In this issue:
Better veterans outreach request included in VA funding bill
Briefing USCIS Director Rodriguez on CW talks
Commonwealth receives $4.6 m in CIP funds
Covenant protections added to Puerto Rico crisis bill
Celebrating Library week
Updates from CNMI Labor Secretary, Homeland Security
Women deserve equal pay
Opportunites - Federal grants, jobs for/in the Marianas
Highlights in the legislative program
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Better veterans outreach request included in VA funding bill.
$9 million for Tinian land lease
Language I requested, to increase outreach to veterans in underserved areas such as the Marianas, was agreed for inclusion in the fiscal year 2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill this week. Veterans on Rota and Tinian, particularly, have seen a drop-off in face-to-face visits from Veterans Benefits Administration staff and that cannot continue. The Appropriations Committee accepted my language for this year’s funding bill, telling the VBA to step up efforts to reach veterans in remote areas. VBA provides a variety of benefits and services to active duty, vets, and their families, ranging from disability compensation to education and training to pension and insurance aid.
Also included in the spending bill is $9 million for land acquisition in the Marianas requested by the Air Force. According to budget documents, the Air Force intends to lease 7.1 hectares of land for its divert activities and exercises. A Navy real estate survey pegs the cost to buy the land at $3.2 million. But the Air Force expects to pay a much higher price to lease the property. Our Covenant stipulates that, if land is required, the United States will acquire only the minimum real property interest necessary, in this case a lease. The bill does not specify the specific location, but the Air Force has already publicly stated that Tinian is their preferred alternative for the divert project.
Commonwealth receives $4.6 m in CIP funds.
Congress appropriates funding each year for infrastructure and emergency needs in the Northern Mariana Islands. This week, $4.6 million from the fiscal year 2016 appropriation was announced for capital improvement projects, as well as to cover some of the local cost-share for Typhoon Soudelor:
$1 million for the Public School System. Funds will be used to repair school buildings and classrooms identified by the Army Corps of Engineers as posing health and safety risks to faculty and students in our public schools.
$1 million for Tinian. Funds will be used to construct a new solid waste transfer station and recycling facility for the island of Tinian.
$1 million for Rota. Funds will be used to modify the design of the existing dumpsite on Rota to comply with the CNMI Division of Environmental Quality’s Administrative Order and with the federal Clean Water Act.
$816,376 for Typhoon Soudelor Local Cost-Share. Funds will be used to meet the requirement for the local match of federal recovery funds for public infrastructure, such as the Commonwealth Utility Corporation’s electrical system that was severely damaged by Soudelor, and for hazard mitigation to harden the Commonwealth against future storm damage.
$669,550 to the Capital Improvement Project Program Administration. Funds will be used for operational expenses of the CNMI CIP office.
$120,074 to the Office of Capital Improvement. Funds will be used to repair government buildings and to purchase tools and equipment.
Earlier this year, CUC was awarded $5 million in FY16 federal CIP funds for projects required under a stipulated order of the U.S. District Court.
Covenant protections added to Puerto Rico crisis bill.
Specific language I insisted on, protecting the Marianas Covenant with the United States, has been added to a Republican bill addressing the debt crisis in Puerto Rico. Two weeks ago Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) issued a discussion draft of legislation aimed to help Puerto Rico, which has over $70 billion in debt it cannot pay, but that draft said that Congress could create a financial oversight board in the Northern Marianas or any U.S. territory. The oversight board would be part of the local government, clearly a violation of the mutual consent provision of the Covenant, which requires that the Northern Marianas to agree to any change in the structure of our local government. The redrafted bill, H.R. 4900, now says, specifically, that it cannot be interpreted in any way to weaken or change the Covenant. In addition, the bill now says that no oversight board can be set up by Congress in the Marianas except by request of the Northern Marianas Legislature in a resolution signed by the Governor. A Committee markup to send the bill to the full House for a vote was cancelled Thursdaybecause other issues, unrelated to my Covenant concerns, remain unresolved.
Women deserve equal pay.
Women’s soccer is a glaring example of the inequity between what men and women are paid for doing the same job. But in all lines of work nationwide women are paid on average 79¢ where men earn $1.00. That is why I joined 110 other Members of Congress, Republicans and Democrats, this week writing to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to support the members of the U.S. Women’s National Team. Five of our World Cup champion women soccer players accused the U.S. Soccer Federation of wage discrimination, because they earn as little as 40 percent of what players on the U.S. Men’s National Team earn. But it is not just sports stars who have a complaint, and it is not just the pay differences between men and women that are a concern. Women of color are treated particularly badly. Compared to white men in our country, African American women are paid 60 cents, Native American women are paid 59 cents, and Hispanic Women are paid 55 cents. It has been five decades since Congress enacted the Equal Pay Act of 1963. It is time for every employer to be held accountable for short-changing women. The principle is simple: Equal pay for equal work.
Opportunities - Federal grants, jobs for and in the Marianas:
Grants:
Strategies for Successful Reentry from Incarceration to Community – The goal of this program is to support jurisdictions to develop and implement comprehensive and collaborative strategies that address the challenges posed by reentry to increase public safety and reduce recidivism for individuals reentering communities from incarceration who are at medium to high risk for recidivating. Closing date is June 9, 2016. For more information, go tohttp://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=282907.
Rural Energy for America Program – The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. Closing date is May 2, 2016. For more information, go tohttp://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency.
Creating a National Network of Partners to Promote Cancer Prevention – This FOA will develop and maintain a national network of cancer-prevention organizations, convene a national meeting of cancer prevention and HPV immunization stakeholders, and fund and manage pilot project/s to address barriers to HPV vaccine uptake. Closing date is June 3, 2016. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=282935.
Advanced Placement Test Fee Program – The APTF Program awards grants to State educational agencies to enable them to pay all or a portion of advanced placement test fees on behalf of eligible low-income students. Closing date is May 12, 2016. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=282929.
Multistate Conservation Grant Program – The primary goal of the Conservation Grant Program is to provide grant funds to address priority needs of the state wildlife agencies that are beyond the scope and capabilities of a single state. Closing date is August 5, 2016. For more information, go tohttp://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=282903.
Food Safety Outreach Program – The Food Safety Outreach Program at NIFA was established to complement and expand the National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, Outreach, and Technical Assistance Competitive Grants Program, first initiated in FY 2015. Closing date is June 2, 2016. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=282966.
Jobs:
Safety and Occupational Health Manager – The Army National Guard is accepting applications from Guam Army National Guard employees for a Safety and Occupational Health Manager in Guam. The primary purpose of this position is to manage the state Safety, Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene programs through a staff of professional and technical personnel. Incumbent ensures effective program implementation within the broad framework of congressional legislation, executive orders, DOD, Army and National Guard Bureau policy, goals, and objectives. Closing date is May 7, 2016. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/435389200/.
Highlights in the Legislative Program
THIS WEEK:
On the floor
S.2512 – Adding Zika Virus to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act (Agreed to by voice vote)
H.R.2947 – Financial Institution Bankruptcy Act of 2016 (Agreed to by voice vote)
H.R.4676 – Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2016 (Passed, 411-0)
H.R.1567 – Global Food Security Act of 2016 (Passed, 370-33)
H.R.4549 – Treating Small Airports with Fairness Act of 2016 (Agreed to by voice vote)
H.R.4403 – Enhancing Overseas Traveler Vetting Act, as amended (Agreed to by voice vote)
H.R.3791 – To raise the consolidated assets threshold under the small bank holding company policy statement, and for other purposes (Passed, 247-171)
H.R.3340 – Financial Stability Oversight Council Reform Act (Passed, 239-179)
H.R.2666 – No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act
Co-sponsored Legislation
H.Res.634 – Recognizing the importance of the United States-Republic of Korea-Japan trilateral relationship to counter North Korean threats and nuclear proliferation, and to ensure regional security and human rights
NEXT WEEK:
On the floor
H.R.1206 – No Hires for the Delinquent IRS Act
H.R.4885 – IRS Oversight While Eliminating Spending Act
H.R.3724 – Ensuring Integrity in the IRS Workforce Act
H.R.4890 – IRS Bonuses Tied to Measurable Metrics Act
Committee Hearings
April 19
Committee on Natural Resources Oversight Hearing on “Recent Changes to Endangered Species Critical Habitat Designation and Implementation”
April 20
Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans Legislative Hearing on H.R.1869, “Environmental Compliance Cost Transparency Act of 2015”; H.R. 2993, “Water Recycling Acceleration Act of 2015; and H.R. 4582, “Save Our Salmon (SOS) Act”