Aumua Gives Report on Her Work in Congress

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Congresswoman Aumua Amata reported to a joint session of the House and Senate yesterday that American Samoa is getting a 40% increase in education funding in the new fiscal year.

This funding is for 5 years and every elementary and high school in the states and territories are eligible for them..

The money will be available in October for the 2017 to 2018 school year.

amata & larryThe freshman congresswoman said the Chairman of the House Education Committee, Congressman John Klein confirmed the increased funding for American Samoa at a recent meeting.

According to the congresswoman, she’s been able to secure $35 million in funding for American Samoa in the last 11 months.

Senator Galeai Tuufuli said air transportation for Manu’a needs to be stabilized beyond the 30 day cabotage waivers now granted to Polynesian Airlines.

Since September of 2014, Polynesian has been issued 30 day waivers by the US Department of transportation to operate flights between Tutuila and Manu’a.

amata & fono leadersThe cabotage law prohibits a foreign carrier from operating direct flights between two US destinations.

Because local airline Inter Island Air suspended flights to Manu’a, Polynesian applied and was granted cabotage waiver by USDOT.

Congresswoman Aumua informed the joint session that her office in conjunction with the Department of Interior has been working on a draft of legislation for a permanent cabotage waiver for American Samoa.

She said the proposed legislation needs the support of Democrats and Republicans as well as the Obama administration.

She said the bill should be ready for introduction in the new week when Congress reconvenes and she was confident of good results for the cabotage bill.

Other legislation that the congresswoman is working on would increase the child tax credit and also extend tax credits for major companies that invest in American Samoa.

Aumua said what she was able to accomplish in her first year in Congress is the result of a unified effort with God, the governor and executive branch, the Fono and the people of American Samoa.

She also said there are remaining critical areas she feels she needs to pursue to improve the relationship between the local and federal government.

Aumua asked for the Fono’s support so she can continue her service as American Samoa’s delegate to Congress.

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