releases: http://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-march-7-2016
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| http://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-march-7-2016 | THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - March 7, 2016 | 2016-03-06 | 2016 | 2016-03 | Independent | Senate | MP | Gregorio Sablan | S001177 | sablan.house.gov | legacy | In this issue: NMI questions are the focus for Secretary Jewell Making the case for an NMI National Guard Opportunities - Federal grants, jobs for/in the Marianas Highlights in the Legislative Program __________________________________________________________________________ NMI questions are the focus for Secretary Jewell. This week I questioned Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell on her Department’s FY17 budget proposal, focusing on what is important for the Northern Mariana Islands. Close Up, the program that brings island students to Washington every year to learn about their government, has been dropped from any mention in the budget. I wanted the Secretary to make a commitment to fund Close Up; and she said there would be $1 million for the program. I also asked about the Rota National Park study, which I had authorized in law in 2015. The study is on schedule and fully funded, but I wanted the Secretary to know it is a priority for the NMI and especially Rota. I brought up the slow pace of cleanup at American Memorial Park after Typhoon Soudelor that has been a concern of many constituents, so the Secretary will make sure the Park gets more attention. And I asked for a report on the Interagency Group on Insular Areas, which Governor Torres attended last month. Is IGIA working? Are the Governors satisfied with the outcomes? The last report on the IGIA website is from 2008. I got a commitment from the Secretary to provide something more recent. This opportunity for direct communication with Department heads is why the annual budget hearings are so important. Making the case for an NMI National Guard. At the House Armed Services Committee Member request day this year, I submitted testimony to help set up a Northern Mariana Islands National Guard unit. I asked that my bill, H.R. 3649, authorizing an NMI Guard unit, be made part of the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. I also requested that the 2017 NDAA require the Department of Defense to submit a plan following up on last year’s report that an NMI Guard unit is a realistic goal, given our population and other factors. I included an order for the report in the 2014 NDAA as a necessary step in making the case for our own Guard unit. Now, the challenge will be getting the unit approved at a time when the Guard is actually downsizing nationwide. Despite that, an NMI Guard unit is needed to help the Governor respond to natural disasters, such as Typhoon Soudelor, as well as to provide jobs for island residents. Besides, every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands all have their own National Guard. The Northern Marianas should, too. Opportunities - Federal grants, jobs for and in the Marianas: Grants: Senior Medicare Patrol Program – Senior Medicare Patrol Program projects actively work to disseminate fraud prevention and identification information through the media, outreach campaigns, community events and also working with beneficiaries who present with complex cases such as compromised Medicare numbers. Current closing date is April 25, 2016. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=281363. Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services – The goal of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program is to expand the availability of high quality citizenship preparation services for lawful permanent residents in communities across the nation. Current closing date is April 22, 2016. For more information, go tohttp://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=281833. Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction – The goal of the Citizenship Instruction grant is to provide support to community-based organizations in their efforts to establish new citizenship instruction programs or expand the quality and reach of existing citizenship instruction programs. Current closing date is April 22, 2016. For more information, go tohttp://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=281832. Technology Innovation for Public Safety – There are two categories under this solicitation: (1) innovative technology implementation to address precipitous increases in crime and (2) training and technical assistance to assist grantees in project implementation and collection of data to assist BJA in identifying promising practices. Current closing date is April 20, 2016. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=281935. WaterSMART: Cooperative Watershed Management Program – The objective of this FOA is to invite States, nonprofit organizations, existing watershed groups, and local and special districts to submit proposals for Phase I activities to establish or further develop a watershed group. Current closing date is May 4, 2016. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=281889. Training and Information for Parents of Children with Disabilities: Community Parent Resource Centers – The purpose of this program is to ensure that parents of children with disabilities receive training and information to help improve results for their children. Current closing date is April 11, 2016. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=281791. Jobs: Commissary Officer – The Defense Commissary Agency is accepting applications for a Commissary Officer in Guam. Incumbent is responsible for managing all of the activities and functions of the commissary to include a full range of managerial and supervisory responsibilities. Position is open untilMarch 8, 2016. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/430616000/. Western U.S. Pathways-Student Trainee (Store Associate) – The Defense Commissary Agency is accepting applications for a Student Trainee (Store Associate) in Guam. As a Pathways Intern, the trainee will actively participate in on-the-job training and progressively challenging assignments that relate to your academic program, career goals, and the needs of the agency. Position is open until April 30, 2016. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/430358300/. DoDEA Americas Community Superintendent – The Department of Defense Education Activity is accepting applications for a Community Superintendent in Guam. The Community Superintendent serves as an assistant to the District Superintendent, sharing the full level of supervision for the schools in a predetermined geographical area as delegated by the Superintendent. Position is open until August 25, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/430602300/. Highlights in the Legislative Program THIS WEEK On the floor H.R.3716 – Ensuring Removal of Terminated Providers from Medicaid and CHIP Act (Passed, 406-0) H.R.4557 – Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act of 2016 (Passed, 238-163) H.R.4583 – To promote a 21st century energy and manufacturing workforce (Agreed to by voice vote) H.R.4238 – To amend the Department of Energy Organization Act and the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act to modernize terms relating to minorities (Passed, 376-0) H.R.1471 – FEMA Disaster Assistance Reform Act of 2015 (Agreed to by voice vote) The House is in recess for the District Work Period. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |