Amata to serve as Vice Chair of Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata will serve on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC) for the 119th Congress, and as Vice Chairman of the full Committee in recognition of her seniority as a longstanding part of the Committee, where she has served since the people of American Samoa first sent her to represent them in Congress.
HVAC has oversight of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and jurisdiction over legislation concerning Veterans.
Within the Committee’s activities, Congresswoman Amata will serve on two key Subcommittees: the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is the congressional starting point for all oversight of the VA, and the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) focuses on much-need Veterans’ services, such as the provision of disability assistance, headstones, funeral honors, and national cemeteries.
The full Committee is led by Chairman Mike Bost of Illinois, a Veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and is a lifelong public servant, to include service as a firefighter, in the Illinois legislature, then Congress, where he leads HVAC and sets the Committee’s overall agenda for the next two years.
“Chairman Bost asked me to continue my role as Vice Chairman of the Committee,” said Aumua Amata. “I’m humbled to work on behalf of our many Veterans, our military families and our Toa o Samoa, who are future Veterans. I grew up in a military family, as my father served in World War II, and I had brothers who served, and a grandfather who served. I am committed to our Veterans and continuing to listen to their needs. I appreciate my colleagues for a bipartisan desire to see real improvements made in VA services to them.”
“Among the host of issues, the Committee will continue to emphasize reforms to reduce backlogs and modernize records, efforts to improve mental health services, prevent tragic Veterans’ suicides, strengthen services across the board, and better attract and retain skilled professional employees to the VA.”
Congresswoman Amata has already announced her continued service in the House Natural Resources Committee as well, including a new leadership role as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, with jurisdiction over legislation related to the Insular Areas. The details of her third committee are expected in the week ahead.