June 2025
In June I was honored to preside on the House floor as Acting Chair of the Committee of the Whole, managing debate and amendments on major public health legislation addressing the opioid epidemic. I remain grateful to House leadership for entrusting me with this responsibility.
Throughout the month, I pressed for a stronger Coast Guard presence in the CNMI and welcomed progress as our islands are now being considered as a potential home port for future fast response cutters. I also supported bipartisan legislation to improve transportation safety, workforce development, and infrastructure efficiency, including introducing the CNMI Ferry Act to expand federal funding for inter-island transportation.
I advanced the HOME Act and the TRAVEL Act, both designed to expand access to housing support, financial counseling, and specialized medical care for veterans in the territories. We welcomed veteran Randy Johnson to DC to testify on behalf of his fellow veterans and their needs. We also secured important report language in the FY 2026 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill to address biosecurity, port improvements, waste management on Tinian, and expanded VA services for veterans in the Marianas and the Freely Associated States.
In Small Business Committee hearings, I raised the continued recovery challenges facing our tourism-dependent economy and urged the SBA to provide flexible relief and expand access for indigenous entrepreneurs. I also successfully advocated for the restoration of humanities funding after one NEH termination letter was rescinded.
I welcomed students, veterans, educators, advocates, and community leaders to Washington, celebrated student achievements, honored historic milestones like the Battle of Saipan and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, and strengthened regional ties across the Pacific.