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Pago Pago – Saturday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata released a statement observing PTSD Awareness Month (June) and PTSD Awareness Day (June 27):

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Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Aumua Amata has taken part in a recent oversight hearing in the Committee on Veterans' Affairs to evaluate the effectiveness of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) in response to COVID-19.

Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed an education grant for Head Start of over $1.17 million through the U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS).

Specifically, the discretionary grant to the American Samoa Department of Education is for Head Start projects, an early childhood education program, at an amount of $1,170,572. As a national program, Head Start has been working with children for 55 years.

Pago Pago – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is reminding small businesses that the deadline to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is just days away on June 30th.

"Any businesses that still want to access PPP must act right away," said Aumua Amata. "If so, talk to a lender immediately."

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata provided a weekly update of the Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance programs for American Samoa, and said the combined total is now $12.2 million. That total is now 226 loans in two programs along with 132 emergency advances for a new sum of $12,259,865 in assistance. This includes both the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program, to which SBA helpfully broadened access this week.

Pago Pago – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata spoke remotely to the Territory's group examining broadband strategy, and announced she is cosponsoring legislation that would support cybersecurity, and fund a $750 million national grant program toward the eventual deployment and use of widespread 5G Networks.

Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming a grant of $1,525,599.77 for the Port Administration from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These federal dollars support dredging work based on Tropical Storm Gita damages in the village of Faleasao, Manu'a, island of Ta'u.

"Congratulations to Port Director Taimaleleagi Dr. Claire Poumele and her team for these funds," said Aumua Amata. "Thank you for this important work."

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcomed a decision by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to broaden access to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, reopening the program to eligible small businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19 business losses. Congresswoman Amata called for this action in a letter last week along with other leaders of the House Small Business Committee. SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced the expanded access to EIDL late Monday.