Amata’s House-Passed Legislation Moves Forward in U.S. Senate Hearing; Bill Provides for the Approval of Territory’s Amendments

Washington, D.C. -Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is welcoming Wednesday's action in a U.S. Senate legislative hearing that moves forward her House-passed bill for American Samoa, H.R. 6062. This self-determination bill, in fulfillment of a unanimous request by a Fono Resolution and Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga, removes unnecessary steps and provides a streamlined pathway for approval of amendments to American Samoa's constitution as voted by the people of American Samoa.

Congresswoman Amata and Senator Wyden

H.R. 6062 was examined in a legislative hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Water and Power, continuing to the next step in the Senate.

"Of the 16 bills examined in this hearing, this was the only bill that didn't originate in the Senate or as mirror legislation introduced in both houses, so I'm especially pleased by our inclusion," said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. "I want to thank Subcommittee Chairman Ron Wyden and Vice Chairman James Risch for this legislative work advancing our bill, and for their public comments in the hearing in support of American Samoa."

Chairman Wyden and Vice Chairman Risch conducting the legislative hearing including Amata's bill

"Thank you to Committee Chairman Joe Manchin and Vice Chairman John Barrasso as they move our bill onward in the full Committee," she continued. "I appreciate the support of Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, who fulfilled a required step by a senator for us in the legislative process by officially requesting by letter our bill's inclusion in the hearing. I will continue working with these leading Senators and keep our people informed on the progress of our bill."

On July 9, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted H.R. 6062 by unanimous consent. Amata's bill reaffirms the principle supporting American Samoa's right to self-determination, and her bill was previously passed by the House Natural Resources Committee, also by unanimous consent, a voting method reserved for noncontroversial bills with known widespread bipartisan support.

Speaking with Senator Risch

During House consideration, Congresswoman Amata appreciated the support of House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman and Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva, Subcommittee Chair Harriet Hageman and Ranking Member Teresa Leger Fernández, along with the cosponsorships and support of Rep. James Moylan of Guam and Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan of CNMI.

Speaking on the House floor on July 9, Amata noted that H.R. 6062 provides equal treatment among the US territories - as no other territory has a similar restriction. This update in the law would provide for American Samoa to enact constitutional changes as approved by our people without the burden of unnecessary bureaucratic steps in Washington.

Following the necessary Senate passage, once the bill is signed into law by President Biden, the Interior Secretary can approve American Samoa's constitutional amendments now and in the future without further cumbersome steps in Washington, D.C.

###

Public link

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