Delegate Donna Christiansen

The Subcommittee will oversee all issues that pertain to Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the free associated states of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau. Her fellow delegate, Madeleine Bordallo of Guam was named to chair the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans.

The Subcommittee was formerly chaired by Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Ron de Lugo in the early 90s, before being abolished by the Republican leadership in 1997.  In her new role, Delegate Christensen will oversee the budgets and have general oversight on issues before the territories and the free associated states, federal rules and regulations pertaining to them, immigration and border security issues as it relates to them, and issues relating to Puerto Rico self-determination.

"I am honored and excited to become part of leadership and a chairwoman, but especially so on the subcommittee that oversees the U.S. Virgin Islands and the other territories and free associated states.  It will be challenging given the unique issues and concerns of all of them, but I look forward to it," she said.

Christensen will remain a member of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. In addition, she will maintain her membership on the Committee on Homeland Security and its Subcommittees on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, and Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology.