Legislative Activity

The United States Trade and Development Agency Modernization Act of 2026 aims to update the USTDA to better advance U.S. commercial and security interests abroad. This legislation expands the agency's authority to fund early-stage project preparation in high-income countries, up to 15% of its annual budget, specifically targeting strategic energy and infrastructure sectors. Additionally, the bill enhances USTDA's personnel flexibility by increasing the number of appointed staff and allowing for the use of personal services contractors.

This act establishes the Territorial Small Business Development Act of 2026 to create a new Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance program specifically for businesses owned and controlled by residents of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The program will mirror the support provided under the existing 8(a) program, but without imposing net worth requirements for applicants. To qualify, owners must demonstrate a 10-year residency in one of these territories, and the business must be principally located there.

The Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act requires public colleges and universities receiving federal funding to offer in-state tuition rates to eligible U.S. nationals residing in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This legislation aims to increase educational affordability and accessibility for students from these U.S. territories.

This bill amends the Organic Act of Guam to facilitate the return of excess federal land to its original owners or their heirs by waiving the standard "public purpose" requirement for such transfers. It mandates that the Government of Guam establish a formal restitution process and subjects any subsequent land sales to foreign entities to a national security review.

The Parity for Pacific Radiation Survivors Act expands the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to provide long-overdue recognition and support for individuals affected by atmospheric nuclear testing in the Pacific. This legislation extends eligibility for compensation to residents of Guam, participants in the Enewetak Atoll radiological cleanup, and others exposed to radiation during specific timeframes. Additionally, the bill updates the list of covered conditions to include renal disease, ensuring more survivors can access the benefits they deserve.

The Territorial SBA Loan Guaranty Adjustment Act of 2026 increases the Small Business Administration's loan guarantee percentage for businesses operating in covered territories. This act establishes a 90 percent government guarantee for eligible 7(a) program loans made to these businesses. Certain specific provisions and pilot programs within the 7(a) program are excluded from this higher guarantee level.

The Equality in the Halls of Congress Act allows the five U.S. territories and commonwealths—American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—to each contribute one statue to the National Statuary Hall Collection. This legislation ensures these jurisdictions are represented alongside the 50 states in the collection. The Architect of the Capitol is tasked with implementing the necessary steps to acquire and place these statues.

The China AI Power Report Act mandates the Secretary of Commerce to deliver an annual, detailed report to Congress for three years assessing China's advanced artificial intelligence capabilities and supply chains. This legislation emphasizes the need for dynamic U.S. export controls to counter China's evolving technological advancements and protect national security. The comprehensive report must cover everything from advanced AI chips and fabrication facilities to AI models, funding, and the effectiveness of current U.S. restrictions.

This Act officially designates the Guam USDA Rural Development office to serve as the primary representative for USDA Rural Development across Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and several Pacific nations. This designation grants the Guam office the same rights and responsibilities as a USDA Rural Development office in any U.S. state.

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 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.

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.

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.