PALIKIR, POHNPEI. August 2, 2021 - The 22nd Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia adjourned its 1st Special Session on July 28, 2021 with the following Congressional Resolutions (CR).
Beginning with CR No. 21-33, Congress adopts the resolution to further extend the President’s Public Health Declaration with a few amendments, one of which is to extend the effectiveness of the Emergency Declaration to September 30, 2021. The other significant amendment to be noted is the transition of FSM’s COVID 19 Vaccination Goal from COVID-Free to COVID-Safe with at least 70% of the Nation’s populace vaccinated. Furthermore, the Resolution mandates the Task Force to “intensify the nation-wide vaccination efforts…” and require all FSM citizens in the Nation to ”undergo COVID19 vaccination subject to protocol of the Task Force.” The resolution calls for all national government employees to be vaccinated with a caveat for personnel who fail to conform to the health measures within 30 days of the resolution. All other amendments on the declaration pertain to the exemption for entry of essential and medical personnel and the protocols therewith, all subject to a case by case basis to be determined by the task force.
CR 22-20,is a congressional resolution requesting the Speaker of the FSM 22nd Congress, Wesley W. Simina to establish a special committee to address the concerns of certain citizens alleging corruptions and wrongdoings purported by the FSM Development Bank, thus resulting in the deterioration of quality of life of the claimants. Therefore, the Judicial and Governmental Operations Committee of Congress, J&GO in conjunction with the Resources & Development Committee, R&D have been tasked to address these concerns and to report their findings to the Congress at a later session or special hearing.
Under the U.S. Compact sector funding, the following congressional approved grants are from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
- first and foremost is CR No. 22-30, for a grant in the amount of $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration of for Children and Families to fund State Personal Responsibility Education Program (SPREP);
- CR No. 22-35, is approving and accepting a grant in the amount of $488,764 from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention for the funding FSM Public Health and Hospital Emergency Preparedness Project.
- CR No. 22-40, is a grant in the amount of $131,009 from the Department of Health and Human Services to fund and support the Maternal and Child Health Services and Social Affairs of the FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs ‘Family Planning Program’;
- a grant under CR No. 22-42, from the Department of Health and Human Services, a grant in the amount of $1,270,615 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to fund and support the project entitled, “Immunization and Vaccines for Children”; and finally
- CR No. 22-41, is a grant in the amount of $165,504 from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), to fund and support the project entitled, “Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Disease (ELC) in the FSM”; including all terms and conditions of the grants.
Under other grants, congressional resolution CR No. 22-34, is approving and accepting a grant from the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in the amount of $59,975 for the Blue Prosperity Micronesia Coordinator salary and associated costs, including all terms and conditions in the grant.
CR No. 22-32,is a grant in the amount of $115,000 from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to fund FSM’s Reproductive and Maternal Health Program, including all terms and conditions of the grant.
Another grant in the amount of $37,222,222 from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under congressional resolution CR No. 22-39, is to provide funding for the ‘Yap International Airport Runway Rehabilitation Project’, including all terms and conditions in the grant.
And finally, CR NO. 22-28 is a grant from the World Bank in the amount of SDR 27,800,000 (Special Drawing Rights worth approximately $40,000,000 US Dollars) from the World Bank for the purpose of funding a project in the FSM entitled: “Prioritized Road Investment & Management Enhancement (PRIME) Project,” including all terms and conditions of the assistance.
Three resolutions regarding nominations for the President to resubmit for Congress’ approval are:
1. CR No. 22-43, is a resolution approving the resubmission of the nomination of Mrs. Jane J. Chigiyal to serve as the Permanent Representative of the FSM to the United Nations;
2. CR No. 22-44, is another resolution approving the President’s resubmission for the nomination of Mrs. Elina Paul Akinaga to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Resources & Development of the FSM; and
3. CR No. 22-45 is yet another resolution approving the President’s resubmission of the nomination of Johnson S. Elimo to serve as FSM Consul General in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The 1st Special Session adjourned sine-die on July 28, 2021. Unless a special session is called prior to its regular schedule by the Speaker, the next Regular Session of the Congress is scheduled for September 12, 2021.
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