FWOIA Subcommittee takes action on Palau Compact bill

The people of Palau have waited for the renewal of their Compact of Free Association financial assistance since the beginning of fiscal 2011.  I have been pushing for congressional action in support of this important regional partnership with the Republic of Palau; and recently the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs, where I am Ranking Member, held a hearing on H.R. 6040, the bill that will continue the Compact funding.  One reason for the delay in approving the 15-year renewal is the congressional requirement to offset the cost with savings elsewhere in the budget.  But there are now feasible offsets identified in the legislation.  As a co-sponsor of the bill, I urged prompt approval.  We have to stop nickel and diming our important ally, which consistently supports the United States at the United Nations and which is strategically located in the Pacific Rim.