PALIKIR, POHNPEI. August 12, 2025. The First Special Session of the 24th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia convened on August 11, 2025, as called by Speaker Esmond B. Moses. Following the formalities to 
convene a session, the Speaker appointed Senator Fabian S. Nimea to head the Committee to Wait on the President with Senator Andy P. Choor, Senator Yoslyn Sigrah and Senator Jermy Mudong.
The Committee met with Vice President Aren P. Palik who welcomed them to the Executive Branch to discuss the Nation’s priorities and immediate issues requiring Congress attention during the five-day session. He first commended the Congress for its various public hearings on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. Vice President Palik then delved right into the requested FY25 Supplemental Budget and listed several key items for Congress consideration during its evaluation. Among those were late requests from the departments on: hosting of an international conference and outstanding charges to local vendors.
Vice President Palik then specified the priority bills that needed the Congress attention this session, and they included:
- an amendment to Public Law 23-121to extend lapse dates for Compact sector funds;
- the 4 pending Cyber-Security bills;
- the bill to clarify purpose and jurisdiction of the Office of the Independent Prosecutor;
- the Marine Spatial planning bill;
- a bill to extend the duration of passports;
- a bill to ensure compliance with the Law of the Sea; and
- a bill to address the fishing observer revolving fund.
Along with the bills, the Vice President flagged two pending nominations for the Independent Prosecutor and the Guam Consul General. In addition, Vice President Palik noted that various resolutions were transmitted to the Congress among which were health related grants and others on current socio-economic issues in the Nation.
Senator Nimea thanked the Vice President for the Executive’s enunciated priorities for the session and stated that in regards to the FY-26 budget the National Government needs to re-evaluate the cost sharing with the states now that they receive 50% of the fishing fees. The states need to find a way to share the cost of the Nation and its citizens.
Nimea continued on to the Supplemental Budget and highlighted areas of concerns which may affect certain departments requests. For the Executive’s priority bills, the Committee shared that the bills on Cyber-Security will be taken to the states for further public hearings with the remaining issues to be addressed accordingly. Meanwhile the nomination resolutions will not be addressed during the Special Session due to the absence of some members.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to enhance mutual collaboration and cooperation to move forward on the above issues in a timely and cooperative manner.
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