{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"MP\" and year = 2017 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://sablan.house.gov/%E2%80%98torres-supported-hr-339%E2%80%99", "Torres supported HR 339", "2017-12-27", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune  Contrary to a statement that he did not support the intent of House Resolution 339, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) pointed out that Gov. Ralph DLG Torres did support the measure during deliberations by the U.S. Congress during the second quarter of 2017.\n\tQuoting Torres testimony during the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on H.R. 339 last April 27, 2017, Sablan said in a statement that Torres backed the provision that bars construction workers from using the CW-1 program.\n\tTwo years ago, I requested the U.S. [Citizenship] and Immigration Services to review the issuance of CW permits to individuals in the construction trades. In my view, CW permits were only for job categories not available under existing visa classifications, and that construction workers could be sourced through H-2B visas, Torres wrote in his written testimony.\n\tAs we look back at the CW permits issued in the last two years, it is evident that a large majority of the new permits that have led to the shortage have been in the construction trades. Removing construction workers from the eligible job categories for the CW permit will force employers to go to better suited visa classifications and alleviate the limited CW permits for occupations that are crucial for the overall economy and the needs of the people, he added.\n\tLast week, Torres told Saipan Tribune that the repercussions of H.R. 339 were something that he did not support. He added that the outcome of enacting HR 339 into law was devastating to everybody here on the island.\n\tTorres issued the statement after Saipan Tribune requested for comments on USCIS decision to classify general maintenance workers as construction occupations.\n\tIn a separate statement over the holidays, Sablan clarified that Torres was in support of the provision that barred construction workers from the CW-1 program at the time and without reservation.\n\tH.R. 339s bar on the use of CW permits for new construction workers never changed from introduction of the bill to the day President Trump signed it into law. Moreover, that same language is reflected in draft legislation that [the Northern Marianas Business Alliance Corp.] began circulating in June this year, said Sablan.\n\tFor the record, I believe he was absolutely correct in advocating then for employers of construction workers to use H-2B visas and not the limited CW permits that so many of our other local businesses rely on, he said, adding that the governor also went public in urging construction companies to switch to H-2B visas even before the [U.S.] Senate hearing.\n\tAccording to Sablan, though it was the governors prerogative to change his mind, U.S. Congress view of the situation is crucial to the overall fate of the CW-1 program.\n\tI will note that the members of Congress to whom the governor testifiedunder oathin support of this law are the same members of Congress that I am working with now to make sure we have enough workers in our economy. We need their help. And if these members of Congress believe that the word of the governor of the Marianas cannot be trusted, they may be much less willing to listen to what he says the Marianas needs, he said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/crisis-averted-becq", "Crisis averted at BECQ", "2017-12-26", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Crisis averted at BECQ                                           \n              Dec 25, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Calling it a crisis earlier this year, Governor Ralph Torres and BECQ Administrator Frank Rabauliman said President Trumps proposal to cut spending at the Environmental Protection Agency would have direct and possibly irreversible effects on the environment and public health in the CNMI. Fortunately, along with many members of Congress, I pushed back in our annual appropriation process by prioritizing EPA funding and blocked the Presidents cuts.\nEPA announced the Marianas Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality has received an additional $1.3 million, bringing the total for the year to $2.3 million, almost 100 percent of BECQs annual operating funds. Environmental protection is targeted for cuts by the Trump administration. But for this year: crisis averted.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/marianas-vets-clinic-study-okayed", "Marianas vets clinic study okayed", "2017-12-26", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marianas vets clinic study okayed                                           \n              Dec 25, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    The House Veterans Affairs' Committee voted in favor of my amendment requiring a report on the feasibility of putting a VA-staffed health clinic in the Marianas. We are one of the few areas of the country without easy access to a clinic. Getting one is my top priority now that I am a member of the Veterans Affairs' Committee. My amendment becomes part of the bill making the Choice program permanent.\nChoice pays for veterans in areas like ours, where vets have to travel by plane to get to a VA clinic, to go to private health care providers instead. We helped about 70 local doctors and clinics sign on to Choice this year as part of our outreach effort for Marianas veterans. And we worked to make sure veterans know that Choice is now an option for them and understand how to use the system. The Choice bill, H.R. 4242, should go to the full House for a vote in January.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/no-pay-cuts-federal-workers", "No pay cuts for federal workers", "2017-12-26", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "No pay cuts for federal workers                                           \n              Dec 25, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    On behalf of the hundreds of federal employees in the Northern Marianas, I opposed any further cuts to their pay or benefits, as Congress begins looking around for ways to pay for the new tax cut law. Our federal workers, who could often make more in the private sector, embody the work ethic and commitment to service that makes America great. They have already seen pay and benefit cuts of $182 billion since 2011. We can not ask more of them, particularly not to offset the $1.5 trillion cut in taxes the President signed.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/tax-bill-signed-effect-nmi", "Tax bill signed: effect on NMI?", "2017-12-26", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tax bill signed: effect on NMI?                                            \n              Dec 25, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Without the requested data from the Commonwealth government, I cannot report on the specific effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed on a purely Republican vote in Congress and signed by the President. Two things are clear, however:\n2018 is the year the Commonwealth government will have to start making up for the lost income tax revenue and cuts in federal grants, resulting from the Trump tax cuts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/147140-stop-snake", "$147,140 to stop the snake", "2017-12-25", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "$147,140 to stop the snake                                           \n              Dec 25, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Funding to fight invasive species, like the Brown Tree Snake, is something I always support when we make the annual appropriation decisions in Congress. The snake has caused significant damage to Guam and its spread puts the rest of the Marianas at economic and environmental risk.\n$147,140 of this years funding will be transferred from the Interior Department to the Agriculture Departments Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services Interior announced today. APHIS is engaged at interdiction work at the commercial port on Guam, work that is essential to prevent the spread of the brown tree snake to our islands. So far this fiscal year, over $900,000 has been spent in the Pacific to stop the snake.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/standing-bureaucrats", "Standing up to bureaucrats", "2017-12-25", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Standing up to bureaucrats                                           \n              Dec 25, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    As Ranking Member on the Health, Employment, Pension and Labor Subcommittee, I am responsible for leading on national labor issues. That is why, along with Democratic Senators Patty Murray of Washington, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Margaret Wood Hassan of Nevada, and my House colleagues Bobby Scott of Virginia and Donald Norcross of New Jersey, I questioned recent actions of the National Labor Relations Board and demanded more information.\nThe job of the NLRB is to protect the rights of private sector employees to act together to improve their wages and working conditions. Earlier this month, however, when the expiring term of one Member threatened the Republican 3-2 majority, the Board issued a spate of dubious anti-worker and anti-union rulings that reversed previous Board decisions. The Board acted without sufficient findings of fact or opportunity for public input. Such high-handed action by federal bureaucrats has to be challenged.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/we-fixing-cw-misclassifications", "We are fixing CW misclassifications", "2017-12-25", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "We are fixing CW misclassifications                                           \n              Dec 25, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n        \n            \n        \n      \n    \n    \n    Three constituents have asked their congressional office for help on CW permit applications misclassified as for construction workers. Two cases have been resolved and permits issued. The third is pending. So, I wrote to Governor Ralph Torres and the Northern Marianas Business Alliance Corporation to let them know we could help on any similar case they wanted to bring to me.\nThe Governor and NMBAC representatives met me and said the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is denying applications for gardeners, hotel maintenance workers, and CUC engineers, because they are misclassified as permits for construction workers. U.S. Public Law 115-53, which President Trump signed in August, bars the use of CW permits for new construction workers. I wrote this law to protect our local businesses, who could not renew CW permits they depend on, after some 5,000 new Chinese construction workers used up the permits beginning in 2016. So, I want to be sure local businesses are not harmed by any misapplication of the law.\nStart here if you need help.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-december-22-2017", "THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - December 22, 2017", "2017-12-25", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In this issue:\n____________________________________________________________________________\n Marianas vets clinic study okayed \nThe House Veterans Affairs' Committee voted in favor of my amendment requiring a report on the feasibility of putting a VA-staffed health clinic in the Marianas. We are one of the few areas of the country without easy access to a clinic. Getting one is my top priority now that I am a member of the Veterans Affairs' Committee. My amendment becomes part of thebill making the Choice program permanent. Choice pays for veterans in areas like ours, where vets have to travel by plane to get to a VA clinic, to go to private health care providers instead. We helped about 70 local doctors and clinics sign on to Choice this year as part of our outreach effort for Marianas veterans. And we worked to make sure veterans know that Choice is now an option for them and understand how to use the system. The Choice bill, H.R. 4242, should go to the full House for a vote in January.\n Crisis averted at BECQ \nCalling it a crisis earlier this year, Governor Ralph Torres and BECQ Administrator Frank Rabauliman said President Trumps proposal to cut spending at the Environmental Protection Agency would have direct and possibly irreversible effects on the environment and public health in the CNMI. Fortunately, along with many members of Congress, I pushed back in our annual appropriation process by prioritizing EPA funding and blocked the Presidents cuts. Today EPA announced the Marianas Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality has received an additional $1.3 million, bringing the total for the year to $2.3 million, almost 100 percent of BECQs annual operating funds. Environmental protection is targeted for cuts by the Trump administration. But for this year: crisis averted.\n Tax bill signed: effect on NMI? \nWithout therequested data from the Commonwealth government, I cannot report on the specific effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed on a purely Republican vote in Congresson Wednesdayand signed by the President today. Two things are clear, however:\n\n\t2018 is the year the Commonwealth government will have to start making up for the lost income tax revenue and cuts in federal grants, resulting from the Trump tax cuts.\n\t No pay cuts for federal workers \n\tOn behalf of the hundreds of federal employees in the Northern Marianas, this weekI opposed any further cuts to their pay or benefits, as Congress begins looking around for ways to pay for the new tax cut law. Our federal workers, who could often make more in the private sector, embody the work ethic and commitment to service that makes America great. They have already seen pay and benefit cuts of $182 billion since 2011. We can not ask more of them, particularly not to offset the $1.5 trillion cut in taxes the President signed today.\n\t  \n\t\n\n We fixing CW misclassifications \nThree constituents have asked their congressional office for help on CW permit applications misclassified as for construction workers. Two cases have been resolved and permits issued. The third is pending. So,I wrote to Governor Ralph Torres and the Northern Marianas Business Alliance Corporationthis week to let them know we could help on any similar case they wanted to bring to me. The Governor and NMBAC representatives met me last week and said the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is denying applications for gardeners, hotel maintenance workers, and CUC engineers, because they are misclassified as permits for construction workers.U.S. Public Law 115-53, which President Trump signed in August, bars the use of CW permits for new construction workers. I wrote this law to protect our local businesses, who could not renew CW permits they depend on, after some 5,000 new Chinese construction workers used up the permits beginning in 2016. So, I want to be sure local businesses are not harmed by any misapplication of the law.Start here if you need help.\n Standing up to bureaucrats \nAs Ranking Member on the Health, Employment, Pension and Labor Subcommittee, I am responsible for leading on national labor issues. That is why, along with Democratic Senators Patty Murray of Washington, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Margaret Wood Hassan of Nevada, and my House colleagues Bobby Scott of Virginia and Donald Norcross of New Jersey, Iquestioned recent actions of the National Labor Relations Boardanddemanded more information. The job of the NLRB is to protect the rights of private sector employees to act together to improve their wages and working conditions. Earlier this month, however, when the expiring term of one Member threatened the Republican 3-2 majority, the Board issued a spate of dubious anti-worker and anti-union rulings that reversed previous Board decisions. The Board acted without sufficient findings of fact or opportunity for public input. Such high-handed action by federal bureaucrats has to be challenged.\n $147,140 to stop the snake \nFunding to fight invasive species, like the Brown Tree Snake, is something I always support when we make the annual appropriation decisions in Congress. The snake has caused significant damage to Guam and its spread puts the rest of the Marianas at economic and environmental risk. $147,140 of this years funding will be transferred from the Interior Department to the Agriculture Departments Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services Interior announced today. APHIS is engaged at interdiction work at the commercial port on Guam, work that is essential to prevent the spread of the brown tree snake to our islands. So far this fiscal year, over $900,000 has been spent in the Pacific to stop the snake.\n\t\t\t\tOPPORTUNITIES\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGrants:\n\t\t\t\tJobs:\n\t\t\t\tPublic Comments:\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTHIS WEEK\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOn the Floor\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tH.R. 1 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act(Passed, 224-201)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tH.R. 1370 Further Continuing Resolution(Passed, 231-188)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tH.R. 4667 Making further supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year endingSeptember 30, 2018, for disaster assistance for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and calendar year 2017 wildfires, and for other purposes (Passed,251-169)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tH.R. 3312 Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act of 2017 (Passed,288-130)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tH.R. 4015 Corporate Governance Reform and Transparency Act of 2017 (Passed,238-182)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tS. 1393 Jobs for Our Heroes Act (Passed, 418-0)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tS. 1536 Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act (Passed, 418-1)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tS. 1532 No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act (Passed, 393-0)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tH.R. 3759 RAISE Family Caregivers Act (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tH.R. 4661 United States Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER Program Reauthorization Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tH.R. 4375 STEM Research and Education Effectiveness and Transparency Act (Passed, 376-9)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tH.R. 4254 Women in Aerospace Education Act (Passed, 409-17)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tH.R. 4323 Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act (Passed, 420-1)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tH.R. 1159 United States and Israel Space Cooperation Act (Passed, 411-0)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tH.Con.Res. 95 Expressing support for the use of public-private partnerships to bring computer science education to more K-12 classrooms (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNEXT WEEK\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe House is on recess for the District Work Period.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-already-working-uscis-misclassification-cws", "Kilili working with USCIS on misclassification of CWs", "2017-12-23", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune  WASHINGTON, D.C.- Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Ind-MP) will take any specific cases of CNMI-Only Transitional Worker applicants misclassified as new construction workers to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for review.\n\tUSCIS has already issued permits for applications initially rejected, after the congressman worked with the applicant and the agency to get further consideration. Sablan explained this success in a letter to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres yesterday and asked the governor to send any similar cases to the congressional office for assistance.\n\tSablan also sent a copy of his letter to Torres to the Northern Marianas Business Alliance Corp.\n\tIn the letter, Sablan said he agreed with Torres that the bar on gardeners, hotel maintenance workers, and even Commonwealth Utility Corp. engineers appears inconsistent with the intent of Public Law 115-53.\n\tPlease send me these specific cases or any others in which a permit applicant believes that misclassification as a new construction worker has occurred. I will promptly refer the case to USCIS as a congressional inquiry to help ensure it receives timely and thorough review, he wrote.\n\tSablan added that the congressional office in fact has already managed three such cases. In two the misclassification was corrected and the permits awarded. A decision in the third case is pending.\n\tAs you know, the intent of Public Law 115-53 was to protect our local business people, who depend on CW workers, from the flood of new construction workers that began in 2016 and used up as many as 5,000 CW permits. I will continue to do all I can to prevent harm to our local business community or legacy CW workers, as I have with the cases already brought to me for help, Sablan ended his letter to Torres.\n\tTo obtain congressional assistance on immigration or any other matter regarding the federal government, contact the congressional office on Saipan, Tinian, or Rota or go to https://sablan.house.gov/serving-you/help-federal-agency. All cases are handled with complete confidentiality. (PR)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/regarding-hr-339-northern-marianas-economic-expansion-act", "Regarding HR 339, the Northern Marianas Economic Expansion Act", "2017-12-23", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marianas Variety  (Office of the CNMI Congressional Delegate)  U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Sablan issued the following statement Thursday in response to media inquiries this week:\nGreetings,\n Thank you for your requests for a response to recent statements made this week by Governor Torres, that he did not support H.R. 339, the Northern Marianas Economic Expansion Act, which President Trump signed in August, and that some workers are being denied CW permits because USCIS is now misclassifying them as new construction workers. The Northern Marianas Business Alliance Corporation, the lobbying arm of the Governors Strategic Economic Development Council, has issued similar statements.\nFirst, here is what the Governor testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee during a hearing on H.R. 339 on April 27, 2017:\n Two years ago, I requested that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services review the issuance of CW permits to individuals in the construction trades. In my view, CW permits were only for job categories not available under existing visa classifications, and that construction workers could be sourced through H2-B visas.\n As we look back at the CW permits issued in the last two years, it is evident that a large majority of the new permits that have led to the shortage have been in the construction trades. Removing construction workers from the eligible job categories for the CW permit will force employers to go to better suited visa classifications and alleviate the limited CW permits for occupations that are crucial for the overall economy and the needs of the people.\nThe Governor supported passage of H.R. 339 at that time and without reservation. The only subsequent change in the bill before it became law was to set the number of extra CW permits for FY17 at 350 and to set aside some of those for health workers, a need the Governor highlighted, and for power plant operators.\nH.R. 339s bar on the use of CW permits for new construction workers never changed from the introduction of the bill to the day President Trump signed it into law. Moreover, that same language is reflected in draft legislation that NMBA began circulating in June this year. And, as the Governor points out in his testimony, he had requested that USCIS look at the issuance of CW permits for construction workers two years ago, because construction workers could be sourced through H2-B visas.\nFor the record, I believe he was absolutely correct in advocating then for employers of construction workers to use H-2B visas and not the limited CW permits that so many of our other local businesses rely on. I will also note that the Governor was publicly urging construction companies to switch to H-2B visas even before the Senate hearing (see, for example: http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/local/84385-torres-pursue-h-visas-and-preserve-cw-permits-for-critical-positions). So he has been consistent on this position, until now.\nAnd while it is certainly the Governors prerogative to change his mind, I will note that the Members of Congress to whom the Governor testified  under oath  in support of this law are the same Members of Congress that I am working with now to make sure we have enough workers in our economy. We need their help. And if these Members of Congress believe that the word of the Governor of the Marianas cannot be trusted, they may be much less willing to listen to what he says the Marianas needs.\nSecond, I strongly encourage any employer who believes that their employees have been erroneously classified as new construction workers to come to the congressional office for assistance. Under the law, the bar on new construction workers in the CW program explicitly applies to positions that fall under the U.S. Department of Labors Standard Occupational Classification Group 47-0000. Maintenance, repair, utility worker, and many other positions are in entirely different occupational categories and should not be barred from the CW program.\nBringing specific cases of misclassification forward is important because it is difficult for the congressional office, or USCIS for that matter, to address anecdotal complaints, especially since USCIS adjudicates all CW petitions on a case-by-case basis. In fact, the congressional office has already been working with USCIS to review three cases of possible misclassification. In two of these cases, the misclassification was corrected and the CW petitions were approved. A decision is pending in the third case.\nLike the Governor and many others, my heart goes out to the workers and employers who have been part of our community for years and helped build our economy. I have worked hard to help them, and I am continuing to do so. We are making good progress in the bipartisan, bicameral working group in Congress to craft long-term legislation to ensure that we have enough labor in the Marianas beyond 2019, and that we continue to build and grow our U.S. workforce.\nPartisan politics aside, I will continue to work with the Governor, the people we represent, and my colleagues in Congress on these labor policy issues that are so critical to us all in the Marianas.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/kilili-has-been-working-uscis-misclassification-cws", "Kilili has been working with USCIS on misclassification of CWs", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan will take any specific cases of CW applicants misclassified as new construction workers to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for review. USCIS has already issued permits for applications initially rejected, after the Congressman worked with the applicant and the agency to get further consideration. Sablan explained this success in a letter to Governor Ralph Torres today and asked the Governor to send any similar cases to the congressional office for assistance.\nThe Congressmans letter, ccd to the Northern Marianas Business Alliance Corporation, reads as follows:\nDear Governor Torres:\nWhen we met in Washington last week, along with the Northern Marianas Business Alliance Corporation, a number of you expressed concern about how the Trump administration is implementing U.S. Public Law 115-53.\nYou said there are cases in which the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is wrongfully denying applications for Commonwealth-only Transitional Worker permits for gardeners, hotel maintenance workers, and Commonwealth Utility Corporation engineers because the new law bars the use of CW permits for new construction workers.\nI agree this interpretation appears inconsistent with the intent of the law.\nPlease send me these specific cases or any others in which a permit applicant believes that misclassification as a new construction worker has occurred. I will promptly refer the case to USCIS as a congressional inquiry to help ensure it receives timely and thorough review.\nIn fact, the congressional office has already managed three such cases. In two the misclassification was corrected and the permits awarded. A decision in the third case is pending.\nAs you know, the intent of Public Law 115-53 was to protect our local business people, who depend on CW workers, from the flood of new construction workers that began in 2016 and used up as many as 5,000 CW permits. I will continue to do all I can to prevent harm to our local business community or legacy CW workers, as I have with the cases already brought to me for help.\n Sincerely,\n /s/ Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan\n Member of Congress\nTo obtain congressional assistance on immigration or any other matter regarding the federal government, contact the congressional office on Saipan, Tinian, or Rota or go to https://sablan.house.gov/serving-you/help-federal-agency. All cases are handled with complete confidentiality.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/125k-agricultural-grant-nmc", "$125K agricultural grant for NMC", "2017-12-17", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "$125K agricultural grant for NMC                                           \n              Dec 17, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Congratulations to Northern Marianas College on receiving a $124,827 grant from the U.S. Department Agriculture to begin offering distance learning courses in food and agricultural science. The funds from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture will allow NMC students to begin studies in these areas in the fall of 2018. NMC President Dr. Carmen Fernandez said that the college ... has been working to grow the number of courses that can be accessed from home or from any other place with internet connectivity. By expanding online courses to food and agricultural sciences, NMC can provide wider educational opportunities to its students and may spark interest in future career-related studies. \nThe grants are made to strengthen agricultural education in the insular areas, in the hope that more students will pursue food and agricultural science careers, and help educational institutions meet their unique needs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/citizenship-application-now-online", "Citizenship application now online", "2017-12-17", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Citizenship application now online                                           \n              Dec 17, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that eligible individuals may now file applications for naturalization (Form N-400) through the USCIS website. Online applicants will be able to receive alerts and be prompted to upload required evidence based on their answers to form questions. Among the advantages to online filing are applicants can pay fees, upload evidence, get real-time case information, and communicate with USCIS. \nThose applying for citizenship based on military service, who are requesting a fee waiver or reduced fees, or are outside the U.S. are ineligible to file the N-400 online. To create a USCIS account to file the N-400, Application for Naturalization, go tohttps://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/clearing-air", "Clearing the Air", "2017-12-17", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Clearing the Air                                           \n              Dec 17, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Governor Ralph Dlg. Torres and members of the Northern Marianas Business Alliance Corporation met with me in Washington on Monday. Afterwards, the business leaders said they were unhappy with my work to make sure our economy has a sufficient workforce. As I explained at the meeting, I am not free to discuss details of the discussions of the bicameral, bipartisan congressional working group that is drafting legislation addressing the labor issue. I have held numerous listening sessions with a wide variety of groups and individuals in the Marianas over the last year, however, so I understand what people want and what our economy needs. Of course, no legislation can please everybody, but everyone will have further opportunity to comment once a bill is introduced and scheduled for a hearing.See my complete response here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/defense-bill-now-law", "Defense bill now law", "2017-12-17", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The President signed theNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 conference reportinto lawon Tuesday. In all, the NDAA authorizes $700 billion for defense spending, raises military pay by 2.4 percent, and increases troop levels across the services. Among the provisions of particular interest to the Marianas:\n Unlimites H visas safe \nAfter intervention by the congressional office, a technical error in the Senate version of the 2018 NDAA, threatening the Marianas unlimited access to foreign workers using H visas,has been corrected. H visas are used for temporary and seasonal workers in various categories, including professional occupations, agriculture, or construction. In addition to preserving the Marianas exemption from the numerical limit on H visas that applies nationwide and is usually oversubscribed the 2018 NDAA creates a new subcategory of the H-2B visa and allows up to 4,000 for services or labor directly associated with the military build-up. This provision only applies to the Northern Marianas if and when the current immigration transition period ends and the Commonwealth government agrees on the terms of the build-up.\n$12.9M for Tinian divert\nThe 2018 NDAA also includes an additional $12.9 million for the Air Force divert airfield project on Tinian. Together with $9 million that Congress authorized in the 2017 NDAA,a total of $21.9 million is now availableto lease the additional 142 hectares on the north side of Tinian airport needed for the divert project. Thedecision to site the divert fieldand support facilities on Tinian was made last December with the approval of Tinian leadership and Governor Torres and my support.\nPalau agreement approved\nAfter a seven-year wait, the agreement to extend Palaus Compact of Free Association through 2024 was formally approved when the conference report was enacted into law. I have been an outspoken proponent of the strategic importance of Palau to the United States and of the need to keep Americas commitment to this trusted ally. In April, my bill to extend the Compact,H.R. 2085, passed the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously; and the extension of the Compact has now been included in the NDAA.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/end-net-neutrality-bad-marianas", "End of net neutrality is bad for the Marianas", "2017-12-17", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "End of net neutrality is bad for the Marianas                                           \n              Dec 17, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    For us in the Marianas, who already suffer from slower internet speeds than the rest of the country, Thursday'sdecision by the Federal Communications Commission to end net neutrality is bad news. It means internet service providers will be able charge more for certain content and end the free and open, level playing field the internet has always been. Because of our remote location, as individuals we rely on this equal access on the internet to get information and connect to friends and family. Our local businesses, too, need unlimited connections to Asia, the U.S., and the rest of the world, to stay economically competitive. Democrats in Congress are planning legislation to reverse the FCC decision. I will be part of that effort.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/gop-denies-nmc-grad-college-options", "GOP denies NMC grads college options", "2017-12-17", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After a 13-hour markupon Tuesday, the Education and the Workforce Committee passed a reauthorization of the Higher Education Act,H.R. 4508. Approved along strict party lines, the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act will make college more expensive and gives for-profits unprecedented access to student aid funds.I offered an amendmentto the bill that would provide federal funds for community college graduates in the Northern Marianas and American Samoa, the only two areas in the country without four-year institutions, to make up the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public colleges and universities across the country. Most students in these two territories who want more than a two-year degree must leave to further their education. Although two Republican committee members voted in favor of my amendment along with all Democratic members, it was narrowly defeated 19-21. I plan to continue working on the proposal before the Higher Education Act is ultimately reauthorized. In all, 40 amendments were offered by Democrats during markup in an attempt to improve the Republican bill, nearly all of them voted down. Highlights among the Democratic amendments:\n\tPell Grants increases the maximum Pell Grant award, makes Pell Grant funding completely mandatory, and indexes Pell Grants to inflation.\n\tFAFSA Simplification simplifies the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process to ensure increased completion and maximum benefit to low-income students and families\n\tPublic Service Loan Forgiveness reinstates program to allow eligible borrowers who work in public service to have their student loans forgiven after 10 years of payments\n\tStudent Loan Refinance allows students to refinance student loans at the same low rates offered to new borrowers\n\tTeacher Assistance restores Teacher Quality Partnership Grants and TEACH Grants, two programs eliminated in H.R. 4508\n\tCampus-Based Aid strikes repeal of FSEOG for very low-income students, reauthorizes Perkins Loan Program, and improves Federal Work Study program\n\tMinority Serving Institutions increases allowable uses of existing MSI programs and establishes multiple programs to support MSIs and their students\n\tAmericas College Promise provides tuition- and fee-free community college programs\n\tCommunity College Student Supports provides grants to community colleges to improve degree completion\n\tStudents with Disabilities improves higher education access for students with disabilities\n\tChild Care increases federal funding for campus-based child care\n\tDREAM makes DREAMers eligible for Federal Student Aid\n\tCampus Sexual Assaults strikes provisions that negatively impact efforts to address sexual assaults on campus", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/how-federal-tax-hurts-us", "How federal tax hurts us", "2017-12-17", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "How federal tax hurts us                                           \n              Dec 17, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    We do not pay federal income taxes in the Marianas, so why am I opposed to H.R. 1, the Republican tax bill now on the verge of passage? First, the Commonwealth Government will lose revenues. The Commonwealth income tax code mirrors the federal internal revenue code. So, if H.R. 1 reduces federal revenues,as the bipartisan congressional Joint Committee on Taxation estimates, then the Commonwealth will also suffer lower revenues. Second, when the federal government cuts its revenues by $1.445 trillion, as H.R. 1 will do, then Congress will have to cut spending or allow our national debt to grow. Speaker Paul Ryan has already signaled that he intends to cut spending. Specifically, he wants to cut entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, which serve upwards of 18,000 of us in the Marianas. But there will also be pressure to cut other federal programs in education, housing, help for the disabled, and infrastructure from which the Commonwealth government typicallyreceives more than $100 millionannually. \nThe only way to make up those revenue losses will be for the Commonwealth to raise taxes locally. I am not opposed to tax reform in principle, but it must be revenue neutral to prevent these harms to the people I represent. H.R. 1 does not meet that test, so I oppose it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-gop-denies-nmc-grads-college-options", "THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - GOP denies NMC grads college options", "2017-12-17", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In this issue: December 8, 2017\n_______________________________________________________________________\n GOP denies NMC grad college options \nAfter a 13-hour markup on Tuesday, the Education and the Workforce Committee passed a reauthorization of the Higher Education Act,H.R. 4508. Approved along strict party lines, the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act will make college more expensive and gives for-profits unprecedented access to student aid funds.I offered an amendment to the bill that would provide federal funds for community college graduates in the Northern Marianas and American Samoa, the only two areas in the country without four-year institutions, to make up the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public colleges and universities across the country. Most students in these two territories who want more than a two-year degree must leave to further their education. Although two Republican committee members voted in favor of my amendment along with all Democratic members, it was narrowly defeated 19-21. I plan to continue working on the proposal before the Higher Education Act is ultimately reauthorized. In all, 40 amendments were offered by Democrats during markup in an attempt to improve the Republican bill, nearly all of them voted down. Highlights among the Democratic amendments:\n Pell Grants increases the maximum Pell Grant award, makes Pell Grant funding completely mandatory, and indexes Pell Grants to inflation.\n\tFAFSA Simplification  simplifies the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process to ensure increased completion and maximum benefit to low-income students and families\n\tPublic Service Loan Forgiveness  reinstates program to allow eligible borrowers who work in public service to have their student loans forgiven after 10 years of payments\n\tStudent Loan Refinance  allows students to refinance student loans at the same low rates offered to new borrowers\n\tTeacher Assistance  restores Teacher Quality Partnership Grants and TEACH Grants, two programs eliminated in H.R. 4508\n\tCampus-Based Aid  strikes repeal of FSEOG for very low-income students, reauthorizes Perkins Loan Program, and improves Federal Work Study program\n\tMinority Serving Institutions  increases allowable uses of existing MSI programs and establishes multiple programs to support MSIs and their students\n\tAmericas College Promise  provides tuition- and fee-free community college programs\n\tCommunity College Student Supports  provides grants to community colleges to improve degree completion\n\tStudents with Disabilities  improves higher education access for students with disabilities\n\tChild Care  increases federal funding for campus-based child care\n\tDREAM  makes DREAMers eligible for Federal Student Aid\n\tCampus Sexual Assaults  strikes provisions that negatively impact efforts to address sexual assaults on campus\n  End of net neutrality is bad for the Marianas \nFor us in the Marianas, who already suffer from slower internet speeds than the rest of the country, Thursdays decision by the Federal Communications Commission to end net neutrality is bad news. It means internet service providers will be able charge more for certain content and end the free and open, level playing field the internet has always been. Because of our remote location, as individuals we rely on this equal access on the internet to get information and connect to friends and family. Our local businesses, too, need unlimited connections to Asia, the U.S., and the rest of the world, to stay economically competitive. Democrats in Congress are planning legislation to reverse the FCC decision. I will be part of that effort.\n How federal tax hurts us \nWe do not pay federal income taxes in the Marianas, so why am I opposed to H.R. 1, the Republican tax bill now on the verge of passage? First, the Commonwealth Government will lose revenues. The Commonwealth income tax code mirrors the federal internal revenue code. So, if H.R. 1 reduces federal revenues, as the bipartisan congressional Joint Committee on Taxation estimates, then the Commonwealth will also suffer lower revenues. Second, when the federal government cuts its revenues by $1.445 trillion, as H.R. 1 will do, then Congress will have to cut spending or allow our national debt to grow. Speaker Paul Ryan has already signaled that he intends to cut spending. Specifically, he wants to cut entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, which serve upwards of 18,000 of us in the Marianas. But there will also be pressure to cut other federal programs in education, housing, help for the disabled, and infrastructure from which the Commonwealth government typically receives more than $100 million annually. The only way to make up those revenue losses will be for the Commonwealth to raise taxes locally. I am not opposed to tax reform in principle, but it must be revenue neutral to prevent these harms to the people I represent. H.R. 1 does not meet that test, so I oppose it.\n Clearing the Air \nGovernor Ralph Dlg. Torres and members of the Northern Marianas Business Alliance Corporation met with me in Washington on Monday. Afterwards, the business leaders said they were unhappy with my work to make sure our economy has a sufficient workforce. As I explained at the meeting, I am not free to discuss details of the discussions of the bicameral, bipartisan congressional working group that is drafting legislation addressing the labor issue. I have held numerous listening sessions with a wide variety of groups and individuals in the Marianas over the last year, however, so I understand what people want and what our economy needs. Of course, no legislation can please everybody, but everyone will have further opportunity to comment once a bill is introduced and scheduled for a hearing. See my complete response here.\n Defense bill now law \nThe President signed theNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 conference report into law on Tuesday. In all, the NDAA authorizes $700 billion for defense spending, raises military pay by 2.4 percent, and increases troop levels across the services. Among the provisions of particular interest to the Marianas:\n Unlimited H visas safe \nAfter intervention by the congressional office, a technical error in the Senate version of the 2018 NDAA, threatening the Marianas unlimited access to foreign workers using H visas, has been corrected. H visas are used for temporary and seasonal workers in various categories, including professional occupations, agriculture, or construction. In addition to preserving the Marianas exemption from the numerical limit on H visas that applies nationwide and is usually oversubscribed the 2018 NDAA creates a new subcategory of the H-2B visa and allows up to 4,000 for services or labor directly associated with the military build-up. This provision only applies to the Northern Marianas if and when the current immigration transition period ends and the Commonwealth government agrees on the terms of the build-up.\n$12.9M for Tinian divert\nThe 2018 NDAA also includes an additional $12.9 million for the Air Force divert airfield project on Tinian. Together with $9 million that Congress authorized in the 2017 NDAA, a total of $21.9 million is now available to lease the additional 142 hectares on the north side of Tinian airport needed for the divert project. The decision to site the divert field and support facilities on Tinian was made last December with the approval of Tinian leadership and Governor Torres and my support.\nPalau agreement approved\nAfter a seven-year wait, the agreement to extend Palaus Compact of Free Association through 2024 was formally approved when the conference report was enacted into law. I have been an outspoken proponent of the strategic importance of Palau to the United States and of the need to keep Americas commitment to this trusted ally. In April, my bill to extend the Compact, H.R. 2085, passed the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously; and the extension of the Compact has now been included in the NDAA.\n $125K agricultural grant for NMC \nCongratulations to Northern Marianas College on receiving a $124,827 grant from the U.S. Department Agriculture to begin offering distance learning courses in food and agricultural science. The funds from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture will allow NMC students to begin studies in these areas in the fall of 2018. NMC President Dr. Carmen Fernandez said that the college ... has been working to grow the number of courses that can be accessed from home or from any other place with internet connectivity. By expanding online courses to food and agricultural sciences, NMC can provide wider educational opportunities to its students and may spark interest in future career-related studies. The grants are made to strengthen agricultural education in the insular areas, in the hope that more students will pursue food and agricultural science careers, and help educational institutions meet their unique needs.\n Citizenship application now online \nThe U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that eligible individuals may now file applications for naturalization (Form N-400) through the USCIS website. Online applicants will be able to receive alerts and be prompted to upload required evidence based on their answers to form questions. Among the advantages to online filing are applicants can pay fees, upload evidence, get real-time case information, and communicate with USCIS. Those applying for citizenship based on military service, who are requesting a fee waiver or reduced fees, or are outside the U.S. are ineligible to file the N-400 online. To create a USCIS account to file the N-400, Application for Naturalization, go to https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/.\n Opportunities \n Grants \n Jobs \n Legislative Highlights \n THIS WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.R. 2396  Privacy Notification Technical Clarification Act (Passed, 275-146)\n\tH.R. 4324  Strengthening Oversight of Iran's Access to Finance Act (Passed, 252-167)\n\tH.R. 1638  Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act (Passed, 289-135)\n\tH.R. 3971  Community Institution Mortgage Relief Act of 2017 (Passed, 294-129)\n\tH.Res. 336  Reaffirming a strong commitment to the United States-Mexico Partnership (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.Res. 357  Reaffirming the strategic partnership between the United States and Canada, recognizing bilateral cooperation that advances United States national interests, and urging increased bilateral cooperation on security, economic issues, and energy, and for other purposes (Agreed to by voice vote)\n  Legislation I Cosponsored \n H.R.1528 Native American Indian Education Act\n\tH.R.4610 Receiving Electronic Statements To Improve Retiree Earnings Act\n  NEXT WEEK \n On the Floor \n Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 1  Tax Cuts and Jobs Act\n\tH.J.Res. 124  Making further additional continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes\n\tH.R. 3312  Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act of 2017\n\tSenate Amendment to H.R. 1370  Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign Authorization Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 3759  RAISE Family Caregivers Act\n\tH.R. 3979  Keep Americas Refuges Operational Act\n\tH.R. 4375  STEM Research and Education Effectiveness and Transparency Act\n\tH.R. 4254  Women in Aerospace Education Act\n\tH.R. 4323  Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act\n\tS. 1393  Jobs for Our Heroes Act\n\tS. 1536  Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act\n\tS. 1532  No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act\n\tH.Con.Res. 95  Expressing support for the use of public-private partnerships to bring computer science education to more K-12 classrooms\n  Committee Hearings \nTuesday, December 19\n House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Legislative Markup on H.R. 4242, VA Care in the Community Act\n Wednesday, December 20\nHouse Committee on Education and the Workforce Hearing on \"Examining the Policies and Priorities of the U.S. Department of Education\" with the Honorable Betsy DeVos, Secretary, U.S. Department of Education", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/lets-clear-air", "Let's Clear the Air", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marianas Variety \u2014 I APPRECIATE that the members of the Northern Marianas Business Alliance Corporation or NMBA took the time to meet with me during their lobbying trip to Washington.\nIt is regrettable that NMBA came away from our meeting disappointed. Unfortunately, I cannot please everybody. But I do try to listen to the diverse and often conflicting voices that make up our community, many of which claim to speak in the best interests of all the people of the Marianas, and some of which sometimes say they want one thing and then change their minds later. It\u2019s not easy, but I signed on to work for the people of the Marianas.\nNMBA, as I understand it, is the lobbying arm of the governor\u2019s Strategic Economic Development Council. They came to Washington to advocate for their legislative proposals \u2014 a lengthy list of requests. Some of their requests I have already gotten done.\nFor example, they asked to bar construction workers from the CW program \u2014 that was accomplished with the enactment of H.R. 339, the Northern Marianas Economic Expansion Act, thanks in large part to the support of the governor and the business community. They also asked for a report from the Government Accountability Office on the Marianas\u2019 economic prospects, including the impacts of ending the Commonwealth-Only Transitional Worker or CW program. I requested that report last year, and GAO released the results of their study in May this year.\nSome of NMBA\u2019s requests, however, will be difficult to sell in this anti-foreign worker, Republican administration and Congress. I have explained this reality to NMBA repeatedly. For example, increasing the CW cap to 18,000 (nearly doubling the number currently in effect) will be a very heavy lift, especially given the relatively high number of unemployed U.S. citizens and residents according to the commonwealth government\u2019s own data, and the commonwealth government\u2019s record of waiving its own requirements for U.S. hires. Furthermore, splitting the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program, although desired by certain business interests in the Marianas, has nothing to do with an extension of the transition program, and will only distract from, and may even undermine, that effort. I have said this many times \u2014 in meetings with NMBA, their individual members, and members from other sectors of the community. Yet NMBA is still pushing for visa waiver bifurcation.\nI want to be very clear that NMBA is not the only group I have met with to discuss labor issues. Over the last two years alone, I have also met with the governor and his staff, the governor\u2019s Strategic Economic Development Council, local legislators, mayors, the chamber of commerce, the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Society of Human Resource Management, small business owners who do not participate in any associations, U.S. workers and their advocates, CW workers and their advocates, lawyers, journalists, health care professionals, social workers, law enforcement officers, thought leaders, educators, students.\nIt is my job as delegate to consult with the people I represent, to sort through their competing interests and concerns, to weigh the available data and facts on the ground, and to make the best decision that I can, based on all of these factors, about the way forward. It is also my job to take the best available information that I have to make our case in Washington, and work with my congressional colleagues to figure out what\u2019s possible, what can be achieved to improve the lives of the people I represent.\u00a0\u00a0\nIn Congress, we legislate. And in developing legislation, we negotiate and compromise. That\u2019s the nature of the work. Because for a measure to pass, we must have the support of at least 218 members of the House and a minimum of 51 Senators, whose priorities and concerns may not be in line with our own. And because each senator can block movement on a bill, the support of key senators is critical to every legislative effort.\nAs I have said before in many meetings, press conferences, and news releases, I am now part of a bipartisan, bicameral working group that is developing legislation to carry the Marianas beyond 2019, when the current transition program expires. The working group is led by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who chairs the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which has jurisdiction over the insular areas. The group is still agreeing on the limits that will shape this legislation.\nI can say at this time that my priorities are two-fold: 1) to ensure that there is sufficient labor available to keep the Marianas economy moving forward; and 2) to ensure that the number of U.S. workers continues to increase over time. We have made some progress in recruiting, training, and hiring U.S. workers these past nine years since federal immigration law was extended to the Marianas, but as we know, as the data show, we still have a long way to go.\nAs I tried to explain to NMBA at my meeting on Monday, I am not at liberty to disclose the details of working group conversations that are, at this point, still preliminary, sensitive, and confidential. Building trusting relationships is critical to getting anything done in Congress. Everything I have been able to accomplish in Congress \u2014 from labor legislation to boosting funding for education, health care, infrastructure, and food assistance \u2014 has been through the strong relationships of trust that I have built on both sides of the aisle these past nine years. \nI also explained that I have asked that the working group include the governor in these talks. When the chair decides to issue that invitation is not my call, but I understand the governor\u2019s legislative proposal was transmitted to the chair some time ago. \nI recognize and understand the anxiety in our community about the future, and the need for transparency about the work underway in Washington. I am doing my best to reach out to constituents across our community to make sure that I am hearing a broad range of perspectives. I am pushing to include the governor in the working group. When legislation is introduced, I want to assure the people I represent that there will be a public hearing and ample opportunity for comment. In the meantime, although I regret that NMBA was not happy after their meeting with me this week, I will continue to welcome their feedback, as I welcome feedback from all constituents about the work I am doing for them.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili%E2%80%99s-work-palau-compact-pays", "Kililis work on Palau Compact pays off", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune - WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014 President Trump signed the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act yesterday, including an extension of the Compact of Free Association with the Republic of Palau. Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Ind-MP) has been working for several years to get the 15-year extension enacted into law. It was originally negotiated by the U.S. and Palau in 2010, but never formally approved.\n\t\u201cBecause of the strategic importance of Palau to the security of all of us in the Western Pacific, I have worked hard to win approval of the extension of the Compact of Free Association,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cPeace and stability are the underpinnings for the economic health of our region.\n\t\u201cAnd because I am the only Micronesian in the U.S. Congress, I also feel a special responsibility to help people throughout the island Pacific, whenever I can.\u201d\n\tThe annual Defense bill emerged as a route to approval of the Compact in 2016. Sablan had introduced legislation approving the Compact and authorizing multi-year funding. He arranged hearings for his bill before House Foreign Affairs and Natural Resources subcommittees. Then, working with Pacific representatives Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) and Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawai\u2019i), he was able to win the support of the Defense Department for inclusion of the Compact approval in the 2017 Defense bill.\n\tAlthough that effort was not successful, Sablan again introduced Compact legislation this year, again got a hearing on the bill, and won approval in the House Natural Resources Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah). Bishop is also a member of the House Armed Services Committee, which writes the annual Defense authorization.\n\t\u201cFocusing on Compact approval as a matter of strategic importance to the United States was key, I think, to getting it through Congress and signed into law today,\u201d Sablan commented.\n\t\u201cAlthough Congress has appropriated the funding amounts negotiated with Palau year-after-year, we were not giving Palau the assurance of long-term commitment that approval of the Compact provides.\n\t\u201cFrom Palau\u2019s point of view\u2014and to other nations in the Pacific region\u2014it seemed as though America was not good for its word. America could not be trusted.\n\t\u201cThat is no way for our nation to maintain influence in what is becoming every day a more strategically important\u2014and contested\u2014area of the world,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cBut today we showed America is committed to the Pacific.\u201d (PR)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-125k-agricultural-grant-nmc", "Kilili: $125K agricultural grant for NMC", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marianas Variety \u2014 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Office of the CNMI Congressional Delegate) - U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan has announced that Northern Marianas College received a federal grant of $124,827 to develop distance learning courses in food and agriculture science.\nThe U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s National Institute of Food and Agriculture Distance Learning Grant will allow NMC to expand its online offerings to include courses in food and agricultural science. In the fall of 2018, NMC will begin offering these types of courses for the first time in its history.\n\u201cNMC continues to expand its reach to provide quality education to students in the Northern Marianas,\u201d said Congressman Sablan. \u201cBy expanding online courses to food and agricultural sciences, NMC will be able to provide wider educational opportunities to its students and may spark interest in further career-related study in this area.\u201d\nAccording to NMC President Dr. Carmen Fernandez, \u201cBecause of the flexibility that online courses offer to students pursuing their college degree, Northern Marianas College has been working to grow the number of courses that can be accessed from home or from any other place with internet connectivity.\n\u201cWe are extremely grateful that the NIFA grant will allow the college to expand its online offerings to include food and agricultural science courses so that career and training opportunities in these areas can also grow,\u201d Fernandez said.\nThe online courses will be available to students on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. The two-year grant provides funding for course development, recruitment and hiring of instructors, staff training, and procurement of necessary supplies, including laboratory kits for every student who registers and enrolls in an online food and agricultural science course.\nThe NMC grant is one of a series made to the Insular Areas to strengthen agricultural education. NIFA Executive Director Sonny Ramaswamy said that \u201cthese programs will help insular areas institutions meet their unique needs. NIFA Investments are helping to increase the number and diversity of students who will pursue food and agricultural science careers.\u201d\n\u201cI salute NMC on securing additional federal funding to further their educational mission and will diversify their course offerings to students,\u201d Congressman Sablan said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/kilili%E2%80%99s-work-palau-compact-pays", "Kililis work on Palau Compact pays off", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 President Trump signed the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act today, including an extension of the Compact of Free Association with the Republic of Palau. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan has been working for several years to get the fifteen-year extension enacted into law. It was originally negotiated by the U.S. and Palau in 2010, but never formally approved.\n\u201cBecause of the strategic importance of Palau to the security of all of us in the Western Pacific, I have worked hard to win approval of the extension of the Compact of Free Association,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cPeace and stability are the underpinnings for the economic health of our region.\n\u201cAnd because I am the only Micronesian in the U.S. Congress, I also feel a special responsibility to help people throughout the island Pacific, whenever I can.\u201d\nThe annual Defense bill emerged as a route to approval of the Compact in 2016. Sablan had introduced legislation approving the Compact and authorizing multi-year funding. He arranged hearings for his bill before House Foreign Affairs and Natural Resources subcommittees. Then, working with Pacific representatives Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) and Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawai\u2019i), he was able to win the support of the Defense Department for inclusion of the Compact approval in the 2017 Defense bill.\nAlthough last year\u2019s effort was not successful, Sablan again introduced Compact legislation this year, again got a hearing on the bill, and won approval in the House Natural Resources Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah). Bishop is also a member of the House Armed Services Committee, which writes the annual Defense authorization.\n\u201cFocusing on Compact approval as a matter of strategic importance to the United States was key, I think, to getting it through Congress and signed into law today,\u201d Sablan commented.\n\u201cAlthough Congress has appropriated the funding amounts negotiated with Palau year-after-year, we were not giving Palau the assurance of long-term commitment that approval of the Compact provides.\n\u201cFrom Palau\u2019s point of view\u2014and to other nations in the Pacific region\u2014it seemed as though America was not good for its word. America could not be trusted.\n\u201cThat is no way for our nation to maintain influence in what is becoming every day a more strategically important\u2014and contested\u2014area of the world,\u201d Congressman Sablan said. \u201cBut today we showed America is committed to the Pacific.\u201d\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/kilili-125k-agricultural-grant-nmc", "Kilili: $125K agricultural grant for NMC", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan announced today that Northern Marianas College received a federal grant of $124,827 to develop distance learning courses in food and agriculture science.\u00a0 \nThe U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Distance Learning Grant will allow NMC to expand its online offerings to include courses in food and agricultural science.\u00a0 In the fall of 2018, NMC will begin offering these types of courses for the first time in its history.\n\u201cNMC continues to expand its reach to provide quality education to students in the Northern Marianas,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Sablan.\u00a0 \u201cBy expanding online courses to food and agricultural sciences, NMC will be able to provide wider educational opportunities to its students and may spark interest in further career-related study in this area.\u201d\nAccording to NMC President Dr. Carmen Fernandez, \u201cBecause of the flexibility that online courses offer to students pursuing their college degree, Northern Marianas College has been working to grow the number of courses that can be accessed from home or from any other place with internet connectivity.\n\u201cWe are extremely grateful that the NIFA grant will allow the College to expand its online offerings to include food and agricultural science courses so that career and training opportunities in these areas can also grow,\u201d Fernandez said.\nThe online courses will be available to students on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. The two-year grant provides funding for course development, recruitment and hiring of instructors, staff training, and procurement of necessary supplies, including laboratory kits for every student who registers and enrolls in an online food and agricultural science course.\u00a0\nThe NMC grant is one of a series made to the Insular Areas to strengthen agricultural education.\u00a0 NIFA Executive Director Sonny Ramaswamy said that \u201c\u2026 these programs will help insular areas institutions meet their unique needs.\u00a0 NIFA Investments are helping to increase the number and diversity of students who will pursue food and agricultural science careers.\u201d\n\u201cI salute NMC on securing additional federal funding to further their educational mission and will diversify their course offerings to students,\u201d Congressman Sablan said.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/trump-cut-cnmi-foreign-labor-force-half", "Trump to cut CNMI foreign labor force in half", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Guam Daily Post - Guam's neighbor to the north, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, faces a foreign labor crisis that its officials fear could disrupt its economy.\nIn part to address the issue, CNMI Gov. Ralph Torres and his staff joined members of the Marianas business community for a meeting with Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan in Washington on Monday.\n\u00a0\nAll agreed that the Trump administration decision to reduce the number of transitional, nonimmigrant foreign worker permits this year to 9,998 was not what they wanted, Sablan stated in a news release. The cap in 2017 was\u00a012,998, a\u00a0significant\u00a0drop from\u00a022,417 in 2011, numbers from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service state.\nSablan asked the governor to use his ties with President Donald Trump to roll back a further cut to 4,999, already announced for October next year. Trump has had a meeting with the CNMI governor in the White House.\n\"In Congress, we are making good progress on consensus legislation that will ensure the Marianas economy has the labor it needs,\" Sablan told the group, \"but the Trump administration decision to cut to 4,999 permits in October cuts in half the time we have to act and makes it even more difficult to get a long-term solution into law.\n\"Short term, the decision is also very bad for our economy,\" Sablan stated.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-pushes-college-access-cnmi-samoa-students", "Kilili pushes college access for CNMI, A. Samoa students", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 WASHINGTON, D.C. - During a committee drafting session on the Higher Education Act yesterday, Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Ind-MP) proposed creating a federal program to help pay for the last two years of college for graduates of Northern Marianas College or American Samoa Community College.\nSablan made the case that the Northern Marianas and American Samoa are the only U.S. jurisdictions without a four-year public college, where students may complete a baccalaureate degree. He compared his proposal to the program for students from the District of Columbia, who receive federal assistance to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities anywhere in the United States.\nTwo Republicans voted with all Democrats on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, but the Sablan amendment was narrowly defeated, 19-20.\n\u201cEducation continues to be my No. 1 priority in Congress,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cAnd the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act now underway provides me the opportunity to help make college more affordable for students from the Marianas.\u201d\n\u201cI want to thank my Republican friends, Duncan Hunter of California and Dr. Phil Roe of Tennessee, for voting with me on my amendment. Even though we were not successful in committee, we can still bring this up again in the Rules Committee and when the bill comes to the floor for a vote.\u201d\nThe Higher Education Act was last reauthorized in 2008, before Sablan was elected to Congress.\nHe had been working in the run-up to yesterday\u2019s session to have his four-year college proposal incorporated into the Republican base bill. But, even though his proposal would have also helped American Samoan students, represented in Congress by Republican Amata Aumua Coleman Radewagen (R-AS), the Republican-led committee was unwilling to add a new program and new costs.\nSo Sablan offered his plan as an amendment yesterday. \u201cNonresident students spend an average of $14,480 more per year in out-of-state tuition and fees than their resident peers at public four-year colleges, according to the College Board,\u201d Sablan explained.\n\u201cStudents in the Marianas and American Samoa wanting to attend a four-year school after getting their community college degree not only face the cost of nonresident tuition, but also the significant expense of travel. The Marianas are over 3,700 miles from the nearest state, Hawaii\u2014a $1,100 one-way trip by plane.\u201d\nDemocratic member Donald Norcross of New Jersey compared the situation for island students to the \u201cfood deserts\u201d that people in some urban areas face. \u201cA four-year college desert,\u201d he called it. \u201cThe fact that there is little, if any, opportunity to pursue within a reasonable cost a quality education, four-year program\u2026 I think [Sablan\u2019s proposal] is a cost-effective, good idea.\u201d\nAlso supporting the Sablan amendment were the committee\u2019s ranking member, Bobby Scott of Virginia, and Rep. Mark Takano (D-California).\n\u201cFor far too long our country has neglected and marginalized the needs of its Pacific islands and territories on an array of policy issues,\u201d Takano told the committee. \u201cAnd as the Education Task Force chair for the Congressional Asian-Pacific American Caucus, I know that education is no exception. Today, 43 percent of all native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders only have a high school diploma or less.\u201d\nSablan was successful at amending the federal funding formula for elementary and secondary education on the islands in December 2015. That formula distributes money every year to schools with students from low-income families. This year the CNMI Public School System received approximately $4.5 million over and above its usual grant as a result of Sablan\u2019s amendment.\nSablan was also an original cosponsor of the 2009 legislation that made more Marianas students eligible for Pell grants to attend college, and increased the dollar amount of the annual Pell grant. As a result, most U.S. students are now able to attend the Northern Marianas College for free.\nGetting help for Marianas students who want to go beyond NMC has long been a goal of the Marianas delegate. In both the 111th and 112th congresses, he introduced legislation similar to the amendment he offered yesterday to the Higher Education Act. (PR)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/congressman-sablan-governor-torres-meet", "Congressman Sablan, Governor Torres meet", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Sablan, Governor Torres meet                                           \n              Dec 11, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n        \n            \n        \n      \n    \n    \n    Governor Ralph Dlg. Torres and his staff joined members of the Marianas business community for a meeting with Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan in Washington on Monday. All agreed that the Trump administration decision to cut the number of CW permits this year to 9,998 was not what they wanted. Looking ahead, Sablan asked the Governor to use his influence with the President to roll back a further cut to 4,999, already announced for next October. \u201cIn Congress, we are making good progress on consensus legislation that will ensure the Marianas economy has the labor it needs,\u201d Sablan told the group. \u201cBut the Trump administration decision to cut to 4,999 permits in October cuts in half the time we have to act and makes it even more difficult to get a long-term solution into law. Short-term, the decision is also very bad for our economy.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/ahead-nmbac-washington", "Ahead: NMBAC in Washington", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ahead: NMBAC in Washington                                           \n              Dec 11, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Next week, the Northern Marianas Business Alliance Corporation is in Washington to talk about island workforce issues. We are scheduled to meet on Monday. I am looking forward to briefing NMBAC on progress the bicameral, bipartisan congressional working group is making to ensure we have sufficient labor to keep the Marianas economy going strong and to ensure that more and more local, U.S. workers join the labor force.\nIt is not easy to find policies that are acceptable across a wide range of ideologies and also have a chance of passage by the House and the Senate in the coming year. But the same group worked successfully on passage of my bill, H.R. 339, the Northern Mariana Islands Economic Expansion Act, which the President signed into law in August. So I am optimistic that we can also be successful putting together a long-term solution for our labor needs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/fy18-more-days-indecision", "FY18: more days of indecision", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FY18: more days of indecision                                           \n              Dec 11, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Sixty-eight days into fiscal year 2018, leadership is kicking the can down the road on making the necessary spending decisions \u2013 for the second time. Thursday\u2019s votes in the House and the Senate keep the government open until December 22. In caucus, in committee, in conversation with Members on both sides of the aisle, I continue to press for action on what I see as our most urgent national priorities:\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Parity between defense spending and the domestic budget, where almost all the funding for the Marianas comes from,\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Funding for veterans and the fight against opioids,\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Renewal of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Community Health Center spending, and\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Passage of the DREAM Act.\nLet us hope the extra days until December 22 are enough to reach agreement, so we will not have to kick the can into January.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/trump-fcc-attacks-net-neutrality", "Trump FCC attacks net neutrality", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Trump FCC attacks net neutrality                                           \n              Dec 11, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    We all know the frustration of waiting for a webpage to load or a video to buffer because of a slow internet connection. That is why I worked to convince Netflix to provide streaming service to our islands just like on the mainland. And that is why I am strongly opposed to the Trump Federal Communications Commission plan that will allow internet service providers to intentionally slow down content they do not want you to see or make it more expensive.\nThe Obama administration put in place \u201cnet neutrality\u201d rules that assured a free and open internet. So, no matter how you wanted to use the internet\u2014for classroom learning applications, telemedicine, online shopping, or e-mail\u2014you got the same level of service. The Trump FCC votes on December 14 to end net neutrality. I signed onto a letter to the FCC asking for the vote to be delayed and for more time for Americans to weigh in with their opinion on this issue.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-december-8-2017", "THIS WEEK IN  CONGRESS - December 8, 2017", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In this issue:\n____________________________________________________________________________\n Trump FCC attacks net neutrality \nWe all know the frustration of waiting for a webpage to load or a video to buffer because of a slow internet connection. That is why I worked to convince Netflix to provide streaming service to our islands just like on the mainland. And that is why I am strongly opposed to the Trump Federal Communications Commission plan that will allow internet service providers to intentionally slow down content they do not want you to see or make it more expensive. The Obama administration put in place \u201cnet neutrality\u201d rules that assured a free and open internet. So, no matter how you wanted to use the internet\u2014for classroom learning applications, telemedicine, online shopping, or e-mail\u2014you got the same level of service. The Trump FCC votes on December 14 to end net neutrality. I signed onto a letter to the FCC asking for the vote to be delayed and for more time for Americans to weigh in with their opinion on this issue.\n Working for island family values \nCaring for family\u2014especially our elders\u2014is a hallmark of island culture. Millions of our fellow Americans feel the same way and face difficult choices between going to work and caring for loved ones. That is why I am backing three important pieces of legislation. Together, the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act, Healthy Families Act, and Schedules That Work Act mean that workers will not lose their job when called to care for a loved one. Meanwhile, 8 state legislatures and 32 local governments have not waited for the federal government to act; they have already taken the initiative to enact laws providing these protections for working families. But now, there is a corporate-backed move to use federal legislation to go around these local laws. As Ranking Member on the Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee, I spoke out against overriding local self-government like this at a hearing on Wednesday. And I will keep working for legislation that reflects our island culture and family values.\n Ahead: NMBAC in Washington \nNext week, the Northern Marianas Business Alliance Corporation is in Washington to talk about island workforce issues. We are scheduled to meet on Monday. I am looking forward to briefing NMBAC on progress the bicameral, bipartisan congressional working group is making to ensure we have sufficient labor to keep the Marianas economy going strong and to ensure that more and more local, U.S. workers join the labor force. It is not easy to find policies that are acceptable across a wide range of ideologies and also have a chance of passage by the House and the Senate in the coming year. But the same group worked successfully on passage of my bill, H.R. 339, the Northern Mariana Islands Economic Expansion Act, which the President signed into law in August. So I am optimistic that we can also be successful putting together a long-term solution for our labor needs.\n FY18: more days of indecision \nSixty-eight days into fiscal year 2018, leadership is kicking the can down the road on making the necessary spending decisions \u2013 for the second time. Thursday\u2019s votes in the House and the Senate keep the government open until December 22. In caucus, in committee, in conversation with Members on both sides of the aisle, I continue to press for action on what I see as our most urgent national priorities:\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Parity between defense spending and the domestic budget, where almost all the funding for the Marianas comes from,\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Funding for veterans and the fight against opioids,\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Renewal of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Community Health Center spending, and\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Passage of the DREAM Act.\nLet us hope the extra days until December 22 are enough to reach agreement, so we will not have to kick the can into January.\nOPPORTUNITIES\u00a0\n Grants: \n Jobs: \n Public Comments: \nLEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS\u00a0\n THIS WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.J.Res. 123 \u2013 The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (Passed, 235-193)\n\tH.R. 477 \u2013 Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2017 (Passed, 426-0)\n\tH.R. 38 \u2013 Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 (Passed, 231-198)\n\tH.R. 3317 \u2013 SAFE Act (Passed, 409-0)\n\tH.R. 1164 \u2013 Taylor Force Act (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tS. 1266 \u2013 Enhancing Veteran Care Act (Passed, 423-0)\n\tH.R. 3731 \u2013 Secret Service Recruitment and Retention Act of 2017 (Passed, 407-4)\n\tH.R. 2658 \u2013 Venezuela Humanitarian Assistance and Defense of Democratic Governance Act (Passed, 388-29)\n\tH.Res. 259 \u2013 Expressing concern and condemnation over the political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela (Passed, 419-8)\n\tH.Con.Res. 90 \u2013 Condemning ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya and calling for an end to the attacks in and an immediate restoration of humanitarian access to the state of Rakhine in Burma (Passed, 423-3)\u00a0\n  Legislation I Cosponsored \n H.R.947\u00a0\u2013 FAMILY Act\n\tH.R.1516\u00a0\u2013 Healthy Families Act\n\tH.R.2942\u00a0\u2013 Schedules That Work Act\n\tH.R.4527\u00a0\u2013 Stop HATE Act of 2017\n\tH.R.4548\u00a0\u2013 To amend the National Labor Relations Act to strengthen protections for employees to exercise their rights to organize and collectively bargain for improved wages, hours, or other terms and conditions of employment, to sanction violations of such rights and assure meaningful remedies, to establish a process by which employers and employees conclude initial collective bargaining agreements, and for other purposes\n  NEXT WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.R. 2396\u00a0\u2013 Privacy Notification Technical Clarification Act\n\tH.R. 4015\u00a0\u2013 Corporate Governance Reform and Transparency Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 4324 \u2013 Strengthening Oversight of Iran\u2019s Access to Finance Act\n\tH.R. 1638 \u2013 Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act\n\tH.R. 1730 \u2013 Combating Anti-Semitism Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 3093 \u2013 Investor Clarity and Bank Parity Act\n  Committee Hearings \nTuesday, December 12\n Committee on Education and the Workforce Markup on H.R. 4508, Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act\n Wednesday, December 13\n Committee on Natural Resources Legislative Markup\n\tSubcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Oversight Hearing on \"Pre-Discharge Claims Programs: Are VA and DOD Effectively Serving Separating Military Personnel?\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/working-island-family-values", "Working for island family values", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Working for island family values                                           \n              Dec 11, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Caring for family\u2014especially our elders\u2014is a hallmark of island culture. Millions of our fellow Americans feel the same way and face difficult choices between going to work and caring for loved ones. That is why I am backing three important pieces of legislation. Together, the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act, Healthy Families Act, and Schedules That Work Act mean that workers will not lose their job when called to care for a loved one.\nMeanwhile, 8 state legislatures and 32 local governments have not waited for the federal government to act; they have already taken the initiative to enact laws providing these protections for working families. But now, there is a corporate-backed move to use federal legislation to go around these local laws. As Ranking Member on the Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee, I spoke out against overriding local self-government like this at a hearing on Wednesday. And I will keep working for legislation that reflects our island culture and family values.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/democrats-promote-paid-sick-leave-and-paid-family-and-medical-leave-proposals-hearing", "Democrats Promote Paid Sick Leave and Paid Family and Medical Leave Proposals at Hearing", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Education and the Workforce Democratic Committee, WASHINGTON \u2013\u00a0TODAY, the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing to examine workplace leave proposals. Millions of working people across the country lack access to the flexible workplace policies that help them balance work and family. In 2016, only 13 percent of private-industry employees had access to paid family leave through their employers, 37 million workers did not earn a single paid sick day, and approximately 41 percent of hourly workers received their work schedules only seven days in advance.\n\u201cThe American people have embraced the need for paid leave policies as a core economic issue,\u201d said Congressman Gregorio Sablan (MP-AL), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. \u201cWorkers should not be forced into economic hardship in order to take care of themselves or their families. Our federal laws must provide guaranteed benefits to help working people balance work and family.\u201d\nCommittee Democrats raised concerns about a corporate-backed proposal that would allow employers to establish workplace flexibility plans to avoid compliance with state and local governments\u2019 laws requiring earned sick days, paid leave, and predictable scheduling. This proposal, Workflex in the 21st Century Act (H.R. 4219), is promoted under the guise of \u201cflexibility,\u201d but fails to provide guaranteed benefits to workers.\n\u201cThe American people overwhelming support paid leave legislation. Yet, Congress has failed to respond to this call. Eight states and thirty-two localities have stepped in to provide sick leave and five states provide family and medical leave,\u201d said Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03). \u201cRather than supporting reasonable cost-effective proposals, corporate interests are proposing legislation that would exempt businesses from the requirements of a state or local government\u2019s paid leave laws and allow voluntary employer sponsored programs which provide less generous benefits. There should be room for bipartisan cooperation to address an issue that affects every worker and every family.\u201d\nIn the hearing, committee Democrats pushed for legislation that would provide a guaranteed floor of benefits from which states, localities and employers can build more generous plans to help working people balance work and family.\n\u201cThere is no \u2018one size fits all\u2019 solution to workplace leave policies, but there is a basic floor of protection that every worker in America deserves,\u201d said Hans Riemer, President of the Montgomery County Council. \u201cCongress should adopt common sense policies like the Healthy Families Act (H.R. 1516), FAMILY Act (H.R. 947), and Schedules that Work Act (H.R. 2942) to provide a floor for workers across the country, while allowing states and local governments to determine what additional protections make sense for them.\u201d\nOPENING STATEMENT: Subcommittee Ranking Member Gregorio Sablan (MP-AL) \nFULL TESTIMONY: Mr. Hans Riemer, President, Montgomery County Council\n\u00a0\n\u00a0###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/bunts-anderson-villarmero-win-app-challenge", "Bunts-Anderson, Villarmero win App Challenge", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bunts-Anderson, Villarmero win App Challenge                                           \n              Dec 3, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n        \n      Congratulations to Chenoa Bunts-Anderson and Daniel Villarmero of Marianas High School, the winners of the 2017 Congressional App Challenge.       \n        \n      \n    \n    \n    Twenty two students from the Northern Marianas entered this year's Congressional App Challenge, competing as individuals or teams of up to four. Thirteen apps were submitted with selection of the winning entries made by tech industry experts. From these submissions, The Student Companion,\u00a0by Daniel Villarmero and Chenoa Bunts-Anderson of Marianas High School, was chosen as this year\u2019s winner. Mount Carmel School students\u00a0Joanie Paraiso,\u00a0Tawnie Manibusan and Cassidy Torres took second and third place for their apps\u00a0The Thought Bubble and\u00a0Pocket Homework, respectively.\nThe\u00a0App Challenge is open to all elementary and secondary students and is intended to encourage student creativity and participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/combating-sexual-harassment", "Combating sexual harassment", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Combating sexual harassment                                           \n              Dec 3, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Delegate Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa) and I have teamed up to co-sponsor the ME TOO Congress Act, a bill that makes sexual harassment complaints in Congress easier for victims to file and for the public to see. Introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-California), the\u00a0ME TOO Congress Act\u00a0also makes Members of Congress personally liable for any settlement payments arising from harassment claims and requires Members and their staff to take annual anti-harassment training.\nTo make this a truly bipartisan effort, Ms. Speier asked that co-sponsors come on board as a pair, one Democrat, one Republican \u2013 the Noah\u2019s Ark system. I thank my Republican colleague, Ms. Radewagen, for accepting my invitation to join me in supporting the effort to lift the veil of secrecy that has existed here in Congress for too long on sexual harassment and to make it easier for victims to come forward.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-and-radewagen-team-anti-sexual-harassment-bill", "Kilili and Radewagen team up on anti-sexual harassment bill", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Ind-MP) and his insular area colleague Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-A. Samoa) have teamed up to co-sponsor the Me Too Congress Act, a bill that makes sexual harassment complaints in Congress easier for victims to file and for the public to see.\n\tIntroduced by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) earlier this month, the Me Too Congress Act also makes members of Congress personally liable for any settlement payments arising from harassment claims and requires members and their staff to take annual anti-harassment training.\n\t\u201cTo make this a truly bipartisan effort, Ms. Speier asked that co-sponsors come on board as a pair, one Democrat, one Republican,\u201d Sablan explained. \u201cThe Noah\u2019s Ark system.\n\t\u201cI want to thank my Republican colleague, Ms. Radewagen, for accepting my invitation to join me in supporting the effort to lift the veil of secrecy that has existed here in Congress for too long on sexual harassment and to make it easier for victims to come forward.\u201d\n\t\u201cThere\u2019s simply no place for harassment in the halls of Congress, or anywhere else,\u201d said Amata. \u201cI welcome this bipartisan effort to help protect employees. We want the highest professional standards of decency practiced in the U.S. Capitol.\u201d\n\tIn dramatic testimony before introducing her legislation, Speier reported her own experience as a congressional staff person in the 1970s, being sexually harassed by her chief of staff. She said that she knew of two sitting members of Congress guilty of the behavior and revealed the existence of a special House account from which payments have been made to victims of harassment.\n\tShortly after, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) issued a directive, effective House-wide, requiring sexual harassment training. And on Thursday last week, the House voted to confirm this requirement.\n\t\u201cI already require everyone in the Marianas congressional office\u2014including myself\u2014to take the sexual harassment training offered by the chief administrative officer of the House,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cSo, I applaud the speaker\u2019s action. I also think that this should be required by law for all House offices, which the Me Too Congress Act does.\u201d\n\tSablan\u2019s office manual also sets out detailed procedures to follow for anyone who believes they have been subject to sexual harassment or harassment based on race, religion, age, disability, color, or military status.\n\t\u201cNo one should have to choose between their livelihood and being abused, bullied, or worse in their workplace,\u201d Sablan said. (PR)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/support-firefighter-programs", "Support firefighter programs", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Support firefighter programs                                           \n              Dec 3, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Ensuring our firefighters have the resources and flexibility needed to do their jobs is among the reasons I joined the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and 152 of my colleagues on a letter urging House leadership to act on S. 829, a bill to reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs.\nAFG helps local firefighters obtain training and equipment, including protective gear and emergency vehicles. SAFER grants enable local fire departments to comply with national standards. Our local fire department have received over $2 million AFG and SAFER funds in the past to help our firefighters prepare for emergencies, including natural disasters. S. 829 would make the programs permanent and extend current authorization levels. Without House action, the AFG and SAFER programs will end on January 2, 2018.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-december-1-2017", "THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - December 1, 2017", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In this issue:\n____________________________________________________________________________\n Bunts-Anderson, Villarmero win App Challenge \nTwenty two students from the Northern Marianas entered this year's Congressional App Challenge, competing as individuals or teams of up to four. Thirteen apps were submitted with selection of the winning entries made by tech industry experts. From these submissions, The Student Companion,\u00a0by Daniel Villarmero and Chenoa Bunts-Anderson of Marianas High School, was chosen as this year\u2019s winner. Mount Carmel School students\u00a0Joanie Paraiso,\u00a0Tawnie Manibusan and Cassidy Torres took second and third place for their apps\u00a0The Thought Bubble and\u00a0Pocket Homework, respectively. The\u00a0App Challenge is open to all elementary and secondary students and is intended to encourage student creativity and participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.\u00a0\n Support firefighter programs \nEnsuring our firefighters have the resources and flexibility needed to do their jobs is among the reasons I joined the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and 152 of my colleagues on a letter urging House leadership to act on S. 829, a bill to reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs. AFG helps local firefighters obtain training and equipment, including protective gear and emergency vehicles. SAFER grants enable local fire departments to comply with national standards. Our local fire department have received over $2 million AFG and SAFER funds in the past to help our firefighters prepare for emergencies, including natural disasters. S. 829 would make the programs permanent and extend current authorization levels. Without House action, the AFG and SAFER programs will end on January 2, 2018.\u00a0\n Combating sexual harassment \nDelegate Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa) and I have teamed up to co-sponsor the ME TOO Congress Act, a bill that makes sexual harassment complaints in Congress easier for victims to file and for the public to see. Introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-California), the\u00a0ME TOO Congress Act\u00a0also makes Members of Congress personally liable for any settlement payments arising from harassment claims and requires Members and their staff to take annual anti-harassment training. To make this a truly bipartisan effort, Ms. Speier asked that co-sponsors come on board as a pair, one Democrat, one Republican \u2013 the Noah\u2019s Ark system. I thank my Republican colleague, Ms. Radewagen, for accepting my invitation to join me in supporting the effort to lift the veil of secrecy that has existed here in Congress for too long on sexual harassment and to make it easier for victims to come forward.\u00a0\nOPPORTUNITIES\u00a0\n Grants:\u00a0 \n Jobs: \nLEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS\u00a0\n THIS WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.R. 1699 \u2013 Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act of 2017 (Passed, 256-163)\n\tH.R. 4182 \u2013 Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 (Passed, 213-204)\n\tH.R. 3017 \u2013 Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017 (Passed, 409-8)\n\tH.R. 2228 \u2013 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.Res. 630 \u2013 Requiring each Member, officer, and employee of the House of Representatives to complete a program of training in workplace rights and responsibilities each session of each Congress, and for other purposes (Agreed to by voice vote)\n  Legislation I Cosponsored \n H.R.4013\u00a0\u2013 2020 American Census Investment Act\n\tH.R.4300 \u2013 Admiral Lloyd R. \"Joe\" Vasey Pacific War Commemorative Display Establishment Act\n\tH.R.4396 \u2013 ME TOO Congress Act\n\tH.R.4416 \u2013 Simple FAFSA Act of 2017\n\tH.R.4444 \u2013 Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act\n\tH.R.4446 \u2013 To amend the Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial Commission Act to extend the expiration date of the Commission, and for other purposes.\n\tH.R.4505 \u2013 To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to establish a minimum salary threshold for bona fide executive, administrative, and professional employees exempt from Federal overtime compensation requirements, and automatically update such threshold every 3 years.\n  NEXT WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.R. 477\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 3971\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Community Institution Mortgage Relief Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 38\u00a0\u2013 Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 3731\u00a0\u2013 Secret Service Recruitment and Retention Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 3317\u00a0\u2013 SAFE Act\n\tS. 1266\u00a0\u2013 Enhancing Veteran Care Act\n\tH.R. 2658\u00a0\u2013 Venezuela Humanitarian Assistance and Defense of Democratic Governance Act of 2017\n\tH.Res. 259\u00a0\u2013 Expressing concern and condemnation over the political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela\n\tH.Con.Res. 90\u00a0\u2013 Condemning ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya and calling for an end to the attacks in and an immediate restoration of humanitarian access to the state of Rakhine in Burma\n Committee Activity\nWednesday, December 6\n Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Hearing on \"Workplace Leave Policies: Opportunities and Challenges for Employers and Working Families\"\n\tSubcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans Legislative Hearing on H.R. 4465, Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act of 2017\n Thursday, December 7\n Committee on Veterans' Affairs Oversight Hearing on \"New Names, Same Problems: The VA Medical Surgical Prime Vendor Program\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-villarmero-bunts-anderson-win-nmi-congressional-app-competition", "Kilili: Villarmero, Bunts-Anderson win NMI Congressional App Competition", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marianas Variety \u2014 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Office of the CNMI Congressional Delegate) - Daniel Villarmero and Chenoa Bunts-Anderson of Marianas High School are the winners of the 2017 Congressional App Challenge, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan announced Thursday. The Villarmero and Bunts-Anderson team bested 12 other submissions in the Northern Mariana\u2019s district-level competition.\n\u201cAll of this year\u2019s entries to the App Challenge were very creative and innovative \u2014 a great showing for the promise of STEM education in the Northern Marianas,\u201d Congressman Sablan said. \u201cEvery one of the students who dreamed up a concept and programmed an app can be proud of their work.\u201d\nSelection of the winning entry was made by judges Renee Bochman of the tech company LevelTrigger and Marc Boumedine of the University of the Virgin Islands.\nVillarmero and Bunts-Anderson\u2019s app, called \u201cThe Student Companion,\u201d is web-based and gives students a set of tools to help with their studies. Tools include a task manager with reminders, and a relaxation page that utilizes calming images and soothing music to help students rest during study breaks.\nThe two Marianas High School seniors worked as a team on \u201cThe Student Companion,\u201d as did most of the 22 students who entered their work in the App Challenge. Daniel and Chenoa will now receive national recognition and their app will be eligible for display in the U.S. Capitol.\nAlong with winners of the App Challenge from across the country, the Marianas team will also be invited to attend the House of Code reception, scheduled for early spring next year in Washington D.C., where they will be honored for their work.\nAlso receiving notable mentions: in second place, The Thought Bubble by Joanie Paraiso of Mount Carmel School, is an app that assists creative writers with writing tips and story ideas. In third place, Pocket Homework by Tawnie Manibusan and Cassidy Torres of Mount Carmel School, is an assignments tracking application specifically designed for student\u2019s smart phones.\u00a0\u00a0\nThis is the third year that Marianas students have accepted Kilili\u2019s invitation to take the Congressional App Challenge. The competition is open to all high school, middle school, and elementary students and is intended to encourage student creativity and participation in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Students may enter apps for a variety of platforms, such as web browsers, smart phones, or desktop and laptop computers.\nTo view \u201cThe Student Companion\u201d go to https://youtu.be/JiTV6ZKierc\n\u201cThe Thought Bubble \u201c go to https://youtu.be/Ze6i-hfLrP4\n\u201cPocket Homework\u201d go to https://youtu.be/Ih-CrnJ2ajI", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-walberg-focus-national-pension-crisis", "Kilili, Walberg focus on national pension crisis", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marianas Variety \u2014 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Office of the CNMI Congressional Delegate) \u2014 U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, ranking member on the House Subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and Subcommittee Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, led a hearing Wednesday on the financial challenges facing the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.\nThe PBGC is a federal agency that insures private-sector retirement plans nationwide. Plans pay a premium for the insurance; but, as more plans are revealed to be underfunded, demands on PBGC to provide backup have exceeded the financial capacity of the agency to protect retirees.\n\u201cI believe we should be guided by the simple principle that it is not the fault of the workers or the retirees\u2019 that their pension plans are on the brink of insolvency,\u201d Congressman Sablan noted in his opening statement at the hearing.\n\u201cThese Americans worked a lifetime and earned their pensions. American workers don\u2019t want a bailout, they just want the pension promise that was made to them to be upheld.\u201d\nAccording to the PBGC\u2019s annual report for 2017, the multiemployer pension programs backed by the government insurer have $2 billion in assets to cover $67 billion in pension liabilities \u2014 an increase of $6 billion year-over-year. The agency is looking to Congress for help before it runs out of money in 2025. A pension collapse could have a negative ripple effect throughout the U.S. economy.\nMultiemployer plans are set up by two or more employers and a union, typically in the same or related industries, such as construction or transportation. The plans are run by a board of trustees, with an equal number of employer and union trustees.\nAfter almost a year of work, meeting with pension managers and with employee and retiree representatives, Congressman Sablan became an original co-sponsor of a legislative solution that could prevent multiemployer plans from failing, while safeguarding retirees\u2019 hard-earned pensions.\nWednesday\u2019s hearing was an opportunity for PBGC\u2019s Director W. Thomas Reeder, Jr. to comment on the multiemployer problem in general and on specific legislative solutions, such as H.R. 4444, the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act, which Sablan has backed.\nSablan also met with Reeder separately on Tuesday in preparation for the hearing.\nWith increasing seniority, the Northern Marianas congressman has gained increasing responsibilities to take on national issues.\n\u201cThe multiemployer pension crisis is one of the most complex issues I have faced in my nine years in Congress,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cWith billions of dollars and the lives of hundreds of thousands of workers and retirees at stake there is a serious need for action and little room for error.\n\u201cEven though my own constituents in the Marianas are not directly affected by loss of pensions, the economic fallout from the collapse of large-scale pension funds would affect the pocketbooks of all Americans everywhere.\n\u201cAddressing this looming crisis, being part of the solution is one of the responsibilities we have as members of the American political family.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/new-fafsa-bill-would-help-low-income-students-access-financial-aid", "New FAFSA Bill Would Help Low-Income Students Access Financial Aid", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CLASP \u2014 As college costs continue to rise, millions of low-income students, particularly students of color, are struggling to make ends meet. The Simple FAFSA Act, introduced last week, would increase support for working students, streamline the financial aid process, and expand access to more low-income students. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Susan Davis (D-CA), Gregorio Sablan (D-NMI-AL), and Ami Bera (D-CA).\nCLASP applauds many of the bill\u2019s provisions:\nThe bill increases support for working students.\u00a0 The bill reduces the \u201cwork penalty,\u201d enabling working students to keep a greater share of their earnings, complete their degrees more quickly, and reduce their student loan debt. It increases by 35 percent the Income Protection Allowance (IPA), a method used to determine the amount of income students can earn that isn\u2019t counted against their eligibility for Pell and other need-based federal financial aid programs. In addition to increases for student parents, the new IPA will be:\n $9,010 for a dependent student;\n\t$14,010 for an independent student who has no dependents and is single, separated, or married to a spouse who\u2019s enrolled in college; and\n\t$22,460 for an independent student who has no dependents and is married to a spouse not enrolled in college.\n This bill makes it easier for low-income students to apply\u2014and qualify\u2014for federal student aid. It would reduce the number of questions on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), placing applicants into one of three pathways based on their finances.\nCLASP strongly supports removing the income verification requirement for applicants who have received benefits from a means-tested federal program over the prior two years. \u00a0This includes Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, and Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Under this bill, benefit recipients can skip all financial questions, immediately qualifying for an automatic zero Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and a maximum Pell grant. The bill also increases the automatic zero EFC income threshold to $34,000 and extends eligibility to independent students who do not have dependents.\nThe bill allows students to use income data from the previous year\u2019s tax returns to apply for financial aid through a streamlined data match between the U.S. Department of Education and Internal Revenue Service. Together, these improvements simplify the financial aid application process and expand access for low-income students.\nThe bill makes the financial aid application more accessible to English learner students and their parents. The bill requires the secretary of education to provide the FAFSA in both paper and electronic formats in at least 11 foreign languages (based on the languages spoken most often by English learner students and their parents).\nThe bill would enable Dreamers to afford college. The bill provides federal financial aid eligibility to Dreamers, undocumented students who came to the United States as children.\nThe bill reinstates Pell grant eligibility for students with drug-related offenses and removes questions about prior drug offenses.\nAlong with this bill, Congress will soon be considering the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA). CLASP urges members to pass HEA reforms that help low-income students access and afford college, increase support for working students, and streamline the financial aid process. Low-income students who receive financial aid and income supports are more likely to complete college and lead healthy, prosperous lives.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/kilili-radewagen-team-anti-sexual-harassment-bill", "Kilili, Radewagen team up on anti-sexual harassment bill", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan and his insular area colleague Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa) have teamed up to co-sponsor the ME TOO CONGRESS Act, a bill that makes sexual harassment complaints in Congress easier for victims to file and for the public to see. Introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-California) earlier this month, the ME TOO CONGRESS Act also makes Members of Congress personally liable for any settlement payments arising from harassment claims and requires Members and their staff to take annual anti-harassment training.\n\u201cTo make this a truly bipartisan effort, Ms. Speier asked that co-sponsors come on board as a pair, one Democrat, one Republican,\u201d Sablan explained. \u201cThe Noah\u2019s Ark system.\n\u201cI want to thank my Republican colleague, Ms. Radewagen, for accepting my invitation to join me in supporting the effort to lift the veil of secrecy that has existed here in Congress for too long on sexual harassment and to make it easier for victims to come forward.\u201d\n\u201cThere\u2019s simply no place for harassment in the halls of Congress, or anywhere else,\u201d said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. \u201cI welcome this bipartisan effort to help protect employees. We want the highest professional standards of decency practiced in the U.S. Capitol.\u201d\nIn dramatic testimony before introducing her legislation, Rep. Speier reported her own experience, as a congressional staff person in the 1970s, being sexually harassed by her Chief of Staff. She said that she knew of two sitting Members of Congress guilty of the behavior and revealed the existence of a special House account from which payments have been made to victims of harassment.\nShortly after, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) issued a directive, effective House-wide, requiring sexual harassment training. And yesterday the House voted to confirm this requirement.\n\u201cI already require everyone in the Marianas congressional office\u2014including myself\u2014to take the sexual harassment training offered by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cSo, I applaud the Speaker\u2019s action. I also think that this should be required by law for all House offices, which the ME TOO CONGRESS Act does.\u201d\nSablan\u2019s office manual also sets out detailed procedures to follow for anyone who believes they have been subject to sexual harassment or harassment based on race, religion, age, disability, color, or military status.\n\u201cNo one should have to choose between their livelihood and being abused, bullied, or worse in their workplace,\u201d Congressman Kilili said.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/kilili-villarmero-bunts-anderson-win-nmi-congressional-app-competition", "Kilili: Villarmero, Bunts-Anderson win  NMI Congressional App Competition", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Daniel Villarmero and Chenoa Bunts-Anderson of Marianas High School are the winners of the 2017 Congressional App Challenge, Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan announced today. The Villarmero and Bunts-Anderson team bested 12 other submissions in the Northern Mariana\u2019s district-level competition.\n\u201cAll of this year\u2019s entries to the App Challenge were very creative and innovative\u2014a great showing for the promise of STEM education in the Northern Marianas,\u201d Congressman Sablan said.\u00a0\u201cEvery one of the students who dreamed up a concept and programmed an app can be proud of their work.\u201d\nSelection of the winning entry was made by judges Renee Bochman of the tech company LevelTrigger and Marc Boumedine of the University of the Virgin Islands.\nMr. Villarmero and Ms. Bunts-Anderson\u2019s app, called \u201cThe Student Companion,\u201d is web-based and gives students a set of tools to help with their studies.\u00a0Tools include a task manager with reminders, and a relaxation page that utilizes calming images and soothing music to help students rest during study breaks.\nThe two Marianas High School seniors worked as a team on \u201cThe Student Companion,\u201d as did most of the 22 students who entered their work in the App Challenge. Daniel and Chenoa will now receive national recognition and their app will be eligible for display in the U.S. Capitol.\nAlong with winners of the App Challenge from across the country, the Marianas team will also be invited to attend the House of Code reception, scheduled for early spring next year in Washington D.C., where they will be honored for their work.\nAlso receiving notable mentions: in second place, The Thought Bubble by Ms. Joanie Paraiso of Mount Carmel School, is an app that assists creative writers with writing tips and story ideas. In third place, Pocket Homework by Ms. Tawnie Manibusan and Ms. Cassidy Torres of Mount Carmel School, is an assignments tracking application specifically designed for student\u2019s smart phones.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\nThis is the third year that Marianas students have accepted Kilili\u2019s invitation to take the Congressional App Challenge. The competition is open to all high school, middle school, and elementary students and is intended to encourage student creativity and participation in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Students may enter apps for a variety of platforms, such as web browsers, smart phones, or desktop and laptop computers.\nTo view \u201cThe Student Companion\u201d go to https://youtu.be/JiTV6ZKierc\n\u201cThe Thought Bubble \u201c go to https://youtu.be/Ze6i-hfLrP4\n\u201cPocket Homework\u201d\u00a0 go\u00a0 to https://youtu.be/Ih-CrnJ2ajI\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/kilili-walberg-focus-national-pension-crisis", "Kilili, Walberg focus on national pension crisis", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and Subcommittee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-Michigan) led a hearing today on the financial challenges facing the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. The PBGC is a federal agency that insures private-sector retirement plans nationwide. Plans pay a premium for the insurance; but, as more plans are revealed to be underfunded, demands on PBGC to provide backup have exceeded the financial capacity of the agency to protect retirees.\n\u201cI believe we should be guided by the simple principle that it is not the fault of the workers or the retirees\u2019 that their pension plan is on the brink of insolvency,\u201d Congressman Sablan noted in his opening statement at the hearing.\n\u201cThese Americans worked a lifetime and earned their pension.\u00a0 American workers don\u2019t want a bailout, they just want the pension promise that was made to them to be upheld.\u201d\nAccording to the PBGC\u2019s annual report for 2017, the multiemployer pension programs backed by the government insurer have $2 billion in assets to cover $67 billion in pension liabilities\u2014an increase of $6 billion year-over-year. The agency is looking to Congress for help before it runs out of money in 2025. A pension collapse could have a negative ripple effect throughout the U.S. economy.\nMultiemployer plans are set up by two or more employers and a union, typically in the same or related industries, such as construction or transportation. The plans are run by a board of trustees, with an equal number of employer and union trustees.\nAfter almost a year of work, meeting with pension managers and with employee and retiree representatives, Congressman Sablan became an original co-sponsor of a legislative solution that could prevent multiemployer plans from failing, while safeguarding retirees\u2019 hard-earned pensions.\nToday\u2019s hearing was an opportunity for PBGC\u2019s Director W. Thomas Reeder, Jr. to comment on the multiemployer problem in general and on specific legislative solutions, such as H.R. 4444, the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act, which Sablan has backed.\nSablan also met with Reeder separately on Tuesday in preparation for today\u2019s hearing.\nWith increasing seniority, the Northern Marianas Congressman has gained increasing responsibilities to take on national issues.\n\u201cThe multiemployer pension crisis is one of the most complex issues I have faced in my nine years in Congress,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cWith billions of dollars and the lives of hundreds of thousands of workers and retirees at stake there is a serious need for action and little room for error.\n\u201cEven though my own constituents in the Marianas are not directly affected by loss of pensions, the economic fallout from the collapse of large-scale pension funds would affect the pocketbooks of all Americans everywhere.\n\u201cAddressing this looming crisis and being part of the solution is one of the responsibilities we have as members of the American political family.\u201d\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/537201-hire-police", "$537,201 to hire police", "2017-11-27", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "$537,201 to hire police                                           \n              Nov 26, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Congratulations to the Commonwealth Department of Public Safety on successfully applying for $537,201 from the Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program.\nCongress established the program to help law enforcement agencies across the country increase their capacity to fight crime and advance public safety by hiring more police officers.\nDPS was one of 179 police departments awarded the funding from the more than 1,100 applications submitted.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/cw-cap-announced", "CW cap announced", "2017-11-27", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wednesday morning, when the CW foreign worker caps were announced (FY18: 9,998; FY19: 4,999; FY20: 2,499), I was at Hopwood celebrating Education Day. When people ask me, what is my long-term solution to our need for a skilled workforce, I point to those school kids. And I have focused on helping them get educated throughout my nine years in Congress.\nIn my first term, I worked on the law that raised Pell grants and made more students eligible. So, today, most students at NMC go for free with a Pell grant. I changed the funding formula for the federal Title I grant to PSS. This year, PSS is getting $4.5 million more as a result and that money continues year-after-year. And my Northern Marianas Economic Expansion Act, signed by President Trump in August, raised the education fee that employers of CW workers pay. Governor Torres is putting that money into the scholarship fund to send our kids to college. We graduate about 900 students every year. It will take a decade or more to replace most foreign workers with U.S. workers, but it is not an impossible goal.\nMeanwhile, we still need foreign workers. And we have a President who, as a candidate, promised to get tough on immigration and protect American workers and who, as President, followed through with Executive Order 13788, which is cited in the CW cut announced this week. Whether you supported the Trump candidacy or not, no one should be surprised by his action. But it makes the job of continuing the CW program beyond 2019 very difficult.\nFortunately, last month the President signed into law my legislation that bars the use of CW permits for new construction workers, USPL 115-53. Taking construction workers off the table means that 9,998 CW permits should be enough for our local businesses. They needed 9,715 CW workers in 2015. The new cap covers that. They needed 9,856 non-construction CW workers in 2016. The new cap covers that. I want to thank Governor Torres and the business community for supporting my legislation. There have been complaints, I know. The law does not work for everyone. Taken as whole, however, it protects our local businesses and the Marianas economy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-happy-thanksgiving-day", "THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - Happy Thanksgiving Day", "2017-11-27", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In this issue: November 22, 2017\n__________________________________________________________________________\n CW cap announced \nWednesday morning, when the CW foreign worker caps were announced (FY18: 9,998; FY19: 4,999; FY20: 2,499), I was at Hopwood celebrating Education Day. When people ask me, what is my long-term solution to our need for a skilled workforce, I point to those school kids. And I have focused on helping them get educated throughout my nine years in Congress.\nIn my first term, I worked on the law that raised Pell grants and made more students eligible. So, today, most students at NMC go for free with a Pell grant. I changed the funding formula for the federal Title I grant to PSS. This year, PSS is getting $4.5 million more as a result and that money continues year-after-year. And my Northern Marianas Economic Expansion Act, signed by President Trump in August, raised the education fee that employers of CW workers pay. Governor Torres is putting that money into the scholarship fund to send our kids to college. We graduate about 900 students every year. It will take a decade or more to replace most foreign workers with U.S. workers, but it is not an impossible goal.\nMeanwhile, we still need foreign workers. And we have a President who, as a candidate, promised to get tough on immigration and protect American workers and who, as President, followed through with Executive Order 13788, which is cited in the CW cut announced this week. Whether you supported the Trump candidacy or not, no one should be surprised by his action. But it makes the job of continuing the CW program beyond 2019 very difficult.\nFortunately, last month the President signed into law my legislation that bars the use of CW permits for new construction workers, USPL 115-53. Taking construction workers off the table means that 9,998 CW permits should be enough for our local businesses. They needed 9,715 CW workers in 2015. The new cap covers that. They needed 9,856 non-construction CW workers in 2016. The new cap covers that. I want to thank Governor Torres and the business community for supporting my legislation. There have been complaints, I know. The law does not work for everyone. Taken as whole, however, it protects our local businesses and the Marianas economy.\nLooking ahead, we know that the Trump administration plans to cut the number of CW permits again, significantly. But this week\u2019s announcement in the Federal Register also said that the Department could change the cap for FY19. I hope Governor Torres will use his relationship with the President to make the case for keeping the cap as high as possible.\nIn Congress, I will continue working with the bipartisan, bicameral working group that helped me get USPL 115-53 enacted. Our goal is legislation that will make sure there are enough workers to keep the Marianas economy going past 2019 \u2013 and that local workers get jobs first. It will not be easy. But, having the experience getting this kind of legislation through Congress twice before, I know what it takes to do it again.\n $537,201 to hire police \nCongratulations to the Commonwealth Department of Public Safety on successfully applying for $537,201 from the Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program. Congress established the program to help law enforcement agencies across the country increase their capacity to fight crime and advance public safety by hiring more police officers. DPS was one of 179 police departments awarded the funding from the more than 1,100 applications submitted.\n Opportunities \n Grants: \n Jobs: \n Legislative Highlights \n\u00a0\n THIS WEEK \nThe House is on recess for the District Work Period.\n NEXT WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.R. 3017 \u2014 Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 3905 \u2014 Minnesota's Economic Rights in the Superior National Forest Act\n\tH.R. 4182 \u2014 Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 1699 \u2014 Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act of 2017\n  Committee Hearings \nWednesday, November 29\n Committee on Natural Resources Oversight Hearing, \"Modernizing NEPA for the 21st Century\"\n\tSubcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Oversight Hearing on \u201cExamining VA\u2019s Failure to Address Provider Quality and Safety Concerns\u201d\n\tSubcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Hearing on \u201cFinancial Challenges Facing the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation:\u00a0Implications for Pension Plans, Workers, and Retirees\"\n Thursday, November 30\n Committee on Veterans' Affairs Legislative Markup\n\tCommittee on Natural Resources Legislative Markup\n\tSubcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans Legislative Hearing on Bill Streamlining Water Projects", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-remains-optimistic-cw-1-extension", "Kilili remains optimistic with CW-1 extension", "2017-11-26", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 The 3,000 cut in CNMI-Only Transitional Worker slots for fiscal year 2018 was devastating news to business owners and elected leaders alike, but Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) remains optimistic that the CW-1 program would be extended beyond 2019.\n\tThe CW-1 program, which handles the CNMI\u2019s foreign labor workforce, is slated to end in 2019. The program has already been extended once, back in 2014.\n\tIn a news briefing last week, Sablan said he remains confident in the program being extended anew.\n\t\u201cThe working group agrees that there needs to be an extension; that has already been agreed to. It\u2019s not a matter of how long, but a matter of how many,\u201d said Sablan,\n\tHe said he has been working on legislation to extend the CW-1 program. The legislation, which would most likely originate from the U.S. Senate, already has boundaries set up for discussion by a working group led by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). The problem Sablan sees is that the group does not include Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.\n\tAccording to Sablan, he and Murkowski have reached an agreement that Torres would be included in the working group; however, the U.S. senator has yet to invite the governor to join.\n\t\u201cWe have agreed that the Governor\u2019s Office would be part of the working group. When that invitation is extended is not my call, but I have asked and she agreed. The chairwoman could call the governor next week, today, next year, I don\u2019t know, but I continue to insist that the governor be part of the working group,\u201d he said.\n\t\u201cThe working group has set a parameter, a framework of what we can do in the bill, what we can include and not include, and it is a working progress,\u201d said Sablan, adding that they have yet to come up with a bill.\n\t\u201c\u2026But we are discussing what is possible to do in the extension: a longer term extension? How do we handle long-term workers? Do we give them a longer term visa here? Open up a whole new visa category for them and not count that toward the CW-1 visa cap? What is the visa cap? How do we reduce the cap? How do we issue increases in caps? Do we set it up for 10 years with administrative extensions for another five years? Those are things that are being hashed out right now.\u201d\n\tAs work on the extension is ongoing, Sablan belied common perception that the U.S. Congress has no idea of what is going on in the CNMI.\n\tHe said there are congressional staffers who look at local media outlets to gather information on the CNMI.\n\t\u201c\u2026We have news clippings that are of interest to the committee, whether it\u2019s issues about the ocean, water, or the territories\u2026and the members [of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee] read that,\u201d he said. \u201c[The committee] reads our papers; they have information that they get from our paper.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/%E2%80%98cuts-line-trump-administration-goals", "Cuts in line with Trump administration goals'", "2017-11-25", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) said yesterday that the massive cuts in the Commonwealth\u2019s CW-1 slots are in line with President Donald J. Trump\u2019s goals of reducing reliance on foreign workers.\n\tCiting Executive Order 13788 on \u201cBuy American, Hire American\u201d that was issued in April 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced late Tuesday night that the numerical caps for CW-1 slots would be 9,998 for fiscal year 2018, 4,999 for fiscal year 2019, and 2,499 for the first three months of fiscal year 2020.\n\t\u201cAs a candidate, [Trump] promised to get tough on immigration and protect the American workers. Everyone who supported him heard him say that. As today\u2019s [Federal Register] says, \u2018This cut is consistent with the general policy in Executive Order 13788: Buy American, Hire American, issued in April\u20262017,\u2019\u201d Sablan said in a news briefing yesterday. \u201cThose information are directly quoted from that executive order and in today\u2019s USCIS order, so no one should be surprised that the Trump administration is cutting back [on the number of] foreign workers in the Marianas.\u201d\n\tSablan gives credit to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres for reducing the cut from a reported 6,000 to 3,000.\n\tAccording to a statement from the administration, Torres met with Trump and his top advisers on several occasions in October and November 2017 to discuss various issues in the CNMI, including the CNMI Transitional Workers Program.\n\t\u201cOn Nov. 3, 2017, I spoke with President Trump and White House chief of staff John Kelly in Hawaii to request assistance to not reduce the number by half. On Nov. 7, 2017, I spoke with the White House Domestic Policy Council and wrote letters to [Kelly]. I also corresponded with his staff on Nov. 8 and Nov. 9,\u201d said Torres in a separate statement.\n\tThough the situation looks grim, Sablan noted that prior to the surge of construction workers in early 2006, foreign workers on Saipan numbered only about 9,715 in 2005.\n\t\u201cFortunately, the Trump administration passed my legislation that bars the use of CW-1 permits for new construction workers, or Public Law 115-53. Before the surge of construction workers in 2006, we had 9,715 CW workers in 2005. The new cap is more than that,\u201d said Sablan, adding that he was aware of criticisms about this provision in his legislation.\n\t\u201cBut now we can see it will protect our local businesses and help the Marianas economy as a whole\u2014not just the construction industry,\u201d he said, expressing gratitude toward Torres for supporting his bill. \u201cThat was a smart move.\u201d\n\tSablan said he hopes that Torres would continue to \u201cmake the case with the president to keep the cap as high as possible.\u201d\n\t\u201cIn the meantime, I will continue to work with the bipartisan, bicameral working group in Congress that helped me get 115-53 enacted last August 2017,\u201d he said.\n\t\u201cOur goal in legislation is to make sure that there are enough workers in the Marianas to keep the economy going past 2019 and that local workers get jobs first. It would take everything that I have learned over the past nine years and the trusting relationships I have built in Congress. I would also depend on having a unified voice in the Marianas, just as we did on the Northern Marianas Expansion Act this year. As long as we stay unified, we can succeed. But if there are people in the Marianas who start criticizing what we are doing, then that would make success more difficult.\u201d\n\tAccording to Sablan, who was able to get legislation dealing with immigration through U.S. Congress twice, he is \u201cworking with a group of people in Congress who understand the Marianas and with whom I have worked with successfully before.\u201d\n\t\u201cI think the business community, the governor, and other elected officials know that we will succeed when we work together,\u201d he added.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-step-ahead-sex-harassment-training", "Kilili is a step ahead on sex harassment training", "2017-11-20", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) had already required everyone in the Marianas congressional office to take anti-sexual harassment training, when Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) sent word Tuesday that the training would now be mandatory for all members and staff of the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\tRyan\u2019s announcement came on the same day that Rep. Jackie Speier (D-California) testified at a hearing of the House Committee on Administration that two sitting members, a Republican and a Democrat, have engaged in sexual harassment and that the House has paid out some $15 million to victims.\n\t\u201cEven though our employee handbook that governs the conduct of the Marianas office explicitly prohibits any form of sexual harassment and sets out the actions to take by anyone who has been harassed, it was my belief that more active measures were needed,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cSo I required that all of the congressional staff take the training the chief administrative officer of the House makes available online and provide my chief of staff with their certification of completion.\n\t\u201cI completed the course, too,\u201d Sablan added. \u201cWe all have to heighten our awareness of how sexual harassment can occur and make sure that everyone feels safe in their work environment.\u201d\n\tThe Marianas congressional office\u2019s employee handbook, which is provided to every staff when they join the office, sets out what to do in the event of harassment.\n\t\u201cIt is the intention of the office to stop harassment before it rises to the level of a violation of law,\u201d the handbook reads. \u201cAny employee who believes that he/she has been subjected to or has witnessed actions that violate this policy should promptly make a report to the office management in order for management to immediately investigate and take corrective action where appropriate.\u201d\n\tIn her testimony, Speier also revealed that, while working in a congressional office in the 1970s, she herself had been sexually assaulted by the office chief of staff.\n\t\u201cSexual harassment\u2014or harassment based on race or age or disability\u2014can creep into the workplace,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cIt does not have to be overt, as the actions Rep. Speier experienced as a staff person.\n\t\u201cEven if we think we are just kidding around, our words or actions can intimidate or demean the people we work with. And that behavior cannot be tolerated.\n\t\u201cThat is why I required everyone\u2014including myself\u2014to take the training. We have to be vigilant of how we conduct ourselves and aware of the effect of our words and actions on those we work with.\u201d\n\tSablan is a cosponsor of the Congressional Sexual Harassment Training Act, led by Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Michigan). This bill requires each congressional office to inform employees of the rights the Act provides them against sexual harassment.\n\tThroughout his career Sablan has focused on issues of violence against women, increasing funding for the Marianas Domestic Violence Coalition in 2010 and in 2013 for the Sexual Assault Services Program in the Northern Marianas. (PR)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/governor-asked-tax-data", "Governor asked for tax data", "2017-11-18", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Governor asked for tax data                                           \n              Nov 17, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    To understand the impact of tax legislation now being debated in Congress, I have asked Governor Ralph Torres for data on how many Marianas tax filers use ten tax deductions or credits proposed to be cut, and the dollar value of each. House Republicans passed their bill, H.R. 1, on Thursday. The Senate is expected to act on its alternative later this month. Here is the complete list of credits and deductions I asked the Governor to help me with:\n Deduction for teachers, allows them to reduce their taxable income by up to $250 for professional training or classroom supplies. 1040CM, line 23.\n\tDeduction for moving expenses, important to encourage former residents and other U.S. workers to come to the Marianas for work. 1040CM, line 26.\n\tStudent loan interest deduction, which helps reduce the cost of higher education. \u00a01040CM, line 33.\n\tDependent care cost credit, for families paying for daycare for children or who are caring for aging parents. \u00a01040CM, line 49.\n\tPersonal exemption, allows for $4,050 to be deducted from income for the individual taxpayer, their spouse, and each dependent. 1040CM, line 42.\n\tSenior exemption, increases the personal exemption by $1,550 for single filers and $2,500 for married couples. \u00a01040CM, line 39.\n\tAdoption tax credit, allows taxpayers to claim a credit of $13,570 per eligible child they adopt. \u00a01040CM, line 54.\n\tMedical expense deduction, used by taxpayers with high costs due to a disability, long-term care, or dental expenses. \u00a0Schedule A, line 2.\n\tA $500,000 limit on homes eligible for the mortgage interest deduction. Schedule A, line 10.\n\tElimination of the casualty loss deduction for damage, destruction, or loss of property as a result of a typhoon or other disaster. \u00a0Schedule A, line 20.\n Losing these credits and deductions could harm Marianas taxpayers; and the loss of government revenue, another result of the bill, could hurt the Commonwealth government. Other Members of Congress can assess the tax bill\u2019s impact using data from the U.S. Treasury. Because the Commonwealth Division of Revenue and Taxation, not the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, collects taxes in the Marianas, I have to ask the Governor for this information.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/lowering-cost-college", "Lowering the cost of college", "2017-11-18", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Lowering the cost of college                                           \n              Nov 17, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Applying for federal financial aid for college is so time-consuming and complicated that thousands of families do not even bother\u2014yet most post-secondary students are eligible for some federal aid. In fact, $2.7 billion in Pell Grants goes unclaimed every year because students don\u2019t complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. So I am helping lead the effort to make it easier by introducing H.R. 4416, the Simple FAFSA Act of 2017, along with Rep. Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware), Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Virginia), and other Democratic members of the Education and the Workforce Committee.\nOur bill reduces the number of questions on the FAFSA; requires only a one-time application for a multi-year Pell Grant, and allows very low income students and families - like many in the Marianas - to qualify for a full Pell Grant automatically. We want to make college more accessible and affordable for all Americans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/step-ahead-anti-harassment", "A step ahead on anti-harassment", "2017-11-18", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A step ahead on anti-harassment                                           \n              Nov 17, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Even before Rep. Jackie Speier (D-California) made her dramatic testimony about sexual harassment in Congress on Tuesday, I had already required everyone in the Marianas congressional office\u2014including myself\u2014to take anti-sexual harassment training. Rep. Speier said that two sitting Members of the House, a Republican and a Democrat, have engaged in sexual harassment and that the House has paid out some $15 million to victims. She said that she, too, had been a victim, when working here as a staff person in the 1970s. No one should have to face that kind of threat in the workplace or anywhere else.\nOur office Employee Handbook explicitly prohibits any form of sexual harassment and explains what to do if harassed. But I decided more active measures were needed and required that we all take the online training offered by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House. I am also a cosponsor of H.R. 4155, which requires each congressional office to inform employees of their rights and protections against harassment under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/tax-bill-harms-veterans", "Tax bill harms veterans", "2017-11-18", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tax bill harms veterans                                           \n              Nov 17, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    The Republican tax bill that passed the House hurts veterans, active duty service members, and their families in a number of ways. The bill gets rid of the Work Opportunity Tax credit now available to employers, when they hire a veteran who has a service-connected disability, is unemployed, or receives food stamps. Also repealed is the Disabled Access Credit, which helps small businesses provide access to veterans and others with disabilities.\nThe bill eliminates the education loan deduction, making schooling more expensive for those who have to take out a student loan to supplement GI Bill benefits. And active duty service members stand to lose from the change to the capital gains tax exemption, requiring residence in a home for five years to be eligible. Military families that relocate more frequently would no longer qualify for this tax break. Because the Commonwealth tax code mirrors the federal Internal Revenue Code these changes apply to tax filers in the Marianas. H.R. 1, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed the House on a party line vote, 227-205.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-veterans-day-marianas", "THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - Veterans Day in the Marianas", "2017-11-18", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In this issue: November 17, 2016\n________________________________________________________________________\n Tax bill harms veterans \nThe Republican tax bill that passed the House Thursday hurts veterans, active duty service members, and their families in a number of ways. The bill gets rid of the Work Opportunity Tax credit now available to employers, when they hire a veteran who has a service-connected disability, is unemployed, or receives food stamps. Also repealed is the Disabled Access Credit, which helps small businesses provide access to veterans and others with disabilities. The bill eliminates the education loan deduction, making schooling more expensive for those who have to take out a student loan to supplement GI Bill benefits. And active duty service members stand to lose from the change to the capital gains tax exemption, requiring residence in a home for five years to be eligible. Military families that relocate more frequently would no longer qualify for this tax break. Because the Commonwealth tax code mirrors the federal Internal Revenue Code these changes apply to tax filers in the Marianas. H.R. 1, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed the House on a party line vote, 227-205.\n Governor asked for tax data \nTo understand the impact of tax legislation now being debated in Congress, I have asked Governor Ralph Torres for data on how many Marianas tax filers use ten tax deductions or credits proposed to be cut, and the dollar value of each. House Republicans passed their bill, H.R. 1, on Thursday. The Senate is expected to act on its alternative later this month. Here is the complete list of credits and deductions I asked the Governor to help me with:\n Deduction for teachers, allows them to reduce their taxable income by up to $250 for professional training or classroom supplies. 1040CM, line 23.\n\tDeduction for moving expenses, important to encourage former residents and other U.S. workers to come to the Marianas for work. 1040CM, line 26.\n\tStudent loan interest deduction, which helps reduce the cost of higher education. \u00a01040CM, line 33.\n\tDependent care cost credit, for families paying for daycare for children or who are caring for aging parents. \u00a01040CM, line 49.\n\tPersonal exemption, allows for $4,050 to be deducted from income for the individual taxpayer, their spouse, and each dependent. 1040CM, line 42.\n\tSenior exemption, increases the personal exemption by $1,550 for single filers and $2,500 for married couples. \u00a01040CM, line 39.\n\tAdoption tax credit, allows taxpayers to claim a credit of $13,570 per eligible child they adopt. \u00a01040CM, line 54.\n\tMedical expense deduction, used by taxpayers with high costs due to a disability, long-term care, or dental expenses. \u00a0Schedule A, line 2.\n\tA $500,000 limit on homes eligible for the mortgage interest deduction. Schedule A, line 10.\n\tElimination of the casualty loss deduction for damage, destruction, or loss of property as a result of a typhoon or other disaster. \u00a0Schedule A, line 20.\n Losing these credits and deductions could harm Marianas taxpayers; and the loss of government revenue, another result of the bill, could hurt the Commonwealth government. Other Members of Congress can assess the tax bill\u2019s impact using data from the U.S. Treasury. Because the Commonwealth Division of Revenue and Taxation, not the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, collects taxes in the Marianas, I have to ask the Governor for this information.\n A step ahead on anti-harassment \nEven before Rep. Jackie Speier (D-California) made her dramatic testimony about sexual harassment in Congress on Tuesday, I had already required everyone in the Marianas congressional office\u2014including myself\u2014to take anti-sexual harassment training. Rep. Speier said that two sitting Members of the House, a Republican and a Democrat, have engaged in sexual harassment and that the House has paid out some $15 million to victims. She said that she, too, had been a victim, when working here as a staff person in the 1970s. No one should have to face that kind of threat in the workplace or anywhere else. Our office Employee Handbook explicitly prohibits any form of sexual harassment and explains what to do if harassed. But I decided more active measures were needed and required that we all take the online training offered by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House. I am also a cosponsor of H.R. 4155, which requires each congressional office to inform employees of their rights and protections against harassment under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995.\n Lowering the cost of college \nApplying for federal financial aid for college is so time-consuming and complicated that thousands of families do not even bother\u2014yet most post-secondary students are eligible for some federal aid. In fact, $2.7 billion in Pell Grants goes unclaimed every year because students don\u2019t complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. So I am helping lead the effort to make it easier by introducing H.R. 4416, the Simple FAFSA Act of 2017, along with Rep. Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware), Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Virginia), and other Democratic members of the Education and the Workforce Committee. Our bill reduces the number of questions on the FAFSA; requires only a one-time application for a multi-year Pell Grant, and allows very low income students and families - like many in the Marianas - to qualify for a full Pell Grant automatically. We want to make college more accessible and affordable for all Americans.\n Opportunities \n Grants \n Public Comment \n Legislative Highlights  \n THIS WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.R. 1 \u2013 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Passed, 227-205)\n\tConference Report to Accompany H.R. 2810 \u2013 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Passed, 356-70)\n\tH.R. 2874 \u2013 21st Century Flood Reform Act (Passed, 237-189)\n\tH.R. 4174 \u2013 Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 3973 \u2013 Market Data Protection Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 2331 \u2013 Connected Government Act (Passed, 423-0)\n\tH.R. 3071 \u2013 Federal Acquisition Savings Act of 2017 (Passed, 396-0)\n\tH.R. 3739 \u2013 Presidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.Res. 599 \u2013 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to United States policy towards Yemen, and for other purposes (Passed, 366-30)\n  Legislation I Cosponsored \n H.R. 203 \u2013 Summer Meals Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 4049\u00a0\u2013 Equal Access to Quality Education Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 4155 \u2013 Congressional Sexual Harassment Training Act\n\tH.R. 4416 \u2013 Simple FAFSA Act of 2017\n  NEXT WEEK \nThe House is on recess for the District Work Period.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/birth-tourism-serious-concern-says-kilili", "Birth tourism a serious concern, says Kilili", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marianas Variety \u2014 U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan said birth tourism is a serious concern for the CNMI \u201cbecause it could threaten\u2026the parole program that makes Chinese and Russian tourism possible for us.\u201d\nBirth-tourism may also involve criminal activity and overstaying, \u201cwhich cannot be tolerated and which gives the Marianas a bad name,\u201d he added.\nHe said the Trump administration has its eye on birth-tourism in the CNMI. In a way, this is unfair \u2014 birth tourism is a problem everywhere in the U.S., not just the Marianas, Kilili said.\n\u201cI have also been saying for years that the commercial airlines need to do a better job of prescreening \u2014 the same way our charters do \u2014 to keep birth tourists out. Former Gov. Eloy Inos and I asked the Department of Homeland Security to help with this, but under President Barack Obama, the agency said it did not have the legal authority. Maybe we will see a change with the Trump administration.\u201d\nAt the same time, Kilili said he is \u201cvery pleased to learn that the United States Attorney\u2019s Office filed an indictment against an individual who promoted birth tourism, was working without a worker visa, hiring tourists as workers, and potentially money laundering.\u201d\nFrom 2011 to 2017 the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.\u2019s Vital Statistics Office recorded an increase in births involving mostly women from China.\nIn 2011 there were 221 births involving mothers who were tourists. In 2012 there were 319; in 2013, 287; in 2014, 314; in 2015, 379; in 2016, 482; and from January to October 2017, the figure was 465.\nUnder the American Constitution, U.S. citizenship is automatically conferred on children born in the U.S.\nOn Dec. 30, 2016, the Los Angeles Times published a news report titled, \u201cWhy birth tourism from China persists even as U.S. officials crack down.\u201d\nIt stated that \u201ceven as middle class incomes in China enjoy explosive growth, and 96 percent of Chinese people in a recent Pew Research poll say their lives are better than those of their parents, an unknown number of \u2018birth tourists\u2019\u2026cross oceans each year to have their babies in America. And in America\u2019s Chinese enclaves, they find a cottage industry of Chinese midwives, drivers and doctors who accept cash and \u2018maternity hotels\u2019 \u2014 apartments or homes run as hotels for the women during their pregnancies.\u201d\nThe report stated that \u201canyone who lies about the purpose of their visit to the U.S. can be charged with visa fraud, but birth tourism per se is not illegal.\u201d\nThe report quoted Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as saying: \u201cThere is nothing in the law that makes it illegal for pregnant women to enter the United States.\u201d\nAccording to the LA Times, in 2015, \u201cthe State Department issued 2.27 million visas to Chinese tourists. It does not track what proportion of visas are issued to birth tourists. Childbirth is a legitimate reason to travel to the U.S., and as long as Chinese nationals provide the correct paperwork and evidence they can pay for their medical care, they will be issued a visa, department officials said.\u201d\nThe report also stated that the Center for Immigration Studies, a conservative-leaning think tank, \u201cestimates that nearly 36,000 Chinese nationals give birth in the U.S. each year, but \u2018that\u2019s just a guess,\u2019 said Jessica Vaughan, the center\u2019s executive director.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/tax-bill-nears-kilili-asks-torres-marianas-data", "As tax bill nears, Kilili asks Torres for Marianas data", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) has asked Gov. Ralph DLG Torres for his help in analyzing the impact of tax legislation now being debated in Congress.\nIn a letter to Torres last week, Sablan requested data on the number of Marianas tax filers using 10 different tax deductions or credits that are proposed to be cut. He also asked for the total dollar value of each of the deductions or credits.\nThe Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives has already made public its bill, H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Republicans in the Senate are expected to release their legislation soon. President Donald J. Trump has set a deadline of this year for passage of a tax bill.\n\u201cAs a mirror tax jurisdiction, any changes to the personal income tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applies to the Marianas and to taxpayers in the Marianas,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cI need to know exactly which of the proposed changes hurt Marianas taxpayers, which do not, and what the total impact will be, if H.R. 1 is enacted.\u201d\nAmong the deductions that are on the chopping block are the deduction for teachers that allows them to reduce their taxable income by up to $250 for professional training or supplies purchased for the classroom and the deduction for student loan interest that helps reduce the cost of higher education.\n\u201cI am also concerned about the loss of the tax credit for the cost of dependent care assistance,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cRight now, families that pay for day care for their children, so parents can go to work, and families caring for aging parents can deduct some of those expenses from their taxes. The House tax bill takes that credit away.\u201d\nAnother deduction taxpayers can take to reduce taxable income is the moving expense deduction.\n\u201cBeing able to deduct moving expenses is an important incentive when we try to convince people to return home to the Marianas to work,\u201d Sablan explained. \u201cLoss of that deduction could undercut our effort to bring more U.S. workers into our labor force.\u201d\nSablan said he is also concerned about the loss of the 10 percent tax bracket as proposed in the Republican bill.\n\u201cWe have many low-income families in the Marianas. Right now, a married couple earning less than $19,050 pays 10 percent on their 1040CM. Under the Republican plan they will pay 12 percent.\n\u201cThis is sometimes justified by changes in the standard deduction that lowers taxable income. The standard deduction is being raised from $12,700 for a couple to $24,000.\n\u201cUnfortunately, at the same time, the personal exemption, which also reduces taxable income, is being taken away.\n\u201cSo, a family of four with a current standard deduction and four exemptions worth $28,900 would be left with only that $24,000 to deduct from their taxable income. And instead of a 10 percent tax on the net income they could be charged 12 percent.\u201d\nH.R. 1 also takes away the additional personal exemption for seniors, worth $1,550 for single filers and $2,500 for married couples.\nLower revenue  \n\tIn his letter to Torres, Sablan said he was concerned not only with the impact of the tax bill on individuals and families, but also with the effect on the Commonwealth\u2019s tax revenues. Congress\u2019s Joint Committee on Taxation has estimated that H.R. 1 will reduce federal revenues by about $1.5 trillion over a 10-year period. Because the Marianas mirrors the federal tax system, the Commonwealth could also expect some decrease in revenue.\nTorres, along with other insular area governors, wrote to the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate tax committees in October, asking that they take into consideration the potentially negative impacts of reform legislation on island jurisdictions.\nOther members of Congress can assess the impact of the tax bill on their states and districts using data from the U.S. Treasury. But, because the Commonwealth Division of Revenue and Taxation, not the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, collects taxes in the Marianas, only the Commonwealth has the information needed to know how much the bill now being debated in Congress could affect Marianas taxpayers. (PR)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-confident-cw-extension", "Kilili confident of CW extension", "2017-11-15", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) remains confident that an extension would be secured for the CW-1 program, which is set to end in 2019.\n\tThe tricky part is how to \u201cwrite this legislation where even if we don\u2019t get a high number of CW-1s, we would continue to have a pool of workers in the Marianas,\u201d Sablan said in a news briefing yesterday.\n\tThe CW-1 program, or the CNMI Transitional Worker program, allows the CNMI to hire foreign workers; it has been in place since 2009. It was set to expire in 2014 but was extended to Dec. 31, 2019. As of publication, U.S. Congress has yet to allow extensions for the CW-1 program but Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Sablan both noted that an extension proposal is in the works.\n\tSablan added that in order to continue providing the workforce necessary for the growing economy and to \u201cdo some justice\u201d to some \u201clong-term guest workers,\u201d a new visa category could be created.\n\t\u201c[The new visa category] would be for those individuals who have been here for a long period of time,\u201d said Sablan, adding that the new category could be something that need not be renewed annually, unlike the CW-1 visa.\n\t\u201c\u2026Move [the longtime workers] into this new category where their visas have to be approved every three years rather than every year and probably allow their dependents to be able to work,\u201d he said, also noting that the new visa category would not be counted as CW-1, therefore not contributing to the numerical limit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services sets every fiscal year.\n\tThough nothing is final yet, Sablan noted that discussions are occurring with a \u201cworking group,\u201d which includes Torres\u2019 office, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), as well as other bicameral and bipartisan members of Congress.\n\t\u201cWe are hoping to get this done by 2018 but if necessary, 2019, but I am confident that we can get this done,\u201d said Sablan.\n\tUSCIS has yet to release a numerical limit on CW-1 visas for fiscal year 2018. It is required by law to set a limit every fiscal year.\n\tA previous USCIS statement said the Federal Register notice has yet to be signed and released, causing the delay in the agency releasing the numerical limits.\n\tAccording to an October 2017 Government Accountability Office report, the CNMI heavily depends on foreign labor. It indicated that the CNMI\u2019s ability to repay its debts may be jeopardized by future labor shortages.\n\tIn response to the GAO report, Torres said that although the economy is doing well, there is still a \u201cvast need for improvement.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/tax-bill-nears-kilili-asks-governor-marianas-data", "As tax bill nears, Kilili asks Governor for Marianas data", "2017-11-15", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Northern Mariana Islands \u2013 Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan has asked Governor Ralph DLG. Torres for his help in analyzing the impact of tax legislation now being debated in Congress. In a letter to the Governor last week, the Congressman requested data on the number of Marianas tax filers using ten different tax deductions or credits that are proposed to be cut. The Congressman also asked for the total dollar value of each of the deductions or credits. \nThe Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives has already made public its bill, H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Republicans in the Senate are expected to release their legislation soon. President Trump has set a deadline of this year for passage of a tax bill.\n\u201cAs a mirror tax jurisdiction, any changes to the personal income tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code apply to the Marianas and to taxpayers in the Marianas,\u201d Congressman Sablan said. \u201cI need to know exactly which of the proposed changes hurt Marianas taxpayers, which do not, and what the total impact will be, if H.R. 1 is enacted.\u201d\nAmong the deductions that are on the chopping block are the deduction for teachers that allows them to reduce their taxable income by up to $250 for professional training or supplies purchased for the classroom and the deduction for student loan interest that helps reduce the cost of higher education.\n\u201cI am also concerned about the loss of the tax credit for the cost of dependent care assistance,\u201d Sablan said.\n\u201cRight now, families that pay for day care for their children, so parents can go to work, and families caring for aging parents can deduct some of those expenses from their taxes. The House tax bill takes that credit away.\u201d\nAnother deduction taxpayers can take to reduce taxable income is the moving expense deduction.\n\u201cBeing able to deduct moving expenses is an important incentive when we try to convince people to return home to the Marianas to work,\u201d Sablan explained. \u201cLoss of that deduction could undercut our effort to bring more U.S. workers into our labor force.\u201d\nSablan said he is also concerned about the loss of the ten percent tax bracket as proposed in the Republican bill.\n\u201cWe have many low-income families in the Marianas. Right now, a married couple earning less than $19,050 pays ten percent on their 1040CM. Under the Republican plan they will pay twelve percent.\n\u201cThis is sometimes justified by changes in the standard deduction that lowers taxable income. The standard deduction is being raised from $12,700 for a couple to $24,000.\n\u201cUnfortunately, at the same time, the personal exemption, which also reduces taxable income, is being taken away.\n\u201cSo, a family of four with a current standard deduction and four exemptions worth $28,900 would be left with only that $24,000 to deduct from their taxable income. And instead of a ten percent tax on the net income they could be charged twelve percent.\u201d\nH.R. 1 also takes away the additional personal exemption for seniors, worth $1,550 for single filers and $2,500 for married couples.\nLower revenues for Commonwealth a concern\nIn his letter to the Governor, Congressman Sablan said he was concerned not only with the impact of the tax bill on individuals and families, but also with the effect on the Commonwealth\u2019s tax revenues. Congress\u2019s Joint Committee on Taxation has estimated that H.R. 1 will reduce federal revenues by about $1.5 trillion over a ten-year period. Because the Marianas mirrors the federal tax system, the Commonwealth could also expect some decrease in revenue.\nGovernor Torres, along with other insular area Governors, wrote to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate tax committees in October, asking that they take into consideration the potentially negative impacts of reform legislation on island jurisdictions.\nOther Members of Congress can assess the impact of the tax bill on their states and districts using data from the U.S. Treasury. But, because the Commonwealth Division of Revenue and Taxation, not the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, collects taxes in the Marianas, only the Commonwealth has the information needed to know how much the bill now being debated in Congress could affect Marianas taxpayers.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/gao-updates-kilili-agent-orange-investigation", "GAO updates Kilili on Agent Orange investigation", "2017-11-14", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marianas Variety \u2014 WASHINGTON (Office of the CNMI Congressional Delegate) \u2014 U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan says that the Government Accountability Office remains on track with the Agent Orange investigation the congressman requested in April.\nResponding to constituent concern about exposure to Agent Orange, a defoliant widely used by the U.S. in the Vietnam War, Sablan enlisted GAO to report on any possible contamination in the Marianas. He made the request together with Madeleine Z. Bordallo, D-Guam, and Ron DeSantis, R-Florida, who are also concerned that the toxic chemical may have affected people they represent.\n\u201cWe want to know where the U.S. stored, transferred, and used Agent Orange or its component chemicals and of any contamination of those sites that may have occurred or may be occurring,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cThe U.S. has already acknowledged that anyone exposed to this toxic herbicide can be presumed to have long-term health risks.\n\u201cIf there was any Agent Orange in the Marianas, we need to know about it. Our Vietnam-era veterans, and other military personnel and civilians, deserve to have certainty about this concern and to get the help that they are entitled to, if they were exposed.\u201d\nLast Friday, in a communication to Sablan GAO affirmed its commitment to examine issues related to Agent Orange, including where it was located and its health and environmental risks.\nGAO said that it expects the review to be completed by Spring 2018.\nOver 11 million gallons of Agent Orange were used in the Vietnam war, but the defoliant was also used in Korea along the demilitarized zone and at military facilities in the U.S. and other countries. Air Force and Air Force Reserve members who worked around C-123 aircraft may also have been exposed. The C-123 was used to transport Agent Orange and for aerial spraying of the herbicide.\nAccording to the Veterans Administration there is a legal presumption that \u201ccertain diseases are a result of exposure to these herbicides. This \u2018presumptive policy\u2019 simplifies the process for receiving compensation for these diseases since VA foregoes the normal requirements of proving that an illness began during or was worsened by military service.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-unlimited-h-visas-safe", "Kilili: Unlimited H visas safe", "2017-11-14", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 Intervention by Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) in the House/Senate agreement on the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act has kept safe the unlimited access to H visas available to Northern Marianas\u2019 businesses.\n\tThe agreement, released on Friday, keeps intact the provision that exempts the Northern Marianas from the cap on the number of H visas for temporary foreign workers that applies elsewhere in the U.S.\n\tIn 2014, Sablan included an extension of this Marianas\u2019 exemption for an additional five years in Public Law 113-235.\n\t\u201cWhether through technical error or intentionally, the Senate version of the 2018 NDAA left out the words \u2018or to the Commonwealth\u2019 in a provision that addressed the military\u2019s need for labor on Guam,\u201d Sablan explained. \u201cSo we had to make sure that when the House and Senate reconciled their respective versions of the annual defense bill, those four words remained in place in existing law.\n\t\u201cAnd we were successful. The Northern Marianas continues to have unlimited access to H visas.\u201d\n\tH visas are used for temporary and seasonal workers in various categories, including professional occupations, agriculture, or construction.\n\tIn Guam, the U.S. has long relied on contractors, who use H-2B visas to hire foreign workers for construction of military projects. Recently, however, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service has been rejecting applications from Guam employers for renewal of these H-2B visa holders.\n\tIn response, the 2018 NDAA creates a new subcategory of the H-2B visa that allows for up to 4,000 foreign workers in Guam for services or labor directly associated with the ongoing military buildup.\n\tThe workers may also be used by military contractors in the Northern Marianas, if and when the current exemption from the cap on H visas expires in 2019 and, only if the Commonwealth government reaches an agreement with the U.S. military on terms of the buildup in the Northern Marianas.\n\t\u201cI am very grateful to the committee and congressional offices and administration officials that helped me make sure that there was no change in current law, as it applies to the Northern Marianas,\u201d Sablan said.\n\t\u201cGiven the volume and complexity of legislation moving through Congress, having an established network of people who are alert to issues of concern to me and my constituents and who are willing and able to work with me on those issues, is invaluable.\u201d (PR)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/129m-tinian-divert", "$12.9M for Tinian divert", "2017-11-13", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "$12.9M for Tinian divert                                           \n              Nov 12, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    The conference report also includes an additional $12.9 million for the Air Force divert airfield project on Tinian. Together with $9 million that Congress authorized in the 2017 NDAA, a total of $21.9 million is now available to lease the additional 142 hectares on the north side of Tinian airport needed for the divert project.\nThe decision to site the divert field and support facilities on Tinian was made last December with the approval of Tinian leadership and Governor Torres and my support.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/apply-now-service-academy-nomination", "Apply now for a service academy nomination", "2017-11-13", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) is once again accepting applications for nominations to the U.S. service academies. The deadline to apply for a congressional nomination is Dec. 8, 2017, for the school year beginning in the fall of 2018.\n\u201cEvery year, young people in the Marianas have the opportunity to obtain a congressional nomination to attend one of the service academies,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cFor students who are interested in attaining a fully funded, world-class college education and serving in our nation\u2019s armed forces, the educational and career opportunities offered by the service academies are unparalleled.\u201d\nService academy cadets and midshipmen graduate as commissioned officers and are committed to serve at least five years in the armed forces thereafter. To be eligible for a congressional nomination and service academy appointment, an individual must be a U.S. citizen, a high school graduate, from 17 to 23 years old, unmarried, with no dependents. Highly qualified applicants should be able to demonstrate a well-rounded record of academic excellence, physical fitness, leadership, and service.\nFive slots are currently available for Marianas students: two at the Military Academy in West Point, New York; one at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; one at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and one at the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.\nThe congressional office has been conducting a series of service academy outreach sessions at high schools throughout the Marianas since August. In September the congressional office hosted Service Academy Nights on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota that featured presentations by Coast Guard Academy graduates Lt. Christine Igisomar and Lt. Jonathan Girot, as well as video testimonials from Air Force cadets Jordan Butcher and Eufemio Feria, and West Point graduate 2nd Lieutenant Thomas Lee. Army Lt. Col. Lawrence Camacho, who chairs Drexel University\u2019s military science department, also presented and answered questions about the Army\u2019s Reserve Officer Training Corps program as another option for obtaining a college education and serving in the armed forces.\nSablan expressed his appreciation to all of the military officers and service academy cadets who participated in the congressional office\u2019s outreach program this year.\n\u201cFor young people who are exploring their options, thinking about applying to the service academies and wondering what it\u2019s like, there is really nothing like hearing directly from those who have been there and done it,\u201d he said.\nIn addition to offering free informational sessions for high school and college groups upon request, the congressional office can help prospective applicants connect with military academy graduates and cadets to learn more about the admissions process and academy life.\nExpanding service academy opportunities was one of Sablan\u2019s earliest priorities upon entering office, and he has been able to increase the number of slots reserved for Marianas students from one each at the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, and Military Academies in 2009, to a total of three each today. The Merchant Marine Academy reserves one slot for Marianas students every year. The Coast Guard Academy\u2019s admissions process is competitive nationwide, and does not require a congressional nomination, though the congressman may submit letters of recommendation.\nApplications for service academy nominations are available on the congressional office\u2019s website, https://sablan.house.gov, and completed applications should be delivered to any of the district offices on Saipan, Tinian, or Rota by Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. For more information, contact the congressional office at 323-2647, email kilili@mail.house.gov, or visit https://sablan.house.gov. (MP)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/house-senate-agree-defense-bill", "House, Senate agree defense bill", "2017-11-13", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House and Senate Armed Services Committees issued their conference report this afternoon reconciling between the House and Senate versions of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2018. The bill, H.R. 2810, now goes to the House and the Senate for an up-or-down vote in each chamber. Among provisions of particular interest to the Marianas:\n - Unlimited H visas safe \nAfter intervention by the congressional office, a technical error in the Senate version of the 2018 NDAA, threatening the Marianas\u2019 unlimited access to foreign workers using H visas, has been corrected. H visas are used for temporary and seasonal workers in various categories, including professional occupations, agriculture, or construction. In addition to preserving the Marianas\u2019 exemption from the numerical limit on H visas that applies nationwide and is usually oversubscribed the 2018 NDAA creates a new subcategory of the H-2B visa and allows up to 4,000 for services or labor directly associated with the military build-up. This provision only applies to the Northern Marianas if and when the current immigration transition period ends and the Commonwealth government agrees on terms of the build-up.\n - $12.9M for Tinian divert \nThe conference report also includes an additional $12.9 million for the Air Force divert airfield project on Tinian. Together with $9 million that Congress authorized in the 2017 NDAA, a total of $21.9 million is now available to lease the additional 142 hectares on the north side of Tinian airport needed for the divert project. The decision to site the divert field and support facilities on Tinian was made last December with the approval of Tinian leadership and Governor Torres and my support.\n - Palau agreement approved \nAfter a seven-year wait, the agreement to extend Palau\u2019s \u00a0Compact of Free Association through 2024 will finally be approved when the conference report is enacted into law. I have been an outspoken proponent of the strategic importance of Palau to the United States and of the need to keep America\u2019s commitment to this trusted ally. In April, my bill to extend\u00a0the Compact, H.R. 2085, passed the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously; and the extension of the Compact has now been included in the larger, must-pass NDAA.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/investigating-agent-orange-sites", "Investigating Agent Orange Sites", "2017-11-13", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Investigating Agent Orange Sites                                           \n              Nov 12, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Responding to constituent concern about exposure to the Agent Orange defoliant widely used by the U.S. in the Vietnam War, in April I\u00a0enlisted the U.S. Government Accountability Office to investigate. Representatives Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam), and Ron DeSantis (R-Florida) joined me in the request.\nWe want to know where the U.S. stored, transferred, and used Agent Orange or its components and of any associated site contamination. GAO affirmed their commitment to examine issues related to Agent Orange, including where it was located and its health and environmental risks. GAO expects their review to be completed by Spring 2018.\nOver 11 million gallons of Agent Orange were used during the war. It has been linked to serious health problems in veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-funding-tinian-divert-project-now-219m", "Kilili: Funding for Tinian divert project now $21.9M", "2017-11-13", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Kilili: Funding for Tinian divert project now $21.9M                     Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa                      \n              Nov 13, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Marianas Variety \u2014 TOTAL funding for the Tinian Divert Airfield Project is now $21.9 million, according to the office of U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.\nThe original funding for the project was $9 million which was authorized by the U.S. Congress under the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.\nCongress has increased the allocation by adding $12.9 million.\nThe decision to locate the divert airfield on Tinian was finalized last year with the approval of the island\u2019s leadership and Gov. Ralph Torres.\nHowever, the project did not move forward as there were still concerns that needed to be clarified particularly those related the CNMI Joint Military Training or CJMT issues.\nTorres and the Department of Defense recently agreed to shelve CJMT discussions for a while so they can focus exclusively on the divert project and move forward with the construction of divert facilities on Tinian.\nThe Commonwealth Ports Authority has approved the U.S. Air Force layout plan for the airport which will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration for review and approval.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/palau-agreement-approved", "Palau agreement approved", "2017-11-13", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Palau agreement approved                                           \n              Nov 12, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    After a seven-year wait, the agreement to extend Palau\u2019s \u00a0Compact of Free Association through 2024 will finally be approved when the conference report is enacted into law. I have been an outspoken proponent of the strategic importance of Palau to the United States and of the need to keep America\u2019s commitment to this trusted ally.\nIn April, my bill to extend\u00a0the Compact, H.R. 2085, passed the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously; and the extension of the Compact has now been included in the larger, must-pass NDAA.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/gao-updates-kilili-agent-orange-investigation", "GAO updates Kilili on Agent Orange investigation", "2017-11-13", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS \u2013 Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan says that the Government Accountability Office remains on track with the Agent Orange investigation the Congressman requested in April. Responding to constituent concern about exposure to Agent Orange, a defoliant widely used by the U.S. in the Vietnam War, Sablan enlisted GAO to report on any possible contamination in the Marianas. He made the request together with Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam) and Ron DeSantis (R-Florida), who are also concerned that the toxic chemical may have affected people they represent.\n\u201cWe want to know where the U.S. stored, transferred, and used Agent Orange or its component chemicals and of any contamination of those sites that may have occurred or may be occurring,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cThe U.S. has already acknowledged that anyone exposed to this toxic herbicide can be presumed to have long-term health risks.\n\u201cIf there was any Agent Orange in the Marianas, we need to know about it. Our Vietnam-era veterans, and other military personnel and civilians, deserve to have certainty about this concern and to get the help that they are entitled to, if they were exposed.\u201d\nLast Friday, in a communication to Sablan GAO affirmed its commitment to examine issues related to Agent Orange, including where it was located and its health and environmental risks.\nGAO said that it expects the review to be completed by Spring 2018.\nOver 11 million gallons of Agent Orange were used in the Vietnam war, but the defoliant was also used in Korea along the demilitarized zone and at military facilities in the U.S. and other countries. Air Force and Air Force Reserve members who worked around C-123 aircraft may also have been exposed. The C-123 was used to transport Agent Orange and for aerial spraying of the herbicide.\nAccording to the Veterans Administration there is a legal presumption that \u201ccertain\u00a0diseases\u00a0are a result of exposure to these herbicides. This \u2018presumptive policy\u2019 simplifies the process for receiving compensation for these diseases since VA foregoes the normal requirements of proving that an illness began during or was worsened by military service.\u201d\n- 30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/kilili-unlimited-h-visas-safe", "Kilili: unlimited H visas safe", "2017-11-13", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Northern Mariana Islands \u2013 Intervention by Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan in the House/Senate agreement on the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act has kept safe the unlimited access to H visas available to Northern Marianas\u2019 businesses. The agreement, released on Friday, keeps intact the provision that exempts the Northern Marianas from the cap on the number of H visas for temporary foreign workers that applies elsewhere in the U.S. In 2014, Sablan included an extension of this Marianas\u2019 exemption for an additional five years in Public Law 113-235.\n\u201cWhether through technical error or intentionally the Senate version of the 2018 NDAA left out the words \u2018or to the Commonwealth\u2019 in a provision that addressed the military\u2019s need for labor on Guam,\u201d Sablan explained. \u201cSo, we had to make sure that when the House and Senate reconciled their respective versions of the annual defense bill those four words remained in place in existing law.\n\u201cAnd we were successful. The Northern Marianas continues to have unlimited access to H visas.\u201d\nH visas are used for temporary and seasonal workers in various categories, including professional occupations, agriculture, or construction.\nIn Guam, the U.S. has long relied on contractors, who use H-2B visas to hire foreign workers for construction of military projects. Recently, however, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service has been rejecting applications from Guam employers for renewal of these H-2B visa holders.\nIn response, the 2018 NDAA creates a new subcategory of the H-2B visa that allows for up to 4,000 foreign workers in Guam for services or labor directly associated with the on-going military build-up.\nThe workers may also be used by military contractors in the Northern Marianas, if and when the current exemption from the cap on H visas expires in 2019 and, only if the Commonwealth government reaches an agreement with the U.S. military on terms of the build-up in the Northern Marianas.\n\u201cI am very grateful to the committee and congressional offices and administration officials that helped me make sure that there was no change in current law, as it applies to the Northern Marianas,\u201d Congressman Sablan said.\n\u201cGiven the volume and complexity of legislation moving through Congress, having an established network of people who are alert to issues of concern to me and my constituents and who are willing and able to work with me on those issues, is invaluable.\u201d\n- 30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/unlimited-h-visas-safe", "Unlimited H visas safe", "2017-11-13", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Unlimited H visas safe                                           \n              Nov 12, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    After intervention by the congressional office, a technical error in the Senate version of the 2018 NDAA, threatening the Marianas\u2019 unlimited access to foreign workers using H visas, has been corrected.\nH visas are used for temporary and seasonal workers in various categories, including professional occupations, agriculture, or construction. In addition to preserving the Marianas\u2019 exemption from the numerical limit on H visas that applies nationwide and is usually oversubscribed the 2018 NDAA creates a new subcategory of the H-2B visa and allows up to 4,000 for services or labor directly associated with the military build-up.\nThis provision only applies to the Northern Marianas if and when the current immigration transition period ends and the Commonwealth government agrees on terms of the build-up.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/vets-committee-wants-islands-reports", "Vets Committee wants islands reports", "2017-11-13", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Vets Committee wants islands reports                                           \n              Nov 12, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n        \n      I requested a special waiver to sit on the House Veterans Affairs Committee in this Congress, and used my membership to successfully offer an amendment to H.R. 4243, requiring the VA to report back to the Committee on services to island vets.      \n        \n      \n    \n    \n    The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs must report on how it provides hospital care, medical, mental health, and geriatric services to veterans in the Marianas and other U.S. insular areas under terms of my amendment to the VA Asset and Infrastructure Review Act of 2017. The House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee agreed to my amendment during mark-up of the bill.\nOriginally limited to Pacific veterans in the Marianas, American Samoa, and Guam, I revised my amendment at the request of Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n (R-Puerto Rico) to include her district and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.\nThe required report will give Congress a roadmap for removing barriers to access and providing our island veterans with quality VA care at home. At the mark-up, Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tennessee) talked about our meeting beforehand on this issue and reiterated his commitment to visit personally and see how veterans are faring throughout America. The Chairman agreed to hold a hearing in 2018 on helping insular veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/vietnam-war-veterans-finally-get-recognition", "Vietnam War veterans finally get recognition", "2017-11-13", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marianas Variety \u2014 AFTER more than 50 years, about 40 Vietnam War veterans in the CNMI received recognition during the Veterans Day commemoration on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, at American Memorial Park.\nThe Vietnam War ended in 1975, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan said in an interview. \u201cMany of the servicemembers that went to Vietnam were drafted and yet when they came home there was no parade or anything \u2014 nothing.\u201d\nThe theme for this year\u2019s Veterans Day was, \u201cHonoring all who served in times of war \u2014 in time of peace.\u201d\nKilili said it was about time that the Vietnam War veterans were recognized. \u201cIt is just a way to say thank you to them and welcome them home, after more than 50 years.\u201d\nOscar C. Torres, executive officer of the CNMI Military and Veterans Affairs Office, said it was only proper for the U.S. and the CNMI governments to honor the Vietnam War veterans.\n\u201cMany [Americans] did not really appreciate what they did,\u201d he said, referring to the veterans. \u201cNobody wanted the Vietnam War.\u201d\nTorres said the recognition for Vietnam War veterans started last year.\nOne of them, Saipan Mayor David Apatang, recalled that during the war, \u201cthere were a lot of other problems in the U.S., and the war was never supported \u2014 people were demonstrating against it.\u201d\nApatang said he is thankful to then-President Barack Obama for recognizing the Vietnam veterans in 2012.\n\u201cA lot of vets that came back from Vietnam are still suffering from various kinds of ailments. Finally, President Donald Trump is taking care of the veterans.\u201d\nApatang was deployed as an infantryman to Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 and from 1970 to 1971.\n\u201cIt is an experience that we usually don\u2019t discuss. It is hard for many of us to come out and disclose our feelings,\u201d he said.\nRobert \u201cCal\u201d Colavechio, another Vietnam War veteran, said he was thankful that they were finally being given national recognition. \u201cTimes have changed and I hope it will stay that way,\u201d he added.\nIn her keynote speech, District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona noted that \u201cthere are a thousand veterans now on Saipan, Tinian and Rota, and we are grateful for their service.\u201d\nUnlike before, she said, the U.S. has an all-volunteer military. \u201cEvery man and woman who puts on the uniform made a personal choice to serve. It is noble that they make that choice for the values that we stand for.\u201d\nGov. Ralph D.L.G. Torres said Veterans Day is also a time for gratitude.\n\u201cThe work [the veterans] do, or have done, for us is sometimes a task that goes unnoticed or underappreciated, but it is work that carries with it a great deal of nobility. It takes a very special breed of man or woman to serve in this way. Some of them have sacrificed their lives for our peace and security. For their selflessness, for their efforts to liberate the oppressed and defend freedom and all it stands for, this is a day and honor that they all truly deserve,\u201d he said.\n\u201cAs a group of grateful islands who are part of an even more grateful nation, let us all do our part to honor our troops, those who serve us in all branches, those who have retired, and those whose memories live on in our hearts, and take a moment to simply say to each and every one of them \u2014 thank you.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-november-9-2017", "THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - November 9, 2017", "2017-11-13", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In this issue:\n Honoring Veterans Day\n\tSpeaking up for veterans\n\tVets committee wants islands report\n\tEcho Company: Go For Broke!\n\tInvestigating Agent Orange sites\n\tVeterans Benefits coming to NMI\n\tUnlimited H visas safe\n\t$12.9M for Tinian divert\n\tPalau Compact approved\n\tService Academy days on Saipan, Rota\n\tAcademy Nominations Open\n\tWind energy study okayed\n\tANA grantees visit\n\tPrevailing wage study now in use\n\tSchool meals discussed\n\tLong may you run, Bishop Ryan\n\tOPPORTUNITIES\n\tLEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS\n ____________________________________________________________________________\n Vets Committee wants islands reports \nThe U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs must report on how it provides hospital care, medical, mental health, and geriatric services to veterans in the Marianas and other U.S. insular areas under terms of\u00a0my amendment\u00a0to the\u00a0VA Asset and Infrastructure Review Act of 2017. The House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee agreed to my amendment on Wednesday during mark-up of the bill. Originally limited to Pacific veterans in the Marianas, American Samoa, and Guam, I revised my amendment at the request of Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n (R-Puerto Rico) to include her district and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. The required report will give Congress a roadmap for removing barriers to access and providing our island veterans with quality VA care at home. At the mark-up, Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tennessee) talked about our meeting beforehand on this issue and reiterated his commitment to visit personally and see how veterans are faring throughout America. Last month, the Chairman agreed to hold a hearing in 2018 on helping insular veterans.\n Investigating Agent Orange Sites \nResponding to constituent concern about exposure to the Agent Orange defoliant widely used by the U.S. in the Vietnam War, in April I\u00a0enlisted the U.S. Government Accountability Office to investigate. Representatives Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam), and Ron DeSantis (R-Florida) joined me in the request. We want to know where the U.S. stored, transferred, and used Agent Orange or its components and of any associated site contamination. Last Friday, GAO affirmed their commitment to examine issues related to Agent Orange, including where it was located and its health and environmental risks. GAO expects their review to be completed by Spring 2018. Over 11 million gallons of Agent Orange were used during the war. It has been linked to serious health problems in veterans.\n House, Senate agree defense bill \nThe House and Senate Armed Services Committees issued their conference report this afternoon reconciling between the House and Senate versions of the\u00a0National Defense Authorization Act for 2018. The bill,\u00a0H.R. 2810, now goes to the House and the Senate for an up-or-down vote in each chamber. Among provisions of particular interest to the Marianas:\n Unlimited H visas safe\n\t$12.9M for Tinian divert\u00a0\n\tPalau agreement approved\u00a0\n  - Unlimited H visas safe \nAfter intervention by the congressional office, a technical error in the Senate version of the 2018 NDAA, threatening the Marianas\u2019 unlimited access to foreign workers using H visas,\u00a0has been corrected. H visas are used for temporary and seasonal workers in various categories, including professional occupations, agriculture, or construction. In addition to preserving the Marianas\u2019 exemption from the numerical limit on H visas that applies nationwide and is usually oversubscribed the 2018 NDAA creates a new subcategory of the H-2B visa and allows up to 4,000 for services or labor directly associated with the military build-up. This provision only applies to the Northern Marianas if and when the current immigration transition period ends\u00a0and\u00a0the Commonwealth government agrees on terms of the build-up.\n - $12.9M for Tinian divert \nThe conference report also includes an additional $12.9 million for the Air Force divert airfield project on Tinian. Together with $9 million that Congress authorized in the 2017 NDAA,\u00a0a total of $21.9 million is now available\u00a0to lease the additional 142 hectares on the north side of Tinian airport needed for the divert project. The\u00a0decision to site the divert fieldand support facilities on Tinian was made last December with the approval of Tinian leadership and Governor Torres and my support.\n - Palau agreement approved \nAfter a seven-year wait, the agreement to extend Palau\u2019s \u00a0Compact of Free Association through 2024 will finally be approved when the conference report is enacted into law. I have been an outspoken proponent of the strategic importance of Palau to the United States and of the need to keep America\u2019s commitment to this trusted ally. In April, my bill to extend\u00a0the Compact,\u00a0H.R. 2085, passed the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously; and the extension of the Compact has now been included in the larger, must-pass NDAA.\n Prevailing wage study now in use \nThe Commonwealth\u2019s\u00a02016 Prevailing Wage and Workforce Study\u00a0is now in use by the U.S. Department of Labor for making prevailing wage determinations for H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, and H-2B visas, or permanent labor certification programs. I received confirmation of this in a\u00a0letter\u00a0today from Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor Nancy M. Rooney. Prevailing wage certifications are required to ensure that foreign workers entering under these visa categories are not competing unfairly with U.S. workers or driving down wages by working for less than is generally paid for a particular job in a particular geographic location.\nOPPORTUNITIES\n Grants \n Jobs \nLEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS\n THIS WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.R. 3441\u00a0\u2014 Save Local Business Act (Passed,\u00a0242 - 181)\n\tH.R. 2201\u00a0\u2014 Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act (Passed, 232-188)\n\tH.R. 3043\u00a0\u2014 Hydropower Policy Modernization Act (Passed,\u00a0257 - 166)\n\tH.R.3705\u00a0\u2014 Veterans Fair Debt Notice Act of 2017 (Passed, 422-0)\n\tH.R. 1066\u00a0\u2014 VA Management Alignment Act of 2017 (Passed, 399-0)\n\tH.R. 3122\u00a0\u2014 Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 918\u00a0\u2014 Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 1133\u00a0\u2014 Veterans Transplant Coverage Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 2123\u00a0\u2014\u00a0VETS Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 2601\u00a0\u2014\u00a0VICTOR Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 3634\u00a0\u2014 SERVE Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 3562\u00a0\u2014 To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish assistance for adaptations of residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of such title, and for other purposes (Passed, 400-0)\n\tH.R. 3949\u00a0\u2014 VALOR Act (Agreed to by by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 4173\u00a0\u2014 Veterans Crisis Line Study Act of 2017 (Passed, 420-0)\n\tH.R. 3911\u00a0\u2014 Risk-Based Credit Examination Act (Passed,\u00a0389 - 32)\n\tH.R. 2148\u00a0\u2014 Clarifying Real Estate Loans (Agreed to by voice vote)\n  Legislation I Cosponsored \n H.R.4198\u00a0\u2014 Security and Financial Empowerment Act of 2017\n\tH.R.4242\u00a0\u2014 VA Care in the Community Act\n  NEXT WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.R. 4243\u00a0\u2014 VA Asset and Infrastructure Review Act of 2017\n\tConference report to accompany\u00a0H.R. 2810\u00a0\u2013 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018\n\tH.R. 3739\u00a0\u2013 Presidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 3973\u00a0\u2013 Market Data Protection Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 2331\u00a0\u2013 Connected Government Act\n\tH.R. 3071\u00a0\u2013 Federal Acquisition Savings Act of 2017\n  Committee Activity \nTuesday, November 14\n Committee on Natural Resources oversight hearing titled \u201cExamining Challenges in Puerto Rico\u2019s Recovery and the Role of the Financial Oversight and Management Board\"\n Wednesday, November 15\n   Committee on Education and the Workforce Hearing on \u201cExamining the Policies and Priorities of the U.S. Department of Labor\u201d with the Honorable R. Alexander Acosta, Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor\n\tSubcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs Legislative Hearing", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/prevailing-wage-study-now-use", "Prevailing wage study now in use", "2017-11-12", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Prevailing wage study now in use                                           \n              Nov 12, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    The Commonwealth\u2019s 2016 Prevailing Wage and Workforce Study is now in use by the U.S. Department of Labor for making prevailing wage determinations for H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, and H-2B visas, or permanent labor certification programs. I received confirmation of this in a letter today from Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor Nancy M. Rooney.\nPrevailing wage certifications are required to ensure that foreign workers entering under these visa categories are not competing unfairly with U.S. workers or driving down wages by working for less than is generally paid for a particular job in a particular geographic location.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/committee-okays-kilili-wind-energy-amendment", "Committee okays Kilili wind energy amendment", "2017-11-09", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 The House Natural Resources Committee agreed to amend a national energy bill today to include a feasibility study for offshore wind energy in the Marianas. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan offered the amendment during the mark-up of H.R. 4239, the SECURE American Energy Act. If the study demonstrates that wind energy is a feasible alternative for electrical generation in the Marianas, the bill authorizes offshore leases to be offered.\n\u201cI want to thank Chairman Rob Bishop for his co-sponsorship of my amendment,\u201d Congress Sablan said. \u201cLowering the cost of electricity is important for businesses and family households in the Marianas, so we have to use every opportunity to find ways to do that.\u201d\nThe Sablan amendment instructs the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to conduct the economic feasibility study and submit the results to Congress within 180 days of enactment of the SECURE Act. If the study finds that the use of wind energy is feasible, a lease is to be offered no later than one year after enactment.\nA 2017 study of unsubsidized levelized cost of energy by the investment firm Lazard found the cost of offshore wind to be $113 per MWh as compared to $197 for diesel reciprocating engine generation in remote locations.\nThe 2013 Renewable Energy Integration Study commissioned by the Commonwealth Utility Corporation found possibilities for significant cost savings with the addition of renewable energy to the CUC system. Up to 8,000 kW of energy from wind or solar generation could be added to the CUC system without requiring any storage system to smooth the input from these energy sources into the Saipan distribution grid, the study found.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/health-services-veterans-focus-kilili", "Health services for veterans a focus for Kilili", "2017-11-09", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 In pursuit of his goal to have a Veterans Affairs medical clinic serving veterans in the Northern Mariana Islands, Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan successfully added a requirement for a needs assessment to legislation approved by the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee today. The legislation, H.R. 4243, establishes a commission to make recommendations on modernization or realignment of VA health facilities. Sablan\u2019s amendment specifically requires that the VA\u2019s capacity to provide hospital care, medical, mental health, and geriatric services for veterans in the Marianas and other U.S. insular areas also be looked at.\nChairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tennessee) acknowledged Sablan\u2019s concern during the Committee meeting. \u201cWe have discussed in my office the issues that you are dealing with,\u201d the Chairman said. \u201cSo, Mr. Sablan, I understand very well where you are coming from and the lack of services that you have.\n\u201cYou have my commitment to try to help you,\u201d Roe added.\n\u201cI very much appreciate Chairman Roe\u2019s willingness to pay attention to the lack of veterans services in the Marianas,\u201d Congressman Sablan said. \u201cAnd I remain optimistic about the Chairman\u2019s commitment to me and other Pacific area representatives to hold a hearing on our veterans next year.\u201d\nRoe talked about his interest in going personally to other areas of the country to get a feel for how veterans are being served. \u201cI know what my own VA looks like at home, but I want to go to others,\u201d he explained. \u201cI\u2019ve been to both Democrat districts and Republican districts to look. And I\u2019ll continue to do that as long as I am Chairman.\u201d\nSablan\u2019s study provision was originally directly solely at the situation of Pacific area veterans in the Marianas, Guam, and American Samoa. But the Congressman expanded the study\u2019s scope, during the Committee mark-up, to include Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. He made the change at the request of Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n (R-Puerto Rico).\n\u201cRepresentatives of the non-state areas have to work together, even across party lines,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cOur interests as \u2018territories\u2019 are much more similar than our differences as Republicans or Democrats.\n\u201cSo, just as my amendment will potentially help veterans in American Samoa, represented by Ms. Radewagen, a Republican, I also want to be sure that veterans in the Caribbean are taken into consideration.\u201d\nSablan has only been a member of the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee since the beginning of the year, after requesting a special waiver to serve on a third committee. But he is using his membership effectively to help Marianas veterans, who often have trouble getting the services they are entitled to.\n\u201cI have used my short time on this committee to bring attention to the lack of direct VA care and services to the veterans living in the Northern Marianas,\u201d Sablan said in his prepared remarks at today\u2019s Committee meeting.\n\u201cIn addition to being the only U.S. jurisdiction without a VA facility, the Marianas also has no dedicated VA medical or mental healthcare professionals to serve veterans.\n\u201cIn the Northern Marianas, veterans must rely instead on community providers for the care and services they want to receive from the VA.\u201d\nReliance on community providers is made possible by the Choice Act, which allows veterans to get medical services outside of the VA system. Many veterans in the Marianas and many healthcare providers were unaware that Choice was available. So, Sablan conducted informational workshops earlier this year on Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.\nThe Congressman brought the CEO of TriWest, the third-party administrator of Choice, to the Marianas for the events. And more than 60 new providers signed up to make their services available to Marianas veterans.\nThe Choice program is open to veterans who live more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA facility. Sablan and other Members of Congress, representing remote and rural areas, agitated for several years about the difficulties that distance created for their veterans. The Choice program was created in response.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/%E2%80%98cnmi-legislature-should-decide-about-cockfighting%E2%80%99", "CNMI Legislature should decide about cockfighting", "2017-11-08", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) issued the following statement yesterday in response to the introduction of a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would outlaw cockfighting in the Marianas and the other non-state areas of the U.S.\n\t\u201cWhether to continue allowing cockfighting in the Marianas is a question best left to our local legislators to answer. \u00a0\n\t\u201cFederal law already bars the interstate shipment of fighting cocks, which is a legitimate exercise of federal authority. But cockfighting that is strictly confined to the Marianas, [that] stays within our borders and involves no federal interests, should remain a matter for local decisionmakers.\n\t\u201cI want to thank those in the Democratic caucus who consulted with me before deciding whether to cosponsor this bill, especially those who decided not to cosponsor as a result of our discussion. Because I know that animal fighting is hard to defend and understand in other parts of our country.\u201d\n\t\u201cI was able to explain that this is a culturally accepted practice in the Marianas that is best regulated by local law. And, if the bill does move forward in Congress, I will continue to make the case that this is a decision for the Commonwealth Legislature.\u201d (PR)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/veterans-congress-speak-out-against-invading-north-korea", "Veterans in Congress speak out against invading North Korea", "2017-11-08", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Pacific Daily News \u2014 Veterans in Congress are concerned about the possibility of a ground invasion of North Korea, which they said could kill millions of people. They have asked President Trump to tone down his rhetoric.\n\"It could kill millions of South Koreans and put troops and civilians in Guam and Japan at risk,\" they stated Monday.\nCalifornia Rep.\u00a0Ted Lieu, D-California, along with 15 fellow veterans from the House\u00a0and\u00a0Senate, issued the\u00a0\u00a0bipartisan joint statement.\u00a0\nCommonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Del.\u00a0Gregorio\u00a0Sablan\u00a0is one of the congressmen who joined in the statement.\nThe statement comes after a letter from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a report from the Congressional Research Service on the military action against North Korea.\u00a0\nNorth Korea has made a number of threats against Guam as tensions between Pyongyang\u00a0and the United States and its allies have increased in recent months.\u00a0\nTrump has previously threatened\u00a0North Korea to \"get their act together\" or face extraordinary trouble and has also said the country could face\u00a0\"fire and fury\".\u00a0\nThe letter from the Joint Chiefs of Staffs states that the only way to destroy North Korea's nuclear arsenal is through a ground invasion, according to the congressmen who issued the statement.\n\u201cThat is deeply disturbing and could result in hundreds of thousands, or even millions of deaths in just the first few days of fighting,\" they stated.\nThe congressmen said, as veterans, they have defended the nation and remain committed to the country's security.\n\"We\u00a0also understand\u00a0that entering into a protracted and massive ground war with North Korea would be disastrous for U.S. troops and our allies,\" they said.\nThe Joint Chiefs said they have no reason to believe North Korea would resist using its\u00a0stockpiles of biological and chemical weapons, the congressmen stated.\nA nonpartisan report\u00a0by the Congressional Research Service indicates conflict on the peninsula could impact as many as 25 million people on either side of the border, including more than 100,000 U.S. citizens, the statement states.\n\"We must pursue every other option before even considering a massive ground invasion. The administration has also failed to articulate any plans to prevent the military conflict from expanding beyond the Korean Peninsula and to manage what happens after the conflict is over. We\u2019re still engaged in the longest war in U.S. history in Afghanistan with no end in sight,\" the statement reads.\n\"The president needs to stop making provocative statements that hinder diplomatic options and put American troops further at risk,\" they said.\u00a0\nThe Joint Chiefs\u2019 assessment and the CRS report demonstrate that every diplomatic and economic option must be exhausted before military options are considered, they said.\u00a0\n\"If President Trump does intend to pursue a military option against North Korea, he must come to Congress as required by our Constitution. The stakes are too high and the potential outcome too grave for President Trump to violate his constitutional duty to come to Congress to authorize and oversee use of force,\" they said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-bill-adds-425-million-extend-e-nap", "Kilili bill adds $42.5 million to extend E-NAP", "2017-11-07", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) has introduced legislation that adds $42.5 million to the Enhanced-Nutrition Assistance Program, or E-NAP.\n\tE-NAP began in June and made more Marianas households eligible for food stamps and increased monthly benefits. Sablan\u2019s bill, H.R. 4216, extends the program through 2023.\n\t\u201cLong-term, our goal is equal treatment with the rest of America by inclusion in SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,\u201d said Sablan. \u201cThe $32.5 million we added in the Agricultural Act of 2014 that has made E-NAP possible was a step in the right direction. Extending E-NAP for another five years keeps us on track to reaching our goal.\u201d\n\tE-NAP allows people with higher incomes to qualify for food assistance. A total of 314 households have been added so far, representing about 1,034 individuals.\n\t\u201cThe increase has been gradual,\u201d Sablan said. \u201cSeventy-one new households joined in June, another 91 in July, 87 in August, and 75 in September.\n\t\u201cAs the word gets out, people who do not think they would be eligible will step forward to apply.\n\tStill, the number of households that signed up for E-NAP is fewer than expected, when initial projections for use of Sablan\u2019s Agricultural Act funding were submitted by the Commonwealth\u2019s Nutrition Assistance Program office.\n\t\u201cIt may be that the improved economy simply means that fewer people need the help,\u201d said Sablan. \u201cBut it could also be that families have not heard that there are new income standards and those who may not have been eligible before may now be able to get this extra assistance buying food.\u201d\n\t\u201cPeople should check with the NAP office to be sure,\u201d he added.\n\tIn addition to making households at higher income levels eligible, E-NAP has also raised benefits. For a household of four on Saipan, benefits have gone up from $515 per month to $686. On Tinian, the increase was from $568 to $744. On Rota, benefits went from $719 to $897.\n\tTinian and Rota have received higher benefits than Saipan since 2014. Advocacy by Sablan and data gathering on the higher cost of food on Tinian and Rota by the Commonwealth NAP convinced the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow different benefit levels on each island.\n\t\u201cAt $897 per month, Rota households are getting close to the SNAP benefit that people on Guam receive,\u201d explained Sablan. \u201cBut we are not there ye\u2014neither in terms of benefits nor in the income thresholds that SNAP provides.\n\t\u201cThat is why I have introduced legislation that will at least continue the Northern Marianas at the current level of funding through 2023,\u201d he said.\n\t\u201cAnd as the new computerized eligibility system comes online, followed in 2018 by the replacement of paper food stamps with electronic debit cards and other improvements that the money from the 2014 Agricultural Act makes possible, then we may be able to convince the Secretary of Agriculture that the Marianas is ready for SNAP even before 2023.\u201d (PR)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/legislature-should-decide-about-cock-fighting", "Legislature should decide about cock fighting", "2017-11-07", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Legislature should decide about cock fighting                                           \n              Nov 6, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan issued the following statement in response to the introduction of a bill in the House of Representatives that would outlaw cock fighting in the Marianas and the other non-State areas of the U.S.\n\u201cWhether to continue allowing cock fighting in the Marianas is a question best left to our local legislators to answer. \u00a0\n\u201cFederal law already bars the interstate shipment of fighting cocks, which is a legitimate exercise of federal authority. But cock fighting that is strictly confined to the Marianas, stays within our borders, and involves no federal interests should remain a matter for local decision-makers.\n\u201cI want to thank those in the Democratic Caucus who consulted with me before deciding whether to cosponsor this bill, especially those who decided not to cosponsor as a result of our discussion. Because I know that animal fighting is hard to defend and understand in other parts of our country.\u201d\n\u201cI was able to explain that this is a culturally accepted practice in the Marianas that is best regulated by local law. And, if the bill does move forward in Congress, I will continue to make the case that this is a decision for the Commonwealth Legislature.\u201d\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/250000-fight-drugs", "$250,000 to fight drugs", "2017-11-06", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "$250,000 to fight drugs                                           \n              Nov 5, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation is receiving a second year of funding through the Opioid State Targeted Response program. The Department of Health and Human Services announced the decision to continue funding for all states and territories at the same level as last year.\nMr. Herbert Sablan, Substance Abuse Treatment Supervisor at the Community Guidance Center\u2019s Recovery Clinic, said, \u201cthe benefit of the Opioid State Targeted Response, put forth by our current administration, provides the CNMI the opportunity for us to work within our community, and specifically private and government entities in primary care and behavioral healthcare integration, so that we can identify, treat, and support individuals who are living with prescription abuse or opioid use disorders.\u201d\nThank you. And keep up the good work!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/bill-extends-e-nap-5-years", "Bill extends E-NAP for 5 years", "2017-11-06", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bill extends E-NAP for 5 years                                           \n              Nov 5, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    I introduced H.R. 4216 to extend the Enhanced Nutrition Assistance Program in the Marianas through 2023. E-NAP is the result of the $32.5 million I included for the Marianas in the 2014 Agricultural Act. The funding has allowed the Commonwealth government to add more households to the existing food stamp program and raise benefits. But funding ends this year, fiscal 2018, so more is needed to continue. So far, an additional 314 households have been added to E-NAP, or approximately 1,036 individuals.\nBenefits have gone up for a household of four on Saipan from $515 per month to $686. On Tinian, the increase was from $568 to $744. On Rota, benefits went from $719 to $897. Tinian and Rota receive higher benefits because of the higher cost of food there. I advocated for this benefit differential with the Food and Nutrition Service at the House Agriculture Committee and it went into effect in 2014. If enacted, H.R. 4216 would provide $42.5 million more for food aid in the Marianas.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-november-3-2017", "THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - November 3, 2017", "2017-11-06", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In this issue:\n_____________________________________________________________________________\n Bill extends E-NAP for 5 years \nI introduced H.R. 4216 on Thursday to extend the Enhanced Nutrition Assistance Program in the Marianas through 2023. E-NAP is the result of the $32.5 million I included for the Marianas in the 2014 Agricultural Act. The funding has allowed the Commonwealth government to add more households to the existing food stamp program and raise benefits. But funding ends this year, fiscal 2018, so more is needed to continue. So far, an additional 314 households have been added to E-NAP, or approximately 1,036 individuals. Benefits have gone up for a household of four on Saipan from $515 per month to $686. On Tinian, the increase was from $568 to $744. On Rota, benefits went from $719 to $897. Tinian and Rota receive higher benefits because of the higher cost of food there. I advocated for this benefit differential with the Food and Nutrition Service at the House Agriculture Committee and it went into effect in 2014. If enacted, H.R. 4216 would provide $42.5 million more for food aid in the Marianas.\n $250,000 to fight drugs \nThe Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation is receiving a second year of funding through the Opioid State Targeted Response program. The Department of Health and Human Services announced the decision this week to continue funding for all states and territories at the same level as last year. Mr. Herbert Sablan, Substance Abuse Treatment Supervisor at the Community Guidance Center\u2019s Recovery Clinic, said, \u201cthe benefit of the Opioid State Targeted Response, put forth by our current administration, provides the CNMI the opportunity for us to work within our community, and specifically private and government entities in primary care and behavioral healthcare integration, so that we can identify, treat, and support individuals who are living with prescription abuse or opioid use disorders.\u201d Thank you. And keep up the good work!\n Equal funding for beaches, parks \nA ten-fold increase in funding for public parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and beach areas is the goal of a bill I cosponsored with fellow non-state area representatives this week. Authored by Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam) the LWCF Parity for Territories and DC Act would provide our jurisdictions the same share of the Land and Water Conservation Act funds as states receive. This would increase the Marianas current $75,000 allocation to over $800,000 per year. Studies show that every $1 that goes into these improvements generates a $4 economic return.\u00a0\n Stop hiding monument decisions \nThe lack of transparency surrounding President Trump\u2019s review of our National Monuments and Marine Sanctuaries continues. This week, I signed on to a congressional letter to the President requesting that the public be allowed to see a Commerce Department report reviewing 11 National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine National Monuments. The Marianas Trench Marine National Monument is among the areas. This secret process has extended for months and has further delayed release of a management plan for the Marianas Trench, closing in on seven years overdue.\u00a0\n EAD filers get auto SS card \nNoncitizens residing in the Marianas, applying for an Employment Authorization Document on Form I-765, no longer have to apply in-person for a Social Security card. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services now processes the EAD application, then transmits the approval to the Social Security Administration electronically. Once the approval is received, SSA issues an original or replacement card and mails it to the address listed on the I-765. The Social Security card should arrive within seven business days of receipt of the approved EAD. The Social Security Administration has more information here.\n Governor: Thanks for H.R. 339 support \nI sent Governor Ralph DLG. Torres a letter of thanks this week for his strong support of H.R. 339, my bill increasing the number of CW permits available for the Marianas in 2017. President Trump signed it into law in August. Public Law 115-53 also blocks the use of CW permits for new construction work to protect local businesses unable to renew their legacy workers. And it adds extra money for training local workers. The Governor testified to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in April that the bill was \u201cnecessary and important.\u201d And he agreed that \u201cconstruction workers could be sourced through H2-B visas.\u201d This could prove crucial, if the Trump administration deeply cuts CW permits for 2018. Many CW permits are now being used by temporary construction workers, who could get the H-2B visa instead. I have advocated for a CW cut of just one for 2018\u2014to 12,997. That would be consistent with what the Obama administration had been doing.\nOther community leaders, who provided letters of support for H.R. 339, also received letters of thanks, including Ms. Velma Palacios, President of the Board of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce; Ms. Gloria Cavanagh, Chairman of the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands; Mr. Alexander A. Sablan of the CNMI Strategic Economic Development Council; and Ms. Esther L. Muna, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation. As a memento, they are also receiving a photo of the new law, signed by President Trump, framed with the pen that the President used.\n $181k to combat Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle \nThe Commonwealth Department of Land and Natural Resources is receiving $181,048 to combat the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) recently discovered on Rota. The Interior Department announced the award on Tuesday. DLNR will work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the University of Guam\u2019s Biosecurity Extension Program to contain and eradicate this invasive pest that has caused significant damage to coconut palms in Palau, Guam, and Hawaii. Native to Africa and Asia, the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle can thrive on Pacific islands where it has no natural enemies. The beetle was discovered October 4 on Rota and is suspected to have been introduced from Guam within the last five months. Congratulations to DLNR, and thank you for your work to protect our fragile island ecosystems from invasive species.\nOPPORTUNITIES\u00a0\n Grants \n Jobs \n Public Comments \nLEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS\u00a0\n\u00a0\n THIS WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.R. 849\u00a0\u2014 Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2017 (Passed, 307-111)\n\tH.R. 3922 \u2014 Community Health And Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation Act of 2017 (Passed, 242-174)\n\tH.R. 2936 \u2014 Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017 (Passed, 232 - 188)\n\tH.R. 2921 \u2014 National Forest System Vegetation Management Pilot Program Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 3903 \u2014 Encouraging Public Offerings Act of 2017 (Passed, 419-0)\n\tH.R. 1585 \u2014 Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 425 \u2014 FTO Passport Revocation Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 422 \u2014 Urging adherence to the \u201cone country, two systems\u201d policy as prescribed in the Joint Declaration between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Question of the Hong Kong (Agreed to by voice vote)\n  Legislation I Sponsored \n H.R. 4216 \u2014 To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 to make available additional funds for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands pilot project\n  Legislation I Cosponsored \n H.R. 2862 \u2014 Wildlife Disaster Funding Act\n\tH.R. 4158 \u2014 Retirement Plan Modernization Act\n\tH.R. 4179 \u2014 To amend title 54, United States Code, to apply the same apportionment formula to territories and the District of Columbia as is applied to States with respect to amounts made available for State purposes from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and for other purposes\n  NEXT WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.R. 3441 \u2014 Save Local Business Act\n\tH.R. 2201 \u2014 Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act\n\tH.R. 3043 \u2014 Hydropower Policy Modernization Act\n\tH.R. 1066 \u2014 VA Management Alignment Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 3122 \u2014 Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 3562 \u2014 To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish assistance for adaptations of residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of such title, and for other purposes\n  Committee Activity \nTuesday, November 7\n Committee on Natural Resources Oversight Hearing on \u201cExamining Challenges in Puerto Rico\u2019s Recovery and the Role of the Financial Oversight and Management Board\u201d\n Wednesday, November 8\n Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs Legislative Markup\n\tCommittee on Natural Resources Legislative Markup\n\tSubcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Jointly with the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Hearing on \u201cClose to Home: How Opioid are Impacting Communities\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/181k-combat-coconut-rhinoceros-beetle", "$181k to combat Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle", "2017-11-05", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "$181k to combat Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle                                           \n              Nov 5, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    The Commonwealth Department of Land and Natural Resources is receiving $181,048 to combat the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) recently discovered on Rota. The Interior Department announced the award.\nDLNR will work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the University of Guam\u2019s Biosecurity Extension Program to contain and eradicate this invasive pest that has caused significant damage to coconut palms in Palau, Guam, and Hawaii. Native to Africa and Asia, the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle can thrive on Pacific islands where it has no natural enemies. The beetle was discovered October 4 on Rota and is suspected to have been introduced from Guam within the last five months.\nCongratulations to DLNR, and thank you for your work to protect our fragile island ecosystems from invasive species.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/ead-filers-get-auto-ss-card", "EAD filers get auto SS card", "2017-11-05", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "EAD filers get auto SS card                                           \n              Nov 5, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Noncitizens residing in the Marianas, applying for an Employment Authorization Document on Form I-765, no longer have to apply in-person for a Social Security card.\nThe U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services now processes the EAD application, then transmits the approval to the Social Security Administration electronically. Once the approval is received, SSA issues an original or replacement card and mails it to the address listed on the I-765. The Social Security card should arrive within seven business days of receipt of the approved EAD.\nThe Social Security Administration has more information here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/equal-funding-beaches-parks", "Equal funding for beaches, parks", "2017-11-05", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Equal funding for beaches, parks                                           \n              Nov 5, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    A ten-fold increase in funding for public parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and beach areas is the goal of a bill I cosponsored with fellow non-state area representatives.\nAuthored by Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam) the LWCF Parity for Territories and DC Act would provide our jurisdictions the same share of the Land and Water Conservation Act funds as states receive. This would increase the Marianas current $75,000 allocation to over $800,000 per year. Studies show that every $1 that goes into these improvements generates a $4 economic return.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/governor-thanks-hr-339-support", "Governor: Thanks for H.R. 339 support", "2017-11-05", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I sent Governor Ralph DLG. Torres a letter of thanks for his strong support of H.R. 339, my bill increasing the number of CW permits available for the Marianas in 2017. President Trump signed it into law in August.\nPublic Law 115-53 also blocks the use of CW permits for new construction work to protect local businesses unable to renew their legacy workers. And it adds extra money for training local workers. The Governor testified to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in April that the bill was \u201cnecessary and important.\u201d And he agreed that \u201cconstruction workers could be sourced through H2-B visas.\u201d This could prove crucial, if the Trump administration deeply cuts CW permits for 2018. Many CW permits are now being used by temporary construction workers, who could get the H-2B visa instead. I have advocated for a CW cut of just one for 2018\u2014to 12,997. That would be consistent with what the Obama administration had been doing.\nOther community leaders, who provided letters of support for H.R. 339, also received letters of thanks, including Ms. Velma Palacios, President of the Board of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce; Ms. Gloria Cavanagh, Chairman of the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands; Mr. Alexander A. Sablan of the CNMI Strategic Economic Development Council; and Ms. Esther L. Muna, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation. As a memento, they are also receiving a photo of the new law, signed by President Trump, framed with the pen that the President used.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/stop-hiding-monument-decisions", "Stop hiding monument decisions", "2017-11-05", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stop hiding monument decisions                                           \n              Nov 5, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    The lack of transparency surrounding President Trump\u2019s review of our National Monuments and Marine Sanctuaries continues. I signed on to a congressional letter to the President requesting that the public be allowed to see a Commerce Department report reviewing 11 National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine National Monuments. The Marianas Trench Marine National Monument is among the areas.\nThis secret process has extended for months and has further delayed release of a management plan for the Marianas Trench, closing in on seven years overdue.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/congressman-kilili-scores-100-food-policy", "Congressman Kilili scores 100% on food policy", "2017-11-03", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marianas Variety \u2014 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Office of the CNMI Congressional Delegate) - Food Policy Action announced its 2017 Congressional Scorecard on Wednesday, awarding a perfect 100 percent to U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan for his work and advocacy on improving nutrition and making food available to those in need.\n\u201cMaking sure that people in the Marianas \u2014 especially children \u2014 have the food they need to grow and to live healthy lives has been at the forefront of my agenda since my first days in office,\u201d Sablan said.\n\u201cI appreciate this recognition of my work from Food Policy Action, but more important is knowing that because of these efforts kids and others in need in the Marianas are being fed.\u201d\nMost recently, Sablan\u2019s inclusion of $32.5 million for the Marianas in the 2014 Agricultural Act has allowed the commonwealth government to add more households to the Nutrition Assistance Program. There were 2,395 households enrolled in May of this year. With new eligibility standards 2,709 households were enrolled in September.\nThis increase of 314 households translates into approximately 1,036 more individuals now receiving food assistance, as a result of the money Sablan worked for.\nBenefits have also been increased. For a household of four on Saipan, benefits were raised from $515 per month to $686. On Tinian, the increase was from $568 to $744. On Rota, benefits went from $719 to $897.\nTinian and Rota receive higher benefits because of the higher cost of food there. Sablan advocated for this benefit differential, which went into effect in 2014.\nSablan\u2019s work on food aid began in 2009, when he succeeded at getting the secretary of Agriculture to increase the Marianas annual Nutrition Assistance Program block grant from $10.7 million annually to $12.1 million. He won an additional $1 million in fiscal year 2012 and the $32.5 million now in use in 2014.\n\u201cThe ultimate goal is to include the Marianas in the national Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP,\u201d said Sablan. \u201cAnd the next farm bill, which could come in this Congress, is an opportunity to achieve that.\n\u201cCertainly, we will want to continue the funding that is allowing more people to get food stamps in the Marianas and is allowing for increased benefits on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.\u201d\nCongressman Sablan said he is actively engaged in making the case for continued funding for the Marianas food program with key members of the House Agriculture Committee.\nSablan forged those relationships, when he served on the Agriculture Committee in the 113th Congress. He was able to bring then-Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Oklahoma, to the Marianas in 2014. In February of this year Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pennsylvania, chairman of the Subcommittee on Nutrition which is responsible for SNAP, also traveled to the Marianas along with Congressman Sablan.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-thanks-governor-support-hr-339", "Kilili thanks governor for support of HR 339", "2017-11-01", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marianas Variety \u2014 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Office of the CNMI Congressional Delegate) - U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan on Wednesday released his letter of thanks to Gov. Ralph D.L.G. Torres for the Governor\u2019s support of Sablan\u2019s bill, H.R. 339, increasing the number of CW permits available for the Marianas in 2017.\nThe legislation was signed into law by President Trump in August. The new Public Law 115-53 also blocks the use of CW permits for new construction work to protect local businesses unable to renew their legacy workers. And Sablan\u2019s law adds extra money for training local workers.\n\u201cIt was not easy to get a bill dealing with foreign labor issues enacted in this Congress,\u201d Congressman Kilili wrote to the governor. \u201cYour letter of support for the legislation and your participation in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing held in April contributed significantly to our success.\u201d\nGovernor Torres testified in person at a committee hearing. \u201cHR. 339 is a necessary and important piece of legislation that will improve our capacity to transition into the U.S. immigration system, and provide the CNMI the short-term relief it needs to retain critical employees for the economy and provide for the well-being of our population, especially in our health care system,\u201d the governor said.\nHe also addressed the surge of construction workers using up CW permits. \u201cRemoving construction workers from the eligible job categories for the CW permit will force employers to go to better suited visa classifications and alleviate the limited CW permits for occupations that are crucial for the overall economy and the needs of the people,\u201d Governor Torres told the U.S. Senate committee.\n\u201cIn my view, CW permits were only for job categories not available under existing visa classifications\u2026 construction workers could be sourced through H2-B visas,\u201d the governor added.\nIn his letter on Wednesday, Congressman Sablan told the governor that the enactment of H.R. 339 was a good indication that efforts to address the 2019 expiration of the Commonwealth-only Transitional Worker, or CW, program would also succeed.\n\u201cI am already working on that long-term solution with fellow members of Congress, who helped draft and pass Public Law 115-53,\u201d Congressman Kilili told the governor.\n\u201cAnd I look forward to continuing to work with you, also, to ensure that the Marianas has sufficient labor to keep our economy growing and that our U.S. labor force continues to expand.\u201d\nCongressman Sablan wrote similar thank-yous to other community leaders, who provided letters of support for H.R. 339, including Velma Palacios, president of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce; Gloria Cavanagh, chairwoman of the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands; Alexander A. Sablan of the CNMI Strategic Economic Development Council; and Esther L. Muna, chief executive officer of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation.\nAlong with his thank you letters, as a memento, Congressman Sablan sent a photo of the new law, signed by President Trump, framed with the pen that the president used.\nCongressman Sablan was in the Marianas in August, when the President signed H.R. 339 into law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/pacific-veterans-will-get-congressional-hearing", "Pacific veterans will get congressional hearing", "2017-11-01", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Ind-MP) announced Friday that Pacific area veterans, whose needs are often neglected, will get a congressional hearing next year.\n\tThe hearing decision is the result of a request from Sablan, Delegate Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa), and Delegate Madeleine Z Bordallo (D-Guam) to Dr. Phil Roe (R-Tennessee), who chairs the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee.\n\tThe three Pacific delegates made the request on Oct. 11 and Roe responded 13 days later.\n\t\u201cI would be pleased to work with you to schedule a hearing on Pacific insular area veteran access to care in the second session of the 115th Congress,\u201d Roe wrote in response. \u201cEnsuring that all our nation\u2019s veterans have access to the healthcare and other services they need to live healthy, full lives is my top priority as chairman.\n\t\u201cPacific insular area veterans\u2014and in particular veterans in American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Independent State of Samoa, and the Freely Associated States\u2014face a number of barriers to timely, accessible VA care and benefits,\u201d Roe added.\n\tSablan said he is most grateful to Roe for responding affirmatively to the request for a hearing.\n\t\u201cI joined the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee in this Congress because it had become clear to me that veterans in the Marianas and throughout the Pacific, who are at the very end of a long supply chain, were simply not getting the attention and services they have earned.\n\t\u201cFrom my first day on the committee, Dr. Roe has been interested in the story I brought of Pacific veterans struggling to get even the basics in healthcare and other benefits\u2014and he promised to help.\n\t\u201cAn oversight hearing next year would be a great opportunity for the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee to learn even more about the barriers facing veterans living in the U.S. Pacific insular areas and to go to work on reducing those barriers.\n\tSablan obtained a special waiver from the Democratic Caucus to be on the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee. Ordinarily, members are limited to two committees. Veterans\u2019 Affairs is Sablan\u2019s third. (PR)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/walberg-kilili-introduce-retirement-plan-modernization-act", "Walberg, Kilili introduce Retirement Plan Modernization Act", "2017-10-31", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marianas Variety \u2014 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) - U.S. Congressmen Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, and Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Ind-MP, on Thursday introduced the Retirement Plan Modernization Act, bipartisan legislation to help make it easier for small businesses to offer retirement plans while keeping fees down for employees. H.R. 4158 helps small businesses better manage the administrative expenses of retirement plans by providing a long-overdue update to the automatic IRA rollover limit for former employees\u2019 assets.\n\u201cFar too many families in Michigan are struggling to save for their retirement years,\u201d said Congressman Walberg. \u201cOften businesses will cite not having enough resources to administer a plan, as a key reason for not offering retirement benefits. This bipartisan bill is a commonsense step in our efforts to empower every American to retire with financial security and peace of mind. By reducing administrative costs, we can help more small businesses offer retirement benefits and ensure employees are not needlessly stuck paying higher fees.\u201d\n\u201cOur legislation reduces administrative costs in retirement plans for active employees and updates a two decade old standard for automatic rollovers,\u201d said Congressman Sablan. \u201cChairman Walberg and I continue to work together to find bipartisan agreement on practical fixes like this that benefit employers and employees throughout America.\u201d\n\u201cThe chamber thanks Chairman Walberg and ranking member Sablan for introducing the bipartisan Retirement Plan Modernization Act. Increasing the cash-out limit is long overdue. It has not been touched in 19 years and is not subject to indexing, unlike many other limits in the retirement system. Updating both of these flaws will streamline retirement plan administration and reduce burdens for employers, especially small businesses,\u201d said Randy Johnson, senior vice president of labor, immigration, and employee benefits at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.\n\u201cIncreasing the threshold for employers to cash-out retirement plan accounts brings us into the 21st century and reduces administrative expenses which in turn makes it easier for employers to maintain retirement plans and for employees to keep their retirement assets with them as they move jobs,\u201d said Lynn Dudley, senior vice president, global retirement and compensation policy at the American Benefits Council.\nUnder current law, automatic IRA rollovers occur if a participant is no longer employed by the employer sponsoring the retirement plan and their balance is between $1,000 and $5,000. Congress has periodically adjusted the cash-out limit over the years to reflect increasing costs of administration; however, the last time it was updated was 1997. The Retirement Plan Modernization Act would raise the automatic IRA rollover limit, based on the rate of inflation, from $5,000 to $7,600 and allow for future increases to be indexed for inflation.\nCongressman Walberg serves as chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions while Congressman Sablan serves as ranking member of the subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/cw-cap-delay-hurts-business-workers", "CW cap delay hurts business, workers", "2017-10-29", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CW cap delay hurts business, workers                                           \n              Oct 29, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Four weeks into fiscal year 2018, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has not yet announced the cap on the number of CW-1, Marianas-only foreign worker, permits to be issued for the year. I cannot speculate on why the Trump administration has not made this decision on time. But I do know that the delay is harmful to Marianas businesses and workers, who are waiting for the decision to find out whether they will get 2018 CW permits applied for.\nMy position is that the 2018 cap should go down by one\u2014just one\u2014to 12,997. That would be the safest decision for the Northern Marianas economy right now. The Government Accountability Office report that I commissioned found that drastic cuts in the number of CW workers would likely result in drastic cuts in economic activity in the Marianas. Conversely, the 37 percent increase in workers in 2016 was matched by a 29 percent increase in GDP.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/troop-store-grand-opening-postponed", "Troop Store grand opening postponed", "2017-10-29", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Troop Store grand opening postponed                                           \n              Oct 29, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    The grand opening of the expanded Army and Air Force Exchange Services Troop Store in Tanapag has been pushed back due to construction delays contrary to our report in last week's e-news.\nThe AAFES troop store held a soft opening in August and a formal ribbon cutting ceremony was scheduled to occur on October 26. The store will remain open while work is underway.\nWe apologize for the error.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/va-should-study-medical-marijuana", "VA should study medical marijuana", "2017-10-29", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VA should study medical marijuana                                           \n              Oct 29, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    House Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats are urging Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin to start looking at how medical marijuana could help veterans who suffer from chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder.\nWe took this position because the Department\u2019s Inspector General has reported that addiction to opioids and opioid-related deaths are widespread among veterans. One in five veterans are prescribed these narcotics for the mental and physical injuries they sustained during their military service.\nWe must do more to find effective alternative treatments for our veterans suffering from chronic pain and PTSD. With the VA\u2019s access to world class researchers and history of innovative treatments, the agency is well-suited to determine whether medical marijuana has a place in the treatment of our veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-how-we-are-using-325m-e-nap-funds", "THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - How we are using $32.5M E-NAP funds", "2017-10-29", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In this issue: October 27, 2017\n____________________________________________________________________________\n VA should study medical marijuana \nHouse Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats are urging Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin to start looking at how medical marijuana could help veterans who suffer from chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder. We took this position because the Department\u2019s Inspector General has reported that addiction to opioids and opioid-related deaths are widespread among veterans. One in five veterans are prescribed these narcotics for the mental and physical injuries they sustained during their military service. We must do more to find effective alternative treatments for our veterans suffering from chronic pain and PTSD. With the VA\u2019s access to world class researchers and history of innovative treatments, the agency is well-suited to determine whether medical marijuana has a place in the treatment of our veterans.\n Chair agrees to Pacific vets hearing \nPacific area veterans, whose needs are often neglected, will get a congressional hearing next year as a result of a request from Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa), Congresswoman Madeleine Z Bordallo (D-Guam), and myself. House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Dr. Phil Roe (R-Tennessee) responded affirmatively on Tuesday to the request the three of us made on October 11 for an oversight hearing on the barriers facing veterans living in the U.S. Pacific insular areas. In his response, Dr. Roe said his top priority as Chairman is to ensure that all of our nation\u2019s veterans have access to the care and services they need to live full and healthy lives. And he promised to work with us to schedule a hearing during the second session of this Congress. I am very grateful to the Chairman for this commitment. Both Ms. Radewagen and I are members of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.\n CW cap delay hurts business, workers \nFour weeks into fiscal year 2018, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has not yet announced the cap on the number of CW-1, Marianas-only foreign worker, permits to be issued for the year. I cannot speculate on why the Trump administration has not made this decision on time. But I do know that the delay is harmful to Marianas businesses and workers, who are waiting for the decision to find out whether they will get 2018 CW permits applied for. My position is that the 2018 cap should go down by one\u2014just one\u2014to 12,997. That would be the safest decision for the Northern Marianas economy right now. The Government Accountability Office report that I commissioned found that drastic cuts in the number of CW workers would likely result in drastic cuts in economic activity in the Marianas. Conversely, the 37 percent increase in workers in 2016 was matched by a 29 percent increase in GDP. \n Helping add to retirement savings \nAs Ranking Member on the Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee, I work on finding bipartisan solutions to trying to ensure retirement security for all Americans. Yesterday, Subcommittee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-Michigan) and I introduced H.R. 4158, the Retirement Plan Modernization Act, which will reduce administrative costs in retirement plans for active employees by updating a two-decade-old standard for automatic rollovers. \u00a0This legislation will make it easier for small businesses to offer retirement plans and that is good for employees of those small businesses.\n Troop Store grand opening postponed \nThe grand opening of the expanded Army and Air Force Exchange Services Troop Store in Tanapag has been pushed back due to construction delays contrary to our report in last week's e-news. The AAFES troop store held a soft opening in August and a formal ribbon cutting ceremony was scheduled to occur on October 26. The store will remain open while work is underway. We apologize for the error.\n Opportunities \n Grants \n Jobs \n \n\tPublic Comments \n Legislative Highlights \n THIS WEEK \n On the Floor \n Consideration of the Senate Amendment to 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 (Passed, 216-212)\n\tH.R. 732 \u2013 Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2017 (Passed, 238-183)\n\tH.R. 469 \u2013 Sunshine for Regulations and Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2017 (Passed, 234-187)\n\tH.R. 4038 \u2013 DHS Accountability Enhancement Act (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 3328 \u2013 Cuban Airport Security Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 3551 \u2013 C-TPAT Reauthorization Act of 2017 (Passed, 402-1)\n\tS. 504 \u2013 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards Act of 2017 (Passed 401-2)\n\tH.R. 2142 \u2013 INTERDICT Act (Passed, 412-3)\n\tH.R. 4010 \u2013 Congressional Subpoena Compliance and Enforcement Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 3101 \u2013 Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 3972 \u2013 Family Office Technical Correction Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 3898 \u2013 Impeding North Korea's Access to Finance Act of 2017 (Passed, 415-2)\n\tH.R. 1698 \u2013 Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act (Passed, 423-2)\n\tH.Res. 359 \u2013 Urging the European Union to designate Hizballah in its entirety as a terrorist organization and increase pressure on it and its members (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 3342 \u2013 Sanctioning Hizballah's Illicit Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act (Agreed to by voice vote)\n\tH.R. 3329 \u2013 Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)\n  Legislation I Sponsored \n H.R.1057 - STOP Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 1098 - New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2017\n  NEXT WEEK \n On the Floor \n H.R. 2936 \u2013 Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017\n\tH.R. 849 \u2013 Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2017\n\t\tLegislation to extend funding for the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Programs and other public health priorities.\n Committee Activity\nThursday, November 2\nHouse Veterans' Affairs Committee Markup", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-statement-cw-cap-delay", "Kilili statement on CW cap delay", "2017-10-28", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saipan Tribune \u2014 WASHINGTON, D.C - Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) issued the following statement yesterday on the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s delay in announcing the CW, foreign worker permit, cap for fiscal year 2018.\n\t\u201cMy position is that the 2018 cap should go down by one\u2014just one\u2014to 12,997.\n\t\u201cThat would be the safest decision for the Northern Marianas economy right now.\n\t\u201cI will not speculate on why the Trump administration has not yet made a decision on the fiscal year 2018 CW cap.\n\t\u201cBut I do know that the delay is harmful to our businesses and to workers, who are waiting for the decision and to find out whether they will get the 2018 CW permits they have applied for.\u201d (PR)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/keeping-h-2b-cap-exemption", "Keeping the H-2B cap exemption", "2017-10-23", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Keeping the H-2B cap exemption                                           \n              Oct 22, 2017      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n            \n    \n  \n    \n    \n    Exemption from the national cap on the number of H-2B visas for temporary workers is a key part of the strategy to ensure a sufficient labor force in the Marianas. We have been working for some months to make sure that an apparent drafting error in the Senate National Defense Authorization Act for 2018 that would remove the exemption is corrected. The House bill does not have this defect.\nAs the House and Senate conference committee on the Defense Act moves into high gear, I put my concern in writing for the record; and we will continue to make sure that no change in current law exempting the Marianas from the H-2B cap is inadvertently enacted.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/troop-store-officially-opens", "Troop Store officially opens", "2017-10-23", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After eight years of work, the expanded Army and Air Force Exchange Services Troop Store \u2013 serving over 4,000 Marianas veterans, active duty and Reserve service members, and their families \u2013 officially opens on October 26. The U.S. Army 9th Mission Support Command will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $2.8 million, 5,000-square-foot facility, which features more shelf space, more merchandise, a snack station, and other amenities for our service community.\nImproving the Troop Store has been my goal since my first term in Congress. To make it possible, I included a feasibility study in the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act; and construction completion was expected in 2013. But the need to clear the site of unexploded ordnance caused years of delay.\nThe expanded store, which had a soft opening in August, is in addition to the $7 million Reserve Center revitalization that retrofitted structures with weather-resistant materials and tripled the current training area by adding 3,000 square feet of administration offices, classrooms and maintenance space. Additionally, solar panels, a solar water heater, and energy-efficient lighting at the Center support the Army\u2019s energy net zero initiative.\nThanks to all who made these projects a success.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 131, "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 \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "MP", "p2": "2017"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MP&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 109, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MP&year=2017&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Independent", "label": "Independent", "count": 22, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MP&year=2017&party=Independent", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MP&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 131, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MP&year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MP&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "MP", "label": "MP", "count": 131, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MP&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "2017", "label": "2017", "count": 131, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MP", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2017-10-23,https~3A~2F~2Fsablan~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Ftroop-store-officially-opens", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MP&year=2017&_next=2017-10-23%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fsablan~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Ftroop-store-officially-opens&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 38.05160289630294, "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"}