5 senators off to Washington D.C.

Five senators are scheduled to leave tomorrow and Saturday for a week-long official visit to Washington D.C. as part of the efforts to drum up support for the CNMI from members of the U.S. Congress.

They also expect to meet with several federal officials to ask for their assistance in boosting the islands’ economy as well as in providing more U.S. funding to finance various construction and community projects here.

Sen. David M. Cing, chair of the Federal Relations and Independent Agencies Committee, will lead the delegation that also includes Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, Senators Ramon S. Guerrero, Joaquin G. Adriano and Jose M. Dela Cruz.

Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez had been invited to join the group, but he declined as there was no travel authorization yet from the Department of Finance.

The trip to the U.S. capital by the senators follows three months after the House of Representatives under Speaker Benigno R. Fitial’s leadership held a series of successful meetings with members and key staffers of Congress, federal officials and businessmen as well as interest groups.

It also comes amid renewed efforts by U.S. lawmakers to enact legislation that will affect the islands’ economy, particularly on a bill that will deprive the Commonwealth trade privileges granted under the Covenant, such as use of “Made in USA” label and the duty-free, quota-free treatment for manufactured exports.

Senators underscored the need to increase presence of the CNMI government in Washington, not only to block federal takeover legislation but also to seek additional federal funding for various local programs.

Key people

Among the key players they expect to meet were House Resources Committee chair Don Young (R-Alaska) whose committee has oversight of the CNMI, as well as his Senate counterpart Energy and Natural Resources Committee chair Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska).

They also have scheduled a meeting with Mickey Ibarra of the Interagency Group on Insular Affairs which President Clinton formed to provide policy guidance on CNMI and other U.S. territories.

To make the most of the limited time, Mr. Cing said the delegation will be split into smaller groups to meet with as many lawmakers and federal officials as possible.

“We will have clearer picture of our activities when we reach Washington D.C.,” he told reporters, adding that he will personally bring the issue of possible return of military lands on Tinian to the Commonwealth in light of a new casino development there.

As for federal funding, Mr. Guerrero said they will try to find out if there are other grants that the CNMI has yet to apply. “We will look for other federal programs that can be applied here in the CNMI so that we can lessen local appropriation and utilize these federal programs,” he said.

Mr. Dela Cruz, on the other hand, pointed out that local concerns will be raised as well, like transportation problems between the islands and the much-needed harbor improvement on Tinian.

Responding to criticisms of junket trips amid financial difficulties confronting the government, Mr. Cing assured this will benefit the entire Commonwealth.

“This is going to be a productive junket,” he said, to which Mr. Dela Cruz agreed by saying that the CNMI needs to bring in more investors. “I believe in going out to catch the big fish.”

Added Mr. Reyes: “We need to reiterate our stance on issues that would terminate the existence of garment industry here for example. We need to explain some of the actions that are happening here and ask them to help us.”