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Torres ups efforts for DC to hear NMI concerns
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres returned to Saipan yesterday after a series of meetings with Washington, D.C. officials as part of his administration’s efforts to reach out to the White House and key members of Congress on issues vital to the CNMI.
Torres said he remains committed to pushing forward the Commonwealth’s issues to the national level and to convince top D.C. officials of these issues’ importance. His meetings are in connection with the 902 consultations report and the U.S. congressional delegation’s visit last month.
The administration said continuous discussion is needed so issues that would have a great impact on the CNMI’s future receive appropriate attention and action.
Torres was in D.C. for more than a week. He first attended the National Governors Association meeting with 46 of the 50 states and five territories. The NGA meeting culminated with separate dinner and meetings with President Donald J. Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and members of the Cabinet.
Torres also discussed the CNMI’s labor and immigration concerns, particularly the CNMI-Only Transitional Nonimmigrant visa or CW1 program, with the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs led by Acting Assistant Secretary Nikolao Pula.
The Torres administration said it remains their priority to convey the CNMI’s best interests in a manner that accurately presents the challenges and other concerns the community faces every day.
Certain federal policies with regards to labor, health care, and the preservation of the environment and other natural resources sometimes do not apply to territories like the CNMI, which has a unique relationship, being in a political union with the U.S. federal government.
Forty-six of the 55 governors attended the four-day meeting that had plenary sessions on issues like childhood education, civic engagement, cybersecurity, economy, ending childhood hunger, health care, infrastructure, labor, and states’ successes and rights.
Torres and first lady Diann both attended the sessions on early childhood education and ending childhood hunger.
