Amata Emphasizes the Territories’ Shared Challenges in Committee Hearing
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.
"While Irma and Maria were two of the worst hurricanes in recent history, the fact remains that the insular territories are no strangers to natural disasters," said Aumua Amata. "Hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other disasters are an unfortunate part of the natural order of living on an island, making it imperative that we do all we can to prepare for them in advance. The insular territories are particularly susceptible, as they are isolated from receiving help from the rest of the country and often suffer more damage from disasters based on their relative size. We will do everything we can to help Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands get back on their feet, but we cannot stop there. We need to strengthen infrastructure and foster stability in all the territories before the next disaster."
On Nov. 14, the Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight hearing titled "The Need for Transparent Financial Accountability in Territories' Disaster Recovery Efforts." The Committee heard testimony directly from the two territories' governors: The Honorable Ricardo Rosselló, Governor of Puerto Rico; and the Honorable Kenneth Mapp, Governor of the United States Virgin Islands. The hearing focused on where recovery support is most needed, and efforts to prevent spending waste through oversight.
In her exchange of remarks with Governor Mapp, Congresswoman Amata focused attention on American Samoa and the Virgin Islands shared difficulty spending down Medicaid funds granted under the ACA, due to lack of resources and matching fund requirements, and the concept of an extension for the funds expiring in 2019, along with the need for equitable treatment with the states.
###