Jim Sensenbrenner: “H.J. Res. 63 amends the Compacts of Free Association between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia…”

“H.J. Res. 63 amends the Compacts of Free Association between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. The Compacts, agreed to in the 1980s, provide that the United States will support the new island nations economically and that we can establish, by agreement, military bases in their territories and foreclose access to the nations by military personnel of third countries. As to the Marshall Islands, a major subsidiary agreement allows the United States continued use of the Kwajalein missile test range. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs Peter Brookes testified last year that 'it is in our best interest to maintain the full range of military access, use, and security cooperation options and rights that the Compact[s] provide[ ].' The Compacts grant citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands the right to enter the U.S. without passports or visas, as nonimmigrants and lawfully engage in occupations. In recent years, the U.S. government has expressed a number of concerns regarding these immigration provisions.”