Planning the Next Phase of Recovery
I wrapped up the last two weeks of visits across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota with a follow-up meeting with Governor Apatang and his team to talk through the needs we are seeing on the ground and how to coordinate the next phase of recovery. After visiting damaged homes, critical infrastructure, schools, and public facilities across the Commonwealth, one thing is clear. The scale of recovery ahead will require significant resources. The CNMI was already facing economic challenges and rising fuel costs before the typhoon. Those pressures have not stopped while response and recovery efforts continue to grow. A large part of the conversation focused on making sure our requests to Congress are clear, realistic, and tied directly to the conditions our community is facing. I am committed to carrying the Governor’s requests forward and continuing to push for federal support that aligns with the CNMI’s recovery plans.