Rep Uifa’atali talks local issues with White House

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Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata Radewagen met with top White House officials Friday to discuss American Samoa’s most pressing concerns.

KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye spoke with The congresswoman and filed this report…

Uifa’atali Amata Radewagen says it was the first time White House officials heard directly about American Samoa in what the Congresswoman called a “very productive” session.

Amata met with Associate Director for Puerto Rico and the Territories, Gretchen Sierra-Zorita and Alicia Molt-West, Adviser to President Biden…

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On covid…

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Radewagen points to those who put plans for college, jobs, and visits with loved ones, on hold.

Also discussed: The tuna industry and policies to help such as multi-year renewal of American Samoa’s Section 30A development credit.

And the Congresswoman brought up her citizenship bill, HR 1941…

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…an issue that also remains tied up in the courts…

Uifa’atali sounded encouraged by her White House meeting, though it appeared to be too early for hard commitments.

Much will also depend on the outcome of the president’s infrastructure Jobs Act and American Family Plan that still face an uphill political climb in Congress.