Amata reports U.S. Senate remains adamantly opposed to 936 extension and will not pass it
March 05, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. Aumua Amata reports that the fate of the 936 extension provision appears to have taken a turn for the worse. She indicated that the Senate Finance Committee remains adamantly opposed to resurrecting 936 and refuses to pass it.

Said Amata, "What we are hearing in the halls of Congress is amazing. First, last week's hearing was non-eventful and went fairly quickly. Little was discussed about 936."

Aumua explained, "It is what is going on behind the scenes that is interesting. First, the Senate Energy Committee staff is saying the 936 extension for American Samoa deal is dead. They're saying there may be a wage credit proposal as a fallback, but even that is not for sure, because people are saying the tuna canneries will be leaving soon anyway, and if they can't make it American Samoa needs a post-cannery economic development strategy."

"Instead of wasting political capital to pass his Plurality Bill for his own personal gain and at the expense of our territory," Amata emphasized, "our Delegate should have focused on a long term strategy for the aftermath of 936 instead."

Continued Aumua, "There is talk that House Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas and his staff is sending signals they will not fight for the 936 extension because Senate opposition is too strong. Moreover, Bill Thomas will not seek re-election and will be leaving Congress and the word is that he will make his retirement announcement this coming week."

"If true," stated Amata, "our Delegate appears to have backed the wrong idea with the wrong allies in Congress and really dropped the ball. That is why he is taking it out on Papalii David Cohen and others who all along have worked hard to help American Samoa."

Aumua Amata concluded, "This is an astonishing turn of events. I am saddened at the casual and lighthearted attitude with which our Territory's critical 936 issue was mishandled over the past ten years. Some say the Senate Finance Committee has bought off on the idea of a wage based credit but staffers say they're only considering it at this point. Let's hope for the best."