NMI gets good news from 2 US congressional staff

The Commonwealth yesterday received good news from two visiting United States congressional staff who informed legislators that the CNMI’s fight against federal takeover enjoys a strong support in Washington.

Tony Babauta of the House committee on resources and Kimo Kaloi, a member of US Congressman James Hansen’s staff, during a panel discussion at the CNMI House of Representatives yesterday, said a good number of legislators in Washington are aware of the economic possibilities faced by the CNMI once federalization pushes through.

They said the CNMI’s fight against a federal takeover of local labor and immigration systems has a strong support from among US legislators, who have aired concerns over the long-standing proposal to extend implementation of the Immigration and Nationality Act here.

“They have said that nobody knows where a federal takeover of local immigration and labor would lead the CNMI but the islands’ government officials and business sector leaders,” they told a panel discussion.

Local officials said this is a welcome news for the Commonwealth which has been under threat of labor and immigration federalization, a move local leaders say would spell the islands’ economic disaster.

However, even with the assurance of a strong support from US legislators, local lawmakers said the Commonwealth should not sit on its laurels.

Senate leaders are eyeing to launch an aggressive lobbying program, in fresh attempts to strengthen the Commonwealth’s ties with the administration of President W. Bush.

Senate President Paul A. Manglona earlier underscored the importance of keeping US leaders updated on efforts carried out by the CNMI government in addressing labor and immigration concerns raised by the previous US administrations.

The CNMI government is hoping to win over support of the US Congress in blocking the passage of anti-CNMI legislation, which seeks to gradually repatriate nonresident workers in the Northern Marianas through a federal takeover of local labor and immigration systems.

House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial was in Washington earlier this month where he met with key US Congress and Bush Administration officials.

Communication lines have already been established between Commonwealth and US governments as part of local efforts to ensure Washington that measures are being taken to correct previous concerns raised by the Clinton Administration.

Strong relationships have been established with a good number of US legislative leaders who are completely aware of the damaging effect of a federal takeover to the CNMI economy.

Officials believe federal takeover proposals have thinner chances at being able to make a first base not only because CNMI has more allies in the US now but, more importantly, because measures have been properly taken to improve the labor conditions in the Northern Marianas.

US legislators recently renewed attempts to extend the implementation of federal minimum wage and immigration laws to the Northern Marianas with the introduction of a new takeover measure.

Senators Frank Murkowski and Daniel Akaka, known staunch critics of the Commonwealth, have joined forces to introduce S. 507, which seeks to gradually eliminate the Commonwealth’s nonresident worker program.

Provisions of the proposed measure allow for a nine-year transition period wherein the islands’ nonresident workforce will be slowly phased out, while also giving room for eligible foreign workers to stay and apply for employment-based immigrant visas.