CONGRESSMAN MOYLAN CALLS ON U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO SUPPORT GUAM'S CONTRACTORS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

(Washington, D.C.) During a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing today with U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Congressman Moylan urged for federal action to address longstanding economic and workforce disparities impacting Guam. His testimony focused on strengthening the island's role in national defense, economic resilience, and workforce readiness.

Congressman Moylan strongly advocated for Guam to be re-exempted from the Defense Base Act (DBA) requirements, aligning with the 50 states and Washington, D.C. The DBA imposes roughly 25% in added operational costs on businesses working with the Department of Defense in Guam, discouraging small business participation and stifling economic growth. Guam was exempt from the DBA until 2020, and Congressman Moylan is advocating to restore that exemption so local contractors can compete fairly.

"If we want to support small businesses and strengthen our defense posture in the Pacific, we must level the playing field. That starts with repealing unnecessary barriers like the DBA so that our local contractors can compete without being burdened by red tape," said Congressman Moylan.

In response to Moylan's concerns about the DBA, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer stated, "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."

Congressman Moylan emphasized the importance of expanding apprenticeship programs in technology and telecommunications to prepare island residents for the nation's growing demand for a tech workforce. Advocating for stronger federal partnerships, he called for revitalizing Guam's ship repair sector in line with the President's Executive Order on Restoring America's Maritime Dominance. He also emphasized Guam's strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific and urged federal investment in workforce training to enhance the island's maritime capabilities.

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer also expressed interest in engaging directly with Guam's workforce and business community, announcing plans to visit the island to better understand the labor challenges Guam is currently facing. Congressman Moylan welcomed the announcement, stating, "I'm encouraged to hear that Secretary Chavez De-Remer 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."

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