Passing by a single vote in the House of Representatives and spanning more than one thousand pages, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” would permanently extend the 2017 tax cuts and allocate billions for defense, including Trump's proposed “Golden Dome” Missile Defense System and more funding for the country’s southern border wall. 

But these sweeping changes come with significant trade-offs to fund them, slashing spending in key social programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and other safety nets.

Acting Governor Josh Tenorio said this measure can only result in instability for Guam's families.

“If the bill gets enacted into law as is, we’re going to see some of the most vulnerable people on the island get hurt the most,” said Tenorio. “Our philosophy in Guam and in our government is to make sure that when people need a helping hand that it’s there, especially when it comes to food, sustenance, and health care. They’re so critical for people to live a life here on the island.”

The bill also proposes deep cuts to Medicaid, a program that is vital for thousands of island residents.

In addition, it will require eligibility checks, community engagement rules, and a minimum of 80 hours per month work requirements for able-bodied recipients, without children under 7-years-old.

“We already suffer from having a shortage of specialty care as we live in an isolated part of the world and so, these supports are necessary for people to be able to survive on the island,” added Tenorio. 

As reported by KUAM, Department of Public Health Director Theresa Arriola says Guam will not be impacted by this bill.

And in a release today, Congressman Moylan confirms that at this point Guam will not have to participate in these checks or requirements.

At the same time, the bill’s allocation of $150 billion in additional defense spending could intensify Guam's housing crisis.

More money spent on defense could mean more base build up, more troops and families moving to Guam, driving up demand and prices in an already scarce housing market.

Tenorio says Adelup has already begun taking action by meeting with Congressman James Moylan and Hawai’i Senator, Brian Schatz in Washington.

“Congressman Moylan from the get-go, when the President dropped the budget, was able to indicate and has taken the position that he’s very concerned with the kind of cuts that are being expected,” said Tenorio. “What we are disabled with is that we don’t have voting representation in the U.S. Senate. So, I thought it was very important for me to talk with Senator Schatz as traditionally, the Hawai’i senators have taken us under their wing.”

Meanwhile, Tenorio also says Guam's Republican senators have been reaching out to their stateside counterparts to voice Guam's concerns.

And he’s optimistic that wiser minds in the senate will recognize these critical hits to life in the land of the free.

“Issues like this are bipartisan and all of us need to pitch in a hand in order to help everybody,” said Tenorio. 

The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate, where its future and its impact on Guam remain up in the air.