Effort to Fast Track Addition of Manu’a Senators Stopped

Vice Speaker of the House, Fetu Fetui Jr.’s, attempt to rush through the Senate Joint Resolution to add two senators for Manu’a was not successful.

The measure , which was approved by unanimous vote in final reading by the Senate yesterday. was introduced this morning in the House.

Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui, Chair of the House Rules Committee to whom the measure was assigned to, made a motion to waive House Rules so that the joint resolution be read in first and second reading today.

Noting that time is short with just tomorrow left before the Fono adjourns, Fetu said the subject of the resolution is not new.

Without responding to Fetu’s request, Speaker Savali Talavou Ale called a recess and brought in the Fono’s legal counsel, Nathaniel Sotoa Savali, to give a legal opinion on whether what Fetu was suggesting was alllowable.

Vice Chairman of the House Rules Committee, Va’aetasi Tu’umolimoli Moliga had concerns with the Vice Speaker’s motion to waive House rules, and said the integrity of the House would be compromised.

Vaaetasi recommended that the measure be tabled until the next Fono.

The faipule said he wished the Senate had forwarded this measure earlier so the House could act on it.

He wanted to make sure that the House does the right thing and not violate House Rules on this particular matter.

Speaker Savali said while this was an important issue what the Vice Speaker is asking for will not only violate House Rules but also the constitution of American Samoa .

It would have been easier if they were only dealing with the House Rules, said the Speaker.

Others who shared this view were Reps Vui Florence Saulo,and Atalina Asifoa.

The Fono’s Legal Counsel, Nathaniel Savali said joint resolutions have the same weight as bills and must go through three readings.

The three readings cannot be done on the same day.

Savali also explained that under House rules, a bill cannot be introduced past 25 days before the end of the session.

That ended the discussion on the resolution to increase the number of Manu’a senators from 3 to 5.

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