Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, Earlier this week, the House Committee on Small Business (HCSB) held a hearing titled, Taking Flight: Small Business Utilization of Unmanned Aircraft, to examine how small businesses will use unmanned aircraft for commercial activities in the United States.

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, The House Veterans Affairs Committee held a mark-up today on H.R. 1994, the VA Accountability Act. This bill would allow the VA Secretary and managers, greater authority to remove VA employees who fail to meet the standards of care and service that the American people expect for our veterans.

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, “During the committee mark up for this bill, I was proud to vote yes on the Veterans Entrepreneurship Act, that will remove one of the obstacles for our veterans who want to start a business,” said Amata. “We must make sure that our veterans are given every opportunity we can afford them to succeed following their service to the nation, which is exactly why I serve on both the Small Business and Veterans Affairs Committees,” stated Amata.

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, who serves as Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Health & Technology took part in a House Committee on Small Business oversight hearing in Washington last week to examine the SBA’s, Disaster Loan Program. The focus of the hearing was to examine the challenges faced by the SBA in response to “Superstorm” Sandy, including a discussion of a report that stated the SBA was not prepared to cope with the aftermath of the disaster despite changes made by Congress to improve the program.

Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, “It is important that we do all we can to ensure that our veterans are recognized for their service to our nation and this bill will make sure that they will always be able to provide proof of that service,” stated Amata.

Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, During the debate on fiscal year 2016 Interior Department appropriations bill yesterday, I took to the Floor to urge my colleagues to maintain funding for American Samoa at its current levels. In a colloquy with bill manager Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), I acknowledged the budgetary pressures Congress is facing and commended Calvert for recommending to the House that there be no reduction in funding for American Samoa next year.

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, “I am pleased to announce the awarding of $98,082 in grant funding from the Department of the Interior for our islands,” said Amata. “These funds will serve to bolster youth programs and assist in the training of key medical personnel, which will help alleviate the dire shortage of qualified medical technicians we have on the islands,” continued Amata.

Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, “I am pleased to announce a grant award from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for our islands,” said Amata. “These funds will help support local highway safety programs that are essential to maintaining a safe environment on our roads,” stated Amata.