Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM Congress News, September 14, 2005

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): September 14, 2005 - The 2nd Regular Session of the 14th Congress, 2nd day, took place this morning in the Congressional Chamber in Palikir, with all Members present.

There were six presidential communication on the agenda and all were assigned to the proper committees for proper actions. One of the communications informs the Congress the Federal Republic of Brazil has expressed an interest in establishing diplomatic relations with the FSM and one transmits amendments to the FY 2006 budget bill. Other communications included a supplemental budget request for FY 2005 of $1,357.510.00 by the executive branch, Airport Improvement Program Grant, the current report on the FSM International Visitor arrivals and the report of the FSM Tax Reform Task Force along with a draft Resolution to adopt the recommendations made therein for urgent consideration by Congress.

The session was brief and Floor Leader Simiram Sipenuk made the motion that Congress recess at 10:55 and resume tomorrow at 10:00 A.M to allow the standing committees time for public hearings. This also will allow the special committee to wait on the president to have time to meet with the president and let him know that Congress is ready to transact business and to receive anything the president wishes the Congress to know or to receive.

For public hearings of the Committees, today before the session this morning, the Resources and Development Committee met regarding foreign investment programs. Today the Ways and Means Committee will meet at 1:30 P.M. regarding the FY 2006 Budget. The Committee on Health, Education and Social Affairs will meet to discuss the social security bill. On September 15, the Committee on transportation and communications will meet with TeleCom to discuss its bill and the Judiciary and Governmental Operations on September 15, will discuss the nomination of Mr. Camillo Noket to the FSM Supreme Court. The Resources and Development Committee will meet again on September 16, at 8:30 A.M. to discuss the FY budget and the Ways and Means Committee will discuss the Secured Transaction on September 16. The committees have invited all interested people to come and discuss or contribute to the work of these committees.