Interior official says millions will continue to flow to Guam

The head of the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs says millions of dollars in federal assistance will continue to flow to Guam. In a wide-ranging interview on today's Containing COVID interactive talk show, Assistant Secretary Doug Domenech spoke about some of the programs available to us and how much we should be expecting.

"In the CARES Act, there's a $55 million coronavirus fund that has been allocated through our office to the various insular areas, and you're exactly right in that there is a $12 million fund that Guam will get," Domenech confirmed.

He added that the Leon Guerrero administration has already submitted the necessary application for that, which is actually one of the smaller pots of money available. The federal government has passed three stimulus packages that provide direct payments to individuals, and financial assistance for small businesses. And there's talk in congress of a fourth and perhaps even a fifth package.

"[I'm] not sure I'm supposed to say this, but I will: we have been asked for ideas. For instance, what would be some infrastructure things that we could try to pay for now because the federal government going to probably pay for it eventually. But what are some ideas for infrastructure, bridges, roads, that type of thing," he added.

He didn't say which specific projects they're looking at, but infrastructure spending, or pump priming, is one classic way governments use to stimulate the economy. Domenech was also asked about still more money awaiting Guam: the millions due in war claims payments.

"We are working with the Treasury to try to get them to release those funds as soon as possible. Of course Guam fronted some funds, your own money, to pay the war victims and we're trying to get you reimbursed, as well," he said.