Should consumer-grade fireworks be allowed to be sold at retail stores in Guam again? That's the focus of a bill that's drawing some heated debate during the October legislative session. The measure, By Senator Dwayne San Nicolas, would make consumer fireworks legal again, is causing some fireworks of its own.

Senator Telo Taitague has emerged as the most vocal critic of the bill. She's introduced multiple amendments in a bid to increase safety and responsibility, but which supporters see as attempts to derail or at least water down the measure.

At one point it got a little too personal for San Nicolas. Senator Taitague asked, "I'd like to ask, Madame Speaker, the author of this legislation. does he plan on selling fireworks in his stores? I would like to ask and not just the author, Madame Speaker, but every sitting senator here, do they plan on selling fireworks? I'd like to ask the question."

"Point of personal privilege," San Nicolas quickly stated. Speaker Therese Terlaje said, "Senator San Nicolas, please state your point of personal privilege." "Ma'am, I'm insulted by that question. All I've ever wanted was to make people happy, that's it. So they can enjoy fireworks, safe and sane. I don't plan on selling fireworks, I don't actually going to run, but they told me senator or sir, that was the best way to get it through rather than collecting signatures its best that you pass it on the floor yourself."

Taitague introduced various amendments to include imposing a tax on the fireworks, and greatly limiting the times and days which they can be used - all of which failed.

"You do me a favor: I'll vote for your bill if you vote for my bill. That's what goes on, people. That's what goes on in this body. It's not in the best interests of you. This amendment was so simple. At least, at least this amendment. You don't want to put any rules and regulations in here to make sure that its safe on this island. You didn't want to do that. But at least let's limit it. Limit it. And if everyone in here who wants to hate me because I'm standing up here fighting for what I think is right, then hate me. Oh my gosh, join the crowd! Join the crowd. Because I'm not going to let this go," Taitague added.

"I wasn't elected to make deals on the floor. Vote for my bill and I'll vote for yours," said Taitague. Again, San Nicolas stated, "Point of personal privilege," with the speaker again asking the freshman to justify the objection. "She's accusing me of making deals, I don't make deals," he said. "I never go around and ask people for their support. I never do that."

Terlaje noted, "Alright, order please, Senator [Roy] Quinata, Senator Taitague, Senator San Nicolas has the floor. I've asked him to state his point of personal privilege. Please state your point of personal privilege." San Nicolas again said, "She's accusing me of making deals and I don't do that. I don't do that. I've left everything up to the body and to them if they want to support it. I've never lobbied for this. I've never gone to the senators here to lobby for anybody. I've never done any backroom deals. You're accusing the wrong person of doing that."

That was on Friday.

When they picked up Monday morning, Taitague was all set to make yet another amendment, but Senator Chris Duenas challenged that, saying they already called for the question, which would effectively end further debate. But Speaker Terlaje disagreed, this time prompting Vice Speaker Tina Barnes to ask repeatedly for a pause to sort out it all out.

"Madame Speaker, I'm asking for a moments recess, there is a motion on the floor; it's not debatable," she said. Terlaje said, "There is no motion on the floor." Barnes said, "I am making it on a point of inquiry based on a timeline that needs to be looked at, with Terlaje then saying, "Vice speaker, what is your motion?"

"For a moment's recess so that we...Madame Speaker, then I ask for a motion to over rule the presider and ask for a call of the vote, that's all i'm asking."

Eventually a recess was called, which stretched through the rest of the morning.

"We're back from recess, but we're still without a quorum, so I'm going to recess till 2pm," the speaker said.