Press Releases

New USDA Program Will Provide Child Food Assistance Once School Is Out Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is updating the timeline for the Summer EBT program, noting that no action is needed by parents or students at this time. Following congressional authorization, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is implementing a new child food assistance plan in cooperation with American Samoa Government’s Department of Human and Social Services (DHSS).

Appropriations Agreements Underway for Potential Votes Next Week Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming bipartisan passage in Congress of a bill extending government funding through a Continuing Resolution (C.R.), often described as a stopgap. This action prevented a partial government shutdown, and is in anticipation of agreements on a number of full year appropriations bills.

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.