Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero testified before the Department of Interior’s Interagency Group on Insular Affairs (IGIA) 2025 Plenary Session, urging federal leaders to prioritize investments in Guam’s healthcare and housing infrastructure. The meeting brought together governors from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, each addressing the unique challenges facing their respective territories.
Strategic Importance of U.S. Territories
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum emphasized the critical role of U.S. territories in national security, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. He noted that as the United States navigates global challenges and remains engaged in two proxy wars, the territories and their partnerships are essential to maintaining national stability. As a former governor of North Dakota and a former colleague of Governor Leon Guerrero, Secretary Burgum’s experience in governance and leadership further reinforces Governor Leon Guerrero’s confidence in his ability to advocate for the territories and support their critical needs.
Healthcare & Housing: Urgent Priorities for Guam
In her testimony, Governor Leon Guerrero underscored the pressing need for a modern medical campus to support both civilian and military populations. She highlighted how COVID-19 exposed critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure, leaving Guam’s only public hospital unprepared for mass casualty events. She called on federal support, stating that a state-of-the-art facility is essential to ensuring healthcare security for Guam and the region.
The Governor also stressed the urgency of addressing Guam’s housing crisis, pointing out the disparity between military housing allowances and local affordability. She noted that while low-income families struggle with rising home costs, military personnel receive significantly higher rental budgets, exacerbating the issue. She urged for expanded Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to incentivize affordable housing development and stabilize the local housing market.
Federal Commitment to Action
Alex Meyer, Director for Intergovernmental Affairs in the Trump administration, reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to supporting U.S. territories. He announced an elevation of IGIA’s role in intergovernmental coordination, ensuring that territorial concerns receive direct attention from the White House and all relevant agencies. He emphasized that IGIA will serve as a streamlined channel for dispersing information, receiving feedback, and ensuring timely responses to territorial needs.
Governor Leon Guerrero also urged the reconsideration of past executive orders limiting federal aid to Pacific islands, stressing the importance of continued investment in economic growth and self-sufficiency. She emphasized that federal assistance is a direct investment in the future of the people of Guam and the broader Pacific region.
Concluding her remarks, Governor Leon Guerrero reiterated her commitment to working with federal partners. “Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Guam and Pacific region,” she stated.
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