 FSM Congress News, March 13, 2003PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): March 13, 2003 - Congress amends Public Law No. 10-11 in a bill passed First Reading today to allow non Congress members to be on the Joint Committee on Compact Economic Negotiations (JCN). The bill was originally introduced to authorize JCN to negotiate on other non-expiring provisions of the compact with the United States, but it was amended to delete it as this could delay further conclusion of the negotiations. Also passed on First Reading was a bill to simply correct some engrossing errors in section 142 of title 54 of the FSM Code. Senator Dohsis Halbert recommended to Speaker Jack Fritz to encourage the administrative people of the Congress to make sure all debts, in or outside of the nation, be paid before the 13th Congress comes in. Congress discussed the issue relating to some name of individuals who were nominated by President Leo A. Falcam last October and November to the FSM Banking Board. Floor Leader Joseph J. Urusemal requested the president that the pending nominations have exceeded the time frame provided by law for nomination (s) to be reviewed by the Congress. There is urgent need to fill these vacancies as application to open a bank in one of the states in the FSM is already filed. Congress recessed at 3:15 p.m. and will reconvene tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. |