PALIKIR, POHNPEI. July 24, 2020 - With 3 nominations approved during this 6th Special Session, Congress congratulates all 3 approved nominees beginning with Dennis L. Belcourt to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Federated States of Micronesia approved under Congressional Resolution (CR) 21-150; along with CR 21-153, approving Trevayne Esiel’s nomination to serve as Board Member of the Caroline Islands Air Corporation (CIA) representing the state of Pohnpei; with CR 21-161 approving Kasio E. Mida to serve as member of the FSM Insurance Board.
With CR 21-167, the ceiling was set for the total funds ending September 30, 2020, estimated to be available for appropriation from the General Fund for governmental operations and other purposes in the amount of $98,257,464; inclusive of Domestic Revenues, Compact Sector and Supplemental Education Grants.
In response to the ongoing Covid19 Pandemic, Congress has passed CR 21-175 on July 14, 2020, further amending the President’s Public Health Emergency Declaration dated on January 31, 2020. The amendments to the Declaration are to further provide clarity and comity between the National and State Governments to streamline their collaborative efforts in combating the advancing pandemic into the FSM.
Under the Compact of Free Association’s agreement between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia, the FSM is eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The following grants are all from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC; CR 21-170 in the amount of $468,367 and CR 21-171 with a lesser amount of $283,060, both are to fund the FSM Public Health and Hospital Emergency Preparedness Project. CR 21-165 is a grant of $325,725 to fund the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, and lastly, CR 21-169 in the amount of $1,584,074 is to fund the Year 2 FSM Immunization and Vaccines for Children Program, with all grants adhering to the terms and conditions set forth within the grants.
* * *