During a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing in D.C., Congressman James Moylan questioned U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-Deremer about a laundry list of issues.

First, he urged for federal cooperation to address longstanding economic and workforce disparities on Guam by re-exempting Guam from the Defense Base Act, or DBA.

“It creates undue financial burdens on American citizens doing business with the Department of Defense on Guam. There are high costs to doing business on Guam: The shipping cost, labor cost, and on,” said Moylan. 

This, on top of the DBA’s additional 25% in operational costs, effectively blocks our small businesses from securing defense contracts, stifling Guam’s economic growth.

Guam was exempt from DBA requirements until 2020, just as all 50 states are exempt.

Secretary Chavez-Deremer says she’s committed to looking further into the situation.

“I promise you that I will commit to looking into this in order to assist Guam in having the most robust economic development that they can,” said Chavez-Deremer. 

Moylan also questioned the secretary about opportunities to expand Guam's technology and telecommunication apprenticeship programs, with hopes to retain our skilled workers.

She says with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order calling for one million active apprentices nationwide, the goal is to secure local business investments to work alongside the “Make America Skilled Again” grant funding and open pathways to tech apprenticeships on Guam.

Finally, Congressman Moylan asks how U.S. DOL and other federal partners can work with Guam's leaders to rebuild America’s maritime industry, especially in the area of ship repair. 

“We’ll be working with every state, every Congressman in order to address this, and you’ll see me in Guam,” said Chavez-Deremer. 

In a release following the hearing, Moylan stated, “I’m encouraged to hear that Secretary Chavez Deremer plans to visit Guam. It is critical that federal leaders see our challenges and opportunities firsthand, and I look forward to continuing this dialogue back home."