Legislative Activity

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.