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Congress overrides President's vetoes

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Services): March 01, 2005 - The Fifth Regular Session of the Thirteenth Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia held in January 2005, overrode four legislations recently vetoed by the President.

President Joseph J. Urusemal veto messages had detailed his concerns to the Speaker, with recommendations for revision of some of the measures and further review on the others. Resolute in its intent, the FSM Congress had re-adopted and re-submitted the measures for the President's action.

With Congress's override, the tag-team legislations on Corporations' have become Public Law No. 13-70 to "Expand the duties of the Registrar of Corporations", and PL No. 13-71 to "Establish an income tax for Corporations."

Despite indicated concerns of possible disruption to the delicate political accord between the National government and the four States, and other internal concerns, the legislation to bring the nation's internal budget and financial procedures into compliance with the amended Compact has become PL. No. 13-72.

The final override was a legislation that President Urusemal had vetoed for its infringement on the constitutional separation of powers. It is now PL No. 13-75 which has established a Compact Management Board and duly created an Office of Compact Management.

Without President Urusemal's signature, the override legislations have now been added to the nation's laws.