We live in highly partisan times. But in the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, distrust and dislike for the other party is rare.

As a member of the committee, my No. 1 priority is to bring federal funds home, knowing that these dollars play a critical role in helping our state solve challenges and seize opportunities.

Take national security. Hawaii hosts the Pacific Command, as well as key bases, installations and training areas for all our military branches.

That makes our state critical to the rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region, which is home to 55 percent of the world’s population, five of seven of the world’s nuclear powers, and a defiant, dangerous North Korea.

As the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, I’m able to make sure that Hawaii’s service to our nation’s security provides economic benefit. On defense projects alone, we recently secured more than $278 million for military projects across Hawaii.

After the Trump administration called for an end to funding for the East-West Center, I worked with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to make sure we got every penny of the $16.7 million the center received last year.

I’m also working to meet Hawaii’s basic infrastructure needs. We recently secured $218 million for our roads, buses, bridges and bike paths, $30 million for shipbuilding, and critical funding for housing, too. And with the new deal made by the Hawaii Legislature, we’re in a good position to continue the flow of federal dollars for the rail project. If all goes to plan, 20 rail stations will serve as the beginning of new neighborhoods and much-needed housing.

Perhaps most importantly, I’m focused on a long-term plan to create opportunities for Hawaii’s local businesses, institutions and families in three key ways.

First, we’re working with local universities to become the lead state in cybersecurity expertise. The idea is to train local young people so that they can graduate with a degree and the skills necessary to get a fulfilling job that pays well. This, in turn, will create a pipeline to both the military and the private sector. After all, cybersecurity is important to everyone who relies on the internet to conduct their business.

Second, we’re building the infrastructure to care for our fast-aging population, especially the high number of veterans who call Hawaii home. We’re working to fund a Veterans Affairs facility on Oahu and coordinating with local universities to educate the nurses, physicians and social workers needed to care for our veterans.

Finally, we’re bringing in dollars to make Hawaii a proving ground for technology. We are the only state committed to achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2045, and federal funds can boost our effort. I fought to increase money for cutting edge energy research and helped secure $55 million in funding for clean energy research for the military, including Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

These are just the highlights. As part of Hawaii’s congressional delegation, I’m part of a team effort to do everything possible to help our state. So while the United States is in a crisis of leadership, and what sometimes feels like a fight for the soul of the country, we are still able to get federal dollars for the things that matter to Hawaii.

It is an honor to serve you. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with my office, or visit www.schatz.senate.gov.

Brian Schatz is one of Hawaii’s two U.S. senators.