RANKING members of the U.S. Congress are calling on the comptroller of the United States to produce an updated economic report on the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a media release from the Office of the Governor stated.
Key members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Resources, both committees with jurisdiction on the CNMI, wrote U.S. Comptroller David M. Walker on May 4, asking for additional information on the commonwealth economy, in view of proposed federal legislation affecting the islands’ immigration and minimum wage policies.
The letter was signed by Rep. Nick J. Rahall, II, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources; and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
They were joined by Reps. Don Young, Donna M. Christensen, Luis Fortuno and Sen. Pete V. Domenici.
Christensen chairs the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, which also has jurisdiction over the CNMI.
“This is good news,” said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial.
“With an objective GAO study, federal legislation could be better guided with sound economic considerations based on facts and a careful study,” he added.