Several House Representatives gave their endorsements of Catherine Saelua as Budget Director yesterday during Fono confirmation hearings. If confirmed, Saelua will begin a third consecutive term as head of the American Samoa Government’s Budget Office, a position she held for all 8 years of the Lolo-Lemanu Administration.
House Representatives expressed confidence in her abilities and praised her leadership noting the positive financial position of ASG.
Rep. Vailoata Amituana’i asked if Saelua had appointed new deputy directors. The director nominee said had made no changes.
Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui said Saelua was his relative and that he has confidence in her but that there are things with which he is not happy regarding the treatment of the Fono by the executive branch in the past.
He said the three branches of government operate independently under the separation of powers doctrine.
He noted that in the past, requests by the Fono have been stalled or disapproved by the Budget Office. Fetu advised that as long as there is money to cover the Fono’s expenditures, there’s no reason why their requests should be rejected.
The vice speaker warned Saelua that if this happens again he will vote to have her removed.
The vice speaker also asked Saelua if she was in good health. She replied that she was.
Saelua spent several weeks in New Zealand as a Medicaid patient two years ago, though no information was available about her medical condition.
Representative Faimealelei Anthony Allen also had advice for the cabinet nominee.
He said that as soon as directors are confirmed, they forget the House members and don’t even say hello when they meet.
“The only time they’ll smile and be friendly with us is when they need our vote for confirmation but as soon as they’re confirmed it’s like they don’t know us,” said Faimealelei.
He echoed the vice speaker’s concerns about Fono expenditures being held up by the Budget Office.
Saelua thanked the Vice Speaker, chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee Rep. Vailiuama Steve Leasiolagi who conducted her confirmation hearings and the members for their endorsement and advice.
She explained that the role of her office is to ensure that all expenditures are covered and in the event that there is no money or not enough to meet requests they will always try to find an alternate source of revenues to meet them.
The House will vote this morning on Saelua’s nomination. She is also set to appear for her confirmation hearing in the Senate.
