Sablan said that delay was necessary because the entities charged to implement the changes were not yet ready.
But, he added, “I want to be very clear on one thing — I don’t want any delay on the federalization law any longer.”
Fitial has sued the federal government in Washington, D.C. to stop the law from being implemented.
The court is expected to announce its ruling this summer.
Sablan said people in Washington don’t have any clue when the judge will issue a ruling.
“I would like to see that transition period start so that we can get over these things. We have to move on. They can’t delay it any further. It requires a congressional act to delay it any further. Congress can delay other things. But I prefer that they don’t delay the whole thing,” he added.
Fitial along with Guam Gov. Felix Camacho have asked the U.S. House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife last month to delay for a year the federalization law.
Sablan, who is a member of the subcommittee, said he is not sure what its decision would be.
“I am not saying anything because I don’t know what the end result is,” he said.
The federal government is now in the process of drafting regulations that will govern the presence of foreign workers and investors in the CNMI.
Sablan said he would like to see the draft prepared ahead of the comment period so that the CNMI can negotiate for changes before Nov. 28.
“I urge Homeland Security to bring it out as soon as possible so we can look at it and see whether it has the full support of the [majority],” he said.
