Press Releases
Middle East—Congresswoman Aumua Amata was humbled and delighted to spend Christmas Day with U.S. troops in the Middle East. She was thrilled to greet a large number of troops from American Samoa, sing Lota Nuu together, and then the Members of Congress had the opportunity to help serve a Christmas meal to hundreds of U.S. service men and women.
Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata was pleased to extend congratulations to Mercy Te'o of the village of Lauli'i upon her Air Force promotion from the rank of Captain to Major.
"I want to send out a special congratulations to Major Te'o upon this advancement in the U.S. Air Force," said Aumua Amata. "I'm so pleased to see ‘one of our own' enjoying the results of her hard work, dedication and abilities. Serving the country is an honorable life's work, and she is making us all proud, and taking on growing leadership responsibilities."
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed House passage of a short-term funding bill to keep the government open, ensure that the Interior Department continues to operate for the Territories, and provide a new disaster relief package for all the major storms and wildfires of 2018, including American Samoa and Cyclone Gita.
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed Senate final passage of a bipartisan House bill that she cosponsored, the No Hero Left Untreated Act, H.R. 1162, a Veterans health care initiative. The bill has been sent to President Trump to be signed into law, and it builds an important groundwork for more future treatment for Veterans who have suffered trauma, starting with a pilot program.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata joined Members of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in a Joint Veterans Hearing at the Capitol. During this hearing, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie stated his intention to visit American Samoa, and lauded our many Pacific Islander Veterans living throughout a 4.5 million square mile expanse of the Pacific Region.
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed a federal health care grant for mothers and children in American Samoa.
"Federal funds make specialized programs possible, in this case serving our mothers, infants and young children," said Aumua Amata. "The accumulation of federal funding, whether a grant is large or small, combines to make a big difference for our islands, and I'm pleased to pass along news of this grant."
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed completion of legislative efforts to combat harassment in Congress, and safeguard better workplace policies. The bill was passed late last week both by the House and the Senate, and has been sent to President Trump to be signed into law.
Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata highlighted a busy week in Washington that included a focus on the Pacific region. The House passed two Resolutions emphasizing U.S.-Pacific relations, and the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provided an update on American Samoa's coral reefs.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata and other members of the Veterans Affairs Committee examined the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) efforts to implement the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, often called the AMA.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed Senate passage of the Real ID Act Modification for Freely Associated States Act (H.R. 3398), which she cosponsored and strongly supported with a Statement in the Congressional Record.