Amata Eager to Return to Legislative Work
Pago Pago –Sunday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, is preparing to return to Washington this week, as Congress returns for one of the final legislative sessions of the 114th Congress.
Amata speaks out in support of the VET Act earlier this summer outside of the U.S. Capitol Bldg
“While it is always a pleasure to be home and hear directly from the people of American Samoa, exactly what is concerning them most, and what our greatest needs are, I know that Washington is where I can best serve,” stated Amata. “I look forward to hopefully seeing a few more of my bills cross the finish line in the next few weeks, and signed into law by President Obama,” continued the Congresswoman.
In the remaining weeks of September the House will meet for legislative business, and the Congresswoman is looking to see her bill, H.R. 4576, the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act, which will help to ensure access to Pacific waters for the local fishing industry, pass through the House and Senate and sent to the President’s desk for signing.
The Congresswoman is also looking forward to seeing her language to ease local cabotage regulations, which prevent new carriers from utilizing local air traffic routes in American Samoa, included in Senator Murkowski’s Territories Omnibus bill out of the Senate and through the House. The Congresswoman’s language would ease the red tape and burdens opposed on outside carriers, by allowing them to apply for a waiver every 6 months instead of the current 30 days.
Congresswoman Amata also continues to work to assist our veterans obtain the benefits and services they have so rightfully earned. “I chose my committee assignments very carefully when I was first elected to represent the people of American Samoa,” stated Amata. “My position on the House Veterans Affairs Committee allows me to take part, first-hand, in the policies and laws that directly affect those who sacrificed so much for our nation, and I will continue to do all I can to make sure that our veterans here at home are given those same benefits and services as their counterparts in the states,” continued Amata.
Currently, the House Veterans Affairs Committee has 30 bills pending in the Senate. However, the committee will move forward on several other bills in the coming weeks, including an extension of expiring authorities’ bill, which is ready for action. The bill would extend specified Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs, to allow for continued funding.
Work continues in the House Committee on Small Business, where the Congresswoman is working to ensure that local small businesses have access to all Small Business Administration (SBA) programs and benefits, including issues such as EB-5, and loan programs for the islands small businesses.
“Time moves fast in Congress, and you need to do all you can in that short period of time to ensure that you are representing those who elected you to your full ability,” stated Amata. “While I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish together, in just a little over a year and a half, such as the significant increase to secondary and elementary education funding for our local schools, I am even more excited and eager to get back to Washington, and continue this important work for the people of American Samoa, as there is still much left to do,” concluded Amata.
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