Gov. David M. Apatang and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ Section 902 consultations team continued high‑level discussions with federal officials in Washington, D.C., this week, emphasizing the need for immediate regulatory changes and sustained financial support as the CNMI faces ongoing fiscal challenges.
The consultations, held Tuesday, brought together members of the CNMI delegation, Del. Kimberlyn King‑Hinds, and representatives from multiple federal agencies, including the Departments of Commerce, State, Transportation and Treasury. Apatang also met separately with Undersecretary of the Navy Hung Cao, the Department of War’s senior defense official for Guam and the Marianas.
“The Commonwealth does not need a handout from the federal government; it needs a hand up,” Apatang said at the outset of the meeting. He stressed that the CNMI delegation is engaging in the consultations in good faith and called for continued partnership between the Commonwealth and the federal government.
“We ask that the Covenant be honored,” he said.
This round of Section 902 consultations is focused on four primary areas: budgetary support, tourism and transportation, access to labor, and activities by the Department of War in the Commonwealth. According to the administration, these issues are critical to stabilizing the CNMI’s economy and supporting long‑term recovery.
The delegation highlighted three key priorities during the discussions: preserving the E‑Verify System–Temporary Assistance Program (EVS‑TAP), securing continued federal tax cover‑over payments, and pursuing administrative reforms to strengthen the CW‑1 visa program. Officials say these measures are essential to sustaining government operations, supporting the private sector and addressing workforce shortages.
While 902 talks are not binding negotiations, they serve as a formal mechanism for the CNMI to present its needs directly to federal decision‑makers and seek coordinated solutions on issues ranging from fiscal stability to long‑term economic development.
Apatang is expected to continue meetings throughout the week with senior officials from the Department of War, the Department of Homeland Security and members of key congressional committees on Capitol Hill. The administration said its goal is to secure sustainable and effective federal support while reinforcing collaboration between the CNMI and its federal partners.
