U.S. Senators visit Tinian on a fact-finding mission

08/26/2025 - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) visit Tinian for a few hours on Monday with CNMI Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds and CNMI Lt. Gov. Dennis Mendiola along with several other local leaders. The senators toured military developments on the island as Congress discusses the national defense budget.

Senator Wicker is the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senator Fischer is the chairwoman of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. 

“We are bringing a message of strengthening our nation so that we can continue to have peace. This is a fact-finding trip. So we are looking at the situation on the ground to see what else we need…to defend our freedom and defend our country,” Sen. Wicker said. “It was a long trip over, but we think it is worth it.”

CNMI Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds told Marianas that having two senior members of the Senate Armed Forces Committee is significant, especially amid budget talks about the National Defense Authorization Act .

“This is one of those opportunities we have to take to explain some of our issues, and I am glad that our leaders…come together to not only welcome them, but share the issues,” Del. King-Hinds told Marianas Press. She said the economy is top of mind, and they are discussing how to balance national security with local economic security. 

CNMI Lt. Governor Dennis Mendiola also agreed. He said, “We need help economically.”

Mendiola said that, hopefully, a visit like this can help “bridge the gap” with the military developments and local needs. Mendiola added, “This is showing that relationship that there is some interest in the CNMI. I ask all our people to participate and get our messages across and hopefully get some kind of assistance.”

The visit included tours of the Tinian Harbor, North Field restoration project, Divert airfield development, and WWII atomic bomb loading pits.  The Senators will now travel to Palau and visit allies in Asia, including Taiwan. 

Report by Thomas Manglona II