Congresswoman Amata and Secretary Haaland with the signed decision memorandum finalizing American Samoa’s amendments.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Office of the American Samoa Congressional Delegate) — U.S. Congresswoman Aumua Amata joined outgoing Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland at the Department of the Interior headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Thursday for the signing of a decision memorandum so that American Samoa can implement constitutional amendments.
The amendments are already approved by the people of American Samoa, and Amata’s recent legislation, H.R. 6062, signed into law by President Joe Biden on Jan. 4, provided for the completion of these amendments to become officially part of American Samoa’s Constitution, and streamlines any future amendments following approval by the people through a vote.
“I so appreciate Secretary Haaland’s invitation and especially her prompt signature to complete our people’s amendments. I know from working with her both in Congress and DOI that indigenous self-determination issues are close to her heart,” said Congresswoman Amata. “American Samoa can now implement the constitutional amendments that our people voted for, and that’s a great start to 2025.”
At the signing, Secretary Haaland read from the document’s purpose, then said, “This is such a wonderful example of, not only bipartisanship, and being a member of Congress at one time I know how important that is, but also a fervent desire to improve the lives of Americans everywhere, so we’re very proud to have the opportunity to sign this today, and congresswoman I’m really honored that you’re here.”
Final passage of Amata’s bill by the U.S. Senate was in December, in the last group of bills finished the 118th Congress, after several months of work. The House had already passed the bill in July. At each step, the bill passed by unanimous consent. Amata’s legislation fulfilled the unanimous request of American Samoa’s elected leaders expressed through a resolution adopted by the Fono or the territorial legislature to remove unnecessary steps in Washington, D.C., and was completed with their support. Under the law, the Interior secretary can approve American Samoa’s constitutional amendments that have been approved by the people without extra hurdles and delays that other territories do not have.
