Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)
LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) and House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (CA-02) urged Department of Interior Secretary Burgum to revoke DOGE officials’ access to his agency’s critical technology systems and sensitive data.
“We are deeply concerned by recent reports that you provided at least three DOGE-affiliated individuals—Tyler Hassen, Stephanie Holmes, and Katrine Trampe—with unfettered access to the IBC’s FPPS system,” the lawmakers wrote. “These reports indicate that you granted this access despite significant concerns expressed by senior career DOI officials, including the Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer, who raised alarms in a risk assessment memorandum. According to the memorandum, DOGE’s access requests were unprecedented and posed significant cybersecurity, operational, and legal risks–including potential violations of the Privacy Act of 1974, which may carry criminal penalties. Rather than addressing these concerns, you reportedly placed these officials on administrative leave and later terminated them.”
In March, public reporting indicated that staffers affiliated with DOGE received access to critical technology systems at DOI. Secretary Burgum decided to grant unprecedented access to at least three DOGE officials against the objections of senior career staffers, who were summarily placed on administrative leave and later terminated. One of these systems is the Federal Personnel and Payroll System (FPPS), which stores troves of sensitive personnel data and supports the payroll operations of more than 50 agencies.
In the lawmakers’ letter, they warn about the major cybersecurity and privacy risks that access to systems including FPPS needlessly creates. They also call attention to the risk of imperiling the operations of dozens of agencies that rely on shared software systems built and maintained by DOI.
“That level of access, reportedly exceeding even that of DOI’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), is
deeply troubling. It creates exactly the kind of cybersecurity, operational, and privacy vulnerabilities that the experienced civil servants warned about in their risk assessment memo and sought to prevent. These individuals now have access that could allow, among other things, the exfiltration of data to unknown and unprotected destinations, the deletion of records and logs, the modification of system code or data, and the ability to grant the same capabilities to others,” the lawmakers warned.
A copy of the letter sent today can be accessed HERE.
This request builds on Trahan’s investigation into the Trump Administration’s unprecedented attempt to centralize Americans’ personal data, including information held by federal agencies like the Treasury Department and the National Labor Relations Board as well as state-held data used to administer benefits programs like SNAP and Medicaid. In March, Trahan announced that she will be introducing legislation to rewrite the Privacy Act for the first time since its passage in 1974.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)
WASHINGTON — Following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit this week to the United States Capitol, Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced the re-establishment of the bipartisan House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group.
“This is an important time to bring together a bipartisan delegation of American and Israeli lawmakers to discuss mutual concerns and how to continue strengthening the alliance between our two nations,” Speaker Johnson said. “The House-Knesset Friendship group will be instrumental in building a broad understanding among elected representatives as we pursue together peace in Israel and lasting solutions for the Middle East.”
“The special relationship between the United States and Israel is anchored in our shared democratic values and strategic interests,” Leader Jeffries said. “Congress is committed in a bipartisan way to the safety and security of Israel and its right to exist as a Jewish, Democratic state. The House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group provides a critical forum to strengthen our partnership and provides the opportunity for bilateral dialogue at the legislative level during these challenging times.”
“This is a historic milestone in U.S.-Israel relations, with legislative bodies leading the advancement of the partnership and exploring new opportunities,” said Speaker of the Israeli Knesset Amir Ohana. “Since the war began, the U.S. House of Representatives has risen to the occasion, supporting Israel through statements and legislation that have bolstered its security and diplomatic efforts against the ayatollah regime in Iran and its terror proxies in the Middle East. I wish to thank my friend, Speaker Mike Johnson, a true friend of Israel, who today officially launched the House-Knesset Friendship Group. Together, we will continue to strengthen the enduring alliance between Israel and the United States.”
The House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group brings together selected American and Israeli lawmakers to discuss ways to strengthen the partnership between the U.S. and Israeli legislative bodies.
The bipartisan members of the group are as follows:
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)
The 2025 hurricane season’s tragic effects are already being felt as the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry contributed to the deadly flash floods in Texas. Yet Republicans in Congress and President Trump are already degrading NOAA and proposed closing more than a dozen weather and climate facilities, including Miami’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory and its Hurricane Research Division.
Sunrise, FL – Today, U. S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), James E. Clyburn (SC-06), Lois Frankel (FL-22) and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20) joined some of the nation’s top weather scientists to issue vocal warnings that gutting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through staff and funding cuts will cause needless deaths by delaying critical, timely research and severe storm forecasting that our communities count on to be safe.
The 2025 hurricane season’s tragic effects are already being felt as the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry contributed to the deadly flash floods in Texas. Yet Republicans in Congress and President Trump are already degrading NOAA and proposed closing more than a dozen weather and climate facilities, including Miami’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory and its Hurricane Research Division.
Cuts to NOAA’s budget will have ripple effects beyond public safety, impacting economic sectors like agriculture and fishing, climate resiliency efforts, and wider disaster preparedness. These hurricane state lawmakers were joined by Dr. Robert Atlas, Director Emeritus of NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorology Laboratory, Dr. Frank Marks, former Director of the Hurricane Research Division of NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorology Laboratory, and James Franklin, the former Branch Chief of the Hurricane Specialist Unit at the National Hurricane Center.
Click here and here for graphs shared by experts at the press conference.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)
Toledo, Ohio — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus released the following statement after President Trump announced the resumption of Military Aid to Ukraine.
“I support the President’s recent announcement of renewed critical defensive weapons shipments to Ukraine—including lifesaving air defensive systems. The harmful pause in shipments should have never happened in the first place. Last week’s revelation of the unexpected Department of Defense halt came just days after the single largest Russian barrage against Ukraine in which Putin launched over 500 drones and missiles against its cities and civilian populations. Russia has only continued to escalate its devastating strikes.
“US-made air defense systems, including Patriot batteries, are the centerpiece of Ukraine’s defenses against Russian strikes. They save lives every day. There are no parallel defense alternatives for Ukraine if the US stops supplying these vital munitions. By halting these shipments, leaders in the Department of Defense have risked the imminent deaths of many Ukrainian military servicemembers as well as civilians.
“Supplying Ukraine with these weapons ensures increased demand that enables our own defense industrial base to grow so that we can produce the quantities of munitions needed to defend both ourselves and our Allies. Ukraine’s use of these weapons in its defensive war also allows our military to better test and improve these systems to keep American forces safer.
“As Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus, I want to applaud the work of our nearly 100 Caucus Members for their tireless support for Ukraine in Congress. The unified message our Caucus has sent since before the start of this unprovoked war continues to ensure that any pro-Putin actors, even potentially within the Administration, remain isolated and are made known to the public which continues to back Ukraine’s decade long fight to restore its Liberty.
“As a Caucus, we call upon the Department of Defense to expeditiously and fully renew the shipments of these munitions and demand full accountability from the Administration as to how this important decision was delayed but now restored.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)
Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement after voting no on the Trump-Republican Big Ugly Bill:
“There is nothing beautiful about this bill. No American will be untouched by the damage it will do to our communities. Seventeen million Americans will lose access to healthcare. Nine rural hospitals in Illinois are at risk of closing. Over 200,000 Illinois residents will lose access to SNAP food benefits. Illinois families will pay $400 more a year for energy. All of this, while ballooning our national debt by at least $3 trillion.
“Disturbingly, Republicans seem to know exactly how harmful this bill is because dozens of them pledged to oppose it. Just yesterday, the House came to a standstill for over eight hours because the House Freedom Caucus attempted to negotiate changes to the bill. They failed. Today, those members voted for the unchanged bill anyway.
“The bottom line is that Republicans are willing to sacrifice their constituents to keep Donald Trump happy. But I am laser-focused on protecting the residents of Illinois’ Fifth District and doing everything I can to safeguard Medicaid, SNAP, and every benefit that keeps Americans safe and healthy.
“I firmly believe that years from now, we will look back in disbelief and shame at the United States Congress for passing such a harmful bill.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)
This week, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Co-Chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), concluded his tenth Climate Change Tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and announced the re-introduction of his National Parks protection legislation, the Reducing Waste in National Parks Act.
“For a decade, my National Park Climate Change Tours have allowed us a firsthand look at how climate change damages our parks’ plants, wildlife, and waterways. During our visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I visited places like Chilhowee Lake and learned about habitat restoration efforts to protect endangered fish populations and ensure ecological diversity,” said Quigley. “This year, we also spent time visiting with nearby towns that were hit by Hurricane Helene, where we discussed the importance of federal services to rebuilding and fighting severe weather. The Great Smoky Mountains are ultimately just one of the many national treasures threatened by extreme weather, rising carbon emissions, and plastic pollution. We all have to work together to fight that threat.”
Last month, Trump’s Secretary of the Interior, Doug Bergum, reversed the Interior Department’s policy to phase out single-use plastics across national parks and other public lands. The Biden policy, modeled after Obama-era guidelines, banned the sale and distribution of unnecessary single-use plastic products, like bottles and plastic foam foodware, in protected areas.
The Reducing Waste in National Parks Actwould restore Biden’s policy, codifying a call for the National Park Service to decrease the availability of single-use plastics in parks. U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
“Oregonians and Americans love our national parks, but instead of protecting them from dangerous plastic pollution, Secretary Burgum is dead set on reopening the floodgates to plastic in our parks,” said Senator Merkley, Ranking Member of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. “Single-use plastics threaten our natural treasures and the ability of folks to enjoy their beauty. As the Trump Administration continues to recklessly endanger natural wonders and wildlife nationwide—just like during the first administration—I’ll keep fighting to protect and preserve our parks and public lands so they can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
“Our national parks should be full of scenic views and free of plastic pollution,” said Christy Leavitt, Campaign Director at Oceana. “Reducing single-use plastics in our national parks is a win for wildlife and the millions of visitors who come to enjoy these remarkable places. Plastics can persist in our oceans and environment for years and years, fouling the landscape and harming fragile ecosystems. We applaud Sen. Merkley and Rep. Quigley for closing the floodgates of plastic pollution and standing up for plastic-free parks.”
“We greatly appreciate Rep. Quigley’s enduring leadership in helping to ensure that the National Park Service takes action to reduce plastic disposable waste in our parks, ” said Madeleine Foote, Healthy Communities Program Director at the League of Conservation Voters. “The Park Service had made considerable progress towards their goal of eliminating single-use plastics by 2032, and it’s incredibly disappointing to see this new administration reversing course. We commend Rep. Quigley, and other members like him, who are working to protect our public lands, waters, and special places for generations to come.”
During his Climate Change Tour of the Great Smoky Mountains, Quigley and U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Jared Huffman (CA-02), and Maxine Dexter (OR-03) saw the impacts of climate change on our National Parks firsthand. They also learned from subject matter experts about the tactics deployed to combat the effects of climate change and the measures that could be implemented going forward to help adapt to coming climate impacts. The Reducing Waste in National Parks Actis just one federal initiative that will help these experts in their mission to preserve our nation’s precious natural treasures.
“Our national parks are among our most important American treasures,” said Representative Casten. “I was honored to join my colleagues this past week in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to see local efforts to preserve crucial ecosystems and ensure that our parks will be around for our children and grandchildren to enjoy. I also appreciated hearing directly from folks managing the recovery and rehabilitation efforts following Hurricane Helene and look forward to taking what we learned back to Washington to help mitigate the next climate-driven extreme weather disaster.”
“Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park made one thing clear: our national parks represent the best of America — clean air, clear water, thriving wildlife, and shared spaces for all of us to enjoy. But Trump’s Interior Department would rather flood them with single-use plastics than protect these national treasures. We should be investing in resilience, restoration, and partnerships that strengthen these lands—not selling them out to polluters,” said Representative Huffman, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee. “I’m proud to back Rep. Quigley’s Reducing Waste in National Parks Act to keep plastics out of our parks and ensure future generations inherit public lands that are healthy and thriving.”
The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act would:
Restore the previous Interior Department policy of phasing out single-use plastic products across national parks and other public lands.
Decrease the availability of single-use plastic products, like bottles and plastic foam foodware, in protected areas by banning their sale and distribution.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on CNN’s The Situation Room where he emphasized that House Democrats will continue pushing back against the extremism that has been unleashed on the American people by the Trump administration and Rubber Stamp Republicans in Congress.
WOLF BLITZER: Leader Jeffries, thanks so much for joining us. What do you think? What does this say about the relationship between President Trump and the Defense Secretary?
LEADER JEFFRIES:Pete Hegseth is the most unqualified Defense Secretary in American history, undermines the ability of the Department of Defense to keep the American people safe and Donald Trump should fire him, or Pete Hegseth should tender his resignation. That’s been clear and apparent for months. And it’s shocking to me that this charade continues to go on. Ukraine is an ally. Russia is a sworn enemy of the United States of America. And when you limit Ukraine’s ability to be successful in the war of aggression that Russia has launched against a sovereign country, you undermine America’s national security interests. And that’s highly problematic.
WOLF BLITZER: Very strong words. Very strong words, I should just say. Trump says he’s now considering supporting a bill in the Senate that would impose punishing sanctions on Russia. Leader Jeffries, what do you make of the President’s change in tone against Russia and Vladimir Putin for that matter? And do you expect that these sanctions, this sanctions bill will ultimately come up for a vote?
LEADER JEFFRIES: There’s strong and bipartisan support for sanctions against Vladimir Putin and Russia, and it’s unfortunate that the Trump administration has spent months playing footsie with Vladimir Putin and some would suggest bending the knee to an enemy of this country. This war of aggression that Russia has launched against Ukraine is clear. It’s not just about territorial integrity. It’s a battle between democracy and autocracy, between freedom and tyranny, between truth and propaganda. And the United States of America should always stand on the side of democracy and freedom and truth. That means standing on the side of Ukraine until victory is won.
WOLF BLITZER: So you would support these sanctions if, in fact, they’re passed?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Certainly need to take a look at the specifics of the sanctions, but I am a strong supporter of continuing to escalate and intensify the sanctions that have been previously put into place relative to Russia until they back down and, you know, withdraw from Ukraine and create a situation where Ukraine’s sovereignty can be restored and the killing of innocent civilians stops, including the killing of Ukrainian children that have been targeted by Russia and Vladimir Putin.
WOLF BLITZER: And the Russians are now launching a record number of drones and other missiles against various civilian targets in Ukraine as we speak right now. I want to turn while I have you, Leader Jeffries, to the President’s major policy bill that he signed into law on July 4. All Congressional Democrats, of course, voted against it. What’s your biggest concern right now about the impact this legislation, which is now the law—he signed it into law—will have?
LEADER JEFFRIES:Donald Trump’s One Big Ugly Law hurts everyday Americans all across the country and rewards billionaires. It’s an unprecedented assault on the healthcare of the American people. Hospitals will close, including in rural America. Nursing homes will shut down. Community-based health clinics will no longer be able to operate. And as a result of so many people losing coverage in different ways, people are going to die all across this country. This bill also rips food away from the mouths of children. And all of this is being done to reward their billionaire donors. And by the way, it’s also going to set us on a course toward possibly bankrupting the nation by adding trillions of dollars to America’s debt, which is already far too high. We’re going to tattoo this law on the foreheads of every single House Republican who voted against the best interests of the people that they represent in doing the bidding of supporting this bill and continuing to rubber stamp Donald Trump’s extreme agenda.
WOLF BLITZER: Your fellow Democrats have signaled they intend to make the Medicaid cuts—and there are enormous Medicaid cuts in this new law—a key issue in next year’s midterm elections. But the bill was designed so that those cuts won’t actually happen until after the midterm elections. Given that, Leader Jeffries, will this bill really have as big of an impact on the midterms as some Democrats are saying?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, this is not about politics. It’s about policy. And Republicans have supported a policy which involves the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. And by setting this massive cut into motion, it lays the conditions for the collapse of the Medicaid system in many ways. So this is a big challenge. And also, Wolf, it’s important to recognize that this bill also will rip coverage away from millions of Americans because of changes that were made to the Affordable Care Act. It also goes after Medicare, possibly a cut that could be set into motion by more than $500 billion and it also represents an attack on the Children’s Health Insurance Program and on Planned Parenthood. So it’s an all-out assault on healthcare and it is going to have real consequences for the American people, and that will be felt, in many ways, immediately.
WOLF BLITZER: Many of your Democratic colleagues are facing angry voters back in their districts. According to Axios, some are even being told they need to be more willing to go out there and get shot when fighting—that was a direct quote, get shot—when fighting back against some of Trump’s policies. One House Democrat saying, quote, and I’ll read it to you, ‘Our own base is telling us that what we’re doing is not good enough. There needs to be blood to grab the attention of the press and the public.’ How do you respond to that, Leader Jeffries? Are Democrats not meeting the moment, not doing enough to fight these developments?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we are in a more is more environment in terms of the unprecedented assault on the American way of life and our country that has been launched by Donald Trump and compliant House Republicans—more speeches, more rallies, more protests, more sit-ins, more press conferences, more town hall meetings in Democratic districts and Republican districts. We’re in a more is more environment and we’ll continue to lean in aggressively. At the same period of time, we also are going to span out across the country and talk to the American people about our affirmative vision of making their life better. Imagine a country where everyone can afford to live the good life—a good-paying job, good healthcare, good housing, good education for your children and a good retirement. That’s what Democrats are working hard to bring about. When you work hard in America and when you play by the rules, you should be able to afford to live the good life. And far too many people are struggling to live paycheck to paycheck. That’s unacceptable in the wealthiest country in the history of the world.
WOLF BLITZER: Leader Jeffries, I also want to talk to you about Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for Mayor in New York City. CNN has new reporting that some progressives who empowered Mamdani to victory now want to primary you and other Democrats in New York City. The co-chair of New York City’s Democratic Socialists of America says he thinks you’re picking fights, quote, ‘with the left,’ instead of focusing ‘on fighting the right.’ His words. Asked whether Mamdani thinks those incumbent challenges should happen, his Press Secretary told CNN he was declining to comment, at least for now. How do you respond?
LEADER JEFFRIES: I have no idea what these people are talking about. We are going to continue to focus our efforts, as we did on the House Floor, in connection with Donald Trump’s One Big Ugly Bill, on pushing back against the extremism that has been unleashed on the American people. It’s clear to us, as House Democrats, it’s clear to us as Members of the New York City delegation, that the problem is Donald Trump and House Republicans who have launched this unprecedented assault on the American way of life, an assault on healthcare. They’re ripping food out of the mouths of children, veterans and seniors. They’re exploding the national debt. They’re unleashing masked agents on law-abiding immigrant communities. It shouldn’t be too difficult for some people to figure out who the problem is in the United States of America.
WOLF BLITZER: The Democratic Leader, the Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries. Thanks, as usual, for joining us.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is expressing support for the bipartisan resolution sponsored by the Minnesota delegation to Congress deploring political violence in the wake of the recent shocking attack on two state legislators and their spouses.
Led by Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-MN-03) with the bipartisan support of the other seven Members of the delegation, including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN-06), H. Res. 519 condemns the attacks on Minnesota lawmakers in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, Minnesota, and calls for unity and the rejection of political violence in Minnesota and across the United States.
“I was grieved to hear of this terrible attack while I was home in American Samoa. I support my Minnesota colleagues in this, and I appreciate the bipartisan spirit of this Resolution to express the sense of the full House of Representatives,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Americans reject political violence. Instead, we embrace constitutionally protected free dialogue, and advancing change through voting, advocacy, representation, and lawmaking.”
She continued, “I will never forget the shock of the news of the 2017 attack on Republican Members of Congress preparing for the yearly charitable congressional baseball game, about this time of year that June, where my friend Majority Leader Steve Scalise was severely wounded and Capitol Police officers performed their duties admirably to save lives. Every time I drive to the Capitol, I pass right by that park, a reminder of that terrible event, but also a reminder of courage and resilience in the face of violence.”
“I support our leadership’s important efforts on stepping up and reviewing security measures, as congressional security is an ongoing concern, and I appreciate our Capitol Police who train to keep Members, staff and visitors to the Capitol safe,” Amata concluded.
Congresswoman Amata’s father, the late Governor Uifa’atali Peter T. Coleman, served on the Capitol Police force, between his World War II service and his years in leadership in the Pacific.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)
Pago Pago – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting Juneteenth, which became an official national holiday through bipartisan votes by Congress in 2021, and released the following statement:
“On Juneteenth, we celebrate shared ideals of freedom that can give us powerful unity as a country. Freedom is a cherished value that America’s founders declared a God-given right, but those blessings of freedom were not yet available to all. That freedom became the life’s mission and calling for many American abolitionists, but it did not become a nationwide reality until after hundreds of thousands of lives were lost in a long and bloody Civil War.
“The cause of freedom prevailed then, and has been defended since. Our great nation, including our own Toa o Samoa, lifts up the enduring cause of freedom today throughout the world.
“On Juneteenth, we send our love and goodwill to African American countrymen and women that descend from that Civil War history. We celebrate ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ together, and our dedication to a strong, united country for the generations ahead.”
History: Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom. The date is in commemoration of June 19, 1865, when news of freedom finally reached the last known place practicing slavery in the United States — two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on New Year’s Day, 1863. The two largest Confederate armies had surrendered to Union forces in April of that same year, ending all major fighting of the Civil War.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)
Washington, D.C. – On behalf of Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, Chief of Staff Leafaina Tavai welcomed the 2025 winner of the Malofie Congressional Art Competition, Deborah Vaiotu of Tafuna High School and Malaeloa Village, to the U.S. Capitol for the opening of her artwork last week, accompanied by her sister Evoline. Deborah’s outstanding artwork titled “Motherhood” is now on display for the next year.
Judges
American Samoa’s competition was judged in March with over 25 strong entries from local students. The winners from congressional districts all over the nation are invited yearly to the Capitol to see their artwork on display, attend a national reception, and other activities.
Motherhood
“Congratulations to Deborah for her beautiful and especially heartwarming artwork, which represents American Samoa so well,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Everyone exclaims over her lovely depiction of a strong Samoan mother with a baby.”
“Thank you to all of the competition participants, and I know this year had so many good entries, which is a credit to these creative students and their excellent art teachers,” she continued.
The winning artwork is displayed where thousands of Capitol tour groups each year will see the rows of work by skilled young people all over the country. Members of Congress will walk by the display wall many times over the year ahead.
“As I return to Washington, it will be wonderful to see all the new art in place showcasing originality and cultural influences from all over the country,” concluded Amata. “Thank you again to this year’s generous sponsors making this opportunity available to our students.”
Congresswoman Amata’s office works in partnership with the American Samoa Department of Education to hold the competition, select several standouts, and determine one to represent American Samoa in Washington. American Samoa’s public and private high schools are invited to send entries for the competition.