Passage of H.R. 6062 is milestone in Am Samoa’s self-governance
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga and Lieutenant Governor Laapui Talauega E. V. Ale have committed to working closely with the US Department of the Interior and the Secretary of the Interior to implement H.R. 6062 that Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata and her team worked for tirelessly and which successfully passed the US Senate over the weekend.
The bill is expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden within the next 10 days.
H.R. 6062 brings into law the five amendments approved by the people of American Samoa in the 2022 referendum. These amendments represent the will of the people and signify an important step forward for the territory's constitutional development.
Governor Lemanu and Lt Gov Laapui emphasized their gratitude for Congresswoman Uifa’atali’s steadfast advocacy on behalf of the territory.
“We commend the Congresswoman for her leadership and commitment to ensuring the voices of American Samoans are heard at the federal level,” said Governor Lemanu. “This legislation is a victory for the people of American Samoa and a reaffirmation of their right to self-determination.”
Lt Gov Laapui added, “This is a proud moment for our territory. With the passage of H.R. 6062, we are one step closer to taking greater ownership of our constitutional affairs. We eagerly await President Biden’s signature and are prepared to collaborate with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to ensure a smooth and efficient process for enacting the 2022 constitutional amendments.”
H.R. 6062 repeals Section 12 of Public Law 98–213, eliminating the requirement for congressional approval of amendments to the American Samoa Constitution. This legislation aligns with the principles of self-determination, granting the people of American Samoa the authority to chart their own path in matters of constitutional governance.
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor call on all American Samoans to join in celebrating this significant achievement and to look forward to the continued progress of the territory under local and democratic decision-making.
Meanwhile, American Samoa, along with the rest of the United States family breathed a sigh of relief as a government shutdown was averted over the weekend with Senate passage of a temporary U.S. House funding bill, kicking it down the road to March 14, 2025.