Press Releases

Pago Pago – Monday, July 9, 2018, Congresswoman Aumua Amata sponsored a gathering today as a sendoff for the volunteer firefighters of the American Samoa Fire Crew, leaving July 17, to help fight fires in California. This marks the 18^th time American Samoa has provided much needed firefighters to help fight California fires. There have never been any serious injuries.

Congresswoman Aumua Amata is pleased to announce that joint efforts between herself, Governor Lolo, and their respective teams in American Samoa and Washington, D.C. resulted in President Trump's Administration further reviewing American Samoa's needs related to the impact from Cyclone Gita. Last night the President graciously amended the FEMA disaster declaration for American Samoa by increasing the Federal cost-share by 20% to a 90-10 split from a 75-25 split potentially reducing the ASG cost share by hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata offered an amendment to the VA COST SAVINGS Act that was passed with bipartisan support. In an active week centered on veterans' legislation, she voted Wednesday in support of seven bills passed by the Subcommittee, including one on which she was an original cosponsor, and participated in a Tuesday hearing of the full Veterans Affairs' Committee examining the urgent need to improve VA Electronic Health Records.

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata spoke on the House floor in support of the bipartisan Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, H.R. 299. The House passed the legislation later that evening.

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed two significant developments for American Samoa, at Amata's request, in the Senate Interior Appropriations bill led by Chairman Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. The bill, unanimously approved with a vote of 31-0 by the Appropriations Committee, includes a $718,000 increase for American Samoa Government operations, and mandates an official report to Congress on the needs of the LBJ Tropical Medical Center.

Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed the availability of $300,000 in federal grant funds for American Samoa from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"Federal funding through grants and other sources is essential for our islands to have important services," said Aumua Amata. "I appreciate this funding to help provide clean, healthy and accessible beach and shoreline recreational areas."

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata released a statement updating immigration policy efforts, and welcoming President Trump's announcement:

Washington, D.C. – Saturday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata gave a commencement speech highlighting the importance of technology education to the skills and jobs of the future.

Speaking on the striking growth of cyber and other technology in our expanding economy, she congratulated graduates at the Virginia University of Science and Technology, and accepted an honorary doctorate centered on her policy work in the U.S. House of Representatives, including the Committee on Small Business, where she chairs the Subcommittee on Health and Technology.