The Senate vote this morning on the remaining two directors of the Board of the Territorial Bank of American Samoa did not go through the usual voting process.
Only ten senators attended today’s session and one nay vote would have resulted in rejection of one or both nominees.
Just before senators cast ballots on director nominees Steve Watson and Salaia Gabbard, Senator Tuaolo Fruean took the floor and recommended to the senate president to conduct the confirmation vote by a show of hands.
Tuaolo said one nay vote would mean that the appointees for the bank board would be rejected.
The Senate leader said that confirmation of the Board of Directors for the Territorial Bank of American Samoa was an urgent priority and this was the time for the Senate to vote on the nominees to avoid the need for a special session.
He said a public vote rather than voting by secret ballot would illustrate the courage of senators.
A suggestion from Senator Soliai Tuipine was for senators to stand up if they supported the nominees.
Senate President Gaotote decided on a show of hands vote, but the question he posed was not who supports or rejects the nominees, rather the question he posed was do you agree with a vote by show of hands.
Senators gave a resounding ioe (yes).
The Senate President then declared that the governor’s nominations to the bank boards have been approved.
After the vote, Gaoteote thanked and commended senators for approving Watson and Gabbard saying they have voted in support of what’s good for the territory.
The normal procedure is to call a vote for each nominee separately and the written ballot is secret.
The two nominees did not have to go through a confirmation hearing unlike the other five board directors who were approved after a hearing last week.
Senate approval clears the way for the full board of directors to begin putting in place operations plans, and appoint a ceo and staff for the Territorial Bank of American Samoa.
