US Territories’ December 12-18, 2022 news week in tweets

House approves Puerto Rico Status Act

With 233 yeas and 191 nays, the US House approves a bill decolonizing the US territory of Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico Status Act also received support from the White House. 

Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands receive another round of stimulus checks

Governor Ralph Torres (R) issued stimulus checks for people who have electric accounts with Commonwealth Utilities Corporation. Torres issued the checks with the help of Finance Secretary David Atalig and CUC Executive Director Gary Camacho.

Residents express concerns about St. Croix refinery

At a virtual town hall Thursday, residents bombarded representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency with questions about a potentially hazardous situation at the St. Croix refinery.

Legislation in Guam bans attempts to ban abortion of unborn babies with beating hearts

With a 9-5 vote, the Guam Heartbeat Act advances and will have a final debate on Monday. This bill, if approved, would ban abortion after a fetus’ heartbeat has been detected (about 6 weeks into pregnancy).

American Samoa is set on constructing a new hospital 

The Lemanu and Talauega administration recently received a request from the LBJ hospital Chief Executive Officer Moefa’auo Bill Emmsley to utilize new funds to upgrade the current hospital instead of building a new one. However, this request was rejected as the administration remains firm in building a new $21 million hospital near Lions Park.