Press Releases
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata highlighted the specific improvements to American Samoa's Medicaid in this two-year Congress, which made two major reforms that directly benefit American Samoa. First, instead of the longstanding 55-45 percent split, American Samoa benefits from a much better long term 83-17 percent split, in which the federal government takes on the "lion's share" of 83 percent of the cost.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata updated the status of the Small Business Administration (SBA) economic aid for American Samoa's small businesses and nonprofits.
American Samoa's total increased again from the last report of $21.5 million to just over $23 million, another increase of $1.5 million in two programs that have combined for 445 local loans. Loans are through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which is now paused, and the ongoing Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program.
Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata recognized Purple Heart Day 2020 and honored American Samoa's Purple Heart Veterans.
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is highlighting the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which supports the National Park of American Samoa, and the important Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
The bipartisan GAOA, which President Trump signed into law this week, is described as the most substantial conservation legislation in a generation, and hailed as "a conservationist's dream" by the National Parks Conservation Association.
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata highlighted the birthday of the United States Coast Guard, established on August 4, 1790.
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is reminding any remaining small businesses and employers that the current deadline for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan is August 8, and highlighting information regarding forgiveness of some loans.
Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed a discretionary grant through the Pacific Basin program for the American Samoa Department of Health.
The health services grant entitled Health Centers is for a total of $2,343,073 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA).
Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata and Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02) worked together in introducing the bipartisan Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health – Veterans Enhanced Treatment Report Act (the REACH VET Report Act).
Their legislation would seek improvement and require the Veterans Administration (VA) to report in detail on REACH VET, an important predictive analytics suicide prevention program they manage.
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata took part in a vote and mark up of bills in the House Veterans' Affairs Committee (HVAC). She highlighted four Veterans bills she recently cosponsored, including two passed Thursday by the Committee.
"These bills support our Veterans in several ways," said Aumua Amata. "These include a job skills program, innovative mental health efforts, the overall mission of the VA, and an expansion of who qualifies as a Vietnam Veteran. We have a national commitment to our Veterans."
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata updated the growing Small Business Administration (SBA) economic aid for American Samoa's small businesses and nonprofits.
American Samoa's total increased from the last report of $19 million to over $21.5 million ($21,501,368), with all of that $2.5 million increase in two loan programs, as the emergency advances are no longer offered.