H.R. 6062 concerning Am Samoa is scheduled for a full House vote today
Washington, D.C. — “My bill for American Samoa, H.R. 6062, scheduled for a full House vote Monday, will improve our territory’s self-determination, provide for timely review of our amendments, and help deepen our important working relationship with DOI leadership,” Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata said.
H.R. 6062 removes the need for an additional act of Congress for an amendment, instead returning that federal review to the Interior Secretary, greatly streamlining the outcome, and improving the rapidity and likelihood of approval. Congress maintains its oversight through the Natural Resources Committees.
The congresswoman celebrated the Fourth of July at the Department of the Interior’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. with Secretary Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen Cantor. Within their administration roles, as delegated by the U.S. Congress and its House and Senate Natural Resources Committees, these two DOI leaders have the most federal influence over policies in the territories.
“The Interior building has an exceptional rooftop viewpoint of the highlights of the nation’s capital city, and I enjoyed celebrating with hardworking public servants and their guests in attendance,” said Aumua Amata. “I also appreciated seeing the Pacific Islands artifacts cultural display in the DOI building.”
Secretary Haaland, the first Native American to lead the Department, was a colleague in the House with Congresswoman until Secretary Haaland assumed those duties in 2021.