Amata Welcomes House Passage of Volcano Warning System Reauthorization

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is welcoming House passage of H.R. 3176, which amends the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Actto reauthorize the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System.

In June, Congresswoman Amata voted for this bipartisan bill in the Natural Resources Committee. The bill reauthorizes the important National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System (NVEWS) through fiscal year 2030.

This system monitors the most active and hazardous volcanoes to give ample time to evacuate communities in surrounding areas. The bill, introduced by Rep. Nick Begich, R-Alaska, was passed with bipartisan support in both the Committee and then Monday in the full House of Representatives.

NVEWS is the national plan to ensure that 170 U.S. volcanoes are monitored based on their threat levels. The plan was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program (VHP), working with partnering states, universities and academic institutions.

On March 12, 2019, Congress passed the John D. Dingell, Jr., Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act(Public Law 116-9; 133 Stat. 580), in which Title V, §5001 (43 U.S.C. 31k) authorized the establishment of NVEWS within the USGS. The program has assessed 57 of the volcanoes as most in need of monitoring, including coastal and inland sites in Alaska, Hawaii, and the Northern Marianas.

"In American Samoa, we know the power of tsunamis, and we recognize the possibility of volcanic activity in our region from seamounts," said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. "I strongly support the best possible research and monitoring in this important field of study to save lives and provide warning. This program builds expertise and ensures resources are developed if American Samoa should ever need it, and provides much-needed services for the most active sites in other states and territories."

House Resolution Honors Servicemembers

On Monday, by voice vote, the House passed H. Res. 923, honoring the service and sacrifice of United States Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who were tragically shot in Washington, D.C., in a targeted assault against United States service members on November 26, 2025.

This resolution honors their service and sacrifice as members of the West Virginia National Guard and extends sympathy, gratitude, and support for their families in the wake of the attack. The resolution also honors the bravery of the other National Guard members on the scene, expresses gratitude for the action of first responders, and condemns the attack.

Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorized

Also on Monday, again by voice vote, the House passed H.R. 4183, authorizing appropriations for the Federal Maritime Commission for fiscal years 2026 through 2029. The bill expands the commission's capacity to prevent anticompetitive practices within the international ocean transportation system, and requires the commission to report annually on anticompetitive and nonreciprocal trade practices by controlled carriers or marine terminal operators.

The bill establishes a National Port Advisory Committee and a National Ocean Carrier Advisory Committee. The committees, together with the existing National Shipper Advisory Committee, are charged with advising the commission on policies relating to competitiveness, reliability, and efficiency in the international ocean freight delivery system.

###