THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - January 6, 2017

Jan 8, 2017
In this issue: 
 

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A new Congress. 

The 115th U.S. Congress convened on Tuesday. 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.

CW invrease bill reintroduced.

Thursday, I reintroduced in the new Congress my legislation increasing CW nonimmigrant worker permits in the Northern Marianas. H.R. 339 is the same bill as H.R. 6401, which the House passed but the Senate did not act on in the last Congress. The bill provides an extra 2,002 workers - returning us to the 2013 level of 15,000 - but only for 2017. According to Commonwealth government data, even with 15,000 foreign workers, the majority of jobs in the Marianas economy will still be held by U.S. workers. H.R. 339 also raises to $200 the fee employers pay for each CW permit. The money goes to train locals to replace foreign workers. The legislation has broad support in the Marianas, including from Governor Torres, Senate President Borja, the Governor’s Strategic Economic Development Council, the Hotel Association of the Northern Marianas, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation.

Apply now for CHCI Congressional Internships.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute is offering paid summer and semester eight-week internships on Capitol Hill to promising Hispanic undergraduate students. Selected individuals will experience what it’s like to work in a congressional office while participating in weekly professional and leadership development and civic engagement through community service. The deadline to apply for summer internships is January 20, 2017. Fall internship applications are due April 21, 2017. For more information or to submit an application, go to http://chci.org/programs/internships/.

APAICS summer internships available.

The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies is also offering summer internships in DC. The APAICS Summer Internship Program is an eight-week program that provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to experience American politics and public policy. APAICS interns are placed in U.S. congressional offices or federal agencies. The program develops leadership and professional skills, encourages political and civic engagement, and fosters a strong interest in public service careers. Deadline to apply is January 31, 2017. For more information and to apply, go to http://apaics.org/summer-interns/.

Federal Opportunities for/in the Marianas 

Grants:

  • Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program – The mission of the BREP is to develop technological solutions and investigate changes in fishing practices designed to minimize bycatch of fish and protected species as well as to minimize mortality and injury of bycaught species. Projects should produce outcomes that can directly influence management needs of federally managed living marine resources. Closing date is March 31, 2017. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=291025.
  • Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking – The Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Program supports community-based organizations in providing culturally relevant services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Closing date is February 16, 2017. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=291039.

Jobs:

  • Library Technician – The Commander, Navy Installations has an opening for a Library Technician in Guam. Incumbent is responsible for all circulation service operations, and assists in the training of new library aides and technicians on circulation tasks. Position is open until January 9, 2017. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/461358100/.
  • Physician – Veterans Affairs, Veteran Health Administration has an opening for a Physician (CMO - Guam Community Based Outpatient Clinic) on Guam. Incumbent exercises overall leadership responsibility for the day to day operations at the Guam CBOC and is responsible for coordination of care consistent with Patient Centered Medical Home or Patient Aligned Care Teams. Position is open until February 6, 2017. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/461422000/.
Highlights in the Legislative Program 
THIS WEEK
  • H.Res.5 – Resolution providing for the House Rules of the 115th Congress (Passed, 234-193)
  • H.R.21 – Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017 (Passed, 238-184)
  • H.R.72 – GAO Access and Oversight Act of 2017 (Agreed to by voice vote)
  • H.R.69 – Thoroughly Investigating Retaliation Against Whistleblowers Act (Agreed to by voice vote)
  • H.Res.11 – Objecting to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 as an obstacle to Israeli-Palestinian peace (Passed, 342-80)
  • H.R.26 – Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2017 (Passed, 237-187)
  • H.R.27 – Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act (Agreed to by voice vote)
NEXT WEEK
  • H.R.306 – Energy Efficient Government Technology Act
  • H.R.338 – To promote a 21st century energy and manufacturing workforce
  • H.R.315 – Improving Access to Maternity Care Act
  • H.R.304 – Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017
  • H.R.5 – Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017
  • H.R 78 – SEC Regulatory Accountability Act
  • H.R.79 – HALOS Act
  • H.R.238 – Commodity End-User Relief Act