PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): May 23, 2003 –
This week Congress reviewed the activities of the
standing committees of congress. The five standing committees continue to
hold oversight hearings on activities of the various departments and
offices. Each committee received testimony from their respective department
and office representatives.
Today, May 23, 2003, Congress convened in session after a weeklong recess
during which the five standing committees of Congress conducted public
hearings on the proposed fiscal year 2004 budget. Witnesses from the
executive branch provided testimony on the proposed budget, as well as
information on the government’s performance during the current fiscal year.
Presidential Communication No. 13-1, transmitting the proposed 2004 budget
to Congress, forecasts a deficit of approximately $746,000. The Standing
Committees will continue to review the proposed budget, and must recommend
possible cuts to balance the proposed operational budget with forecasted
revenue in FY 2004. This difficult job is left to the committee members who
must insure that, while recommending decreases in certain areas, essential
and necessary services are not curtailed.
The Committee on Ways and Means, Chaired by Senator
Sabino Asor of Chuuk, is especially tasked to review the reasons for the
deficit, and to recommend to Congress how to make ends meet. The committee
must also recommend to Congress what actions the national government should
take to avoid another “deficit budget” in the future.
Finally, Congress adopted congressional report 13-1 regarding a bill
submitted by the administration seeking to grant the President authority to
reprogram money within the current fiscal year budget. If passed by
Congress, this authority would allow the President to identify possible
sources of money within the current national government operational budget
to fund the special elections in Chuuk and Yap, provide funding for the
inauguration of the new government, and fund team FSM’s participation in the
South Pacific Games in Fiji.
