 FSM Congress News, March 25, 2004PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): March 25, 2004 - Congress convened today for the start of the 4th Special Session. Speaker Peter M. Christian appointed Senator Resio Moses, Chairman of the Committee on Health, Education and Social Affairs, to chair the Special Committee to Wait on the President. Christian asked the committee to inform the President that Congress is ready to transact business and to consider any measures the President wishes for congressional considerations. Appointed along with Senator Moses on the special committee were Floor Leader Henry Asugar, Senator Alik Alik, Chairman of the Committee on Resources and Development and Chairman Isaac Figir of the External Affairs Committee. The Ways and Means Committee will hold hearings tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at the Central Building. The hearings will discuss ways to amend the budget procedure law in order for the current procedures to be consistent with the requirements provided under the amended Compact. The committee will also look into the recent presidential veto of an act that was passed by Congress during the last session that would have provided $2.8 million for economic and social development projects throughout the four states in the FSM. Speaker Christian urged the other committees to review pending measures in their respective committees and address what they can during this ongoing session. The speaker informed the Members present during the opening day that the call was made to review pending measures and to prepare Members before the March 29-April 2, Third FSM Economic Summit. He expressed his hope that both the session and the summit will be productive and beneficial for the nation and its people. Congress went into recess at 10:30 a.m. and will reconvene April 3, 2004 at 10:00 in the morning. |