WASHINGTON, D.C. (Office of the American Samoa Congressional Delegate) — U.S. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata was in Kuwait for Christmas Day with U.S. service members as part of a bipartisan congressional delegation or CODEL, visiting the second country of their holiday weekend with the military. Delegation members first served Christmas dinner to the troops before joining them for the meal.
In Kuwait, the delegation also met with Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah discussing security, economic and educational issues, and the stability of the region.
She is often able to meet up with Samoans on such visits, on this occasion spending time with Col. Manu Davis and Sgt. Christopher Kitiona.
“It was a delight to see Col. Manu Davis and Sgt. Christopher Kitiona, and celebrate on Christmas Day with our military to let them know our support,” said Congresswoman Amata.
The CODEL is led by U.S. Congressman David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, who chairs the Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism, within the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The delegation includes Reps. Aumua Amata, R-American Samoa; Joe Wilson, R-SC; Sara Jacobs, D-CA; Susan Wild, D-PA; and Kat Cammack, R-FL.
On the previous day, they had visited U.S. personnel in Bahrain. While in Bahrain, they participated in a choir performance, Christmas tree decorating competition, and a stockings handout.
Amata highlights military housing allowance boost
Congresswoman Amata is also highlighting a boost in the military housing allowance for 2023, which adds support for service members and helps counter inflationary costs.
“Along with the pay raise in recent legislation, this housing allowance can help our dedicated military be on a better financial footing,” said Congresswoman Amata. “These improvements are well-deserved, and part of our national commitment to those who volunteer to serve.”
The Department of Defense has released its Basic Allowance for Housing or BAH rates for 2023, which will rise an average of 12.1 percent. According to the DOD, there will be an estimated $26.8 billion in BAH payments for about one million service members. DOD calculates BAH rates from 300 military housing areas across the nation based on current rent and utilities, then payments vary by pay grade.
The DOD announcement cited “unique market conditions” for the “significant increase in average BAH rates.”
U.S. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata with Col. Manu Davis and Sgt. Christopher Kitiona in Kuwait.
