The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS ECONOMIC EXPANSION ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H7209-H7212 on Dec. 6, 2016.
The Department provides billions in unemployment insurance, which peaked around 2011 though spending had declined before the pandemic. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, claimed the Department funds "ineffective and duplicative services" and overregulates the workplace.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS ECONOMIC EXPANSION ACT
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6401) to amend Public Law 94-241 with respect to the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6401
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Northern Mariana Islands Economic Expansion Act''.
SEC. 2. COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS:
TRANSITIONAL WORKERS.
Section 6 of Public Law 94-241 (48 U.S.C. 1806) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(6), by striking ``$150'' and inserting ``$200''; and
(2) in subsection (d)(2)--
(A) by striking the period at the end of the first sentence and inserting ``, except a permit for construction occupations (as that term is defined by the Department of Labor as Standard Occupational Classification Group 47-0000 or any successor provision) shall only be issued to extend a permit first issued before October 1, 2015.''; and
(B) by striking the period at the end of the third sentence and inserting ``, except that for fiscal year 2017 the number of permits issued shall not exceed 15,000.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) and the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands
(Mr. Sablan) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah.
General Leave
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Utah?
There was no objection.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I support this excellent piece of legislation. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is experiencing an economic resurgence, and they have for the last several years. However, there is a challenge on maintaining a capable workforce to sustain that growth on the island, especially as they are phasing out the use of foreign workers.
To do that, the phasing out, which is occurring at a rate that actually is detrimental to sustaining economic growth, we need to provide some kind of flexibility to the Northern Mariana Islands to meet this challenge. This bill does it in three specific ways, each of which is a commonsense solution to a very, very complex issue. It is a great bill, and I urge its adoption.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Bishop for allowing this bill to come to the floor. I appreciate it very much.
The economy of the Northern Mariana Islands grew at a rate of 3.5 percent last year, the fourth straight year of growth for my district. The Bureau of Economic Analysis announced the new data a week ago.
This strong economic expansion is good news for the people of the Northern Mariana Islands. We desperately want this growth to continue because our economy is still only three-quarters of what it was in 2000. But there is a problem with keeping that growth going--our limited population.
For that reason, I have introduced, with Congressman Radewagen, bipartisan legislation, H.R. 6401, the Northern Mariana Islands Economic Expansion Act.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters of support for H.R. 6401 from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands' Governor, Ralph DLG. Torres; the CNMI Strategic Economic Development Council; the Office of the Senate President, Nineteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature; the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation; the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands; and from the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.
Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan, MP, December 4, 2016.
Hon. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan,House of Representatives.Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Sablan: I write to support H.R. 6401, critical legislation that will provide short-term relief from the labor shortage facing the Commonwealth that threatens our growing economy and public health.
The latest report from Bureau of Economic Analysis indicates the Commonwealth economy grew for the fourth consecutive year. A growing economy needs a qualified workforce. And while there are now more U.S. workers than foreign workers in the Northern Marianas for the first time in decades, there are still not enough to meet the labor demand. The temporary increase in the number of Commonwealth-Only Transitional (CW) workers provided in your bill will particularly help small businesses retain the workers needed to maintain operations.
Most importantly, the Commonwealth's only hospital, stand to lose critical staff including 34 staff nurses, two infection control nurses, a clinical laboratory scientist and specialists in mammography, ultrasonography without the relief provided in H.R. 6401.
Building a qualified U.S. workforce in the Northern Marianas is a priority for my administration. The CW worker fee increase in the legislation will provide additional funding for efforts to recruit, educate, and train these workers and establish a permanent pool of workers to fill local jobs.
H.R. 6401 is critical to continued economic growth in the Northern Marianas. The bill has my full support.
Sincerely,
Ralph DLG Torres,Governor.
____
CNMI Strategic Economic
Development Council,
December 1, 2016.Hon. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan,House of Representatives,Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Sablan: The CNMI Strategic Economic Development Committee is in strong support of H.R. 6401, critical legislation that will provide short-term relief from the labor shortage threatening the growth of the Northern Marianas economy.
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis indicates the Commonwealth economy grew for the fourth consecutive year, a recent high of 3.5 percent. This is attributable to increased private investment and tourism now threatened by the lack of available qualified workers on the island.
The modest one-year increase in Commonwealth-Only Transitional Workers (CW) proposed under H.R. 6401, will provide the business community with the necessary human resources to continue to operate and propel an expanding economy.
It is imperative that we do not stymie our plan for future economic growth, now beginning to come to frutition, with a labor shortage in critical areas.
The bill also provides additional funds for the job training/education programs proven effective at expanding the pool of qualified and skilled U.S. workers in the CNMI.
The CNMI Strategic Economic Development Council fully supports H.R. 6401 and appreciates all of your efforts in addressing the labor crisis in the Northern Marianas.
Very truly yours,Alexander A. Sablan,
Sub Committee Chairman, Labor & CW Task Force, CNMI Strategic Economic Development Committee.
____
Office of the Senate President, Nineteenth Northern
Marianas Commonwealth Legislature,
Saipan, MP, December 6, 2016.Hon. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan,House of Representatives,Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Sablan: As President of the Senate of the Nineteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature, I am in strong support of H.R. 6401, critical legislation that increases the FY 2017 cap on Commonwealth-only Transitional Workers (CW) to ensure continued economic growth and protect public health.
After more than a decade of decline, our Commonwealth economy is in resurgence. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports our economy grew for the fourth straight year, at a rate of 3.5 percent in 2015. A qualified workforce is necessary to sustain our businesses and attract new investment. While our investment in job training and education has been successful with the number of U.S. workers now outnumbering foreign workers, there are still more jobs than U.S. workers. The temporary increase in CW workers provided in the bill will help meet the demand and ensure that our business community has access to needed labor.
The CW cap also affects our ability to deliver health care services as the Commonwealth's only hospital is facing the loss of many nurses and those in specialized health care positions.
We are also in support of the increase in the CW worker fee as it increase the resources available to educate and train U.S. workers.
H.R. 6401 is critical to the present and future of the Northern Marianas and has my full support.
Sincerely,
Francisco M. Borja,
President.
Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands,
Saipan, December 2, 2016.Hon. Gregorio ``Kilili'' Camacho Sablan,House of Representatives,Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Sablan: Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) is in strong support of H.R. 6401.
This critical legislation would provide an increase in the FY 2017 limit on Commonwealth-only Transitional Workers (CW) and allow the CHCC to petition for renewal of 39 essential healthcare workers impacted when the CW cap was reached just two weeks into the Fiscal Year.
Our Commonwealth Health Center (CHC) is the only hospital in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, providing inpatient and outpatient acute, chronic, and emergency health care services to the people of the CNMI. We also maintain community health centers on the populated islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
Our ability to continue to provide these essential on-island health care services, and maintain quality patient care and safety as well as maintain overall public health, depends on being able to maintain current staffing levels and specialized expertise.
Without an increase to the CW cap this year, CHC stands to lose the services and experience of 34 staff nurses, two infection control nurses, a clinical laboratory scientist and specialists in mammography and ultrasonography.
For the foregoing reasons, we are in full support H.R. 6401 and are grateful for your work in addressing this critical health care issue.
Sincerely,
Esther L. Muna,Chief Executive Officer.
____
Hotel Association of the
Northern Mariana Islands,
December 2, 2016.Hon. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan,House of Representatives,Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Sablan: The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands is in strong support of H.R. 6401, critical legislation that will provide short-term relief from the labor shortage threatening the growing hospitality industry in the Northern Marianas.
Due in large part to increased private investment and tourism the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis recently announced that the Commonwealth economy grew for the fourth consecutive year.
However, our hotel and resort properties are in critical need of labor, particularly those with skills and experience in the hospitality industry, culinary arts and property maintence. The inability of employers to renew or hire new Commonwealth-Only Transitional Workers (CW) threatens their continued operations and chills future investment in our islands.
The modest one-year increase in CWs, proposed under H.R. 6401, will allow the hospitality industry to continue to provide first-class service to our tourists
The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands fully supports H.R. 6401 and appreciates all of your efforts in addressing the labor crisis in the Northern Marianas.
Very truly yours,
Gloria Cavanagh,Chairman.
____
Saipan Chamber of Commerce,
Saipan, December 2, 2016.Hon. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan,House of Representatives,Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Sablan: The Saipan Chamber of Commerce is in strong support of H.R. 6401, critical legislation that will provide short-term relief from the labor shortage threatening the growth of the Northern Marianas economy.
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis indicates the Commonwealth economy grew for the fourth consecutive year, a recent high of 3.5 percent. This is attributable to increased private investment and tourism now threatened by the lack of available qualified workers on the island.
The modest one-year increase in Commonwealth-Only Transitional Workers (CW) proposed under H.R. 6401, will provide the business community with the necessary human resources to continue to operate and propel an expanding economy. It will also provide additional critical funds for job training and education programs that are steadily expanding the pool of qualified and skilled U.S. workers on Saipan.
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce fully supports H.R. 6401 and appreciates all of your efforts in addressing the labor crisis in the Northern Marianas.
Very truly yours,
Velma M. Palacios,
President of the Board.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to thank again Chairman Rob Bishop of the Natural Resources Committee for his understanding and support. I also thank Chairman Don Young, who held a hearing on this issue in September and agreed that action was needed.
I appreciate the support of Ranking Members Raul Grijalva and Raul Ruiz. And, of course, Mr. Speaker, I am indebted to the minority whip, Mr. Hoyer, and to our majority leader, Mr. McCarthy, who agreed to bring H.R. 6401 to the floor today.
I ask my colleagues for the support of H.R. 6401.
Mr. Speaker, The economy of the Northern Mariana Islands grew at a rate of 3 point 5 percent last year and the fourth straight year of growth for my district.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis announced the new data a week ago.
This strong economic expansion is good news for the people of the Mariana Islands. We desperately want this growth to continue. Because our economy is still only three-quarters of what it was in 2000.
But there is a problem with keeping that growth going: our limited population.
For that reason, I have introduced with Congresswoman Radewagen bipartisan legislation, H.R. 6401, the Northern Mariana Islands Economic Expansion Act.
The Marianas has a very small population--only about 54,000 people. And economic expansion demands not only entrepreneurial capital and investment, which we are suddenly receiving. Economic expansion demands workers, as well.
We have struggled to bring more workers into our labor force.
Isolated as we are--6,000 miles from the U.S. mainland--it is difficult to attract U.S. workers. Our employers to gone everywhere to recruit workers--Guam, the Freely Associated States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland.
We have worked hard to raise the skills of our own local population. A special fee paid by employers of foreign workers has pumped $6 million into training.
And we are succeeding. Since 2008, the number of U.S. workers has grown. There are 15 percent more U.S. workers in our labor force today than there were ten years ago.
U.S. workers are now the majority of our labor force--a huge turnaround for us.
But we still find ourselves short of the workers we need--especially at this moment, when there are hundreds of millions of dollars of new tourism development being invested in our islands.
H.R. 6401 does several things:
First, it will put more money into that training fund that is proving so successful at helping put our people to work.
The bill also allows us to bring in a limited, additional number of foreign workers under the Commonwealth-only Transitional Worker program that was set up under federal law to help us build our U.S. labor force.
The Transitional Worker program has reduced the number of foreign workers in the Marianas year after year.
But this year the sudden increase in investment in new hotels and other tourism businesses has left us short.
H.R. 6401 would give us an extra 2,000 workers--the same number as we were allowed in 2013--and only for the remainder of this fiscal year.
This is a short-term fix to address an unexpected--and very welcome--
change in the economic fortunes of the Northern Mariana Islands.
The bill will also help us avoid this worker shortage in the years to come.
Part of the problem this year has been that employers are not using other federal programs that can provide temporary labor for construction projects of the size and scale that are being built in the Marianas.
So, H.R. 6401 bars employers from using the Transitional program we have in the Marianas for new construction.
This shift will not slow the economic expansion we have right now.
But it will allow us to continue reducing the number of foreign workers permitted under the Transitional program.
It will continue the conversion to a predominantly U.S. labor force, which is our long-term goal.
In closing, I want to thank Chairman Rob Bishop of the Natural Resources Committee for his understanding and support.
Thanks, also, to Chairman Don Young, who held a hearing on these issues in September and agreed that action was needed.
I appreciate the support of Ranking Members Raul Grijalva and Raul Ruiz.
And, of course, I am indebted to the Minority Whip Mr. Hoyer and to our Majority Leader Mr. McCarthy, who agreed to bring H.R. 6401 to the floor today.
And I ask my colleagues for their support for H.R. 6401.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, this is an excellent bill, and I urge its adoption.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6401.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
