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Bordallo raises territories’ fiscal stability during natural resources hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo raised issues with fiscal stability in Guam and the other U.S. territories during a hearing of the House Committee on Natural Resources regarding the debt crisis in Puerto Rico. Congresswoman Bordallo expressed her hope that any legislative effort to address the fiscal crisis in Puerto Rico would also address challenges in the other territories.
Specifically, Bordallo raised the need to address challenges with the Government of Guam’s Retirement Fund and her bill to give GovGuam flexibility in extending the Social Security program to government employees. Congresswoman Bordallo introduced H.R. 3642 to assist the Guam Legislature in their efforts to reform the GovGuam retirement plan. She also raised the need for federal cover over for the Earned Income Tax Credit and an improved Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid in the territories.
“As Congressional leadership and the Obama Administration work toward a bill to assist Puerto Rico with their debt crisis, I believe that challenges in Guam and the other territories should also be addressed. The situation in Puerto Rico requires action, and we must be proactive to prevent similar circumstances in the other territories. Specifically, my bill to give flexibility in extending Social Security to GovGuam employees, as well as our collective efforts to obtain cover-over for the EITC and increased FMAP for Medicaid, would help to avoid a Puerto Rico-like situation from happening. I also believe that it is important to consider proposals that would include COFA migrants in Medicaid as well as ways to mitigate the impacts of compact migrants on local social programs. Addressing these matters would go a long way to helping our local treasuries and investing in our future. I hope that these proposals will be considered as part of the overall package, and I will continue to advocate heavily for Guam’s inclusion in any Puerto Rico relief package.”
