Budget
More on Budget
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata said that American Samoa can now expect a second straight year of record federal funding in 2021 — up to an approximate $511 million in special funding and a new education investment of up to $150 million in American Samoa — as part of the $1.9 trillion relief package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and sent to President Biden to be signed into law.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata welcomed the announcement by the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) of transmitting over $16.7 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Interior to the American Samoa Government for Operations. Congress appropriates these annual funds, and at Amata's request each of the past four years, Congress has both added to the ASG Operations budget and restored millions in proposed cuts yearly. Amata-requested direct increases over four years include $250,000, $718,000, $400,000, and $500,000.
Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata highlighted the signing into law of several priorities that she has supported for American Samoa, and said she would welcome rapid congressional action to boost direct payments to $2,000, and is monitoring that effort. Under the new law, $600 will be sent out.
Pago Pago — Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed another CARES Act grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of $529,150, part of a third wave of HUD funding that included American Samoa in each step, as announced by Secretary Dr. Ben Carson.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed a notification that the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) is providing federal funds of $713,125 to the American Samoa Government (ASG) through the Office of Insular Affairs' (OIA) Maintenance Assistance Program to assist in several improvement projects.
Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed House passage Friday of her request in Interior Appropriations for American Samoa, which would be a fourth straight yearly increase for American Samoa's budget. This increase is over $3 million more than the federal budget proposal that came from the Interior Department, and $500,000 more than the most recent final appropriated amount.
Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed a successful first step this week for the major appropriations bill that will fund Interior Appropriations for American Samoa, and said the House bill writers have included her request for a fourth straight yearly increase for American Samoa's budget. This increase is over $3 million more than the federal budget proposal that came from the Interior Department, and $500,000 more than the most recent final appropriated amount.
Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is releasing the following statement regarding efforts in Congress toward a new round of economic relief:
Laumua i Uosigitone – Aso Tofi, Ua talisapai e le Tamaitaikonekeresi ia Aumua Amata le $45.6 miliona o tupe feterale mai le Tulafono CARES e lagolagosua i aoga i totonu o Amerika Samoa e ala atu i Seleni e Faamausali ai A'oa'oga.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming a CARES Act grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of $266,229 through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
HUD, led by Secretary Dr. Ben Carson, was also the first federal agency to announce CARES Act funding in American Samoa right after that major legislation became law on March 27, freeing up over $801,685 in two coronavirus-related assistance grants at that time.