Amata tapped for leadership role on Natural Resources Committee
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata will serve again on the House Natural Resources Committee (HNR), as she has throughout her time in Congress, this time with an added Subcommittee vice chairmanship responsibility for the 119th Congress.
HNR Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Arkansas) has selected Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (American Samoa) as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs (IIA), working with Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Hurd (R-CO), who represents a rural district.
Chairman Westerman said, “Congresswoman Radewagen knows more about insular issues than virtually anyone in Congress, and her work on the committee was instrumental in supporting legislation like the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024. I look forward to working with her in the 119th Congress and am always thankful for her leadership and insight on the House Committee on Natural Resources.”
Vice Chairman Amata said, “I appreciate the opportunity to work with Chairman Westerman and my colleagues on this committee once again. I will continue efforts to strengthen American Samoa, and support our territory, including committee oversight of Insular Affairs, and the federal role in ocean and fishing.”
It was through the HNR Committee that Amata successfully shepherded H.R. 6062, American Samoa’s bill for enacting amendments that have been approved by the people. This is notable because the entirety of the 118th Congress enacted 209 bills, signed into law by President Biden, which is less than one bill per every two Senators and House Members, which total 541 seats in all including the territories. Most bills enacted are led by very senior Chairmen.
As referenced by Chairman Westerman, Amata served as Chairman for the Committee’s Task Force that examined the Compacts of Free Association legislation and completed that effort so that three key Pacific allies have 20-year agreements in place with the U.S.
In her other HNR Subcommittee assignment, Amata will continue to serve on the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries (WWF), working with WWF Chairwoman Harriet Hageman (R-Wyoming). These were her first two choices of subcommittees on behalf of American Samoa.
The full Committee, led by Chairman Westerman, who is known for expertise in forestry, has oversight of the U.S. Department of the Interior, including Insular Affairs, and legislates policy of direct importance to the territories. President Trump has nominated Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota as Secretary of the Interior.
For the 119th Congress, Amata expects to retain her other committee and caucus leadership roles and subcommittee assignments, which will be announced separately from HNR, as those committees complete their organizing.