Amata Highlights Passage of Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is highlighting final House passage of the Senate version of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act, sending the legislation to the President to be signed into law. In the parallel House effort, Congresswoman Amata was an original cosponsor, introduced in April 2025 jointly with Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Oregon) and Rep. Jim Moylan (R-Guam), and she is delighted to welcome passage of legislation to reduce marine debris in the ocean, and support the efforts of NOAA and the Marine Debris Foundation.

The Save Our Seas (S.O.S.) 2.0 Amendments Act of 2025builds upon the success of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act-the most comprehensive marine debris legislation ever passed by Congress-and provides greater flexibility to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to work with other stakeholders in marine debris prevention and removal efforts. The Senate legislation, S. 216, was sponsored by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island), and had already passed the Senate. The House passed the bill Monday by voice vote.

"The ocean provides much of American Samoa's beauty, way of life, recreation and employment," said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. "I strongly support ocean conservation and keeping our waters and shores clean and beautiful. This excellent bipartisan bill reauthorizes NOAA's Marine Debris Program, and cooperative efforts with the Marine Debris Foundation. Thank you once again to my committed colleagues Representatives Bonamici and Moylan, and Senators Sullivan and Whitehouse this final legislation to achieve our objectives."

The bill strengthens NOAA's Marine Debris Program, reauthorizing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program through 2029. It enhances flexibility for contract agreements and in-kind contributions for projects. It also supports the Marine Debris Foundation's Operations, including authorization for the location of its principal office, and flexibility to better address regional marine debris challenges. It supports better outreach and the development of best practices for conducting outreach to Tribes for effective engagement in marine debris prevention and removal efforts.

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