About

Chairman

Senator Brian Schatz

Brian Schatz is Hawaii’s senior United States Senator. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Schatz is committed to advancing Native priorities and honoring the federal trust responsibility to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.

In addition to the Indian Affairs Committee, Senator Schatz serves on the Appropriations Committee; the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; the Foreign Relations Committee; and the Select Committee on Ethics.  He also serves on the Senate Democratic Caucus’s leadership team as Chief Deputy Whip.

Prior to his service in Congress, Senator Schatz was Hawai‘i’s Lieutenant Governor and served for eight years in the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives. 

Senator Schatz grew up in Honolulu, and received his bachelor’s degree from Pomona College.  He is married to Linda Schatz, an architect.  They have a son and a daughter.

Current & Former Chairs of the Committee

Name Party - State Time Period
Brian Schatz
(D - Hawai'i)
2021 - Present
John Hoeven
(R - North Dakota)
2017 - 2012
John Barrasso
(R - Wyoming)
2015 - 2017
Jon Tester
(D - Montana)
2014 - 2015
Maria Cantwell
(D - Washington)
2013 - 2014
Daniel K. Akaka
(D - Hawai'i)
2011 - 2013
Byron L. Dorgan
(D - North Dakota)
2007 - 2011
John McCain
(R - Arizona)
2005 - 2007
Ben Nighthorse Campbell
(R - Colorado)
2003 - 2005
Daniel K. Inouye
(D - Hawai'i)
2001 - 2003
Ben Nighthorse Campbell
(R - Colorado)
1997 - 2001
John McCain
(R - Arizona)
1995 - 1997
Daniel K. Inouye
(D - Hawai'i)
1987 - 1995
Mark Andrews
(R - North Dakota)
1983 - 1987
William S. Cohen
(R - Maine)
1981 - 1983
John Melcher
(D - Montana)
1979 - 1981
James Abourezk
(D - South Dakota)
1977 - 1979