Congressional News Update from Amata  

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amatais highlighting various news from this week in Congress that affects American Samoa. 

 The House Appropriations Committee this week passed two 2026 major appropriations bills that would fund various departments of the U.S. government, to be considered soon by the full House of Representatives. 

These bills are the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; and the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

Additionally, the House named conferees with the Senate to complete the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Acts, 2026. 

“Each of these major appropriations bills are vehicles for funding in American Samoa, including grant programs, all of which start with congressional authorization and appropriations,” said Congresswoman Amata. “More specifically, the House and Senate are set to confer on the bill that directs our nutrition support, and Veterans’ services as authorized by our Veterans’ Affairs Committee legislation, so I am monitoring these bills closely and will keep you informed.”

In other congressional activity, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, of which Amata is a Member, has introduced major legislation reauthorizing the U.S. State Department. This bill, built from the substance of nine other bills throughout the year so far, is scheduled for markup (including committee vote on passage) next week. 

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