American Samoa’s vote decides tie breaker in Congress

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Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata dashed any notion this week that ‘non-voting delegates’ have no vote, while also highlighting her growing influence in an expected GOP-controlled House. KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye reports…

Of course, ‘non-voting delegates’ have a vote—and one that matters!

And Congresswoman Amata proved it again when she cast, what could be considered a tie-breaking vote, that advanced Minnesota Republican Tom Emmer’s bid for majority whip.

Uifa’atali Amata’s vote in a closed-door GOP leadership election enabled Emmer to defeat Georgia’s Drew Ferguson by a single vote, 72 to 71, in a first-round ballot.

Island US lawmakers can vote in leadership races, committees and when the full House votes as a committee.

Emmer went on to defeat Jim Banks 115-106 for majority whip, the third-ranking post in a GOP majority, in what was seen as the most competitive race in the GOP conference.

Emmer as current chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee led the House Republicans through this month’s midterm elections and those in 2020.

House GOP control was already expected to boost Amata’s influence on issues key for American Samoa, including citizenship, Medicaid reform, and hospital funding.

But the leadership vote was early proof of Amata’s growing influence in a GOP majority, complimented by increased committee seniority and even a possible chairmanship or vice-chairmanship.

Plus, Guam’s election of local GOP Senator James Moylan to Congress adds to Amata’s influence, as her party now takes half of island and DC seats.

The GOP conference, in the meantime, voted to elect Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana as majority leader by voice vote. Scalise had been serving as minority whip.

Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy was elected Speaker-designate, but will need a 218-vote majority on the House floor in January to secure the post.