The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Youth Congress on the first day of a special session voted to suspend a rules deadline to add late communications to the agenda, unanimously adopted a credentials committee report seating a new senator, adopted a commemorative resolution honoring local winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge and elected Senator Aden Yumo as vice speaker.

The suspension of Rule 3, Section 5 to allow Youth Congress communications 19-24 and 19-25 onto the agenda was moved by the floor leader and passed unanimously with six yes votes. The motion enabled the body to consider communications that otherwise would have missed the agenda deadline.

The credentials committee report (Youth Congress Special Committee Report 19-4) recommending that a senator-designate be sworn in was adopted unanimously earlier in the session. After the committee report passed, the chamber recessed so the presiding officer could administer the oath and swear the new member into office. Senator-designate Matthew Salas then gave brief remarks: “I’m representing Saipan Southern High School, and I’m honored to be here. I… promise to work hard on my colleagues and make [the Youth Congress] a better place for everyone who calls it their home,” he said.

On the resolution calendar the Youth Congress adopted Youth Congress Resolution 19-31, a commemorative resolution congratulating Kelly Zhang, My Peters, Yuling Kai and Jedrick Anasheti for winning the 2024 Congressional App Challenge and representing the CNMI at the 2025 House of Code event in Washington, D.C. The resolution was introduced by a member of the Youth Congress and placed on the calendar by motion; the adoption roll call recorded six yes votes.

The chamber then filled the vacant vice speaker position. Senator Peter nominated Aden Yumo; after nominations were closed, the clerk called the roll and all six members present cast votes for Yumo. The clerk announced that Senator Aden Yumo was elected vice speaker by majority vote. Upon election Yumo said, “Thank you for giving me this position, and I’m excited to serve for the rest of our term.”

Brief announcements followed the formal business, including school sports schedules and festival dates. Members closed the session with a motion to adjourn that carried by voice vote.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to suspend Rule 3, Section 5 (to add communications 19-24 and 19-25): Moved by Floor Leader (Flora); carried unanimously, 6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.
- Adoption of Youth Congress Special Committee Report 19-4 (credentials report recommending seating of senator-designate): Moved by Floor Leader (Flora); carried unanimously, 5 yes at that earlier vote.
- Adoption of Youth Congress Resolution 19-31 (commemorative resolution congratulating 2024 Congressional App Challenge winners): Moved for adoption from the floor; carried unanimously, 6 yes.
- Election of Vice Speaker (Aden Yumo): Nominated by Senator Peter; elected by roll call, 6 votes for Yumo.
- Motion to adjourn: moved from the floor; carried by voice vote.

The session record shows unanimous support on the actions taken during the meeting; no motions were recorded as opposed or tabled. The Youth Congress recessed briefly to swear in the new member and then resumed to complete the agenda.