Amata Radewagen

11/07/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/07/2023 01:46

Amata Highlights Interior Appropriations Status With $3 Million ASCC Allocation

Preserves Years of ASG Gains Despite the Bill's 35% Cuts Elsewhere

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amatais highlighting House passage last week of the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (H.R. 4821), one of a series of major government funding bills moving through Congress. Notably, the bill includes a $3 million allocation directed to American Samoa Community College, at Amata's request, within the American Samoa Government operations fund, while preserving the past six years of gains in that fund for American Samoa, despite a 35 percent cut in the overall bill for these U.S. government departments.
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Congresswoman Amata recently in the Rayburn House Office Building

Based on Amata's requests, over the past six straight years, federal funds to ASG operations accumulated growth of over $5.3 million ($5,368,000) since 2017, following many years of level funding before that. This year, the bill reduces federal spending elsewhere, tightening funding for U.S. bureaucracy while prioritizing public safety and maintenance, yet ASG operations is fully funded again at the fiscal year 2023 level.

"These funds have passed the House, and agreement will have to be reached with the Senate before these funds are signed into law," noted Congresswoman Amata. "I'm especially pleased that the $3 million allocation we requested for ASCC is included, as it's so important to continue providing an effective education for our young adults pursuing studies without leaving American Samoa. The House bill imposes fiscal restraint following the record federal spending of recent years, but American Samoa's funding was preserved."

Negotiations over appropriations, including this bill and several others, could once again lead to a temporary Continuing Resolution (CR) extending current funding levels to allow negotiatiors more time. Proposals extending government funding to mid-December or mid-January have been discussed, as government funding is currently set to expire on November 17th. The House has passed seven of these yearly appropriations bills, funded U.S. government departments, while the Senate has passed three.

"I am optimistic that a government shutdown will be avoided, and that these appropriations will in time be passed for fiscal year 2024, including DOI funds for our territory," concluded Amata.

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