Congressman Kilili Sablan says he now favors a one year delay in federalization because the DHS is not ready to takeover. We are thankful the CNMI finally has representation in the U.S. Congress but delaying federalization would harm the residents of the commonwealth. The economy would be paralyzed from uncertainty and it would guarantee another year of pain and loss.
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce, HANMI, and the Fitial administration want to stall this law. The governor wants control of the gate as long as possible. The NMI needs someone to stop ice shipped to and transshipped through our ports. The NMI needs someone to deport criminal foreign nationals operating here.
This issue would have ended a long time ago had the federalization fighters not colluded with Jack Abramoff to bribe members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and today, after 20 felons have been indicted or convicted in that sordid affair, the conspiracy to block federalization continues, and by the original architects of the scandal.
This has become the never ending story of shame and disgrace
Governor Fitial says DHS is not ready, but given his adversarial relationship with the U.S., how would he know whether or not they are prepared? The Department of Homeland Security effectively mobilized international airports worldwide in remarkable time after 9/11. We had only 9,000 voters in our last election, so thinking DHS can’t handle this simple job is foolishness.
Some chamber members said the law was rushed, which is a ridicules lie. This law was publicly debated in newspapers, blogs, and halls Congress from early in 2007 until it was signed into law in May 2009, so there was no rush to judgment. Chamber members supported Abramoff and even hold U.S. and world records for fines involving labor violations. Polls showed our citizens overwhelmingly in favor of reform here and both branches of the U.S. Congress passed this bill by a landslide in favor of the decent citizens of the CNMI.
This law should be enacted as prescribed without delay and federal authorities should continue to investigate and prosecute everyone involved with Jack Abramoff’s bribery to block federalization conspiracy.
RON HODGES
Puerto Rico, Saipan
