After three weeks of deliberations, senators this morning wrapped up discussion, and then late today passed the Fiscal Year 2024 budget bill. And perhaps to better ensure that the governor will sign it, a controversial amendment to withold the Adelup office budget was withdrawn drawing strong rebuke from republicans.

Lawmakers worked late into the night on tuesday and reconvened wednesday morning just to finish up deliberations. But the FY24 budget session ended with a bang, as republicans lashed out at Speaker Therese Terlaje's withdrawal of what they previously believed was a bold amendment.

It was to hold back the governor's office budget until Adelup reverts some $20 million back to the cash-strapped Guam Department of Education. It was a top bipartisan concern raised repeatedly during the budget session.

The governor went so far as to describe the move as "extortion," and a "blackmail budget." But today the speaker withdrew her amendment, as she said, "During the budget process we were able to pass an amendment to stop the $50 million blank check that we gave earlier for typhoon mitigation."

"We've also added appropriations to the Guam Department of Education from amendments that have been made, so that's the reason why I'm making this amendment or asking for this reconsideration to delete this section."

Republicans were quick to pounce, with Senator Telo Taitague saying, "We all know the situation of the schools right now. I mean, I think this is the one amendment that actually put fire to the feet of this administration to move forward and start helping and assisting the schools. This was the one thing, the one amendment the one that received traction."

"It was like a deal that was made, is that what our children are worth, making a deal."

Senator Chris Duenas added, "I just hope that there's some sincerity here to even though we're removing this leverage unfortunately, that there's sincerity to take that reimbursement and make that the first priority over at education."

But fellow democrats came to Terlaje's defense, with Senator Chris Barnett adding, "I want to thank the author of this amendment because at the time she proferred it she talked about drastic measures."

"But the very day that amendment in question that we're striking through now appeared in the drive we started to see the press releases come out about expedited procurement, about purchase orders that happened, and before that I know I don't have to remind the body of all the things we did to try and get that help."

And vice speaker Tina Muna Barnes said, "I rise in support of this motion to reconsider and I literally appreciate the efforts of the speaker in sharing with us what is happening with the Department of Education and the resources that are needed to get by sometimes when we need to get to a place sometimes pressure needs to be adhered to or what have you, but in the ultimate end when we need to do right by what needs to be done we literally need to come together."

In the end, senators have passed a $1.1 billion spending plan to cover government operations for Fiscal Year 2024, which starts on October 1.

The bill now goes to the governor for her signature.