Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata welcomes Wednesday’s joint announcement of the new Congressional Territories & Commonwealths Caucus, which starts with the five Representatives from the territories.
The founding members are Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen (American Samoa), Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (USVI), Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds (CNMI), with Congressman James Moylan (Guam) and Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández (Puerto Rico) serving as the Co-Chairs for the 119th Congress.
This bipartisan caucus is now officially registered as a Congressional Member Organization. It will focus on strengthening federal policies, improving program access, and elevating the visibility of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Congresswoman Amata also serves on several issues or region-based caucuses, including as a Co-Chairman of the Pacific Islands Caucus, as well as a Vice Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus.
Congresswoman Amata emphasized strengthening long-standing cooperation among the islands: “Many of our best successes have come from working together in unity on shared priorities, and that cooperation is strengthened even further when our colleagues step forward as friends of the territories. This Caucus is another excellent avenue to draw needed attention to our efforts and help our colleagues understand how they can support the islands. I’m enthusiastic about the possibilities, and I appreciate our founding members and all who join us.”
Congressman Moylan emphasized the importance of coordinated advocacy across the territories: “By forming this caucus, we’re creating a unified platform for Members committed to advancing the shared priorities of the territories. This is our way of ensuring our colleagues across Congress better understand the unique needs and challenges facing America’s island jurisdictions. Whether it’s healthcare access, infrastructure, cost of living, or federal program parity, our voices are stronger when we speak together. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure every territory is heard and never overlooked.”
Resident Commissioner Hernández underscored the caucus’s bipartisan mission: “We formed this bipartisan caucus to bring greater attention and structure to the federal issues affecting the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and U.S. territories. As Co-Chair, I’m committed to working across the aisle to strengthen affordability, expand opportunity, and ensure federal programs reach every corner of the United States. This effort is about responsible governance and making sure that Puerto Rico and U.S. territories have a clear voice in Congress.”
Congresswoman King-Hinds highlighted the collaborative impact of the caucus: “I’m proud to see the Congressional Territories & Commonwealths Caucus officially established. The Northern Mariana Islands and other commonwealths and territories face shared challenges and shared opportunities, and this caucus gives us a united platform to push for progress. I’m excited for the work ahead and the partnerships we will continue to build.”
The Congressional Territories & Commonwealths Caucus will work to strengthen coordination on legislation affecting the territories, expand access to federal programs, improve economic, healthcare, and infrastructure opportunities, and ensure that every U.S. territory and commonwealth has a clear and informed voice in federal policymaking.
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