Amata Highlights $12.2 Million Nutrition Support in Agriculture Appropriations

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is highlighting progress for American Samoa's federal nutrition support in 2027, which is set at $12.2 million in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027, H.R. 8646.

Under this bill, which passed the House, American Samoa's nutrition support increases $500,000 over the prior year, and would be up $2.2 million since 2023. The Senate must also pass the bill to be signed into law.

Congresswoman Amata recently in her office building in DC

"Once again, American Samoa's nutrition funds would be secured and increased under this bill, even though there are nationwide efforts to restrain costs throughout the rest of the bill," said Congresswoman Amata. "This is the highest priority for us in the Agriculture bill. Our nutrition plan is important to our people and I give it my support in Washington. Thank you again to Chairman Tom Cole, Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, as well as Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris and Subcommittee Ranking Member Sanford Bishop for ensuring that our funding, including the growth of the last several years, is protected in this legislation, so it can continue to serve our people."

Nationally, the overall bill trims discretionary funding by 1.4 percent. The bill funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and important programs like SNAP and WIC. The bill supports Rural Development programs that support water, wastewater, and electrical infrastructure grants, boosts "Buy American" policies, invests in food, drug, and medical device safety and inspections, and adds oversight to foreign purchases of U.S. agricultural land and foreign-manufactured drug imports.

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