Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata released a statement honoring the life and ministry of Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints:

"I was saddened to hear of the passing of President Thomas S. Monson last week. He dedicated a lifetime to his ministry, and will be remembered in high regard for many years of exceptional service.

Washington, D.C. –Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed a $2,321,000 federal grant for the American Samoa Department of Health, for the Pacific Basin Health Center Cluster program.

"I appreciate this funding for American Samoa," said Aumua Amata. "Access to quality health services can be a major challenge in American Samoa, and federal support like this is part of the constant process of ensuring that care is available."

Washington, D.C. -- Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed an important decision by the Justice Department adding the American Samoa Government to the agreement between StarKist and federal agencies. This action, in response to inquiries by Congresswoman Amata and Governor Lolo, redirects $2.6 million in agreed upon funds back from Washington to American Samoa.

Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed Congressional action renewing funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which helps ensure access to medical care for many children throughout the country, including American Samoa. Congresswoman Amata also called for the program to be fully reauthorized and funded for the long term.

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata highlighted veterans' legislation that passed the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs in the Committee's final votes of 2017. The bill was introduced in early November with the support of Congresswoman Amata as an original cosponsor of the legislative effort, and strengthened by an amendment in markup to better assess health care in U.S. territories, including American Samoa.

Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata released a statement on the outcome of House and Senate negotiations that produced a final major tax reform bill that reduces taxes and promotes economic growth. The bill leaves all tax extenders, such as the American Samoa Economic Development Credit and rum tax credits for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and other similar requests, to be taken up in subsequent legislation, but the offsetting tax rate reduction has a similar effect of encouraging investment and promoting jobs.

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata voted on 15 bills in the Natural Resources Committee, as part of the Committee's final series of votes for 2017, including passage of the "National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System Act" with the Bordallo-Radewagen Amendment to study placing a Pacific warning system in American Samoa, Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands.

Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata was pleased to greet soldiers from American Samoa and spend time with them at Fort Lee, Virginia, along with touring Fort Lee and the U.S. Army Women's Museum, observing training in action and being briefed on Fort Lee's operations.

The soldiers are stationed at Fort Lee for their Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and will not be able to return home for the holidays.