Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming the announcement of over $1 million in federal funds for American Samoa's law enforcement.

Specifically, the grant of $1,033,440 is directed through the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency. The funds are from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) led by Attorney General William Barr, as part of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS hiring program (CHP) fiscal year 2020.

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Aumua Amata is provided a summary of the changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) since President Trump signed the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act into law Friday.

"Congress listened to the input of small businesses," said Aumua Amata, Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Small Business. "These changes are now law, and give employers more time and more options in using their assistance."

Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed Senate passage of bipartisan legislation to give more flexibility to small businesses as they use Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) assistance, which is helping over 130 employers in American Samoa so far. The House already passed the bill, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, so it will become law with the President's signature.

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming a CARES Act grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of about $800,000 ($796,914) for housing-related programs.

HUD, led by Secretary Dr. Ben Carson, has now announced several CARES Act allocations for American Samoa and was the first agency to do so immediately after the CARES Act became law March 27.

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata said the weekly update of the Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance programs once again shows new loans for American Samoa. The combined total is now 154 loans, a weekly increase of 19, for a new sum of $8,654,566 helping the private economy of American Samoa.

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for $1,976,100 for the American Samoa EPA.

"Thank you to Fa'amao Asalele, and congratulations to ASEPA upon this grant notification," said Aumua Amata. "These federal funds are helpful for local efforts to protect drinking water and other health priorities. Thank you to everyone working on these efforts at ASEPA."

Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata took part in an effort led by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) and supported by the bipartisan Members of Congress from Hawai‘i and the U.S. Island Territories. Together, these Representatives sent a letter to U.S. House leaders urging them to support local crop diversity and food security in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis and in any resulting legislation.

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata said the weekly update from the Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to show steady progress for American Samoa. Local employers have now successfully acquired 120 loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) totaling over $6.6 million — an increase of 20 loans over the previous week. Combined with SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program, the total is 135 approvals and $8.1 million for the local economy.