Natural Resources
Natural Resources is important to the growth and stability of American Samoa's economy.
More on Natural Resources
Pago Pago – This week, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed the opportunity to speak to the 40th meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, including highlighting bipartisan federal legislation promoting the long-term health of our coral reefs.
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed two significant developments for American Samoa, at Amata's request, in the Senate Interior Appropriations bill led by Chairman Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. The bill, unanimously approved with a vote of 31-0 by the Appropriations Committee, includes a $718,000 increase for American Samoa Government operations, and mandates an official report to Congress on the needs of the LBJ Tropical Medical Center.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed reintroduction of the Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5996) to boost federal funding and key preservation measures for coral reefs.
Congresswoman Amata is an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation, which was introduced by Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) and has unanimous support from the insular representatives of all the island Territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata voted to permanently preserve and protect a historic site in Kentucky under the mission of the National Park Service, as the Natural Resources Committee advanced six bills, and highlighted our own National Park of American Samoa.
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata and the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs examined two legislative solutions to localized concerns, one in Alaska and one on Native American lands throughout the country.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata cosponsored and highlighted a bill unanimously passed by the Natural Resources Committee to expand and improve the Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) program. The bill creates more opportunities for veterans, strengthens national parks, encourages outdoor activities, and offers interesting career pathway experiences for youth.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata voted on 15 bills in the Natural Resources Committee, as part of the Committee's final series of votes for 2017, including passage of the "National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System Act" with the Bordallo-Radewagen Amendment to study placing a Pacific warning system in American Samoa, Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands.
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata highlighted Natural Resources Committee efforts to lay a groundwork for updating the U.S. Department of Interior and its services for the 21st century.
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.