Our economy depends on reliable and affordable transportation by air and sea. The costliness of travel and shipping affects every household and business in the CNMI. I will work to deliver more federal resources for infrastructure improvements in our airports and seaports, support the establishment of an interisland ferry system, include the CNMI in the federal Essential Air Service program, and push for an exemption from U.S. cabotage laws.  

It’s essential. I will work hard to lift the cap on Medicaid funding and increase access to critical healthcare services in the CNMI. I will also work to invest more federal funds in upgrading local medical facilities and equipment, and support efforts by the Northern Marianas College and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation to establish the CNMI as a regional hub for healthcare training.

Public corruption hurts everyone. We need a dedicated US Attorney focused on the CNMI, and more federal resources and support to combat public corruption in the commonwealth.

 Education is everything. I will work to deliver more federal resources to strengthen our Northern Marianas College and support its bid for Sea Grant designation. I will also work to enhance our ties with regional institutions, and continue the push for Congressman Kilili’s college affordability initiative to close the gap between in-state and out-of-state tuition for CNMI students at any four-year public college or university in the nation.

Our islands are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, and rebuilding our lives from disaster is not cheap.  I will push for more waivers on local matching and BABA requirements for programs across the federal family that mitigate climate and disaster impacts and strengthen the CNMI’s resilience against future storms. I will also work to increase access to safe, resilient, and affordable housing, especially for our most vulnerable citizens.

No one should go to bed hungry, and no community should face cuts to food assistance during times of economic hardship and natural disaster because arbitrary funding caps are reached. I will work for parity for the Northern Marianas to lift the cap on federal nutrition assistance and tie funding to need, just as with the states and Guam.

Safe homes are a necessity. I will work to increase access to safe, resilient, and affordable housing through increased funding for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and federal low-interest loan programs that support home ownership.