The US House of Representatives has passed the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill, which includes a provision to extend minimum wage rates to American Samoa.
Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin says key House members have assured him that the minimum wage issue for American Samoa and CNMI will be worked out during a committee conference meeting.
He says Congressman David Obey, who is Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has also given his assurance of support to exclude American Samoa when the bill goes into conference.
Now that the bill will move to conference, Faleomavaega says the Democratically-controlled Congress can determine what is best for American Samoa and CNMI without further influence from the Republicans who have made this a political issue
