Press Releases

Amata Welcomes House Passage of 45-Day Funding Bill to Prevent Shutdown

October 1, 2023

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming bipartisan House passage Saturday of a 45-day government funding bill to prevent a shutdown. The Continuing Resolution (CR), passed by a vote of 335-91, maintains current fiscal year 2023 funding at the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, 2023, providing another month and a half to negotiate and pass the major appropriations bills necessary for each federal department of the administration.

Issues:Budget

Amata Highlights Several Grant Notices

September 29, 2023

Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata highlighted several federal grant notifications this week that support local government services and organizations. In combination, the four grants from 2023 Appropriations total about $1.3 million for various efforts in American Samoa.

The four grants are as follows:

Issues:Budget

Amata Emphasizes Coast Guard Role in U.S. Activity in the Indo-Pacific Region

September 29, 2023

Press Release

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata took part in a Thursday oversight hearing examining the United States Coast Guard’s contributions to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, and the importance of the region to U.S. security interests. For purposes of participating in this hearing, Congresswoman Amata was waived onto the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, led by ChairmanCarlos Gimenez (R-FL).

Issues:Congress

Amata, Levin, Fitzpatrick, and Peters Introduce Bipartisan Passports for Purple Hearts Bill

September 28, 2023

Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata took part with sponsor Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49), and the other original cosponsors Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), and Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50), in introducing Thursday their bipartisan Passports for Purple Hearts Act to eliminate passport book fees for Purple Heart recipients.

Issues:Congress

Amata Welcomes Over $550,000 Grant for 988 Program

September 22, 2023

Press Release

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming notice of $556,177 in federal funding for local mental health and substance abuse services. This is a new grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), by application of the American Samoa Department of Health (ASDOH) for their three-year crisis response to mental health and substance abuse needs, a project that is part of the nationwide 988 suicide and crisis lifeline effort.

Issues:Healthcare

In Bahrain with bipartisan congressional delegation and members of our Armed Forces last year

Congresswoman Amata’s Statement on US-Bahrain C-SIPA Signing

September 22, 2023

Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement welcoming the US-Bahrain C-SIPA Signing: “On September 13, 2023, the United States of America and the Kingdom of Bahrain signed the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) to enhance economic, cybersecurity, and trade collaboration between the two nations and to strengthen the important regional alliance in the Arabian Gulf.

Issues:Foreign Affairs

Amata speaking in HVAC Buy American hearing

Amata Highlights Tuna Issue at ‘Buy American’ Hearing in Veterans’ Committee, Takes Part in Letter to VA Secretary McDonough

September 20, 2023

Press Release

Washington, D.C. – In a Wednesday oversight hearing, Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata raised the issue of prioritizing Buy American laws in U.S. government purchases, including tuna, and took part in a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough urging more effort to follow Buy American laws.

Issues:Veterans

Amata Welcomes Testimony on Importance of Fishing Rights to American Samoa

September 19, 2023

Press Release

Governor Lemanu Submitted Testimony Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata took part in a hearing Tuesday in the House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations that examined U.S. waters and the marine sanctuary and monument. The hearing was titled, “Examining Barriers to Access in Federal Waters: A Closer Look at the Marine Sanctuary and Monument System.”

Issues:Fisheries

Rep. Amata with Chairman Smith in a hearing titled Children Are Not for Sale – Global Efforts to Address Child Trafficking

Amata Highlights Child Trafficking Hearing, and Hails Introduction of Rep. Moylan’s C.H.I.L.D. Act

September 18, 2023

Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata highlighted a congressional hearing that focused on urgent global efforts to save children from human trafficking, and as an original cosponsor, hailed introduction of a bill led by Congressman Jim Moylan (R-Guam) to strengthen legal penalties for child trafficking crimes.

Issues:Public Safety

Amata Welcomes $618,585 to Provide OVW Services

September 14, 2023

Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming notice this week of $618,585 in federal funds for the STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program under the leadership of CJPA Director Mariana Timu-Faiai.

Issues:Public Safety