Guam delegate introduces measures to address inequities with COFA renewals

Before Guam delegate Jim Moylan made his way home, US Congress successfully passed a continuing resolution to avoid a federal government shutdown last week. However, he admitted more work needs to be once he returns to the capitol.  

Especially getting more funding for Guam and getting Congress to address inequities in Compacts of Free Association (COFA) renewals.

In a press conference, Guam delegate Jim Moylan said, “When we get back though, there’s a lot more work to be done with the different appropriation measures we have there which has a lot to do with the island. That’s my main concern, for getting more finances for Guam.”

As discussions continue on COFA renewal agreements with the freely associated states, Moylan informed local media in a recent press conference that he's introduced a series of measures to address inequities in the COFA renewals.

After 20 years, the current landmark agreements expired on Sept. 30, the end of fiscal year 2023. 

This means annual COFA reimbursements to Guam have also ended.  

“What is our concern regarding the COFA agreement? First, we agree with the COFA agreement. We want the United States, and we agree as a district and territory that this needs to go forward… What we don’t agree upon is how the nation is treating the territories and the states that are the host folks,” Moylan said.

Under COFA agreements, FAS citizens can freely travel, live and work in the US.  

The US military, meanwhile, gets access to land, air and sea - an important strategy for the Biden Administration to counter China in the region. 

Host communities like Guam get financial reimbursements to offset the costs, but it’s been no secret that GovGuam needs more funding to continue hosting them. 

“We haven't gotten that. And now that this COFA agreement has ended and we got a new one coming in– we still haven’t gotten that in; that got dropped. So we’re not letting it go. We’re continuing to argue. Our position is, by working closely with the Natural Resources Committee, to ensure Guam still needs to be recognized," said the delegate.

It's why Moylan introduced the Guam Host Community Compensation Act to address these concerns.

The measures include continuing the annual COFA reimbursements, a memorandum of understanding to require the federal government to have authority over COFA migrants convicted of felonies, and a mandate that any COFA migrant permanently relocating to Guam to provide proof of employment or education. 

“We see this next COFA agreement as a good thing for the nation but also with additional migrants coming to the islands, which we more than welcome and to provide the best services possible, Guam needs additional funding and resources to provide those services,” Moylan said.

Meanwhile, Congress is pushing for the Compact Impact Fairness Act (CIFA), which would restore federal benefits. 

However, Moylan’s Chief of Staff Bobby Shringi said it’s not a “one size fits all solution.”

Shringi continued to say, “The problem here is CIFA is a great solution for the larger states. It's a viable solution for Hawaii. And we stand with our brothers and sisters in the host communities because their issues are unique. And our issues are unique. But CIFA is not a one size fits all solution.”

While CIFA will alleviate some of the issues with public health, he says it does not address public safety, public education, or societal issues unique to Guam. 

The House Committee on Natural Resources will continue the discussions on the COFA renewals later this month. 

Moylan has a vote in the committee but will continue to be a no vote in the process until the committee hears Guam’s issues.