Delaying a Minimum Wage Increase in American Samoa (H.R. 2617)

What is H.R. 2617?

(Updated August 26, 2021)

This bill was enacted on October 7, 2015

This bill would delay a scheduled increase of the minimum wage in American Samoa, which is scheduled to increase by 50 cents on September 30, 2015.

If enacted, this bill would keep American Samoa’s minimum wage at its current level through 2017.

Argument in favor

American Samoa's delegate has asked for more time to determine its own minimum wage, so the federal government should give them that time and not mandate an increase.

Argument opposed

The minimum wage increase should go ahead as scheduled, if American Samoa wanted to change it in advance they should have already.

Impact

Workers in American Samoa, the government of American Samoa, and the federal government.

Cost of H.R. 2617

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Several of American Samoa’s largest businesses have questioned the wisdom of a minimum wage increase, and the issue is complicated by weak employment in the territory.

The government of American Samoa desires an increase in the minimum wage but has expressed concerns about the harm such a move may do to the territory’s canneries. The delegate who sponsored this legislation, Congresswoman Aumua Amata (R-AS) is hoping to find a way to have the territory’s minimum wage set by a local committee.

Media:

• Samoa News
• Talanei
• Radio New Zealand