PALIKIR, POHNPEI. January 31, 2025 – The Sixth and final Regular Session of the 23rd Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia adjourned sine-die on January 29th after 20-days of reviewing, addressing, adopting and passing measures to address ongoing issues and challenges facing the Nation.
Among the first outcomes from the 6th Regular Session is the passage of Congressional Act (CA) 23-149, to amend the Code of the FSM, title 41 on Public Health, Safety and Welfare, specifically section 203 on the Medical Licensing Board. The Act increased the members of the board from three to five which are to be comprised of a national government representative which is the Secretary of the FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs or a designee, with the remaining four representatives from each of the states – all serving a four-year term. Along with the increased board members, the Act also eliminated all references to ‘Education’ in section 203.
A supplemental funding of $2,457,000 was passed through CA 23-150, to supplement the FY-25 budget for the operations of the Executive and Legislative Branches; Grants, Subsidies, and Contributions; Capital and Human Resources.
The Congress passed CA 23-158, in order to further repurpose $500,000 from a previous appropriation for the purpose of subsidizing the operation of several vessels operating in the Federated States of Micronesia, and for other purposes.
And through the remaining Acts, the Congress amended previous laws to fund priority infrastructure projects or either change the use of certain funds or change the allottees of funds previously appropriated for public projects and social programs across the four states. Specific to the state of Kosrae are: CA 23-155, CA 23-156 and CA 23-159; for the state of Pohnpei are: CA 23-153 and CA 23-157; and specific to the state of Yap is CA 23-154. Through the passage of CA 23-152, the Congress amended a previous law to fund priority infrastructure projects, public projects and social programs for the states of Chuuk and Pohnpei; and finally CA 23-151, made amendments to a previous law for public projects and social programs in the states of Yap, Pohnpei and Chuuk.
All the Congressional Acts have been transmitted to the President to be signed into national laws or they automatically become law after 30 days.
Along with the Acts were various adopted resolutions that begin with: Congressional Resolution (CR) 23-272, to express the condolences and sadness of the 23rd Congress to the family of the late Bonsiano Fasy Nethon. Nethon was a former Congress member during the 17th and 18th FSM Congress, representing Congressional District 3, in Chuuk State. The late former Senator Nethon passed away in Hawaii on November 21, 2024.
A ceiling resolution CR 23-267 was adopted to set the ceiling of funds estimated available for appropriation from the General Fund for FY-25. The Congress proceeded to adopt two major resolutions on the Nation’s agreed to long-term priorities and goals in development and infrastructure. Through CR 23-268, the Congress approved and adopted the FSM Strategic Development Plan (SDP) for the next 20 years (2024-2043). The other plan was through CR 23-269, which the Congress approved and adopted the FSM Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) for the next 10 years (2025-2034).
A nomination resolution was confirmed through the adoption of CR 23-245, which the Congress approved Inson I. Namper’s nomination to serve on the FSM Insurance Board.
Also in light of the recent elections and inauguration of the new U.S. Administration, and the historically maintained close relationship between the FSM and the U.S., the Congress adopted CR 23-277, to congratulate President Donald J. Trump on his reelection as the 47th President of the United States of America.
The remaining resolutions were adopted to address the funding of ongoing activities and programs in various sectors across the Nation and they begin with
- CR 23-260, approved and accepted an AUD$298,041 grant from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) to fund and support the implementation of activities under the FSM Gender Equality and Addressing Family Violence project;
- CR 23-264, approved and accepted a $121,048 grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Health Resources and Services Administration, to fund the FSM Maternal & Child Health Services program;
- CR 23-265, approved and accepted a $225,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation Revegetation (BIL-Reveg), to fund the Tree Nursery and Reforestation Improvement – Capacity-Building Project in the FSM;
- CR 23-270, approved and accepted a $2,598,057 grant from the United States Department of Transportation to fund the Airport Improvement Project (AIP) for the FSM;
- CR 23-274, approved and accepted a $514,127 grant from the United States DHHS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to fund the Component A-Strengthening the Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems project in the FSM;
- CR 23-276, approved and accepted a $635,801 grant from the United States DHHS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to fund the FSM HIV/AIDS Prevention Program;
- CR 23-279, approved and accepted a $3,074,455 grant from the United States Department of Education to fund the FSM Special Education Program and its related services, including all the terms and conditions of the assistance; and finally
- CR 23-280, approved and accepted a $220,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, to fund the FSM Action Plan Implementation-Forest Stewardship Program; and Grant Management, and Capacity Building for Urban Community & Forestry Program, including all the terms and conditions of the assistance.
Copies of all the congressional resolutions have been transmitted to the entities concerned for their information and appropriate actions.
Unless a Special Session is called, the Sixth Regular Session is the final session of the current Twenty Third FSM Congress. The next Regular Session of the Congress will be on May 11, 2025, when it reorganizes itself as the Twenty Fourth Body.
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