Efforts by American Samoa's member of the US Congress, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, to persuade Congress to extend tax credits for the territory's two canneries for an additional five years have been endorsed by US Interior Secretary, Gale Norton.
The endorsement of the bill presented by Faleomavaega is something territorial leaders have been asking for, for some time.
A few months ago a delegation from the territory, including Governor Togiola Tulafono and several District Governors met Ms Norton and asked that the administration supported the bill.
The canneries say without the tax breaks they would be forced to close - a move that would have huge consequences for the territory's economy.
