Brian Schatz Quotes

Powerful Brian Schatz for Daily Growth

About Brian Schatz

Brian Schatz is an influential American politician, attorney, and author who serves as the senior United States Senator from Hawaii since January 2013. Born on June 20, 1972, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Schatz was raised in a politically active family – his father, Leonard Schatz, was an influential Democratic political figure in Hawaii, and his mother, Helen Schatz, was a school teacher. After graduating from Punahou School, a prestigious private school in Honolulu, Schatz attended the University of Michigan where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. He later went on to attend the William & Mary Law School and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1997. Schatz's political career began when he was appointed as the Director of Legislative Planning for Hawaii Governor Ben Cayetano. He then served as the Majority Leader in the Hawaii State Senate from 2006 to 2012, before being appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the resignation of Daniel Inouye. As a senator, Schatz has been a strong advocate for climate change action, LGBTQ+ rights, and healthcare reform. He is also known for his authoritative work on cybersecurity issues. In terms of his literary contributions, Schatz co-authored the book "The New New Deal: Recovering America from Wall Street's Crash" with Senator Elizabeth Warren in 2012. The book outlines policy proposals to address economic inequality and protect consumers from financial abuses. His writings reflect his political values and demonstrate his commitment to serving the public good. Schatz's life and career are marked by a dedication to public service, a strong sense of social justice, and a deep understanding of the issues that affect his constituents in Hawaii and Americans across the nation.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We can't solve problems by making the problems smaller. We need big, bold ideas."

This quote emphasizes that simple solutions or mere reduction of the scale of issues won't suffice to tackle complex problems effectively. Instead, we should aim for innovative, comprehensive, and impactful strategies to bring about meaningful change. In essence, it suggests that when faced with challenges, it's better to think big, be bold in our approach, and strive for transformative solutions rather than incremental ones.


"I believe in the power of ordinary people to do extraordinary things."

This quote underscores the profound belief that individuals with seemingly ordinary abilities possess the potential to achieve remarkable feats. It emphasizes that every person, regardless of their status or circumstances, can make a significant impact when they apply themselves, collaborate, and believe in their own capabilities. The idea is to inspire people to embrace their potential and strive for greatness, even in the face of adversity.


"The real measure of our success is how we lift up those who are struggling."

This quote by Brian Schatz emphasizes a values-driven approach to success, where the true test lies in uplifting those who are facing challenges or hardships. It suggests that success should be gauged not only by personal achievements but also by our impact on others, particularly those less fortunate. In essence, it's a call to remember compassion and empathy when defining and measuring individual or collective success, making society as a whole more equitable and inclusive.


"In times of crisis, it's natural to want to find a scapegoat. But what's important is that we focus on the solutions and not the blame."

This quote highlights the tendency during crises for individuals or societies to seek someone or something to blame rather than focusing on finding effective solutions. The message encourages us to channel our energy towards problem-solving instead of engaging in finger-pointing, as it's more productive and beneficial for resolving the issue at hand.


"There is no such thing as a quick fix or an easy solution to our biggest challenges. We need sustained commitment and a clear vision for the future."

This quote by Brian Schatz suggests that addressing complex issues, especially those that are significant in scale, requires persistence and a well-defined vision for the long term. It implies that there are no shortcuts or simple answers to our most pressing problems; instead, we must invest time, effort, and resources into finding comprehensive and sustainable solutions. This commitment should be informed by a clear understanding of where we want to go and what we aspire to achieve in the future.


When former president Lyndon B. Johnson unveiled his plans for the program that would become Medicaid, he reflected on the future of public policy in the United States.

- Brian Schatz

United, United States, Public Policy

The filibuster is used more aggressively, so I think doing each individual appropriations bill through regular order would be a home run. But I think that we should try to hit a few singles.

- Brian Schatz

Doing, Through, I Think, Filibuster

If someone wants to do a carbon fee and someone else wants to do a cap on emissions or a renewable portfolio standard, we don't start labeling each other as more or less progressive.

- Brian Schatz

More, Other, Standard, Progressive

While some members of Congress have attempted to stall progress on climate change, their actions amount to little more than political theater. We will not abandon our responsibility to our children and grandchildren, nor will we cede global leadership on the defining issue of our time.

- Brian Schatz

Political, Some, Congress, Defining

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent allied with Democrats, has championed Medicare for All, which would give every American coverage through the federal health insurance program for seniors. Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow wants Medicare coverage for anyone over the age of 55.

- Brian Schatz

Insurance, Seniors, Through, Allied

A missile attack is federal. A missile attack is not a local responsibility. Confirmation and notification of something like a missile attack should reside with the agency that knows first and knows for sure: in other words, the people who know should be the people who tell us.

- Brian Schatz

Other, Sure, Agency, Confirmation

Hawaii feels so passionately about climate. You know, our oceans are warming. As a result, we have more ocean acidification and coral bleaching. You can actually see it.

- Brian Schatz

Hawaii, Feels, Passionately, Oceans

I have served in the Senate since December 2012 with seats on the Appropriations and Commerce committees and previously served as the lieutenant governor and in the state House. These positions provided me insights on Hawaii's priorities and how to effectively work with stakeholders to achieve meaningful results.

- Brian Schatz

Achieve, Lieutenant, Committees

It is certainly not news that the president is making mistakes; that he's been intemperate. I think what shouldn't be lost on the American people is that his first tweet around tapes was essentially designed to intimidate James Comey.

- Brian Schatz

Making Mistakes, Been, Tapes, Intimidate

To address the open question of whether we are addicted to technological devices and platforms, Congress must understand the current scientific consensus, potential gaps in research, and the best way to build a body of evidence that can inform effective policymaking.

- Brian Schatz

Evidence, Best Way, Inform, Platforms

The East-West Center directly supports the U.S. rebalance to the Asia Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue with countries in the region.

- Brian Schatz

Study, Through, Center, Supports

Americans are worried about climate change because they can already witness its effects. They see its signature in the drought in California, where record heat has dried the state's fertile soil.

- Brian Schatz

Change, Heat, Signature, Dried

I think there's a short-term legislative strategy. I think there's a longer-term legislative strategy in terms of enshrining net neutrality principles into law rather than a rule, and I think there's an election strategy.

- Brian Schatz

Law, Think, I Think, Legislative

Congressman Bridenstine's legislative record and his own testimony during his nomination hearing show that he rejects NASA's role in earth science, adopts industry perspectives without critical analysis, and embraces extreme and divisive social views. NASA deserves better.

- Brian Schatz

Role, Critical, Divisive, Legislative

Our objective should be to have a competition of ideas... I think it's a golden age in terms of policy ideas when it comes to Democrats and health care.

- Brian Schatz

Think, Democrats, I Think, Golden Age

The U.S. must continue to carefully withdraw troops from Afghanistan at a pace based on assessment of the ground conditions so we do not leave our Afghan partners unable to guarantee long-term security or risk Afghanistan becoming a terrorist safe haven again.

- Brian Schatz

Guarantee, Becoming, Troops, Safe Haven

On a mild day in January 2011, Republicans in the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. It was the first of more than 80 attempts to dismantle the landmark law.

- Brian Schatz

Law, Affordable, Republicans, Dismantle

America's brightest minds are charting a course to a clean energy future that will provide for our health, safety, and prosperity.

- Brian Schatz

Health, Will, Clean Energy, Brightest

I think there are districts - a lot of them - where Donald Trump is deeply unpopular, and tying your opponent to Donald Trump's unpopularity is a winning strategy. But that's not true for every district.

- Brian Schatz

Think, Trump, Donald, Unpopular

I'm saying that when a publicly traded company says something doesn't make a difference in terms of their investments, I trust that they are representing those facts accurately.

- Brian Schatz

Trust, Traded, Representing, Make A Difference

I support the administrative rules promulgated by the Department of the Interior which permit a Native Hawaiian government to establish a relationship with the U.S. government. If Native Hawaiians form a government consistent with those rules and seek federal recognition, I would likely support the request.

- Brian Schatz

Recognition, Rules, Request, Department

When we worked with the organization that represents students, they were unequivocal: They want debt-free college. And for many of those students, that has to include the total cost of attendance.

- Brian Schatz

College, Cost, Include, Unequivocal

Anybody who thinks that they should lead the country should go ahead and put their hat in the ring. I am not among them. And I want to be unequivocal about that. There are no circumstances. I don't want to be coy about this.

- Brian Schatz

Ring, Country, Anybody, Unequivocal

When the Obama administration passed the net neutrality rules in 2015, even when we were winning, I favored trying to get these rules in a statute, because I feel that the best way to establish predictability for the marketplace is to make sure they're not subject to the whims of a partisan vote at the FCC.

- Brian Schatz

Best Way, Administration, Establish

Millions of Americans have bad credit because of mistakes from credit agencies, and it can ruin lives, stopping people from getting a job or owning a home or car.

- Brian Schatz

Mistakes, Bad, Lives, Ruin

The tendency among Democrats, especially after a devastating loss, is to come up with either a new individual to lead us, a new strategy, a new slogan.

- Brian Schatz

New, Individual, Tendency, Slogan

Because these credit agencies operate in the dark, they are allowed to be terribly unfair and unaccountable.

- Brian Schatz

Dark, Operate, Allowed, Unaccountable

Americans know our only response in the face of mounting risks from climate change must be the swift transition to a clean energy economy. We do not have the luxury of burying our heads in the sand.

- Brian Schatz

Clean Energy, Burying, Transition

It's important and good to email the Federal Communications Commission, and it's important and good to educate your friends via social media about what's happening. But in a representative democracy, the way to get policy changes is through elections.

- Brian Schatz

Changes, Through, About, Social Media

That's how the Pell Grant system works, in that you get a flat dollar amount, and you can use it for tuition or room and board.

- Brian Schatz

Pell, Amount, Works, Board

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