CNMI Ferry Act Introduced to Improve Inter-Island Transportation
On Tuesday, I introduced H.R. 4039, the “Connecting the Northern Mariana Islands through Ferry Services Act,” also known as the “CNMI Ferry Act.” This important legislation amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to make the CNMI eligible for federal funding that supports essential ferry services in rural areas.
Reliable ferry service would be a game-changer for the CNMI. Our residents depend on inter-island travel for critical needs including healthcare, education, commerce, and staying connected with family. Yet for too long, we’ve lacked the resources to build and maintain the transportation infrastructure that other U.S. jurisdictions take for granted. By ensuring access to federal transportation funds, H.R. 4039 helps lay the groundwork for a safe, dependable, and more affordable ferry system for our island communities. The people of the CNMI deserve the same transportation opportunities and infrastructure investment as every other part of the United States.