A new Congress

Jan 8, 2017

The 115th U.S. Congress convened on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. I know we can work successfully in a Republican-led Congress, because we have for the last two years. Though the prospect of a new President on January 20 creates some uncertainty, I have no doubt about what the priorities will continue to be for the people I represent in the Northern Mariana Islands:

  • Addressing the need of our growing economy for workers remains a central concern. That means making sure that U.S. immigration works to help, not hurt us and making sure that our own people get the education they need to lead productive lives. We also have to make sure that immigration policy remains friendly to tourists from Russia and China.
  • I look forward to President-elect Trump’s promise to rebuild infrastructure. The Marianas already lags behind the rest of America when it comes to the cost of electricity, 24-hour water, and adequate waste disposal systems. If we want to continue our economic growth, we have to have the infrastructure that development requires.
  • Health care is a worry. Obamacare left out the insular areas in most respects. But we were able to get an extra $109 million for Medicaid, which has kept our hospital open, and we got the Kagman Community Health Center. Any “repeal and replace” of Obamacare must at least protect those benefits for our islands.
  • Constituent services remain a top concern. Whether helping individuals get the services they are entitled to from federal agencies or making sure that people in the Northern Marianas are well aware of those services and other opportunities available through federal programs, constituent services will always be at the heart of the work of your congressional office.

Throughout the next two years I also look forward to working closely with Governor Ralph Torres, as we have done so successfully already on food assistance, submerged lands ownership, immigration, sanctuary designation in our marine monument, and other matters where both the federal and Commonwealth governments have a role.