Washington at a Glance
1995 104th Congress. 1st Session
• Following a hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Senate unanimously passed the first federalization bill, S. 638, which would have eliminated the minimum wage and immigration authorities granted in the Covenant.
S. 638 is referred to House Resources Committee Subcommittee on Native American & Insular Affairs, whose chairman holds a hearing on another federalization bill, H.R. 602, and later announces his intention to seek vote on S. 63 8.
• Administration releases first annual Federal CNMI report critical of the CNMI.
• Preston Gates hired
1996 104th Congress. 2nd Session
• Administration releases second annual Federal CNMI report extremely critical of the CNMI.
On PGERM recommendation, CNMI commissions year long Hay Group study on CNMI minimum wage.
CNMI hearings held by both Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and House Resources Committee. PGERM assists Acting Attorney General in testimony opposing federalization efforts by the Administration and Congress.
• S. 638 and H.R. 602 die in House Resources Committee, and no federalization legislation advances during 104th Congress.
1997 105th Congress. 1st Session
• House Subcommittee on Native American & Insular Affairs abolished.
• President Clinton sends letter to Governor stating that the “Administration will work with the Congress to extend [immigration and minimum wage] laws.
• Administration proposes legislation fully federalizing immigration and minimum wage controls. Sen. Murkowski introduces Administration bill, S. 1275.
• At OIA request and with OIA funding, Commission on Immigration Reform studies CNMI immigration and issues critical report, calling it “un American.”
• Rep. Miller introduces H.R. 1450, a bill to federalize CNMI immigration and minimum wage and prohibit Made in the U. S.A. labeling of CNMI products. Rep. Miller also issues first critical Democratic staff report on CNMI, Economic Miracle or Economic Mirage?
• Readers Digest article on CNMI, Shame on American Soil, published.
• Hay Group releases CNMI minimum wage study demonstrating CNMI minimum wage is equivalent to $4.64 and warning against further increases.
• At PGERM urging, House Majority Leader Armey and Whip DeLay write President Clinton opposing federalization legislation.
At PGERM request, Chairman Young writes letter to President Clinton opposing federalization legislation.
• Administration releases third annual report on Federal CNMI Initiative, its most critical to date on the CNMI.
• Sen. Akaka introduces S. 1100, a bill to federalize immigration and minimum wage and prohibit Made in the U.S.A. labeling of CNMI products.
Inside Edition story on CNMI.
• Warned by PGERM, Reps. Hall and Rohrabacher outmaneuver Rep. Miller to prevent appropriations raid on CNMI.
PGERM warns Senate allies of Sen. Akaka’s effort to add Administration federalization amendment to trade bill in Senate.
No federalization legislation passes in either House or Senate.
1998 105th Congress, 2 Session
• OIA Director Stayman and Rep. Miller attend Teno inaugural and declare federalization “non negotiable.”
• Administration proposes $187 million annual tariff on CNMI goods.
• Rep. Miller issues second very critical Democratic staff report on CNMI, Beneath the American Flag: Labor and Human Rights Abuses in the CNMI?
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee holds CNMI hearings on S. 1275. PGERM assists other CNMI witnesses in vigorously opposing S. 1275.
20/20 televises critical investigative report on CNMI
Resident Representative attacks hiring PGERM as “strategy of confrontation and divisiveness.”
• No federalization language passes in either House or Senate during the 105th Congress.
1999 106th Congress – 18th Session
Sen. Kennedy introduces legislation to increase federal minimum wage to $6.15 and to apply it immediately to the CNMI. Mr. Bonior introduces companion bill in House.
• Sen. Murkowski introduces S. 1052, which would federalize CNMI immigration
• After coordinating with OIA, Global Survival Network issues highly critical report on CNMI. GSN hidden video later used by 20/20’s follow on story on the CNMI
• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee holds brief hearing on S. 1052, followed shortly after by mark up and approval by the Committee. At WPEC direction, PGERM assists CNMI witnesses.
• House Resources Committee holds 7 hour hearing (during hurricane) on CNMI labor and immigration, takes no action on any CNMI legislation.
• Washington Post breaks story on illegal political campaigning at OIA.
• Rep. Franks and Sen. Abraham introduce bills to deny CNMI use of the Made in the USA label and impose tariffs on CNMI goods. Unions mount a well organized campaign to secure co sponsors.
• Senate votes on Nov. 2 to raise minimum wage to $6.15 but not to apply it to the CNMI.
2000 106th Congress, 2nd Session
• Senate passes S. 1052 on February after delay of 3 months.
• House passes minimum wage bill on March 9, defeating Democratic amendment that would have applied a new federal minimum wage to the CNMI.
• PGERM planned, scheduled and assisted in successful House leadership delegation visit to Washington.
• GAO issues two positive reports on CNMI economy and on garment sector.
• S. 1052 is referred to the House Resources Committee. After vigorous PGERM lobbying, the Committee takes no action on the bill.
• House Resources Committee holds hearing on OIA political scandal, issues highly critical staff report.
• H.R. 1621, the Franks bill, obtains 234 co sponsors, but is never considered in\ committee or on the House floor.
• PGERM helps secure $1.4 million in extra CNMI appropriations for Tinian and Rota.
• No federalization legislation passes during the 106th Congress.
