Bill would allow designation of federal depository libraries in the NMI

Citizens have a right to know about their federal government.  That is why Congress established the Federal Depository Library program in 1813, giving communities across the United States free access to presidential documents, federal laws, and government publications on everything from national statistics to health and nutrition.  All Members of Congress are authorized to designate eligible public libraries in their districts as Federal Depository Libraries – except the Northern Mariana Islands Delegate.  To correct that inconsistency I have introduced H.R. 429, the Northern Mariana Islands Federal Depository Library Act of 2013.  The bill will help ensure that the people’s “right to know” extends to Americans in the Northern Mariana Islands.