Territorial delegates close ranks to boost representation in Congress
- Admin
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Territorial delegates have formed a congressional panel, creating a unified platform to help shape federal policy decisions affecting the U.S. territories.
Guam Del. James Moylan said the Congressional Territories & Commonwealths Caucus for the 119th Congress will focus on strengthening federal policies, improving program access and elevating the visibility of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“This is our way of ensuring our colleagues across Congress better understand the unique needs and challenges facing America’s island jurisdictions,” Moylan said.
“Whether it’s healthcare access, infrastructure, cost of living,
or federal program parity, our voices are stronger when we speak together.”
Moylan co-founded and co-chairs the caucus with Puerto Rico's resident commissioner, Pablo José Hernández. Reps. Kimberly King-Hinds of the
CNMI, Aumua Amata Radewagen of American Samoa, and Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands are also on board.
While they can introduce legislation, debate issues, and participate in the committee-level proceedings, they are not full members of Congress. They cannot vote on final measures on the House floor and are not counted for quorum.
The territorial caucus, now officially registered as a congressional member organization, aims to amplify the delegates' collective voice to expand access to federal programs and ensure that every U.S. territory and commonwealth is included in federal policymaking.
“We formed this bipartisan caucus to bring greater attention and structure to the federal issues affecting the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and U.S. territories,” Hernandez said.
“This effort is about responsible governance and making sure that Puerto Rico and U.S. territories have a clear voice in Congress,” he added.
King-Hinds noted that the CNMI and other territories face shared challenges and opportunities. “This caucus gives us a united platform to push for progress,” she added.
Radewagen said the caucus will strengthen long-standing cooperation among
the islands.
“Many of our best successes have come from working together in unity on shared priorities, and that cooperation is strengthened even further when our colleagues step forward as friends of the territories,” she said.
“This caucus is another excellent avenue to draw needed attention to our efforts and help our colleagues understand how they can support the islands,” she added.
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