“Senator Rubio is an excellent choice,” Congresswoman Aumua Amata says of nominee for Secretary of State

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is hailing the announcement that President-elect Trump is nominating Senator Marco Rubio of Florida to serve as the next Secretary of State.

“This is one of the most important positions in the U.S. Government, and Senator Rubio is an excellent choice,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “Senator Rubio has made foreign policy and national security an in-depth priority of his years in the Senate. As a son of Cuban immigrants, he deeply understands the realities of communism, the value of freedom, and the clear reasons the United States must maintain a strong commitment to the Pacific as a diplomatic counterweight to the activities of the CCP. I welcome this appointment; it increases my optimism about the next few years for U.S. policy in the Pacific. I hope the Senate sets aside all partisanship to confirm this nominee rapidly and send a message to the world of unity and strength in foreign affairs.”

In September, Amata spoke on the House floor in support of a Rubio-sponsored Senate bill to reauthorize the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which was passed by the House.

Senator Marco Antonio Rubio, 53, embodies an American success story, as the son of Cuban immigrant parents, often described as a bartender and a maid. Educated as a lawyer, he is a former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and an author. A Catholic in his faith, he is married with four children.

The historic position of Secretary of State, which is fourth in line for the presidency in extraordinary circumstances, was created by Congress in 1789 during the first presidential administration of President George Washington, who selected Thomas Jefferson as the first Secretary of State. Washington’s first Cabinet had just four offices: Secretaries of State, Treasury, War (now Defense), and Attorney General.

Upon confirmation of this appointment, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, would fill the Senate seat by appointment for the remainder of Sen. Rubio’s third term.

EPA ADMINISTRATOR NOMINATED

She is also highlighting the nomination of former Congressman Lee Zeldin of New York to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Lee Zeldin is an Army veteran, and a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, who was known in Congress for leading yearly delegations to visit the troops over Christmas. I’ve made that trip several times with him, so I know him well, especially from our Christmas visits to our military in the Middle East and Europe,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata.

“It’s always helpful to our small territory when nominees for key federal roles are already a friend and former colleague, like Congressman Zeldin,” continued Amata. “Our territory works closely with the EPA and the Pacific Southwest regional leadership (Region 9) on important protections for our home, including grants for local efforts. My expectation is that as Administrator, under President Trump’s direction, Congressman Zeldin will put a focus on the programs that are most effective and are the primary purpose of the EPA. As our islands needs tend to be clear and straightforward, I believe American Samoa Government can work well with this administration’s EPA priorities. We want our island to be healthy and stay beautiful, in partnership with the EPA.”

The EPA was created by Congress in 1970, signed into law by President Nixon, to spearhead better research, combat health threats to drinking water, and lead cleanups of coasts and waters.

In Congress, Rep. Zeldin was a member of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, who also has served in the New York State Senate, and has issue-related experience as attorney for Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.