Amata Met with Agriculture Secretary Rollins

Highlighted ASCC Ag Program, and Tuna as a Staple of Food Security

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata, in her role as a Vice Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, met with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and other Members of Congress on Thursday, discussing agriculture policy, legislation, and funding, including the Farm Bill.

Secretary Rollins and Congresswoman Amata

Congresswoman Amata welcomed Secretary Rollins' emphasis that food security is national security, and in turn highlighted American Samoa's key food security role producing 25 percent of U.S. canned tuna.

"I appreciated the update and briefing from Secretary Rollins, and I was also able to highlight to her our agriculture studies at ASCC, and how USDA grants support our students, and can benefit our local raising of fruit and crops for sale and subsistence," said Congresswoman Amata. "The USDA and farm legislation supports our nutrition block grant. Secretary Rollins highlighted the department's food security and buy American priorities, which are themes I often raise - American-produced tuna like ours should be first in line for U.S. federal and state purchases. Thank you to Chairwoman Celeste Malloy of Utah for facilitating this meeting for Western Caucus Members and Secretary Rollins."

Congress authorizes and directs Agriculture priorities through a multi-year Farm Bill, ideally updated every five years, then a yearly appropriations bill funds the Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Farm Bill legislation was first passed in 1933. This year's House-passed effort, officially The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, is designated H.R. 1 - a sign of the importance placed on this comprehensive legislation. The U.S. Senate has a version under consideration in Committee.

"When farmers, ranchers, and agricultural small businesses can plan with stable, multi-year policies in place, everyone benefits," concluded Congresswoman Amata. "Groceries and restaurants depend on food producers, and the Farm bill and USDA play important roles in economic and food security."

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