Pacific policy priority

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero wrapped up meetings in Washington, DC, urging federal leaders to ensure Pacific policy reflects the real-world challenges facing island communities. 

During the 2026 Interagency Group on Insular Areas Plenary Session, the governor met with U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and other officials, emphasizing that Guam cannot be treated as an afterthought in systems designed for the Continental United States.

She highlighted progress secured through federal partnerships, including millions in technical and maintenance assistance grants, strengthened public safety systems, improved biosecurity efforts, and enhanced financial accountability.

Leon Guerrero stressed that Guam’s geography, supply chains, and surge capacity are daily realities — and called for durable federal-territorial alignment in infrastructure, healthcare, workforce policy, and environmental protections.