‘Kilili earned the support of his Democratic colleagues’

The Chairman of the Democratic Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives has announced his support for the re-election of Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP). Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) made the endorsement in an open letter to voters in the Northern Mariana Islands this week.

“As a member of the Democratic Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan has become a leader for the Democratic Party and an effective advocate for the people of the Northern Mariana Islands,” Becerra wrote.

The Democratic Caucus is the official organization of all Democrats in the House and welcomes Independents, such as Sablan, who align with the inclusive, multicultural, and community-centered policies of the national Democratic Party.

Becerra highlighted Sablan’s leadership positions among Democrats, who chose him to be Ranking Member on the Fisheries, Oceans, Wildlife, and Insular Affairs Subcommittee. “He is our voice there, speaking up for the protection of the marine environment and sustainable use of our natural resources today and in the future.”

Becerra also noted that Democrats had elected Sablan to be a Whip for the geographical area that covers San Francisco and all of Northern California, Hawaii, and the Pacific insular areas. “As a Regional Whip, your Congressman is the liaison between the Democratic Party leadership and the individual Democrats in his area of responsibility,” Becerra explained.

“[Kilili] has earned his leadership posts and the support of his Democratic colleagues.”

Sablan responded to Becerra’s endorsement with appreciation. “Working closely with the Democrats in the House has given me the opportunity to include the Northern Marianas in key legislation,” Sablan recalled.

“Raising Pell grants and expanding eligibility for Pell, the College Access Challenge Grant for institutions that serve minority populations, the EduJobs Act that kept teachers and support staff at PSS working during the darkest days of the economic downturn, keeping AmeriCorps alive and running and adding the Marianas to other service programs, such as Foster Grandparents and Youth Build, that we did not have access to—these were all Democratic programs I was able to be a part of from the day the bills were introduced until the President signed them into law.

“Working with the Democrats has definitely helped me help the people I work for in the Northern Marianas,” Sablan said.

Becerra even noted that Sablan has been effective working with both parties in Congress. “By working with fellow Democrats and by building relationships across the aisle, Mr. Sablan succeeded in adding benefits for the people of the Northern Mariana Islands to numerous laws enacted during the 113th Congress and throughout his six years in office,” said Becerra.

One example was the $32.5-million increase in food stamp funding that Sablan succeeded in adding to the national farm policy bill enacted this year. At the same time the Republican majority in the House cut food stamp funding nationwide by some $9 billion, the Northern Marianas was singled out in the new law for a multi-million dollar increase.

Sablan has also been endorsed for re-election by the Congressional Asian Pacific Americans Caucus and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and received financial support from a number of members of Congress, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus political action committee, BoldPac.

“I encourage you to vote for [Kilili] again on November 4th,” Becerra’s letter concluded, “so he can continue ‘working for you.’” (PR)