PALIKIR, POHNPEI. The 24th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia adjourned its 2nd Regular Session on September 25, 2025 with the passage of congressional resolutions addressing several condolences, crucial nominations for executive departments, agencies, boards, compact sector grants, setting the ceiling for the FSM General Fund, including an amendment to the President’s Declaration.
CR 24-71 is a congressional resolution to amend the President’s Emergency Declaration No. 25-01 dated September 22, 2025, by extending the President’s Emergency Declaration to January 15, 2026. The emergency declaration is to address the oil spill within the Chuuk Lagoon and all efforts related to its containment and cleanup.
CR 24-70 sets the ceiling of the total funds estimated to be available for appropriation from the General Fund of the Federated States of Micronesia for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026.
On September 19, 2025, following the untimely passing of the late Honorable Joseph J. Urusemal, Speaker Esmond B. Moses declared a vacancy in the F.S.M. Congress with a special election to be determined at a later date. Senator Urusemal holds one of the longest serving tenures in Congress with many of his accomplishments a testament to his dedication to the people of the F.S.M. Therefore, Congress adopts congressional resolution CR 24-67, in honor of the late Joseph J. Urusemal who passed away on September 16, 2025.
Also from the State of Yap, we have CR 24-65 expressing condolences to the family of the late Robert A. Ruecho, the fourth Governor of the state of Yap at his passing on August 2025 at the age of 79. CR 24-60 is a condolence resolution in honor of the late Joseph Habuchmai, a lifelong educator and administrator at the College of Micronesia-FSM and former Lt. Governor of the State of Yap on his passing on September 13, 2025. CR 24-61 is a resolution expressing condolences to the family of the late Johnathan M. Tun, Associate Justice of the Yap State Court at his passing on September 13, 2025. Similarly, CR 24-62 is a resolution expressing condolences to the family of the late Jesse Torwan, Associate Justice of the Yap State Court at his passing on September 14, 2025.
From the State of Pohnpei, CR 24-54 is an approved resolution to honor the late Berney Martin, former Vice Speaker of the FSM Congress on his passing on September 1, 2025. The final condolence resolution is CR 24-59, expressing sadness to the family of the late Joses R. Gallen, former National Secretary of Justice at his passing on September 11, 2025.
The following are approved congressional nominations and recognition beginning with CR 24-37, a congressional resolution approving Mr. Lucas Cupp’s nomination establishing the new Independent Prosecutor position as mandated by the F.S.M. Constitution, introduced by the Congressional Convention of 2020. Mr. Lucas Cupps’ has an exemplary work history and an even stellar academic background. Another nomination worthy of mention is CR 24-21, a congressional nomination approving Mr. Yancy Cotrill as the new Legislative Counsel of the Congress of the F.S.M. Mr. Cotrill’s experience includes but not limited to serving as part of FSM Congress Legal Staff for an extensive number of years. Mr. Cotrill is the successor of the former Legislative Counsel, Mr. T. Lam Dang. CR 24-66 is a congressional resolution expressing appreciation in recognition of Mr. T. Lam Dang for his many years of service as the F.S.M. Congress Legislative Counsel. The final congressional resolution is CR 24-69, confirming the nomination of Mrs. Mayleen J. Ekiek to serve as a member of the Micare Board of Directors, representing the F.S.M. National Government.
CR 24-40 is a congressional resolution to ratify the amendment to the Treaty between the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau concerning Maritime Boundaries and Cooperation on Related Matters. Another resolution for an amendment to ratify the Treaty between Federated States of Micronesia and Marshall Islands concerning Maritime Boundaries and Cooperation on Related Matters is CR 24-41.
The following resolutions confirming the acceptance of compact sector grants are CR 24-55 in the amount of $179, 522 from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, to provide funding for the FSM Family Planning Services Program; CR 24-56 in the amount of $120,690 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, to provide funding for the Maternal and Child Health Services Program; CR 24-63 in the amount of $545,891 from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Resources and Services Administration, to fund and support the FSM Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Project (PMHCA) and its related activities; including all terms and conditions of the assistance.
CR 24-58 is approving and accepting a grant in the amount of $136,867 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, to provide support to the FSM Office of National Archives, Culture and Historic Preservation activities for FY 2025 to FY 2027, including all terms and conditions of the assistance.
CR 24-64 is approving and accepting a grant in the amount of $545,891 from the United States Department of Interior, National Park Service, to fund and support the FSM National Archives, Culture & Historic Preservation Office and the four FSM State Historic Preservation Offices, including all the terms and conditions of the assistance.
Among the measures of the Second Regular Session of the 24th Congress are the following Congressional Acts:
CA 24-49 is a congressional act to approve $130,536,291 from the General Fund of the Federated States of Micronesia for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, to provide funding for the operations of all branches of the National Government; the operations of the National Public Auditor; the operations of Agencies, Boards, Authorities, and Commissions of the National Government; Special Programs; Grants, Subsidies, and Contributions; Capital and Human Resource Development; Compact Infrastructure Sector Grant Projects and Offices; and Compact IMF Grant Distributions; and for other purposes.
Congress passed congressional act CA 24-43 to appropriate $100,000 from the General Fund of the Federated States of Micronesia for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, for the purpose of funding humanitarian and relief efforts to the recent fire destruction of the National Parliament Building in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and for other purposes.
In a last solemn act to honor the late Senator Joseph J. Urusemal, Congress passes CA 24-42 to appropriate the sum of $100,000 from the General Fund of the Federated States of Micronesia, for the purpose of funding the funeral expenses of the Former President of the Federated States of Micronesia, and for other purposes.
CA 24-48 is a congressional act to appropriate $2,100,000 from the General Fund of the Federated States of Micronesia for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, for the purpose of funding public projects and social programs for the people of Yap, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Chuuk states, and for other purposes.
The remaining Acts were amendments to previously appropriated projects and social programs for the states to extend the lapse dates, change the use of funds or change the allottees of funds, and they include the following:
CA 24-41 is a congressional act to change the use or allottee of funds previously appropriated therein, to fund public projects and social programs for all states of the F.S.M., and for other purposes. In the same manner and specific to the the states of Pohnpei and Kosrae are CA 24-45; and for the state of Pohnpei are CA 24-44, CA 24-46 and CA 24-47.
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