Ed Case

I invite you to consider we in the East and South often have a different relationship.

We have formal letters of support from Arkansas's Governor Sarah Sanders.

I recently introduced H.R. 3971, the Flatside Wilderness Additions Act.

This needs to be in the discussion draft as it comes out of this Committee. If it is, I will have absolutely no hesitation in supporting this all the way.

And it is fundamentally unfair for the Federal Government to ask the states to take on this responsibility disproportionately.

However, I hate to rain on the parade, because I have an issue that I have been talking about for 5 years that needs to be resolved, and that is the treatment of our compact residents in the United States.

Suitable oversight of telework by the DOD is appropriate. It is something that we should engage in. To foreclose it under all circumstances, I believe, is unwise. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

To my colleague, I am simply reading the language of the amendment, ``on a regular and recurring basis.'' There may well be suitable reasons why telework would be advisable on a regular and recurring basis which is not health related and…

We urge this Committee and the full House to pass this legislation in the most expeditious manner possible.

I totally support the bill, obviously. I am a co-sponsor, a co-introducer of it.

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona will be postponed. Amendment No. 35 Offered by Mrs. Miller of Illinois The Acting…

Thank you for your leadership in the world on so many issues.

We appreciate the advocacy and leadership of so many Members of the Congress on this issue, including Representatives Ed Case (D-HI), Steve Womack (R-AR) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI).

The proposed legislation also incorporates the Bipartisan Care for COFA Veterans Act, which will provide improvements to medical care access to our veterans.

We are extremely pleased that the proposed legislation will ensure that FSM citizens living lawfully in the United States are again eligible for key public benefits as a result of the Bipartisan Compact Impact Fairness Act.

To expect that to come from Interior and Appropriations seems a pretty heavy lift, to be honest.

We need to find a way to fund it.

It is fundamentally unfair to renegotiate these Compacts unless the legitimate concerns of states... are addressed.

These Compacts must be reauthorized. That is a working fundamental principle on all parts.

Thank you to the witnesses. First of all, to everybody in the room and listening who has contributed to the negotiations, thank you very much for your efforts.

This package will also ensure continuing eligibility for Pell Grants and other key education benefits for FSM students.

Of course, we want the conclusion of the negotiations between RMI and our country and hope and expect that.

But rather, it is the case that the United States will lose credibility within the region and beyond.

We have until September 30 to get these Compacts done.

Maintaining strong relationships with the Freely Associated States is essential to countering this influence and to maintaining peace and economic stability abroad and at home.