Amata to serve on Foreign Affairs Committee
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata will serve on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for the 119th Congress, including her role as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, where she will continue to work with Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim (R-CA).
Additionally, she will serve on the Subcommittee on Africa, led by Chairman Christopher Smith (R-NJ), a very senior Member of Congress with over four decades of service. Amata also worked with Chairman Smith on the subcommittee he led in the 118th Congress. Chairman Smith is a longtime leader on religious freedom and human rights issues. This Subcommittee also has key policy and legislative ties to the Pacific region through oversight of international organizations that already work with Africa and the Pacific or are possibilities to expand into the Pacific.
The full Committee is led by Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL), a Veteran who has received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) is Vice Chairman of the full Committee.
“My primary focus will always be American Samoa, but our islands are strategically located in an area that is the subject of an ongoing Pacific pivot by the United States, and growing activity by China’s CCP,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “I bring the perspective of American Samoa, and more broadly, the Pacific Islands, to our committee work. The United States is making our national commitment to the region clear, but there are ongoing challenges and policy decisions for the future in how we best accomplish our objectives in partnership with the other Pacific nations.”
Amata will continue serving in the House Committee on Natural Resources, where she has new responsibilities as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. She also serves in the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where she has a position of seniority as Vice Chairman of the full Committee. In other roles, she is a Co-Chairman of the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus, and a Vice Chairman of the large Congressional Western Caucus.
CDC GRANT FOR ASDOH
A federal funding notification from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been received in the amount of $1,339,555 for American Samoa Department of Health (ASDOH).
This new discretionary health services grant for 2025 is from HHS’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the Public Health Crisis Response Cooperative Agreement. The territory works with CDC’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response Coordinating Office including efforts for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response.
“Thank you especially to Ben Sili for efforts leading to this grant, along with Motusa Nua,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “In case of a public health crisis, it’s good to have the planning and preparation in place to respond or prevent it.”
“Thank you as always to all our professionals in health care or emergency response for their dedication and training,” concluded Congresswoman Amata. “Congratulations to Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, Lt. Governor Pulu Ae Ae, Jr., and all involved in carrying out services.”