Republican Senator James Moylan staged a one-man demonstration outside the Guam Congress Building this morning to protest the failure of the Speaker to call a legislative session to provide local solutions to the economic impact of the coronavirus on Guam.
A session was scheduled to take place last week but was called off at the suggestion of the governor who said it would be premature to pass local relief laws that might duplicate the federal aid promised in the CARES Act.
However, Moylan maintains that federal relief is still weeks away.
“We understand that there is some federal money coming in, but there is some time that we have to wait for this to happen. But in the meantime, our people are out of jobs. Our people are wondering how to make payments. Our people are wondering how to buy food for their families. So I want to bring this to the attention of our body, the 35th Guam Legislature to say let’s have session immediately,” Moylan said.
Harold Cruz, a G4S employee, expressed support for the senator’s stance and urged lawmakers to get down to business.
“It’s a matter of survival now. It’s desperate times … people are getting very very desperate and the legislature needs to step in and get to work. They need to get off their butts and get to work. That’s the bottom line,” Cruz said.
He added: “The people are hurting. The people are crying. We need your help. We need your help. Please.”
Speaker Tina Muna Barnes met with some of her fellow lawmakers today to discuss the measures that will be discussed at the emergency session planned for this week.
She declined to set a date and time. But as soon as they’re ready, session can be convened within a few hours, she said.
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