Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that on December 16, 2009, the House passed, by a vote of 217–212, legislation to boost employment and provide fiscal relief to local governments.  The “Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010” would cost $154 billion to be paid for with money redirected from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) that would have otherwise been used to bail out Wall Street firms.

 “I want to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic House leadership for this bill to provide additional aid to help struggling families make ends meet.  In these tough economic times, it is important to recognize the challenges facing many families across the nation,” Faleomavaega said.

 “I also want to commend my fellow delegates for their joint effort and hard work to ensure that the residents of the Territories are covered.  More than 4 million Americans reside in the Territories and they face the same economic challenges experienced by many across the United States,” Faleomavaega added.

American Samoa stands to receive close to $30 million under several provisions of the new jobs bill.  Some of the programs and amounts that would benefit American Samoa are as follows:

• $4.5 million for highway infrastructure restoration, repair, construction and other activities under the Territorial Highway program
• $ 411,917 for activities to improve public transportation
• $ 863,500 under the Clean Water State Revolving Funds
• $247,500 under the Safe Drinking Water program
• $19 million under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund for school improvements and other eligible projects
• $1.9 million additional cap on Medicaid spending

“I am grateful that Congress recognizes the challenges facing families and communities in American Samoa.  Especially in light of the current economic downturn this bill continues the road to recovery already in place under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA),” Faleomavaega added.

“With the House now in recess for the Holidays, the Senate is expected to take up the jobs bill sometimes early next year.  I will continue to follow this issue closely,” Faleomavaega concluded.