CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King‑Hinds told Rotary Club members Tuesday that her committee work, legislative priorities, and case advocacy all center on one principle: advancing the Commonwealth’s interests above national political divides. Speaking at the Rotary Club of Saipan’s luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Resort, King‑Hinds also received notable praise for the hands‑on support her office provides to residents and businesses navigating federal systems.
King‑Hinds, nearing the end of her second year in office, said she selected her committee assignments — Small Business, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Veterans’ Affairs — based on the CNMI’s most urgent needs.
She said the Veterans’ Affairs Committee was a deliberate choice, citing the islands’ high veteran population and persistent concerns about access to care.
“Our numbers are staggering,” she said. “In a couple of years, this entire island is going to be just veterans.”
Transportation and Infrastructure, she added, was essential for addressing long‑standing challenges with air service, shipping, and port funding.
“The direct impact to our economy is clear,” she said. “I wanted to see if we could make gains — whether it’s essential air service inclusion, lifting cabotage restrictions, or securing more port infrastructure funding.”
King‑Hinds said she did not initially seek a seat on the Small Business Committee but accepted the assignment because federal small‑business policies often overlook remote island economies.
“The federal system was never intended with us in mind,” she said. “How do we shift away at some of these barriers?”
King‑Hinds also urged future CNMI delegates to avoid getting pulled into national political fights.
“When I walk into these rooms, I don’t think of myself as a Republican or Democrat,” she said. “I’m the team captain for Team CNMI. Your issue is nonpartisan.”
Asked about the contract worker program’s scheduled end in 2029, King‑Hinds said the economic and human consequences would be severe.
“We have our work cut out for us,” she said. “Anything related to immigration is a tough sell, but we’re going to give it our one million percent.”
She credited the business community for helping shape the Northern Mariana Islands Labor Stabilization Act and said new strategies are underway to build congressional support.
Rotary members used part of the session to thank King‑Hinds’ casework team for their hands‑on assistance with immigration, federal agencies, and small‑business issues.
One member described them as “advocates, not just caseworkers,” noting their humility and deep institutional knowledge dating back to the CW transition period.
King‑Hinds said she was “really, really proud” of her team and encouraged residents and businesses to reach out whenever they need help.
The delegate also hinted at upcoming “good news” regarding Commonwealth Utilities Corporation’s efforts to secure federal support for power generation and utility improvements.
“They get a lot of criticism, but those people work incredibly hard,” she said, noting ongoing discussions with federal agencies to pursue funding paths that do not require congressional appropriation.
