[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]]
____________________