Kilili looks forward to updated Compacts of Free Association

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP) is looking forward with his colleagues in the U.S. Congress to the quick renewals and enactments of the Compacts of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs held a legislative hearing Thursday on a draft legislation that would approve the recently negotiated and updated Compacts of Free Association.

Committee on Natural Resources chair Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark) introduced the draft House joint resolution.

In his e-kilili newsletter over the weekend, Sablan commended Ambassador Joseph Y. Yun, who is the special presidential envoy for Compact negotiations, for his team’s successful negotiations with FSM, Palau, and Marshall Islands., which are all U.S. Pacific allies.

Yun and Carmen Cantor, who is the Office of Insular Affairs assistant secretary, were the witnesses at the legislative hearing.

Sablan said these agreements are a matter of defense, security, and economic opportunity for both the U.S. and the Freely Associated States.

Sablan said this draft legislation approves the Compact agreements that total $7.1 billion in mandatory funding over the next 20 years.

He said the draft legislation provides $6.5 billion in economic assistance to the Freely Associated States and $634 million for continued U.S. Postal Service services.

“Now that the agreements are nearly complete, it is Congress’ turn to act,” the delegate saiThe Compact Agreements refer to the treatises the U.S. signed with the Freely Associated States, which grants the U.S. certain privileges and access to these countries, in exchange for defense arrangements, among other benefits.

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan