Washington, D.C. — Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming progress for the recently introduced Coast Guard Authorization Act, which includes a legislative policy improvement she requested for U.S. Nationals working on U.S. flagged vessels, along with authorizing the Coast Guard’s next two years of functions, notably including the construction of four new fast cutters.

Amata requested updated language in the law to ensure U.S. Nationals working on any U.S. flagged vessel can advance with the same opportunities as U.S. Citizens, when earning merchant mariner credentials and promotions, ranging from command roles to engineer and other qualifications. The current law overlooks U.S. Nationals, creating possible career obstacles for mariners from American Samoa. The Coast Guard was supportive of Amata’s request, along with Committee leaders.

 “I’m delighted to get this change for mariners from American Samoa included right from the start in this Act,” said Congresswoman Amata. “This isn’t the first time I’ve corrected bills that overlooked U.S. Nationals, but Congress is getting better about this, and I will continue to make sure U.S. Nationals have their rights and protections under U.S. law. The good news is that the Coast Guard is supportive and working to find and correct any other regulatory instances of this.”

The bill was marked up Wednesday in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, led by Chairman Sam Graves (R-Missouri), following initial passage by the Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, led by Chairman Daniel Webster (R-Florida).

Regarding the Coast Guard’s acquisition of four new cutters, Amata notes that the bill highlights the overall burden on Coast Guard services, without specifying where the cutters could be assigned.

 “I support the Coast Guard’s expressed need for four fast cutters,” Amata concluded. “I’m on record as encouraging policymakers in Washington to strongly consider the stationing of cutters in American Samoa as part of a major commitment to the stability of the vast Pacific region. I’ve appreciated USCG briefings throughout my time in Congress, and most recently, good discussions with Admiral Michael Day, Commander of the 14th District, in February, when the CGC Juniper visited Pago Pago Harbor.”