PALIKIR, POHNPEI. On Monday, July 7, 2014, Speaker Halbert called the Fourth Special Session of the 18th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia to order at the nation’s capital in Palikir, Pohnpei to review the President’s actions on Congressional Act Nos. 18-76, 18-75, 18-73, and other matters pending before Congress.
The Special Session is scheduled to go from July 7, 2014 to July 12, 2014, but it may be shortened or extended by a Congressional Resolution if the Members deem necessary.
In attendance to observe the opening day of the Special Session were key staffs of the executive branch of the FSM Government, including a number of the Cabinet Members and the President’s Chief of Staff.
The Diplomatic corps in the nation, including the United States of America’s Ambassador to the FSM Her Excellency Ambassador Doria Rosen, and the US Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Miguel Ordonez, as well as the People’s Republic of China’s Ambassador to the FSM His Excellency Ambassador Zhang Lianyun, were also in attendance for the opening of the Special Session.
At the outset of the Session, Speaker Halbert appointed four Members, which included Senator Martin, Senator Simina, Senator Urusemal, and Senator George as the Chairman on the Committee to Wait on the President. The Committee to Wait on the President was scheduled to meet with the President on Tuesday morning, July 8, 2014, before resuming for the 2nd day of this Special Session at 10AM the same day.
Other order of business for the opening day included the review and assignment of various communications to Congress since its last Session last May.
Additionally, Congressional Bill 18-184 was assigned to the R&D Committee. Congressional Bill 18-184 is a bill for an act “to create a new subtitle II of the title 24 of the Code of the FSM, as amended, to establish the National Seabed Resources Authority of the FSM, provide for the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Authority, set out the standards of sustainable management of seabed resources, require the promulgation of regulation governing permits and licenses relevant to marine scientific research, prospecting, exploration and mining activities, prescribe the penalty for violation of this act, and for other purposes.” A copy of the entire bill and other measures of Congress are accessible on the web at www.fsmcongress.fm.
While in recess and awaiting day two of the Special Session, the Members of Congress also met with the Presiding Officers of 18th FSM Congress, and held several Committee meetings.
For more information on the 4th Special Session of the 18th FSM Congress, please email congresspio@mail.fm or visit www.fsmcongress.fm.