(Office of the CNMI Congressional Delegate) — U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Gov. David M. Apatang, Senate President Karl King-Nabors, and House Speaker Edmund Villagomez announced Thursday that they have transmitted joint letters to President Donald J. Trump and Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command, outlining the accelerating economic deterioration of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and urging timely federal action.
The leaders cautioned that the CNMI’s economic condition has reached a point where further decline could undermine the civilian systems that support U.S. access, readiness, and long-term presence in the Indo-Pacific. They emphasized that stabilizing the Commonwealth is not only a local concern, but a matter of national security.
“The Commonwealth’s small economic scale leaves little room for additional shocks,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “When core civilian systems begin to fail, the consequences extend well beyond local governance. Stable communities, reliable infrastructure, and a functioning local economy are essential to sustained U.S. presence in the Pacific. Addressing these issues now is in the nation’s security interest.”
Governor Apatang underscored the urgency of the situation. “We are running out of time,” he said. “Businesses are closing, people are leaving, and the effects are compounding. The federal government has tools available right now that can help steady the situation. Acting sooner rather than later makes a real difference.”
Senate President King-Nabors highlighted the broader strategic implications. “The strength of America’s position in the Indo-Pacific rests not only on military assets, but on the health of the civilian communities that support them,” he said. “Allowing a U.S. jurisdiction of strategic importance to erode economically would weaken the very foundation on which long-term presence depends. The actions we are calling for are measured, lawful, and necessary.”
House Speaker Villagomez noted the importance of foresight and coordination. “This is about maintaining conditions that allow the United States to operate effectively in the region over time,” he said. “Preventing systemic economic failure now preserves options later. That is in the interest of both the Commonwealth and the country.”
The leaders emphasized that the federal actions outlined in their letters fall within existing authorities and do not require new appropriations.
These include restoring air access from China under Annex VI of the U.S.-China Air Transport Agreement; adding the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program; and leveraging recent U.S. trade and investment agreements with Japan and South Korea to further help restore air service from carriers in those countries.
The leaders stressed that timely engagement would help prevent cascading failures across essential services, workforce stability, and infrastructure, reducing long-term costs and risks.
The letters were sent as part of a coordinated effort to ensure that the CNMI’s situation is fully understood within the context of U.S. strategic planning in the Indo-Pacific.
