October 2025
October began with a federal government shutdown on October 1, 2025, following Congress’s inability to pass a continuing resolution. Most federal agencies are operating under shutdown procedures, with hundreds of thousands of employees furloughed. Essential services continued, including Social Security but impacts were felt on the Nutrition Assistance Program. I advocated for relief, including a request for CNMI NAP to use unused prior-year funds to maintain benefits for more than 5,500 households.
This month also celebrated CNMI educators and youth leadership. Yeji Lee, 2025 CNMI Teacher of the Year, visited Washington, D.C., along with her partner Jason Atrero, meeting with national leaders and highlighting Marianas education. Students from Fairpoint High School and local schools including Kagman, Saipan Southern, Marianas High, Agape Christian, and Mount Carmel engaged with congressional staff on civic leadership, U.S. aviation policy, and youth programs such as the Congressional App Challenge, Art Competition, and Congressional Award.
I introduced H.R. 5640 which proposes to treat the Marianas as a separate jurisdiction for Byrne JAG funds, and we saw S. 2296 and H.R. 3838 FY26 NDAA include provisions for military readiness, vessel repair, and infrastructure improvements. Federal grants totaling over $6 million, including Climate Change Technical Assistance and conservation funding, support essential services and ecosystem restoration.
October also featured some great visits and recognition of Marianas contributions. Meetings included the Ayuyu family, Ambassador Khazar Ibrahim of Azerbaijan, Typhoon Twin Landon Aydlett, and former residents reconnecting in Washington. Efforts to address mail tariffs, H-1B exemptions, and aviation access weren’t impacted by the shut down as we kept plugging away on the islands’ economic and logistical needs.