Amata Hails Covid-19 Relief And Economic Aid For American Samoa

Press Release

Monday, Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata hailed House passage of priorities that she has sought for American Samoa, part of major year-end government funding, health care and economic assistance legislation. The bill includes these key local objectives:

A direct increase of $500,000 for ASG Operations as she requested, restoring $3 million over the Interior Department plan;
Renewal of the successful small business Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) with improvements on loan forgiveness;
$600 direct payments for individuals and their dependents;
Funding for vaccine production, distribution and testing that will aid the Territory;
Extending the American Samoa Economic Development Credit that preserves local cannery and fishing jobs;
A three percent pay raise for the U.S. military.
$20 billion nationally to restart the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advances.
Incorporates Amata co-led PPE Act provisions to allow businesses to use Paycheck Protection Program loan money to cover expenses of providing personal protective equipment to their employees.

Other aspects of the bill that could benefit American Samoa include these measures:

Funding for schools nationally through $82 billion to the Education Stablization Fund.
$45 billion nationally for transportation, including airports.
Medical billing reform, including stopping surprise billing and providing for independent arbitration.
Broadband support for programs to underserved areas.

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