Amata Highlights Senate Passage of Infrastructure Funds for American Samoa

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is highlighting Senate passage of an infrastructure bill with $50 million plus additional grant funding for American Samoa. The bill, led by a bipartisan group of eight negotiators, was passed by the U.S. Senate, and must now go to the House. It provides $550 billion nationwide in new appropriations aimed at restoring and improving infrastructure, including roads, bridges, broadband, ports, airports and other aspects.

"I welcome Senate passage of over $50 million for American Samoa in highway, road and bridge money over the next 5 years under the new formula that, along with my territorial colleagues, we advocated for successfully — a 200 percent increase from the last formula," said Congresswoman Amata. "Millions more will become available in grants over time from federal departments and agencies, especially investment in broadband, safe drinking water and improvements to sewer infrastructure."

The bill would provide around $50 million directly for American Samoa, through a population-based split among the four smaller territories, but then also provides funding for grant programs that would be in addition to that formula.

"It's a good sign when legislation can achieve some bipartisan support," Amata continued. "Congratulations to Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona) for their leadership. I support investment in American Samoa, especially infrastructure projects that can last."

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the bill is structured to increase the federal deficit by less than half of its $550 billion in new infrastructure spending, and Senators leading the bill say the economic outcomes from better infrastructure will defray costs by many millions more than that estimate.

"We will be happy to welcome new infrastructure funding for our islands, but will continue to fight for the most critical infrastructure project of all, improvements to our hospital," she concluded.

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