Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

Congressional Committees wrap up State hearings in Pohnpei

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): February 6, 2008 - The Standing Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations (J&GO) completed its Joint Congressional Committee Public Hearings in the States' in Pohnpei, when it met with the Pohnpei State Legislature on Monday - February 4, 2008.

Chairman Peter Sitan of the 15th FSM Congress's Standing Committee of J&GO, headed a joint congressional delegation throughout the four States that included the Committee on Resources and Development and the Committee on External Affairs. The joint congressional committee met with the government leaderships of both the Executive and Legislative Branches to hold public hearings on the nominations and pending issues to be addressed during the Third Regular Session of the 15th Congress.

Primary among the measures heard in the States are the Presidential nominations for various Cabinet positions and posts within the national government and for the overseas missions. The bills include: a proposed amendment to change the mandatory retirement age for the National Public Service System from 60 to 65; an amendment to prevent revocation or denial of spouse permits from non-citizen spouses of deceased citizens who have resided over 20 years in the FSM, while another Bill addressed naturalization provisions.

Another measure proposed a new title in the FSM Code to address financial disclosures of various areas of a public officials' life. The admission of Faichuuk as the Fifth State of the nation was also among the measures taken to the states.

The Delegation started in the State of Kosrae, followed by the State of Yap and then the State of Chuuk with the final hearings in the State of Pohnpei. Upon arrival from Chuuk on Friday - the delegation met with Pohnpei State's Executive Branch on Friday - February 1, 2008.

Following the convening of the Third Regular Session of the 15th FSM Congress, the delegation in the afternoon met with the Pohnpei State Legislature. During the hearings members of the State legislature and the delegation shared a healthy exchange of ideas and concerns.

According to Chairman Sitan, the same healthy exchange was observed during the hearings in the other states. To that extent, Chairman Sitan also invited the Pohnpei State Legislature to submit to Congress before Friday - February 8, any concerns that were not addressed during the hearings.

The hearings concluded with expressions of appreciation from both legislative bodies on the informative exchange of views.