Amata Welcomes Final Passage of Government Funding Extension That Prevents Shutdown  

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming Tuesday’s final passage by a bipartisan vote of 370-48 of the government funding extension, which was necessary to keep the federal government open after September 30. The House passed the bill that the Senate had passed in August, sending it to President Trump to be signed into law. Upon signing, the government will be funded through December 11. 

“This is good news because it prevents a shutdown at the end of September, and preserves our current funding,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “American Samoa relies on federal funding for essential services, and I’m very pleased we won’t have a shutdown at the end of the fiscal year. Instead, this provides more time to work on full year appropriations.”

Congresswoman Amata supports passage of the full appropriations bills for planning and stability, and especially because they include two of Amata’s requests for American Samoa: $1 million additional for American Samoa operations through OIA, and $1 million for port infrastructure requested cooperatively as a community project by Congresswoman Amata with Governor Pulaali’i and Director Barney Sene.

The House has completed committee work on all 12 appropriations bills, including Amata’s requested funding projects, but bicameral passage of all 12 is required to fully fund the government for 2027. Under the extension, American Samoa’s current 2026 funding levels continue an additional two and a half months. 

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