Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata was officially sworn in to serve the people of American Samoa for a fifth term in Congress as the new 118th Congress convened this week on January 3^rd, then held the lengthiest election for Speaker of the House in well over 150 years at 15 ballots.

“I am pleased that the House is back to work,” said Aumua Amata. “I am humbled once again to have the opportunity to represent our people in Washington, D.C., and look forward to hearing from you for the next two years about what is important to you.”

Congresswoman Amata took the solemn oath to protect and defend the Constitution. Two years ago, due to COVID precautions, honored guests and family were not invited to the U.S. Capitol. This year, Amata was able to have her daughter present from American Samoa and her granddaughter with her on the House floor on opening day, although the swearing in awaited four days of voting, and was completed very early on Saturday morning following a late Friday night of balloting.

“Congress is once again narrowly divided, and different parties control the Senate and House,” said Amata. “The only bills that can be passed into law will be a result of compromise or bipartisan effort. I will be focused on American Samoa, making the needs of our islands known in Washington, and working for fair federal support.”

As part of the opening procedures, the House of Representatives elected the new Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, a Congressman from California, who already served as Republican Leader.  The Speaker was sworn in by the Dean of the House, Congressman Hal Rogers of Kentucky, then the Speaker led the swearing in of the Members of Congress.

 Associated Press posted Saturday morning that Republican Kevin McCarthy was elected House speaker on a historic post-midnight 15th ballot early Saturday, overcoming holdouts from his own ranks and floor tensions that boiled over after a chaotic week that tested the new GOP majority’s ability to govern.

“My father always told me, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” McCarthy told cheering fellow Republicans.

Eager to confront President Joe Biden and the Democrats, he promised subpoenas and investigations. “Now the hard work begins,” the California Republican declared. He credited former President Donald Trump for standing with him and for making late calls “helping get those final votes.”

Republicans roared in celebration when his victory was announced, chanting “USA! USA!”

Finally elected, McCarthy took the oath of office, and the House was finally able to swear in newly elected lawmakers who had been waiting all week for the chamber to formally open and the 2023-24 session to begin.

After four days of grueling ballots, McCarthy flipped more than a dozen conservative holdouts to become supporters, including the chairman of the chamber’s Freedom Caucus.

He fell one vote short on the 14th ballot, and the chamber became raucous, unruly.

McCarthy strode to the back of the chamber to confront Republican Matt Gaetz, sitting with Lauren Boebert and other holdouts. Fingers were pointed, words exchanged and violence apparently just averted.

At one point, Republican Mike Rogers of Alabama, shouting, approached Gaetz before another Republican, Richard Hudson of North Carolina, physically pulled him back.

“Stay civil!” someone shouted.

Order restored, the Republicans fell in line to give McCarthy the post he had fought so hard to gain, House speaker, second in the line of succession to the presidency.

The few remaining Republican holdouts began voting present, dropping the tally he needed. It was the end of a bitter standoff that had shown the strengths and fragility of American democracy.

The tally was 216-212 with Democrats voting for leader Hakeem Jeffries, and six Republican holdouts to McCarthy simply voting present.