In 2014, the CPSC recommended independence with a separate Compact of Free Association (CFA) with the United States.

In 2015, the governor of Chuuk postponed the initial referendum citing the need for greater citizen awareness and a lack of preparedness.

The CPSC has actively campaigned for independence, holding public hearings both in Chuuk and in areas with significant overseas Chuukese populations.

[1] Discussions on self-government included an extensive debate over the power of a potential central government compared to the island groups.

[1] On May 23, 2023, the FSM and the United States entered into another 20-year compact[4] which includes $3.3 billion in funding over the life of the agreement.

[9] Another issue raised by independence campaigners is political power,[10] with the composition of Congress and the presidential election systems designed to dilute the dominance the large population of Chuuk would have on a direct electoral system,[11] and with laws requiring approval by a majority of states as well as a majority of congressional members.

[15] Independence advocates saw the Compact renegotiation leading up to the 2023 expiration as an opportunity for Chuuk to negotiate with the United States on its own terms.

This idea was explicitly rejected by the United States, with its ambassador to FSM engaging in a media campaign to make it clear such an option would not be available.

[13] The CPSC claims that Chuuk has the right to declare independence under international law, following the Kosovo precedent.

[21] Under CSL 11-12-18, the CPSC was meant to conduct a public education program in the 18 months following its inception in January 2013 and then submit its final report.

[7][14] The Chuuk State Legislature accepted the report on 19 December 2014 during a joint session, months before the expiration of the public hearing mandate.

[23] After the adoption of the CPSC's report, then FSM President Manny Mori,[14] himself Chuukese,[7] began to campaign against independence for Chuuk, giving his opinion that the constitution did not allow for a state to secede from the FSM, and warning a "yes" vote would lead not to immediate independence but to a protracted legal battle.

[7] The US Ambassador to the FSM rejected claims by one member of the CPSC that they had discussed the issue with the United States in January 2015.

[7][14] On 27 January 2015, the legal counsel of the FSM embassy to the United States submitted a memorandum to Mori disputing many claims made in the CPSC's report.

In February 2015 the FSM Department of Justice issued a similar memorandum, claiming the constitution prohibited secession.

[7] In late February 2015, Chuuk Governor Johnson Elimo postponed the vote indefinitely through an executive order.

In response to the postponement, Mori suspended the anti-independence task force, and called for tripartite talks between the FSM, Chuuk, and the United States, to address the concerns underlying the independence campaign.

[21][22] On 19 November 2015, representatives of Chuuk within the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia sponsored a resolution to end the CFA.

[18] The CPSC continued to hold meetings to provide information on independence throughout Chuuk, and in areas with other significant Chuukese populations, such as Guam and Hawaii.

Riley listed the benefits of the CFA that Chuuk would lose upon independence, noting that the United States currently funded social programs (including healthcare and college subsidies), provided defense and maritime security, and allowed free movement of Chuuk residents into the United States and its territories.

[24] In a special session of the FSM Congress, one Chuuk senator introduced a resolution requesting a reconsideration of the independence referendum; however, it did not reach the floor.

[26] CSL 14-23 also "suspended CSPC from further carrying out its public education function on the state's Independence Movement".

Northwest Chuuk Senator Matt Kuor has suggested that it may become relevant in 2023, when the Compact of Free Association is expected to be adjusted following negotiations.

[32] Sabino Asor has explicitly rejected the idea of inviting a Chinese military presence on an independent Chuuk, although they would welcome economic and diplomatic ties.