Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata met this past Thursday with Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua, Tonga’s Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. He came to the U.S. Capitol, including visiting the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Notably, at age 40, he has already been Speaker for the past twelve years.

Congresswoman Amata serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific.

She states that Tonga and other friendships in the Pacific Islands nations are an important part of U.S. international policy and partnerships.

Members of Congress including Amata have held meetings and other congressional work during the shutdown, and kept their offices open, while the Senate has continued to vote to try to break the impasse and reopen government.