Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the House passed by a vote of 400 to 5 H.R. 4567, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act.  Included in this bill is about $5,025,000 for American Samoa. 

“At this time, I want to thank the Honorable Harold Rogers (R-KY), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security Appropriations for including the Territories in this Act.  I have known Chairman Rogers for years and at my request he visited American Samoa many years ago.  I appreciate his continued support of the Territories, and especially American Samoa.”

“I also want to thank Ranking Member Martin Sabo for representing the interests of the Democratic members.  This bill is a bipartisan bill and passed the House with the full support of Democrats and Republicans.”

“As I have said many times before, Congress is about working together.  The most important work that gets done in this House is a result of Democrats and Republicans working together and the Homeland Security Appropriations Act is just one more example of this,” Faleomavaega said.

“Democrats and Republicans have agreed that funding for States and local governments should be distributed according to a formula based on population.  With a population of 60,000, American Samoa will receive over $5 million to help us with emergency preparedness.  This includes funding for law enforcement training, terrorism prevention, port security, and support for other programs to help us secure our homeland.” 

“Again, I thank my friends in the House for standing with American Samoa and the insular areas.  I am also confident that once the House and Senate conference their bills that the President will sign this legislation into law,” the Congressman concluded.