Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM Congress News, September 9, 2003

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): September 9, 2003 –
Congress voted against the nominations of Mr. Paul
McIlrath and Mr. Patrick Mackenzie to the positions of Secretary of the
Departments of Justice and Economic Affairs, respectively. Congress also
voted against Mr. Kandhi Elieisar’s nomination to the position of Ambassador
to Japan. The events took place during the last day of the Second Special
Session of the 13th Congress. Members voted favorably on all the other
nominations into the positions to which they were nominated. Congress voted
against Mr. McIlrath, Mr. Mackenzie and Elieisar on Thursday but voted to
reconsider their action for another vote. The results of the second round
of voting did not change the previous results. That second vote on the
three nominations ended all possible congressional deliberation regarding
each of the three nominations.

The following received a favorable vote and, thereby, the advice and
consent of the Congress: Secretary Sebastian L. Anefal and Deputy Secretary
Lorin S. Robert for the Department of Foreign Affairs; Secretary Nick L.
Andon of the Department of Finance and Administration; Dr. Jefferson B.
Benjamin as Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Social
Affairs; Mr. Akillino H. Susaia, Secretary of the Department of
Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure, Mrs. Beauleen
Carl-Worswick as Chief Public Defender, and Mr. Bethwel Henry as the Post
Master General. Congress approved the nominations of Mr. Samson Pretrick and
Mr. Kasio Mida as the FSM Consul Generals in Guam and Hawaii, respectively.
Congress also approved the nominations of Mr. Ignatius Manglay, Marcus Samo,
Carl Apis, Simao Nanpei and Dr. Merlynn Abello Alfonso as members of the FSM
Health Insurance program.

Congress deferred action on the nomination of Mr. Midion G. Neth for the
Deputy position of the Department of Health, Education and Social Affairs,
and the nominations of the Chief of Missions of the overseas offices.

In addition, during the final day of the Second Special Session, Congress
approved $7,473,242.00 to run the operation of the national government, its
agencies and activities during the first quarter of the fiscal year 2004.
Congress adjourned sine-die on September 5, 2004. The Second Regular
Session of the 13th Congress will convene at 10:00 a.m. on the Second Monday
of October 2003.