Press Releases
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is hailing final passage through Congress of the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act. Amata is an original cosponsor of H.R.1448, and supported a similar effort in the previous Congress. The Senate passed the bill this week, following up on House passage in May, so the bill has been sent to President Biden to be signed into law.
This unique therapy bill, championed by Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), pairs Veterans and service dogs to treat mental illness.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is highlighting Senate passage of an infrastructure bill with $50 million plus additional grant funding for American Samoa. The bill, led by a bipartisan group of eight negotiators, was passed by the U.S. Senate, and must now go to the House. It provides $550 billion nationwide in new appropriations aimed at restoring and improving infrastructure, including roads, bridges, broadband, ports, airports and other aspects.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is welcoming a response letter from the Biden Administration directly expressing President Biden's support for a Medicaid priority that is shared by the Territories, as introduced legislatively earlier this year with the unanimous bipartisan backing of the Representatives of the Insular Areas.
Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata sent a letter Monday to Chairman and CEO of American Airlines Doug Parker expressing her strong concerns about a reported incident of alleged discriminatory treatment, and further requesting that Congress promptly receive the report of the result upon completion of the Airline's investigation.
Congresswoman Amata's letter states:
Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata welcomed official notice of three grants through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for American Samoa's airports from appropriations by Congress in COVID economic relief that combine for $1,336,004.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata welcomed House passage Thursday of the Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks (VIP) Act, H.R. 4300, which she cosponsored to thank and honor Veterans.
In national appreciation of their service and sacrifice, the legislation provides free lifetime access to all U.S. National Parks, and other National Forests and public lands for the nation's servicemembers, veterans, and Gold Star families.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata highlighted House passage of a major appropriations bill Thursday that funds numerous departments of the U.S. government for the next fiscal year, including the Interior Department. Within this legislation (H.R. 4502) is funding Amata requested for ASG Operations. This $2.5 million increase is the largest ever for the ASG Operations fund, however, Congress designated these funds specifically for planning efforts toward a new hospital.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is an original cosponsor of the Military Spouse Tax Act, introduced Wednesday by five Members of Congress to relieve an unnecessary tax burden on military families.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata took on the role of Ranking Member in Tuesday's hearing of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee to examine the topic, "Aging in Place: Examining Veterans' Access to Home and Community-Based Services." Members of Congress discussed building on successful methods such as the Veteran Directed Care program.
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata congratulated Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa on her historic leadership role as the first female Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa, which has been publicly recognized by statements from the U.S. Department of State along with New Zealand and Australia.