Joint resolution to approve the "Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union With the United States of America", and for other purposes.

Summary

Provides that, subject to the approval by the United States, the Mariana Islands District Legislature, and the people of the Northern Mariana Islands, this covenant shall establish the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. States that the Commonwealth shall be in political union with, and under the sovereignty of the United States of America. States that the people of the Northern Mariana Islands will formulate and approve a Constitution, subject to United States approval. Requires that the Constitution provide for a republican form of government with separate executive, legislative and judicial branches, and that it contain a bill of rights. Provides that all persons, citizens of the Northern Mariana Islands, shall become citizens of the United States entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States of the United States. Establishes within the Commonwealth the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands. Defines the jurisdiction of the court. Specifies those laws and provisions of the United States Constitution which shall apply to the Commonwealth. Directs the President to appoint a seven-member Commission on Federal laws to make recommendations to the United States Congress as to which laws should be made applicable to the Commonwealth. Provides that with limited exceptions the Northern Mariana Islands will be deemed to be a part of the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Makes the income tax laws in force in the United States applicable to the Northern Mariana Islands as a local territorial income tax. Provides that references in the Internal Revenue Code to Guam will be deemed also to refer to the Northern Mariana Islands. States that the Commonwealth shall not be included within the customs territory of the United States. Directs that the Trust Territory Social Security Retirement Fund attributable to the Northern Mariana Islands will be transferred to the Treasury of the United States, to be held in trust as a separate fund and to be known as the "Northern Mariana Islands Social Security Retirement Fund." Provides that the fund will be administered by the United States in accordance with the social security laws of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Exempts all bonds and other obligations issued by the Government of the Northern Mariana Islands from taxation by the United States. Establishes a program of direct grant assistance by the Government of the United States to the Commonwealth in its efforts to achieve a higher standard of living. States that such assistance shall continue for seven fiscal years. Provides $8,250,000 for budgetary support, $4,000,000 for capital improvement projects and $1,750,000 for an economic development loan fund. Makes available to the Commonwealth the full range of Federal programs and services available to the territories of the United States. Directs that the proceeds of all customs duties and Federal income taxes derived from the Northern Mariana Islands shall be paid into the Treasury of the Commonwealth, to be expended to the benefit of the people thereof. Transfers all right, title and interest of the Government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in and to real property in the Northern Mariana Islands to the Government of the Northern Mariana Islands. Specifies property within the Commonwealth which shall be made available to the Government of the United States by lease for defense purposes. States that such lease shall be for a term of 50 years with an option to renew for an additional 50 years. Provides that the United States shall pay a total of $19,520,600 in full settlement of such lease. Provides that the Commonwealth may regulate the alienation of permanent and long-term interests in real property so as to restrict the acquisition of such interests to persons of Northern Mariana Islands descent. Provides that such regulation is allowed for a period of 25 years after the termination of the Trusteeship Agreement. Recognizes the importance and scarcity of land in the Northern Mariana Islands. States that the United States shall acquire additional land in the Commonwealth only to the extent necessary to accomplish a public purpose. Authorizes the creation of the position of President Representative to the United States. Establishes requirements for such post. Provides for consultations between the Governments of the United States and the Commonwealth. Directs that such consultations shall be held at the request of either Government but not less frequently than every 10 years. Establishes procedures for acceptance of this covenant. Authorizes the appropriation of such amounts as may be necessary to make full payments of awards under title II of the Micronesia Claims Act of 1971. Allows the President to extend all Federal programs providing grant, loan, and loan guarantees to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Mariana Islands District and the other Districts of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Requires that notice of such extension be given to Congress.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 10 July 1975

   Introduced

   Referred to House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 10 July 1975

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 10 July 1975

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 16 July 1975

   Reported

   Reported to House from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, H. Rept. 94-364.

   Source: Committee

5. 16 July 1975

   Reported

   Reported to House from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, H. Rept. 94-364.

   Source: Committee

6. 21 July 1975

   Floor

   Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in House.

   Source: Floor

7. 21 July 1975

   Passed

   Measure passed House.

   Source: Floor

8. 21 July 1975

   Passed

   Passed/agreed to in House: Measure passed House.

   Source: Floor

9. 22 July 1975

   Introduced

   Referred to Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.

   Source: IntroReferral

10. 22 October 1975

    Introduced

    Referred jointly to Senate Committees on Foreign Relations; and Armed Services.

    Source: IntroReferral

11. 22 October 1975

    Reported

    Reported to Senate from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs with amendment, S. Rept. 94-433.

    Source: Committee

12. 22 October 1975

    Reported

    Reported to Senate from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs with amendment, S. Rept. 94-433.

    Source: Committee

13. 27 January 1976

    Reported

    Reported jointly to Senate from the Committees on Armed Services with amendment, S. Rept. 94-596.

    Source: Committee

14. 27 January 1976

    Reported

    Reported jointly to Senate from the Committees on Armed Services with amendment, S. Rept. 94-596.

    Source: Committee

15. 24 February 1976

    Floor

    Measure called up by unanimous consent in Senate.

    Source: Floor

16. 24 February 1976

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Measure passed Senate, amended, roll call #44 (66-23).

    Source: Floor

17. 11 March 1976

    Passed

    House agreed to Senate amendments.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

18. 11 March 1976

    Passed

    Resolving differences -- House actions: House agreed to Senate amendments.

    Source: NotUsed

19. 16 March 1976

    Floor

    Measure presented to President.

    Source: Floor

20. 16 March 1976

    President

    Measure presented to President.

    Source: President

21. 16 March 1976

    President

    Measure enrolled in Senate.

    Source: President

22. 16 March 1976

    President

    Measure enrolled in House.

    Source: President

23. 24 March 1976

    President

    Public law 94-241.

    Source: President

24. 24 March 1976

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

25. 24 March 1976

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

Votes

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

3 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 25 March 1976

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 27 January 1976

  Open at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 10 July 1975

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Burton, Phillip [D-CA-6] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Mink, Patsy T. [D-HI-2] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Ketchum, William M. [R-CA-18] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Meeds, Lloyd [D-WA-2] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Taylor, Roy A. [D-NC-11] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Steiger, Sam [R-AZ-3] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Stephens, Robert G., Jr. [D-GA-10] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Lujan, Manuel, Jr. [R-NM-1] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Bingham, Jonathan B. [D-NY-22] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Lagomarsino, Robert J. [R-CA-19] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Vigorito, Joseph P. [D-PA-24] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Symms, Steven D. [R-ID-1] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Chisholm, Shirley [D-NY-12] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Melcher, John [D-MT] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Badillo, Herman [D-NY-21] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Mikva, Abner J. [D-IL-10] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Seiberling, John F. [D-OH-14] · D · Cosponsor
• Rescom. Benitez, Jamie [D-PR-At Large] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Burke, Yvonne B. [D-CA-28] · D · Cosponsor
• Del. de Lugo, Ron [D-VI-At Large] · D · Cosponsor
• Del. Won Pat, Antonio B. [D-GU-At Large] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Howe, Allan [D-UT-2] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Miller, George [D-CA-7] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Pettis, Shirley N. [R-CA-37] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Clausen, Don H. [R-CA-2] · R · Cosponsor
• · ssas00 · Standing
• · ssfr00 · Standing
• · sseg00 · Standing
• · hsii00 · Standing

Related records

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