Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R) of the Northern Mariana Islands recently joined members of the Congressional Hispanic Conference in writing a letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R) voicing concerns regarding possible funding decisions from the United States House Budget Resolution’s committee instructions. The letter agreed with the current GOP agenda which aims to cut wasteful spending but asked the Speaker not to underfund critical programs.
“I think it’s important we rein in spending,” said Delegate King-Hinds. “But we must balance fiscal responsibility with keeping our communities stable and afloat. Our community depends on programs like Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and Pell Grants which are being cut in current proposals. I am proud to voice solidarity with the Congressional Hispanic Conference on this issue, as our communities face similar challenges.”
The letter to Speaker Johnson also agrees with proposals concerning increasing border security and defending small businesses but lays out the impact some programs specifically have on Hispanic communities. 30% of Medicaid recipients are Hispanic, 82% of full-time Hispanic students receive grants or loans, and 22% of Hispanic families rely on SNAP.
“We need more ICE agents in the CNMI. We need to get rid of the one-size-fits-all federal policies hurting small businesses. I agree with most aspects of the GOP House agenda. However, I will not advocate for cuts to programs that our community disproportionately depends on. That is just something I cannot do, and I hope we can redirect the agenda away from cutting these programs.”
The delegate emphasized her commitment to ensuring essential programs benefiting the CNMI are not cut.
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