The American Samoa Constitutional Convention has approved a provision that would allow the legislature to stop federal laws that could be harmful for the territory.
The amendment was proposed by the Governor, Togiola Tulafono, who pointed to the minimum wage imposed by Washington against the wishes of the territory's leaders.
He says he understands Congress is unlikely to accept the provision but he says it would provide an opening for negotiations with Congress on the problems caused by the federal laws.
The territory's US Congressman, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, opposed the proposal, pointing to the funds the US has poured into American Samoa in the last ten years.
