Sen. Galeai Wants Two More Senators for Manu’a

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If Senator Galeai Tuufuli has his way, there’ll be 20 senators instead of 18 in the American Samoa Legislature. The extra two would represent Manu’a District.

Senator Galeai introduced last week a joint resolution to authorize two additional senators for Manu’a.

At present District #1 comprising Tau, Fitiuta and Faleasao have one senator and District #2, which includes Ofu, Olosega and Sili have one senator.

Under Galeai’s bill there’ll be a senator for each of the respective traditional counties of Manu’a namely, Tau, Fititua, Faleasao, Olosega and Sili jointly and Ofu.

According to Galea’i, the Manu’a districts have been at a disadvantage for too many years and it’s time that Senate representation in American Samoa mirror that of the rest of the United States.

Galea’i cites for comparison purposes, Saipan in the Northern Marianas with nine senators for three districts, Hawaii, which elects senators from an equal amount of constituent districts and California which elects one senator for each district.

Since increasing the Fono members involves an amendment to the constitution, once the Senate Joint Resolution is approved by each chamber it would be put to voters at the next general election.

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