[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 44 (Thursday, March 5, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E272-E273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ACT

                                  _____
                                 

                  HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN

                    of the northern mariana islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 5, 2020

  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.

[[Page E273]]

  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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