Press Releases

Original Cosponsor of AWHCA With $320 Million in Conservation Grants Nationwide Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata took part in a Capitol press conference on Thursday in the House Radio and TV Correspondents Gallery to highlight American Samoa’s wildlife and natural habitat as part of the rollout of America's Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act (AWHCA).

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata continues to emphasize the urgency of completing passage of the COFA agreements legislation as an integral part of the security of the Pacific region. On Thursday, she spoke with Speaker Mike Johnson to convey her viewpoint as a Member of Congress from the region. “I was pleased that the Speaker told me he recognizes the urgency of this matter and said it’s getting priority attention,” she said.

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming the announcement by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, in partnership with the American Samoa Power Authority, of $1.8 million to conduct a basin study of Tutuila.  In making the funds available, the Bureau points to American Samoa’s challenges related to climate change, water distribution system losses, and reliance on freshwater aquifers, which are susceptible to saltwater intrusion.

Discuss Marine Sanctuary Process, H.R. 6062, and NEPA Permit Delays Washington, D.C. — Governor Lemanu, Members of his Administration, and Congresswoman Amata engaged with several Biden Administration officials prior to the Interior Department’s IGIA conference. First, Governor Lemanu and Congresswoman Amata met with Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for NOAA Jainey Bavishi and members of her team to review the current status of the proposed National Marine Sanctuary in the Pacific Remote Islands region. 

Pago Pago – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata was joined Wednesday by local women Veterans and some of American Samoa’s women U.S. Army Reservists to thank the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Admiral Linda Fagan, and send her off feeling especially welcomed by American Samoa. They had the opportunity to speak with and greet Admiral Fagan before her flight departed, and receive the report from the 118th Congress’s Women Veterans Task Force, which Congresswoman Amata chaired.

Pago Pago – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata met Tuesday with the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Admiral Linda Fagan, who is responsible for all Coast Guard operations including 42,000 active-duty, 7,000 reserve, and 8,700 civilian personnel supported by 21,000 Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers, to hear about the Coast Guard’s key role in American Samoa and the Pacific region, and tour Pago Pago Harbor’s shipyard facilities.