FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 15, 2025
Washington, D.C. / Hagåtña, Guam – Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio has concluded a week of high-level meetings in Washington, D.C. with federal, congressional, and private-sector leaders. Discussions focused on aligning military-driven federal investments with civilian infrastructure needs; strengthening broadband, port, energy, and housing systems; addressing cost-of-living pressures tied to workforce shortages, transportation, and supply chains; ensuring flexibility in federal broadband programs to support public safety and cybersecurity; and advocating for responsible environmental stewardship in the Pacific, including extended review periods for deep-sea mining proposals. Collectively, the meetings reinforced Guam’s role as a critical hub in the Indo-Pacific and the importance of coordinated federal action that supports both national security objectives and prioritizing the well-being of the island community.
“Guam’s strategy must be matched by coordinated federal action that delivers tangible, lasting benefits for Guam’s civilian population and strengthen the island’s long-term resilience. These discussions reflect our shared responsibility to ensure Guam’s strategic importance is supported by policy and investments that improve the quality of life for our people,” said Lt. Governor Tenorio. “Our goal is to achieve outcomes that support both national defense and the well-being of the community that sustains it.”
Meeting with Assistant Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao Lt. Governor Tenorio met with US Under Secretary of the Navy and Senior Defense Official for Guam Hung Cao to discuss Guam’s critical infrastructure needs, including utilities, housing, transportation networks, commercial transportation, passenger air service between Guam and the CNMI, and broadband connectivity, in light of continued military expansion and operations. The Lt. Governor stressed that infrastructure planning must be comprehensive and civilian-inclusive to prevent undue strain on local systems and families. Both acknowledged challenges related to workforce availability, H-2B visa access, air travel costs, and housing affordability. The discussion also addressed cybersecurity and the importance of resilient communications infrastructure.
“As military investments move forward, it is essential that civilian infrastructure keep pace,” said Lt. Governor Tenorio. “Guam’s growth must be managed in a way that strengthens Guam’s capacity, safeguards affordability, and supports the daily needs of our residents. We appreciate the Navy’s engagement and look forward to continued collaboration that produces timely, measurable results.”
Meeting with Assistant Secretary of War for Energy Installations and Environment (EI&E) Dale Marks Lt. Governor Tenorio met with ASD Marks and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Bob Thompson to discuss Guam’s infrastructure needs as well as Guam’s concerns regarding the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) Request for Information and Interest on deep-sea mining. Lt. Governor Tenorio raised significant environmental and cultural concerns on deep-sea mining in the vicinity of the Marianas Trench.
The leaders discussed the Administration’s request to convene the Economic Adjustment Committee (EAC) following the release of the Record of Decision for the EIAMD Final EIS in accordance with the Defense Economic Adjustment Diversification, Conversion, and Stabilization Act of 1990 as amended and Executive Order 12788, as amended. DoW’s written commitment to an incremental approach to lay the groundwork for the EAC is a decisive first step as plans are now underway to convene interagency partners at the regional level in early 2026. The convening will also include the CNMI leadership. The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation is named as the lead federal agency on behalf of the Secretary of War.
“Guam serves as the linchpin of America’s power projection in the Indo-Pacific, but that role cannot come at the expense of our people’s quality of life. My discussion with the Department of War was clear: authentic security requires a resilient community. We welcome DoW’s formal commitment to an “incremental approach” toward the Economic Adjustment Committee, beginning with an immediate regional convening of federal partners and key agency heads of the Government of Guam and CNMI in early 2026. This is the actionable mechanism we have fought for to unify federal resources and address the strain on our infrastructure. We are moving beyond talking points to tangible next steps-because protecting Guam means ensuring a sustainable and resilient home for the families who stand on the front lines of freedom,” said Lt. Governor Tenorio.
Key discussions were centered around increasing energy resilience, upgrading critical infrastructure and bolstering cybersecurity in the region. The Lt. Governor also discussed workforce development and economic diversification to support the military buildup and advocated for the need to expand ship repair capabilities in Guam. Reflecting on the past successes with the Guam Ship Repair Facility prior to closure, Lt. Governor Tenorio told Marks that with proper planning and execution, an expanded ship repair program with a dry dock and local workers can be sustained through vocational education and apprenticeship programs.
Meeting with Maritime Administration (MARAD) Lt. Governor Tenorio was joined by Port Authority of Guam leadership in meetings with officials from the Maritime Administration to discuss Port of Guam priorities, including modernization efforts, grant opportunities, and long-term resiliency planning. The discussion included the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) recent award to modernize Fuel Pier A, the potential use of a Build America, Buy America (BABA) waiver to address specialized equipment needs, and alignment on advancing shovel-ready infrastructure projects that strengthen supply chain and energy resilience. Port Authority of Guam General Manager Rory Respicio also
provided updates on current capital priorities and implementation timelines, including the status of the RAISE 21 project.
MARAD officials outlined upcoming federal programs that may support Guam’s long-term port modernization strategy and reaffirmed their commitment to continued partnership, while noting that all funding opportunities remain subject to a competitive award process. Participants included Bill Paape, Associate Administrator for Ports and Waterways, Peter Simons, Director of the Office of Port Infrastructure Development, and other Maritime Administration officials.
“The Port of Guam is central to our economic stability and our role in regional security,” said Lt. Governor Tenorio. “Sustained federal partnership is essential to keeping our port infrastructure strong, resilient, and ready to meet the growing commercial and strategic demands placed on our island.”
Meeting with Department of the Interior – Office of Insular Affairs Lt. Governor Tenorio met with Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular and International Affairs William Hague and Deputy Assistant Secretary Angel Demapan to discuss advocacy for BEAD program implementation and ongoing concerns regarding the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) Request for Information and Interest on deep-sea mining. Consistent with discussions held with Department of War leadership, the Lt. Governor reiterated the joint request from Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for an extension of the current public comment period to allow sufficient time for scientific analysis, interagency coordination, and meaningful community engagement. In addition, the Lt. Governor advocated for support to fully utilize BEAD allocations.
“Our meeting with Assistant Secretary Hague and Deputy Assistant Secretary Demapan was critical for advancing Guam’s interests regarding federal initiatives,” said Lt. Governor Tenorio. “We stressed the urgent need for an extension on the BOEM’s deep-sea mining comment period, a vital step to ensure our community has the necessary time for thorough scientific review and meaningful participation before any decisions are made affecting our waters.”
Meeting with U.S. Department of State – Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Lt. Governor Tenorio met with Seth Bailey, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island Affairs, to discuss Guam’s expanding role in advancing U.S. engagement, economic opportunity and people-people connections across the Pacific Island region. The discussion focused on Guam’s position as a frontline community in the Indo-Pacific and the importance of ensuring diplomatic, economic, and security initiatives are grounded in strong local capacity. He emphasized that Guam’s civilian infrastructure, healthcare and transportation networks are critical enablers of regional diplomacy and strategic presence, not just supporting assets. The Lt. Governor also highlighted opportunities to strengthen Guam’s
role as a regional hub for trade, education, emergency response, and disaster coordination, underscoring the value of partnerships that expand workforce development, small business participation, and regional economic integration. These efforts, he noted, must prioritize inclusion of island communities and reflect the cultural and environmental context of the Pacific. The Deputy Assistant Secretary informed the Lt. Governor of plans to convene Pacific Island Leaders to participate in a business roundtable at the East-West Center in Hawai‘i in spring 2026 with more details to come.
“Guam serves as a vital link between the United States and the Pacific,” said Lt. Governor Tenorio. “We remain committed to working with our federal partners to promote collaboration, economic opportunity, and regional stability.”
###