[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 171 (Thursday, November 19, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE ORGANIC ACT OF GUAM ELECTION REFORM ACT OF 2015

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                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2015

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to 
amend the Organic Act of Guam to prohibit salary changes for the 
Governor of Guam, the Lieutenant Governor of Guam, and Senators of the 
Guam Legislature until after a general election of the Legislature has 
passed. My bill also removes the federally mandated five-year residency 
requirement for individuals to run for governor, lieutenant governor, 
and senator of the Guam Legislature, and gives the authority to set 
this requirement to local policymakers and the people of Guam.
  The Organic Act of Guam establishes the framework of the Government 
of Guam and, among others, provides for qualifications and manner of 
elections of the Governor of Guam, the Lieutenant Governor of Guam and 
members of the Guam Legislature. Currently the Organic Act is silent on 
provisions regarding changes in salary for the Governor, Lt. Governor, 
or local Guam Legislature and changes can be made and implemented at 
any time simply by changing local law. Over the past several months, 
local policymakers and the people of Guam have debated pay increases 
that were proposed and instituted shortly after last year's general 
election. While I believe that these issues are up to local 
policymakers, and ultimately the people of Guam to decide, the Organic 
Act should provide safeguards regarding salaries for these elected 
officials that will prevent divisiveness in our community. The bill 
that I am introducing today would prevent the Governor, Lt. Governor, 
and Senators from increasing their salaries until after an intervening 
election of the Legislature has occurred. This is similar to the 27th 
Amendment to the Constitution that prohibits Members of Congress from 
increasing their pay until after an intervening election, and it is 
consistent with a request made by the Guam Legislature for me to 
introduce an amendment to the Organic Act for this purpose.
  Additionally, the bill I am introducing will make it easier for 
individuals to participate in Guam elections by removing the federally-
mandated five-year residency requirement for individuals to run for 
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Senator, and placing this authority 
with local Guam law. I believe that we should provide for greater 
opportunities to participate in government, and that the qualifications 
for local elected offices should be vested in the laws of Guam. Placing 
a federal mandate on the qualifications for Guam's Governor, Lt. 
Governor, and Senators ignores Guam's political maturity and is 
contrary to the ideals of our representative democracy. These decisions 
should be made by local policymakers and the people of Guam, not the 
U.S. Congress. The bill also puts Guam on equal footing with most of 
America, where state laws, not federal mandates, govern who can run for 
local elected offices.
  This bill is a step towards improving accountability for elected 
officials on Guam and encourages more participation in our government. 
The bill is also consistent with public opinion in Guam and the views 
expressed by the Guam Legislature. I encourage its adoption and urge my 
colleague to pass this legislation.

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