Amata Welcomes US Signaling Commitment to the Pacific

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming U.S. commitment in the Pacific region signaled by Vice President Kamala Harris’s speech Tuesday to the Pacific Islands Forum. Speaking remotely, Vice President Harris addressed the annual leaders meeting of these nations, which assembled in Suva, Fiji, where Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited earlier in the year. President Biden spoke to the same group last year.

“I’m increasingly optimistic that the U.S. is recognizing the need for thorough engagement in the Pacific, and I appreciate that Vice President Harris outlined further U.S. commitments in our region,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “This is a U.S. priority I’ve highlighted repeatedly in recent years, as the times call for more U.S. attention to Pacific alliances and strategic realities. As a co-chair of the House Pacific Islands Caucus, along with its founder Congressman Ed Case and others, I look forward to continued efforts in Congress to strengthen U.S. involvement in the Pacific.”

Vice President Harris acknowledged the United States has not always provided the necessary diplomatic involvement in the region, and offered a number of steps to boost future diplomacy, including a permanent Envoy to the Forum starting next year, embassies in Kiribati and Tonga, reestablishment of the Peace Corps efforts in the region, partnering in the Blue Pacific initiative, adding USAID efforts based in Fiji, and boosting the budget of Coast Guard operations in the region.

“American Samoa is well situated to have a role in ongoing U.S. efforts, as the only U.S. territory in the southern hemisphere,” noted Congresswoman Amata. “Our excellent natural harbor would be an ideal base for U.S. Coast Guard vessels, and with investment and telehealth, a new state-of-the-art medical center would boost health services to people throughout our region, and be a U.S. beacon in the southern hemisphere.”

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