Hanabusa defends limited introduction of bills

Outgoing Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii) defended not prioritizing bill introductions during her time in the House, saying they often amounted to “photo ops and big pronouncements.”

In an interview published Monday, Hanabusa said she had been asked “over and over again” why she didn’t introduce bills even just for the sake of it. 

{mosads}”I’ve never been one for photo ops and big pronouncements. I’ve been asked over and over again why I don’t introduce bills just so I can say I introduced them, no matter whether they can pass or not. I let other people do that. I try to demonstrate that I care and I understand people’s needs by doing the work. That hasn’t changed,” Hanabusa said.

Hanabusa has introduced 11 bills in the 113th Congress and only five in her first term, according to Congress.gov.

The Hawaii Democrat, who has served since 2011, was defeated in the Hawaii Democratic Senate primary this year by incumbent Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). 

The late Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), who died in 2012, had wanted Hanabusa to be his successor. But Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D) appointed Schatz, then his lieutenant governor, despite those wishes.

Hanabusa attributed her defeat in this year’s primary partly to the money disadvantage she faced against Schatz.

“I think in this race, money made a big difference. You and I both know that it’s much, much easier to raise money as an incumbent. I was outraised three or four to one, which makes it tough,” Hanabusa said.