Guam Delegate James Moylan pressed federal officials to prioritize cost-of-living relief for Guam families during the 2026 Senior Plenary Session of the Interagency Group on Insular Areas.
“I encourage all stakeholders to focus on what matters most for Guamanians — lowering the cost of groceries, fuel, housing, and healthcare,” Moylan said.
He argued that federal transportation, shipping and energy policies directly affect local prices and called for support of measures he has introduced to ease financial pressures.
Moylan highlighted his Pacific Islands Flight Alternatives Act, which would create a limited exception to air cabotage laws, allowing allied foreign carriers to stop in Guam and the CNMI while traveling to and from the U.S. mainland. He said the bill would reduce airfare, expand access to off-island medical care, strengthen tourism and boost the regional economy.
The congressman also reiterated support for targeted reforms to the Jones Act.
“To be clear, I am not recommending we abolish it entirely,” Moylan said. “Rather, we should have policies that make sense for the 21st century.”
He pointed to proposals that would allow liquefied natural gas shipments to Guam and other non-contiguous areas, arguing the change would lower energy costs and improve resiliency.
Moylan further noted that the Department of Defense is establishing an Economic Adjustment Committee, following a joint request with Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, to better coordinate federal support amid defense-driven growth.
“Without focusing on the core issues, we risk failing to fulfill the mandate for IGIA,” he said. “I’m hopeful for the continued progress that we can make.”