Mazie Hirono: “this package contains two bills with broad, bipartisan support. One of those bills, H.R. 6062, is sponsored by Delegate…”

“this package contains two bills with broad, bipartisan support. One of those bills, H.R. 6062, is sponsored by Delegate Amata Radewagen of American Samoa. This bill will repeal a requirement that the Constitution of American Samoa can only be amended by an Act of Congress. Repealing this provision will allow the people of American Samoa to amend their Territorial constitution without further congressional action, a right that they had before 1983. In 2022, American Samoa held a constitutional convention and approved 5 of 11 proposed constitutional amendments. This marked the first time voters had approved amendments since the 1983 change requiring congressional approval. These amendments have been pending congressional action since December 2022. There is no need for further delay. We restore American Samoa's self-determination in their constitutional matters by passing H.R. 6062. In addition to this important bill affecting American Samoa, this package includes a bill, S. 2615, sponsored by Representative Mary Peltola and Senator Murkowski, to sunset an outdated requirement in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act for village corporations to reconvey lands for municipal uses. This will free up lands for needs such as housing and help Alaska Natives realize the full intended benefit of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.…”