Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM Congress News, September 12, 2005

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): September 12, 2005 - Lawmakers have returned to the capital here to begin preparation for the Second Regular Session of the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia. The first formal meeting of the session will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, September 13, 2005.

The upcoming session promises to be one of the busiest in the nation's history. In addition to finalizing the FY 2006 budget, Congress will consider more than 50 bills and resolutions currently being prepared for introduction. These are likely to include major initiatives in the areas of tax reform, foreign investment policy and social security.

The session will also consider a number of nominations by the Administration, including that for Associate Justice of the FSM Supreme Court, Members are also expected to consider pressing issues of domestic and international concern, such as the current fuel price crisis developments in the banking sector, and assistance to the US for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The Second Regular Session is scheduled to complete its work no later than October 1, 2005. The next regular work no later than October 1, 2005. The next regular session of the 14th Congress will be held in January 2006.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend meetings of the Congress, and to take note of public hearings when they are announced. With the large number of new bills being proposed, the session likely to experience an exceptionally busy hearing schedule.

Members of the 14th Congress are as follows: Peter M. Christian (Pohnpei) Speaker: Claude H. Phillip (Kosrae) Vice Speaker; Simiran Sipenuk (Chuuk) Floor leader; Isaac V. Figir (Yap) Chairman of Committee on Ways and Means, Manny Mori (Chuuk) Chairman of the Committee on Resources and Development, Dohsis Halbert (Pohnpei) Chairman of Juciciary and governmental Operations; Resion S. Moses (Pohnpei) Chairman of the Committee on Health Education and Social Affairs, Alik L. Alik ( Kosrae) Chairman of the Committee on External Affairs; Moses A. Nelson, (Chuuk) chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Communications; Tiwiter Aritos (Chuuk), Dion G. Neth (Pohnpei); Ramon Peyal (Yap); and Peter Sitan (Chuuk).