Amata-Requested Budget Boost for American Samoa in Appropriations Package
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata said her request for a third straight year of additional funds for American Samoa's operations is in the final appropriations bill in Congress. It provides about $2.6 million more than the federal budget plan proposed for American Samoa Government, instead boosting the operations budget by another $400,000 this year, following increases of $718,000 and $250,000 the past two years, all supported with Amata's requests.
"The House passed the bill, so we fully expect to finish up quickly and send it to the President to become law," said Aumua Amata. "I'm pleased that we were able to restore the nearly $2.6 million in proposed cuts, and instead add funds for the third straight year."
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Murkowski with Congresswoman Amata in the White House.
With this budget increase, the bill will provide $24,120,000 for operations grants to American Samoa. That is $400,000 above the enacted level the prior year and specifically $2,591,000 above the request. This increase began with the Senate Energy/Interior Appropriations bill led by Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and was included by appropriators, respectively Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) in the Senate and Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) in the House, along with backing from many of Amata's colleagues along the way.
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