Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

Special Session to wrap up matters pending under current Congress

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): March 22, 2011 - The Sixth Special Session of the Sixteenth Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia is under way in Palikir to address matters pending before the various Standing Committees of the Congress.

Speaker Isaac V. Figir called for the Special Session to convene on March 21 2011, for a five-day duration and as called, Congress duly convened on Monday morning. The Speaker appointed Senator Paliknoa K. Welly as Chairman of the Committee to Wait on the President with members comprised of Senator Dion G. Neth, Senator Tony H. Otto and Senator Joseph J. Urusemal.

The Committee to Wait submitted its report, Special Committee Report 16-13, this morning to Congress on its meeting with President Emanuel 'Manny' Mori and listed his priority issues for Congress' consideration. According to the report, the listed priorities of the President included:

  • Fiscal Year 2011 Budget;
  • Assistance to neighboring countries devastated by natural disasters: Japan, Australia and New Zealand; and
  • Financial matters under the Project Management Unit (PMU).

Four additional items were also listed in the report for possible consideration by Congress:

  • the proposed Tax Reform legislations;
  • approval of the grant for passport decentralization;
  • the pending nomination for Personnel Officer; and
  • the Luen Thai fishing agreement.

Following the discussions on the floor, Congress adopted Special Committee Report 16-13 and began its work for the Sixth Special Session as called by the Speaker.

Among the matters pending before the 16th Congress is the report from the Special Committee appointed by the Speaker pursuant to Congressional Resolution 16-131. The Special Committee arrived Pohnpei last week to wrap up its hearings with departments and agencies relevant to their mandate to investigate alleged violations of the Financial Management Act and the National Public Service Systems Act.

The report is expected to be submitted during this Special Session for adoption by the current 16th Congress.