The joint Senate resolution to allow permanent residents married to US nationals and US citizens, and who have consistently lived and paid taxes here for 20 years, has been tabled.
This was the decision reached by the senate Government Operations Committee after all senators, attending a discussion of the bill, expressed their views on the measure.
Only two senators, Malaepule Saite Moliga who sponsored the resolution and Ponemafua Tapeni supported the measure while ten senators: Muagututia Tauoa, Soliai Tuipine, Fonoti Tafaifa, Tuiagamoa Tavai, Uti Petelo, Satele Lili’o, Olo Uluao, Utu Sila Poasa, Poumele Pete, and Alo Steffany were against it.
Senator Tuiasina Laumoli did not take a position on the bill.
Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean and Committee Chairman Togiola Tulafono didn’t say if they supported or objected, and just acknowledged that the majority wish was to table the bill.
The opponents said that foreigners who have lived and performed tautua here are represented by their local born children at the polls. They enjoy most of the same benefits as US nationals and citizens. They were also concerned that it would lead to increasing power put in the hands of non-American Samoans.
Sen Soliai Tuipine
Senator Soliai said permanent residents pay the same hospital fees as locals, and they are also entitled to scholarships and other benefits.
Senator Tuigamoa said he was all for rewarding the tautua of our brothers and sisters from Samoa who have lived in the territory for a long time. However, he did not have confidence in enforcement of the proposed change. He advised, “Don’t try to wake a sleeping dog.”
Uti Petelo said his late mother and late wife were both born in Samoa and were never able to vote. But he strongly feels the people of Tutuila and Manu’a should handle its own affairs and the right to vote should rest with them.
Senator Olo Uluao said they should abide by the constitutions as framed by ancestors and to seriously consider the future.
Sen Uti Petelo
Senator Malaepule stated that the senate is where difficult decisions like changes to the constitution are made. He urged his colleagues not to be afraid in making difficult or controversial decisions. The Manu’a senator felt this was the time to act on what was passed down by ancestors, to suit today and the future.
Malaepule spoke specifically about the familial and cultures ties between American Samoa and Samoa, and said this was a way to put into practice often heard statements about Samoa and American Samoa being one.
Senator Ponemafua echoed Malaepule’s comments and said if the time for change is now, then this is the right time for this amendment. He said in most villages and districts, it’s people from Samoa who are taking care of families and performing tautua; and giving them the vote would reward their service.
Sen Malaepule Moliga
Chairman Senator Togiola said at the end of the discussion that the bill would be tabled until some time in the future.
The first time a bill was introduced in the Fono to allow permanent residents who’ve lived here 20 years to vote was in 1998, by the Tauese and Togiola Administration, which made it a campaign promise.
The bill was never reported out of Committee in both the house and Senate. There have been several attempts in the House and Senate to amend election law to achieve the same goal, but they were tabled in committee and never reported to the floor for a vote.
