Governor: Guam Prepares as Federal Government Enters Shutdown

Hagåtña, Guam - Governor Lou Leon Guerrero today issued the following statement regarding the federal government shutdown:

"We have been here before. And like every storm, natural or man-made, we will weather it together.

As Congress has failed to reach an agreement on a budget, the federal government has entered a shutdown. Federally defined essential services-such as national defense and emergency response-will continue uninterrupted. However, the scope and severity of the impact on Guam's local government and our community will depend on both the length of the shutdown and the availability of prior-year funding that allows some federal programs to continue operating as normal.

In anticipation of this shutdown, I instructed all line agencies to review and prepare contingency plans to ensure the continuity of critical government functions and minimize disruptions to our personnel. As we receive clearer guidance from our federal partners, we will provide timely updates to the people of Guam. At this stage, the situation remains fluid.

I urge leaders in both parties to approach this moment in good faith and work together to find a shared way forward. The American people, including those of Guam, deserve stability and certainty, not disruption. We hope for a swift resolution so that our families, our workers, and our community can be spared the unnecessary hardships that a prolonged shutdown may bring."

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