Amata Celebrates 4th with Secretary Haaland and Assistant Secretary Cantor

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amatacelebrated 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.

Congresswoman Amata with Secretary Haaland and Assistant Secretary Cantor

"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."

She continued, "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."

DOI Pacific Islands artifacts and cultural display

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.

Secretary Haaland, the first Native American to lead the Department, was a colleague in the House with Congresswoman until she assumed those duties in 2021.

###

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.