PALIKIR, POHNPEI. September 16, 2024 – Senator Fabian S. Nimea chaired the Committee to Wait on the President with members: Senator Yoslyn G. Sigrah, Senator Joseph J. Urusemal and Floor Leader Quincy Lawrence, formally met with President Wesley W. Simina on Monday to inform him of the convened Fifth Regular Session of the 23rd Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia.
As mandated by Public Law No. 13-59, the 5th Regular Session had officially convened on September 12, 2024, but short the quorum of eight members, Speaker Esmond B. Moses declared recess until September 16, 2024. The lack of quorum was due to Tropical Storm Bebinca that grounded the flights out of Guam which would have brought in the Members from the states of Chuuk and Yap.
With more than ¾ Members present on September 16, 2024, the Speaker called the 5th Regular Session to order and appointed the Committee to Wait on the President with Senator Nimea as head of the committee.
The Committee met with President, Vice President Aren B. Palik and their Cabinet and were provided a short agenda from the Executive that prioritized the following:
- A Fiscal Year-2024 supplemental budget: to include reprogramming to address various operations shortages, funeral expenses for the late President, and funding needed for A&P for one year as needed to assist with the Compact III transition. The President confirmed the extra SEG funding is also included in the Supplemental, as well as dry docking funds for Voyager and funds for Navigator service to the outer islands;
- National Budget for FY 2025: The President indicated that the FY-25 Budget as transmitted by the Economic Budget Review Committee (EBRC) in May will need to be adjusted once the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) for FY-25 is approved by JEMCO;
- Pending Bills: The President indicated that the priority bills of the administration are the bills relating to the Compact, such as the Compact Trust Fund Resiliency Distributions, and bills relating to the recently passed Constitutional Amendments; and
- Pending Resolutions: The President indicate that there will be some grants transmitted this session and asked for Congress’ actions on those, as well as support for all pending nominations.
Chairman Nimea conveyed that the Congress will work diligently to both address any FY 2024 Supplemental needs, as well as complete work on the FY 2025 Budget. The Chairman emphasized the need to have the final AIP approval in order to complete the FY-25 budget process.
The Committee raised the issue of crucial transportation services along with accessibility to the many outer islands of the Nation and were reassured of ongoing efforts to address airport repair projects along with ship transportation.
The meeting closed with joint expressions of appreciation and wishes for a productive Congressional Session.
According to its mandate, the Regular Sessions of the Congress are for 20-days unless extended or shortened through resolution. The 5th Regular Session of the 23rd Congress is therefore scheduled to adjourn on October 01, 2024.
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