Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming bipartisan passage in Congress of a bill extending government funding, known as a Continuing Resolution (C.R.), that prevents a government shutdown.   

On Thursday, the Senate passed the bill 77-18, and the House passed it 314-108, over some conservative concerns about the security of the southern U.S. border and ongoing federal deficit spending levels, as the C.R. maintains current levels from fiscal year 2023, and the national debt is at $34.4 trillion with growing interest requirements.

“Ideally, Congress will soon agree on full year appropriations, but this short term funding prevents a shutdown that almost no one wants, and we need as much stability as possible for American Samoa’s funding,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Congress is very narrowly divided, with each party controlling one chamber, but a bipartisan majority once again came together to prevent a shutdown.”

The bill is the third C.R., now extending current federal funding until March 1 or March 8, depending on the agency or program, which fall into 12 appropriations bills. For instance, the extension preserves current funding under the Compacts of Free Association for three Freely Associated States in the Pacific, but does not complete their long term appropriations.

In other congressional activity in Amata’s committees during the week:

• The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held an oversight hearing inquiring into VA handling of revolving funds, and urging better transparency. 
• The full House Foreign Affairs Committee held an oversight hearing examining the concerning flow of U.S. dollars and U.S. technology to the CCP.