A new bill designed to give Guam’s veterans a stronger role in shaping policy and services has been introduced by Senator Sabrina Salas Matanane, Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Veterans Affairs. Bill No. 192-38 (COR) replaces her earlier proposal, the Veterans Empowerment Act of 2025, after months of consultation with Guam’s veterans organizations.
“This new legislation was shaped by the voices and vision of our veterans working group,” said Salas Matanane. “Over the last several months, I’ve been in close contact with these leaders. The bill reflects what they believe is the best path forward to address the challenges they face, especially at the Guam Office of Veterans Affairs.” The working group includes representatives from organizations such as Got Your 671, the American Legion, the U.S. Navy League, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
The measure aims to give the Guam Veterans Commission real authority, shifting it from an advisory role to one with the power to direct the Guam Office of Veterans Affairs. “For too long, many veterans felt their concerns went unheard,” Salas Matanane said. “This bill is a turning point. It signals a future where Guam’s veterans know they are respected, heard, and empowered.”
The legislation has broad bipartisan support, with co-sponsors including Speaker Frank F. Blas Jr., Vice Speaker V. Anthony Ada, and Senators Therese M. Terlaje, William A. Parkinson, Jesse A. Lujan, Shelly V. Calvo, and others. Salas Matanane said the bill represents an important lesson in leadership: “It’s about listening, working together, and building solutions. That’s how trust is built, and that’s how real change happens.”