Tuesday was the seventh day of the federal government shutdown. On Monday, the U.S. Senate defeated for the fifth time both GOP and Democratic alternatives to keep the government fully operating. Sixty votes were needed to end debate and take up either bill, but Democrats failed 45 ayes to 50 nays, and Republicans failed 52 ayes to 42 nays.
On Monday, the Chief of Staff, Leonard Seumanutafa, issued a memo to all directors to provide information that would help assess the impact of the federal government shutdown on ASG operations.
He asked directors to provide:
- The number of federally funded employees in their departments or agencies
- The total number of employees whose salaries are fully or partially funded through federal grants, cooperative agreements, or other federal sources
- The number of employees currently classified as supplemental, including temporary, contract, or project-based personnel as well as employment duration during the shutdown
Other information that is to be provided include an assessment of how long each federally funded and supplemental employee can continue to be employed under the current budgetary conditions, and whether any contingency plans are being put in place should federal funding remain suspended beyond the immediate term.
Directors are to submit their reports to the Governor’s Office by close of business Wednesday, October 8.
Seumanutafa said that this information is critical to evaluate operational risks and to guide informed decisions that ensure appropriate staffing and continuity of service delivery during the shutdown period.
Nearly all ASG departments receive federal funding, but some are fully federally funded. These include the Department of Human and Social Services, the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency, the Territorial Administration on Aging Office, and the Territorial Energy Office.
