Amata Meets with American Samoa Homeland Security Grants Administrator Lisa Tuato’o on Legislative Priorities
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata enjoyed welcoming American Samoa Homeland Security Grants Administrator Lisa Tuato'o during her visit to Washington, and met with her in American Samoa's congressional office to discuss the year ahead funding and legislative priorities of the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security, led by Director Samana Semo Ve'ave'a.
"I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Administrator Lisa Tuato'o and hear directly from her regarding the Department's federal funding priorities," said Aumua Amata. "These are important programs in the event of disasters, and it's essential to have preparations in place that are impossible without yearly federal support to the Territory."
Congresswoman Amata and Administrator Lisa Tuato'o during her visit to the U.S. Capitol
The federal grants to the Territory's Department of Homeland Security are funded each year within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget, as passed by Congress in a major appropriations bill. That process is just beginning again for the next fiscal year, and in developing that legislation, Congress will analyze the President's budget request for the Department, the past year's appropriations and any new factors.
Administrator Tuato'o shared the funding priorities as outlined by the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA). The Association has testified in Congress on the cost and response to the nation's 2018 disasters, which includes Storm Gita and the Pacific storms that impacted CNMI and Guam.
###