THE federal government has committed to helping the CNMI out of its economic crisis, but with conditions, U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds told reporters on Monday.
King-Hinds, who joined Gov. David M. Apatang and other CNMI officials in the continuation of the Covenant’s Section 902 consultations in Washington, D.C. last week, stressed the importance of a unified message between her office and the Apatang-Mendiola administration.
“We have to be very clear on that message, and I’ve been saying that since the beginning of my term. We are not going to get the help if we are not saying the same thing,” she said in a press conference at the governor’s office.
She said what began as a 902 consultation evolved into conversations about what the federal government can do immediately to provide relief to the Commonwealth. She said federal officials recognize the need to support the CNMI government in avoiding a fiscal cliff but emphasized that any aid would come with conditions.
“We cannot get anything of what we are asking for unless we ourselves make some very tough decisions, because these asks would come with conditions,” she said.
She outlined the “immediate risks” presented to federal officials in Washington:
– Schools may lose accreditation.
– Health insurance for government workers could be terminated.
– Medicaid funding could be lost without local matching funds.
– Landfill and prison risk federal receivership.
– Emergency off-island medical care may stop.
She said during the meeting with officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior and the White House, Finance Secretary Tracy Norita and Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez had to submit a “more manageable request.” This involved breaking the funding request into quarterly allotments.
“The CNMI’s current financial situation and the budget projection are directly tied to how these quarterly funding requests are supposed to be addressed,” King-Hinds said.
“I can say today that there is commitment from the federal government — Interior and the White House — to assist with the first quarter ask, but that commitment comes with conditions,” she reiterated, adding that the conditions include implementing reforms urgently.
King-Hinds also referenced the 2020 Fiscal Response Summit, funded by the Department of the Interior, saying federal officials are using its report as a guide. “We basically cannot continue operating at the current levels. The CNMI has to make some really tough decisions,” she said.
Regarding the second quarter, King-Hinds said, “We have identified some money, but it requires legislative approval in the U.S. House. I just want to manage everybody’s expectations, given how hard the environment is in Washington right now regarding what they call a bailout. Because let’s make no mistake — this is a bailout. These funds have been identified, but now it’s my job to get the legislation through to cover the second quarter.”
She added that larger amounts for the third and fourth quarters will follow, and emphasized her commitment to transparency. “The public deserves full transparency regarding the conditions required to secure funding and continue operating while providing essential services,” King-Hinds said.
Led by the governor, Monday’s press conference discussed, among other things, the austerity measures that will take effect upon the enactment of the fiscal year 2026 budget on Oct. 1, 2025.
Also present were Lt. Gov. Dennis James Mendiola, Finance Secretary Norita, Special Assistant for Management and Budget Vicky Villagomez, Senate President Karl King-Nabors, Speaker Villagomez and other lawmakers.
