Senators from three states vote not to seat Sigrah; Kosrae Senator Welly raises secession.

What happened

A committee report signed by senators from Yap, Chuuk and Pohnpei recommended against accepting Sigrah’s credentials, citing “character and fitness concerns” from background checks, even though national and state officials had certified her as eligible. Kosrae Senator Paliknoa Welly said Kosrae’s future “should not be dictated by Chuuk, Pohnpei and Yap” and suggested Kosrae could seek to secede. Her official biography later lists her as a member of Congress.