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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata emphasized energy security in her questions during a Natural Resources Committee hearing this week examining legislation, including a bipartisan permitting reform bill. 

The Congresswoman’s questions and the testimony in response are available HERE. 

“Energy security is a key to national security, economic security, even food security,” said Congresswoman Amata. “As an island people, we depend on imported energy and good U.S. planning to keep energy available and affordable to us. I appreciate this discussion on multiple sources of energy production and the recognition of how China affects the Pacific region, within the examination of three important bills.”

Congresswoman Amata addressed questions to the following expert witnesses: Mr. Jeremy Harrell, Chief Executive Officer of ClearPath; Mr. Thomas Hochman, Director of Infrastructure Policy, Foundation for American Innovation; and Mr. Nick Loris, Vice President of Public Policy, C3 Solutions. Her questions prompted elaboration on U.S. efforts to keep up with China in energy access, the role of energy in national security, getting on the right track in this priority, and expanding on earlier testimony regarding Russia and China. 

The House Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee legislative hearing on three bipartisan bills that will help streamline the permitting process, including House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman’s (R-Ark.) and U.S. Rep. Jared Golden’s (D-Maine) Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act. 

Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) said, “With the bipartisan SPEED Act, we can ensure America meets its growing energy needs, revitalizes its crumbling infrastructure, wins the AI race and keeps its citizens safe and secure while upholding the world’s highest environmental standards and responsibly managing our natural resources.”

Legislation Examined: 

The Studying NEPA’s Impact on Projects Act, H.R. 573, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), will inform policymakers on the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969’s (NEPA) impacts by requiring the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to publish an annual report on NEPA projects and outcomes, for greater transparency. 

The ePermit Act, H.R. 4503, introduced by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), will provide legislative direction on how federal agencies should implement electronic permitting systems.

The SPEED Act, H.R. 4777, introduced by Chairman Westerman (R-Ark.), and U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) will streamline the permitting process and return the law to its intended purpose, including shorten permitting timelines, reduce the frequency of frivolous litigation, limit judicial review timelines and clarify when NEPA is activated. 

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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amatais highlighting various news from this week in Congress that affects American Samoa. 

 The House Appropriations Committee this week passed two 2026 major appropriations bills that would fund various departments of the U.S. government, to be considered soon by the full House of Representatives. 

These bills are the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; and the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

Additionally, the House named conferees with the Senate to complete the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Acts, 2026. 

“Each of these major appropriations bills are vehicles for funding in American Samoa, including grant programs, all of which start with congressional authorization and appropriations,” said Congresswoman Amata. “More specifically, the House and Senate are set to confer on the bill that directs our nutrition support, and Veterans’ services as authorized by our Veterans’ Affairs Committee legislation, so I am monitoring these bills closely and will keep you informed.”

In other congressional activity, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, of which Amata is a Member, has introduced major legislation reauthorizing the U.S. State Department. This bill, built from the substance of nine other bills throughout the year so far, is scheduled for markup (including committee vote on passage) next week. 

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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is hailing the pay raise for the military in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, passed Wednesday by the House with a vote of 231-196. The House voted to raise pay for U.S. Service Members by 3.8 percent next year, building on this year’s pay raise.

“This is a well-earned pay raise for our dedicated military, including our own Toa o Samoa,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “We must keep supporting the well-being of our Service Members and their families, and ensure our military is strong and ready. We must continue the important focus on the security of the vast Indo-Pacific region.” 

The Senate also has version of the NDAA, which authorizes $32 billion more than the House. Armed Services Committee leaders in both chambers are hopeful the compromise between the two can be crafted and passed before Thanksgiving.

Congresswoman Amata along with Indo-Pacific Chairwoman Young Kim, Congressman Ed Case of Hawaii, and Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds of CNMI proffered a bipartisan amendment to provide VA healthcare benefits to Veterans from the Freely Associated States. Congresswoman Amata, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said, “Our bipartisan amendment is already included in the Senate bill, and we are optimistic it will be included in the final conference between House and Senate. These provisions supporting veterans were negotiated and intended to be part of the renewed Compacts of Free Association. The veterans of all three Freely Associated States served and deserve these benefits, and I am confident in its inclusion in the final NDAA.”

The House-passed bill, H.R. 3838, is fully titled the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (SPEED Act and FY26 NDAA). Led by Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) of the House Armed Services Committee, the $848 billion NDAA aims to speed up defense procurements, would codify certain Ukraine aid, and strengthens Pacific security, including support for Taiwan

Last year, Congress passed a 4.5 percent raise for all military in the previous NDAA for fiscal year 2025, and historically, paid junior enlisted (E-1 through E-4) a 14.5 percent increase. Last year’s bill included major new support for housing and quality of life improvements, while this year’s bill additionally emphasizes improved acquisition, while building on other aspects of the previous bill. 

Each year the NDAA is the largest Defense authorization bill, comprising all aspects of the Pentagon’s operations, including training and equipment. Due to its importance, Congress has never failed to pass the yearly NDAA, with the first one passing in 1961 for fiscal year 1962, and it generally attracts bipartisan support. 

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

Moose, Wyoming — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata took part in a Friday hearing of the House Committee on Natural Resources, held in Grand Teton National Park, discussing renewal of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which provided a generational surge in support for national parks over the past five years. Amata was one of seven Members of Congress participating in the hearing, aimed at having America’s national parks ready for next year’s 250th anniversary of the country and beyond. 

“In America, and in American Samoa, we are blessed with beautiful places, and we are stewards of these sites for the future,” said Congresswoman Amata. “It was a pleasure holding congressional work near towering mountains, while a black bear wandered near us. The scenery was a reminder of the important effort to thoughtfully renew legislation to protect and improve our parks. Next year’s anniversary is a milestone for our great country, and our parks are a source of pride within our national story.”

The GAOA was signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2020, following bipartisan approval by Congress. The major legislation invested $1.9 billion yearly in national parks and public land, relying on federal energy revenues. As its expiration date approaches, reauthorizing and updating this law is critical so that national parks and public lands are modernized and maintained for future generations, and funds are used most effectively. 

During the field hearing, members heard directly from National Park Service officials, small business owners and other local partners about how GAOA has been used for critical park repairs, as well as the importance of our national parks and public lands to local economies. Before the hearing, members visited Granite Canyon Trailhead, Moose-Wilson Road, and an equestrian area, as they viewed GAOA-funded projects. 

The United States is home to 63 National Parks and 433 sites in the National Park System, including monuments, memorials, battlefields, historic sites, and scenic trails. In 2023, these places attracted 33 million visits, and brought $26.4 billion to the communities surrounding all sites.

Of these, the National Park of American Samoa is unique in several ways, as the only one south of the Equator, a multi-site Park on several islands, home to South Pacific plants and wildlife species not found anywhere else in the U.S., and the inclusion of offshore preserved coral reefs.

Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) said, “The Natural Resources Committee is focused on modernizing and maintaining our national parks ahead of America’s 250th birthday next year. The field hearing in Grand Teton National Park gave us a firsthand look at how the Great American Outdoors Act is delivering critical investments to our national parks and where we must improve.”

The field hearing was in the district of Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), who said, “The hearing at Grand Teton National Park highlighted the successes of the Great American Outdoors Act as its authorization nears expiration. Reauthorizing the GAOA will extend its positive impact by modernizing park infrastructure, enhancing visitor experience, expanding public access, and creating new outdoor recreation opportunities.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

NJ Congressman says 9/11 health program has stopped certifying new conditions and Responder Steering Committee has stopped meeting, despite Trump Admin’s claims to otherwise

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s decision to destroy $10 million worth of family planning commodities rather than sending them to communities in need:

“I am appalled by the Trump administration’s deliberate decision to destroy desperately needed contraceptives and other family planning products that could have protected the health and safety of women and families around the world.

“Organizations offered to buy these family planning commodities from the U.S. government to ensure they could be used and not go to waste. Instead, the administration is purposely wasting $10 million in taxpayer-funded commodities, an act of cruelty and hypocrisy from officials who claim to oppose government waste. This is not due to ignorance; it’s a deliberate choice.

“Members of Congress have been sounding the alarm for months, urging the administration to sell or donate these contraceptives. Our calls have been ignored and legitimate oversight blocked. This is why Representatives Lois Frankel, Grace Meng, and I introduced the Saving Lives and Taxpayer Dollars Act, along with Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Brian Schatz, in July. The legislation would ensure U.S. taxpayer-purchased foreign aid commodities reach their intended beneficiaries rather than go to waste or be destroyed. The Trump administration and the State Department under Secretary Rubio have repeatedly demonstrated they cannot be trusted to do the right thing for the American people and our partners and allies abroad.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) released the following statement:  

“I voted against the FY26 NDAA because it fails to put service members and our national security at the forefront. While I cannot support a bill that prioritizes partisan politics over the real needs of our troops, I am encouraged that my bipartisan amendment to repeal the outdated 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) was included. These Iraq war authorizations are long obsolete, yet administrations of both parties have exploited them to bypass Congress. Ending them is an important step toward restoring congressional oversight and ensuring that decisions about war are made responsibly. 

“Unfortunately, Republicans forced through partisan provisions that do nothing to strengthen our defense or provide meaningful support for service members. They rejected Democratic proposals that would have addressed pressing issues, from preventing the misuse of U.S. military forces for domestic law enforcement, to curbing unilateral executive war-making, to safeguarding the integrity and professionalism of our armed forces.

“These issues include the Trump Administration’s use of the U.S. military for domestic law enforcement, its unilateral decisions on what is a threat and when to take military action, and the politicization of our armed forces, including firings of highly qualified and dedicated individuals who have served our country with honor and distinction.

 “While Republicans play politics with our military, Democrats are focused on strengthening it. We will not allow partisan measures that undermine our troops or take rights from military families. Instead, we will continue fighting for Americans’ healthcare, education, and good-paying jobs.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Ryan Mackenzie today introduced legislation to codify the State Department’s Regional China Office (RCO) program, first launched in 2019. The program monitors malign activity by the People’s Republic of China around the world and provides critical insights to strengthen U.S. strategic competition with Beijing.

“The PRC is increasingly conducting malign activities across the globe, often in direct conflict with U.S. interests and the interests of our allies and partners. To effectively compete with China, the State Department must be equipped to monitor and respond to Beijing’s aggressive and destabilizing international behavior. My legislation with Rep. Mackenzie will codify State’s Regional China Officer program to ensure that we have enough dedicated China watchers deployed globally to better inform our diplomatic missions and policies toward China,” said Ranking Member Meeks.

“As China’s regime works to spread its influence throughout the world, it’s essential that the United States stay one step ahead. China’s global influence-peddling operation poses a serious threat to American interests by subverting institutions and destabilizing our partners. Our nation cannot be a bystander while the CCP works to achieve its malign ambitions; we must continue to support programs like the Regional China Office and ensure that the State Department has the means to achieve key foreign policy objectives in the face of Chinese meddling,” said Rep. Mackenzie. 

A PDF copy of the bill can be found here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Sara Jacobs, Ranking Member of the Africa Subcommittee, and every Democrat on the Africa Subcommittee today sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding answers on why the State Department has failed to comply with the law requiring a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.  

The lawmakers expressed alarm over reports that the Administration does not plan to hold the high-level meeting critical for bolstering collaboration between the U.S. and African nations, despite a statutory requirement to do so.

“As you are aware, the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), signed into law on December 23, 2024, stipulates under Section 7803 that a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit must take place ‘not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act’ and then biennially thereafter. The Act also requires the Department of State to form an ‘implementation unit’ within the Bureau of African Affairs to coordinate the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, and stipulates that no more than 180 days after the enactment of the Act, ‘the implementation unit shall consult with the appropriate congressional committees on summit planning and the fulfillment of commitments,’” wrote the Ranking Members.

“We are deeply concerned that it is now more than 250 days since the NDAA became law, and the Department of State has not communicated with Congress regarding planning for the 2025 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. Reports now indicate the Administration does not plan to hold the Summit this year,” they continued. 

A PDF copy of the full letter can be found here.