---

FSM Congress News, May 17, 2004

PALIKIR, Pohnpei May 17, 2004 - Congress convened this morning and deferred action on a committee report by the Committee on Ways and Means and 1st Reading action on C.B. No. 13-47 CD 1.

The Ways and Means Committee report recommends certain amendments to C.B. No. 13-80, a bill to bring the FSM's Internal Budget and Finance Process into compliance with the Amended Compact. C.B. No. 13-47 CD 1, would establish procedures for the admission of a new State into the Federated States of Micronesia.

Discussion this morning concerned the budget process. Some Members argued that the budget process currently in use by the FSM is obsolete and doesn't further any of the nation's goals. Speaker Christian said some people would be very happy to make a mockery of the way we set our goals and objectives based on the budget process we have. Some Members raised the issue of the timeline for preparation of the budget and the time it will take the JEMCO to act on the FSM's compact sector grant applications. In regards to information presented to committees during public hearings, some Members suggested that a new system should put in in order to record all information presented to committees so that Members could easily look back and see who spoke, and what was presented in a certain meeting.

The standing committees continued to hold public hearings this morning and will continue throughout the week.

Congress recessed today at 10:30 a.m. until Thursday, May 20, at 10:00 in the morning.