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Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata joined colleagues on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs in speaking at a press conference in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center to highlight recent progress and the path forward on veterans' legislation. The Veterans' Affairs Committee has been on a busy pace, with 72 bills passed by the full House of Representatives, and of those, 26 so far signed into law by President Trump.
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed Senate confirmation of Robert Wilkie to lead the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA).
Secretary Wilkie was nominated by President Trump to serve as VA Secretary during the ongoing legislative and administrative reform efforts to the department, and the U.S. Senate confirmed his appointment late Monday by a bipartisan vote of 86-9.
Washington, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed House passage of the Interior Appropriations bill that prevents cuts for American Samoa Government, and preserves last year's increase of $250,000.
The House bill's advance is a necessary step before it will either be combined with or replaced by a separate Senate bill that contains $718,000 in new funds and an LBJ hospital study for American Samoa. Congresswoman Amata supports the Senate bill provisions, but welcomed the progress that this week's House action represents.
Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed a food safety grant of nearly $50,000 in federal funds for the American Samoa Department of Agriculture.
"Food safety is an important priority, and I'm glad to see these federal funds to help our Agriculture Department provide this program," said Aumua Amata. "Grants like these are a way to boost the services available in American Samoa."
Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata released a statement of condolences for the Samoan community in the state of Washington as they mourn the loss of several lives in a tragic vehicle accident.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata attended a United States Air Force Change of Command Ceremony at which Colonel James S. Mehta formally relinquished Command of the Sixth Field Investigations to Colonel Vasaga Tilo, Jr., at a June 11 ceremony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawai'i.
Pago Pago – Monday, July 9, 2018, Congresswoman Aumua Amata sponsored a gathering today as a sendoff for the volunteer firefighters of the American Samoa Fire Crew, leaving July 17, to help fight fires in California. This marks the 18th time American Samoa has provided much needed firefighters to help fight California fires. There have never been any serious injuries.
Congresswoman Aumua Amata is pleased to announce that joint efforts between herself, Governor Lolo, and their respective teams in American Samoa and Washington, D.C. resulted in President Trump's Administration further reviewing American Samoa's needs related to the impact from Cyclone Gita. Last night the President graciously amended the FEMA disaster declaration for American Samoa by increasing the Federal cost-share by 20% to a 90-10 split from a 75-25 split potentially reducing the ASG cost share by hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata offered an amendment to the VA COST SAVINGS Act that was passed with bipartisan support. In an active week centered on veterans' legislation, she voted Wednesday in support of seven bills passed by the Subcommittee, including one on which she was an original cosponsor, and participated in a Tuesday hearing of the full Veterans Affairs' Committee examining the urgent need to improve VA Electronic Health Records.
Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata spoke on the House floor in support of the bipartisan Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, H.R. 299. The House passed the legislation later that evening.