Amata Welcomes Federal Funding for the Year

Statement

Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is highlighting House passage of the year's major appropriations bill with funding for American Samoa. Two highlights are Amata's requested $2.5 million increase in ASG Operations, which is directed for LBJ planning efforts, and extension of the Medicaid FMAP at the higher 83 percent rate first established in 2019 bipartisan legislation.

The $1.5 trillion legislation is an omnibus bill which funds multiple federal departments, totals over 2,700 pages, and prevents a government shutdown upon the Senate vote, and the bill has been thoroughly negotiated. It was divided into Defense spending, which passed 361-69, and non-Defense spending, which passed 260-171, both gaining bipartisan support.

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Senate Committee on Appropriations Vice Chairman Richard Shelby
Congresswoman Amata with Vice Chairman Richard Shelby of the Senate Appropriations Committee (file photo)

"The new $2.5 million I requested for ASG can begin LBJ planning and help establish a modernization project, which continues to be a major goal. This is the largest increase yet to the Operations fund, following several years of previous increases combining for nearly $2 million," said Amata. "By simply keeping these advances in place over ten years, we've added $45 million."

The $2.5 million for planning sets the stage for $100 million or more now available for ASG to petition the U.S. Treasury Department for infrastructure use under the American Rescue Plan, due to the recently announced federal rule change as Congresswoman Amata and her territorial colleagues requested based on the need for hospital infrastructure.

"I'm also pleased the progress we reached in 2019 legislation for Medicaid establishing a higher federal matching rate is being extended," Amata continued. "We will continue to press for a multi-year extension, but each extension further establishes this as the standard 83 percent rate, so much better than the 55 percent just a few years ago. Instead of being below the rates of the 50 states, we now have a higher federal match than any state."

Notably, the bill includes $13.6 billion in emergency support for Ukraine.

"I'm pleased to see help on the way to the people of Ukraine as they face a war that can come right to their neighborhoods," Amata said.

The bill includes funds programs across the board on a national basis, too many to highlight them all, while distribution will be based on formulas and grants. These include infrastructure, broadband, ports, $28 million to NOAA in new funds to invest in Tsunami warning systems, marine sanctuaries and coastal preservation, among many others, such as $2.4 billion nationally in diabetes programs.

USDA is directed to estimate costs of including the territories in the SNAP nutritional program for future consideration by Congress.

"This bill applies to American Samoa in many ways and various grant programs," Amata concluded. "Our islands could benefit from investments nationwide in ports, tsunami warning, and healthcare programs including diabetes prevention and treatment."

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