House Passes Debt Ceiling Bill

Ensures Funding Stability for American Samoa

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata highlighted House passage of the debt ceiling increase legislation, the Fiscal Responsibility Act (H.R. 3746), providing for much of the next two years, while trimming federal spending. The compromise passed 314-117 with a bipartisan majority, although it was opposed by dozens of Members on both ends of the political divide in Congress. It is expected to pass the Senate in the same manner. 

“I had confidence that President Biden and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy would eventually reach a necessary compromise, and Congress would pass it,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I’m encouraged to know that American Samoa’s funding will be secure and that the debt ceiling will not cause any delays. The bill does protect funds for seniors, veterans, national security, and preserving Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.”

“From our standpoint in American Samoa, we want certainty in federal funding for our territory, to preserve our improvements in recent years, and we also recognize how everyone depends on the long term fiscal health of the country,” noted Amata. “Following record spending during the pandemic, we’ll see more debates along this same divide in the next round of appropriations, but I will keep my focus on American Samoa.”

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