releases: http://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-december-18-2015
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-december-18-2015 | THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - December 18, 2015 | 2015-12-21 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Independent | Senate | MP | Gregorio Sablan | S001177 | sablan.house.gov | legacy | In this issue: _________________________________________________________________________ Soudelor commendations added to Congressional Record. In a statement to the U.S. House of Representativesthis week, I gave an account of the damage we suffered in Typhoon Soudelor and the response that followed. And I gave thanks to all who made possible our remarkable rebound from adversity. More than four months after one of the worst typhoons in memory, the initial recovery is substantially complete, and long-term rebuilding is well under way. In fact, the Federal Emergency Management Agency transitioned its recovery operations back to the Region IX office in San Francisco this week. Assistance from FEMA and other federal agencies will continue; and when all is said and done, the Northern Marianas will have received an estimated $100 million in federal disaster aid to help us get back on our feet. But it is the hard work and charity of so many individuals within our community and from outside who have really made our recovery possible. I cannot put a dollar value on that human effort; but I wanted to recognize and thank everyone and make a permanent memorial of their accomplishment in the official record of the U.S. Congress. FY16 funding, tax extenders approved. The House and Senate today passed, and the President already signed,an appropriations and tax bill, providing $1.067 trillion in funding for the federal government for the rest of fiscal year 2016 and extending a variety of tax provisions. Highlights of funding and tax provisions that benefit the Northern Marianas include: $22.5 billion for Pell Grants, which is the same as the 2015 enacted level. When combined with mandatory funding, these discretionary funds will enable the maximum grant to increase to an estimated $5,915, an increase of $140 in the 2016-2017 school year for NMC students. $6.35 billion to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in FY16. The amount is lower than the FY15 enacted level due to decreases in program participation and is expected to provide full benefits to participants. WIC provides nutritional foods and services to nutritionally at-risk low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children in the Northern Marianas. The Northern Marianas WIC program received $5.4 million in FY15. $638 million for the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, an increase from the FY 2015 enacted level. The Northern Marianas received $456,074 in FY 2014 to help address the health needs of mothers, infants and children, including children with special health care needs and their families. Increases in funding for major housing programs: $19.63 billion for Section 8 Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, an approximate increase of $324 million from the FY15 enacted level. Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance increases $890 to $10.62 billion. And the HOME Investment Partnership program is funded at $950 million, a $50 million increase from FY15.The Community Development Block Grant remains at the FY15 funding level of $3 billion. A total of $600,000 appropriated for the Army Corps of Engineer to conduct the feasibility studies for the Rota West Harbor and the Tinian Harbor. These studies will determine the changes needed to make the Rota harbor more accessible. The Tinian Harbor study will focus on ensuring the harbor can support increased military activity. Military personnel will receive a 1.3% pay raise beginningJanuary 1. H.R. 2029 reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which Republicans allowed to expire onSeptember 30, for three years. The LWCF is one of our countrys most successful outdoor recreation and conservation programs. Over the last 50 years, it has conserved national parks and forests, farms and ranches, fish and wildlife refuges, trails, and state and local parks. Extension of the $250 tax credit for teacher classroom expenses. NMI educators: Apply now for LOC Summer Institutes. The application period for the Library of Congress 2016 Summer Teacher Institutes is now open, and educators from the Northern Marianas are encouraged to apply. The application deadline isFebruary 29, 2016. The highly acclaimed Summer Teacher Institutes provide educators with the tools and training to effectively utilize the Librarys rich collection of primary sources in the classroom. Educators will also be given the resources to share what they learn with their colleagues in their respective districts. Five weeklong institutes will be offered from June to July next year, including one institute focused on science, engineering, and technology. The week-long training is free, but participants are responsible for the costs of travel to Washington, DC, and room and board. To learn more about the Summer Teacher Institutes, and to apply, visit:https://www.loc.gov/teachers/professionaldevelopment/teacherinstitute/. Opprtunities - Federal grants, jobs for and in the Marianas Grants: 2020 Census Integrated Communications Contract The Census Bureau is planning to award a contract to design, plan, produce, implement, and assess an integrated communications program for the 2020 Census. The contractor will be responsible for providing services in multiple communications areas to build awareness and promote self-response for the 2020 Census. For more information and important dates, go tohttps://www.census.gov/about/business-opportunities/opportunities/vender-opps/2014-10-15-2020-comm.html. Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries are a special funding opportunity within the IMLS National Leadership Grants for Libraries program. These small grants encourage libraries and archives to test and evaluate specific innovations in the ways they operate and the services they provide. Sparks Grants support the deployment, testing, and evaluation of promising and groundbreaking new tools, products, services, or organizational practices. Current closing date isFebruary 1, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280610. Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program The DFC Program was created by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-20) and has two goals: 1. Establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies; as well as federal, state, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth. 2. Reduce substance use among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse. Current closing date isMarch 18, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280572. Jobs: Safety and Occupational Health Specialist The US Naval Base, Naval Facilities Engineering Command is accepting applications for a Safety and Occupational Health Specialist in Guam. Incumbent will monitor base operation services, conduct periodic inspections, review written plans and methods of safety programs, and coordinate with program managers, among other duties. Position is open untilDecember 21, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/424012500. Clinical Nurse The Naval Hospital, Naval Medical Command, is accepting applications for a Clinical Nurse in Guam. Incumbent will initiate and retrieve reports of laboratory tests and examinations, prepare patients for surgery, provide education, assessment, teaching and care of wound for after surgery, and receive, assess, monitor and documents findings. Position is open untilDecember 22, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/424004700. Materials Handler The Defense Commissary Agency, Department of Defense is accepting applications for a Materials Handler in Guam. Incumbent will receive incoming property, equipment and subsistence items, prepare shipping and inventory documents, document and report overages, shortages and damaged items, and operate forklifts, pallet jacks to receive, or deliver merchandise, among other duties. Position is open untilDecember 28, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/423901300. Park Ranger The National Park Services, Department of the Interior is accepting applications for a Park Ranger in Guam. Incumbent will work in the park's visitor center and in the field providing a variety of formal interpretive programs including orientation talks, environmental education programs, conducted walks, demonstrations, and outreach programs, among other related duties. Position is open untilDecember 21, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/423751000. Medical Officer The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services is accepting applications for a Medical Officer in Guam. Incumbent will provide support, perform non-clinical duties involving evaluations, apply epidemiological principles, research findings, make substantive courses of action, and streamline public health processes and procedures, among other duties. Position is open untilMarch 15, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/420979600. Water Treatment Plant Operator The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Department of the Navy is accepting applications for a Water Treatment Plant Operator in Guam. Incumbent will maintain waterworks system, record pressure gauge indicators, adjust water chemicals, ensure adequate supply of chlorine and other chemicals, monitor operation of plant equipment, and adhere to safety and security. Position is open untilDecember 21, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/424363300. Highlights in the Legislative Program THIS WEEK: On the floor H.R.2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (Passed, 316-113 ) / Tax Extenders (Passed, 318-109) H.R.3654 Tracking Foreign Fighters in Terrorist Safe Havens Act (Passed, 423-0) H.R.2820 Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Concurred in the Senate amendment, 421-0) H.R.4246 National Guard and Reservist Debt Relief Extension Act of 2015 (Passed, 419-1) S.1090 Emergency Information Improvement Act of 2015 (Passed, 420-1) H.R.3654 Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act of 2015 (Agreed to by voice vote) H.R.2297 Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015 (Concurred in the Senate amendments, 425-0) H.R.3750 First Responders Passport Act of 2015 (Passed, 421-2) H.R.3878 Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2015 (Agreed to by voice vote) NEXT WEEK: On the floor The House is in recess for the District Work Period. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |