H.Con.Res. 18House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Recognizing the rich history, heritage, and strategic importance of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Marshallese population residing in the United States.

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Updated April 14, 2026 at 1:48 AM UTC

This concurrent resolution honors the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Marshallese community living in the United States. It acknowledges their cultural heritage, strategic partnership with the U.S., and the contributions of Marshallese residents—who can live, work, study, and serve in the U.S. military without a visa, pay taxes, but lack eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid. The resolution also urges better census counting to ensure appropriate federal services for this population.

Key Provisions

Commends the history, heritage, and contributions of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and its citizens residing in the United States.
Recognizes the strategic importance of the Marshall Islands to U.S. interests.
Notes that Marshallese citizens may reside, work, study, and serve in the U.S. Armed Forces without a visa under the Compact of Free Association.
Points out that Marshallese residents pay federal and state taxes but are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid benefits.
Highlights that the 2010 census undercounted Marshallese populations, leading to underserved areas, and encourages improved census data collection.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

Readiness Subcommittee

February 14, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 13, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Natural Resources Committee

February 13, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

Readiness Subcommittee

February 14, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 13, 2019

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. CON. RES. 18

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 13, 2019

Mr. Womack (for himself, Ms. Gabbard, Mr. Hill of Arkansas, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Crawford, and Mrs. Radewagen) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the rich history, heritage, and strategic importance of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Marshallese population residing in the United States.

Whereas the Republic of the Marshall Islands—

(1)

is a sovereign country in free association with the United States under the Compact of Free Association between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (referred to in this preamble as the Compact), approved in the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985 (Public Law 99–239; 99 Stat. 1770) and amended by the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 (Public Law 108–188; 117 Stat. 2720), which authorizes economic assistance, through Federal grants and programs, to persons in the Republic of the Marshall Islands; and

(2)

has full authority and responsibility over security and defense matters relating to the Republic of the Marshall Islands;

Whereas, under the Compact, eligible citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands may reside, work, and study in the United States without a visa and may serve in the Armed Forces of the United States;

Whereas an estimated 1/3 of the population of the Republic of the Marshall Islands has relocated to the United States; and

Whereas Marshallese individuals who live in the United States—

(1)

offer positive economic and cultural benefits to the communities in which those individuals live;

(2)

pay Federal and State taxes but are not eligible for benefits under—

(A)

the Medicare program established under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.); or

(B)

the Medicaid program established under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.); and

(3)

were undercounted in the 2010 census and, as a result, areas where those individuals live are underserved by the Federal Government: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress—

(1)

commends—

(A)

the rich history and heritage of the Republic of the Marshall Islands; and

(B)

citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands who live in the United States for the contributions of those individuals to—

(i)

the communities in which those individuals live; and

(ii)

the national defense of the United States through their service in the Armed Forces of the United States;

(2)

recognizes the strategic importance of the Republic of the Marshall Islands; and

(3)

encourages a continued commitment to improve census data to better serve citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands who live in the United States.