Legislative Activity

The CLEAN Pacific Act of 2025 establishes the Pacific Counternarcotics Initiative to help partner nations in the Pacific combat illegal drug production chemicals. This program focuses on improving the seizure, destruction, and safe disposal of seized chemicals while boosting international law enforcement cooperation. The Secretary of State must submit a detailed five-year implementation plan to Congress outlining strategy, benchmarks, and funding, followed by annual progress reports. Funding for the initiative will be redirected from existing authorizations under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

The Noncontiguous Disaster Shipping Act allows for the temporary waiver of federal vessel shipping and inspection rules in U.S. territories and states that are not connected to the mainland following a Presidential major disaster declaration. This measure is designed to expedite the delivery of essential relief cargo into affected areas like Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The initial waiver lasts up to 10 days and can be extended, but the total suspension of rules cannot exceed 45 days for any single disaster.

The Supplemental Security Income Equality Act extends full Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to residents of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. This legislation removes previous payment limitations and updates federal law to explicitly include these territories in the definition of "state" for SSI purposes. The Act ensures that nationals are treated the same as citizens and grants the Commissioner flexibility to tailor program requirements to the needs of these territories. These changes will take effect on the first day of the fiscal year beginning one year after enactment.

This resolution officially supports designating a specific day to honor the survivors of the Japanese occupation of Guam during World War II. It recognizes the immense sacrifice, loyalty, and bravery of the CHamoru people during the nearly three-year occupation. The bill encourages the entire nation to observe this day to remember those lost and support the surviving veterans and their families.

This resolution officially supports the designation of Guam War Survivors Remembrance Day to honor the CHamoru people who survived the harsh Japanese occupation during World War II. It recognizes their incredible loyalty and sacrifice while under duress, including aiding American service members. The bill calls for the entire nation to observe this day to ensure their stories of courage are never forgotten.

This resolution formally supports designating July 21, 2025, as "Guam Liberation Day" to honor the island's history. It recognizes the suffering of the CHamoru people under Japanese occupation and commemorates the sacrifices of U.S. servicemembers during the 1944 liberation campaign. The bill encourages the President to issue a proclamation observing this important anniversary across the nation.

This resolution officially recognizes June 12, 2025, as the observance of the 127th anniversary of the Philippines Independence Day. It celebrates the enduring friendship between the U.S. and the Philippines, honors the Filipino people and the contributions of Filipino Americans, and reaffirms support for the nation's security. The bill also recognizes the service and sacrifice of Filipino and Filipino American service members.

This resolution condemns the international practice of using "flags of convenience," where ships are registered in countries with lax regulations to avoid U.S. laws and standards. Congress asserts that this practice undermines national security by weakening the U.S. merchant marine fleet and enables illegal activities like illicit trafficking and environmental harm. The bill strongly supports the U.S. maritime industry while calling on international bodies to enforce higher global labor and safety standards for shipping.

The Guam Temporary Workforce Act establishes a new requirement for Guam employers seeking to hire temporary, non-agricultural foreign workers under the H-2B visa program. Employers must first obtain a temporary labor certification approved by the Governor of Guam before filing a petition with the federal government. Upon receiving this certification, the federal government must approve the H-2B petition if the required labor market and job condition standards are met. This Act streamlines the federal approval process contingent upon local certification.

The Deliver for Veterans Act updates how the Department of Veterans Affairs supports eligible veterans by authorizing the VA to cover the full shipping costs for adaptive vehicles, in addition to the purchase price. This legislation also extends the expiration date for a specific limitation on certain veteran pension payments from late 2031 to March 2032.

This bill amends Title 49 of the U.S. Code to update eligibility requirements for Essential Air Service programs. Specifically, it expands the existing provisions currently applying to Alaska and Hawaii to now explicitly include Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. This ensures these territories receive the same consideration under relevant federal air service regulations.

The Correcting Guam's History in the PACT Act expands eligibility for veterans who served in Guam to receive a presumption of service connection for diseases linked to herbicide exposure. This change specifically covers service in Guam between August 15, 1958, and July 31, 1980. Coverage for veterans who served in American Samoa remains unchanged.

This bill supports the designation of March as National CHamoru Heritage and Culture Month, recognizing the CHamoru people as the indigenous population of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. It acknowledges their unique culture, historical significance, and contributions to the United States, particularly their service in the armed forces. The bill encourages all Americans to observe this month and celebrate the achievements of the CHamoru people.

This bill celebrates the 25-year partnership between the Philippines and Guam National Guard through the State Partnership Program, which has strengthened U.S.-Philippine relations and promoted regional security. It recognizes the program's role in joint training exercises, disaster response, and deterring aggression in the South China Sea. The bill also supports expanding the State Partnership Program to include other U.S. states and territories to further enhance defense cooperation with the Philippines.

The Pacific Island Flight Alternatives Act of 2025 (PIFAA) addresses the issue of expensive flights to and from Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands due to limited air competition. PIFAA allows foreign air carriers from Japan, the Philippines, and the Republic of Korea to transport passengers and cargo between the U.S. and foreign locations through Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. This aims to increase air travel options and lower costs for these Pacific Island regions.

The Katrina and Leslie Schaller Act extends the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to Guam, providing financial assistance to eligible individuals with disabilities and limited income. It removes Guam from the list of excluded areas, allowing residents to receive SSI benefits. The Act grants the Commissioner of Social Security the flexibility to adapt the SSI program to meet Guam's specific needs. These changes will take effect at the start of the first federal fiscal year following the Act's enactment.

This bill amends the Defense Base Act to exclude Guam from being considered a U.S. territory or possession outside of the continental United States for the purposes of the Act.