U.S. lawmakers step up takeover campaign

House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta has warned that some U.S. lawmakers advocating federal takeover in the CNMI have increased their pressure on other members of Congress to persuade them to support pending legislation affecting the islands.

He likewise expressed concern that these bills seeking extension of federal laws on immigration, minimum wage and even abolition of trade privileges granted the Commonwealth could be attached to popular measures, like appropriation, up for voting in Congress.

Since it is election year in the United States, it is likely that some of CNMI’s allies in Washington D.C. may be influenced to boost the federal takeover agenda being waged by the Clinton administration, according to the Saipan representative.

“Opponents will get their hands on any piece of legislation they see can get through in Congress to make [the federalization issue] as a rider,” Mr. Babauta told reporters in an interview.

Because of the political development in the nation’s capital, the CNMI House of Representative has renewed efforts to appeal to Congress against these measures and to block attempts by those perceived as the islands’ critics.

Among these are the proposed application of U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Act and federal minimum wage here as well as removal of the duty-free, quota-free for CNMI products under Headnote 3 (a) of the Covenant.

The Clinton administration, backed by key Democrat lawmakers, has been pressing the federal takeover agenda, citing the islands’ alleged failure to curb the number of guest workers here and to stem labor abuses.

Recently, a group of Democrats has asked U.S. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) to begin the process of raising minimum wage level here at par with the current federal rate, noting the CNMI has been provided opportunity to meet the standard for over 14 years since becoming part of the American political family.

But local leaders have opposed the move, warning against impending economic collapse once higher minimum wage and restrictions on access to foreign labor pool are imposed in the CNMI.

“The ball game has switched hands, and now advocates of federalization and removal of Headnote 3 (a) as well as the minimum wage law are in the U.S. Senate,” said Mr. Babauta.

A resolution he sponsored specifically would ask U.S. lawmakers to seriously look into the plight of the Commonwealth before enacting such legislation, he said.

“Advocates and proponents of this federalization are lobbying hard to sway our friends in Congress,” added the local legislator.

CNMI officials have been kept informed of the situation in Washington through its lobbyists from Preston Gates which the government hired recently to protect local interests.

“I’m very much satisfied with their performance and we’ve been told that they would continue to do their best to defend the interests of the Commonwealth in terms of blocking legislation that would hamper primarily our economic growth and hurt the people of the islands,” explained Mr. Babauta.

He underscored the need to remain vigilant even after the U.S. elections are over after Nov. 7 since the threat of federal takeover is expected to continue in the next Congress.

“We continue to seek [Congress’] unwavering support and understanding that federalization policy in the CNMI is not at all beneficial to our economic growth,” he said.