Congressman Faleomavaega announced that last night by a vote of 380 to 34 the House passed H.R. 5140, the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008 as amended by the Senate.  The Senate previously passed the bill by a vote of 81 to 16.  The bill, which the President has agreed to sign into law next week, was introduced to jump-start the U.S. economy by providing income tax rebates and child credit increases.  At the request of Faleomavaega and Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, as well as Congresswoman Donna Christensen, the bill also ensures that residents of the territories are eligible for the same income tax rebates and child credit increases being provided to all other Americans.

“Given that many of our people live below the poverty level and our per capita incomes are well below the national average, the House and Senate also agreed to support our request to protect our local economies,” Faleomavaega said.  “Specifically, the bill stipulates that the U.S. Treasury, rather than our local treasuries, will be responsible for any pay-out owed our residents.  In a letter dated January 29, 2008, I informed Governor Togiola and the Fono that, for American Samoa, the U.S. Treasury would send a check of an estimated amount and ASG must have a plan approved promptly to disburse the money quickly.  Now that the House and Senate have passed the bill and the President has agreed to sign it into law, I am confident that ASG will work with the U.S. Treasury in making sure our people receive the rebates and credits they might be owed.”

“This is good news for American Samoa, and good news for the other territories.  As I stated in my letter to the Governor, our men and women fight and die for this country and, like every other American, we are also confronted with the same, if not worse, economic challenges.  This is why it is so disappointing that Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite, a Republican from Florida, has issued a series of press releases taking issue with the provision which we included in the bill of having the U.S. Treasury extend payments to our territorial treasuries to cover the rebates.  We regret that she also refers to us as “foreign citizens” citing Puerto Rico and Guam by name.  However, Congresswoman Bordallo of Guam, Congressman Luis Fortuno of Puerto Rico, and myself are hopeful to have a conversation with her in the near future so that she can have an accurate and reasonable understanding of the tax situation in the territories, and gain an appreciation of the sacrifices our people have made and continue to make for our country.”

“Clearly, our provision was sound public policy and we are grateful for the bipartisan support we received.  Again, I thank the House Leadership, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Chairman Charles Rangel of the House Ways and Means Committee, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Chairman Max Baucus of the Senate Finance Committee, for taking our country in a new direction.  I also thank all those who voted in favor of this legislation and in support of the territories.  I am especially pleased that the people of American Samoa will benefit from this stimulus package which is necessary to bolster our local and national economies,” Faleomavaega concluded.