With Autumn comes change… and a new Speaker of the U.S. House

Washington, D.C. — On the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., autumn begins to show its true ‘colors’— perhaps helping Republicans to finally vote in a new Speaker of the House on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 — Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), allowing the House to get back to its main work, passing legislation.

Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming the election of a new Speaker of the House on Wednesday, so the House can step up the focus on passing necessary yearly appropriations bills.

The House voted in Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) with 220 votes to 209 for Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. In contrast to recent votes, Speaker Johnson holds the support of the entire Republican conference, becoming the 56th Speaker of the U.S. House, and ending three weeks led by Speaker Por Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC).

Now, Congress must urgently determine the best way forward for government-wide funding, with possible passage of major appropriations or another Continuing Resolution (CR) to temporarily fund some federal programs while those bills are completed, along with supplies to Israel, disaster relief for the Maui wildfire and hurricanes in the U.S., ongoing support for Ukraine, and completing legislation that affirms renewed Compacts of Free Association agreements with our closest Pacific allies, Indo-Pacific security and our military pay.

“Congratulations to Speaker Johnson, I know him and he’s a man of faith, and I look forward to working with him for our priorities,” said Congresswoman Amata. “During these weeks, we’ve continued to work on hearings and legislation, but the Constitution requires a Speaker in order to pass legislation, and some of the most important legislation of the year is in the works to fund the government after November 17.

“I’ve been discussing our Territory’s priorities with colleagues, and building a groundwork for our legislation, and noting that neither proposal is costly to the U.S. Treasury. These include our plan to allow simpler conversion to citizenship for any U.S. National choosing to do so as an individual, and implementing a constitutional change that the people of American Samoa voted for and the Fono has called for in a Resolution. I continue to call for the American Samoa economic development credit to strengthen our fishing-based local economy.

 “I look forward to reporting back on these developments, and being home again soon, as I’ve been staying in Washington due to these efforts and Speaker votes,” the Congresswoman said.

FIRST LEGISLATION

Congress passed House Resolution (H. Res. 771) in support of Israel, which endured a horrific attack by Hamas that killed more than 1,400 people, including children, wounded and harmed several thousand people, and took hostages. Americans in Israel were among those slain or held hostage at gunpoint. On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives sent a strong statement of U.S. support with more than 400 cosponsors, including Congresswoman Amata, a Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“This vicious attack by Hamas was terrible and cruel, as we’ve seen in appalling and undeniable video and photographic evidence, and witnessed by many credible journalists from all over the world. This violence must be completely condemned,” said Congresswoman Amata. “We must stand together against terrorist attacks on unarmed people, against anti-semitism everywhere, and in full support of Israel’s security and right to defend their nation. These cruelties by Hamas, reportedly backed by Iran, do nothing for the Palestinian people, whose needs must be met through diplomacy that rejects Hamas and protects Israel’s security and future.

“I have treasured my time visiting the Holy Land, which is so important as a centerpoint to people of faith all over the world, including my own faith,” she concluded. “I dearly hope to visit again in a time of restored peace, and as Scripture says, we ‘pray for the peace of Jerusalem.’ The United States, as expressed by the House of Representatives, supports the people of Israel.”