releases: http://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-december-23-2015
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-december-23-2015 | THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - December 23, 2015 | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Independent | Senate | MP | Gregorio Sablan | S001177 | sablan.house.gov | legacy | In this issue: Bill introduced to pay for earned income tax credit in NMI. I have introduced legislation,H.R. 4309, that would use federal funds to cover the cost of the earned income tax credit in the Northern Mariana Islands and other U.S. insular areas. The EITC provides extra money to U.S. workers, who have low wage jobs, up to $6,000 annually. Here in the Northern Marianas, where incomes are half the national average, the EITC would put more money into peoples pockets and into our local economy. Unlike other forms of welfare that go to people without jobs, the EITC is only paid to those who are working. It rewards work. The EITC would apply in the same way as the Child Tax Credit that many families now receive. Taxpayers file for the credit on their CNMI tax return; and then the federal government gives the money to the CNMI to cover the cost. The Commonwealth tried to provide the EITC in the 1990s, but had to stop because the program was too expensive. Getting tax law changed is not easy to do in Congress. And what I am proposing costs money, so it is even more difficult. But our new Speaker, Paul Ryan, wants to reform the tax code perhaps in the next Congress. My proposal starts the discussion and prepares us for the work that could get done in 2017 or 2018. New Marianas High School cafeteria approved. Marianas High School students will be getting a new cafeteria and kitchen valued at $1.4 million. The U.S. Department of Agricultures Food and Nutrition Service approved use of 2015 Nutritional Assistance Grant funds for the project this week. The Public School System asked for approval in September. I registered support with FNS Administrator Audrey Rowe and have been working with the agency ever since to clear procedural hurdles. The present cafeteria, built in 1969, was designed to serve 450 students. The new cafeteria will be five times larger. This will allow the current enrollment of 1,604 students to all be served in two lunch periods of 30 minutes each. At the recommendation of FNS the new facility will also include a full kitchen, where students will be able to learn cooking and nutritional skills for their own benefit and as part of the MHS vocational curriculum. Federal NAG funds previously built cafeterias at San Vicente Elementary and Dandan Middle schools. Congratulations to PSS and all the MHS Dolphins. Opportunities - Federal grants, jobs for and in the Marianas Grants: State Wildlife Grant Program The State Wildlife Grants Program provides grant funds for the development and implementation of programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished. Eligible activities include both planning and implementation. Closing date isSeptember 30, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280580. Cancer Prevention and Control Programs The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will provide a continuation of funds intended for grantees previously awarded under DP12-1205 - Cancer Prevention and Control Programs for State, Territorial and Tribal Organizations. Closing date isFebruary 26, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280676. Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks The Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks grant program provides funding to advance technological capability and promote the deployment of intelligent transportation systems applications for commercial vehicle operations, including commercial motor vehicle, commercial driver, and carrier-specific information systems and networks. Current closing date isMarch 3, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=280327. Jobs: Psychiatry/Mental Health APRN The Department Of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration is accepting applications for a Psychiatry/Mental Health APRN in Guam for the Guam Community Based Outpatient Clinic. Duties include using expert clinical judgment in the management of care to complex and specialized patient populations; and guiding staff in the implementation of nursing processes and evaluation of patient care outcomes. Position is open untilJanuary 29, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/424769800. Fish and Wildlife Biologist The Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting applications for a Fish and Wildlife Biologist in Guam. As a Biologist (Endangered Species) with the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office incumbent will plan, conduct, and report on ecological investigations to determine the effects of land and water development projects on the fish, botanical, and wildlife resources, and make recommendations concerning these projects which may result in decisions to oppose or modify major land and water development plans. Position is open untilDecember 31, 2015. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/419227800. Highlights in the Legislative Program THIS WEEK: The House is in recess for the District Work Period. Introduced H.R.4309 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reimburse each possession of United States for the cost of the earned income tax credit Co-sponsorships NEXT WEEK: The House is in recess for the District Work Period. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |