Issues

The CNMI deserves an economy as resilient and diverse as our people. For too long, the Marianas has relied on a narrow economic base vulnerable to global shocks and natural disasters. As your Delegate, I will fight for an economy that grows from within—powered by innovation, education, and opportunity. That means revitalizing tourism through new markets and cultural experiences; investing in agriculture so local farmers can feed and sustain our islands; expanding creative industries and technology to bring new, high-wage jobs to our shores; and advancing our blue economy through sustainable fisheries and marine research. I will champion policies that empower small businesses and entrepreneurs to compete for federal contracts and make data parity a reality so we can plan more effectively. By connecting workforce development to education while securing a more sustainable CW program, we can build a Marianas economy that is ready for the future—one that keeps our people working, our families thriving, and our islands moving forward together.

Families in the Marianas are working harder than ever just to keep up. Rising prices for food, utilities, rent, and transportation are pushing more of our people to the edge — and too many are forced to choose between paying the power bill or putting food on the table. As your Delegate, I will fight for real solutions through federal investments and national partnerships to bring down the cost of living and make life more affordable for every family on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

Every child, student, and lifelong learner in the Marianas deserves access to a world-class education that opens doors, builds confidence, and strengthens our islands for generations to come. As an educator for 30 years, I have seen firsthand that education is the single most powerful tool to lift families out of poverty, create opportunity, and transform communities. In Congress, I will fight for fair and full federal funding for our schools, colleges, and workforce institutions—ensuring that every learner, from preschool to higher education, has the resources and support they need to succeed. I will protect and expand federal programs for PSS, NMC, and NMTech, strengthen partnerships with the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor, and secure new funding for training programs in healthcare, technology, trades, and renewable energy. I will also work to modernize classrooms, expand digital access, and create pathways for returning students, veterans, and adult learners—so that no one in the Marianas is left behind in the pursuit of education and opportunity.

The CNMI has long depended on a unique and delicate balance between local workers and foreign labor. Our long-term goal must be to grow a strong local workforce that can fill jobs in current and emerging industries for the CNMI. We need to reform the CW-1 program to be predictable, fair, and aligned with the CNMI’s economic realities. And we need to continue the fight to seek pathways for long-term, law-abiding foreign workers who have called the CNMI home. As Delegate, I will fight for a more sustainable federal and labor immigration system that understands our economic needs, protects our local workers, and empowers our people. 

In the CNMI, food security is economic security. Our islands rely heavily on imported food, leaving families vulnerable to price spikes, shipping delays, and global supply disruptions. No family in the Marianas should have to wonder where their next meal will come from. As your Delegate, I will fight to make the Marianas more food independent by expanding federal investment in island agriculture and supporting our local farmers through federal subsidies, while protecting the food benefits of those in need. I will fight to make food security a signature priority—by investing in our farmers, protecting our families, and ensuring that our islands can feed themselves with pride, dignity, and sustainability.

The CNMI is not just another US territory—it is the frontline of American homeland defense in the Pacific, and we must negotiate every defense partnership from a position of strength. As your Delegate, I will ensure that the CNMI’s role in America’s national defense strengthens—not sacrifices—our people, our islands, and our way of life. I will fight to make every defense investment in our islands a shared opportunity for local jobs, education, and resilience. I promise to put our community at the decision-making table—not on the sidelines—so that national security becomes our economic security, rooted in job creation, educational opportunities, and respect for our land, culture, and families. Together, we will show that the Marianas can be both a stronghold for America’s defense in the Pacific and a home where our people thrive in peace, prosperity, and pride.

Per capita, the CNMI sends more sons and daughters to serve in the U.S. military, and is home to one of the largest veteran communities in the nation. Many in my own family have served our country with honor, sacrifice, and integrity. Yet, these same veterans are often not accorded the same honor, sacrifice, and integrity when it comes to meeting their needs. Our veterans deserve full access to the benefits they’ve rightfully earned. They deserve to be heard, not talked down to. They deserve unwavering advocacy in Washington. They deserve the same commitment they made to us and our country. As your Delegate, I will never leave our veterans behind by advocating for better access to critical VA services.

Health care is not a privilege—it’s a right. Every person and every family in the Marianas deserves access to compassionate, affordable, and quality care, regardless of income or island. At the same time, we need to build a stronger local health care workforce, expand local health care offerings, and diversify health care services available on island. Taking these steps will help ensure that our people need not travel off-island to get the quality care that they need and deserve. As your Delegate, I will fight to make sure Washington remembers that the people of the Marianas deserve the same level of health care as any other American community. 

The Marianas should not be an afterthought in America’s transportation network—it should be a vital link across the Pacific. Our families, businesses, and visitors rely on air travel to stay connected—to see loved ones, access specialized health care, and drive our tourism and commerce. Yet our airports, routes, and federal policies have not kept pace with our needs. As your Delegate, I will fight to modernize and reform the federal policies that shape air travel and infrastructure across our islands. Because in the CNMI, air travel is not a luxury—it’s a lifeline. Reliable, affordable, and modern air service is essential to unlocking economic growth, strengthening inter-island connectivity, and ensuring that every family—from Saipan to Tinian to Rota—can reach the opportunities they deserve.

The CNMI’s Chamorro and Carolinian heritage is a national treasure and a part of the broader American story. The Northern Mariana Islands is more than a place—it’s a people, a language, and a living story that connects generations across our islands and oceans. Our culture is our north star, guiding us through change and reminding us who we are and what we stand for. As your Delegate, I will fight to tell our story at the federal and national levels, ensuring that our heritage is protected, our languages are preserved, and our creative voices are empowered through federal support for cultural and humanities programs.

For generations, the CNMI’s environment continues to be our most resilient, distinguishable feature. Before the Spanish, the Germans, the Japanese, and the Americans set foot on our shores, our ancestors were sacred stewards of our islands, relying heavily on traditional fishing and agricultural practices to provide a sustainable living for their families. These practices have become an integral part of our cultural identities, continuing a heritage of responsible stewardship. As a proud native son of the CNMI, I will fight relentlessly to protect our character-defining environment and ensure that it continues to provide current and future generations with the opportunity to provide for themselves and their loved ones.

I’ve seen too many in my own family, let alone the broader community, torn apart by debilitating disorders, generational trauma, and substance addictions. Their suffering is compounded by the lack of mental health services, long wait times, and limited support for those who need specialized clinical care. For too long, mental health in the Marianas has been treated as a secondary issue—something we talk about after a crisis, rather than a priority we build into every level of our health system. That must change. I believe that mental health is health. It deserves the same urgency, resources, and attention as physical health. As your Delegate, I will make mental wellness a priority for the Marianas by fighting for comprehensive, compassionate, and consistent care.

Access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy is not a privilege—it’s a right. Unfortunately, our islands pay some of the highest utility rates in the nation. This needs to change. From water to power, every household and business in the CNMI deserves public utilities that work for them. There is more work to be done to expand renewable energy across our islands, especially through solar energy. As your Delegate, I will fight to lower costs, modernize our public utilities, and strengthen federal partnerships, so that our people do not get left in the dark. 

Every family in the CNMI deserves to live in a community that is safe, resilient, and ready to respond to any threat or disaster—whether it’s crime, drugs, or natural disaster. As our federal government builds the capacity of the law enforcement community across the nation, we need to ensure that our officers, firemen, and first responders are not left behind. As your Delegate, I will fight to bring federal attention, funding, and resources to strengthen public safety and emergency response across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.