Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)
Washington, D.C. –Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming House passage of a major appropriations bill for several departments of the U.S. government, which boosts funding for American Samoa’s DOI Operations. The bill, which passed 397-28, adds $900,000 for a new total of $29 million – that despite the overall trimming of the Office of Insular Affairs spending for the year. An upcoming Senate vote is expected, and House/Senate leaders have already negotiated the legislative package.
As part of American Samoa’s $29 million in the bill, $3 million is once again designated to American Samoa Community College, specifically at Amata’s request. She successfully added that designation for the last several years.
Historically, American Samoa’s DOI operations fund was flat for years, with six straight increases starting in fiscal year 2018 at Amata’s request. Upon final passage of this year’s additional boost, that addition to the annual fund since 2018 will be $6.3 million.
“I’m particularly happy to see this win for American Samoa pass the House this year, as this success came against the prevailing winds while there is a strong focus on spending discipline in Washington, D.C.,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “I’d like to especially thank my friend, Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole for his direct support on this effort, and all the Committee leadership in both parties for accepting our funding at every step of this bill. It’s important for the United States to continue to recognize and invest in American Samoa and our region in the face of China’s competing strategic investment nearby.”
Appropriations in 2025 for American Samoa’s operations DOI account were $28.1 million. Those prior increases were $250,000, $718,000, $400,000, $500,000, $2.5 million, and $1 million, all accumulated each year since and preserved in this legislation along with the new $900,000.
This major bill also supports all federal services and local grants for 2026 from several U.S. departments of government: The Department of the Interior, including Insular Affairs, wildfire support, and energy development; the Department of Justice; the Department of Commerce, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); the Department of Energy, including various national defense aspects; along with other congressional support for efforts in science and research, water development, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and more.
Upon final passage in the Senate, this legislation would complete half of the year’s 12 appropriations bills, since the appropriations for Veterans Affairs, military construction, the Department of Agriculture, along with its nutrition programs, and legislative branch funding were signed into law in November.
###