WASHINGTON, D.C. (Office of the American Samoa Congressional Delegate) — U.S. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, R-American Samoa, will serve on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for the 118th Congress.
This will be Congresswoman Amata’s first stint on the Foreign Affairs Committee, marking a change for her fifth term in Congress. The committee is led by Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, a senior member serving since being elected in 2004, and the former chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.
“After participating in the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders in Honolulu and observing the U.S.-Pacific Islands summit in Washington last year,” said Aumua Amata, “it became clear to me that the threat China poses to the stability of our region, requires the U.S. to become much more active in the region and that a Samoan perspective in congressional oversight and lawmaking would be the best way to protect our interests.”
“I am humbled to take on these new responsibilities,” she continued. “I look forward to bringing a viewpoint from the Pacific Islands to the Committee’s duties.”
She will continue serving on the House Committee on Natural Resources, where she has served since first being sent to Congress eight years ago. The Natural Resources Committee has oversight responsibilities regarding the insular areas and the Department of the Interior. She has also served on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, most recently as vice ranking member.
In prior terms, she has served on the House Committee on Small Business, including a leadership role right from the start as a subcommittee chair while a freshman member in the 114th Congress.
U.S. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata with House Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul.
