[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 175 (Tuesday, December 6, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H7209-H7212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            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:

[[Page H7210]]

  


                               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

[[Page H7211]]

     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.

[[Page H7212]]

  

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