Guam Delegate James Moylan gave his final Congressional Address before the 38th Guam Legislature on Friday, highlighting results over the last four years in Washington and priorities for the 119th Congress, including cost of living, Jones Act relief, veteran, federal funding, the military buildup and Guam political future.

Moylan said his mission throughout his time in Congress has remained the same: "Guam first, and Guam always."

"Over these past four years in Washington, one lesson stands out: making progress for Guam takes persistence. There's no shortage of red tape, closed doors, and obstacles, some that take months, even years, to push through. But through every challenge, my mission has stayed the same: Guam first, and Guam always," Moylan said.

Cost of living and energy costs

Moylan said the rising cost of living remains one of the biggest challenges facing Guam families.

"It's getting harder to afford life on Guam," he said. "My job in Congress is to fix federal policies that drive those costs up."

He highlighted federal legislation, funding requests and new defense-bill language aimed at easing costs, including expanding Guam's access to more affordable energy sources.

"America produces plenty of natural gas. Guam should be able to get it at a price we can afford," Moylan said.

He said he joined Reps. Richie Torres and Ed Case in introducing the Non-Continuous Energy Relief and Access Act, which would lift Jones Act shipping restrictions on qualifying energy shipments to Guam, including U.S. liquefied natural gas.

"Our families feel the cost of imported fuel every month and when the power bill arrives. Giving the Guam Power Authority more reliable, affordable options is one way we can work to ease that burden," Moylan said.

Moylan also discussed efforts to restore the $800 de minimis exemption which was suspended. He said, "Guam isn't a foreign country," and that the exemption "must be restored."

Moylan said U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer agreed the consequences were unintended. He said his office helped connect local online retailer Crowns with a U.S. Postal Service technology provider, Zonos to simplify paperwork in the meantime.

"We are also seeking relief from administrative fees and improve access to customers' processing through local post offices. Our families and businesses need relief now. They shouldn't have to pay the price while Washington fixes this policy," Moylan said.

Airfare and family support

Moylan pointed to high airfares as another financial burden facing Guam residents, citing a recent advertisement for a round-trip ticket to Honolulu at more than $1,300 per person.

"For families here in the Marianas, flying is often necessary for medical care, education, or being with loved ones. Yet high airfares and limited competition put those journeys out of reach for too many," Moylan said.

He said he introduced the Pacific Islands Flight Alternatives Act to encourage competition and will seek National Defense Authorization Act language directing the Department of War and the Department of Transportation to develop a plan for more affordable commercial air service, including more airlines, targeted cabotage relief and pilot programs.

"Let me be clear: the goal is affordable commercial air travel for everyone--Guam's residents, visitors, and military families alike.

He added that connecting Guam’s priorities with the military’s responsibility to support its personnel could strengthen the case for federal action.

"For our people, that could mean finally taking a trip they've put off far too long, getting the care they need, or being there when a family needs them most," Moylan said.

He also highlighted work on his Childcare Relief Act, which would direct additional federal funding to states and territories where child care costs weigh heavily on family incomes and the Bipartisan Military Family and Medical Leave Act.

He said the latter works with Representative April McClain Delaney and Senator Tammy Duckworth and would expand job-protected leave for people caring for seriously injured or ill service members and veterans.

On Education, Moylan said the US House of Representatives passed the Territory Student Access to Higher Education Act, which would provide qualifying students from Guam and other U.S. territories access to in-state tuition at covered public colleges and universities.

Military buildup and economic development

Moylan said more than $4.3 billion in military construction funding was directed to Guam for fiscal years 2023 through 2026.

"I support the buildup, but I have also always said that the buildup must happen the right way for Guam That means preparing our workers for the jobs ahead, helping our businesses compete for work taking place here, and investing in infrastructure that can serve our people for generations," Moylan said.

He highlighted the Territorial Small Business Development Act which would establish a dedicated program under the Small Business Administration Section 8A for qualifying businesses owned and controlled by residents of Guam and our fellow Pacific Territories.

"It would help our entrepreneurs pursue federal contract and get the support they need to grow, hire locally and keep more of that investment in Guam's economy," Moylan said.

He also pointed to efforts to strengthen economic development also focuses on initiative to expand Guam's role in the Navy ship repair, strengthening workforce training and supporting tourism through "proposed inclusion of the Philippines in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program."

Veterans’ services and Guam’s political future

Moylan said his other priorities include establishing a Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office on Guam; expanding access to passport services, advancing radiation exposure compensation legislation and ensuring that the ongoing military buildup creates "meaningful opportunities for Guam's workers, businesses and communities."

Moylan said his vision for the future includes stronger coordination between Guam's elected leadership and the federal government through the Guam-Federal Consultation Act.

The legislation would establish a formal consultation process between the White House and Guam leaders to address federal policies affecting the island's future.

Recognizing a hero

During the address, Moylan recognized the late Sergeant Major Juan Ogo Blaz, whose nomination for the Medal of Honor is pending signature by the President of the United States. He recognized Blas' daughter Darlene as he reflected on her fathers "extraordinary courage and military service."