House leadership lobbies vs takeover

Local lawmakers on a visit to Washington D.C. yesterday expressed confidence of drawing support of the majority members of the U.S. Congress against efforts to federalize labor and immigration in the CNMI as discussion focused on the island’s conditions.

In a flurry of meetings they described as the “most productive” yet in their week-long visit, the 10-member delegation raised with key members and staff of the Republican leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives issues affecting the Commonwealth and efforts being undertaken by the island government to develop the economy.

Their support, however, hinges on whether the CNMI continues to do the “right thing,” according to Speaker Benigno R. Fitial.

“We believe we are doing the right thing,” he told reporters in a telephone interview from the U.S. capital. “We believe that we have more friends [in Congress] than we expect.”

He disclosed that the CNMI delegation was welcomed during an exclusive House GOP conference, earning a standing ovation from all of its 214 Republican members gathered on that visit. “I was truly humbled and I felt incredibly welcomed,” he said.

Exercise in futility
Although their visit involved mostly Republicans who are known sympathetic to the protection of status quo in the Commonwealth, Mr. Fitial said it would be an “exercise in futility” to meet with our critics.

Referring to staunch critic Rep. George Miller (D-CA), he said it will not change his mind whether they meet with him or not because “he does not respect us and he wants to kill” the island’s economy.

Federal takeover of the CNMI has been a battle between the Republicans and Democrats, and often undercut by labor unions opposed to the garment manufacturing industry here, since President Clinton pushed for measures that will strip local control over its own immigration, minimum wage and customs.

Three measures pending in both houses will each seek extension of federal immigration laws to the island, application of U.S. minimum wage here and restriction on Headnote 3 (a) that would remove the trade privileges granted the Commonwealth under the Covenant.

The first one, S. 1052 that was passed by the Senate last February, is pending before the House Resources Committee whose chair Rep, Don Young (R-Alaska) has pledged not to send to the legislative floor for voting.

During the meetings, local legislative leaders discussed the impact of any takeover legislation to the island and the difficulties confronting the government as well as reforms to revitalize the economy.

“As a result of these meetings, there is a better understanding and encouragement from them for us to work toward a self-sustaining economy,” said House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta during the same interview.

More support
Aside from that exclusive Republican conference, the delegation also held talks with other congressional groups such as the Western Caucus consisting of 58 lawmakers from western states.

Its chair, Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA), had recently visited the CNMI as guest of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, during which he threw his support to the call by local business leaders to block any federal takeover attempts in Congress.

Another influential group, the Traditional Values Coalition which comprises more than 33,000 church organizations all over the world, told them the allegations of abuse and mistreatment of foreign workers leveled against the CNMI were all “lies,” according to Rep. Malua T. Peter.

Its representatives, Rev. Lou Sheldon and daughter Andrea had visited Saipan in the past to investigate these charges, but found no basis for the accusations.

“They stand ready [to defend us] because they saw for themselves and they investigated themselves [the real situation in the CNMI],” said the representative.

The delegation also met with two ranking members of the House Resources Committee, which deals with island’s issues, including Reps. Dana Rohrbacher (R-CA) and Jim Hansen (R-UT) who reaffirmed their support for the CNMI.

Rep. Brigida Ichihara said Mr. Hansen offered his assistance to the island in terms of getting federal attention on such local matters as the Marpi landfill that has been delayed by disagreement with U.S. Fish and Wildlife over mitigation of two endangered bird species found north of Saipan.

“I feel that they want to help the CNMI because they believe we are doing the right thing,” she said.

On Mr. Rohrbacher who visited the island last year, Rep. Dino M. Jones said that he will “continue to be a friend of the CNMI provided we continue to do the right thing.”

The delegation, which ends its visit today, is scheduled to hold more discussion at the Speaker’s conference room in the Congress building with other leaders, including Mr. Young and his key aide Manase Mansur, Reps. Bob Schaffer (R-CO) and Ralph Hall (D-TX), and House Majority Whip Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX).