Three cabinet nominees submitted for Fono confirmation

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The Senate held a brief session on Monday.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean announced that three cabinet nominations were received from the Governor’s Office last Friday afternoon.

The three cabinet nominees are Nathan Ilaoa as Director of the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, Mrs. Tauaisafune Niualama Epenesa Taifane as Director for the Office of Program Planning and Budget, and Tapusalaia Maneafaiga as Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. The Senate President said that members of boards and commissions will be submitted for confirmation at a later time.

Tuaolo also announced that, in consultation with the House Speaker, the Fono session will continue until August 1, and then break for one month, reconvening on September 8. When the Fono resumes, they will start reviewing the Fiscal Year 2024 budget for the American Samoa Government.

Senator for District #6, Ponausuia Luce Ponausuia, occupied his Senate seat Monday morning. Towards the end of the last legislative session, there had been an issue with his matai title—specially, that he had not registered the title Ponausuia with the territorial Registrars Office.

Tuaolo informed the chamber that the matter has been cleared and Punausuia has met the requirements to serve as senator for his district.