American Samoa lawmakers returned Monday for an additional 15-day special session.

Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga extended the session with the only issue on the agenda to revisit the final fiscal year 2021 budget.

The governor remains opposed to the $6.5 million in drastic cuts made by the Fono to the budgets for executive branch departments.

The Fono leaders had told the governor in an October 13th letter they are not confident with governor’s revenue projections.

They further urged the governor to act on the final fiscal year 2021 budget bill now in his control.

The Fono returned the final fiscal year 2021 budget to Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and adjourned the special session.

However, no changes were made to the budget.

Gov. Lolos was unhappy with the $6.50 million in budget cuts and called the special session to reconsider the budget.

The Fono convened in a joint session on Monday and reached a majority vote for no changes to be made to the budget passed last week.

The budget was sent back to the governor.

This time it was accompanied by a letter of explanation from Senate President Gaoteote Palaie Tofau and House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale.

Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has called a special session of the Fono to convene on Monday, October 5, with the main agenda to revisit the fiscal year 2021 budget.

The special session is set to last for up to 15 days.

Gov. Lolo would like the Fono to submit a budget compliant with established policies and procedures.