Amata Gets a Win for Territories on Day One of 115th Congress
Washington, D.C. –Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, successfully introduced an amendment to the House Rules, which will allow Delegates from the five U.S. territories to act as Chairman of the Committee of the Whole (COTW).
Congresswoman Amata standing in front of the American Samoa Quarter plaque that hangs
in the tunnel between the House Office Buildings, and the U.S. Capitol Building
"While this is just a small improvement to how the Members from the territories are able to participate in House business, it demonstrates the Republican majority's willingness to extend our hand across the aisle and be more inclusive of the territories, who have traditionally been boxed out regardless of the party in the majority," said Amata. "This has been one of my top priorities since first being elected in 2014," continued the Congresswoman.
The Committee of the Whole, abbreviated for Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, is a parliamentary device in which the entire House of Representatives are considered one congressional committee. The presiding officer (Chairman) is chosen by the Speaker of the House and is usually reserved for a member of the majority party who does not hold the chair of a standing committee.
"Any victory for the territories we can get is welcomed, and this small yet significant increase in our level of participation in House business will help us continue to bridge that gap as we move forward," concluded Amata.
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