WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week the Office of Insular Affairs released $7.8 million remaining in grant assistance for fiscal year 2017 to the American Samoa Government through the Office of Insular Affairs’ (OIA) Operations Grant Program.

These funds are what remained of the annual $22.75 million needed to support the daily operations of the American Samoa Government, the LBJ Tropical Medical Center, the American Samoa Community College, and the High Court of American Samoa. The purpose of this program, as mandated by Congress, is to fund the difference between budget needs and local revenue and remains constant each year to support government operations.

“These funds are critical for government operations in the territory of American Samoa,” said Interior Acting Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Nikolao Pula. “We are pleased to transmit the remaining funds on behalf of the administration.”

A separate media release from Cong. Aumua Amata points out, every year since 1974, Congress has appropriated funds to assist American Samoa in the operation of the local judiciary, education, health, and other departments. In order to garner a long overdue increase to the account, Congresswoman Amata has appeared before the House Interior Appropriations Committee as well as addressed the issue at several House Natural Resources Committee hearings.

 “I want to thank DOI for releasing this much needed funding for our government operations,” stated Amata. “This funding plays a crucial role in the day to day operations of our island. However, there is still much to be done to ensure that American Samoa receives equitable funding regarding our unique needs as a geographically and economically isolated territory,” she said.

“Despite concerns over the national deficit and the possibility of budget cuts; I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress and Secretary Zinke to ensure that the needs of American Samoa are met. While the new administration has proposed cuts across the board in all departments, I remain optimistic that we can avoid these possible shortfalls in funding, and will continue to work night and day to see that they do not happen,” she said.