment as Chair of the Readiness Subcommittee follows her successful inclusion of several priorities that fall within the Subcommittee’s jurisdiction in the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which was signed into law in December. As part of the NDAA, Senator Hirono secured authorization for several key provisions. Some of the many priorities are included below. A full list of wins is available here.

• $1 billion for the defueling and closure of Red Hill;
• More than $815 million for military infrastructure projects in Hawaii;
• More than $200 million for environmental sustainability and climate resilience projects in Hawaii.

Video of Senator Hirono discussing the Committee appointment is available here

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