Dear Editor,
The author of a recent piece criticizing Congresswoman Amata’s performance compared to other territories should reconsider the role of an effective Member of Congress. While Amata has secured significant funding and boosted statutory allocations for American Samoa, the focus on “earmarks” misses the point.
Most funding sources go beyond earmarks, and simply showing raw dollar amounts is misleading without considering population size. For the uninformed, the term “per capita” refers to the amount per person.
Here are the per capita amounts based on the writer’s own figures and the population of each territory:
- American Samoa: $30.17
- Virgin Islands: $27.83
- Puerto Rico: $3.05
- Northern Mariana Islands: $312.84
- Guam: $146.34
Amata outperforms two territories while understandably trailing Guam and the Northern Marianas, where substantial U.S. military investments are driven by proximity to China.
A key measure of success in Congress is a member’s reputation and influence. Amata is highly respected by her colleagues, having achieved significant seniority. She holds multiple committee assignments, chairs at least one subcommittee, and enjoys a level of influence new members rarely attain.
As of March 2024, American Samoa has received at least $101M in Federal funding not related to the ASG Operations account. The Operation account grew to $28.2M due to a historic 6 straight increases totaling $5.4M through 2023.
Also at Amata’s request, Congress specifically allocated $3 million of those funds to ASCC. This is not mere earmarked funding, rather this is direct Congressional action afforded by Amata’s ability to get things done in Congress.
On Wednesday, October 23, Amata announced a bill by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a total of $24.4 million in fiscal year 2025 investment in American Samoa from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which Amata backed publicly throughout the bill’s debate and passage in 2021. The official name of the BIL is the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This single accomplishment would increase the per capita funding to $521, making Amata’s efforts on behalf of American Samoa the leader in funding acquisition. This most recent funding is only a mere fraction of the total funding for American Samoa due to Amata’s effectiveness in Congress.
Her leadership is recognized across the Pacific, as reflected in this article, by Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, the president of the East-West Center. “A Legacy of Pacific Leadership and Cultural Preservation: A Conversation with Congresswoman Amata Radewagen”
In conclusion, while securing funds is important, ensuring that American Samoa is recognized and treated fairly is paramount. Amata has accomplished this, and it would take years for a newcomer to build the level of recognition and influence she now commands.
Sincerely,
Taulapapa Will Sword
Chairman, RPAS
