MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting a Department of the Interior grant of $3,264 for the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) to offset costs for the Nursing Program, as requested earlier this month by Governor Pulaalil’i Nikolao Pula. 

“I appreciate each federal notice of a grant, large or small, every single dollar that supports our people, and in this case, supports our educational goals for our aspiring nurses at ASCC. This nurses program has so much potential for our future, both in creating health care careers and improving access to health care for patients,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Congratulations to Governor Pula and good work to those putting in the detail work under his direction to ensure American Samoa receives what the territory is due under the formulas from the various bills that Congress passes. In this instance the funds are based on corrected estimates to the U.S. Census.”

“For the past several years, Congress at my request has instructed each year that $3 million of the $28 million DOI Operations fund for American Samoa be directed to ASCC, which could directly or indirectly enhance facilities, equipment, student opportunities, maintenance, salaries, scholarships, or other needs and priorities,” concluded Congresswoman Amata. “That leaves $25 million of the Operations fund for the territory’s general yearly use, which is in itself more than the $22 and a half million total when Congress at my request began the first of six increases for the Operations fund in fiscal year 2018.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming House passage of a government funding extension bill that would keep the federal government open during ongoing work on the appropriations bills for fiscal year 2026. The short-term Continuing Resolution (C.R.), led by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole of Oklahoma, would allow time for ongoing negotiations by funding extending government funding through Nov. 21^st of this year. 

“In American Samoa, we rely on federal support, and preventing a government shutdown is important for us and for the whole country,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I appreciate Chairman Cole, who is a good friend, for his leadership in having now passed all 12 regular appropriations bills through the Committee he leads, which is known as regular order, but also for this week’s effort to protect us all from a shutdown. As always, I will keep our people informed.”

The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, H.R. 5371, would prevent a government shutdown following September 30^th, which is when the fiscal year ends, but Senate action is required. 

Chairman Cole, in his floor remarks, called for “good faith negotiations” and avoiding a “needless shutdown,” emphasizing that the timetable of the C.R. is a concession to the Senate, as key Senators’ public remarks had called for a November end date, while the Trump administration had encouraged a C.R. through January. “At the beginning of this process, I was asked to produce a clean bill for a limited period of time,” the Chairman noted. 

Bipartisan House Resolution Honors Charlie Kirk

The U.S. House of Representatives adopted a Resolution honoring Charlie Kirk’s legacy and life, while condemning political violence. H. Res. 719 passed Friday by a vote of 310-58, with the support of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The Resolution highlighted Charlie Kirk’s life as a dedicated husband and father, who “boldly lived out his faith with conviction, courage, and compassion.” At age 18, he founded a student movement to “promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government,” and that his “commitment to civil discussion and debate stood as a model for young Americans across the political spectrum.” 

Condemning the heinous act of violence, the House states, “such acts of politically motivated violence are antithetical to the principles of a free republic, in which differences of opinion are to be debated—not silenced—with civility, reason, and mutual respect.”

“The tragic loss of Charlie Kirk must not be allowed to deepen the divides in our Nation, but instead serve as a turning point to recommit ourselves to better angels, and to the timeless American principles of liberty governed by truth and the virtues of peaceful dialogue,” the Resolution states, continuing, “Charlie Kirk would not have us respond to his death with despair, but rather with renewed purpose—to speak truth with courage, to stand firm in faith, to seek unity while standing firm in principle, and to serve as living reminders of the values he championed: faith, family, and freedom.” 

The closing line of the Resolution “calls upon all Americans—regardless of race, party affiliation, or creed—to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values, and respect one another as fellow Americans.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming an announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that American Samoa has been awarded $358,519 under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program for fiscal year 2025, as authorized by Congress.

The federal award, administered by DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime, will go to the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA) to support programs that directly assist victims of crime. These services include crisis counseling, criminal justice advocacy, shelter, therapy, information and referrals, and other vital support.

“This important funding helps ensure that victims of crime in American Samoa are not left to face these hardships alone,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “Thank you once again to Deputy Director Dr. Celestine Faumuina-Nix. Through this VOCA program, our local agencies and community organizations can provide counseling, advocacy, shelter, and other essential services for families and individuals in need. I deeply appreciate the Department of Justice’s ongoing commitment to victims’ services, and I especially thank all the dedicated professionals and volunteers in American Samoa who do this meaningful work each day.”

The American Samoa CJPA will administer the grant by distributing funds to local service providers. The award is part of a long-standing national program authorized under federal law to ensure that states and territories can strengthen their response to crime victims.

For more information about DOJ’s victim assistance programs, visit the website.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) passage of the State Department reauthorization legislation, which the Committee marked up in lengthy effort spanning Wednesday, much of that night, and Thursday.

Amata is a Member of the Committee, one of her three House committees, and she offered two amendments to the bill in the markup effort after 1 A.M. Thursday, and both passed the Committee and are included in the bill.  See Amata speaking to the committee.

Amata’s first amendment ensures compliance with the READ Act, which promotes and expands access to basic quality education in partner countries, so the designated State Department official for international education ensures continuous observation and coordination for meeting the statutory requirements of the READ Act. 

“Access to basic education should be available to everyone,” Congresswoman Amata said. “When Congress created the READ Act, we recognized the importance of increasing literacy rates throughout the world. I see this firsthand in the Pacific – the United States has provided the tools for partner nations to increase basic education. However, we’re falling behind; the People’s Republic of China is out-competing in providing basic education support in many developing countries by building schools and providing education tools. My amendment ensures that we remain competitive; we must compete in providing basic education in partner nations, because if we don’t, China will.”

Amata’s second amendment increases congressional oversight of reforms at the Millennium Challenge Corporation. The MCC plays an important role in fighting poverty and advancing U.S. interests abroad, but any reforms to its programs, scorecard, or structure must be transparent and accountable. 

“My amendment requires the executive branch to report to Congress within 120 days of enactment and at least 30 days before any reforms take effect. It also mandates quarterly updates to the House Foreign Affairs and Appropriations Committees, as well as their Senate counterparts. Congress has a responsibility to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, that MCC partners meet high standards of governance, and that these investments align with U.S. priorities. Transparency and oversight will strengthen trust in the MCC’s mission and ensure it continues to serve both our values and our national interests.”

The overall bill includes the substance of nine other bills, and corrects a long-running lack of proper congressional authorization for many State Department duties. It creates an Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, and an Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Security and Diplomacy. It requires a Global Public Diplomacy Strategy with annual reports, while reducing excessive redundant reporting requirements elsewhere for the Department to refocus time and attention on the diplomatic mission.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Last week, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a comprehensive reauthorization of the State Department. This is the first time programs at the State Department have been thoroughly reviewed and reauthorized in over 20 years. The reauthorization was comprised of eight bills including H.R. 5251, introduced by Congressman Huizenga, to modernize and reauthorize the public diplomacy arm of the State Department. H.R. 5251 passed 48-0 and was the only structural reform legislation to pass with unanimous bipartisan support. Overall, this package of bills restores both accountability and structure to the State Department while ensuring every taxpayer dollar and every diplomat puts American interests first. The reauthorization package now advances for a vote before the entire U.S. House of Representatives.

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, Congressman Huizenga has jurisdiction over the public diplomacy bureau of the State Department. H.R. 5251 streamlines all public diplomacy functions and aligns personnel, budgets, and regional teams worldwide under a single chain of command. This will help ensure all U.S. messages are unified, integrated, disciplined, and strategically directed.  Additionally, H.R. 5251 requires annual reports to Congress that include clear metrics, benchmarks, and adversary-response assessments. Importantly, it also enforces results-based management across educational and cultural exchanges, aligning them with strategic priorities and foreign policy outcomes.

Huizenga remarks on H.R. 5251

• First, it empowers the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy with a clear mission: deliver facts, expose adversaries, and expand access to free information. The Under Secretary will align public diplomacy officers worldwide, chair interagency coordination, and produce a global strategy with measurable results. We are all on the same page as we are telling America’s story.

• Second, it transforms our information posture. The Bureau of Global Public Affairs, currently headed up by Assistant Secretary Michele Exner, becomes the Bureau of Strategic Communications—with a proactive mandate to counter propaganda, dismantle censorship, expand access to the truth, and oversee U.S.-funded international media.

• Third, it modernizes educational and cultural exchanges. E.C.A. becomes a more strategic platform for soft power, not controversial stuff, but about freedom, liberty, opportunity, and what our Constitution stands for—tied to regional priorities, streamlined in administration, and focused on advancing U.S. foreign policy goals.

• The bottom line is simple: this bill, H.R. 5251, makes America stronger. It ensures that in the global fight for truth and freedom, the United States is not reacting—we are leading.

The Reauthorization Markup included over 26 hours of continuous debate and more than three hours of voting on over 100 provisions. Overall, the reauthorization contained a multitude of Huizenga’s policy priorities including:

• Establishing a Special Envoy for Burma
• Ensuring the Protection of Free Speech and Preventing Censorship Blacklists
• Requiring a study on geopolitical strategies and verification frameworks for advanced AI
• Authorizing the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) to uphold commitment to Afghan Allies
• Reforming the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)
• Reforming Semiconductor Supply Chain Security Coordination with allies and partners
• Authorizing an Arctic Watchers Program in US Embassies
• Establishing a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Food Security
• Modernizing the Au Pair Regulatory framework
• Implementing an Indian Ocean Region Strategic Review
• Authorizing the Multilateral Action on Sensitive Technologies Initiative

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

U.S. Representatives Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Kim Schrier (D-WA) and Marc Veasey (D-TX), members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, introduced H.R. 5549, the Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act. This measure seeks to reform federal nuclear licensing processes and improve the overall effectiveness of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 

“Nuclear energy is a reliable and stable energy solution for American communities,” said Congressman Griffith. “The NRC is an essential body with the power to license nuclear power plants and examine the safety of reactor designs. The Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act will cut red tape, empower innovative industries and facilitate more efficient reviews of nuclear licensing applications. As electricity demand projections rise in the United States, this bipartisan, commonsense, pro-U.S. energy bill will repeal an obsolete provision of law that only serves to increase nuclear power plant costs.” 

“Non greenhouse gas emitting nuclear power is an essential part of the energy mix to lower energy costs and meet skyrocketing energy demand,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “I’m happy to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to cut unnecessary red tape and bring nuclear power to the grid more quickly and affordably, without undermining necessary public engagement.”

BACKGROUND

In the 118^th Congress, Congressman Griffith introduced H.R. 6464, the Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act

The bill amends the Atomic Energy Act by dropping the requirement for the NRC to hold a public hearing at the end of the licensing process if the license is not contested by an affected party.

Uncontested licensing hearings result in hours of preparation for the NRC staff, greatly inflate application fees and unnecessarily delay the approval of applications.

Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Chris Coons (D-DE) carry the Senate companion, S. 1757.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, and Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS-01) reintroduced the Community College Agriculture Advancement Act, a bipartisan bill which would fund community college workforce training, education, and research programs in agriculture.

Many community colleges, which often serve first-generation and students of color, already offer training for future farm workers. But community college agricultural programs have been excluded from federal funding opportunities. The Community College Agriculture Advancement Act would correct this, ensuring that community colleges can access federal grants to bolster agricultural programs.

“Agriculture is the leading industry on the Central Coast, yet the funding meant to sustain the next generation of farmers isn’t reaching our community colleges,” said Rep. Carbajal. “This bipartisan bill strengthens the resources available to the community and technical colleges that educate and train our country’s agricultural workforce.”

The bill would amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to allow community colleges to access grant money for agriculture programs. The bill would establish a competitive U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant program wherein the nation’s nearly 1,100 community colleges could apply for money to fund workforce training, education, research, and outreach programs in agriculture.

Specifically, a community college that receives a program grant could use the funding to:

• Successfully compete for funds from federal grants and other sources to carry out educational, research, and outreach activities.
• Disseminate information relating to agriculture, renewable resources, and other relevant communities.
• Encourage collaboration involving community colleges, land grant universities, and other higher education institutions.
• Purchase equipment and other infrastructure.
• Advance the professional growth and development of faculty.
• Develop apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

“For the average ACA customer in my district, costs will skyrocket and blow an average annual hole of $490 in their personal budgets – a 72% increase in premiums,” said Wasserman Schultz. “Almost no family has that kind of extra money lying around. The cost of living is already too high. Families need relief.”