{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", party = \"Independent\" and state = \"MP\" sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://sablan.house.gov/%E2%80%98every-citizen-has-right-vote%E2%80%99", "Every citizen has right to vote", "2017-10-10", "2017", "2017-10", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 Did you know that, if you live in the Northern Mariana Islands but used to live in a state in the U.S. mainland, you have a right to vote for President by absentee ballot? It now appears that the administration of U.S. President Donald J. Trump is planning to strip previous state residents of this ability\u2014which Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) opposes, saying every citizen has a right to vote.\n\tAccording to the Uniformed Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, or UOCAVA, U.S. citizens that were previously residents of a state and are currently residing in the CNMI are allowed to cast an absentee vote.\n\tUOCAVA states that a U.S. citizen residing in any part of the world\u2014including the international space station\u2014retain their right to vote in the federal election. However, that law does not extend to citizens residing in the four U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.\n\tAccording to Sablan, he believes the reason the CNMI was left out was because during the enactment of the law sometime in the 1990s, the CNMI did not have a member in the U.S. Congress.\n\t\u201c\u2026 U.S. citizens residing in the Northern Marianas were allowed to vote in federal elections, just as those residing in Israel. Among the territories, overseas Americans residing in the Northern Marianas were allowed to vote under the UOCAVA,\u201d said Sablan.\n\tThe U.S. Department of Justice is now reviewing this law, with the intent to reverse this voting privilege.\n\tA letter sent from the USDOJ to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit cited the Sessions v Morales-Santana case, which the U.S. Supreme Court defended a provision in the Immigration and Nationality Act, extending citizenship to certain children with one U.S. citizen parent. The letter was dated Sept. 11, 2017, and was signed by USDOJ Attorney Carleen Zubrzycki.\n\t\u201c\u2026 The proper remedy for an equal protection violation consisting of favorable treatment for a discrete group was to eliminate the favorable treatment for that group, rather than expanding more favorable treatment to everyone,\u201d the letter states, specifying that the Seventh Circuit held this as a remedy to the Sessions v Morales-Santana case.\n\tThe letter concluded that with the UOCAVA, considering the logic of the Sessions v Morales-Santana case, the best course of action was to dissolve the voting privilege of previous state residents currently residing in the CNMI, rather than to expand the privileges to the four other U.S. territories.\n\t\u201cUnder the logic of Sessions v Morales-Santana, if that were an equal protection violation, the proper remedy would be to treat [the] CNMI like the four major territories that the [U.S.] Congress expressly addressed in the [UOCAVA],\u201d the letter reads.\n\t\u201cAs a former election official, I promoted this right for U.S. citizens residing in the Northern Marianas and encouraged overseas Americans to vote in federal elections. While the turnout is usually not very high, it has been reported that had the State of Florida allowed counting of ballots mailed by Nov. 26, Al Gore would have won the state and then would have been elected President,\u201d said Sablan.\n\tGore was the Democratic candidate for the presidency back in 2000. He lost to George W. Bush.\n\t\u201cThe number of voters overseas continues to grow. I am not sure about the GOP, but the National Democratic Party has overseas American delegates at their conventions. They cast nomination votes for presidential candidates,\u201d said Sablan.\n\tSablan believes the worry of Attorney General Jeffrey Sessions is that \u201coverseas Americans\u201d represent a bloc of more liberal voters and thus could be a deciding factor in the election of presidential candidates.\u201d\n\t\u201cI disagree with this because I believe every citizen has a right to vote,\u201d said Sablan.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-we-need-common-sense-gun-reform", "THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - We need Common-sense gun reform", "2017-10-10", "2017", "2017-10", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In this issue:\n__________________________________________________________________________\n Monument plans? The Public right to know \nThe people of the Marianas and other Americans with National Monuments in their backyards have a right to know what the new administration is planning to do in these areas. So this week, along with 25 House colleagues, I cosponsored a Resolution of Inquiry, H.Res. 555, that the administration release a final report on its review of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument and Monuments around the nation, as well as all supporting documents. There were more than 2.5 million public comments submitted, mine included, and the public deserves a look. The resolution follows on my questioning of Chris Oliver, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, at a recent Natural Resources Committee hearing, about the Monument Review process and a similar lack of transparency by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council in its decision-making (subject of a news article on Wednesday here).\n OIA discretionary grant period open \nThe Office of Insular Affairs announced Thursday that the Northern Mariana Islands and other insular areas may now submit applications for discretionary technical assistance program (TAP) and maintenance assistance program (MAP) funding for fiscal year 2018. TAP provides grant funding for short-term projects intended to meet immediate needs. MAP provides funding to support, develop, improve and institutionalize infrastructure maintenance practices. With funding appropriated by Congress, OIA\u2019s TAP and MAP programs continue to be vital components of overall federal financial support for the Northern Marianas, allowing important projects undertaken by local community groups to move forward even when local funding is insufficient or unavailable. All applications are to be submitted through grants.gov. Instructions to apply are available at the Office of Insular Affairs website - https://www.doi.gov/oia/fiscal-payments. Local government entities, independent authorities, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply.\n Stopping nuclear proliferation \nPresident Trump is said to be planning next week to withhold certification of Iranian compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which holds Iranian nuclear arms development in check. This week, I joined 182 other Members of Congress concerned about nuclear proliferation in urging the President not to withhold certification. The issue is important to the Marianas, because any chance of steering North Korea away from further nuclear development is undercut, if the U.S. backs out of JCPOA. And the Marianas is within range of North Korean missiles. The President is required to provide to Congress credible evidence of noncompliance. He has not. And the International Atomic Energy Agency, along with America\u2019s European allies, Russia, and China are all in consensus that Iran is in fact complying with its obligations under the agreement. If we want to live in a safer world, America should keep its word.\n How to deal with North Korea \nA key focus of my talks in China was how to slow or stop North Korea\u2019s rapidly advancing nuclear and missile capabilities, which threaten the Mariana Islands. Five guiding principles for achieving that goal were outlined in a letter to the President from myself and 67 other Members of Congress. We believe the President should:\n Increase economic pressure on North Korea through the imposition and effective enforcement of sanctions.\n\tEnhance U.S. diplomatic efforts, especially crisis management channels.\n\tStrengthen, not subvert, our alliances in East Asia.\n\tRecognize that Personnel is Policy.\n\tMaintain Deterrence and Defense.\n Rather than using reckless rhetoric and sending muddled messages to our allies, the U.S. should pursue a comprehensive strategy toward North Korea based on these five principles. That is how to keep the Marianas safe.\n DFEMS awarded $67,647 Hazmat grant \nThe Department of Transportation\u2019s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration has awarded $67,647 in formula funds to the Commonwealth\u2019s Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. The Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant will help fund the development, implementation, and improvement of emergency plans and training of the Commonwealth\u2019s emergency responders to be better prepared for an incident involving the transportation of hazardous materials. Congratulations to DFEMS.\n Opportunities \n Grants: \n Jobs: \n Legislative Highlights \n THIS WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.Con.Res. 71 \u2013 Fiscal Year 2018 Republican Budget Resolution (Passed, 219-206)\n\tH.R. 36 \u2013 Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (Passed, 237-189)\n\tH.R. 2316 \u2013 Cooperative Management of Mineral Rights Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 2582 \u2013 Confirming State Land Grants for Education Act (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 2937 \u2013 Community Reclamation Partnerships Act (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 289 \u2013 Guides and Outfitters Act (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tS. 652 \u2013 Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 2408 \u2013 Protecting Girls\u2019 Access to Education in Vulnerable Settings (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 1624 \u2013 Municipal Finance Support Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n  Legislation I Cosponsored \n H.R. 3947\u00a0\u2013 To prohibit the possession or transfer of certain firearm accessories, and for other purposes\n\tH.R. 1078\u00a0\u2013 Military Hunger Prevention Act\n\tH.Res. 367 \u2013 Establishing the Select Committee on Gun Violence Prevention\n\tH.Res. 555 \u2014 Of inquiry requesting the President and directing the Secretary of the Interior to transmit, respectively, certain documents and other information to the House of Representatives relating to the executive order on the review of designations under the Antiquities Act\n  NEXT WEEK \n On the Floor \n S. 585 \u2013 Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017\n\tA Motion to Go to Conference on the National Defense Authorization Act\n\tAdditional Supplemental Package to Assist with Ongoing Recovery Efforts following Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria\n  Committee Hearings \nWednesday, October 11\n Committee on Natural Resources Markup\n Thursday, October 12\n Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans Legislative Hearing\n\tCommittee on Veterans' Affairs Markup\n\tCommittee on Veterans' Affairs Legislative Hearing", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/dfems-awarded-67647-hazmat-grant", "DFEMS awarded $67,647 Hazmat grant", "2017-10-09", "2017", "2017-10", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DFEMS awarded $67,647 Hazmat grant                                           \n              Oct 9, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    The Department of Transportation\u2019s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration has awarded $67,647 in formula funds to the Commonwealth\u2019s Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services.\nThe Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant will help fund the development, implementation, and improvement of emergency plans and training of the Commonwealth\u2019s emergency responders to be better prepared for an incident involving the transportation of hazardous materials.\nCongratulations to DFEMS.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/how-deal-north-korea", "How to deal with North Korea", "2017-10-09", "2017", "2017-10", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "How to deal with North Korea                                           \n              Oct 9, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    A key focus of my talks in China was how to slow or stop North Korea\u2019s rapidly advancing nuclear and missile capabilities, which threaten the Mariana Islands. Five guiding principles for achieving that goal were outlined in a letter to the President from myself and 67 other Members of Congress. We believe the President should:\n Increase economic pressure on North Korea through the imposition and effective enforcement of sanctions.\n\tEnhance U.S. diplomatic efforts, especially crisis management channels.\n\tStrengthen, not subvert, our alliances in East Asia.\n\tRecognize that Personnel is Policy.\n\tMaintain Deterrence and Defense.\n Rather than using reckless rhetoric and sending muddled messages to our allies, the U.S. should pursue a comprehensive strategy toward North Korea based on these five principles. That is how to keep the Marianas safe.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/monument-plans-public-right-know", "Monument plans? The Public right to know", "2017-10-09", "2017", "2017-10", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Monument plans? The Public right to know                                           \n              Oct 9, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    The people of the Marianas and other Americans with National Monuments in their backyards have a right to know what the new administration is planning to do in these areas. So, along with 25 House colleagues, I cosponsored a Resolution of Inquiry, H.Res. 555, that the administration release a final report on its review of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument and Monuments around the nation, as well as all supporting documents.\nThere were more than 2.5 million public comments submitted, mine included, and the public deserves a look. The resolution follows on my questioning of Chris Oliver, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, at a recent Natural Resources Committee hearing, about the Monument Review process and a similar lack of transparency by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council in its decision-making (subject of a news article here).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/oia-discretionary-grant-period-open", "OIA discretionary grant period open", "2017-10-09", "2017", "2017-10", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "OIA discretionary grant period open                                           \n              Oct 9, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    The Office of Insular Affairs announced that the Northern Mariana Islands and other insular areas may now submit applications for discretionary technical assistance program (TAP) and maintenance assistance program (MAP) funding for fiscal year 2018.\nTAP provides grant funding for short-term projects intended to meet immediate needs. MAP provides funding to support, develop, improve and institutionalize infrastructure maintenance practices. With funding appropriated by Congress, OIA\u2019s TAP and MAP programs continue to be vital components of overall federal financial support for the Northern Marianas, allowing important projects undertaken by local community groups to move forward even when local funding is insufficient or unavailable.\nAll applications are to be submitted through grants.gov. Instructions to apply are available at the Office of Insular Affairs website - https://www.doi.gov/oia/fiscal-payments. Local government entities, independent authorities, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/stopping-nuclear-proliferation", "Stopping nuclear proliferation", "2017-10-09", "2017", "2017-10", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stopping nuclear proliferation                                           \n              Oct 9, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    President Trump is said to be planning to withhold certification of Iranian compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which holds Iranian nuclear arms development in check. I joined 182 other Members of Congress concerned about nuclear proliferation in urging the President not to withhold certification.\nThe issue is important to the Marianas, because any chance of steering North Korea away from further nuclear development is undercut, if the U.S. backs out of JCPOA. And the Marianas is within range of North Korean missiles. The President is required to provide to Congress credible evidence of noncompliance. He has not. And the International Atomic Energy Agency, along with America\u2019s European allies, Russia, and China are all in consensus that Iran is in fact complying with its obligations under the agreement.\nIf we want to live in a safer world, America should keep its word.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-shootings-%E2%80%98we-need-stop-deaths%E2%80%99", "Kilili on shootings: We need to stop deaths", "2017-10-06", "2017", "2017-10", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) grieves the lives lost in what is dubbed as the \u201cdeadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history,\u201d while calling for legislation to prevent a repeat.\nSablan, through a statement from his office, reportedly joined other Democratic Caucus members on the steps of the U.S. Capitol last Thursday to mourn the victims of gun violence and \u201cdemand action to prevent the daily tragedy of gun deaths across America.\u201d\n\u201cEvery time a mass shooting like this occurs we offer prayers and condolences; we lower the flag to half-mast; but we never seem to take action to try to prevent these killings from happening again,\u201d said Sablan.\nHe added that the U.S. Congress should \u201cenact commonsense legislation,\u201d similar to the bipartisan King-Thompson legislation that strengthened background checks with the intent to keep guns out of the \u201cwrong hands.\u201d\nAccording to Sablan, almost 12,000 people in the U.S. die from gun violence.\n\u201cIt is an epidemic. We need to stop the deaths,\u201d he said.\nThe U.S. just last Sunday evening experience its deadliest mass shooting to date at the Las Vegas strip, where the suspect, Stephen Paddock, opened fire with several military-grade assault rifles on a nearby crowd of about 22,000 concertgoers about 500 yards away.\nPaddock took the lives of at least 59 people and injured 527.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/congressman-blasts-fishery-council-%E2%80%98improper-lobbying%E2%80%99", "Congressman Blasts Fishery Council For Improper Lobbying", "2017-10-05", "2017", "2017-10", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Honolulu Civil Beat \u2014\u00a0 WASHINGTON \u2014 The Honolulu-based Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council was harshly criticized on Capitol Hill last week over allegations of anti-environmental lobbying and secretiveness.\n\t\t\tU.S. Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, a Democrat who represents the Northern Marianas Islands, blasted the council known as Wespac\u00a0during a hearing\u00a0before the Water, Power and Oceans Subcommittee.\n\t\t\tSablan asked for an investigation of the 16-member council\u2019s activities, which he said include \u201cimproper lobbying,\u201d organizing efforts to undermine environmental protections and unspecified financial conflicts of interest.\n\t\t\tWespac includes government officials, environmentalists and fishing industry advocates.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tU.S. Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, a critic of the Honolulu-based Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, questions a witness at a recent hearing.(Courtesy of Rep. Gregorio Sablan)\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWespac oversees\u00a0much of the South Pacific, some 1.5 million nautical miles, including the area contained in the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.\u00a0It is is one of eight such fishing councils nationwide that were established to develop fishery management plans and policies to prevent overfishing and help fish stocks survive and thrive.\n\t\t\tMembers of the congressional committee, including Sablan, were questioning Chris Oliver, the new assistant administrator of fisheries for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, about proposed changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.\n\t\t\tThe landmark 1976 law created the councils to oversee fishing in U.S. federal waters. They make decisions governing use of waters that stretch from 3 to 200 miles offshore, in what is known as the Exclusive Economic Zone.\n\t\t\t \u2018Inappropriate Activities Of Wespac\u2019 \n\t\t\tWespac is the largest of the councils, responsible for monitoring about half of U.S.-controlled waters and thousands of individual marine species. By contrast, the Gulf of Mexico council only manages 42 species and the Mid-Atlantic council only 14.\n\t\t\tThe councils operate within NOAA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The chain of command in the agency leads up to Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, an appointee of President Donald Trump.\n\t\t\tOliver, who was formerly executive director of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, which is based in Anchorage, Alaska, joined the Trump administration in June.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWespac Chair Edwin Ebisui confers with Executive Director Kitty Simonds during a meeting last year. Simonds did not comment on the criticism from a congressman. (PC:Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat)\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\u201cMr. Oliver, I have long been concerned with inappropriate activities of Wespac,\u201d Sablan said at the Sept. 26 hearing. \u201cIn 2014, I engaged in a series of letters with your predecessors about improper lobbying activities in an effort to remove the green sea turtle from the endangered species list.\u201d\n\t\t\t\u201cMore recently, Wespac has been organizing and leading a national campaign to abolish marine monuments,\u201d Sablan added.\n\t\t\tWespac is also refusing to provide the public and interested stakeholders with full information about its activities and how its council members vote on some issues, Sablan said. He criticized Wespac for not posting audio or transcripts of its meetings, as required by law.\n\t\t\tHe alleged that there are unacknowledged conflicts of interest within Wespac, but did not identify anyone in particular.\n\t\t\tSablan\u2019s allegations were brought to the attention of Wespac spokeswoman Sylvia Spalding and Wespac executive director Kitty Simonds by Civil Beat, but neither chose to respond.\n\t\t\tMost of the other fishing management councils make audio, video or transcripts of their meetings available to the public. They include New England, based in Massachusetts, the Mid-Atlantic, based in Dover, Del., the Caribbean, based in Puerto Rico, the Gulf of Mexico, based in Tampa, Florida, the Pacific, based in Portland, Oregon, and the North Pacific in Alaska. The two that did not appear to offer audio, video or transcripts were the South Atlantic fishing council, based in South Carolina, and Wespac, according to a review of the websites by Civil Beat.\n\t\t\t Concerns Over Marianas Trench \n\t\t\tAt the hearing, Oliver said he was unaware of the issues Sablan was raising, and noted that there are restrictions against council members lobbying. Oliver said they are required by law to recuse themselves from considering issues that they have personal financial interest in.\n\t\t\tHe said he believed that the councils were, overall, \u201cvery transparent.\u201d\n\t\t\tSablan scoffed at that.\n\t\t\t\u201cReally, really?\u201d he said to Oliver. \u201cI\u2019m talking about Wespac in particular. It is 4,000 miles away from my district and it is very difficult to find out what they are doing because they don\u2019t put up transcripts of their meetings on their webpage as required by law.\u201d\n\t\t\tWaters off Maug, a volcano in the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. Sablan said no management plan has been written for the area.(Image couresy of NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas)\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tOliver said there are legal requirements that call for transparency.\n\t\t\t\u201cSo require Wespac to follow the law,\u201d Sablan said.\n\t\t\tOliver said he would look into it.\n\t\t\tSablan said he had \u201cbeen trying eight years, nine years, 10\u201d to get NOAA to do that, and that his questions had never been fully answered or addressed.\n\t\t\tSablan also asked Oliver to investigate why no management plan had ever been put in place for the Marianas Trench\u00a0marine national monument, which was established by presidential proclamation by President George W. Bush in 2009.\n\t\t\tSablan said the plan was supposed to be completed by 2011. Residents of the Northern Marianas were assured at the time the marine monument was created that it would attract tourism, but that has not been the case, he said.\n\t\t\tMarine monuments are overseen by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The top Trump administration official in the department is Ryan Zinke, secretary of the interior.\n\t\t\tOliver said he believed the Marianas Trench is carrying a \u201cmonument closure designation.\u201d The administration has been reviewing executive orders establishing national monuments, including including the Marianas Trench.\n\t\t\tSablan said he believed that Oliver was mistaken, and suggested it was because he is new to the job.\n\t\t\t\u201cNo, it is not,\u201d he told Oliver. \u201cHow long have you been on this job, Mr. Oliver?\u201d\n\t\t\tOliver said he had occupied his job for almost three months.\n\t\t\t\u201cI appreciate that you have been on the job such a short time, but could I please get answers to those questions,\u201d Sablan responded.\n\t\t\tOliver apologized and promised to investigate.\n\t\t\t\u201cI\u2019ll get to it,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m sorry that I don\u2019t have answers on the top of my head.\u201d\n\t\t\tThe hearing last week was not the only recent time Sablan has aired criticism of Wespac. At a hearing in March before the same subcommittee, he said that Wespac was placing priority on fishing industry interests instead of environmental concerns.\n\t\t\t\u201cWe should not allow fishery management councils, including the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, to have veto power over fishing rules in monuments and sanctuaries designed to preserve all marine species and habitats, not just fish,\u201d he said at the hearing, held on March 15.\n\t\t\t\u201cWespac in particular has fought against every marine preservation effort in memory including regulation to stop the gruesome practice of shark-finning and regulations designed to protect threatened and endangered species, green turtles, marine mammals and seabirds,\u201d he said.\n\t\t\t Reauthorizing The Law \n\t\t\tLast week\u2019s hearing revolved around Republican efforts to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Act, H.R. 200, and adjust it to make it easier for fishing management councils to gain what sponsors call \u201cflexibility\u201d to tailor fishery management programs as they think best.\u00a0 Another provision would require councils to provide a webcast or audio broadcast of their meetings.\n\t\t\tA Democratic version of a bill to reform Magnuson-Stevens, meanwhile, authored by the subcommittee\u2019s ranking member, Jared Huffman, a California Democrat, would require fishery councils to record non-procedural votes, improve access to information from council hearings, and improve transparency about council members, including information about conflicts of interest.\n\t\t\tSablan said he supported that provision in particular, as drafted in the Democratic statement.\n\t\t\tSablan is a non-voting delegate to the U.S. Congress because the Northern Marianas is a U.S. territory. He can vote in committee meetings and introduce legislation, but cannot vote on the House floor.\n\t\t\tAs a territory, the Northern Marianas is not represented by a senator, and U.S. citizens there cannot vote for president.\n\t\t\tThe relative powerlessness of U.S. territories, particularly Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, came to the forefront of public attention in recent weeks because of the hurricane devastation they sustained, and the perception of slow federal response to the crises.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/congress-addresses-puerto-rico-relief", "Congress addresses Puerto Rico relief", "2017-10-05", "2017", "2017-10", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congress addresses Puerto Rico relief                                           \n              Oct 5, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n        \n            \n        \n      \n    \n    \n    Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan spoke today in support of a strong and continuing federal response to the devastation of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Sablan and twenty other Members of Congress attended the forum called by House Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) at the U.S. Capitol to address the need for hurricane relief.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/helping-puerto-rico-and-us-virgin-islands", "Helping Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands", "2017-10-01", "2017", "2017-10", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Helping Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands                                           \n              Oct 1, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    We all remember the critical role the U.S. military played in helping the Marianas recover from Typhoon Soudelor. So, I wrote to President Trump, along with 144 of my colleagues, recommending that he fully mobilize the Department of Defense in support of rescue and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Subsequently, the President did appoint Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan to take the lead.\nInsular area Delegates and other Members of Congress also went on the record with the leadership of the House of Representatives that, when a relief measure is considered in Congress, made necessary given the scale of the disaster, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands receive no less assistance than Texas or Florida or any similarly affected U.S. state would receive.\nFederal assistance to the Marianas following Typhoon Soudelor was equivalent to the help that any other part of the United States receives from FEMA and SBA and all the other federal agencies that respond to disaster. Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands deserve no less now in their time of crisis.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-september-29-2017", "THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - September 29, 2017", "2017-10-01", "2017", "2017-10", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In this issue:\u00a0\n_____________________________________________________________________________\n Helping Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands \nWe all remember the critical role the U.S. military played in helping the Marianas recover from Typhoon Soudelor. So, this week I wrote to President Trump, along with 144 of my colleagues, recommending that he fully mobilize the Department of Defense in support of rescue and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Subsequently, the President did appoint Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan to take the lead. Insular area Delegates and other Members of Congress also went on the record with the leadership of the House of Representatives that, when a relief measure is considered in Congress, made necessary given the scale of the disaster, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands receive no less assistance than Texas or Florida or any similarly affected U.S. state would receive. Federal assistance to the Marianas following Typhoon Soudelor was equivalent to the help that any other part of the United States receives from FEMA and SBA and all the other federal agencies that respond to disaster. Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands deserve no less now in their time of crisis.\n Minimum wage rises to $7.05 \nMinimum wage increases to $7.05 per-hour on Saturday, September 30. This is the next to last increase required by federal law. In September 2018, the wage rises to $7.25, the national minimum. Prior to the enactment of U.S. Public Law 110-28 in 2007, the minimum wage in the Marianas was set by Commonwealth law and had been stuck at $3.05 per-hour since the early 1990s. Over the last nine years, I have sometimes passed legislation to stretch out the rate of increase to make sure that this rise in wages did not force businesses to let employees go. It worked. Throughout this transition period, the Government Accountability Office kept regular track of whether minimum wage increases were causing job losses in the Marianas, and found no specific correlation. Concern that the benefits of rising wages would be wiped out by higher costs, as employers repriced their goods, also proved to be unfounded. Increases in wages have kept ahead of inflation, meaning workers are better off because of federal minimum wage law.\n Medicaid reduction blocked \nHidden in the Republican Graham/Cassidy bill to repeal and replace Obamacare was a proposal increasing the share of Medicaid that the Marianas and other insular areas pay. The current match is 55 percent federal and 45 percent local. The Republican bill would have changed that to 50 percent federal and 50 percent local, making it harder to help the 14,481 people in the Marianas who depend on Medicaid for their healthcare. Insular areas Delegates, Republican and Democrat alike, voiced our opposition; and, fortunately, Graham/Cassidy failed in the Senate for lack of support. Besides giving the Marianas the improved 55/45 Medicaid match, Obamacare provided us with $109 million to add to our regular $50 million in Medicaid funds over the ten-year period ending in 2019. So far, we have been successful in blocking attempts to take away the Medicaid funds that many in the Marianas depend on. At the same time, we are looking for ways to continue the Obamacare funding beyond 2019.\n Helping with energy costs \nThis week, I joined 52 of my colleagues in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price urging the quick release of LIHEAP funds at the highest amount possible to help families. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program has been a focus of the congressional office. I introduced legislation to increase funding for the Marianas and other insular areas in 2011 and actively lobbied then-HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to use her administrative authority to raise funding. She did; and funding to the Marianas rose four times higher, making more families eligible and doubling their average monthly benefit. With poverty levels in the insular areas from three to five times the national average and the price of electricity two to four times more than most Americans pay it makes sense that we get as much of this form of federal assistance as possible.\u00a0\n $2.8M in federal funds for Marianas \nFederal funding of $2,845,248 announced this week for the Marianas is going to a wide array of uses and organizations in the Marianas:\n $57,685 award from the Sexual Assault Services Formula Program to Criminal Justice Planning Agency. The SAS Formula Program supports rape crisis centers, and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that provide comprehensive services to victims of sexual assault.\n\t$299,983 award to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus to Northern Marianas College. Funding supports the development of a campus-based coordinated response to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking on campus, and encourages partnership with law enforcement, and victim advocacy and service organizations.\n\t$450,000 award from the Specialized Services for Victims of Human Trafficking to the Pacific Ombudsman for Humanitarian Law to increase and expand specialized services for Pacific Islanders and other underserved or unserved populations Pacific Ombudsman is one of thirteen selected nationwide for funding.\n\t$487,567 award from the Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Program to the Criminal Justice Planning Agency for local, community-based programs providing direct services to crime victims.\n\t$619,046 award from the STOP Violence Against Women Program to the Criminal Justice Planning Agency to strengthen the efforts of law enforcement, the courts, and victim service organizations to combat violent crimes against women and provide services to victims.\n\t$750,000 award from Comprehensive Services for Victims of All Forms of Human Trafficking to Karidat to improve the quality and increase the quantity of services that assist all human trafficking victims. Grantees are selected based a demonstrated history of providing services to this vulnerable population. Karidat is one of only five grantees chosen this year.\n\t$180,967 from the Social and Economic Development program to the Carolinian Affairs Office. Funding will be used for the preservation of the indigenous and native Carolinian cultural knowledge, practices, and traditions through socio-economic development strategies.\n Congratulations to all!\nOPPORTUNITIES\u00a0\n Grants: \n Jobs: \nLEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS\u00a0\n THIS WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.R. 3823 \u2013 Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017 (Passed, 264-155)\n\tS. 1866 \u2013 Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria Education Relief Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tS. 327 \u2013 Fair Access to Investment Research Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 3229 \u2013 To protect the safety of judges by extending the authority of the Judicial Conference to redact sensitive information contained in their financial disclosure reports, and for other purposes (Agreed to by voice vote)\u00a0\n\tH.R. 2792 \u2013 Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2017 (Passed, 244-171)\n\tH.R. 2824 \u2013 Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act (Passed, 214-209)\n\tH.R. 2061 \u2013 North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017 (Passed, 415-0)\n\tH.Res. 311 \u2013 Recognizing that for 50 years the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has worked toward stability, prosperity, and peace in Southeast Asia (Passed, 413-0)\n\tS. 1141 \u2013 Women, Peace, And Security Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 2519 \u2013 The American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act (Agreed to by voice vote)\n  Legislation I Cosponsored \n H.Res.541\u00a0\u2013 Recognizing the achievements of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions on the 10th anniversary of their establishment\n  NEXT WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.Con.Res. 71 \u2013 Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027.\n\tH.R. 36 \u2013 Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act\n\tS. 782 \u2013 PROTECT Our Children Act of 2017\n\tS. 178\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act\n\tH.R. 2316\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Cooperative Management of Mineral Rights Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 2937 \u2013 Community Reclamation Partnerships Act\n\tH.R. 289 \u2013 GO Act\n\tH.R. 2582 \u2013 Confirming State Land Grants for Education Act\n  Committee Hearings \nWednesday, October 4\n Committee on Natural Resources Markup\n\tSubcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Markup\n\tSubcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs Legislative Hearing -- H.R. 146, H.R. 2402 and H.R. 2606", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sablan.house.gov/kilili-host-free-veterans-resource-fair-feb", "Kilili to host free Veterans Resource Fair in Feb.", "2017-02-08", "2017", "2017-02", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) is hosting the first Northern Marianas Veterans Resource Fair this month, to provide veterans, military service members, and their families with information about federal and local programs that are available to assist and support them. The event is free and open to the public.\n\n\u201cThe goal of this Veterans Resource Fair is to help connect those who have served in our nation\u2019s military, and our military families, with the resources that can benefit them right here in the Marianas,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cI encourage our veterans, service members, and their families on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota to come to the fair on their respective islands, learn more about the different programs that are available, and meet with the agencies and service providers who are here to help them.\u201d\n\nThe dates, times, and venues for the Veterans Resource Fair are as follows:\n\n-SAIPAN \u2013 Feb. 22, Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Ppurpose Center, 1pm \u2013 7pm\n\n-TINIAN \u2013 Feb. 23, NMC Instructional Site, 10am \u2013 4pm\n\n-ROTA \u2013 Feb. 24, Rota Resort, 10am \u2013 4pm\n\nRepresentatives of the Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration will be at all three events to answer questions and assist with enrollment or claims.\n\nOther Veterans Resource Fair participants will include the U.S. Army Reserve\u2019s Family Programs, the Department of Defense\u2019s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, various civilian health providers who work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to deliver care to veterans in the Marianas, and a wide range of Commonwealth agencies and community organizations offering services in education and career training, employment assistance and vocational rehabilitation, counseling, legal aid, disability advocacy, emergency assistance, social support, and more.\n\nVeterans and military families who wish to meet with VA representatives at the fair are asked to bring supporting documents (i.e., copies of DD214 forms, medical records, marriage or birth certificates for dependents, etc.) that may be relevant to their questions or claims. For more information, contact the congressional office at (670) 323-2647 or email Kilili@mail.house.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sablan.house.gov/answers-sought-cut-wait-times", "Answers sought to cut wait-times", "2017-02-06", "2017", "2017-02", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 Responding to Marianas Visitors Authority concerns about long immigration wait-times at the Francisco C. Ada Saipan International Airport, the Office of Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) assured the agency that several measures are being looked at to expedite the process.\n\nIn an earlier interview, MVA had expressed belief that the long wait-time could possibly be due to the shortage of manpower at the Customs and Border Protection unit.\n\nAccording to MVA, CBP officials informed them that a manpower cap was imposed on CBP by Congress, limiting the number of CBP employees for the CNMI to 20.\n\nSablan\u2019s letter denied that claim.\n\nAccording to the letter, dated Feb. 3, 2017, and addressed to MVA chair Marian Aldan-Pierce, Sablan said he himself has met with CBP officials in Washington, D.C. and discussed CBP resources with the Congressional Research Service.\n\n\u201cBoth CBP and CRS report to me that the statement [MVA] asked about is not true. There is no cap set by Congress on the number of CBP officers who can be assigned to Saipan,\u201d Sablan wrote.\n\n\u201cFor security reasons CBP does not disclose the specific number of officers assigned at any port of entry. CBP has told me that the number [20], which has been widely reported in the media as the number of officers in the Marianas, is not accurate,\u201d he added.\n\nSablan clarified in the letter that annual funding level for CBP is set by Congress and in turn limits the number of CBP officers the agency can deploy nationwide.\n\nSablan also added that Congress has been increasing funding for officers in recognition of the need to speed processing at ports everywhere.\n\n\u201cCBP allocates these funds, using a staffing model based on the number of visitors arriving at each port of entry and related factors, to determine how many officers are assigned at each location,\u201d wrote Sablan.\n\nSablan did admit, that the number of officers on station is below the budgeted level.\n\n\u201cFor that reason, screenings may have slowed and may have contributed to the concern voiced in your letter,\u201d he said.\n\nSablan said that, according to the CBP itself, wait-times varied from 5 minutes to 49 minutes.\n\nPossible solutions\n\nSablan also mentioned in his letter possible solutions.\n\n\u201cAmong the ideas worth considering is managing the arrival of aircrafts so that CBP may make most efficient use of its officers. Expediting the hiring of CBP staff, offering incentives for Saipan postings, and putting more focus on local hires in the Marianas are certainly to be encouraged,\u201d said Sablan.\n\nSablan believes that measures imposed on visitors prior to arrival are a viable option.\n\n\u201cPrescreening visitors in their home country either in person or electronically, when they schedule their travel and/or before allowing them to board, reduces wait-times.\u201d\n\nAccording to Sablan, deplaning passengers from China attempting to enter the CNMI under parole takes about 110 seconds on average to process, whereas a passenger prescreened prior to departure using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, requires about 25 seconds upon arrival.\n\nMVA has expressed budget concerns about utilizing ESTA, which was proposed by Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam).\n\nAnother means of prescreening is the presentation of a visa, which Sablan thinks could be harmful more than helpful by reducing the number of tourists who are allowed to enter the Marianas. It does, however, improve immigration lines for tourists.\n\nSablan said he is open to discuss the matter in person with government agencies.\n\n\u201cI would like to invite the Marianas Visitors Authority and other relevant parties\u2014the Commonwealth Ports Authority, airlines, Customs and Border Protection, and others in the tourism economy\u2014to meet with me at the Saipan congressional office in the near future to establish a common understanding of the facts and to discuss what each can do to better the visitor experience.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sablan.house.gov/ban-us-entry-certain-foreign-citizens", "Ban on U.S. entry for certain foreign citizens", "2017-02-05", "2017", "2017-02", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Constituents in the Marianas are asking how President Trump\u2019s Executive Order on Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry to the United States may affect them. In summary, the order bars citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries \u2013 Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen \u2013 from entering the United States for 90 days. Lawful Permanent Residents, also known as \"green card\" holders, from those countries are exempted, but may face additional vetting during the entry process. Refugees from any nation are barred from admission for 120 days. Syrian refugees are barred indefinitely.\n\nThe congressional office is at all times prohibited from giving legal advice, so citizens of any of the affected countries, living in the Northern Marianas, are encouraged to seek private legal counsel before traveling. I spoke on the House floor in favor of Congress voting whether this Executive Order should be rescinded. In my view, it hurts innocent people.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sablan.house.gov/fema-sends-cuc-65m-soudelor", "FEMA sends CUC $6.5M for Soudelor", "2017-02-05", "2017", "2017-02", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced a grant of $6,596,263.11 in federal funding to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The funds are intended for reimbursement of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation for costs incurred repairing damage to the electrical system and restoring power after Typhoon Soudelor.\n\nTo date FEMA has provided $25 million to individuals and households in the Northern Marianas for Soudelor recovery and $35.7 million for restoration of public infrastructure. The disaster relief grants are authorized by Congress under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sablan.house.gov/insular-reps-include-us-health-reform", "Insular reps: Include us in health reform", "2017-02-05", "2017", "2017-02", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I led a letter from all five insular representatives in Congress \u2013 Republican and Democrat \u2013 to House leadership on inclusion of our areas in health care reform. We were largely left out of Obamacare, so now, with \u201crepeal and replace\u201d on the table, we want any replacement to meet President Trump\u2019s standard of \u201cinsurance for everybody.\u201d\n\nI am grateful to my counterparts \u2013 Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n (R-Puerto Rico), Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa), Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands), and Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam) \u2013 for joining with me in this bipartisan position statement to Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, both of California.\n\nAmong the reforms we want are ending the cap on Medicaid insurance payments to insular areas and computing the federal/local shares of Medicaid in a way comparable to states. We also support Speaker Paul Ryan\u2019s (R-Wisconsin) idea to have federally-supported, refundable tax credits for health insurance.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-february-3-2017", "THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - February 3, 2017", "2017-02-05", "2017", "2017-02", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In this issue:\n\n__________________________________________________________\n\nInsular reps: Include us in health reform.\n\nThis week I led a letter from all five insular representatives in Congress \u2013 Republican and Democrat \u2013 to House leadership on inclusion of our areas in health care reform. We were largely left out of Obamacare, so now, with \u201crepeal and replace\u201d on the table, we want any replacement to meet President Trump\u2019s standard of \u201cinsurance for everybody.\u201d I am grateful to my counterparts \u2013 Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n (R-Puerto Rico), Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa), Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands), and Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam) \u2013 for joining with me in this bipartisan position statement to Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, both of California. Among the reforms we want are ending the cap on Medicaid insurance payments to insular areas and computing the federal/local shares of Medicaid in a way comparable to states. We also support Speaker Paul Ryan\u2019s (R-Wisconsin) idea to have federally-supported, refundable tax credits for health insurance.\n\nCW bill again passes House.\n\nMy bill, H.R. 339, adding 2,002 CW permits to the number allowed this year, passed the House of Representatives on Monday, without dissent. This same bill passed on December 6, but Congress adjourned four days later without action by the Senate. Increasing permits remains as important as ever especially to many local, small business owners, who have employed CW workers for years and now cannot apply to renew their permits. Our local businesses were squeezed out when the CW cap was reached last October by a rush of foreign construction workers, who should use unlimited H-2B visas, not the scarce CW permits. My legislation will give those local businesses \u2013 and the Commonwealth Healthcare Center, which is in the same predicament \u2013 an opportunity to keep their legacy employees, until they can be replaced with U.S. workers. Thanks to Governor Ralph DLG. Torres and the business community for their continued support.\n\nBan on U.S. entry for certain foreign citizens.\n\nConstituents in the Marianas are asking how President Trump\u2019s Executive Order on Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry to the United States last week may affect them. In summary, the order bars citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries \u2013 Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen \u2013 from entering the United States for 90 days. Lawful Permanent Residents, also known as \"green card\" holders, from those countries are exempted, but may face additional vetting during the entry process. Refugees from any nation are barred from admission for 120 days. Syrian refugees are barred indefinitely. The congressional office is at all times prohibited from giving legal advice, so citizens of any of the affected countries, living in the Northern Marianas, are encouraged to seek private legal counsel before traveling. I spoke on the House floor this week in favor of Congress voting whether this Executive Order should be rescinded. In my view, it hurts innocent people.\n\nFEMA sends CUC $6.5M for Soudelor.\n\nThe Federal Emergency Management Agency announced this week a grant of $6,596,263.11 in federal funding to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The funds are intended for reimbursement of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation for costs incurred repairing damage to the electrical system and restoring power after Typhoon Soudelor. To date FEMA has provided $25 million to individuals and households in the Northern Marianas for Soudelor recovery and $35.7 million for restoration of public infrastructure. The disaster relief grants are authorized by Congress under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.\n\nFederal Opportunities for/in the Marianas:\n\nScholarships:\n\nUS Pacific Territories Capacity-Building Scholarship \u2013 The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council is offering up to three academic scholarships to support the capacity building of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and Guam to effectively manage their fisheries and related resources. Applications are due on February 28, 2017 . For more information, go to http://files.constantcontact.com/f764162f201/d856dcfe-5e3d-4256-9520-e54d3c188710.pdf.\n\nGrants:\n\nDrug-Free Communities Support Program \u2013 The DFC Support Program\u2019s main goal is to establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, non-profit agencies, and all levels governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth. Current closing date is March 15, 2017 . For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=291062 .\n\nJobs:\n\nIT Specialist (Customer Support) \u2013 The Army National Guard has an opening for an IT Specialist on Guam. The purpose of this position is to serve as the primary interface between the incumbent's assigned organization and all information systems customers associated with the C4 mission. Position is open until February 26, 2017 . For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/463385000/.\n\n\u2013 The Army National Guard has an opening for an IT Specialist on Guam. The purpose of this position is to serve as the primary interface between the incumbent's assigned organization and all information systems customers associated with the C4 mission. Position is open until . For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/463385000/. IT Specialist \u2013 The Air Force Personnel Center has an opening for an Information Technology Specialist on Guam. Incumbent will be responsible for analysis, planning, design, and implementation of the enterprise structural framework to align IT strategy with the mission of the organization. Position is open until April 30, 2017 . For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/463560400/.\n\n\u2013 The Air Force Personnel Center has an opening for an Information Technology Specialist on Guam. Incumbent will be responsible for analysis, planning, design, and implementation of the enterprise structural framework to align IT strategy with the mission of the organization. Position is open until . For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/463560400/. Social Worker \u2013 The Air Force Personnel Center has an opening for a Social Worker on Guam. Incumbent will provide professional social work services in support of the Family Advocacy Program requirements and initiatives. Position is open until April 30, 2017 . For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/463059400/.\n\nHighlights in the Legislative Program\n\nTHIS WEEK\n\nOn the Floor", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sablan.house.gov/kilili%E2%80%99s-cw1-bill-again-passes-house", "Kilili\u2019s CW1 bill again passes House", "2017-02-02", "2017", "2017-02", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 House Resolution 339, which would increase the number of CW-1 workers in the CNMI to 15,000 just for fiscal year 2017, passed the U.S. House of Representatives again after the measure went to a floor vote on Monday.\n\nHR 339, introduced by Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), again goes to the U.S. Senate for similar action. If the bill makes it through the Senate, it will soon be on President Donald J. Trump\u2019s table for signing within the year.\n\nSablan re-introduced HR 339 in the first session of the 115th U.S. Congress on Jan. 5. It aims to increase the numerical limit of the CNMI-Only Transitional Worker Nonimmigrant Visa program from 12,998 to 15,000 for fiscal year 2017.\n\nIf it becomes law, HR 339 would give temporary relief to the current workforce issues in the CNMI after the CW-1 cap was breached twice in fiscal years 2016 and 2017. Because of this, hundreds of foreign guest workers had to exit the CNMI; that affected the operations of some businesses.\n\nRep. Thomas McClintock (R-California, 4th), the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands chair, suspended the rules and passed the bill without objections. The subcommittee is under the House Committee on Natural Resources headed by Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah, 1st).\n\nHR 339 would also increase the education fee for each approved CW permit of a foreign worker from $150 to $200, with the funds going to training U.S. qualified workers. Another proposed amendment is for construction workers getting their permits extended if it was first issued on Oct. 1, 2015.\n\nHR 339 was referred to the Natural Resources Committee after Sablan introduced it on Jan. 5. It was also referred to the Judiciary Committee for a certain period and will later be determined by House Speaker Paul Ryan (Wisconsin, 1st) in each case for consideration if the provisions are within the committee\u2019s jurisdiction.\n\nOn Monday, McClintock introduced a motion to suspend the rules and pass HR 339. The House considered suspending the rules and it proceeded with a 40-minute debate. The motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill went to a voice vote and was later agreed without objection.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sablan.house.gov/kilili-meets-cbp-officials-us-house-vote-cw-cap", "Kilili meets with CBP officials; US House to vote on CW cap", "2017-01-30", "2017", "2017-01", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marianas Variety \u2014 U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, in his e-newsletter, says he met with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials Erin M. Jacob, C. Shane Campbell, and Paul Mongillo in Washington on Friday, along with Brian Humphrey, CBP director of field operations, calling in from the West Coast.\n\n\u201cWe discussed immigration processing times for tourists arriving on Saipan, and CBP plans to keep up with our growing number of visitors. According to CBP, the average processing time on Saipan this week has been 37 minutes,\u201d Kilili said.\n\nHe also reported that his bill \u201cadding another 2,002 CW worker permits for this fiscal year goes to the House floor for a vote on Monday. This is the same bill that passed the House in December, then died when the Senate adjourned four days later. I am grateful to the Republican and Democratic leadership in the House who are giving my effort a second chance. Hopefully, with more time the bill, H.R. 339, can pass the Senate and get to the president for his signature.\u201d\n\nKilili added, \u201cThe increase is as important as ever. More and more businesses will find themselves unable to renew their CW \u2014Commonwealth-only Transitional Worker \u2014 permits over the coming months. The cap of 12,998 permits for fiscal 2017 was reached in mid-October. So employers of foreign workers have been blocked from applying for new permits or submitting renewals for any existing permits expiring after mid-April.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sablan.house.gov/veterans-resource-fair-set-february", "Veterans Resource Fair set for February", "2017-01-29", "2017", "2017-01", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Veterans, their family members, advocates, and service providers are invited to attend the first Northern Marianas Veterans Resource Fair on:\n\nSaipan \u2013 Wednesday, February 22, 1pm-7pm at the Multipurpose Center\n\n\u2013 Wednesday, February 22, 1pm-7pm at the Multipurpose Center Tinian \u2013 Thursday, February 23, 10am-4pm at the NMC Instructional Site\n\n\u2013 Thursday, February 23, 10am-4pm at the NMC Instructional Site Rota \u2013 Friday, February 24, 10am-4pm at Rota Resort\n\nHosted by your congressional office, the Veterans Resource Fair will highlight the array of services available to veterans and their families in the Northern Marianas\u2014from health and wellness to employment, education, legal advocacy, social support, and more. The Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, VA Choice providers, and various local government, nonprofit, and private institutions will be exhibiting and sharing information about their programs. For more information, contact your congressional office at (670) 323-2647 or email kilili@mail.house.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-january-27-2017", "THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - January 27, 2017", "2017-01-29", "2017", "2017-01", "Independent", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In this issue:\n\n_________________________________________________________________________________________\n\nCW cap increase goes to vote.\n\nMy bill adding another 2,002 CW worker permits for this fiscal year goes to the House floor for a vote on Monday. This is the same bill that passed the House in December, then died when the Senate adjourned four days later. I am grateful to the Republican and Democratic leadership in the House who are giving my effort a second chance. Hopefully, with more time the bill, H.R. 339, can pass the Senate and get to the President for signature. The increase is as important as ever. More and more businesses will find themselves unable to renew their CW\u2014Commonwealth-only Transitional Worker\u2014permits over the coming months. The cap of 12,998 permits for fiscal 2017 was reached in mid-October. So employers of foreign workers have been blocked from applying for new permits or submitting renewals for any existing permits expiring after mid-April.\n\nVeterans Resource Fair set for February.\n\nVeterans, their family members, advocates, and service providers are invited to attend the first Northern Marianas Veterans Resource Fair on:\n\nSaipan \u2013 Wednesday, February 22, 1pm-7pm at the Multipurpose Center\n\n\u2013 at the Multipurpose Center Tinian \u2013 Thursday, February 23, 10am-4pm at the NMC Instructional Site\n\n\u2013 at the NMC Instructional Site Rota \u2013 Friday, February 24, 10am-4pm at Rota Resort\n\nHosted by your congressional office, the Veterans Resource Fair will highlight the array of services available to veterans and their families in the Northern Marianas\u2014from health and wellness to employment, education, legal advocacy, social support, and more. The Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, VA Choice providers, and various local government, nonprofit, and private institutions will be exhibiting and sharing information about their programs. For more information, contact your congressional office at (670) 323-2647 or email kilili@mail.house.gov.\n\nExempt the VA from President's hiring freeze.\n\nIn response to President Trump\u2019s executive order this week, freezing federal hiring, 95 of us in Congress have asked that he exempt the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA faces a chronic shortage of medical personnel, as veterans in the Northern Mariana Islands know first-hand. And a hiring freeze will not help. Marianas veterans have trouble accessing health care and earned benefits, including long wait times for adjudication of disability claims. The executive order blocks the VA from filling medical and support staff positions, which could result in even longer waits. Additionally, the hiring ban is expected to slow down disability claims processing and applications for education and survivor benefits, vocational rehabilitation and job training services. Vets deserve better.\n\nNatural Resources Dems organize.\n\nHouse Natural Resources Committee Democrats chose our assignments for the 115th Congress Tuesday. My seniority keeps me on the subcommittees responsible for insular affairs and for oceans issues, where I can do the most for the people of the Marianas. As in the 114th Congress, I will take the lead role as Ranking Member whenever issues concerning U.S. insular areas or the Freely Associated States come before the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs. This allows me to influence the Subcommittee agenda, as I did in the last Congress by getting hearings on renewal of Palau\u2019s Compact of Free Association and on Marianas immigration and labor, and to select witnesses, as I did by having Governor Ralph Torres and Mr. Alex Sablan testify. I will be serving on the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans, too, with jurisdiction over my shark fin trade ban, coral reefs, and other fisheries policy.\n\nEducation Committee plans agenda.\n\nThe House Committee on Education and the Workforce, on which I sit, mapped out our work for the 115th Congress this week. Student financial aid, higher education, the Affordable Care Act, and Trump administration conflicts of interest are among the areas that the full Committee, Republicans and Democrats, agreed to focus on. The Committee also adopted its rules of procedure. Committee Democrats will choose their subcommittee assignments and ranking members next Tuesday.\n\nFederal Opportunities for/in the Marianas:\n\nGrants: Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program WebNEERS \u2013 The purpose of the EFNEP-WebNEERS cooperative agreement is to fund the maintenance of security and ease of use of the current Web-based NEERS, improve functionality and further develop the WebNEERS to align with advances in program direction. Closing date is February 28, 2017 . For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=291046. Jobs : Club Operations Assistant \u2013 The Commander, Navy Installations has an opening for a Club Operations Assistant in Guam. Incumbent will monitor operations of a club or assigned area, maintains and enforces security for funds, merchandise, supplies, equipment and property in accordance with directives and regulations. Position is open until January 30, 2017 . For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/463245300/.\n\nThe Commander, Navy Installations has an opening for a Club Operations Assistant in Guam. Incumbent will monitor operations of a club or assigned area, maintains and enforces security for funds, merchandise, supplies, equipment and property in accordance with directives and regulations. Position is open until . For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/463245300/. Medical Technologist \u2013 The Naval Medical Command has an opening for a Medical Technologist in Guam. Incumbent will perform routine diagnostic testing, evaluate and monitor performance of routine and specialized test procedures, and provide technical guidance to medical laboratory technicians among other duties. Position is open until February 7, 2017 . For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/462878600/.\n\nHighlgiths in the Legislative Program\n\nTHIS WEEK", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 22, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"party\" = :p1 and \"state\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "Independent", "p2": "MP"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Independent&state=MP", "results": [{"value": "Independent", "label": "Independent", "count": 22, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MP", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Independent&state=MP", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 22, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=MP", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Independent&state=MP", "results": [{"value": "MP", "label": "MP", "count": 22, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Independent", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Independent&state=MP", "results": [{"value": "2017", "label": "2017", "count": 22, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Independent&state=MP&year=2017", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 36.877086851745844, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}