Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin of American Samoa, Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo of Guam, Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan of the CNMI and Congresswoman Donna Christensen of the U.S. Virgin Islands have written to the leaders of the committees expressing disappointment that the stimulus package does not include any specific funding for the insular areas.
The territorial delegates were happy that the bill provides a 20 percent increase in Medicaid caps but are disappointed that there is no appropriation for the Office of Insular Affairs to provide for infrastructure projects in the territories.
The congressional delegates said they provided to President Barack Obama’s transition team a list of “shovel-ready” projects which can provide economic opportunities for those living in the territories.
However, none of those proposals were included in a bill that was marked-up by the House Committee on Appropriations.
