 Nominations dominate Third Special Session of 15th CongressPALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): November 15, 2007 - The Third Special Session of the 15th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia is underway with nominations for Cabinet and Ambassadors topping the agenda. Speaker Isaac V. Figir convened the Third Special Session yesterday November 14, in accordance with the call for Session by President Manny Mori. Accordingly, the session is expected to adjourn within 10 days. Speaker Figir appointed the Chairmen of the four Congressional Delegations to the Committee to Wait on the President, with Senator Paliknoa K. Welly as the Chairman. The Committee met with the President on the same day to note details of his call and other pressing issues the Administration may require the Congress to address. On Day Two of the Third Special Session, Chairman Welly reported to Speaker Figir and the members that during their meeting with the President Mori, in addition to the topics noted in the call, the President would also like Congress to "entertain legislation related to the fuel corporation as well as the authorization for the corporation to borrow." Other issues of priority noted by the President include the China Grant, the proposed Venture Fund and the Second tranche of the Asian Development Bank Loan. He also noted that a supplemental request is also forthcoming for a number of items, including dry-docking for voyager. The Committee also reported that the President wishes for an opportunity to sit down with the Congress members to discuss long term issues such as the sustainability of Social Security and MiCare, among others. The Report was then submitted for documentation on Day Two of the Special Session. Congress recessed today to allow the Committees time for research and public hearings on the matters currently on the calendar. The Third Special Session will reconvene on Monday, November 19, 2007. |