MONEY FOR THE TERRITORIES?

Congressman Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa announced that by a vote of 380 to 34 the House passed H.R. 5140, the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008 as amended by the Senate. The bill also ensures that residents of the territories (American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Northern Marianas Islands, Virgin Islands) are eligible for the same income tax rebates and child credit increases being provided to all other Americans.

“Given that many of our people live below the poverty level and our per capita incomes are well below the national average, the House and Senate also agreed to support our request to protect our local economies,” Faleomavaega said.

“This is good news for American Samoa, and good news for the other territories. Our men and women fight and die for this country and, like every other American, we are also confronted with the same, if not worse, economic challenges.

NPIEN COMMENT: NPIEN's hope is that we continue to seek recognition from the federal government to support the people of all of the territories. We salute the work of Congressman Faleomavaega, Congresswoman Bordallo of Guam, Congressman Luis Fortuno, Puerto Rico, Congresswoman Donna Christensen, Virgin Islands.