Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM Congress News, October 15, 2003

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): October 15, 2003 –
Congress met briefly in session yesterday, but no quorum
was present. Speaker Peter Christian adjourned the session until today,
Wednesday, October 15. He informed the seven Members who were present that
he intends to begin all daily sessions on time at ten o’clock.
Immediately after this brief session, Congress and key staff met with the
President, members of his cabinet and members of the JCN in the
Congressional Chamber, where all present were briefed by the JCN on the
status of the amended Compact in the US Congress.

The JCN reported that the amended Compact is now with both the House and
Senate of the U.S. Congress for review and investigation. It reported that
some provisions including provisions pertaining to FEMA, inflation
adjustment and immigration have been marked up or down in different ways by
both houses, resulting in different suggested versions coming out of each
house. The differences of opinion expressed by the House and Senate may
cause further delays in the passing and implementation of the amended
Compact. When asked when the documents might come to its final approval, JCN
members indicated that at this point, they couldn’t accurately predict when
the U.S. Congress would pass the document. JCN also reported that there
might be changes in FSM eligibility for some of the U.S. Federal education
programs. The U.S. Congress is considering “cashing out” a significant
number of these programs rather continuing an eligibility-based system of
program delivery. A spokesman for the JCN indicated that this could in fact
be advantageous for the FSM.

There was discussion regarding the 1-month Continuing Resolution that U.S.
has passed. The FSM will receive one month of interim funding by way of the
Continuing Resolution to bridge the gap created by the expiring of the
former Compact and the delay in passage of the amended Compact.

Speaker Christian and other Members of Congress expressed serious concern
and dismay about the language of the Continuing Resolution.