The CNMI has 30 days to formally outline proposals addressing key economic and regulatory concerns raised during the opening of Section 902 consultations with the United States, Delegate Kimberly King-Hinds said.
Section 902 consultations—or the “902 talks”—are government-to-government discussions authorized under Section 902 of the CNMI Covenant. The process allows the Commonwealth and the federal government to address issues affecting their political relationship.
“The 902 is a process, and the framework and the timeline are set basically to come back within 30 days to present what are the options to address some of these issues that are impacting our economy,” King-Hinds said in a Facebook post while en route to the Interagency Group on Insular Areas meeting in Washington, D.C.
The administration of Gov. David M. Apatang raised concerns over budgetary support, tourism and transportation challenges, access to labor, and military activities in the Commonwealth.
The CNMI delegation for the 902 talks also highlighted three immediate priorities—preserving the Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program, securing continued federal tax cover-over payments, and pursuing administrative reforms to strengthen the CNMI-Only Transitional Worker Program.
King-Hinds thanked Apatang for including her in the IGIA meeting, noting that territorial delegates are not typically invited to participate.
She described the first day of the 902 talks as productive, saying the U.S. Department of the Interior brought key federal stakeholders to the table.
Working groups are also expected to convene in the coming weeks to tackle specific issues, though King-Hinds cautioned against expectations of immediate results.
“Because I think most people think that by coming to these talks, there is going to be immediate relief. And obviously, that is the ask because our needs are very urgent.”
Meanwhile, Apatang and his Section 902 Consultations Team continued negotiations in the country’s capital last Feb. 17, pressing for regulatory adjustments and financial assistance as the Commonwealth confronts a fiscal crisis.
“The Commonwealth does not need a handout from the federal government; it needs a hand up,” Apatang said at the outset of the meeting. “We are here in good faith. We ask for partnership, and we ask that the Covenant be honored.”
The governor also met with Undersecretary of the Navy Hung Cao, the Department of War’s senior defense official for Guam and the Marianas.
Apatang is scheduled to meet with officials from the Department of War, the Department of Homeland Security, and congressional committees on Capitol Hill throughout the week as the administration pushes for what it describes as sustainable and rightful federal support.
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