Guam – An eight month problem only revealed this afternoon means more waiting for survivors and heirs who are eligible for long-overdue war reparations.
The revelation was made by Congressman Mike San Nicolas on Newstalk K-57. Calling from Washington, D.C. ahead of a rescheduled Facebook live event on the matter—the freshman delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives said news of the delay came directly from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which claims it cannot pay out any approved claims due to deficiencies in the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act: the federal law that created a pathway and identified a funding source to finally pay reparations to those who suffered and died during the Japanese occupation of the island from 1941 to 1944.
But the stumbling block shouldn’t be news to everyone.
Congressman San Nicolas claims his predecessor Madeleine Bordallo and her office were informed of the problem and needed solution since May of last year. Federal authorities advise yet another act of Congress will be needed before any war survivor or heir can receive a war claims check. San Nicolas admits this could amount to a “significant” delay in the payment process.
For more information on the set backs to war reparations, residents can tune into Congressman Mike San Nicolas’ first Facebook live press conference—scheduled for 7:30 a.m. (local time) Wednesday.
