[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 92 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H4745-H4748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS U.S. WORKFORCE ACT OF 2018
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 5956) to incentivize the hiring of United States workers
in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and for other
purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5956
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
U.S. Workforce Act of 2018''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to increase the percentage of United States workers (as
defined in section 6(i) of the Joint Resolution entitled ``A
Joint Resolution to approve the `Covenant To Establish a
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political
Union with the United States of America', and for other
purposes'' (48 U.S.C. 1806)) in the total workforce of the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, while
maintaining the minimum number of workers who are not United
States workers to meet the changing demands of the Northern
Mariana Islands' economy;
(2) to encourage the hiring of United States workers into
such workforce; and
(3) to ensure that no United States worker--
(A) is at a competitive disadvantage for employment
compared to a worker who is not a United States worker; or
(B) is displaced by a worker who is not a United States
worker.
SEC. 3. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 6 of the Joint Resolution entitled
``A Joint Resolution to approve the `Covenant To Establish a
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political
Union with the United States of America', and for other
purposes'' (48 U.S.C. 1806) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2019'' and inserting
``2029''; and
(B) by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows:
``(6) Fees for training united states workers.--
``(A) Supplemental fee.--
``(i) In general.--In addition to fees imposed pursuant to
section 286(m) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1356(m)) to recover the full costs of adjudication
services, the Secretary shall impose an annual supplemental
fee of $200 per nonimmigrant worker on each prospective
employer who is issued a permit under subsection (d)(3)
during the transition program. A prospective employer that is
issued a permit with a validity period of longer than 1 year
shall pay the fee for each year of requested validity at the
time the permit is requested.
``(ii) Inflation adjustment.--Beginning in fiscal year
2020, the Secretary, through notice in the Federal Register,
may annually adjust the supplemental fee imposed under clause
(i) by a percentage equal to the annual change in the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
``(iii) Use of funds.--Amounts collected pursuant to clause
(i) shall be deposited into the Treasury of the Commonwealth
Government for the sole and exclusive purpose of funding
vocational education, apprenticeships, or other training
programs for United States workers.
``(iv) Fraud prevention and detection fee.--In addition to
the fees described in clause (i), the Secretary--
``(I) shall impose, on each prospective employer filing a
petition under this subsection for 1 or more nonimmigrant
workers, a $50 fraud prevention and detection fee; and
``(II) shall deposit and use the fees collected under
subclause (I) for the sole purpose of preventing and
detecting immigration benefit fraud in the Northern Mariana
Islands, in accordance with section 286(v)(2)(B) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(v)(2)(B)).
``(B) Plan for the expenditure of funds.--Not later than
120 days before the first day of fiscal year 2020, and
annually thereafter, the Governor of the Commonwealth
Government shall submit to the Secretary of Labor--
``(i) a plan for the expenditures of amounts deposited
under subparagraph (A)(iii);
``(ii) a projection of the effectiveness of such
expenditures in the placement of United States workers into
jobs held by non-United States workers; and
``(iii) a report on the changes in employment of United
States workers attributable to expenditures of such amounts
during the previous year.
``(C) Determination and report.--Not later than 120 days
after receiving each expenditure plan under subparagraph
(B)(i), the Secretary of Labor shall--
``(i) issue a determination on the plan; and
``(ii) submit a report to Congress that describes the
effectiveness of the Commonwealth Government at meeting the
goals set forth in such plan.
``(D) Payment restriction.--Payments may not be made in a
fiscal year from amounts deposited under subparagraph
(A)(iii) before the Secretary of Labor has approved the
expenditure plan submitted under subparagraph (B)(i) for that
fiscal year.'';
(2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Report.--Not later than December 1, 2027, the
Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Energy
and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on the
Judiciary of the Senate, the Committee on Natural Resources
of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on the
Judiciary of the House of Representatives that--
``(A) projects the number of asylum claims the Secretary
anticipates following the termination of the transition
period; and
``(B) describes the efforts of the Secretary to ensure
appropriate interdiction efforts, provide for appropriate
treatment of asylum
[[Page H4746]]
seekers, and prepare to accept and adjudicate asylum claims
in the Commonwealth.'';
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as
paragraphs (3) through (6), respectively;
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Protection for united states workers.--
``(A) Temporary labor certification.--
``(i) In general.--Beginning with petitions filed with
employment start dates in fiscal year 2020, a petition to
import a nonimmigrant worker under this subsection may not be
approved by the Secretary unless the petitioner has applied
to the Secretary of Labor for a temporary labor certification
confirming that--
``(I) there are not sufficient United States workers in the
Commonwealth who are able, willing, qualified, and available
at the time and place needed to perform the services or labor
involved in the petition; and
``(II) employment of the nonimmigrant worker will not
adversely affect the wages and working conditions of
similarly employed United States workers.
``(ii) Petition.--After receiving a temporary labor
certification under clause (i), a prospective employer may
submit a petition to the Secretary for a Commonwealth Only
Transitional Worker permit on behalf of the nonimmigrant
worker.
``(B) Prevailing wage survey.--
``(i) In general.--In order to effectuate the requirement
for a temporary labor certification under subparagraph
(A)(i), the Secretary of Labor shall use, or make available
to employers, an occupational wage survey conducted by the
Governor that the Secretary of Labor has determined meets the
statistical standards for determining prevailing wages in the
Commonwealth on an annual basis.
``(ii) Alternative method for determining the prevailing
wage.--In the absence of an occupational wage survey approved
by the Secretary of Labor under clause (i), the prevailing
wage for an occupation in the Commonwealth shall be the
arithmetic mean of the wages of workers similarly employed in
the territory of Guam according to the wage component of the
Occupational Employment Statistics Survey conducted by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
``(C) Minimum wage.--An employer shall pay each
Commonwealth Only Transitional Worker a wage that is not less
than the greater of--
``(i) the statutory minimum wage in the Commonwealth;
``(ii) the Federal minimum wage; or
``(iii) the prevailing wage in the Commonwealth for the
occupation in which the worker is employed.'';
(C) by amending paragraph (3), as redesignated, to read as
follows:
``(3) Permits.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish,
administer, and enforce a system for allocating and
determining terms and conditions of permits to be issued to
prospective employers for each nonimmigrant worker described
in this subsection who would not otherwise be eligible for
admission under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1101 et seq.).
``(B) Numerical cap.--The number of permits issued under
subparagraph (A) may not exceed--
``(i) 13,000 for fiscal year 2019;
``(ii) 12,500 for fiscal year 2020;
``(iii) 12,000 for fiscal year 2021;
``(iv) 11,500 for fiscal year 2022;
``(v) 11,000 for fiscal year 2023;
``(vi) 10,000 for fiscal year 2024;
``(vii) 9,000 for fiscal year 2025;
``(viii) 8,000 for fiscal year 2026;
``(ix) 7,000 for fiscal year 2027;
``(x) 6,000 for fiscal year 2028;
``(xi) 5,000 for fiscal year 2029; and
``(xii) 1,000 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2030.
``(C) Reports regarding the percentage of united states
workers.--
``(i) By governor.--Not later than 60 days before the end
of each calendar year, the Governor shall submit a report to
the Secretary that identifies the ratio between United States
workers and other workers in the Commonwealth's workforce
based on income tax filings with the Commonwealth for the tax
year.
``(ii) By gao.--Not later than December 31, 2019, and
biennially thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit a report to the Chair and Ranking Member
of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate, the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on
Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, the Chair
and Ranking Member of the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Chair and Ranking
Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the
House of Representatives that identifies the ratio between
United States workers and other workers in the Commonwealth's
workforce during each of the previous 5 calendar years.
``(D) Petition; issuance of permits.--
``(i) Submission.--A prospective employer may submit a
petition for a permit under this paragraph not earlier than--
``(I) 120 days before the date on which the prospective
employer needs the beneficiary's services; or
``(II) if the petition is for the renewal of an existing
permit, not earlier than 180 days before the expiration of
such permit.
``(ii) Employment verification.--The Secretary shall
establish a system for each employer of a Commonwealth Only
Transitional Worker to submit a semiannual report to the
Secretary and the Secretary of Labor that provides evidence
to verify the continuing employment and payment of such
worker under the terms and conditions set forth in the permit
petition that the employer filed on behalf of such worker.
``(iii) Revocation.--
``(I) In general.--The Secretary, in the Secretary's
discretion, may revoke a permit approved under this paragraph
for good cause, including if--
``(aa) the employer fails to maintain the continuous
employment of the subject worker, fails to pay the subject
worker, fails to timely file a semiannual report required
under this paragraph, commits any other violation of the
terms and conditions of employment, or otherwise ceases to
operate as a legitimate business (as defined in clause
(iv)(II));
``(bb) the beneficiary of such petition does not apply for
admission to the Commonwealth by the date that is 10 days
after the period of petition validity begins, if the employer
has requested consular processing; or
``(cc) the employer fails to provide a former, current, or
prospective Commonwealth Only Transitional Worker, not later
than 21 business days after receiving a written request from
such worker, with the original (or a certified copy of the
original) of all petitions, notices, and other written
communication related to the worker (other than sensitive
financial or proprietary information of the employer, which
may be redacted) that has been exchanged between the employer
and the Department of Labor, the Department of Homeland
Security, or any other Federal agency or department.
``(II) Reallocation of revoked petition.--Notwithstanding
subparagraph (C), for each permit revoked under subclause (I)
in a fiscal year, an additional permit shall be made
available for use in the subsequent fiscal year.
``(iv) Legitimate business.--
``(I) In general.--A permit may not be approved for a
prospective employer that is not a legitimate business.
``(II) Defined term.--In this clause, the term `legitimate
business' means a real, active, and operating commercial or
entrepreneurial undertaking that the Secretary, in the
Secretary's sole discretion, determines--
``(aa) produces services or goods for profit, or is a
governmental, charitable, or other validly recognized
nonprofit entity;
``(bb) meets applicable legal requirements for doing
business in the Commonwealth;
``(cc) has substantially complied with wage and hour laws,
occupational safety and health requirements, and all other
Federal, Commonwealth, and local requirements related to
employment during the preceding 5 years;
``(dd) does not directly or indirectly engage in, or
knowingly benefit from, prostitution, human trafficking, or
any other activity that is illegal under Federal,
Commonwealth, or local law; and
``(ee) is a participant in good standing in the E-Verify
program;
``(ff) does not have, as an owner, investor, manager,
operator, or person meaningfully involved with the
undertaking, any individual who has been the owner, investor,
manager, operator, or otherwise meaningfully involved with an
undertaking that does not comply with item (cc) or (dd), or
is the agent of such an individual; and
``(gg) is not a successor in interest to an undertaking
that does not comply with item (cc) or (dd).
``(v) Construction occupations.--A permit for Construction
and Extraction Occupations (as defined by the Department of
Labor as Standard Occupational Classification Group 47-0000)
may not be issued for any worker other than a worker
described in paragraph (7)(B).'';
(D) in paragraph (4), as redesignated, by inserting ``or to
Guam for the purpose of transit only'' after ``except
admission to the Commonwealth'';
(E) in paragraph (5), as redesignated, by adding at the end
the following: ``Approval of a petition filed by the new
employer with a start date within the same fiscal year as the
current permit shall not count against the numerical
limitation for that period.''; and
(F) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Requirement to remain outside of the united states.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B)--
``(i) a permit for a Commonwealth Only Transitional
Worker--
``(I) shall remain valid for a period that may not exceed 1
year; and
``(II) may be renewed for not more than 2 consecutive, 1-
year periods; and
``(ii) at the expiration of the second renewal period, an
alien may not again be eligible for such a permit until after
the alien has remained outside of the United States for a
continuous period of at least 30 days prior to the submission
of a renewal petition on their behalf.
``(B) Long-term workers.--An alien who was admitted to the
Commonwealth as a Commonwealth Only Transitional Worker
during fiscal year 2015, and during every subsequent fiscal
year beginning before the date of the enactment of the
Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act of 2018, may
receive a permit for a Commonwealth Only
[[Page H4747]]
Transitional Worker that is valid for a period that may not
exceed 3 years and may be renewed for additional 3-year
periods during the transition period. A permit issued under
this subparagraph shall be counted toward the numerical cap
for each fiscal year within the period of petition
validity.''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Commonwealth.--The term `Commonwealth' means the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
``(2) Commonwealth only transition worker.--The term
`Commonwealth Only Transition Worker' means an alien who has
been admitted into the Commonwealth under the transition
program and is eligible for a permit under subsection (d)(3).
``(3) Governor.--The term `Governor' means the Governor of
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Homeland Security.
``(5) Tax year.--The term `tax year' means the fiscal year
immediately preceding the current fiscal year.
``(6) United states worker.--The term `United States
worker' means any worker who is--
``(A) a citizen or national of the United States;
``(B) an alien who has been lawfully admitted for permanent
residence; or
``(C) a citizen of the Republic of the Marshall Islands,
the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau
(known collectively as the `Freely Associated States') who
has been lawfully admitted to the United States pursuant to--
``(i) section 141 of the Compact of Free Association
between the Government of the United States and the
Governments of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States
of Micronesia (48 U.S.C. 1921 note); or
``(ii) section 141 of the Compact of Free Association
between the United States and the Government of Palau (48
U.S.C. 1931 note).''.
(b) Rulemaking.--
(1) Secretary of homeland security.--Notwithstanding the
requirements under section 553(b) of title 5, United States
Code, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall publish in the
Federal Register, not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, an interim final rule that
specifies how the Secretary intends to implement the
amendments made by subsection (a) that relate to the
responsibilities of the Secretary.
(2) Secretary of labor.--Notwithstanding the requirements
under section 553(b) of title 5, United States Code, the
Secretary of Labor shall publish in the Federal Register, not
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, an interim final rule that specifies how the Secretary
intends to implement the amendments made by subsection (a)
that relate to the responsibilities of the Secretary.
(3) Recommendations of the governor.--In developing the
interim final rules under paragraphs (1) and (2), the
Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Labor--
(A) shall each consider, in good faith, any written public
recommendations regarding the implementation of this Act that
are submitted by the Governor of the Commonwealth not later
than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(B) may include provisions in such rule that are responsive
to any recommendation of the Governor that is not
inconsistent with this Act, including a recommendation to
reserve a number of permits each year for occupational
categories necessary to maintain public health or safety in
the Commonwealth.
(c) Department of the Interior Technical Assistance.--Not
later than October 1, 2019, and biennially thereafter, the
Secretary of the Interior shall submit a report to Congress
that describes the fulfillment of the Department of the
Interior's responsibilities to the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands--
(1) to identify opportunities for economic growth and
diversification;
(2) to provide assistance in recruiting, training, and
hiring United States workers; and
(3) to provide such other technical assistance and
consultation as outlined in section 702(e) of the
Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (48 U.S.C. 1807).
(d) Outreach and Training.--Not later than 120 days after
the date on which the Secretary of Labor publishes an interim
final rule in the Federal Register in accordance with
subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall conduct outreach and
training in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
for employers and workers on the foreign labor certification
process set forth in section 6 of the Joint Resolution
entitled ``A Joint Resolution to approve the `Covenant To
Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in
Political Union with the United States of America', and for
other purposes'', as amended by subsection (b), including the
minimum wage requirement set forth in subsection (d)(2)(C) of
such section.
(e) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--Except as specifically otherwise provided,
this Act and the amendments made by this Act--
(A) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this
Act; and
(B) shall apply to petitions for Commonwealth Only
Transitional Workers filed on or after such date.
(2) Authority of secretary of homeland security.--The
Secretary of Homeland Security, in the Secretary's
discretion, may delay the effective date of any provision of
this Act relating to Commonwealth Only Transition Workers
until the effective date of the interim final rule described
in subsection (b), except for provisions providing annual
numerical caps for such workers.
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 H.R. 5956. The Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands had a political union with the United States back in
1986. As part of that covenant, which has several different elements
that make it unique among all of the territories as well as the other
States, it authorized a local level of established programs to permit
foreign workers to enter into the Northern Marianas.
In 2008, I believe it was, Congress established this law to create a
standard with the goal of actually trying to reduce the annual number
of permits given to foreign workers--eventually, hopefully, to zero--to
stabilize so that the workforce became more American.
Three years later, they finally came up with a way of implementing
that--relatively quick for U.S. Government standards. But the
citizenship program that was established, the CW permit program,
unfortunately, it doesn't quite work as we had thought it might do.
So, in 2017, GAO reported that, since 2013, demand for these permits
had doubled, and in fiscal year 2016, the demand exceeded the numerical
cap that we have on these particular permits.
The bottom line is simple. This idea of having the American workforce
is wonderful, but if you have an area with a small population with a
good economy, which means there is low unemployment, and for some
reason there is not a whole lot of Americans who want to travel a 15-
hour plane ride to get to their work destination, there is a need for a
foreign workforce on these particular islands. And in some areas, it is
unique.
It was estimated that 80 percent of all the hospitality and
construction jobs need to be filled by a foreign workforce. In the
hospitals there, if we don't make a change in this, all of the nurses
will no longer be eligible to stay on the island and do that needed
service.
And, actually, if we don't make some kind of adjustments in these
caps, it could have a negative impact on the economy of the Northern
Marianas, anywhere between 30 and 60 percent, sharply changing their
gross domestic product.
The intent of this particular bill in this version is threefold:
number one, we want to increase the percentage of U.S. workers in the
total workforce in the Marianas while maintaining a certain number of
non-U.S. workers to meet the demands of the Northern Marianas economy;
number two, encourage the hiring of U.S. workers into the Northern
Mariana workforce; and number three--and this is perhaps the important
one--to ensure that no U.S. worker is at a competitive disadvantage
compared to any non-U.S. worker or is going to be displaced by a non-
U.S. worker.
But until that is accomplished, this bill will have some flexibility
on those caps, and it will be permitted to extend beyond the 2019 date
to 2029 so we can see how it does or does not work.
This bill gives necessary relief to the Northern Marianas. I want to
thank the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) for
working with us on this bill. I am also grateful to the government of
the Northern Mariana Islands. Governor Torres has been in constant
communication with us. He is supportive of what we are attempting to
do. Oddly enough, I want
[[Page H4748]]
to thank our colleagues in the Senate who are also supportive of this
particular idea, even if they drafted somewhat of an inartful piece of
legislation so we have to come at it one more time.
But there is agreement that this is the proper thing to do so this
Commonwealth can actually maintain a steady workforce and maintain an
economy that will continue to grow in the future. All the significant
players on the island in the territory are in support of what we are
attempting to do.
Mr. Speaker, I obviously urge adoption of this measure, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, Chairman Bishop has just provided an accurate statement
of the economic rationale for the Northern Mariana Islands U.S.
Workforce Act, H.R. 5956.
The Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act will allow the
Marianas economy to continue growing so there is ample opportunity for
new business investments and for jobs. I want to use my time simply to
emphasize that this bill is about jobs--jobs for U.S. workers in my
district.
The bill contains new requirements to ensure that no U.S. worker is
ever passed over for a job and that wages and working conditions for
U.S. workers are always maintained and protected.
It ensures the fees employers pay are put to effective use, providing
better training and apprenticeship opportunities for U.S. workers. The
bill encourages the continuing conversion of the Marianas economy to
one in which, numerically, U.S. workers are predominant. That is why
the legislation is titled the Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce
Act. That is a statement of our purpose and our goal.
I say ``our purpose'' because this legislation is the product of a
bipartisan and bicameral working group. It included Chairman Bishop and
Ranking Member Grijalva, their committee leader counterparts in the
other body, the Judiciary Committee representatives, and myself.
We began in late 2016 working first on the legislation that became
Public Law 115-53. It was not easy finding common ground among such a
diversity of views. But by listening to each other and because we share
a common concern to better the lives of Americans--even Americans in
the faraway Marianas--we succeeded in agreeing on this second bill, the
Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act, a very good bill with very
good policy.
As a Delegate, Mr. Speaker, I cannot vote for this bill. I can,
however, give my vote of thanks to Chairman Bishop because even a good
bill with good policy has to navigate the twists and turns of the
legislative process. And without the chairman's leadership, we might
not be here on the floor today considering the Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Workforce Act.
I thank the gentleman and leadership on both sides of the aisle,
whose attention and cooperation helped me bring this bill to the floor,
and thank all of the working group members who helped the people of the
Northern Marianas by working with me to draft this legislation.
Lastly, I thank my constituents. Over the last 10 years, they have
shared their own experiences with me and given me their ideas on what
Federal policy would best fit our islands. I listened to them and spoke
for them, and we have incorporated their experiences and their ideas
into the Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act. I believe my
constituents' needs are well represented because this legislation has
the full support of the Marianas Governor, the legislature, the
business community, and the men and women who meet and talked with me
in everyday life.
In closing, I ask my colleagues for their support of the Northern
Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act.
Seeing no other speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the gentleman from
the Northern Mariana Islands for helping me with this particular bill.
I am very grateful also to Governor Torres of the Commonwealth and to
the business community there. I think we have found a practical
solution to a real problem that could create harm for this
Commonwealth.
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of that area. I visited it once, and I
hope to go back there again and notice the economic growth that
continues there in the Northern Marianas.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and 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. 5956.
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.
____________________