Hagåtña, Guam — Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio on Sunday met with Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senator Deb Fischer, a senior member of both the Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees. The discussion focused on Guam’s critical role in national defense and the opportunities tied to the ongoing military buildup, including infrastructure investments, workforce development, and local business growth. The meeting underscored Guam’s place at the center of America’s security in the Indo-Pacific while also highlighting the importance of ensuring that the island’s people and economy benefit from this historic transformation.
Governor Leon Guerrero said, “Guam has always stood at the front line of our nation’s defense. With this new phase of the military buildup, we also have a chance to shape our island’s future in ways that strengthen both our security and our quality of life. This meeting allowed us to make clear that our people must benefit from the same investments that make Guam stronger for America.”
She added that human health security is national security, stressing the urgent need for stronger federal support for the construction of Guam’s new medical campus in Mangilao and said, “What we are building in Mangilao is a lifeline for our people and for the military mission that depends on a healthy community.”
Lt Governor Tenorio said, “The buildup is about creating opportunity. The infrastructure projects pursued, the jobs prepared for our people, and the contracts awarded to local businesses will determine how resilient and prosperous Guam becomes in the years ahead. That is why these conversations with our federal partners matter so much. The discussion highlighted the need for an Economic Adjustment Committee to be convened so that federal agencies can be tapped to address the cumulative impact that military activities will have on Guam’s infrastructure and community. It also emphasized the importance of greater investment in the Guam National Guard so that our citizen soldiers and airmen can take on expanded missions for the island’s defense. In addition, more attention must be given to strengthening commercial aviation and economic activity in our region to keep Guam connected and competitive.”
The Leon Guerrero-Tenorio Administration will continue to engage with congressional leaders and federal agencies to ensure that as defense initiatives expand, Guam’s healthcare, infrastructure, workforce, and economy grow together, securing a stronger future for the island and the nation.
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