The #10 story in our countdown of the Top Stories of 2019 is the fight to pay out war claims - Congressman Michael San Nicolas' HR 1365 versus local war claims Bill 181. The congressman has continued to warn Guam leaders that Bill 181 would have an impact on his efforts to push through his measure in Congress, while Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said her bill would only complement his.

The debate came to a head during a faceoff at Adelup.

Lou Leon Guerrero: Any comments on feedback on my wanting to continue our  relationship in working for the war reparations in making sure that your bill is passed and our bill here is also passed.

Mike San Nicolas: Well, you're still wanting to move forward with Bill 181?

Leon Guerrero: Absolutely.

San Nicolas: That's a problem. I've made it very clear is going to cause consternation inside the House and the Senate, if we're trying to  move a local measure that is going to be sending  mixed signals.


In December session, the 35th Guam Legislature passed a substitute version of Bill 181. The new version was brought to the floor and moved quickly to the voting file without any debate or discussion. Three senators voted against its passage - Louise Muna, James Moylan and Mary Torres.

"Bill 181 appears to come with all promise and no contingency it should be our duty to deliberate and ask questions, for example, what are the contingencies and possible consequences today using local government money funds," Sen. Torres said, " There many issues with this bill, Madame Speaker, beginning with the lifting of the local fund cap and so many questions about how this claim against the federal government is going to be administered locally what will happen for example with the funds that are already held by the federal government why are some of us not entitled to get the information. I'd don't feel entitled."

The new version of Bill 181 removes the $7.5 million cap to pay out local war claims and instead payments will go to all living survivors that have been or will be adjudicated by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission by the date of the enactment of the bill into law.

Congressman Michael San Nicolas on his Facebook page called the bill a sham, and that the legislation has nothing in place to solve anything. "   

As for his bill, HR 1365, he posted that it will likely be passed by the Senate in January.