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New shutdown likely averted, funding bill includes funds for American Samoa

U.S.Capitol Building
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Congressional legislation preventing another federal government partial shutdown this weekend and fund the rest of the federal government for the remainder of FY 2019, includes funding for American Samoa.

The measure includes language calling on the US Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs to conduct a study of the LBJ Medical Center, including estimated costs of renovating or replacing the entire facility. It also requests to provide an estimate of whether a renovation would result in a facility capable of handling all services required by the people of American Samoa.

Other provisions of the measure provides funding for the American Samoa Judiciary for compensation and expenses, as well as $23.72 million for American Samoa Operations and Construction. There is also $7.89 million under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for American Samoa.

Under the State and Tribal Wildlife Conservation grants, about $85,000 is allocated for the territory. There are also other provisions of the measure that would benefit projects in American Samoa, such as the Clean and Safe Drinking Water Fund.

The congressional legislation was approved yesterday afternoon (Washington D.C. time) by the US Senate and headed to the US House, where it was voted on last night (D.C. time.) for passage. This morning, the bill went to President Trump, who declared a national emergency to obtain further funding for his promised southern border wall.  He is expected to sign the funding bill later today, Friday, Feb. 15, 2019.