As policies continue to evolve in Washington, Guam’s leaders are remaining vigilant. bracing for potential changes while pushing to safeguard the island. KUAM News spoke to Governor Lou Leon Guerrero today on the topic, fresh off her visit to the nation’s capital.

What is the biggest worry for Guam amid rapid changes from the White House? “My greatest fear is federal funds," Leon Guerrero stated. "My greatest fear is Medicaid, SNAP, childcare, food assistance, Social Security; those are programs that could be either decreased or eliminated.”

It’s a concern echoed by many democrats, some of whom held signs reading “Save Medicaid” and “Protect Veterans” during the president’s address to Congress today. Still, the maga’håga says she received some reassurances from top federal officials.

“The president, I saw him in an interview and also did say Medicaid is not going to be touched. The secretary of veterans affairs that I had a discussion with assured me that the veterans' benefits are not going to be touched. And in fact, the secretary of the veterans affairs reaffirmed that to me," the governor said.

Beyond those commitments, Governor Leon Guerrero says she’s taking proactive steps to safeguard Guam’s interests. “We passed, through the National governor’s association–a resolution that we are sending to the white house and to congress which is supported in a bipartisan resolution - asking to protect Medicaid,  Social Security, programs, enhancing emergency procedures, protect education. These are the federal priorities of all 50 states of governors and the U.S. territories," she said.

And while federal funding freezes remain an ongoing concern, the governor says she’s closely monitoring the situation, adding, “I have asked my government agency directors who have these grants to do an assessment–how many people are employed by these monies, who are eligible for all these federal grants, what are the impacts going to be? Our finances are stable and strong–but I don’t think we can absorb whatever losses we’re going to get if there is–on federal monies.”

This as she adds 26 %of the island’s revenue budget comes from federal grants, supporting critical agencies like public education and healthcare.  “It’s concerning - I am worried," reiterated the governor. "It’s very concerning and we’re monitoring it very closely. And I am asking our congressman  who is the line of leadership to Congress to protect our grants.”