HAGATNA (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) —The government of Guam is compelled to temporarily shoulder the funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme and Women, Infants and Children, which are among the federal programs in limbo amid the three-week federal shutdown.
During a special session on Friday, the 38th Guam Legislature passed the amended version of Governor Lou Leon Guerrero’s proposed legislation appropriating US$13.1 million to the Department of Public Health and Social Services to cover the SNAP benefits for 18,000 Guam households and WIC benefits for 3,000 mothers and children through November.
The stopgap measure will draw on the net unobligated excess revenue from fiscal 2025.
Meanwhile, Guam Delegate James Moylan expressed frustrations with the gridlock in Washington, where Republicans and Democrats remain at a standstill, with no agreement in sight to continue funding the federal government.
“We’ve got to get our different programmes back started. We need the funding to support, especially the SNAP program, because we don’t have the resources or the money available to keep on funding this programme,” Moylan said.
While the local government has been able to bridge the funding gap for federal welfare programs, tapping into local resources would not be sustainable for Guam, he said.
“We can’t do it again. How many times are we going to keep on doing this, right? It’s quite expensive for the island of Guam,” Moylan said. “These are all the important things I need to bring back.”
In Adelup, Leon Guerrero thanked the senators for their quick action on her request for the passage of Bill 1(4-S), which she is expected to sign soon.
“When federal uncertainty threatened to cut off critical food assistance to thousands of households, the legislature came together to make sure that no one in our community is left hungry or without help,” she added.
“This is a reflection of who we are as a people. When our island faces hardship, we come together — government, legislature and community — to care for one another and protect those most in need,” the governor said.
The original bill, as proposed by the governor, would appropriate US$12.3 million for SNAP and WIC.
Speaker Frank Blas Jr introduced an amendment to raise the amount to US$13.1 million—US$12.3 million for SNAP and an additional US$800,000 for WIC, considering the figures provided by public health officials’ testimony.
The office of the governor said it would continue coordinating with federal partners to restore funding once the shutdown ends.
The bill would require the health department to use federal dollars first if Congress restored federal funding in November. Should local funds be temporarily advanced, the agency must promptly reimburse the government of Guam upon receiving federal reimbursements.
These provisions were based on an amendment introduced by Senator Telo Taitague.
She also introduced an amendment clarifying that the funding can only be used to issue benefits for next month and “for no other purpose,” ensuring that assistance is provided when families actually need it.
“While DPHSS is permitted to conduct necessary administrative preparations in advance, the amendment safeguards against premature spending and ensures full fiscal discipline and integrity in the use of public funds,” Taitague said.
“These amendments reflect not only good policy but who we are as a people. They ensure every dollar goes where it’s needed, helping parents keep food on the table, making sure babies have formula, and ensuring our manåmko’ can afford their groceries,” she said in her remarks on the floor.
Although he voted for Bill 1 (4-S), Senator Shawn Gumataotao expressed reservations with a public policy solution to a problem created by the federal government.’
“Holding the federal government funding hostage has not just been a Washington D.C. debate for political points,” Gumataotao said.
“The actions on Capitol Hill are having real and immediate consequences in every state and territory across America that cannot be overlooked,”..Gumataotao said…PACNEWS