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A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
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October 27, 2026House press release
Statement from Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds on EVS-TAP Suspension
Position: The release states that the suspension of the CNMI EVS-TAP program is temporary rather than a termination, and calls for resolving the identified concerns quickly so the program can resume, citing consequences for the Commonwealth's tourism industry and workers.
Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds issued the following statement regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s announcement suspending the CNMI Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP):
“Following today's announcement, I spoke directly with the White House, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and House leadership regarding the suspension of the CNMI Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) and its potential consequences for the Commonwealth.
“Secretary Mullin personally assured me that he will work directly with the CNMI to better understand and address the underlying issues that led to this temporary suspension. I want to emphasize that EVS-TAP has been suspended, not terminated. We have experienced interruptions to travel programs serving the Commonwealth before, and we will work through this together with our federal partners to address the concerns that have been raised and find a path forward, just as we have done before.
“The safety and security of our Commonwealth, our residents, and our visitors must always be a serious consideration. EVS-TAP was established with safeguards that allow the Department of Homeland Security to suspend the program when security or law enforcement concerns arise. These safeguards are an important part of protecting our community and maintaining the integrity of the program. As we work to better understand the circumstances behind this suspension, we will work with our federal partners to address the concerns identified and support the program’s resumption as quickly as possible.
“I have made clear to our federal partners the urgency of this matter. Our tourism industry is already facing tremendous challenges, and a prolonged disruption would have serious consequences for our businesses, workers, and families. We must also consider the immediate effects on airlines, travel arrangements, and the businesses that depend on visitor arrivals.
“My immediate priority is securing the resumption of EVS-TAP as quickly as the outstanding concerns can be resolved.”
King-Hinds, NMTech Advance Effort to Bring GI Bill Benefits to Local Vocational Training
Position: The release supports making GI Bill education benefits usable at local vocational and technical training institutions in the Northern Mariana Islands, and describes the Northern Marianas Technical Institute's pending application to the VA for approval.
Saipan – Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds announced that the Northern Marianas Technical Institute (NMTech) has formally submitted its application to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to participate in GI Bill education programs, advancing efforts to make technical and workforce training more accessible to veterans in the Commonwealth.
The effort began when a local veteran raised the issue during a King-Hinds town hall on Saipan, asking whether GI Bill benefits could be used for training at NMTech. Following that discussion, the Congresswoman met with NMTech Chief Executive Officer Jodina Attao and contacted the VA to determine what steps would be necessary for the institute to participate.
“This started with a veteran in our community raising a practical question about using the benefits they earned for training here at home,” King-Hinds said. “We took that question to the VA, worked with NMTech to understand the requirements, and now the institute has submitted its application. I am grateful to Jodina and her team for taking this important step toward expanding opportunities for our veterans.”
In response to the Congresswoman's inquiry, VA confirmed that it serves as the State Approving Agency (SAA) for educational and training institutions in the CNMI seeking approval to participate in GI Bill education programs. VA also clarified that accreditation, while helpful, is not required for an institution to pursue approval.
On August 18, 2026, VA contacted NMTech directly to outline the requirements for participation, including applicable reporting, recordkeeping, and oversight responsibilities. Following these discussions, NMTech submitted its application for approval and is now awaiting VA's determination.
“NMTech is excited about the opportunity to expand access to our technical training programs for the veterans who have served our nation,” said NMTech Chief Executive Officer Jodina Attao. “We believe our veterans should have the opportunity to put the education benefits they have earned toward developing new skills and building careers right here in the Commonwealth. We thank Congresswoman King-Hinds and her office for helping us navigate this process and for their continued support of our efforts to expand educational opportunities in the Marianas.”
NMTech's application remains subject to VA review and approval. Veterans will be able to use applicable GI Bill education benefits at the institute only after the institution and its eligible programs receive the necessary approvals.
“Veterans who want to learn a trade, build new skills, or prepare for another career should have the opportunity to do so without having to leave the Commonwealth,” King-Hinds added. “Our veterans earned these benefits through their service, and I want to see more of those benefits put to work here at home. I want to congratulate Jodina Attao and the entire NMTech team for the important work they continue to do to expand vocational education and training opportunities in the CNMI, and especially for exploring new ways to make these opportunities available to our veterans. My office will continue working with NMTech and the VA as the application moves through the approval process.”`````
Issues:
Workforce
King-Hinds Introduces Marianas Tourism Advancement Act to Add Philippines, Expand Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program
Position: The release supports introduction of HR 10341, the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026, which would add the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program and expand eligibility to Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Mongolia, citing tourism, air service, family ties, and economic growth.
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-MP) introduced HR 10341, the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026, legislation that would add the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program and expand eligibility to Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Mongolia.
Congressman James Moylan (R-GU) is an original cosponsor of the legislation.
The proposed inclusion of the Philippines builds on the long-standing ties between the Marianas and the Philippines. Families, businesses, and communities across the region remain closely connected, and greater travel between the Philippines and the Marianas would support tourism, regional air service, family connections, and economic growth.
“The Philippines has a special relationship with the Marianas, and there is tremendous opportunity to strengthen that relationship through greater travel and tourism,” said Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds. “Including the Philippines in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program would make it easier for families to stay connected, create new opportunities for our tourism industry, support air service, and deepen the ties between our islands.”
“Expanding the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program is about creating new opportunities for Guam’s economy and strengthening our connections throughout the Indo-Pacific. The Philippines, in particular, shares deep family, cultural, and economic ties with our island, and making travel easier has the potential to bring more visitors, support our businesses, and strengthen regional air service. I’m proud to join Congresswoman King-Hinds as an original cosponsor of this legislation and to continue the work being done by Senator Jesse Lujan and the Guam-CNMI-Philippines Working Group to move this effort forward responsibly while maintaining the safeguards necessary to protect our borders and national security,” said Congressman James Moylan.
“I appreciate Congressman Moylan for joining this effort and helping us bring this proposal forward in Congress,” King-Hinds said. “I also want to recognize Senator Jesse Lujan and the members of the Guam-CNMI-Philippines Working Group for the work they have done to build support for including the Philippines in the program. Their efforts brought Guam, the CNMI, the Philippines, and federal partners together to examine tourism, air service, security, and the safeguards necessary to move this effort forward.”
Guam Senator Jesse Lujan, who has helped lead the Guam-CNMI-Philippines Working Group effort, welcomed the legislation.
“This legislation shows what can happen when Guam, the CNMI, the Philippines, and our federal partners work together toward a common goal. I thank Congresswoman King-Hinds for carrying this effort forward in Congress. Adding the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program would strengthen tourism, deepen regional ties, and create new economic opportunities for our island.”
Joe C. Guerrero, Co-Chair of the CNMI Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors and the Governor’s representative to the Guam-CNMI-Philippines Working Group, emphasized the economic opportunities created by the legislation.
“From an economic standpoint, this legislation is exactly the tool the Marianas needs. The Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Mongolia collectively represent tens of millions of international departures annually, hailing from some of the fastest-growing outbound tourism markets in the world. Adding these countries to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program would drive visitor arrivals, expand air service, and generate new, much-needed revenue for our businesses and government. This legislation could launch the economic revival of the Northern Marianas and secure the long-term sustainability of our tourism industry. What our islands need is a hand-up, not a hand-out, and this bill delivers exactly that. Just as important, including the Philippines recognizes the deep ancestral and family ties between our people, connections that have shaped our islands for generations.”
The Guam-CNMI-Philippines Working Group has brought together officials and stakeholders from Guam, the CNMI, the Philippines, and the federal government to develop the case for Philippine inclusion in the program. The effort has included discussions on traveler vetting and data sharing, passport and regulatory requirements, tourism and economic impacts, regional air service, and other safeguards needed to support expanded lawful travel.
Beyond the Philippines, the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act would add Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Mongolia to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, opening additional visitor markets for the CNMI and Guam and creating new opportunities to strengthen tourism and regional air connectivity.
The legislation also establishes additional safeguards and transparency requirements governing any future suspension of a participating country.
Under the bill, the Secretary of Homeland Security could suspend a country’s participation only after making a written determination, based on specific and articulable facts, that continued admission presents identified immigration, law enforcement, public safety, or national security concerns.
Before a suspension takes effect, DHS would be required to assess the reasonably foreseeable economic and fiscal effects on the CNMI and Guam, including impacts on visitor arrivals, air service, employment, business activity, and government revenues. DHS would also be required to consult with the Secretaries of the Interior, State, and Commerce and the Governors of the CNMI and Guam, and consider whether additional safeguards, including bonding requirements, limits on length of stay, enhanced information sharing, or other country-specific measures, could address the identified concerns without suspending a country from the program.
“Tourism is the lifeblood of our islands, and rebuilding it requires us to look throughout the Indo-Pacific for opportunities to reconnect the Marianas with the region,” King-Hinds said. “This legislation gives us additional tools to grow our visitor economy while maintaining the safeguards necessary to protect our islands and our nation.”
About the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program
The Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program allows eligible foreign nationals to travel to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam for short-term business or tourism without obtaining a traditional U.S. visa. Travelers admitted under the program may remain in the CNMI and Guam for up to 45 days. Admission under the program does not authorize onward travel to other parts of the United States.
The program currently includes eligible nationals of Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. Travelers must meet applicable passport and admissibility requirements and obtain the required Guam-CNMI Electronic Travel Authorization before travel.
Issues:
Tourism
King-Hinds Introduces PACMESA to Strengthen Territorial Benefits and Protections from Seabed Mining
Position: The release describes H.R. 10318 (PACMESA), which would direct 50% of revenues from covered offshore seabed mineral leases to adjacent Pacific territories, strengthen environmental financial assurances, expand territorial notification and consultation requirements, and bar royalty exemptions. The sponsor states she neither supports nor opposes seabed mining but favors the protections.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds introduced H.R. 10318, the Pacific Minerals Economic Security Act (PACMESA), legislation that would strengthen economic benefits, environmental protections, and local consultation requirements for U.S. Pacific territories located near potential seabed mining activities.
The legislation would establish significant revenue sharing for U.S. offshore natural resource development, directing 50% of revenues from covered leases to eligible adjacent territorial governments. The bill would also strengthen financial assurance and environmental bonding requirements beyond those currently provided under federal law and regulation, while expanding notification and consultation requirements for territorial governments.
“Critical minerals are at the center of America’s economic competitiveness and national security,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “While I do not support or oppose seabed mining, we must recognize the nation’s strategic imperative to develop secure critical mineral supply chains. If seabed mining offshore our communities occurs, PACMESA would provide a crucial insurance policy for the Pacific territories that could be directly affected.”
“This bill addresses some of the most serious gaps in existing law and regulation governing hard mineral development on the Outer Continental Shelf,” King-Hinds continued. “It would establish unprecedented levels of local revenue sharing for natural resource development, require meaningful financial assurance to ensure companies can meet their environmental and lease obligations, and provide greater notification and consultation for adjacent Pacific territorial governments. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and move it forward as soon as possible.”
The Pacific Minerals Economic Security Act (H.R. 10318) Would:
Establish a 50/50 Revenue-Sharing Framework
Require revenues from leases subject to the Act to be divided equally, with 50% going to the U.S. Treasury and 50% distributed to covered territories – the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa – located within 200 nautical miles of the center of the lease tract.
If the center of a lease tract is located within 200 nautical miles of two covered territories, each territory's share would be calculated inversely proportional to its distance from the lease.
Establish a 10% minimum share of the territorial allocation for any covered territory located within 200 nautical miles of the lease.
Allow territorial revenues to be used for coastal restoration, infrastructure development including energy infrastructure, environmental mitigation, fiscal stabilization, and debt reduction.
Protect Territorial Revenues
Prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from granting a lessee an exemption from paying royalties for leases covered by the Act.
Strengthen Environmental Financial Assurances
Require lessees to furnish a $100,000 base bond at the time of lease sale to cover obligations under the lease.
Require lessees to furnish a supplemental bond before production begins, with the amount determined based on factors including:
The financial health of the lessee;
The lessee's financial ability to meet its obligations under the lease;
The estimated cost of decommissioning; and
The estimated cost of environmental restoration of the area subject to the lease.
Require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study examining methods to mitigate the environmental impacts of seabed mining and the potential costs of those mitigation measures.
Require the Secretary to make a reasonable effort to consult with local institutions of higher education in conducting the study, providing opportunities for local students to gain experience and expertise in this emerging field.
Expand Notification and Consultation with Pacific Territories
Expand notification requirements for adjacent territorial governors.
Require the appropriate federal agencies, including the Department of the Interior, to notify adjacent territorial governors when an application for a prospecting, testing, delineation, or production permit triggers a Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) consistency review.
Codify a notification and comment period for territorial governors when an Environmental Assessment is required for such permit applications.
King-Hinds Announces Passage of Federal Funding Bill with $21.4 Million for CNMI Medicaid
Position: The release announces passage of a continuing resolution that includes $21.4 million in additional federal Medicaid funding for the Northern Mariana Islands, and calls for continued advocacy for a long-term Medicaid solution for the CNMI.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds announced that the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 has passed both chambers of Congress and is now headed to the President for signature. The legislation includes $21.4 million in additional federal Medicaid funding for the Northern Mariana Islands.
The legislation increases the CNMI’s fiscal year 2026 Medicaid allotment by $21.4 million and allows the additional funding to remain available until expended. The funding may also be used for eligible services provided during fiscal year 2026 even when the Commonwealth makes payment for those services during fiscal year 2027.
“This is a major step forward for healthcare in the CNMI. An additional $21.4 million in federal Medicaid funding will help strengthen access to care, support our healthcare providers, and provide critical relief following the recent natural disasters.
“This funding addresses an immediate need, but the work does not end here. We must continue advocating for a fair and sustainable long-term Medicaid solution that ensures the CNMI receives the support our community deserves,” King-Hinds said.
“I thank the Senate and House committees for including the CNMI’s Medicaid needs in response to Super Typhoon Sinlaku. I also thank the CNMI Medicaid Agency for its work in supporting this request. We will continue working as Congress takes up the next round of funding discussions in December to address the additional needs of the Medicaid program and other priorities of the Commonwealth.”
A continuing resolution, commonly referred to as a CR, provides temporary funding for federal agencies and programs when Congress has not yet completed the regular annual appropriations process. The legislation continues federal government funding through December 11, 2026, averting a government shutdown while Congress completes work on fiscal year 2027 appropriations.
The continuing resolution also keeps several federal programs important to the Northern Mariana Islands operating through December 11. These include federal highway and transit programs, territorial assistance programs administered by the Department of the Interior, FEMA disaster response and recovery activities, and several veterans health care, housing, transportation, and benefit programs. The legislation passed both chambers of Congress and is now on its way to the President for signature.
King-Hinds Urges USPS to Suspend New Duty Collection Requirements in Territories
Position: Urges the U.S. Postal Service to suspend implementation of new duty collection requirements for mail from U.S. territories until legal and administrative concerns are resolved, arguing the system must respect CNMI duty-free treatment under the Covenant and that Covenant revenue protections apply to amounts collected through private vendors.
Saipan - Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds has submitted formal comments to the U.S. Postal Service urging the agency to suspend implementation of new duty collection requirements for mail originating in the U.S. territories until legal and administrative concerns affecting territorial residents are addressed.
The USPS interim final rule establishes procedures for the collection and prepayment of customs duties, taxes, and fees on certain goods mailed from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands into the customs territory of the United States. The rule follows the suspension of federal de minimis treatment under Executive Order 14324 and subsequent regulations issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
In her comments, King-Hinds acknowledged that USPS did not make the underlying decision to suspend de minimis treatment, but emphasized that the Postal Service remains responsible for ensuring that the system used to implement the policy complies with the distinct laws governing each territory.
With respect to the CNMI, King-Hinds pointed to protections contained in the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States.
Section 603(c) of the Covenant provides that imports from the Northern Mariana Islands into the customs territory of the United States are to receive the same treatment as imports from Guam. Under existing customs law, qualifying goods that are the growth, product, or manufacture of the CNMI may enter the U.S. customs territory duty-free.
King-Hinds previously raised concerns with the Department of Homeland Security after her office observed CNMI-manufactured products being assigned tariff charges through the third-party system intended to implement the Executive Order.
“The payment and clearance system used by USPS must be capable of identifying goods entitled to this treatment and must not assess duties solely because a parcel originates outside the customs territory,” King-Hinds wrote.
Her comments also cite Section 703(b) of the Covenant, which establishes protections concerning revenues collected with respect to the Commonwealth. Citing the contemporaneous section-by-section analysis of the Covenant, King-Hinds noted that the provision was understood to require payment to the Commonwealth Treasury of “the proceeds of essentially all taxes and duties and fees collected with respect to the Northern Marianas,” other than those relating to Social Security benefits.
King-Hinds argues that these protections continue to apply when the federal government requires amounts to be collected through a private third-party vendor.
“The Federal Government cannot avoid its obligations under Section 703(b) by requiring the collection of these amounts through a private intermediary,” King-Hinds wrote. “Where payment of a fee is required as a condition of complying with the federally established customs process, the use of a third-party vendor does not remove that fee from the revenue protections established by the Covenant.”
The comments call on USPS to identify each duty, tax, governmental fee, processing charge, brokerage charge, or other assessment that a CNMI mailer may be required to pay, explain the legal authority for each charge, identify who receives and ultimately retains those amounts, and coordinate with CBP and the Department of the Treasury to determine which revenues must be accounted for and transferred to the Commonwealth Treasury under Section 703(b).
King-Hinds also raised concerns about the administrative burden the new process could place on residents and small businesses in the territories. Under the rule, an ordinary CNMI resident mailing goods may be required to determine tariff classifications, country of origin, value, applicable exemptions, and other customs information before paying required duties and fees and presenting proof of payment at a postal retail counter.
Those requirements are further complicated in the CNMI because the system must distinguish between CNMI-origin goods entitled to duty-free treatment, qualifying U.S. goods returning to the customs territory, foreign-origin goods subject to duty, and goods incorporating foreign materials that may nevertheless qualify as CNMI products.
“Proper implementation therefore requires more than the application of a system designed principally for foreign-origin shipments to mail originating in the territories,” King-Hinds wrote.
The comments argue that if the federal government continues to apply the suspension of de minimis treatment to territorial shipments, USPS should establish procedures specifically designed around the legal and practical circumstances of the four affected territories rather than requiring territorial residents to navigate a system developed principally for international shipments.
King-Hinds also noted that errors in classification or exemption determinations could result in residents being charged amounts they do not legally owe or being required to complete additional procedures before USPS will accept their mail. Her office has already observed CNMI-manufactured products being assigned tariff charges through the third-party system associated with implementation of the Executive Order.
King-Hinds recommended that USPS suspend implementation of the requirements in the affected territories until the agency establishes a process to accurately collect, account for, and remit tariffs, duties, and fees, including required third-party vendor fees, consistent with Section 703(b) of the Covenant. She also called for a methodology to administer the tariff-free treatment of qualifying CNMI-origin goods and procedures that recognize the distinct political and legal arrangements governing each of the four affected territories under U.S. customs law.
“These are fundamental questions concerning the lawful administration of the rule in the territories and should be resolved before residents are required to comply with the new process,” King-Hinds wrote. “Proceeding without first addressing these concerns creates real legal and administrative liabilities for the Postal Service and, more importantly, risks imposing costs and burdens on American citizens living in the territories without adequate consideration of the rights and protections guaranteed to their communities under federal law.”
King-Hinds Statement on Introduction of Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act
Position: The release supports federal legislation directing the Department of Energy to study whether fallout from U.S. Pacific nuclear testing (1946–1962) reached the Northern Mariana Islands and affected residents, and to assess whether evidence supports extending radiation-exposure compensation eligibility to CNMI residents.
Saipan - Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds issued the following statement on the introduction of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2026 (RECRA), which includes language directing the Department of Energy to study whether radioactive fallout from U.S. nuclear testing in the Pacific between 1946 and 1962 reached the Northern Mariana Islands and affected residents. The legislation also requires DOE to assess potential radiation exposure and health risks and determine whether the evidence supports extending federal radiation-exposure compensation eligibility to CNMI residents.
“For decades, Pacific communities have lived with unanswered questions about the long-term consequences of America’s nuclear weapons program. The Northern Mariana Islands deserves answers too. This issue was recently raised with me by members of our community who asked whether radioactive fallout from nuclear testing in the Pacific may have reached the Northern Mariana Islands and what that exposure could have meant for the health of our people. I want to give them credit for raising an important question that deserves to be examined.
“My responsibility as your Delegate is to listen when concerns are brought to me, look at the facts, and then determine what we can do about them. That is what we did here. We began examining the issue, brought the CNMI’s concerns to our federal partners, and now this legislation calls for research into radiation exposure and its potential impacts on the Northern Mariana Islands, while also expanding compensation and improving access to health resources for communities affected by America’s nuclear testing program.
“I am grateful to Congressman James Moylan for his partnership and for working with me to ensure the CNMI was included in this legislation. We should not presume what the science will tell us. But our people deserve to have the question asked, the history examined, and the research done.
“This is how representative government should work: our community raises a concern, we listen, and then we get to work finding answers.”
King-Hinds Introduces Affordable Power for the Northern Marianas Act
Position: The release supports introducing legislation to direct a greater share of existing Covenant funding to the Northern Mariana Islands for reducing electricity costs and rebuilding the Commonwealth's energy generation system, and to remove local matching requirements for funded energy projects.
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds today introduced the Affordable Power for the Northern Marianas Act, legislation that would dedicate a greater share of existing Covenant funding to reducing electricity costs and rebuilding the Commonwealth’s aging power system.
“For too long, our families and businesses have been asked to absorb the cost of an electric system that is too expensive, too old, too fragile, and increasingly difficult to maintain,” King-Hinds said. “We cannot build a stronger economy while power costs continue to take such a large share of every household budget and every business expense.”
The legislation would direct $15 million annually in mandatory Covenant funding to the Northern Mariana Islands, with most of the funding reserved for capital investments in the Commonwealth’s energy generation system. Projects would be prioritized based on their ability to reduce or stabilize rates, lower fuel and operating costs, improve efficiency, and reduce the frequency and cost of power outages.
“Affordable power affects everything,” King-Hinds said. “It affects whether a small business can stay open, whether a hotel can hire, whether our hospital and schools can operate within their budgets, and whether families can afford to remain here. Addressing energy costs is part of rebuilding the entire Commonwealth economy.”
The funding addressed by the bill originated as financial assistance for the Northern Mariana Islands under the Covenant. Congress later allowed the funding to be distributed among the other U.S. territories, and the Department of the Interior now divides the account through an administrative allocation process.
“This is Covenant funding, and a greater share of it should be coming back to the Commonwealth to address the problems threatening our economic stability,” King-Hinds said. “The federal government made a commitment to help our people achieve a progressively higher standard of living and build the resources needed for local self-government. Reliable and affordable electricity is fundamental to that commitment.”
The legislation would begin the new allocation in fiscal year 2027 and continue it until a successor multi-year financial assistance agreement under section 702 of the Covenant takes effect. The bill would remain within the existing federal funding level and would not increase total mandatory spending. Up to $3 million of the CNMI allocation could continue to be used for immigration, labor, or law enforcement needs, with the remaining amount directed toward the Commonwealth’s energy system.
The bill would also remove local matching requirements for funded energy projects, allowing the Commonwealth to move forward without having to identify local funds that are currently unavailable.
“We have spent years managing one crisis after another in our power system,” King-Hinds said. “This bill is about finally putting real resources behind a long-term solution and making affordable, dependable power a central part of the Commonwealth’s recovery.”
King-Hinds Confirms $100,000 H-1B Payment Not Required for CNMI Medical Professionals
Position: The release states that the $100,000 H-1B payment requirement should not impede recruiting medical professionals to the Northern Mariana Islands, and welcomes USCIS's confirmation that the payment is not currently being required for these petitions.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds today announced that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it is not currently requiring the $100,000 payment previously associated with certain H-1B petitions, removing a potential barrier to recruiting medical professionals for the Commonwealth.
The clarification follows a letter King-Hinds sent to USCIS in April requesting reconsideration of the payment requirement for physicians and other medical professionals seeking to work in the Northern Mariana Islands. In her letter, King-Hinds argued that the Commonwealth's geographic isolation and ongoing healthcare workforce shortages made the requirement particularly harmful to the CNMI's ability to recruit qualified providers.
In its response, USCIS explained that while Presidential Proclamation 10973 originally included the payment requirement, a federal court subsequently vacated the agency guidance implementing that provision. As a result, USCIS confirmed it is not requiring evidence of the $100,000 payment at this time and that reconsideration of the CNMI's exemption request is therefore unnecessary.
"My concern has always been making sure federal policy does not make it harder for the CNMI to recruit the doctors and specialists our community needs," said Congresswoman King-Hinds. "This clarification removes uncertainty for healthcare employers and helps ensure this payment requirement is not another obstacle to bringing medical professionals to our islands."
King-Hinds noted that healthcare workforce shortages remain one of the Commonwealth's most significant challenges and said her office will continue working with federal agencies to remove unnecessary barriers that affect recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals.
"Access to healthcare begins with access to healthcare professionals," King-Hinds said. "My office will continue working to ensure federal policies recognize the unique realities of providing medical care in the Northern Mariana Islands."
House Passes King-Hinds Amendments in Annual Defense Bill
Position: The release describes amendments to the FY2027 NDAA directing a geothermal resource study on Saipan, a counterintelligence risk assessment of infrastructure supporting military installations, and an increase in Northern Mariana Islands service academy appointments from nine to twelve.
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds today highlighted three amendments she successfully secured in the House-passed Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), advancing priorities for the Northern Mariana Islands in energy security, defense infrastructure, and military education.
The amendments would direct a geothermal resource study on Saipan, strengthen the security of infrastructure supporting U.S. military operations, and expand opportunities for students from the Commonwealth to attend the nation's service academies.
The House-approved legislation directs the Department of War to conduct a geothermal resource confirmation study on Saipan as part of its Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program. If a commercially viable resource is confirmed, it could strengthen energy resilience for military installations while creating the potential for more reliable and affordable electricity for CNMI residents and businesses.
The bill also requires the Department of War to assess counterintelligence risks involving civilian ports, warehouses, transportation networks, and other infrastructure that support major military installations. The assessment is intended to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen the security of critical supply chains supporting U.S. military operations in the Indo-Pacific.
In addition, the legislation increases the number of students from the Northern Mariana Islands who may attend the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy from nine to twelve at any given time, expanding opportunities for students from the Commonwealth to pursue military service and leadership.
"These amendments reflect the role the Northern Mariana Islands plays in our nation's security and invest in areas that matter to our community," said Congresswoman King-Hinds. "They support our long-term energy future, strengthen infrastructure that is increasingly important to our national defense, and create more opportunities for our young people to serve our country."
King-Hinds said the geothermal study could help determine whether Saipan possesses a resource capable of improving long-term energy resilience for both the Commonwealth and the Department of War.
"Every time there is instability overseas, families in the Northern Mariana Islands feel it in their electric bills," King-Hinds said. "We need to start thinking beyond imported diesel and begin laying the foundation for the next generation of energy in our islands. This study helps us determine whether geothermal can be part of that future."
She also noted that expanding service academy appointments recognizes the Northern Mariana Islands' long tradition of military service.
"Our community has a proud history of serving our country," King-Hinds said. "Expanding these appointments gives more students the opportunity to pursue that path while developing the next generation of military leaders."
The House-passed NDAA also authorizes a 5 to 7 percent pay increase for servicemembers, invests in military barracks and family housing, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to strengthen the United States' posture throughout the Indo-Pacific.
The Senate will now consider its version of the NDAA before the House and Senate negotiate a final bill to send to the President for signature.
Issues:
Transportation and Infrastructure
Military
Articles from a curated list of national outlets that mention Kimberlyn King-Hinds.
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Top PAC donors · 2026 cycle
Political action committees that gave the most to this rep's principal campaign committee this cycle. PAC giving is direct organizational support — industry, ideological, or leadership.
1.MR. SOUTHERN MISSOURIAN IN THE HOUSE PACLeadership1 contributionMember-of-Congress leadership PAC — supports allied candidates and Democratic causes, likely affiliated with a House member representing southern Missouri.AI$5,000
6.NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEReal Estate1 contributionTrade association PAC for U.S. real estate agents and brokers — backs candidates supporting property-rights protections, mortgage-lending access, and tax incentives for homeownership.AI$2,000
8.FAA MANAGERS ASSOCIATION INC. PAC2 contributions$2,000
Source: OpenFEC (api.open.fec.gov) Schedule A receipts where contributor type is “committee.” Aggregated by contributing committee. Self-transfers from joint-fundraising / victory committees are excluded.
Top individual contributors · 2026 cycle
Itemized individual contributions over $200 to this rep's campaign committee, aggregated by donor employer. PAC giving is shown above; this section is people, not organizations.
1.TAN HOLDINGS CORPORATION$4,400
2.TRIPLE J ENTERPRISES, INC.$4,000
3.CONNECT STRATEGY$3,500
4.STUDENT$1,000
5.TAN SUI LIN FOUNDATION$1,000
6.TSL FOUNDATION$1,000
7.PEGS, LLC$1,000
8.TAN SU LIN CORPORATION$500
9.HONG YE CONSTRUCTION$500
10.JC TENORIO ENTERPRISES$500
Source: OpenFEC Schedule A receipts where contributor type is “individual,” aggregated by the donor's self-reported employer. This is a geographic / industry correlation, not a corporate endorsement.
