As of May 2023, the total COVID-19 related federal funding that American Samoa has received was $1.3 billion.
This is according to a report by the Government Accountability Officer, GAO, the investigative arm of Congress, which looked at how much federal funding was allocated to the territories and how they spent them.
The report documents territories experiences administering COVID-19 relief funding, how selected federal agencies helped territories administer the funding, and lessons learned to inform future federal relief to the territories.
The federal government awarded $32.1 bullion for the five US territories: American Samoa, CNMI, Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands from a total pool of more than $4 trillion to help the nation respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The six COVID Relief programs that were reviewed by GAO were:
- Coronavirus Preparedness Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020-CPRSA
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act-FFCRA
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act-CARES Act
- Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act-PPP
- Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021-CAA
- American Rescue Plan Act, 2021-ARPA
This relief funding was provided through more than 100 new and existing federal programs across 16 federal agencies.
Territory government officials told GAO that this funding helped them meet key priorities, including the public health response to COVID-19, improvements to health care infrastructure and access, replacement of lost revenue for continued government operations, and infrastructure development.
GAO identified four themes that could inform future federal relief to U.S. territories:
• Leveraging pre-existing programs. In contrast to newly created programs, territory officials reported experiencing fewer challenges administering and reporting on pre-existing federal programs that received additional funding.
• Technical assistance. Territory officials faced fewer challenges implementing programs where there was strong coordination and communication between the federal agency and the territory regarding program requirements and reporting.
• Funding flexibilities. Territory governments used COVID-19 relief funding with flexible or broad allowable uses to meet needs that might not be allowable under other federal programs, and worked with federal agencies to modify allowable uses and funding time frames to meet territory needs.
• Immediately available funding. Territory officials said funding that was immediately available, rather than provided as reimbursement, enabled them to better plan, schedule, and expend funds for allowable uses.
In his response to the GAO report, Governor Lemanu says the four themes cited by GAO are crucial in the successful administration and implementation of the federal relief programs.
He stated, “We need the support of our federal partners to increase funding provide much required technical support and the ability to leverage funding opportunities in a flexible and timely manner.
“Not five to ten years after a disaster or an identified threat, because of permitting, grant expiration and other requirements, that impede the actions to deter threats, reduce vulnerabilities and minimize the consequences. We significantly need the support of our program resources in all aspects of both current funding programs and future relief funding,” said Lemanu.
