Kimberlyn King-Hinds

King-Hinds Seeks Coordinated Federal Approach to Lower Fuel Costs in the CNMI

Position: Congresswoman King-Hinds is seeking a coordinated federal approach to address elevated fuel costs in the CNMI and Pacific territories through improved procurement mechanisms, demand aggregation, and potential legislative action to reduce structural cost barriers.

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds has initiated discussions with the U.S. Department of Energy to address rising fuel costs in the CNMI and across Pacific territories, highlighting the structural challenges that continue to drive higher prices in the region. In a letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, the Congresswoman outlined the growing burden of fuel costs on residents and businesses in the CNMI, where gasoline prices currently range from $6.37 per gallon on Saipan to as high as $7.34 and $8.50 per gallon on Rota and Tinian. These costs significantly exceed national averages and are contributing to higher electricity, transportation, and consumer prices throughout the Commonwealth. King-Hinds noted that while global conditions influence fuel markets, the impact on the CNMI is amplified by structural factors unique to small, remote, and import-dependent economies. “For communities like ours, fuel costs come down to how fuel is procured and delivered,” King-Hinds said. “We operate at a scale that leaves us exposed to higher costs and volatility, and that is something we should be addressing directly.” The Congresswoman emphasized that these cost pressures are occurring in a community with limited capacity to absorb them, with a significant portion of households already facing economic constraints. She also noted that fuel costs have broader implications for federal interests in the region, including logistics, infrastructure, and defense-related operations. King-Hinds is working with the Department of Energy to identify practical pathways to improve fuel affordability and supply stability in Pacific territories. She pointed to the potential for a federally facilitated approach that could help address the structural limitations associated with small-scale fuel procurement by aggregating demand and improving access to more favorable contract terms. She is also seeking the Department’s perspective on how the federal government can serve as a constructive partner in addressing this long-standing issue, including whether existing authorities could support coordinated procurement, what policy or programmatic options may strengthen fuel affordability and supply resilience in insular areas, what legal, administrative, or market constraints may affect implementation, and whether targeted legislative action may be necessary. King-Hinds has also requested a briefing from the Department to further discuss these issues and any recommendations it may have. She has previously raised broader concerns that federal actions affecting the CNMI have too often focused on restricting programs and opportunities, rather than pursuing solutions that address long-standing structural challenges in the region. “This is a long-standing issue that requires a more coordinated approach,” she said. “The objective is straightforward, to bring down fuel costs and reduce the pressure these prices are placing on families, businesses, and our economy. That means looking for ways the federal government can respond proactively to challenges like this and deliver meaningful relief.”

House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Guarantee In-State Tuition for CNMI and Other Territorial Students

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6472, bipartisan legislation that ensures students from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, along with Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa, can attend public colleges and universities on the U.S. mainland at in-state tuition rates. This historic step addresses a long-standing barrier for CNMI families, making higher education more affordable and accessible for students leaving the islands to pursue degrees. The bill updates the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require federally funded public institutions to charge eligible territorial students no more than in-state tuition. Out-of-state tuition can be two to three times higher than in-state rates, creating a significant financial burden for CNMI families who already face higher costs of living and limited local degree programs. “Students from the Northern Mariana Islands bring talent, dedication, and a strong commitment to their education when they pursue opportunities across the United States. H.R. 6472 helps expand access to affordable higher education by allowing students from U.S. territories to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities. For many CNMI families, higher education requires significant sacrifice, and this bipartisan legislation helps open more doors for our students while strengthening pathways to build the skilled workforce our islands and our nation need," said Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-MP). “The passage of H.R. 6472 marks a significant step toward ensuring true parity for American students living in the territories,” said Congressman James Moylan (R-GU). “Too many of our students leave home to pursue degrees that simply aren’t available locally, and too often the financial burden places that opportunity further out of reach for hardworking families. This measure strengthens the pipeline of skilled professionals who will help build a stronger, more resilient Guam. It’s about empowering our youth to pursue their dreams without being priced out of them, and ensuring that when they return home, they are ready to lead the next chapter of Guam’s growth.” “This is great news for our students, and a successful bipartisan collaboration. Our students deserve the best possible access to four-year university degrees. Millions of American students benefit from in-state tuition, and this innovative bill extends this sensible policy to the islands. Thank you to each of my colleagues. With passage by the full House, we’re a big step closer to fairness, and making a major difference in opportunity for our students,” said Congresswoman Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS). Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) added, “Today is a historic day for students and families across the U.S. territories. Since my first term in office, I have advocated for legislation to expand in-state tuition access for students in the Virgin Islands and the other U.S. territories. In 2022, I secured a provision in the Build Back Better Act, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, that would have established a college access grants program to cover the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition rates for students from the territories. Today, the House has spoken clearly: our students deserve the same educational opportunities and pathways to success as their peers in the states. Guaranteeing in-state tuition is essential to reducing the burden of student debt and opening doors to the careers and training needed to strengthen our local economies. I am proud to have fought alongside my colleagues to advance this legislation, and I urge the Senate to act swiftly so that we can deliver this long-overdue relief to territorial students and families." “This is a historic win for CNMI students. Guaranteeing in-state tuition removes financial barriers and opens doors for our young people to pursue higher education and return home to strengthen our islands. I now look forward to Senate action on the bill so these opportunities can begin reaching students in the Northern Marianas.” said King-Hinds.

King-Hinds Seeks Governor and Community Input on Draft CNMI Labor Stabilization Legislation

Position: Congresswoman King-Hinds has drafted legislation to extend the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands' foreign labor authority by ten years with options for additional extensions, adjust worker availability to labor demand, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and address long-standing transition framework issues including removal of touch-back requirements and restoration of fee cover-overs.

Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds has shared a draft proposal to amend the Commonwealth’s immigration transition framework and is inviting review and feedback from Governor David M. Apatang and leaders across the CNMI before formally introducing the legislation in Congress. The draft measure, titled the Northern Mariana Islands Labor Stabilization Act, proposes a revised approach to the Commonwealth’s access to foreign labor that moves away from a short-term transition model and toward a framework that reflects the CNMI’s long-term workforce needs. The proposal would extend CNMI-specific foreign labor authority by ten years, with the option for additional extensions, and adjust worker availability to better align with actual labor demand in the islands. The Congresswoman previously shared a policy framework with the community in July 2025 outlining her approach to extending the CNMI’s immigration transition program. Feedback, concerns, and recommendations raised during that dialogue informed the development of the current draft, and are reflected in the bill language now being circulated for review. King-Hinds said the draft reflects months of conversations with employers, workers, and community members, but emphasized that input from the Governor and local leadership is critical before the bill is finalized. “This is a working draft, not a finished product,” King-Hinds said. “Before anything is introduced, it’s important that the Governor, local leaders, and the broader community have the opportunity to review it and weigh in. The goal is to make sure any legislation we advance is grounded in the realities of our workforce and our economy.” In addition to extending the labor authority, the draft proposal addresses long-standing issues in the current transition framework, including enforcement challenges and statutory requirements that place unnecessary burdens on employers. The bill strengthens enforcement tools, dedicates additional resources to compliance, removes the “touch-back” requirement, and grants the Governor authority comparable to that exercised by Guam in supporting labor determinations. The proposal also restores the Section 703(b) Covenant cover-over of immigration and naturalization fees, establishes a mechanism to support immigration enforcement in the CNMI, removes restrictions affecting construction workers, expands eligibility following natural disasters, and creates a process for certain individuals who fell out of status during or after the COVID-19 pandemic to return to lawful status within the Commonwealth. Along with the draft bill text, the Congresswoman provided a section-by-section analysis and a comparison of current law and proposed changes to support informed review by the Governor and community stakeholders. King-Hinds noted that compromise will be unavoidable in the legislative process and that sustained local engagement will be essential to advancing the core objective of extending the CNMI’s access to necessary foreign labor beyond 2029. “I want this effort to reflect a shared understanding of what the Commonwealth needs and what is achievable,” she said. “Community input at this stage will strengthen our position as we move forward.” The draft legislation has been shared with the Governor, legislative leadership, mayors, labor and business representatives, and other community stakeholders for review and comment. To support public review and input, the following materials are available: Draft of the Northern Mariana Islands Labor Stabilization Act: https://bit.ly/49ZnhfQ Section-by-section analysis: https://bit.ly/4kl04Z3 How the bill changes current law: https://bit.ly/4qoeqcD

Congresswoman King-Hinds Calls for Caution as Federal Review of Offshore Minerals Near CNMI Moves Forward

Position: Congresswoman King-Hinds calls for a cautious, legally grounded federal approach to offshore mineral exploration near the Northern Mariana Islands, citing scientific uncertainty, inadequate public comment periods, potential ecosystem impacts, and gaps in the legal framework for revenue sharing and local economic participation.

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds is urging a careful, legally grounded approach to any future federal action involving offshore mineral resources near the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, warning that scientific uncertainty and gaps in existing law require heightened caution, not acceleration. In formal comments submitted to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, King-Hinds raised concerns about how the inquiry has been structured and the implications it could have for the Marianas if future steps move forward without adequate review. She noted that the public comment period overlapped with major federal holidays, limiting the ability of local governments, researchers, and community members to engage with a complex issue involving scientific uncertainty and long-term consequences. “When activity is being considered that could affect our surrounding waters, communities like ours need the time and space to understand what’s being proposed,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “That’s especially true at the earliest stages, when decisions can shape everything that follows.” The comments also point to unresolved scientific questions surrounding deep-sea mineral activity, including the potential for impacts beyond extraction sites through sediment movement and broader ecosystem disruption. For island communities that rely on nearby waters for food security and economic activity, these risks carry particular weight. King-Hinds added that scientific uncertainty does not lessen the federal government’s obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act or the Coastal Zone Management Act. Rather, she said, uncertainty heightens the need for careful sequencing, robust environmental review, and meaningful consultation before any decisions move beyond an informational stage. She further noted that offshore mineral activity should be evaluated alongside existing federal uses in the area, including military training and testing that have already undergone extensive environmental review. Additional disturbance to the seabed or marine environment could interact with impacts previously assessed, reinforcing the need for a coordinated federal approach. The Congresswoman also raised concerns about the legal and economic framework governing offshore mineral leasing. Unlike offshore oil and gas development, mineral leasing lacks established provisions for revenue sharing, long-term planning, or local economic participation. That distinction, the comments caution, creates the risk that environmental and social impacts could be borne locally without a corresponding economic benefit to the Commonwealth. “The goal is to make sure the Commonwealth is fully considered as this process unfolds,” she said. “That means being prudent about how federal authority is exercised, clear about what existing law does and does not provide, and deliberate before moving toward actions with long-term consequences for our islands.” Document 2026.12.1-boem-rfi-public-comment.pdf (665.13 KB)

CNMI Leaders Warn of Escalating Economic Crisis With Direct Implications for U.S. National Security

Position: CNMI leaders urge the federal government to take immediate economic stabilization action in the Commonwealth, framing economic deterioration as a national security concern affecting U.S. strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific.

Saipan and Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Governor David M. Apatang, Senate President Karl King Nabors, and House Speaker Edmund Villagomez announced today that they have transmitted joint letters to President Donald J. Trump and Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command, outlining the accelerating economic deterioration of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and urging timely federal action. The leaders cautioned that the CNMI’s economic condition has reached a point where further decline could undermine the civilian systems that support U.S. access, readiness, and long-term presence in the Indo-Pacific. They emphasized that stabilizing the Commonwealth is not only a local concern, but a matter of national security. “The Commonwealth’s small economic scale leaves little room for additional shocks,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “When core civilian systems begin to fail, the consequences extend well beyond local governance. Stable communities, reliable infrastructure, and a functioning local economy are essential to sustained U.S. presence in the Pacific. Addressing these issues now is in the nation’s security interest.” Governor Apatang underscored the urgency of the situation. “We are running out of time,” he said. “Businesses are closing, people are leaving, and the effects are compounding. The federal government has tools available right now that can help steady the situation. Acting sooner rather than later makes a real difference.” Senate President Nabors highlighted the broader strategic implications. “The strength of America’s position in the Indo-Pacific rests not only on military assets, but on the health of the civilian communities that support them,” he said. “Allowing a U.S. jurisdiction of strategic importance to erode economically would weaken the very foundation on which long-term presence depends. The actions we are calling for are measured, lawful, and necessary.” House Speaker Villagomez noted the importance of foresight and coordination. “This is about maintaining conditions that allow the United States to operate effectively in the region over time,” he said. “Preventing systemic economic failure now preserves options later. That is in the interest of both the Commonwealth and the country.” The leaders emphasized that the federal actions identified in their letters fall within existing authorities and do not require new appropriations. They stressed that timely engagement would help prevent cascading failures across essential services, workforce stability, and infrastructure, reducing long-term costs and risks. The letters were sent as part of a coordinated effort to ensure that the CNMI’s situation is fully understood within the context of U.S. strategic planning in the Indo-Pacific. Issues: Tourism Economy Workforce

CNMI Provisions Secured in NDAA Conference Agreement

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds announced that the conference committee draft of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act includes two major provisions for the CNMI. Inclusion in the conference agreement places both measures in the final text that will move to the House and Senate for approval. “This year’s NDAA includes two long-needed changes that strengthen our role in the Pacific and create real opportunities for new economic activity in the CNMI,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “One provision updates federal law to allow military vessels to undergo repair and maintenance in the CNMI. For more than a decade, the Commonwealth has worked to be included in this authority, but the statute has never listed the CNMI as an eligible location. That omission prevented our local businesses and workers from competing for projects even when the capability existed. The NDAA conference draft finally corrects this and opens the door for future maritime work, contractor support, and investment tied to Defense Department needs.” This update does not guarantee immediate contracts, but it removes the legal restriction that previously made CNMI participation impossible. With eligibility now established, the Commonwealth can be considered for future vessel repair work and related services that support maritime operations. “The second provision directs a comprehensive study on expanding Coast Guard operations in the CNMI, including port visits, deployments, and the potential assignment of fast response cutters. This has been a long-standing request from Commonwealth leaders, given the size of our waters and the need for consistent patrol coverage in the region. The study will determine what operational activity the CNMI can support and what infrastructure may be needed to host increased Coast Guard presence.” Together, these provisions ensure that the CNMI is part of federal planning for future maritime and defense activities in the region. “These provisions make clear that the Commonwealth has an important role in the Pacific,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “By opening eligibility for military vessel maintenance and examining expanded Coast Guard activity, including cutters, the NDAA positions our islands to benefit from new federal activity in the region and supports long-term economic opportunity for our people.” The conference agreement represents the final negotiated version of the National Defense Authorization Act between the House and Senate. Once released, the agreement moves to both chambers for an up-or-down vote and is traditionally the text that becomes law. The NDAA establishes defense policy and authorities for the coming fiscal year and typically receives bipartisan support.