Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that on Friday September 26, 2008 the House passed, by a vote of 264 to 158, H.R. 7110, the Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act, which is a stimulus package offered to provide relief to States and Territories, including American Samoa.

“Unlike the previous stimulus package which provided direct payments to taxpayers and of which the people of American Samoa received more than $20.4 million in tax rebates and child credits, this stimulus package would offer States and Territories additional funding to address issues like transportation, healthcare, education, and food stamp assistance, to name a few, but individuals would not receive direct payments,” Faleomavaega said.  

“In the case of American Samoa, we would have received over $1.2 million in additional funds for transportation, and an increase of more than $200,000 for our Medicaid program, bringing our Medicaid payments to over $8.12 million.  We would also receive increases in our food stamp programs and additional funds for education, even though we already receive more federal aid per student than any other State or Territory.”

“Unfortunately, at this time, the Senate is not inclined to support the economic stimulus package offered by the U.S. House of Representatives.  If this changes, I will keep our people updated,” Faleomavaega concluded.