THE U.S. Congress conference committee last week agreed to consider the CNMI as a location for repair and maintenance of military vessels and Coast Guard operations.
On Dec. 7, 2025, the conference committee issued the text of House amendments to the Senate version of the draft National Defense Authorization Act of 2026, which includes two major provisions for the CNMI, U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds announced Monday.
One provision, King-Hinds said, updates federal law to allow military vessels to undergo repair and maintenance in the CNMI. The other directs a comprehensive study on expanding Coast Guard operations in the CNMI, including port visits, deployments, and the potential assignment of fast response cutters.
King-Hinds said inclusion in the conference agreement places both the House and Senate versions of the measure in the final text that will move to the House and Senate for approval.
She described the two CNMI provisions in the bill as “long-needed changes that strengthen our role in the Pacific and create real opportunities for new economic activity in the CNMI.”
For more than a decade, she said, the Commonwealth has worked to be included in the authority for military vessel repair, but the statute never listed the CNMI as an eligible location. This omission, King-Hinds noted, prevented local businesses and workers from competing for projects. The conference committee draft finally corrects this, opening the door for future maritime work, contractor support, and investment tied to Defense Department needs. King-Hinds emphasized that this update does not guarantee immediate contracts, but it removes the legal restriction that previously made CNMI participation impossible. With eligibility now established, the Commonwealth can be considered for future vessel repair work and related services that support maritime operations.
Regarding the provision to direct a comprehensive study on expanding Coast Guard operations in the CNMI, King-Hinds said, “this has been a long-standing request from Commonwealth leaders, given the size of our waters and the need for consistent patrol coverage in the region.” The study, she explained, will determine what operational activity the CNMI can support and what infrastructure may be needed for increased Coast Guard presence.
“Together, these provisions ensure that the CNMI is part of federal planning for future maritime and defense activities in the region,” King-Hinds said.
“These provisions make clear that the Commonwealth has an important role in the Pacific. By opening eligibility for military vessel maintenance and examining expanded Coast Guard activity, including cutters, the NDAA positions our islands to benefit from new federal activity in the region and supports long-term economic opportunity for our people,” she added.
She noted that the conference agreement represents the final negotiated version of the NDAA between the House and Senate. Once released, the agreement moves to both chambers for an up-or-down vote and is traditionally the version that becomes law. The NDAA establishes defense policy and authorities for the coming fiscal year and typically receives bipartisan support.
