US House-passed appropriations bill increases funding for American Samoa

The United States House of Representatives passed a broad appropriations package that increases US Department of the Interior operations funding for American Samoa and renews a $3 million designation for American Samoa Community College.

The bill passed the House by a 397–28 vote and adds $900,000 to the Interior operations account, bringing the total to $29 million. The increase comes despite an overall reduction in Office of Insular Affairs spending for the fiscal year. US House and Senate leadership have already negotiated the package, and a Senate vote is expected.

Within the $29 million allocation, $3 million is again designated for American Samoa Community College, specifically requested by Delegate Amata Coleman Radewagen (R) of American Samoa. The designation has been included for several consecutive years and is intended to support education and workforce development.

Department of the Interior Operations funding for American Samoa remained flat for years before a series of increases beginning in fiscal year 2018. Since then, the territory has received six consecutive increases. With the additional $900,000 included in the current bill, the cumulative increase since 2018 would total $6.3 million if the legislation is enacted.

In a statement following House passage, Coleman Radewagen said the funding increase was secured amid heightened focus on spending discipline in Washington, DC. She thanked Appropriations Committee leadership in both parties, including chair and Representative Tom Cole (R) of Oklahoma, for supporting the funding and emphasized the importance of continued United States investment in American Samoa and the region in light of China’s expanding strategic presence in the Pacific.

The legislation also funds federal services and local grants for fiscal year 2026 across multiple agencies, including the US Department of the Interior, Department of Justice, Department of Commerce, Department of Energy, and Environmental Protection Agency. Funding is included for wildfire response, energy development, science and research, water development, and other federal programs.

If approved by the Senate, the bill would complete six of Congress’s twelve annual appropriations measures for the year.