In this issue:
Obama supports Earned Income Tax Credit for NMI
Enjoyable visit with the Knights
Palau Compact extension gets a hearing
Listening session with NMI senators
Delegates speak up for Medicaid
Lively discussion with the Dolphins
SBA disaster loan applications due May 5
Photos of DC office visitors
Opportunities - Federal grants, jobs for/in the Marianas
Highlights in the legislative program
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Obama supports Earned Income Tax Credit for NMI.
The Obama administration told Congress this week that it wants the Northern Mariana Islands and all U.S. insular areas included in the Earned Income Tax Credit program. This is a change. Before, the administration has only proposed extending this federal help for low-income working families to Puerto Rico. Now, the Obama position is consistent with the legislation I introduced last year, H.R. 4309, that makes federal funding for the tax credit available to all the insular areas. The administration put forward its expanded proposal at a Senate hearing this week (see following story). Under my bill the EITC would work like the Child Tax Credit that is already available in the NMI. Taxpayers apply for the credit on their annual income tax form. The U.S. Treasury then gives the money to the Commonwealth to cover the cost and CNMI Finance distributes the credit by check. The EITC lifts family income and puts more money into the local economy. And because you have to be working to get this tax refund, it also encourages people to find a job, which should help our effort to hire more U.S. workers.
Palau Compact extension gets a hearing.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing this week on two bills requested by the administration concerning U.S. affiliated Pacific islands:
S.2610 approves the 15-year extension of the Compact of Free Association between the U.S. and the Republic of Palau. I have introduced similar legislation in the House, H.R. 4531. Palau and the U.S. agreed in 2010 on the Compact extension, but Congress has never committed the money required to approve the agreement. Instead, Congress has paid Palau on a year-by-year basis, falling behind in the total committed in the 2010 agreement. This is no way to treat a neighbor, especially a neighbor with significant strategic importance to our national security. Palau is part of the line of islands, which include Guam and the Northern Marianas, that form a defensive perimeter to the east of the Asian continent. And the Compact gives the U.S. the right to base forces in Palau and deny access to any other nation’s military. See my testimony to the Senate Committee in favor of extending the Palau Compact.
S.2360, the Omnibus Territories Act of 2015, tweaks cabotage law, which bars foreign air carriers from flying between U.S. airports. In American Samoa, currently, foreign-owned Polynesian Airlines flies between the islands of Tutuila and Manu’a, but must apply for a waiver of the cabotage law every 30 days. S. 2360 removes that 30-day re-application requirement, until a U.S. carrier starts flying between the two islands. S. 2360 also broadens resettlement options for the people of Bikini Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, where the U.S. tested nuclear weapons in the 1950s and 1960s. And the bill amends the Real ID Act of 2005 to allow citizens of the Marshall Islands, Palau, or the Federated States of Micronesia to more easily obtain driver licenses in the United States.
Delegates speak up for Mediciad.
Insular area Delegates to Congress repeated their concern in a letter this week that draft legislation addressing the debt crisisin Puerto Rico, released on March 29, does not go far enough to solve the problem. In particular, the Delegates want the legislation to treat Puerto Rico as a state under the Medicaid program and extend federal support for the Earned Income Tax Credit there. Both of these proposals are in the Obama administration roadmap for relief in Puerto Rico, because taking away the financial burden of healthcare for the poor and putting more money in the pockets of working families would improve Puerto Rico’s ability to pay its creditors. Obama has also proposed Medicaid reform and, now, the EITC for the other insular areas as well (see Obama supports Earned Income Tax Credit for NMI, above). The Delegates believe that taking away health care costs faced by insular governments and getting federal payment for the EITC will help their areas avoid the financial crisis now facing Puerto Rico. I signed the letter together with Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam), Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands), and Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa).
SBA disaster loan applications due May 5.
Typhoon Soudelor survivors have until Thursday, May 5, 2016 to register for low interest rate loans for economic injuries caused by the typhoon. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million may be used to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply. According to District Director Jane Sawyer of the SBA Hawaii District Office, “EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact.” Interest rates are 4 percent for businesses and 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SAB’s secure website athttps://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800)-877-8339. For more disaster assistance information or to download applications, visithttps://www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Opportunities - Federal grants, jobs for and in the Marianas:
Grants:
Small Community Air Service Development Program – The program is designed to provide financial assistance to small communities in order to help them enhance their air service. The Department provides this assistance in the form of monetary grants that are disbursed on a reimbursable basis. Current closing date is May 2, 2016. For more information, go tohttp://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=282593.
Carol M. White Physical Education Program – The Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) provides grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) to initiate, expand, and improve physical education for students in grades K-12. Current closing date is May 20, 2016. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=282386.
Pathways to Justice Careers for Youth – This program supports at-risk and court-involved youth that are still in school by providing: 1) exposure to the world of work in the career fields of justice and emergency services, 2) mentoring to encourage participants to complete a high school diploma or equivalency, and 3) supportive services that engage participants and deter them from engaging or re-engaging with the criminal justice system. Current closing date is May 9, 2016. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=282818.
Digital Projects for the Public – Digital Projects for the Public grants support projects that significantly contribute to the public’s engagement with the humanities. Current closing date is June 8, 2016. For more information, go tohttp://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=282754.
Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces – The purpose of the program is to provide grants to eligible adaptive sports entities to plan, develop, manage, and implement adaptive sports activities for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces. Current closing date is April 28, 2016. For more information, go tohttp://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=281763.
Jobs:
Logistics Management Specialist – The Air National Guard Unit is accepting applications for a Logistics Management Specialist in Guam. Incumbent will be responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing unit logistics plans and operations. Position is open until May 6, 2016. For more information, go tohttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/435229400/.
Administrative Assistant – The US Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, is accepting applications for an Administrative Assistant in Guam. Incumbent will reconcile statements, maintain files, and purchase office supplies, among other related duties. Position is open until April 15, 2016. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/433556700/.
Distribution Technician – The Defense Media Activity, Department of Defense, is accepting applications for a Distribution Technician in Guam. Incumbent will receive and deliver newspapers, maintain sales, and keep management advised of community changes, among other duties. Position is open until April 15, 2016. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/434937000/.
Highlights in the Legislative Program
THIS WEEK:
The House isin recess for the District Work Period.
NEXT WEEK:
On the floor
S.2512 – Adding Zika Virus to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act
H.R.2947 – Financial Institution Bankruptcy Act of 2016
H.R.4676 – Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2016
H.R.1567 – Global Food Security Act of 2016
H.R.4549 – Treating Small Airports with Fairness Act of 2016
H.R.4403 – Enhancing Overseas Traveler Vetting Act, as amended
H.R.3791 – To raise the consolidated assets threshold under the small bank holding company policy statement, and for other purposes
H.R.3340 – Financial Stability Oversight Council Reform Act
H.R.2666 – No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act
Committee Hearings
April 13
Committee on Natural Resources Legislative Hearing on a Discussion Draft of the “Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act”
Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans Oversight Hearing on “Empowering States and Western Water Users Through Regulatory and Administrative Reforms”
April 14
Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Hearing on “Innovations in Health Care: Exploring Free-Market Solutions for a Healthy Workforce”