‘NMI will no longer be treated differently under a Sanders presidency’

Sanders

If Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) of the Democratic Party wins the Presidency, the CNMI will no longer be treated differently under federal programs compared to continental Americans, according to Shannon Jackson, the candidate’s New Hampshire campaign director.

“Every one of us will have health care guaranteed under Medicare-for-All and the ability to pursue an education without fear of crushing debt under College-for-All,” said Jackson yesterday in response to Saipan Tribune’s request for comments about his visit to the island for the Democratic Party’s Caucus in the CNMI this Saturday.

Jackson arrived on the island Tuesday for the caucus that will be held on Saipan at the Saipan World Resort’s Taga Ballroom, with simultaneous sub-caucuses to be held at the Northern Marianas College’s VTC rooms on Tinian and Rota.

At the caucus, Democrats will elect delegates to the National Convention of the Democratic Party.

He said that Sanders’ campaign is about all people coming together around an agenda that works for working people, from the continental U.S. to the Northern Marianas, where every child in CNMI will be guaranteed free, year-round school meals.

He said that giving the CNMI parity in federal programs is not a new fight for Sanders as the senator has fought to ensure the CNMI’s full participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) and put the CNMI on par with other U.S. states on Medicaid by introducing the Territories Health Equity Act. That includes his work on securing $11 billion for Community Health Centers in the Affordable Care Act, providing funding for the Kagman Community Health Center.

Jackson said that Sanders will dramatically expand access to community health centers which provide primary medical, dental, and mental health care, as well as low-cost prescription drugs, to nearly 30 million Americans, including Kagman Health Center patients.

He said Sanders’ agenda speaks to the priorities and concerns of CNMI residents.

Jackson said the Green New Deal will invest $16.3 trillion to solve the climate crisis and create 20 million good-paying jobs, helping the CNMI prepare for and recover from the impacts of climate change, investing trillions of dollars to rebuild crumbling infrastructure and ensure resiliency. As President, Sanders will also bring to bear the full resources of the United States for the CNMI’s recovery from Super Typhoon Yutu—for as long as is necessary, he added.

Jackson also highlighted Sanders’ $2.5 trillion federal plan to build nearly 10 million permanently affordable homes and invest nearly $32 billion to end homelessness, including $26 billion toward permanent supportive housing and an additional $500 million to expand case management and social services to address homelessness.

A Sanders presidency will never cut back social security disability benefits that more than 1,100 people in the Marianas rely on, he added.

“But this campaign is not just about Bernie. It’s about all of us. We welcome Marianas residents into this people-powered movement, and to come out to caucus for a better future for us all this Saturday,” Jackson said.

It’s Jackson’s first trip to Saipan, but he said it’s definitely not his last. “I am loving my time here. The island is gorgeous, the food is delicious, and the people are incredibly kind and welcoming,” he said.

As for his work with the Democratic Party of the NMI, Jackson said, “It has been a pleasure working with them and I am very pleased they are trying to bring new people in.”

Jackson said this is what exactly they need to do, connect with people and welcome them to a party that represents them and their values.