House Passes Amata's Amendment For $18 Million In Nutrition Assistance For American Samoa

Press Release

Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata offered an amendment to increase American Samoa's additional Storm Gita-related nutrition assistance to $18 million, and the House passed Amata's amendment by voice vote, making this new total part of the bill.

This action raises the amount of nutrition assistance for American Samoa in the major disaster relief legislation, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, H.R. 2157 from the previous $5 million (as initially secured by another amendment by Amata earlier this year) by an additional $13 million for the new total of $18 million.

Congresswoman Amata urged her $18 million amendment on the floor of the House

"This $18 million in food assistance, along with the 100 percent Medicaid coverage for ASG in 2019 estimated at $10 million, will help our people get back and fighting for our community and our country -- and that's what we do best," said Aumua Amata. "I was able to once again remind Congress of our islands' high rate of military service, and the damages, interruptions, and loss of a growing season that powerful Storm Gita caused."

Late Tuesday, Congresswoman Amata testified on behalf of her amendment before the House Rules Committee, and the Committee subsequently ruled her amendment in order, sending it on for full House consideration on Friday.

"Thank you to Governor Lolo Moliga and his team for their assistance, and a long list of senior Members of Congress in both parties that gave us their support," continued Congresswoman Amata.

The House bill now goes to the Senate. A current version of the Senate bill contains a $5 million nutrition measure for American Samoa.

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