Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The dramatic confrontation inside the House of Representatives last week Tuesday that led to one of the most severe disciplinary actions the Legislature has taken in recent memory has led to the Gov. Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula sending a letter, dated March 24, 2026 to the Speaker of the House requesting the “Unedited Recording of March 17th House Hearing on FY2026 Budget Stop Orders.“

The letter respectfully asks that it also be a copy from the official audio and/or video recording and describes the hearing as “concerning new directors whose salaries have been placed under a stop order by the Fono in connection with the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.

“Access to the full, raw recording of this hearing is essential to ensure ]that the Executive Branch accurately understands the concerns, questions, and directives raised by the House, and to enable us to respond appropriately and in a timely manner.“

The letter further notes that “if more practicable, a secure means of electronic access or download“ is acceptable, and if “there are any procedural requirements, formats, or conditions that must be met to obtain this recording, please advise my office so that we may promptly comply.“

The letter is cc’d to the President of the Senate, Tuaolo Manaia Fruean.

The Senate last Friday unanimously adopted a House Concurrent Resolution barring Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula's Chief of Staff, Leonard Seumanutafa, from entering the Fono compound, citing what lawmakers described as “unprecedented disrespect, disorderly conduct, and aggression toward the Legislature.”

The concurrent resolution formally censures Seumanutafa and imposes a strict ban that prohibits him from entering the Fono building or its surrounding grounds for the remainder of the current Legislature — unless he issues a formal apology that is accepted by both House and Senate leadership.

The measure also warns that the House reserves the right to initiate contempt proceedings, which could result in criminal prosecution if Seumanutafa attempts to interfere with legislative business or violates the terms of the ban. (A person who is found in contempt of the Legislature is guilty of a class D felony.)

To enforce the prohibition, the resolution directs the Sergeant‑at‑Arms and the DPS to immediately remove Seumanutafa should he attempt to enter the premises.

The House approved the measure by a vote of 13– 2, with Faipule Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr and Trude Ledoux‑Sunia casting the dissenting votes. The Senate adopted the resolution unanimously.

Before the final vote, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean remarked on the seriousness of the incident, saying, “Thank God the incident didn’t happen in the Senate. This is contempt of the Legislature. Whether it happened in the House or the Senate, it is the dignity of the Fono that is being compromised.”

Samoa News notes that while the House has tapes — audio & visual — it does not allow live transmittal of its sessions, including hearings, unlike the Senate, whose sessions & hearings are transmitted live by KVZK-TV and you can also view them live on YouTube.