Unified Message from the Marianas

Together with Governor Apatang and the CNMI Legislature, I signed two joint letters this week raising urgent concerns about the accelerating economic deterioration facing our islands. One letter was sent to Admiral Paparo at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to underscore how civilian economic collapse in the CNMI would directly affect the long-term sustainability of U.S. presence and operations in the region. The second was addressed to President Trump, outlining the narrowing window for action and identifying specific federal constraints that, if addressed, could help stabilize our economy without new appropriations. These letters reflect a unified message from the Marianas. Our challenges are no longer abstract or long-term. They are immediate, structural, and deeply connected to national interests in the Indo-Pacific. By speaking together, we are making clear that civilian viability matters, that time is not on our side, and that there are concrete steps available now to prevent lasting damage. This is what coordination looks like, and it is how we continue pressing for solutions that protect our people and our future.