Natural Resources

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata emphasized in the Natural Resources Committee hearing several shared challenges that the territories face. In her questioning of witnesses, she urged support for strong infrastructure in the territories and equitable health care treatment with the states, and highlighted American Samoa's shared need with the U.S. Virgin Islands for a 2019 Medicaid extension to spend down funds. Finally, the territories also share a similar need for economic development tax credit initiatives in any final major tax legislation.

Washington, D.C. – Saturday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata delivered the Congressional Western Caucus Weekly Address, in which she highlighted recent legislation passed by the Natural Resources Committee that would ensure future marine monuments could only be created with local/territorial input and through congressional action. In her speech, she shares remarks about American Samoa's traditional fishing and Fa'a Samoa with the Western Caucus viewership.

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata voted for the National Monument Creation and Protection Act, which was marked up and passed by the Natural Resources Committee, to ensure thorough oversight of future monument designations.

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata voted in the markup and passage of nine bills by the Natural Resources Committee.

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed action by the House Natural Resources Committee, which passed a bill including language she authored to protect the territory from unnecessary fishing restrictions being imposed by a federal agency without American Samoa's agreement.

Washington, D.C. –Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata at a Natural Resources subcommittee hearing today, strenuously objected to the lack of local input, transparency and scientific scrutiny in the marine monument designation process. The Congresswoman's sentiments were echoed by her colleagues on the committee, as well as the majority of the expert panelists who were invited to participate. Click here to read the committee's full report.

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, and colleagues from the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, which has oversight over the U.S. territories, will arrive in Pago Sunday on the first leg of a fact finding trip to the U.S. Pacific territories. They will overnight Sunday and Monday before departing for Saipan in the Western Pacific.

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, issued the following statement regarding her assignment to two Subcommittees on the House Committee on Natural Resources for the 115^th Congress by Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (UT).