More technical assistance funding sought for CNMI
Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) has offered an amendment to increase technical assistance funding for the CNMI and other U.S. insular areas.
In his weekly e-newsletter, Sablan said the Northern Marianas and other U.S. insular areas would get $5 million more in technical assistance funding under an amendment he offered during a House debate on the fiscal 2016 Interior and Environment appropriation this week.
Sablan offered the amendment to House Resolution 28-22.
The House Appropriations Committee has proposed keeping funding at current levels for the Assistance to Territories program, the e-newsletter said.
“But as I told my colleagues, the Department of the Interior needs additional resources to continue and complete multi-year projects that help the territories to develop economically and become more self-sufficient,” Sablan said.
The lawmaker added that sustainable energy projects, school infrastructure upgrades, and the Coral Reef Initiative are just a few examples of Interior programs “that require continued investment.”
Sablan said, “Interior Appropriations Subcommittee chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA) reluctantly opposed the amendment but offered to work with me to find the additional funding.”
“The House will vote on my amendment when it returns after the July 4 recess,” Sablan in his weekly update said.
