Career Timeline of Brian Schatz: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Brian Schatz made an impact.

Brian Schatz is an American politician currently serving as a U.S. Senator for Hawaii since 2012. A Democrat, his political career includes serving in the Hawaii House of Representatives (1998-2006), chairing the Democratic Party of Hawaii (2008-2010), and as the state's Lieutenant Governor (2010-2012). Schatz is a prominent figure in Hawaiian politics and now represents the state in the U.S. Senate.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1972: Attention to Tuskegee experiment

In 1972, public attention was finally brought to the Tuskegee syphilis experiment after Brian Schatz's father, Irwin Schatz, complained about the ethics of the experiment in a 1965 letter that had initially been ignored.

1998: Elected to Hawaii House of Representatives

In 1998, Brian Schatz was elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives, representing the 24th district, after defeating Republican Sam Aiona.

2000: Schatz reelected

In 2000, Brian Schatz was reelected to the Hawaii House of Representatives for the 24th district.

2002: Elected to 25th House district

In 2002, Brian Schatz was elected in the newly redrawn 25th House district, defeating Republican Bill Hols.

2004: Schatz reelected to 25th House district

In 2004, Brian Schatz defeated Republican Tracy Okubo and was reelected to the 25th House district.

December 2006: Founded group to urge Obama to run for president

In December 2006, Brian Schatz founded a group with other Hawaii Democrats to urge Barack Obama to run for president.

April 2008: Started running for chairman

In April 2008, Brian Schatz began running for the position of chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

2008: Spokesman for Obama's campaign in Hawaii

In 2008, Brian Schatz worked as spokesman for Barack Obama's presidential campaign in Hawaii.

2008: Concerns about Steven Mnuchin's business record

In 2017, Schatz raised concerns that Steven Mnuchin pledged to roll back the consumer protections that were put into place to stop the kind of reckless practices that caused the financial crisis in 2008.

January 9, 2010: Schatz stepped down as party chairman

On January 9, 2010, Brian Schatz stepped down as the chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

January 10, 2010: Announcement of Candidacy for Lieutenant Governor

On January 10, 2010, Brian Schatz announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor of Hawaii.

March 2010: Stepped down from Helping Hands to run for lieutenant governor

In March 2010, Schatz stepped down from Helping Hands to run for lieutenant governor.

September 18, 2010: Won the Democratic nomination

On September 18, 2010, Brian Schatz won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor with 34.8% of the vote, becoming Neil Abercrombie's running mate.

December 6, 2010: Inauguration as Lieutenant Governor

On December 6, 2010, Brian Schatz was inaugurated as Hawaii's 11th lieutenant governor alongside Governor Abercrombie.

2010: Resignation and Candidacy for Lieutenant Governor

In 2010, Brian Schatz resigned from his position as CEO of Helping Hands Hawaii to run for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii. He ran as Neil Abercrombie's running mate in the gubernatorial election.

December 26, 2012: Appointment to U.S. Senate

On December 26, 2012, Brian Schatz was appointed by Governor Abercrombie to serve the remainder of Daniel Inouye's U.S. Senate term following Inouye's death. Schatz was the youngest U.S. Senator in the 112th Congress.

2012: Voted against the FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act

In one of his first Senate votes, Schatz voted against the FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012.

April 2013: Hanabusa announced primary challenge

In April 2013, Colleen Hanabusa announced that she would challenge Brian Schatz in the primary election.

April 17, 2013: Voted to expand background checks for gun purchases

On April 17, 2013, Schatz voted to expand background checks for gun purchases.

2013: Voted for gun control bill

In 2013, Brian Schatz voted for a bill banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets.

2013: Native American Veterans' Memorial Amendments Act of 2013

In 2013, Schatz was the primary sponsor for the Native American Veterans' Memorial Amendments Act of 2013.

2013: Promotion of wind turbine subsidies

In 2013, Schatz wrote an op-ed promoting subsidies for wind turbines.

March 2014: Climate Change Talkathon

In March 2014, Brian Schatz was a lead organizer of an overnight talkathon devoted to discussing climate change on the Senate floor.

2014: Won special election

In 2014, Brian Schatz won the special election to complete the remainder of Daniel Inouye's Senate term with just under 70% of the vote.

2014: Schatz campaign focusing on climate change and renewable energy

In 2014, the core of the Schatz campaign was climate change and renewable energy.

2015: Legislation for equal veterans benefits

In 2015, Schatz sponsored legislation to allow married gay couples to have equal access to the veterans benefits and Social Security they have earned.

2016: Advocated for immunity for banks offering services to marijuana businesses

In 2016, Brian Schatz advocated for immunity for banks offering services to marijuana businesses.

2016: Won first full six-year senate term

In 2016, Brian Schatz ran for and easily won his first full six-year Senate term against only nominal opposition.

2016: Schatz reelected

In 2016, Brian Schatz was reelected as senator with 73.6% of the vote.

2016: Chris Murphy gun control filibuster

In 2016, Schatz participated in the Chris Murphy gun control filibuster. He expressed disappointment when the Democrat-proposed Feinstein Amendment and the Republican-supported background check changes and gun sale alert system did not pass the Senate.

October 2017: Condemned Rohingya genocide

In October 2017, Brian Schatz condemned the genocide of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar and called for a stronger response to the crisis.

2017: Opposition to Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Tom Price

In 2017, Schatz expressed concern and voted against Trump's nominee Tom Price for Secretary of Health and Human Services. After Price's resignation, Schatz also voted against Alex Azar for the same position, citing his positions on the Affordable Care Act and the healthcare system.

2017: Statement on Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson

In 2017, Schatz released a statement regarding Trump's Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson, expressing concerns about Tillerson's views on international human rights and foreign policy. Schatz voted against Tillerson's nomination.

2017: Statement on Secretary of the Treasury nominee Steven Mnuchin

In 2017, Schatz released a statement regarding Trump's Secretary of the Treasury nominee Steven Mnuchin, expressing concerns about Mnuchin's business record and predatory tactics. Schatz voted against Mnuchin's confirmation.

2017: Statement on Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch

In 2017, Schatz released a statement regarding Trump's Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, expressing concerns about Gorsuch's independence, fairness, and stance on privacy rights. Schatz ultimately voted against Gorsuch's confirmation.

2017: Opposition to Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions

In 2017, Schatz voted against Trump's Attorney General nominee, Jeff Sessions, citing Sessions' record on civil rights, LGBTQ rights, and criminal justice reform. Schatz also voted against William Barr as Attorney General.

2017: Opposition to Secretary of the Interior nominee Ryan Zinke

In 2017, Schatz voted against Trump's nominee Ryan Zinke for Secretary of the Interior. Schatz also voted against David Bernhardt's nomination to the same position.

2017: Vote to confirm Mike Pompeo as Director of the CIA

In 2017, Schatz voted to confirm Mike Pompeo as Director of the CIA.

2017: Vote to confirm Jim Mattis as Secretary of Defense

In 2017, Schatz voted to confirm Trump's nominee Jim Mattis as Secretary of Defense.

2017: Vote to confirm Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture

In 2017, Schatz voted to confirm Trump's nominee Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture.

2017: Vote to confirm Wilbur Ross as Secretary of Commerce

In 2017, Schatz voted to confirm Trump's nominee Wilbur Ross as Secretary of Commerce.

2017: Response to Las Vegas shooting

In response to the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Schatz advocated for common-sense gun safety laws, stating that more action was needed than just lowering the flag to half-mast.

July 2018: Resolution on Russian questioning of diplomats

In July 2018, Brian Schatz spearheaded a nonbinding resolution "warning President Trump not to let the Russian government question diplomats and other officials". The resolution passed 98-0.

2018: Statement on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh

In 2018, Schatz released a statement regarding Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, expressing concerns about Kavanaugh's record on civil liberties, environmental protection, workers' rights, and reproductive rights. He also called for an FBI investigation into the allegations against Kavanaugh and ultimately voted against his nomination.

2018: Opposition to Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State

In 2018, Schatz stated that he would vote against Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State, reversing his previous vote for Pompeo as CIA Director. Schatz cited Pompeo's tendency towards military provocation and brinkmanship as reasons for his opposition.

April 2019: Bipartisan letter to housing subcommittee

In April 2019, Schatz was one of 41 senators who signed a bipartisan letter to the housing subcommittee. The letter praised the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 4 Capacity Building program. They also expressed disappointment that President Trump's budget slated the program for elimination and hoped the subcommittee would support continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020.

2019: Co-sponsored legislation for background checks

In 2019, Brian Schatz co-sponsored legislation requiring background checks for every firearm sale.

2019: Support for Green New Deal and carbon tax

In 2019, Brian 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.

2019: Vote to confirm Mark Esper as Secretary of Defense

In 2019, after Jim Mattis resigned, Schatz voted to confirm Mark Esper as Secretary of Defense.

August 2020: Climate crisis committee

In August 2020, Brian Schatz was a member of the Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, which published a report of its findings.

2020: Influence on Democratic Primary

According to New York magazine, in 2020, 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.

2020: Statement on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett

In 2020, Schatz opposed Trump's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, arguing that the people should decide who picks the next Supreme Court justice so close to the election. He voted against Barrett's nomination.

2020: Bipartisan letter to housing subcommittee

In April 2019, Schatz was one of 41 senators who signed a bipartisan letter to the housing subcommittee expressing hope that the subcommittee would support continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020.

2021: Co-authored the Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Act

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.

2021: Co-sponsored bipartisan bill

In 2021, Schatz co-sponsored the bipartisan Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021, which became law.

April 2022: Meeting with Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson

In April 2022, Schatz met with Joe Biden's Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, calling her "exceptionally qualified". Schatz voted to confirm Jackson's nomination.

December 20, 2022: Passage of the Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Act

On December 20, 2022, the Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Act, co-authored by Schatz and Senator Todd Young in 2021, passed as part of the $1.7 trillion spending bill (H.R. 2617).

2022: Schatz reelected again

In 2022, Brian Schatz was reelected as senator with 71.2% of the vote.

2022: Involvement in the Inflation Reduction Act

In 2022, Schatz was one of the "Three Climateers" of the Senate, driving and negotiating legislation to address climate change, culminating in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

April 2023: Most popular senator

In April 2023, Morning Consult reported that Schatz was the "most popular" senator in the country, averaging an approval rating of 65% and a disapproval rating of 24%.

2024: Introduced amendment endorsing a Palestinian state

In 2024, Brian 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.

January 2025: Introduced the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA)

In January 2025, Schatz and Senators Chris Murphy, Ted Cruz, and Katie Britt introduced the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA). The act, co-sponsored by other senators, would set a minimum age of 13 to use social media platforms and prevent social media companies from feeding "algorithmically targeted" content to users under 17.

April 2025: Voted for resolution to cancel arms sales to Israel

In April 2025, Brian Schatz voted for a pair of resolutions proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders to cancel the Trump's administration's sales of $8.8 billion in bombs and other munitions to Israel. The proposals were defeated.