House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale said lawmakers who don’t want the checks that have been given them for their offices should return the money to the Fono.
During today’s House session, the first for the Fourth Regular Session of the 36th Legislature, Speaker Savali elaborated on the purpose of the checks that were distributed last week to representatives and senators.
He said Fono members have been without offices to meet with constituents and this has been raised in the House a few times.
He said the original intention was to rent hotel rooms however the funding was not enough so it was decided to give the funds to Fono members to set up offices at home. 
Savali also stated that most Fono members are in the 60 and above age group who are deemed most vulnerable to the coronavirus pandemic.
He didn’t expand on the correlation between this age group and the funding for offices but as KHJ News understands it, the justification for the use of the COVID-19 money for offices including internet and telephone costs is that if Coronavirus restrictions are heightened at a later time, the Fono would conduct their business online.
Savali also said these funds were not given for their districts to use on what they need.
The speaker said lawmakers should be mindful of the important role they play and also consider the effects of statements they make on the dignity and integrity of the Fono.
He didn’t name any lawmaker in particular but said those who don’t want the checks should return them to the Fono because this money belongs to the Fono.
Pago Pago faipule Vesiai Poyer Samuelu who along with Tuala-uta Representative Larry Sanitoa have said they are returning their checks, then asked for a chance to speak.
He said he didn’t expect the issue to be brought up because it will generate more discussion yet all of them have differing viewpoints about the checks.
Rep Vesiai said he and Rep Sanitoa decided to return their checks because that is what they feel is the right thing to do.
He reminded the speaker that during the distribution of checks last week, he had asked him about the funding source of the money and the speaker didn’t respond, he just smiled.
The Pago Pago lawmaker said his check stub clearly states COVID-19 so he has returned his check to ASG to go back in the account for COVID.
He again said he wished the matter wasn’t raised in the chamber, generating more comments.
The Speaker responded perhaps Vesiai hasn’t done enough research on the funding source. And the reason why there’s been so much said about the checks is became of their statements.
Earlier Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui expressed his thanks to Governor Lolo Moliga for his decision to allocate the funding for Fono members’ offices.
He said he built an office in his home where he and his colleague Vesi Fautanu meet constituents.
According to Fetu his office cost more than $15,000.
“Thank you Governor Lolo for your foresight and for considering the hardship senators and representatives are facing because we don’t have offices to work in,” said the Manu’a faipule.
Fetu told the House, “As I said when we received the checks, consider it a blessing, but use it wisely.”
Lawmakers already receive office expense allowances.
Members are paid $30,000 a year while the Senate President and House Speaker receive $40,000.
This is in addition to their salaries of $30,000 for the leaders and $25,000 for members, while the Swains rep receives a salary of $20,000.
