By Bryan Manabat
Declaring that "Guam first, Guam always" remains his guiding principle, Guam Del. James Moylan told lawmakers Friday that the island must pursue both immediate economic relief and a broader conversation about its political future, while positioning Guam as a larger player in regional affairs.
In his congressional address, Moylan outlined an agenda centered on lowering energy, transportation and childcare costs, expanding opportunities for veterans and students, strengthening Guam's role in the Indo-Pacific region and ensuring the island benefits from billions of dollars in federal investment.
The address comes less than two weeks before Guam voters decide whether to return Moylan to Washington for another two-year term.
The Republican incumbent, who became the first GOP delegate elected from Guam since 1993 when he won office in 2022, faces Democratic challenger Alicia Limtiaco, a former attorney general and former U.S. attorney for Guam and the CNMI, in the Nov. 3 general election.
Moylan has declined to engage in debates and election forums.
Moylan said one of his top priorities remains reducing the financial burden on Guam families, particularly the high costs associated with electricity, food and transportation. He highlighted efforts to expand Guam's access to liquefied natural gas and legislation that would remove Jones Act restrictions on qualifying energy shipments, arguing that federal policies continue to contribute to high utility costs.
The delegate also renewed calls for greater shipping competition and lower airline fares, citing measures intended to expand commercial air service and improve affordability for residents, visitors and military families.
A significant portion of the address focused on elevating Guam's role as a regional hub for diplomacy, business and government engagement.
Moylan said he will work with the U.S. State Department, congressional committees and regional partners to bring major Pacific conferences and summits to the island.
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Among his goals is securing Guam as the host site for at least two major regional summits and advocating for the island to host a future summit between the Washington and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, known as ASEAN.
Moylan said such events would place Guam at the center of discussions involving security, economic cooperation and regional partnerships while generating economic activity for local hotels, restaurants and businesses.
"Our ties with the Philippines run deep through family, history, faith, and friendship," Moylan said while also promoting efforts to expand the Guam-CNMI visa waiver Program to include the Philippines as part of a broader strategy to boost tourism and regional connectivity.
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On veterans' issues, Moylan pointed to House passage of the Deliver for Veterans Act, which would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover shipping costs for adaptive vehicles delivered to eligible veterans living in Guam and other territories. He also continued pressing for the establishment of a Veterans Benefits Administration regional office in Guam.
Moylan used part of his speech to recognize the late Juan Ogo Blaz, announcing that approval of an upgrade to the Guam war hero's military award has advanced and now awaits presidential action before Blaz can become Guam's first Medal of Honor recipient.
The congressman also highlighted House passage of the Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act, a measure that would provide qualifying students from U.S. territories access to in-state tuition rates at participating public colleges and universities.
Among the accomplishments cited during the speech was securing more than $55 million in fiscal 2026 federal funding for Guam projects, including $50 million for road improvements and additional funding for healthcare, emergency preparedness, public safety and housing programs. Moylan said his office has also submitted approximately $145 million in requests for fiscal 2027.
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Addressing the military buildup, Moylan said more than $4.3 billion in military construction funding was directed to Guam between fiscal years 2023 and 2026. While expressing support for the buildup, he said local workers and businesses must receive meaningful opportunities from the investment.
Beyond economic issues, Moylan called for a renewed discussion about Guam's political future, saying the island should not accept its current territorial status as the limit of its aspirations. He promoted his Guam-Federal Consultation Act, legislation that would require regular consultations between the White House and Guam leaders on issues affecting the territory.
"The world is changing. The Pacific is changing. And Guam can't afford to stand still," Moylan said, urging elected leaders and Guam's next administration to work together on a unified agenda focused on affordability, infrastructure, energy security and long-term self-determination.
The speech touched on a broad range of topics, including tourism recovery, radiation compensation, workforce development, agriculture, federal services and regional economic engagement, as Moylan sought to outline both his record in Congress and his vision for Guam's future while making his case for reelection.
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