Amata Pleased at Passage of Cabotage Language through Senate

Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, was pleased to learn that the Senate passed S. 2360, the Omnibus Territories Act on Thursday morning, and that the bill will now be sent to the House for consideration.

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“I am excited to see that the Senate has acted and passed the Omnibus Territories Act,” stated Amata. “S. 2360 contains language that is identical to the bill I introduced in the House, which addresses the cabotage issue in American Samoa,”

S. 2360 permits the use of foreign aircraft to provide and sustain air commerce in American Samoa between the islands of Tutuila and Manu'a. Previously, foreign carriers were forced to apply for a waiver every 30 days which discouraged new carriers from servicing the route. This bill changes that period from 30 days to 6 months, cutting the red tape and making it less burdensome on the carrier.

The bill also amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1982, to eliminate the restriction on the use of resettlement and relocation funds by people of the Bikini Atoll for resettlement and relocation only to areas within the Marshall Islands.

Lastly, the bill amends the REAL ID Act of 2005 to provide that citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau who have been admitted as nonimmigrants pursuant to a Compact of Free Association are eligible for driver's licenses or personal identification cards.

S. 2360 will now be sent to the House for consideration.

“I want to thank my colleague in the Senate, Senator Murkowski of Alaska for including my language in her bill and for her leadership on the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources. I also want to thank Assistant secretary for Insular Affairs Esther Kia’aina and her team for their hard work in helping get this measure included in the bill. I look forward to seeing it pass quickly through the House and signed into law by President Obama,” concluded Amata.

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