…addresses OIA funding for FY13 at budget hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo last week questioned Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar during a hearing of the Natural Resources Committee on the Department of the Interior’s budget for Fiscal Year 2013.

The congresswoman discussed the Obama Administration’s request for discretionary Compact Impact funding of $5 million beyond the $30 million in mandated annual Compact Impact assistance, to fund grants to jurisdictions affected by the consequences of migrants from the Freely Associated States (FAS).

Bordallo, who supports the implementation of a comprehensive mitigation plan, dialogued with Secretary Salazar on how the funds will be used in affected jurisdictions. Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes also testified at the hearing today.

She also inquired about the president’s recently-announced National Travel and Tourism Strategy, and how the interagency task force, co-chaired by Secretary Salazar and the Secretary of Commerce, would address the needs of the territories in its recommendations to the President.

Secretary Salazar testified that Assistant Secretary Tony Babauta has been working with various leaders in the territories and with the governments of the FAS. He noted that Assistant Secretary Babauta is working with the governors of the territories and will convene his first meeting on the implementation plan in March. Secretary Salazar also reaffirmed the Administration’s support of H.R. 44, the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act.

“The Administration continues to recognize that the Compacts of Free Association place significant burdens on the affected jurisdictions, and I appreciate that the President has requested $5 million additional in funding to help mitigate the effects of Compact migration,” said Congresswoman Bordallo. “The implementation of a comprehensive mitigation plan is an important first step toward reducing the burden the Compacts have placed on our community, and I look forward to working with Assistant Secretary Tony Babauta and other local leaders in the Pacific to address this issue.

“I also appreciate the Administration’s focus on developing a National Travel and Tourism Strategy to better promote America as a travel destination. Guam stands to benefit from this new initiative, and I will continue to work with the Administration to expand the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program to include visitors from China. I also appreciate the continued and strong support of this Administration for finally resolving the matter of Guam war claims.”