The House and Senate have approved a House Concurrent Resolution which prohibits the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Leonard Seumanutafa, from entering the Fono building “due to unprecedented disrespect, disorderly conduct and aggression toward the Legislature.
The resolution refers to what happened during a hearing of the House Budget and Appropriations Committee on Tuesday. It states during the course of the hearing Seumanutafa exhibited an unprecedented lack of decorum repeatedly interrupting members of the Committee and displaying open contempt for the Legislative process.
“When Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu raised a point of order, Seumanutafa responded with aggression shouting in Samoan, “e te le pule”, (you don’t have authority) and stating “you do not tell me what to do.”
The resolution describes Seumanutafa’s behavior as aggressive and volatile and that he stood up and left the House chamber without being excused by the Committee chairman.
“Upon leaving the chamber and standing in the House lobby,” the resolution continues, “Seumanutafa further escalated his belligerence by removing his blazer and appearing to challenge the Vice Speaker to a physical altercation.”
The resolution formally censures Seumanutafa and prohibits him from entering the Fono building and its surrounding grounds for the remainder of the current Legislature or until such time as a formal apology is rendered and accepted by the House and Senate leadership.
The resolution continues, “The House of representatives reserves the right to initiate formal contempt proceedings against Seumanutafa, which may lead to criminal prosecution should interference with legislative business or defiance of this resolution persist.”
The resolution further resolves that the Sgt at Arms and the Department of Public Safety are authorized and directed to enforce this prohibition to ensure that any attempt by Seumanutafa to enter the Legislative premises is met with immediate removal.
The House approved the resolution by a vote of 13-2. The dissenting votes were cast by Reps Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr and Trude Ledoux-Sunia.
Senators approved the resolution by unanimous vote. Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean said before the vote, “Thank GOD the incident didn’t happen in the Senate. This is contempt of Legislature.”
