SAIPAN — U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds framed 2026 as a critical year for the commonwealth Fridayday as it faces mounting economic pressures and federal scrutiny.
In an interview on the first episode of Good Morning Marianas of 2026, King-Hinds discussed her re-election bid with host Brad Ruszala, which she previously announced to the Republican Party. She said the decision to seek a second term was easy because she has unfinished legislative goals.
“You don’t start something if you’re not going to finish,” King-Hinds said. “I’m calling it Mount 2026, and we are at the base of this mountain, and we all need each other to be able to sustain each other to get to that peak.”
The congresswoman said the next two months will be “incredibly busy” as conversations she’s been having with federal partners begin to materialize into concrete actions. She emphasized the need for CNMI leaders to work together despite the approaching election season.
“The CNMI does not have the luxury of time,” King-Hinds said. “We’re at a point of like no return where any pause in terms of the work, I don’t think people realize that if you’re looking at the actual revenues that are being generated, the actual collections in terms of the bills. It’s a situation.”
King-Hinds also acknowledged frustration with mixed messages being sent to Washington about the CNMI’s fiscal situation, particularly following a meeting where leaders agreed “the house is on fire” but haven’t taken visible action.
“It makes me look like a liar when I say the roof is burning,” she said, referring to the disconnect between statements and actions.
The congresswoman said she supports the idea of a leadership summit where the governor, lieutenant governor and legislative leaders could have frank discussions about budget priorities.
King-Hinds also addressed the controversial deep sea mining proposal from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, saying her personal opinion on the issue is “irrelevant” because she represents a community with diverging views. She encouraged residents to submit comments to BOEM before the January 12 deadline.
“This is not about Kim Hinds’ feelings. This is about where does this community want to go,” she said. “Get your voices to be heard because once it’s done, it’s done.”
King-Hinds said BOEM has committed to sending representatives to the CNMI for town hall meetings following requests from Governor David M. Apatang and Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero.
On economic matters, King-Hinds said she’s working with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Samuel Paparo to frame the CNMI’s economic challenges as a national security issue. She said the Department of Defense has agreed to champion the Marianas and push back against narratives that tourism concerns don’t rise to the level of national security priorities.
“What is a national security concern is the economic collapse of the Marianas,” King-Hinds said, recounting her conversations with Paparo.
The congresswoman said her office is also finalizing a workforce stabilization bill with help from the Congressional Research Service. Before introducing the legislation, she plans to release it for public comment because it affects multiple industries with different needs.
