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Amata Welcomes House Passage of American Samoa Disaster Relief

December 21, 2018

Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed House passage of a short-term funding bill to keep the government open, ensure that the Interior Department continues to operate for the Territories, and provide a new disaster relief package for all the major storms and wildfires of 2018, including American Samoa and Cyclone Gita.

"I'm pleased that the House passed this important disaster relief package that would include American Samoa, along with Guam and the Northern Marianas, and the wildfire areas of California," said Aumua Amata. "I strongly support this disaster relief effort, and I want to say thank you to Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, who has championed this effort in Congress. This relief funding will directly help 14 States and Territories who have endured severe cyclones, fires or flooding since the beginning of this year."

House Republicans advanced the bill late Thursday, attempting to prevent a limited government shutdown that would otherwise begin this weekend. Congresswoman Amata strongly backs this effort to include funding for American Samoa that was not in an earlier short-term funding that the Senate passed. The House-amended bill has now been sent back to the Senate for consideration.

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Issues:Budget