Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Aumua Amata cosponsored a Veterans bill, which was introduced this week; the House passed three other bipartisan VA health bills; and she took part in a House/Senate Joint Hearing with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata congratulated Rep. Don Young of Alaska, the Dean of the House, and now the longest serving Republican in the history of the Congress.

"Congressman Young has been a good friend to American Samoa, and we've often cosponsored legislation together that benefits the Pacific region," said Aumua Amata. "He's a dear friend, who loves to fish and always enjoys a good laugh, and has a treasure of knowledge about the U.S. House of Representatives."

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata took part in the first full Committee hearing of the 116th Congress in the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, which will help set up the legislative work for the year ahead and establish priorities. VA Secretary Robert Wilkie testified in a hearing titled, AVision for the Future of the VA.

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata took part in a Joint Senate/House Veterans hearing, attended by hundreds of Veterans at the U.S. Capitol. She also welcomed passage of a bill containing better Pacific volcano monitoring, and studying the possibility of future observatories in American Samoa, Guam and CNMI.

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata attended the Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing, and welcomed the unity of message among the several Territories in the testimony on shared needs that include American Samoa, such as efforts to extend Medicaid funds.

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata attended the annual Interagency Group on Insular Affairs (IGIA), and delivered remarks in support of American Samoa's needs.

Pago Pago—Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata discussed a variety of issues with seniors at a well-attended congressional town hall meeting.

Washington, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Aumua Amata introduced a bipartisan bill to streamline citizenship for any U.S. Nationals from American Samoa who choose to convert their status to U.S. citizenship.

The bill would make their citizenship choice much more convenient and accessible in three key ways: 1) American Samoans would no longer have to move off Island to become citizens, 2) U.S. Nationals would no longer have to take the citizenship test, and 3) A new hardship waiver of the cost of the application fee would be available.