US House leaders have sidelined legislation to improve air services within American Samoa until the new Congress in January.
The House will not take up the omnibus territories legislation passed in the Senate which contains cabotage reform provisions aimed at improving air links between the islands of Tutuila and Manu'a.
American Samoa's congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen said the bill drew objections from Homeland Security officials.
She said the territories bill would not come to the House floor this week, as the 114th Congress plans to wrap up.
Amata said the House leaders had agreed instead to bring up cabotage reform in the new Congress next year as a free-standing bill dealing only with the American Samoa issue.
She said they've agreed to "hotline" the bill for speedy action.
The Senate would then have to pass the free-standing measure which would extend cabotage waivers to 180 days from 30 days..
Cabotage reform was one of Amata's first goals after taking office last year.
Reforms would change the law to allow foreign carriers to make multiple stops within American Samoa, without having to first return to foreign soil or get a federal waiver each month.
The effort is seen as a way to boost American Samoa's economy via tourism.
