In this issue:
Veterans Resource Fair starts Wednesday
WINGMAN Act would speed vets cases
Rear Admiral Chatfield consults
Fighting for workers at Labor hearing
Elmo helps launch Congressional Pre-K Caucus
GAO to look at CNMI debt
RMI Ambassador Zackios visits
Aspiring doctor shares healthcare plans
Meeting with AAPI Health Care Advocates
Opportunities - Federal grantsm, jobs for/in the Marianas
Highlights in the Legislative Program
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WINGMAN Act would speed vets cases.
The Veterans Benefits Administration has no permanent personnel in the Northern Marianas and the occasional 6-hour visit from VBA staff from Guam or Honolulu is not enough to meet the needs of veterans seeking assistance with their claim. That is why I signed on to H.R. 512, the WINGMAN Act introduced by my colleague Ted Yoho (R-FL). The bill allows veterans to grant designated congressional office staff read-only access to their claim records within the VBA. Authorized congressional staff would be able to confirm for the veteran that the agency received their documents and make them aware of missing information needed to process the claim. Veterans would not have to wait, sometimes for months, for the VBA to reply. H.R. 512 passed the House on Monday and heads to the Senate for action.
Fighting for workers at Labor hearing.
I advocated for improved wages and stood up for the rights of workers at my first hearing on Tuesday as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions. The hearing focused on recent decisions of the National Labor Relations Board. I want the subcommittee to focus on the needs of working Americans and improving stagnant wages. In my opening statement, I pointed out that in the Northern Marianas, entry-level union workers earn as much as $3.50 an hour above minimum wage and those at higher levels often earn two to three times as much as minimum.
GAO to look in CNMI debt.
The Government Accountability Office has begun reviewing public debt in the Northern Mariana Islands and other U.S. insular areas. I received the scope of work from GAO this week. By June 30, Congress and the public should know how much each insular government owes and their ability to pay their debt. We added this biannual GAO assignment to PROMESA, the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act, last year. That law placed a federal oversight board in charge of local government finances, when Puerto Rico could not meet its bond obligations. In early drafts PROMESA applied generally to insular areas. I worked to limit the law so it did not touch the local self-government enshrined in our Covenant. But we included the GAO reports to help avoid a fiscal crisis like Puerto Rico’s in another insular area.
Federal Opportunities for/in the Marianas
Jobs:
Congressional staff assistant – Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan is seeking a Staff Assistant in the Washington, D.C. congressional office. Responsibilities include answering phones, maintaining the front office, greeting visitors and giving Capitol tours, answering constituent requests for general information, assisting the office manager with scheduling and bookkeeping, and assisting staff with other various administrative and legislative duties in a supportive role. Excellent writing, verbal and organizational skills are essential. High degree of professionalism required, as well as an ability to work a flexible schedule. Ties to the Northern Mariana Islands preferred. Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and two writing samples to MP00.Job@mail.house.gov. No phone calls or drop-ins, please.
Social Worker – The Veterans Health Administration is accepting applications for a Social Worker in Guam. Incumbent functions as a Senior Case Manager working for the Pacific Islands Health Care System, Mental Health Service, Housing and Urban Development-VA Supported Housing Program, and is responsible for coordination of case management services for veterans receiving HUD Section 8 housing vouchers. Position closes on February 28, 2017. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/464355600/.
Education Services Specialist – The Army National Guard is accepting applications for an Education Services Specialist in Guam. Incumbent has responsibility for the development, management and administration of an education and incentive programs designed to provide individual career-related or self-development assistance and planning requirements for military personnel. Position closes on March 13, 2017. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/464227800/.
Highlights in the Legislative Program
THIS WEEK
On the Floor
H.R. 512 – WINGMAN Act (Agreed to by voice vote)
H.R. 244 – HIRE Vets Act (Passed, 409-1)
H.R. 974 – BRAVE Act (Passed, 407-0)
H.J. Res. 42 – Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to drug testing of unemployment compensation applicants (Passed, 236 - 189)
H.J. Res. 43 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule submitted by Secretary of Health and Human Services relating to compliance with title X requirements by project recipients in selecting subrecipients (Passed, 230-188)
H.J. Res. 66 – Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to savings arrangements established by States for non-governmental employees (Passed, 231-193)
H.J. Res. 67 – Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to savings arrangements established by qualified State political subdivisions for non-governmental employees (Passed, 234-191)
NEXT WEEK
The House is in recess for the District Work Period.