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Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed a Pacific Basin health grant for the American Samoa Department of Health.
The discretionary grant of $167,000 is through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA).
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata updated the status of the Small Business Administration (SBA) economic aid for American Samoa's small businesses and nonprofits, now at $23,427,386.
"The EIDL loans are still available and local businesses are continuing to access this assistance," said Aumua Amata. "I strongly support restarting the PPP aid in September as well to renew those options for our economy."
Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata highlighted the opportunities for American Samoa's youth in the STEM fields that are emphasized in the global economy and often in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Amata spoke at the STEAM Family Expo, which included parents, students, organizers, sponsors, teachers and administrators from the STEAM Academy and the STEAM Partnership.
Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata congratulated Lotoaoalii Joseph Toloa'i Ho Ching II upon his appointment as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA).
"This is a prestigious appointment and an important responsibility," said Aumua Amata. "Congratulations to Lotoaoalii upon taking on these duties in service to the country. American Samoa is always proud of our own as they achieve life and career milestones like this exceptional opportunity. His knowledge of this region of the world will benefit U.S. Army leadership."
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The $67,148 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant is directed to American Samoa Department of Homeland Security from the DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Pago Pago – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is urging House passage of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019. This bill, S. 785, contains two bills she co-led in the House as original cosponsor. Amata is original cosponsor of H.R. 5024 with Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-CNMI), and Amata introduced H.R. 7888 recently with Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D-New Mexico). These two bills are included as Sections 101 and 103 of S. 785.
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata highlighted the specific improvements to American Samoa's Medicaid in this two-year Congress, which made two major reforms that directly benefit American Samoa. First, instead of the longstanding 55-45 percent split, American Samoa benefits from a much better long term 83-17 percent split, in which the federal government takes on the "lion's share" of 83 percent of the cost.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata updated the status of the Small Business Administration (SBA) economic aid for American Samoa's small businesses and nonprofits.
American Samoa's total increased again from the last report of $21.5 million to just over $23 million, another increase of $1.5 million in two programs that have combined for 445 local loans. Loans are through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which is now paused, and the ongoing Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program.
Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata recognized Purple Heart Day 2020 and honored American Samoa's Purple Heart Veterans.
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is highlighting the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which supports the National Park of American Samoa, and the important Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
The bipartisan GAOA, which President Trump signed into law this week, is described as the most substantial conservation legislation in a generation, and hailed as "a conservationist's dream" by the National Parks Conservation Association.