[NonValueAdded]

Yes, as was the exemption for the Northern Marianas Islands. The difference is that the exemption was removed for NMI but retained for American Samoa. There was still favoritism at play and there needs to be an explanation.

Quite frankly, the exemption should still stand and be spread to the 50 states - the Federal Government should not be dictating one-size-fits-all economic interference. If we wanted central planning, we'd be the Soviet Union.

[Yo-Yo]

Quite frankly, the exemption should still stand and be spread to the 50 states - the Federal Government should not be dictating one-size-fits-all economic interference. If we wanted central planning, we'd be the Soviet Union.

No argument from me there, and because the Federal minimum wage hasn't been raised in many years that was the de facto result.

The CNMI exemption was agreed to by treaty, which has expired. The AS exemption was not by treaty.

As an aside, notice that in HR 2, the minimum wage in CNMI will raise from $3.55 to $7.25 in 50 cent increments every six months! Talk about inflationary.