President Biden Proposes $684 Million in FY 2022 Budget for the U.S. Territories and the Freely Associated States

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris administration today submitted to Congress the President’s budget for fiscal year 2022, including $684 million in funding for the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs (OIA). The proposal would fund initiatives benefitting fellow Americans in the U.S. Territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It also includes funding for U.S. allies in the Pacific who have a Compact of Free Association with the United States – the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

“The Interior Department plays an important role in the President’s plan to reinvest in the American people. From bolstering climate resiliency and increasing renewable energy, to supporting Tribal nations and advancing environmental justice, President Biden’s budget will make much-needed investments in communities and projects that will advance our vision for a robust and equitable clean energy future,” said Secretary Deb Haaland.

“The 2022 budget request promotes racial justice and equity in underserved communities by fulfilling our insular area responsibilities in the Caribbean and the Pacific,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Nikolao Pula. “The proposed budget also represents action to address environmental justice by prioritizing island communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change.”

The OIA budget proposal includes $122 million in current appropriations and $562 million in permanent funding. The OIA budget includes an increase of $7 million for clean energy and grid infrastructure development with an emphasis on climate resilience and conservation in the Insular Areas.

The Department of the Interior’s FY 2022 Budget in Brief is available online. For more about the OIA Budget visit: https://www.doi.gov/oia/budget.

The Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs @InsularAffairs and the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Follow and “like” OIA on Facebook and subscribe to the OIA YouTube Channel.

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