WITH the Senate’s acceptance of the House amendments to Senate Joint Resolution 24-1 last week, the 24th Legislature is united in supporting the Commonwealth Ports Authority’s request to exempt air services from China from federal limitations.
Authored by Senate Vice President Karl-King Nabors, S.J.R. 24-1 urges the U.S. Department of Transportation to restore full compliance with Annex VI of the U.S.-China Air Transport Agreement of 2007 and lift federal restrictions on air services between China and the CNMI.
The resolution also calls on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to implement the Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program or EVS-TAP without further delay, in order to mitigate the devastating loss of tourist arrivals in the CNMI.
The Senate adopted the joint resolution on Feb. 14, 2025, and the House of Representatives adopted it with amendments — including the EVS-TAP implementation clause — on May 15, 2025.
The House Committee on Federal and Foreign Affairs, chaired by Rep. Blas Jonathan Attao, explained that while increasing tourist arrivals is important, it should not compromise the CNMI’s security. The committee stated that EVS-TAP will ensure proper pre-screening of visitors before entry into the CNMI, aligning with U.S. national security priorities while boosting the local economy.
“The implementation of EVS-TAP will help revitalize the tourism market that has struggled to maintain pre-pandemic levels of activity essential for the CNMI to survive and thrive,” the committee said in its report recommending adoption of the joint resolution.
The resolution also cited U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds’ letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, in which she urged the restoration of full compliance with Annex VI of the U.S.-China Air Transport Agreement.
