Press Releases
Washington, D.C. – Saturday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is hailing a breakthrough Medicaid agreement that would provide major increases and years of stability for American Samoa's Medicaid services. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) have announced an updated version of their bipartisan Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 and an agreement to fund critical, expiring health care programs, including Medicaid funding for the territories.
Washington, D.C. – Saturday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata released the following statement in remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day, and in honor of all who served:
"December 7, 1941, is known to history by President Roosevelt's famous words as ‘date which will live in infamy.' This attack brought the United States into World War II. We pray that such a worldwide war will never again be faced by another generation. We honor those who lost their lives, and the many stories of courage that day.
Washington, D.C. – Saturday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata released the following statement:
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata advised constituents of more details regarding the growing U.S. and international response effort to provide medical support to Samoa and help prevent the spread of measles. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced $200,000 to provide immediate financial and technical assistance from the United States, by way of the World Health Organization (WHO), which is coordinating the international response teams.
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming federal funds for American Samoa through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This $23 million grant is part of the federal government's long term disaster recovery process following 2018's severe Storm Gita, and is through the special appropriations passed by Congress in 2019 in response to major disasters.
Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed news of U.S. and international steps to combat measles in Samoa.
Congresswoman Amata has reached out to U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand Scott Brown and his staff in Apia, and various government agencies for updates, and to learn about U.S. activities as part of the effort to support Samoa in containing the spread of measles.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata said that the House has passed an extension of level federal government spending that includes an extra month for American Samoa's 100 percent federal Medicaid match rate, now extended another 30 days through December 20, 2019.
Washington, D.C.—Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata announced she has cosponsored H.R.4305, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act, introduced by Representative Steve Stivers (R-OH).
Washington, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Aumua Amata took part in a variety of hearings, including examining a fishing report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), reviewing efforts to protect Veterans from online fraud, along with hearings on supporting rural and remote small businesses, and updating child protection services in Native American communities.
Washington, D.C.—Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming House passage of a small business bill that also support Veterans.
On Wednesday, the House passed the bipartisan Verification Alignment and Service-disabled Business Adjustment Act, better known as the VA-SBA Act, H.R. 1615. Congresswoman Amata cosponsored this bill, introduced by Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS). This bill came through the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Small Business, and she serves on both.