Northern Mariana Islands Coronavirus Emergency Assistance Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the Northern Mariana Islands Coronavirus Emergency Assistance Act which would provide $100 million to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to respond to the severe loss of revenues for government operations resulting from the coronavirus' impact to our tourism industry. The funds will help avert the disruption of essential health and other public services to the people of my isolated district.

The coronavirus outbreak has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and disrupted commerce worldwide but its impact has hit tourism- dependent jurisdictions like the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands particularly hard. Major hotels have less than 30 percent occupancy. Airlines serving our islands have cut routes. As a result, less funds will be available to provide health and other public services for the people of my district. Our Commonwealth's governor, Ralph Torres, declared a state of significant emergency on January 29 and implemented across-the-board budget cuts and austerity measures including a 20 percent cut to teachers' salaries and a 4-day school week. Last week, Acting Governor Arnold Palacios extended the state of emergency for another 30 days. Today, Governor Torres declared a price freeze on food, water, clothing, emergency supplies as well as fuel. Due to forces beyond our control, the people of my district are facing an emergency that requires me as their sole representative in Congress to act now and provide emergency assistance measures to ensure their health and safety.

Yesterday, the House passed an $8 billion emergency supplemental funding bill that will help every part of our country respond to the coronavirus. However, these funds cannot be used to support general government operations such as public education. This is why I am introducing the Northern Mariana Islands Coronavirus Emergency Assistance Act to provide $100 million in fiscal support to ensure all members of my community, especially our seniors and children, can continue to access the care and education essential to their health, safety and families' well-being.

The bill is fully paid for using sales from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve which was valued at an estimated $42 billion according to the Government Accountability Office.

I urge my colleagues to support Northern Mariana Islands Coronavirus Emergency Assistance Act.

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