A move to bring greater independence to American Samoa is unlikely to be supported by its people, who fear too much power will be granted to unelected officials.
The American Samoa Senate has approved a measure giving the Fono the authority to override the governor's veto.
It will require changing the local constitution, so voters and the United States Congress will have to approve it.
Our correspondent, Fili Sagapolutele, says the United States wants more self-governance for the territory, but voters there may be less willing.
"Senators in American Samoa are not elected. There are a lot of people that are very leery in supporting such a measure. They don't believe it's right that a body like the Senate to override a veto by a governor who is elected by the people."
Fili Sagapolutele says lawmakers in American Samoa are saying it would benefit the territory for final decisions its laws to be made there, and not in the United States.
