In explaining the purpose of the trip, Babauta said, “I thought we should get a head start on discussing some key issues that will come to their attention beginning next January.”
Over the course of three days, Babauta, accompanied by Saipan Sen. Luis Crisostimo, met with Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., ranking Republican on the House Armed Forces subcommittee on military personnel, Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Id., ranking Republican on the House Appropriations subcommittee on Interior, Rep. Tim Petri, R-Wi., ranking Republican on the House Transportation subcommittee on Aviation, Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Tx., ranking Republican on the House Committee on Science and Technology, Rep. Steve King, R-Ia., ranking Republican on the House Judiciary subcommittee on Immigration, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., ranking Republican on the House subcommittee handling minimum wage and Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wa., ranking Republican on the House Committee on Natural Resources.
“Rep. Hall has been to Saipan on several occasions and Rep. Wilson has been to Guam on Armed Services matters, and both were very knowledgeable about CNMI,” commented Babauta, “but this was an opportunity to update them on our issues and make the others aware of our current problems.”
“These were terrific meetings,” said Babauta, “because these congressmen are all very senior and would become committee chairmen if control of Congress changes.” The term “ranking member” means that member is the most senior Republican on the committee or subcommittee and would be in line to take over as chairman if the GOP won the majority.
Babauta said that while he gave a general overview of CNMI problems to all the members, he concentrated on specific issues they consider in their committee assignments. “For example,” he elaborated, “I brought up to Congressman Wilson our desire to have some additional military activity in CNMI associated with the move of Marines from Okinawa to Guam; Rep. King expressed his interest in helping us examine the Interior recommendations on U.S. citizenship for resident aliens; Rep. Price was very concerned about what minimum wage is doing to our economy; and I expressed our concern to Rep. Petri about the future of our air service with Continental’s merger with United. Rep. Simpson and I explored how we might revive Covenant Section 702 funding through his subcommittee and he expressed interest in making an early trip to the commonwealth as top Republican on the Interior appropriations subcommittee.”
“In fact,” added Crisostimo, “Gov. Babauta made it a point to invite all these members to visit us and many of them expressed a very genuine interest. It was most impressive to see the governor’s ease and familiarity with Congress from his 12 years service as our resident representative.”
Babauta and Crisostimo also paid a courtesy call on with Republican National Chairman Michael Steele and met with the political director at the congressional committee. He also made an appearance at the Federal Election Commission to personally file the papers required by federal law for his congressional candidacy. “We also invited these folks to come visit us as well, and I believe some might come,” concluded the former governor.
