In this issue:
$190,086 in LIHEAP grant for NMI
Supporting a clean extension
Typhoon Soudelor Update - Week 13
House Democrats Introduce Working Families Resolution
Bill to help train Northern Marianas workers fill jobs introduced
Opportunities - Federal contracts, grants, and jobs for and in the Marianas
Highlights in the legisltive program
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$190,086 in LIHEAP grant for NMI.
Households in the Northern Mariana Islands, who need help paying their CUC bills, will benefit from the $190,086 in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds announced this week. The money is a partial payment of fiscal year 2016 LIHEAP, until Congress passes an appropriation for the entire year. This energy assistance goes to about 400 families in the NMI. The grant is four times higher than when I started work in Washington as a result of my efforts to get the Department of Health and Human Services to allocate the full amount authorized by law. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius made the decision to provide the maximum in 2014. With median household incomes less than half the national average and with the price of electricity in our islands two to four times more than most Americans pay, LIHEAP remains an important federal program for the Northern Marianas. The CNMI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs administers locally.
Supporting a clean extension.
As of 3:00 a.m. this morning, the House and Senate have both passed a Bipartisan Budget Agreement that increases the borrowing authority of the U.S. government, ensuring we can pay our bills after November 5. A week ago, I joined other Democratic Members in urging Speaker Boehner to lift the debt ceiling in a “clean” bill without any of the politically charged provisions that could result in America defaulting on our obligations. The Budget Agreement, negotiated by the outgoing Speaker in a final gesture of bipartisanship with the President, is not clean. But many of the provisions added are commendable, including an increase in both domestic and defense spending and relief for seniors on Medicare, who were facing as much as a 54 percent increase in their premiums starting in January.
Typhoon Update - Week 13:
Many people are feeling that life is returning to normal. But we will continue to include a recovery update in the weekly e-news as long as we are receiving questions from constituents about aspects of the repairs or as new problems arise that need answers.
American Memorial Park restoration will take time.
As we reported on September 4, the National Park Service provided $120,000 in fiscal year 2015 emergency funds to help repair the damage to American Memorial Park with another $140,000 set aside from fiscal 2016. But damage was extensive and recovery is slow because the work is technical and sometime dangerous, according to National Park Service Superintendent Jim Richardson. Richardson estimates that the Park lost 90% of its trees in Typoon Soudelor. Three months later, the popular park pathway remains inaccessible, covered in debris. The tennis courts are also still closed. And mold associated with the storm has shut down the Visitors Center Auditorium. The good news is that the Visitors Center Museum and Gift Shop have reopened at regular hours - 9am to 6pm daily, except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Public access to the Flag Circle and the marinas has also been cleared.
FEMA accepting appeals to replace damaged appliances.
As power is restored, families are discovering electrical appliances that no longer work because they were damaged in the storm. FEMA has provided a way for those families to file appeals to their initial claims for assistance, so they can get help repairing or replacing the damaged appliances. You will need:
• A written appeal letter specifying that the appliances were damaged by the typhoon, but could not be tested until power was restored;
• A letter from the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation indicating the date when power was restored to your area; and
• A letter from a qualified technician certifying that the appliance(s) need to be repaired or replaced, that the damages were related to the typhoon, and the cost of repair or replacement.
For more information, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
House Democrats Introduce Working Families Resolution.
In our local culture, family is a top priority. That is why I joined 108 House Democrats in introducing H. Res. 506, the Working Families Resolution. The resolution calls on Congress to pass legislation to increase wages, provide for paid family and medical leave when necessary, provide flexible, predictable, and stable work schedules, and give workers access to quality learning opportunities and affordable child care. October is National Work and Family Month, a time to call attention to the challenges working families face in balancing family and work responsibilities. We in the Northern Marianas are very fortunate to have extended family and friends we can call upon for help when family and work responsibilities conflict. Many have to do so more than they would like in order to earn enough for their families to live on. The Working Families Resolution outlines an agenda aimed at boosting wages, helping families achieve a better work-life balance, and removing barriers that prevent hard working families from getting ahead.
Bill to help train Northern Marianas workers fill jobs introduced.
This week, along with 36 of my Democratic colleagues, I introduced the Community College to Career Fund Act, which is designed to train people for the jobs businesses need. Written by Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), H.R. 3862 sets up a competitive grant to fund partnerships between businesses and two-year colleges, like our Northern Marianas College, to address local shortages of skilled workers. The recent reduction in the number of foreign, “CW” workers allowed in the Northern Marianas means employers must find ways to hire more U.S. workers, if growth is to continue in our islands. The Community College to Career Fund Act would respond to that problem by helping NMC close the skills gap between local workers and businesses.
Opportunities - Federal contracts, grants, jobs for and in the Marianas:
Grants:
• Disaster Assistance for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and Tribal Organizations in National Disasters Declared by the President – Grants awarded under this announcement are to provide disaster reimbursement and assistance funds to those State Units on Aging and federally recognized Tribal organizations who are currently receiving a grant under Title VI of the Older Americans Act, as amended. These funds only become available when the President declares a National Disaster and may only be used in those areas designated in the Disaster Declaration issued by the President of the United States. Eligible SUAs and Title VI grantees should discuss all disaster applications with ACL/AoA Regional staff before submitting a formal application. Current closing date is September 12, 2016. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/vi....
• Department of the Interior Maintenance Assistance Program – MAP funding is used to support, develop, improve and, as much as possible, institutionalize infrastructure maintenance practices in the seven insular areas. Current closing date is March 1, 2016. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/vi....
• FY 2016 Economic Development Assistance Programs - Application submission and program requirements for EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs – Under this FFO, EDA solicits applications from applicants in rural and urban areas to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works and EAA programs. Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. EDA provides strategic investments on a competitive- merit-basis to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States. There are no submission deadlines under this opportunity. Proposals and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new EDAP FFO. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/vi....
• Department of Health and Human Services Service Area Competition – The Health Center Program supports patient-directed public and private nonprofit organizations that provide primary and preventive health care services to the Nation’s medically underserved. The purpose of the SAC funding opportunity is to ensure continued access to comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services for communities and vulnerable populations served by the Health Center Program. Current closing date is January 6, 2016. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/vi....
• Specialty Crop Research Initiative Request for Pre-Applications (RFPA) – The purpose of the USDA SCRI grant program is to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry to support research and extension that address key challenges of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food production systems. Projects must address at least one of five focus areas: Research in plant breeding, genetics, genomics, and other methods to improve crop characteristics; Efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators; Efforts to improve production efficiency, handling and processing, productivity, and profitability over the long term (including specialty crop policy and marketing); new innovations and technology, including improved mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening; and methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and respond to potential food safety hazards in the production efficiency, handling and processing of specialty crops. Current closing date is December 3, 2015. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/vi....
• Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program – The purpose of the USDA beginning farmer and rancher development program is to develop and offer education, training, outreach and mentoring programs to enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers. Current statistics show that the rising average age of U.S. farmers, the 8% projected decrease in the number of farmers and ranchers between 2008 and 2018, and the growing recognition this new program is needed to address the needs of the next generation of beginning farmers and ranchers. Current closing date is January 21, 2016. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/vi....
• Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities – The USDA Rural Utilities Service announces the availability of up to $10 million in competitive grants to assist communities with extremely high energy costs. The grant funds may be used to acquire, construct, or improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities serving communities where average annual residential expenditure for home energy exceeding 275 percent of the national average. Eligible projects also include on-grid and off-grid renewable energy projects and implementation of energy efficiency, and energy conservation projects for eligible communities. Current closing date is December 14, 2015. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/vi....
Jobs:
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - The Naval Medical Command, Department of the Navy is accepting applications for a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. Incumbent will perform radiographic examinations, keep up to date and review new developments, assist in performing procedures, provide patient support, and perform/maintain quality assurance test. Position is open until October 26, 2015. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/View....
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse - The Veteran’s Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs is accepting applications for an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. The Home Based Primary Care NP is responsible for assessment, planning, coordinated provisions, and evaluation of individual treatment plans for patients receiving care from the HBPC program of the PIHCS. Position is open until November 6, 2015. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/View....
• Research Ecologist - The Geological Survey, Department of the Interior is accepting applications for a Research Ecologist. Incumbent will organize and conduct research, write research reports, provide technical assistance and other related duties. Position is open until November 16, 2015. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/View....
• Nurse Consultant - The Naval Medical Command, Department of the Navy is accepting applications for a Nurse Consultant in Guam. Incumbent will ensure US Naval Hospital Guam’s Risk Management, review and monitor policies, serve as RM model, and other related duties. Position is open until November 9, 2015. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/View....
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute - The CHCI is seeking full-time college undergraduate students who are interested in participating in the 2016 Spring Congressional Internship Program in Washington, D.C. Selected individuals will receive an unmatched experience, learning first-hand about our nation’s legislative process while working for a member of Congress. Students of ALL majors that have an interest in the development of public policy and who have demonstrated leadership abilities should apply. For more information, go to http://www.chci.org/internships/.
Highlights in the Legislative Program
THIS WEEK:
On the floor
H.R. 1090 – Retail Investor Protection Act (Passed, 245-186)
H.R. 597 – Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Passed, 313-118)
H. Res. 495 – Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015 (Agreed to by voice vote)
H.R. 1314 – Motion that the House Concur in the Senate Amendment with a House Amendment to H.R. 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (Passed, 266-167)
Election of the Speaker – Ryan: 236, Pelosi: 184, Webster: 9, Cooper: 1, Lewis: 1, Colin Powell: 1, Answered “Present”: 0, Not Voting: 3
NEXT WEEK:
On the floor
H.R. 3361 – Department of Homeland Security Insider Threat and Mitigation Act of 2015
H.R. 3144 – Partners for Aviation Security Act
H.R. 2494 – Global Anti-Poaching Act
H.R. 1853 – To direct the President to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization, and for other purposes
Consideration of Legislation Related to the Highway Trust Fund
Consideration of Legislation Related to the National Defense Authorization Act Committee hearings
November 4
• Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs Legislative Hearing