I urge Congress to pass Representative Gregorio Kilili Sablan's H.R. 560, the Northern Mariana Islands Population Stabilization Act.

Thank you to the Minister and the Secretary.

How much in projects do you estimate are not moving because of----

I will say I am very grateful that you and our colleagues have taken the time to come out here.

I will join this task force and work with trying to also get our Micronesian brothers and sisters fairly treated.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Good morning, everyone. I was heartened by the Chair's comments until we came to the very end when I started like, whoa.

The Compacts give the U.S. responsibility for the COFA nations' defense, and provide the United States with the exclusive military use rights.

There can be no doubt that renewing the financial provisions of the Compact is essential to our nation's security posture in the Indo-Pacific region.

There is no easy way that our nation will be able to maintain our influence in what is becoming an increasingly strategic, important, and contested area of the world without continuing our partnership with the COFA nations.

the United States has enjoyed friendly relations with the Freely Associated States for more than four decades

I think, after listening to the Chair's remarks, she has covered everything else so well. So, I should just yield.