Amata Welcomes Passage of Funding Bill to Prevent Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming bipartisan House passage of a stopgap government funding bill, or Continuing Resolution (C.R.), that is widely expected to prevent a government shutdown, since U.S. Senate leaders have already expressed support for the temporary funding extension. The House passed the bill readily by a 336-95 vote on Tuesday, while the potential shutdown deadline had been possible at midnight eastern time on Friday. Now, following the Senate vote, which Majority Leader Charles Schumer has promised this week, the government will be funded beyond the holidays and into early 2024.

“This is a good outcome for American Samoa as our territory relies on dependable federal funding and the services they support,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I am optimistic full year appropriations can be completed during this extension of more than two months. I am also encouraged by the bipartisan consensus in the vote, and the governing dialogue that took place. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson should be congratulated on the passage of his plan, along with many others who had input.”

The bill extends current federal funding through Jan. 19 or Feb. 2, depending on the agency or program. Federal appropriations fall into 12 bills, and under this plan four of those must be completed by Jan. 19:  Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Agriculture, Rural Development and Food and Drug Administration; Energy and Water Development; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. The other eight are through Feb. 2, including the Interior Department which funds ASG in part through the Office of Insular Affairs.

Meanwhile, the C.R. extends authorization of programs in the Farm Bill to Sept. 30, effectively extending the five-year 2018 Farm Bill by a sixth year. The Farm Bill authorizes nutrition assistance programs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including yearly support for American Samoa’s nutrition program, but the appropriations step must still follow congressional authorization.

The House has now passed seven of the 12 bills for 2024, but they must also be passed by the Senate and reach agreement on any differences between the chambers.

Still to be resolved are continued funding efforts in support of Israel and Ukraine.

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