The following is a new release from Ginger Cruz for Congress, the committee to elect Ms. Cruz for Guam delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives:
In light of today’s Senate passage of new Compact of Free Association (COFA) agreements, Ginger Cruz, businesswoman, prominent advocate for Guam’s rights and equitable policy, and a candidate for Guam’s delegate to Congress, emphasized the mixed implications for Guam and Micronesia.
These agreements, vital for national security and regional development, also shine a glaring light on the challenges faced by Guam. “We stand in support of our fellow Micronesian families and the broader national security objectives of the COFA agreements. At the same time we know the unique cost of these agreements to the people of Guam – over $300 million to date, lost, that could have been used for our schools, roads, hospital, and prison. Add to that the loss of millions in future reimbursements for Compact related costs. There has to be a more balanced approach to federal policymaking. We can’t be asleep at the wheel as these issues are being debated by Congress.”
Cruz points to a new level of unfairness by Congress despite the existence of a Guam Delegate. “The introduction of a double standard regarding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) adds another layer to our challenges. Under the terms of what is called “Compact Impact Fairness Act” new provisions of law make it so non-citizen residents from FAS states are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a benefit that Guam residents are denied. And while federal law requires that this benefit may only be extended “at the option of the Governor”—no Governor should be put in that position.”
“The point though is even simpler: without a delegate to Congress or the benefit of being US Soil COFA representatives got more out of Congress than we did.”
Cruz uses an analogy to highlight the situation. “If I invited 100 people to your house for potluck dinner and did not bring any food with me, none of us would enjoy the party. That is what is happening here.” This scenario mirrors Guam’s current predicament—welcoming, yet overstretched, due to policies that fail to account for our island’s unique position and the failure at the federal level to address the burden it is causing.
As a candidate for Guam’s delegate to Congress, Cruz is committed to strengthening Guam’s representation in Washington. She emphasizes the importance of drawing on Guam’s resilience, strategic value, and building a vision that will move forward new strategies for powerful engagement before it is too late.
