Amata Radewagen

Pago Pago – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement in honor and enjoyment of White Sunday: Children Enjoying White Sunday “Together as a people, we look forward to this special Sunday featuring the children of our islands, knowing they are a gift and heritage to us directly from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). This happy occasion also serves as a reminder to hold to our faith throughout every age of life. “Although my role as a Congresswoman fills most of my time day to day, my roles as a Christian, and as a mother and grandmother will always be even more important. These are God-given roles and blessings. I will be enjoying the wonderful children of our islands on White Sunday through the eyes and heart of a mother and grandmother. “We thank God for the children of our islands, their bright futures, and God’s good plan for their lives. On this White Sunday, we entrust our youth to our Heavenly Father’s blessing, knowing that ‘the Lord takes pleasure in his people’ (Psalm 149:4). Have a joyful White Sunday!” ###

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming the announcement of NOAA funding for regional and national ocean observing. The 11 new five-year cooperative agreements announced Thursday will enable U.S. IOOS regional associations to operate regional coastal observing systems (RCOSs) throughout U.S. waters, with $45.7 million in overall funding for the first year, supporting operation and modernization of observing capabilities for coasts, ocean, and the Great Lakes. The Pacific Islands region, including American Samoa, is supported at over $4 million ($4,033,322) for fiscal year 2027. Wave buoys like these are essential instruments in ocean observing and there are over 600 assets, including buoys, reporting wave data throughout IOOS. Wave information is important for weather forecasting, safe navigation, port operations, coastal planning, coastal hazard prediction and mitigation, and many more applications. Photo credit: PacIOOS Congresswoman Amata has supported and cosponsored bipartisan legislation to authorize, boost funding, and enhance these capabilities for Pacific waters, as well as volcano warning systems. In this Congress, as an original cosponsor, Amata co-led the House-passed bill, H.R 2294, to reauthorize this program. She also supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021 that has funded these same 11 NOAA project areas, including the buoys. Also this Congress, she supported in committee the bipartisan bill, H.R. 3176, which has passed the House, to reauthorize national volcano early warning systems for five years. She has supported Pacific volcano study legislation, and numerous related bills for tsunami response, since her first year in Congress. “In American Samoa, just days ago, we observed our anniversary of the dreadful 2009 tsunami that cost many lives and caused much devastation. Our Manu’a Islands have experienced rumblings and scientists keep watch on the Vailulu’u Seamount, and in 2022, Tongo experienced a massive, deadly volcanic blast and tsunami,” said Aumua Amata. “We depend on the important science of ocean observations for quality data, like wave measurements, for services, decision-making and storm readiness. We have a buoy named in memory of longtime Port Director Chris King for his years of service to American Samoa.” Under the agreements, announced Thursday by NOAA, the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) will operate and maintain the regional coastal observing system (RCOS) for Pacific Islands, including the State of Hawai‘i; the territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; the Freely Associated States the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands; and the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands (Baker, Howland, Jarvis, Johnston, Kingman, Midway, Palmyra, and Wake). The data collected from ocean observations: Supports fishermen, aquaculturists, shipping and logistics managers, and coastal communities in making sound economic and safety decisions; Supports management and mitigation of coastal hazards, such as flooding and harmful algal blooms; and Provides essential information for weather forecasting and national defense. The regional associations are a fundamental part of the national observing system, and help ensure that the system is both effective and efficient. They are federally certified to collect and manage high-quality observing data, forming robust partnerships with local stakeholders and coastal communities. As the regional component of the nationwide U.S. IOOS network, regional associations meet local needs by using stakeholder feedback to guide the development of RCOSs while also integrating national priorities and requirements. These cooperative agreements are awarded every five years through a competitive process and support the continued operation and modernization of our nation’s coastal, ocean and Great Lakes observing capabilities. Total awards include additional funding from other NOAA offices in the National Ocean Service, National Weather Service, NOAA Fisheries, NOAA Satellites and NOAA Research. ###

Pago Pago – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting the upcoming possibility for American Samoa’s children to begin a new investment growth account, known as Trump accounts, funded by the child’s guardian. “The federal law creating Trump account investments does not prevent U.S. nationals from participating, so I want our people to be informed to make their own decisions,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “The children of our islands who are U.S. nationals can be included, and must have their U.S. Social Security number to participate along with U.S. citizens.” “I know that every hard-earned dollar is precious to our families, and needed in your current household budget, but starting an early investment even with a small amount has potential to build up in the future for a child with a full lifetime of growth earnings ahead of them, so this is information for your consideration, prayer, and counsel,” continued Aumua Amata. What to know: These accounts do not apply to residents of American Samoa who are not U.S. nationals or citizens. Trump Accounts are traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) for minors under age 18, managed by an adult guardian to build growth for them through U.S. stock market investments. While owned by the child, they are administered by a parent or legal guardian as custodian until the owner turns 18. Only the adult can start the account, using the official app from Trump Accounts (Trumpaccounts.gov) or via the IRS using Form 4547. An account holder may contribute up to $5,000 per year in regular individual contributions per child. At their choice, employers may contribute up to $2,500 tax-free annually. Note that your individual contributions are made with after-tax dollars (non-deductible), but the earnings then grow tax-deferred. The investments are placed in low-cost mutual funds or ETFs tracking major U.S. equity indexes like the S&P 500. In general, no withdrawals are permitted while the beneficiary is a minor. Full control transfers to the individual at age 18. The account converts fully to a standard traditional IRA, with standard retirement or qualified penalty-free distribution rules. Congress and President Trump created these accounts through Public Law 119-21, signed into law in 2025, which was designated the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also called the Working Families Tax Cuts. ###

Pago Pago – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming notice of a $350,000 Pasefika Youth Center grant supporting the work of the Pacific Youth and Development Center. Aumua Amata in Committee work - file photo “Thank you to the everyone at the Malaeimi Fa'atamali'i Center and Chairman of the Board Toetasi Tuiteleleapaga for these meaningful efforts,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “Congratulations to the Center and this program serving our youth, and pointing them toward better futures. Thank you for your care for our young people, and to HHS we appreciate the support in our community.” Legislative authority from Congress for this grant is through the longstanding Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, among others, along with the current annual bills authorizing HHS priorities and appropriating HHS spending. This discretionary health services grant, titled Empowering Pacific Island Communities, is through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and specifically, the Administration for Children and Families (ACYF) and its Family and Youth Services Bureau. This federal grant program supports services such as community workshops, educational support, and youth outreach, as well as providing mentorship, health resources, recreation and computer labs. The Center provides safety and refuge, food, clothing, medical care, and counseling for youth facing crisis circumstances. ###

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming House passage by voice vote of the Senate companion to a bill she cosponsored in the House for better science-based U.S. fishing safeguards. This amended bill includes much of the original House bill, and it has been returned to the Senate for one final vote to become law. Testifying in House Ways and Means Committee regarding our tuna industry Last week, the House amended and passed S. 283, the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act. This bill overlaps and incorporates policies from its companion House bill, the Amata-cosponsored Standards for Understanding Source and Habitat Identification (SUSHI) Act, H.R. 3706, voted earlier through the House Natural Resources (HNR) Committee, as well as its Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries, where Amata serves. HNR Chairman Bruce Westerman then managed House passage of S. 283 for the floor vote. Both the final bill, and its companion effort, are bipartisan and work to secure American seafood using the same method against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, which unfairly costs and competes with the American tuna industry, along with other seafood. The bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of seafood to support enforcement against IUU fishing to stop seafood fraud and the problem of U.S. imports of competing IUU product. “This is a good bipartisan effort to safeguard U.S. tuna, and protect American Samoa’s share of the market, by better identifying IUU produced tuna and preventing American imports of illegal competition that undercut our fishing,” said Congresswoman Amata. “As part of our national food security, we need a dependable U.S. fishing supply that’s not forced to compete against fraudulent IUU bad actors. I appreciate key leaders on both sides of the aisle recognizing the need for this initiative to help keep our fishing competitive. We’re at the finish line for this bill, and I expect final passage of this priority.” The Senate bill was sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) with Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), while the House bill was sponsored in February by Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) with two original cosponsors, Rep. Aumua Amata (American Samoa) and Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA). Along with Pacific fishing, the Gulf waters off the coast of Texas also include fishing for a species of red snapper and tuna. Legislation Highlights: Directs federal agencies to jointly develop a standard methodology, based on chemical analysis, to identify the country of origin of seafood and support enforcement against IUU fishing and seafood fraud. Requires the methodology to meet the needs of federal and state law enforcement, reduce processing time, and use a portable field kit that can be carried by one person. Requires pilot studies using red snapper and tuna to test the methodology across both stationary and highly migratory fish stocks. Directs agencies, to the extent practicable, to further develop a methodology capable of testing prepared seafood, including ceviche, sashimi, sushi, and poke. ###

A $250,586 CDC award to ASDOH will strengthen epidemiology, laboratory capacity, and infectious disease surveillance in American Samoa. Thank you to Epidemiologist Adam Konrote, Dr. Saipale Fuimaono, and our medical professionals working to keep our people safe. https://t.co/7M10nwpQYg

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of a $250,586 award to the American Samoa Department of Health (ASDOH) through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The discretionary federal funding is provided through the CDC's National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases. In American Samoa, this health services grant supports capacity building for Epidemiology, Lab and Surveillance of Infectious Diseases for prevention and control. “We’ve welcomed an encouraging series of grant notices in recent weeks, each one focused on another important and specific need or service. I can’t thank our dedicated team enough for the local efforts to fulfill federal requirements to receive everything we are due under the laws,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “Thank you to Epidemiologist Adam Konrote and as always every single medical professional involved in keeping our people safe.” This funding is for the next year of an ongoing five-year project through 2029. ASDOH is led by Health Director Dr. Saipale Fuimaono, and HHS by Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr., while CDC is led by Director Dr. Erica Schwartz, Rear Admiral, USN, (Ret). ###

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata and Congressman John Garamendi, who serve as bipartisan Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Peace Corps Caucus, introduced a bipartisan concurrent resolution to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Peace Corps. Caucus Co-Chairman Amata speaking at a Peace Corps event in July 2026 Congresswoman Aumua Amata said, “Thank you to 65 years of Peace Corps volunteers that have made a difference for millions of people throughout the world, and congratulations to the Peace Corps on this milestone. This Resolution provides congressional recognition for a proven program built on lasting values of serving others. It’s a pleasure to work with returned volunteer Congressman Garamendi to encourage Peace Corps volunteers for many years to come. I have fond memories of my time as a Peace Corps staffer, as does my daughter, a returned volunteer.” The resolution officially honors the service, legacy, and ongoing global impact of the nearly 250,000 Americans who have answered the call to service since the agency’s founding in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, who issued his historic call to service that March, and Congress through the Peace Corps Act, which passed the Senate by voice vote and the House with large bipartisan majority support. Co-Chairman Amata served as a Peace Corps staffer in the Northern Mariana Islands, and one of her daughters, Kirsten, is a returned volunteer. Co-Chairman Garamendi is the only returned Peace Corps volunteer serving in Congress. In March, they led a bipartisan letter in support of the agency’s necessary funding. Peace Corps Caucus Co-Chairmen Aumua Amata and John Garamendi Congressman Garamendi (D-CA-08) said, "Patti and I answered President John F. Kennedy’s call to service fresh out of college, serving together in a small village in western Ethiopia. That experience changed our lives and inspired a lifetime of public service for us for several of our children who also answered the call. Sixty-five years later, the Peace Corps remains one of America’s most vital instruments of soft power, food security, and international goodwill. As we celebrate this 65th anniversary, Congress must continue to support a stronger, modernized Peace Corps that is fully prepared to face the global challenges of the 21st century." Read the concurrent resolution (H.Con.Res.119) here. This year, the Peace Corps commemorates 65 years of promoting peace and friendship through volunteer service. As the U.S. government’s premier international volunteering agency, the Corps sends skilled Americans abroad to collaborate on projects that advance both American and host country priorities. Since 1961, the Peace Corps has advanced U.S. global engagement in this way through the work of Volunteers serving in 144 host countries. ###

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming notice from the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs of an award to the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA) for victim assistance services. Congresswoman Amata and Dr. Celestine Faumuina-Nix pictured at IGIA 2025 This discretionary federal award, dated September 17th, is titled Office of Victims of Crime (OVC) Fiscal Year 2026 Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant. It is for the ongoing project from FY2026-2029. Congressional authorization originates from the 1984 Victims of Crime Act that is supported by the current Congress through continued yearly DOJ authorizations, appropriations, and updates to that law. “Thank you once again to Dr. Celestine Faumuina-Nix along with everyone at the Criminal Justice Planning Agency that is part of these efforts to provide services and assistance to people in need, and the work that goes into qualifying for available grants,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “Thank you to any local organizations enlisted by CJPA in these efforts, making sure that victims have someone in their corner, and the help and expertise they need.” This program funds local community-based organizations and public agencies that provide services directly to crime victims, such as crisis counseling, telephone and onsite information and referrals, criminal justice support and advocacy, shelter, therapy, and additional assistance. The U.S. Department of Justice is led by Attorney General Todd Blanche. ###

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, an original cosponsor, is highlighting unanimous passage of H.R. 6448, the Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act of 2026, by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. This bill to increase federal support for eligible airport infrastructure projects in U.S. territories and qualifying rural communities is led by the representatives of the three U.S. territories in the Pacific, sponsor Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds (CNMI), with Rep. Aumua Amata (American Samoa), and Rep. James Moylan (Guam), working together at the bill’s introduction. The three Members of Congress from the US territories in the Pacific “Our islands depend heavily on our airports, and rely on their infrastructure,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “When our infrastructure needs upgrades, we face substantial barriers and delays unless there is reliable federal funding. Our bill helps ensure much-needed funds to keep our flights safe and reliable.” The legislation would increase the federal share of eligible airport infrastructure project costs to 95 percent federal for qualifying airports, to help remote and underserved communities maintain and improve the airports they depend on. It expands eligibility for the 95 percent federal cost share to certain airports in U.S. territories and qualifying rural areas, including airports classified as non-hub or nonprimary. “For communities that depend on their airports, that airport is not a luxury. It is a lifeline,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “That is especially true in the Northern Mariana Islands. Our airports connect our people to medical care, jobs, education, family, and essential services. They bring visitors to our islands and keep our local economy moving.” “For Guam, reliable airport infrastructure is not optional – it is essential to our economy, our national security, and our connection to the rest of the country and the world,” said Congressman James Moylan. “The Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act recognizes the unique challenges faced by island and remote communities and ensures that federal infrastructure policy better reflects those realities. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation, and I thank Congresswoman King-Hinds for her leadership in moving this important measure forward.” The legislation recognizes that smaller and remote communities often face higher infrastructure costs and fewer transportation alternatives than larger metropolitan areas. H.R. 6448 is a bipartisan effort supported by members of Congress from across the country. Representatives Nick Begich (R-AK), Tony Wied (R-WI), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), also joined in support for rural, remote, and underserved communities. The legislation does not change eligibility for the Essential Air Service program. Instead, H.R. 6448 addresses the federal cost-share structure for eligible airport infrastructure projects, recognizing the unique transportation needs of smaller and remote communities. Following unanimous passage by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, H.R. 6448 now advances to the full House of Representatives for consideration. “Federal policy needs to reflect the reality of the communities it serves,” King-Hinds concluded. “One size does not fit all. But every American community deserves a fair opportunity to maintain the infrastructure it depends on.” ###

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is congratulating American Samoa’s Salamasina July Fuimaono and her research team on receiving the Best Research Project Award at the 2026 AI4LAM Fantastic Futures conference in Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata welcomes Salamasina July Fuimaono of Lauli‘i to her Washington, D.C., congressional office during Fuimaono’s visit for the 2026 AI4LAM Fantastic Futures conference Fuimaono and fellow researchers Yangyang Chen, Rebecca Fraimow, Kyeongmin Rim, and Owen King received the recognition for their project, “Building AI Tools with Communities: Language Identification for Low-Resource Languages in Public Media Archives.” Their research includes work involving the Samoan and Yup’ik languages and explores how new technology can help identify these languages within public media archives. “Congratulations to Salamasina and her entire research team on this wonderful recognition,” said Congresswoman Amata. “It is especially meaningful to see the Samoan language and our cultural heritage represented in important research involving emerging technology. It was a pleasure to welcome Salamasina to our congressional office while she was in Washington, and I wish her and the entire team continued success.” Fuimaono was born and raised in Lauli‘i and graduated from Fagaitua High School. She is the daughter of Aeoainuu Aleki and Elisapeta Vaiaoga. Fuimaono serves as Samoan Language Program Director at Saint Louis School, a lecturer at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and Co-Founder and Board Member of O Le Malamalama Hawai‘i. Her submitted research paper confirms her affiliations with all three institutions. Caption Award recipients are recognized during the 2026 AI4LAM Fantastic Futures conference in Washington, D.C. The research project focuses on a challenge facing public media archives. Thousands of hours of programming contain languages other than English and Spanish, but archival records do not always identify the languages being spoken. The research team is working with native and heritage speakers of Samoan and Yup’ik to help develop and evaluate tools that can identify these languages and make archival materials easier to discover. Fuimaono presented the research with her team during the AI4LAM Fantastic Futures conference. While in Washington for the conference, she also visited Congresswoman Amata’s congressional office. ###

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that the American Samoa Department of Health has been awarded $324,271 through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support health data collection and advance health equity in the territory. The federal award, administered through the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), will support the project titled, “Empowering American Samoa: Targeted BRFSS Data Collection for Health Equity.” This discretionary, non-competing continuation grant funds ongoing scientific and health research, including surveys, through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The grant is part of the five-year project period running from August 2024 through July 2029, with the current budget period extending through September 2027. The BRFSS helps collect information on health-related behaviors, preventive care practices, and chronic health conditions, providing data that can help inform public health planning and services. “Reliable health data is essential to understanding the needs of our people and strengthening public health efforts throughout American Samoa,” said Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata. “I especially want to congratulate and thank Project Director Fitimalo Tautolo and the American Samoa Department of Health for their continued work on this effort for improved health outcomes. I appreciate the CDC’s continued partnership and support for better health in our islands.” ###

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, who is Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) within the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), chaired the closing portion of Wednesday’s hearing titled, “Lives, Not Leverage: The Long Arm of China and North Korea’s Repression.” Chairwoman Young Kim (R-CA) opened the hearing. Following the statements of the witnesses and the Chairwoman’s questions, Vice Chairman Amata served in the chair to complete the hearing. Congresswoman Amata chairing the EAP Subcommittee during hearing this week “These are important and challenging discussions, and I’m grateful to these witnesses, and especially the courage of two witnesses who have directly and personally experienced these wrongs,” said Vice Chairman Amata. “I appreciate the opportunity to support Chairwoman Kim and the Committee in examining these serious facts, where people’s lives and personal freedom are at stake, and Chairwoman Kim’s work to reauthorize the North Korean Human Rights Act.” Last week, the U.S. State Department elevated its travel advisory for China, due to the rising threat of arbitrary detention of Americans. Testimony focused on the actions of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) engaging in hostage “diplomacy,” in which Beijing is detaining Americans seemingly to garner leverage over the United States, as well as transnational repression, targeting PRC-persecuted minorities within the United States. The hearing also focused on testimony of the continued hostile human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The hearing included testimony from these witnesses: Mr. Peter Mattis, President, The Jamestown Foundation; Ms. Deborah Choi, North Korean Refugee, Human Rights Activist; Ms. Sylvia Zin, wife of a U.S. citizen wrongfully detained in China; Dr. Victor Cha, President and Korea Chair, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. ###

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting the 79th birthday of the United States Air Force (USAF), marking the official founding as a Service on September 18th, 1947, when President Harry Truman signed the congressional act that established the Air Force. “Happy birthday to the United States Air Force, including the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard, and congratulations to all Airmen!” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “The U.S. Air Force includes over 600,000 people serving through active duty, Reserve, Guard, or civilian support and supply, and includes thousands of aircraft. They are a cornerstone of our defense and deterrent capabilities, with a proud heritage. The Air Force brings together expert personnel, supersonic jets, high technology, and cyber knowledge. “We support our Airmen, and American Samoa is proudly represented in every Service of the U.S. Armed Forces!” she continued. “God bless these many dedicated men and women securing the skies over our deployed Service Members. From my congressional flights crewed by the Air Force, I can attest to their professionalism first-hand. Thank you for your service, and happy 79th birthday!” Prior to the 1947 milestone, Air Force history includes U.S. military aviation history with airpower in both World Wars. Historically, as airpower grew in significance in modern warfare, peacekeeping and other missions, aviation forces changed, called the Army Air Service, to the Army Air Corps in 1926, to the USAAF in 1941, before the final step into the Air Force in 1947, two years after World War II ended. ###

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming closure for 11 U.S. Nationals in Whittier, Alaska, who had been facing changes regarding past votes in a local election in Alaska. Alaska prosecutors decided to drop the charges against them, after nearly three years of legal defense resulting from their votes. “I’m relieved for our people in Alaska and glad to hear their case is over,” said Congresswoman Amata. Amata had publicly called for forgiveness and restoration for the defendants, stating at the time, “I hope the wonderful people of Alaska, where I’ve visited many times, will be forgiving of this mistake by the local U.S. nationals in their community. Rather, I hope that this can become an educational moment, that the Lord can ‘work together for good’ by preventing future problems through public awareness, while restoring our people in Alaska with compassion.” Legislatively, Amata has introduced the American Samoa Statutory Nationality and Citizenship Act (H.R. 6158) to help individual U.S. nationals more readily transfer into U.S. citizenship as a personal choice, while not affecting American Samoa’s current status, which for over 126 years has protected the family land and chiefly (matai) systems within the traditional fa’a Samoa (Samoan way). This week in Washington, Amata had a meeting with a key lawmaker to highlight the merits of her bill and build a foundation for future passage. “It’s a thorny issue to explain in DC, but we’re building a groundwork, and I’m optimistic,” Amata said. Her bill would protect both collective self-determination for American Samoa and the individual rights of U.S. nationals, by improving access to elective United States citizenship for individuals born in American Samoa as U.S. nationals. In January, Aumua Amata had put out an awareness PSA reminding U.S. Nationals never to vote in other jurisdictions, no matter how long they had lived there, unless they had personally become citizens before voting. Amata closed with a similar reminder. “U.S. Nationals can only vote in American Samoa, not the rest of the United States. If you want to vote elsewhere, you must pursue and complete citizenship first. It’s especially important to make sure your recent graduates who are U.S. nationals know this clearly when they turn 18 and possibly relocate for college, jobs, or military,” Aumua Amata concluded. “It’s our way to obey the law where we live, so be mindful of these facts, unless a state or jurisdiction were to ever expressly provide that U.S. nationals also may vote in elections in that specific state or locality.” ###

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that the American Samoa Department of Health (ASDOH) has been awarded a $255,100 federal grant through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response efforts in American Samoa. The $255,100 award, through the CDC's Strengthening Vaccine-Preventable Disease Prevention and Response program, will support the American Samoa Department of Health's ongoing efforts to prevent, monitor, and respond to vaccine-preventable diseases and strengthen public health protections throughout the territory. "This is an important part of protecting the health and well-being of our people, especially our children and families," said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. "Thank you to Yolanda Masunu as we welcome this federal investment in our Health Department. We appreciate all our health professionals working to strengthen disease prevention and protect our communities." The CDC's vaccine-preventable disease programs support public health departments in strengthening immunization efforts, disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, and response systems to help prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable illnesses. "Thank you to HHS and CDC for continuing to support the public health programs we rely on in American Samoa," concluded Congresswoman Amata. "Congratulations to our Department of Health, Health Director Dr. Saipale Fuimaono, and everyone involved in securing or working with these federal resources for our territory." ###

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata attended a special meeting Saturday for the families of U.S. personnel missing from the Vietnam War, Cold War, Korean War, and World War II. The Family Member Update, held in Dover, Delaware, by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), included over 400 Gold Star family members. Vice Chairman Amata attended the DPAA Family Member Update to honor Veterans Amata, who is Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, traveled from DC to be there in honor of these patriotic families and all U.S. Veterans. Amata and Fred Radewagen have a personal connection to the effort, as a cousin’s family is among these U.S. military families seeking long-awaited closure regarding missing loved ones. Additionally, this agency has twice in recent years brought important closure to families in American Samoa who sought information about a Service Member from past wars. Amata attended DPAA briefing “It is moving to see a large room full of families that sacrificed a loved one for our country and the cause of freedom,” said HVAC Vice Chairman Amata. “The DPAA is doing an important service to those who served, and it’s a special mission that is deserving of support. One case at a time, they bring a sense of closure to a family, often providing the ability to visit a loved one’s gravesite. I admire the resolve of these dear families, and our earnest prayer is that they will be blessed with clear results to put their questions and uncertainty to rest. To the U.S. personnel engaged in this research, I just want to say from the bottom of my heart thank you for your dedication.” The full day’s agenda in Dover included a briefing on the U.S. global efforts to account for Americans missing from past conflicts, where they also made research experts available to meet with families, and offered families tours of the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory in Delaware for insight into this effort. Amata has previously visited the Agency’s main Pacific office in Honolulu with the world’s largest forensic anthropology laboratory for an informational tour and briefing. In multiple locations, the agency continuously studies archives and records, and sends expert teams worldwide to recover remains. The DPAA is led by Director Kelly McKeague, a retired Major General from the U.S. Air Force. ###

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata congratulates Dr. Mata’uitafā Temukisa Solomona Fai’ai, Ph.D., M.P.H., on earning her doctorate in Chronic Disease Epidemiology from Yale University. Her doctoral research focused on cardiometabolic health among adolescents in American Samoa. “Congratulations to Dr. Mata’uitafā on this outstanding academic achievement and the dedication and perseverance that brought her to this milestone,” said Congresswoman Amata. “It is especially meaningful to see a daughter of American Samoa applying her education and research to improving the health of our Samoan and Pacific communities. Her accomplishments encourage our young people to pursue their educational goals and use their talents in service to others.” Dr. Mata’uitafā is from Leone, Tutuila; Olosega, Manu’a; and Safune, Savai’i. She earned her Ph.D. in Chronic Disease Epidemiology through the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, completing her doctoral training in the Yale School of Public Health. She is continuing her work in Pacific public health as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Global Health Emerging Scholars (GHES) Fellowship Program through Yale University, in collaboration with the Samoa Ministry of Health Collaborative Research Center. Her fellowship focuses on using social network analysis to understand peer influences on adolescent health and inform culturally relevant interventions addressing noncommunicable disease risk among Samoan adolescents. “Earning a doctorate from Yale is a testament to what is possible for a girl born and raised in American Samoa: to pursue her dreams and receive a world-class education while remaining deeply rooted in her family and community,” said Dr. Mata’uitafā. “I hope my journey reflects the strength and resilience of Pasefika women, who often pursue our aspirations while caring for and uplifting our families.” “American Samoa is proud of Dr. Mata’uitafā and all that she has accomplished,” continued Congresswoman Amata. “Her example demonstrates the importance of education, determination, and using our abilities in service to others. Fa’amalo and congratulations to Dr. Mata’uitafā and her family.” Caption: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata with Dr. Mata’uitafā Temukisa Solomona Fai’ai at Yale Commons in the Yale Schwarzman Center, celebrating Dr. Mata’uitafā’s achievement in earning her Ph.D. in Chronic Disease Epidemiology from Yale University. Caption: Dr. Mata’uitafā Temukisa Solomona Fai’ai at Yale University following the completion of her Ph.D. in Chronic Disease Epidemiology. Her doctoral research focused on cardiometabolic health among adolescents in American Samoa. Photo credit: Abigail Lopez Freire

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is commemorating the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, in memory of the lost lives and heroic stories that are now part of our national history. “Twenty-five years have passed since the terrible attacks of September 11th that changed much about our country and the world,” said Aumua Amata. “My own view was the sight of dark smoke rising high into the sky from the Pentagon, first from where I was that morning at the Capitol, then for hours from my car as I tried to get through the chaos of traffic, driving close by the Pentagon, and finally still seeing endless smoke many hours later. “On this 25th anniversary, we remember that thousands of families feel the deeply personal loss of loved ones. We honor the great numbers of firefighters, police and responders who rescued others, and headed up the towers and toward the danger, many at the sacrifice of their own precious lives. We think of the bravery of those aboard Flight 93, where there’s now a somber Memorial site in Pennsylvania. The site of the World Trade Center towers is now a powerful National Museum in New York while across the street the One World Trade Center stands gleaming in the sun, built even higher in a testament to the American spirit. “Today, a special thank you to all our law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders – current and retired – for your service. We depend on you in times of crisis, and support the ongoing priority of the best possible equipment and training. Thank you also to our many Toa o Samoa, and all our U.S. Service Members and Veterans nationwide. “We also remember that 25 years ago we experienced a strong and special unity of spirit, a turn toward faith, and patriotic responsibility. For a time, partisanship, bickering and gridlock ceased. May we continue to find togetherness as a country and courage to uphold the cause of freedom. Most of all, may we be again reminded to look to God for hope and wisdom. May God bless American Samoa and the United States.” ###

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the American Samoa Department of Health (ASDOH) of $87,718 through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a discretionary preventive health and health services block grant for one year. The award is through CDC’s National Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce. “Thank you to Jasmay Willis for the efforts that went into this grant,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “We appreciate all our medical professionals here in our islands. Health care is always a major priority, and every federal dollar helps our health system.” ASDOH is led by Director Dr. Saipale Fuimaono. CDC is led by Director Dr. Erica Schwartz, as part of HHS under Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. ###

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following for Labor Day 2026: “Labor Day is a federal holiday in honor of you and all your work in your jobs, where you faithfully serve your families, and in doing so, make our communities better, and keep our economy moving. Your job is important! Labor Day is a nationwide thank you for your entire year of dedication and efforts, as well as a well-deserved day of rest and relaxation with family or friends. Our local economy is influenced by the larger U.S. economy and decisions in Washington that can affect our small businesses, our fishing, or the costs of the imports we need, policies that impact family budgets. I will keep focused to ensure that American Samoa is treated fairly in legislation. May God bless your diligence, your health, your families and faith in the year ahead. Happy Labor Day!” For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Psalm 128:2 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might… Ecclesiastes 9:10 ###

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming Tuesday’s final passage by a bipartisan vote of 370-48 of the government funding extension, which was necessary to keep the federal government open after September 30. The House passed the bill that the Senate had passed in August, sending it to President Trump to be signed into law. Upon signing, the government will be funded through December 11. “This is good news because it prevents a shutdown at the end of September, and preserves our current funding,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “American Samoa relies on federal funding for essential services, and I’m very pleased we won’t have a shutdown at the end of the fiscal year. Instead, this provides more time to work on full year appropriations.” Congresswoman Amata supports passage of the full appropriations bills for planning and stability, and especially because they include two of Amata’s requests for American Samoa: $1 million additional for American Samoa operations through OIA, and $1 million for port infrastructure requested cooperatively as a community project by Congresswoman Amata with Governor Pulaali’i and Director Barney Sene. The House has completed committee work on all 12 appropriations bills, including Amata’s requested funding projects, but bicameral passage of all 12 is required to fully fund the government for 2027. Under the extension, American Samoa’s current 2026 funding levels continue an additional two and a half months. ###

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is in Palau this week at the invitation of Pacific Islands Forum Chairman, Republic of Palau H.E. President Surangel Whipps, Jr., for meetings and events surrounding the 55th PIF Leaders Meeting, which brings Pacific leaders and representatives together in Koror from August 30 through September 4. This year American Samoa is represented by Special Envoy High Chief Salanoa accompanied by ASTCA CEO Folasaitu S. Thomas. Pictured with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau Amata is Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific as well as the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, both of which have jurisdiction over U.S. issues regarding island countries and territories which are represented at the PIF, where discussions are likely to include the recent China missile tests into the South Pacific. Pictured with Tonga PM Lord Fakafanua and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters Amata arrived in Palau Saturday evening and attended a Sunday ceremony with Palauan President Whipps and Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung marking the transfer of a fleet of electric buses donated by Taiwan to Palau. The ceremony highlighted the longstanding development partnership between Taiwan and Palau and Taiwan’s broader contributions to Pacific development. “American Samoa has always believed that the Pacific is strongest when our island nations work together and when our friends and partners contribute in ways that directly benefit our people,” said Congresswoman Amata. “It was good to see firsthand the practical results of Taiwan’s partnership with Palau, particularly in areas such as clean energy, transportation, and resilience.” Pictured with Cook Islands former PM & PIF Secretary Henry Puna and RMI President Hilda Heine On Monday, Amata participated in the Small Island States Leaders Meeting, where Palau formally assumed the chairmanship of the Small Island States group, previously held by Kiribati. President Whipps called on Small Island States leaders to focus on practical outcomes that improve the lives of their people. Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa likewise urged leaders to turn decisions made at the previous year’s meeting into practical action. Among the issues before the Small Island States leaders was work to modernize the group’s membership criteria while retaining the principle of structural smallness as its foundation. “Small island states face many of the same challenges, but we also bring a unique perspective to the international community,” Amata said. “Our size does not diminish the importance of our voice. In many cases, it makes our cooperation even more important.” Amata also participated in the Polynesian Leaders Group meeting, one of the subregional gatherings taking place in conjunction with the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. The gathering provides Polynesian leaders an opportunity to discuss issues of particular importance to Polynesian peoples and communities. Speaking with Tonga Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala Monday evening marked the official opening of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Koror. This year’s Forum is hosted by Palau under the theme “B.E.L.A.U. – Building Economies. Life. Action. Unity.” The official Forum program runs through September 4. “The Pacific Islands Forum is one of our region’s most important institutions,” Amata said. “For American Samoa, participation in the broader Pacific family is especially important. We have much to contribute, much to learn from our neighbors, and a strong interest in seeing the Pacific remain peaceful, prosperous, resilient, and united.” Amata’s participation reflects her work in Congress to strengthen the partnership between the United States and the Pacific Islands. On August 27, she joined Representatives Ed Case, Jill Tokuda and Kimberlyn King-Hinds as an original cosponsor of a bipartisan House resolution reaffirming the enduring partnership between the United States and the Pacific Islands Forum and its 18 members. The resolution calls for continued U.S. engagement toward stability, prosperity, and peace in the Pacific. “American Samoa is proud to be part of the United States and proud to be part of the Pacific,” Amata said. “Those two relationships are not in conflict. They reinforce one another, and I will continue working in Congress to make sure that the United States remains a strong, reliable, and respectful partner in our region.” Amata will continue participating in meetings and engagements in Palau throughout the week. -END-

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting the beautiful National Park of American Samoa during National Park Week. Typically held in April, park week was moved to August this year to align with this week’s National Park Service’s 110th birthday, celebrated August 25th. National Park Week is an annual celebration of gorgeous natural landscapes, viewpoints, hiking trails, shorelines, historic battlefields, and protected wildlife and woodland areas. Recent ASG photo with Park Liaison Pua Tuaua, Lt Governor Pulumataala, and Park Superintendent Paul PT Lathrop “Our National Park of American Samoa emphasizes special places within our beautiful islands, showcases our ancient culture, and protects wildlife and bird habitat,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “Thank you to our entire Park team, and happy birthday to the National Park Service and all its personnel. Thank you also to all our people who take personal care and responsibility in the seemingly small choices that cumulatively do so much to help our islands stay beautiful, whether in or out of the Park borders.” American Samoa and its National Park has birds such as the Ti’otola (bright-plumed Pacific kingfishers and flat-billed kingfishers of regional varieties that differ from those elsewhere), while rugged Pola Island, offshore from Vatia, is among American Samoa’s nesting sites for tropical seabirds including the Fua’o (brown and red-footed boobies), and Ta’i’o (shearwaters) as part of a rich diversity of species, with local and migratory birds from as far as Alaska, like the Bristle-thighed Curlew. The National Park of American Samoa has several unique and rare features within the national system. It is the only one in the South Pacific, so it has plants and species not found anywhere else in the United States. It is also a multi-site Park, within several islands, and it protects certain offshore coral reefs. The NPS is part of the Department of the Interior, under the jurisdiction of the Natural Resources Committee, where Amata serves as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, and serves on the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. The United States has 63 National Parks and 433 total sites, and National Park Week is an initiative of the NPS and the National Park Foundation. In related legislation, Amata is an original cosponsor of the Committee-passed bipartisan America the Beautiful Act, H.R. 9250, also known as the Great American Outdoors Act 250, which has since its introduction attracted the public support of well more than half of the House of Representatives. This bill builds on the original GAOA, signed into law in 2020, a landmark generational investment in national parks and public lands, and reauthorizes its Legacy Restoration Fund at $1.9 billion yearly to maintain, restore, and improve parks and related infrastructure. Notably, the bill states that “amounts remaining in the Fund after the allocations required under subparagraph (A) may be allocated for transportation projects of the covered agencies, including paved and unpaved roads, bridges (etc.) …” Also, Amata is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan EXPLORE Act (Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act), which became law on January 4, 2025. This Congress, the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act was passed by the House 279-141 and awaits a Senate vote. ###

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming an announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that the American Samoa Department of Health (ASDOH) has been awarded a $295,000 federal grant through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support efforts to prevent maternal mortality and improve maternal health in American Samoa. File photo - March 2026 including Dr. Anaise Uso in Congresswoman Amata's office with Health Dept delegation The $295,000 award was provided through the CDC's program Preventing Maternal Mortality: Supporting Maternal Mortality. The grant will support efforts to address maternal mortality and strengthen health outcomes for mothers and families in American Samoa. "Supporting mothers and families is essential to the health and future of American Samoa," said Congresswoman Amata. "I welcome this federal investment in our Health Department and appreciate everyone working to improve maternal health and ensure mothers have access to the care and support they need at LBJ Tropical Medical Center. Special thanks to Dr. Anaise Uso for her work and leadership.” The CDC's Preventing Maternal Mortality program supports efforts to identify and address factors contributing to maternal deaths and strengthen systems that can improve maternal health outcomes. The funding will help support continued efforts by ASDOH led by Dr. Saipale Fuimaono to address maternal and infant health in the territory. "Thank you to HHS and CDC for continuing to invest in strengthening health care and improving outcomes for families in American Samoa," concluded Congresswoman Amata. ###