Press Releases
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata provided a weekly update of the Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance programs for American Samoa, and said the combined total is now $12.2 million. That total is now 226 loans in two programs along with 132 emergency advances for a new sum of $12,259,865 in assistance. This includes both the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program, to which SBA helpfully broadened access this week.
Pago Pago – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata spoke remotely to the Territory's group examining broadband strategy, and announced she is cosponsoring legislation that would support cybersecurity, and fund a $750 million national grant program toward the eventual deployment and use of widespread 5G Networks.
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming a grant of $1,525,599.77 for the Port Administration from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These federal dollars support dredging work based on Tropical Storm Gita damages in the village of Faleasao, Manu'a, island of Ta'u.
"Congratulations to Port Director Taimaleleagi Dr. Claire Poumele and her team for these funds," said Aumua Amata. "Thank you for this important work."
Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcomed a decision by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to broaden access to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, reopening the program to eligible small businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19 business losses. Congresswoman Amata called for this action in a letter last week along with other leaders of the House Small Business Committee. SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced the expanded access to EIDL late Monday.
Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata provided an update of the Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance programs for American Samoa. The combined total is now 192 loans with another weekly increase of 17 approvals, arriving at a new sum of $10,210,623. This includes both the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the currently more narrowly targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program.
Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is the original cosponsor on a bill introduced in May with Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan of CNMI to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational opportunities in American Samoa and the Northern Marianas.
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is honoring the 245th anniversary of the Army, in advance of June 14th, which marks the founding of the Army in 1775. June 14th also commemorates the nation's adoption of the U.S. flag in 1777. She released the following statement:
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata has taken part in an oversight letter this week from the leadership of the House Committee on Small Business to the Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza on ways to continue improving the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and advance program. The letter was signed by both Democrats and Republicans, including Committee Chairwoman Nydia Velázquez of New York and Ranking Member Steve Chabot of Ohio. Amata is Vice Ranking Member.
Pago Pago—Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata said she was blessed to be able to return to American Samoa during the House district work period due to a military-operated FEMA/medical flight to the islands that had room on the way. She released the following statement:
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming a grant of $943,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for improvements to the Port of Pago Pago, American Samoa.
This discretionary grant will fund the purchase of a yard floodlighting system, rehabilitation of the dock fendering system, resurfacing of the container yard, and procurement of forklifts.