Congress Organizes 24th Body and Maintains Most of its Leadership

PALIKIR, POHNPEI. MAY 11, 2025 – On the morning of Sunday – May 11, 2025, the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) convened in Palikir to instate the newly elected two-year Members of the Twenty-Fourth national Body in accordance to section 107 of Title 3 of the FSM Constitution which notes the Members terms of office “shall commence at noon of the eleventh day of May following their election.”

As such, Acting Chief Justice Beauleen Carl-Worswick of the FSM Supreme Court administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected Members of the 24th Congress witnessed by a full gallery of citizens and residents along with online audiences from across the Nation and beyond its borders.  Following the oath, the Members reorganized the new Body and maintained most of its leadership to continue and complete its ongoing nation building efforts.

The reorganization of the 24th Congress maintained Senator Esmond B. Moses of Pohnpei State in the Speakership and returned Senator Robson U. Romolow of Chuuk to the Vice Speakership and seated Julio M. Marar of Chuuk as the Body’s newest Floor Leader. Speaker Moses in accordance with the decision reached during their two-day caucus appointed the following leadership of the seven Congressional Standing Committees:

  1. Committee on Ways and Means is headed by Chairman Fabian S. Nimea;
  2. Committee on Resources and Development, Chairman Johnson A. Asher
  3. Committee on Education, Chairman Joseph J. Urusemal;
  4. Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations, Chairman Andy P. Choor;
  5. Committee on External Affairs, Chairman Peter M. Christian;
  6. Committee on Transportation and Communications – Chairman Victor Gouland; and
  7. Committee on Health and Social Affairs, Chairwoman Perpetua S. Konman.

It was agreed by the Members that the chairperson for the Special Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Issues would be deferred for further discussions during the week.

Following its morning’s induction ceremony and the organization of its leadership, the new Twenty-Fourth Congress assigned the Committee to Wait on the President and then recessed to reconvene the following day, Monday – May 12, 2025.

The composition of the new Twenty-Fourth Congress are the two-year Members representing the state election districts along with the four-year representatives of the states:

From the State of Chuuk:

  1. The Honorable Julio M. Marar, Election District 1: Mortlock Islands;
  2. The Honorable Victor Gouland, Election District 2: Northern Namoneas;
  3. The Honorable Perpetua S. Konman, Election District 3: Southern Namoneas;
  4. The Honorable Tiwiter Aritos, Election District 4: Faichuuk Region;
  5. The Honorable Robson U. Romolow, Election District 5: Halls & Northwestern Region;
  6. The Honorable Fabian S. Nimea, the four-year and at-large state representative.

From the State of Kosrae:

  1. The Honorable Johnson A. Asher, Election District 1; and
  2. The Honorable Yoslyn G. Sigrah, the four-year and at-large state representative.

From the State of Pohnpei:

  1. The Honorable Merlynn Abello-Alfonso, Election District 1: Kolonia, Sokehs and the Southern Islands;
  2. The Honorable Jermy W. Mudong, Election District 2: Madolenihmw and Kitti;
  3. The Honorable Esmond B. Moses, Election District 3: Nett, U and the Eastern Islands;
  4. The Honorable Peter M. Christian, the four-year and at-large state representative.

From the State of Yap:

  1. The Honorable Andy P. Choor, Election District 1; and
  2. The Honorable Joseph J. Urusemal, the four-year and at-large state representative.

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