[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 4181-4182]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE ORGANIC ACT OF GUAM REFORM ACT OF 2017

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                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 13, 2017

  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. During last year's election, the people of Guam made clear that 
they disapproved of salary changes made in previous years for the 
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and members of our Legislature, and my 
bill would ensure that any changes to the salaries of our local elected 
officials are appropriately deliberated and considered consistent with 
how Congress handles these matters.
  The Organic Act of Guam establishes the framework of the Government 
of Guam but it is silent on provisions regarding changes in salary for 
the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or members of the local Guam 
Legislature. Changes can be made and implemented at anytime simply by 
changing local law, and this has caused division in our community. Over 
the past several years, local policymakers and the people of Guam have 
debated pay increases that were proposed and instituted shortly after 
the 2014 general election. While I believe that these issues are up to 
local policymakers, and ultimately the people of Guam

[[Page 4182]]

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, Lieutenant 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.
  This bill is a step towards improving accountability for elected 
officials in Guam and is 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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