Bill to amend visa waivers heard in DC

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - A measure that would amend the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program went up for a hearing in the nation's capitol early this morning Guam time.  HR 60-15 was introduced by Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo and would require Homeland Security to provide for an alternative procedure to permanently include economically-beneficial countries in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program.    

Governor Felix Camacho and CNMI Governor Benigno Fitial were unable to attend because they were hosting the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. But written testimony was submitted, as Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff Shawn Gumataotao said, "We're hopeful that Department of Homeland Security will hear the pleas of Congress and hopefully push out what was intended by Congress to put this thing out to economically benefit the territories."

Guam leaders are hoping that China and Russia will be included in the visa waiver program.