Senator Amanda Shelton is in Washington D.C. this week to advocate for the passage of Congressman Michael San Nicolas’s H.R. 1365, which is scheduled for a vote by the U.S. House of Representatives early next week.
H.R. 1365 would provide the necessary appropriation for war claims to finally be paid to the island’s manåmko’.
Senator Shelton introduced Resolution 36-35 earlier this year in support of H.R. 1365, which passed unanimously in the Guam Legislature.
According to a news release, Shelton had the opportunity to discuss the resolution with members of Congress and asked for their support of H.R. 1365.
Shelton spoke personally with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and other members of Congress and key supporters of the bill.
Additionally, Shelton said she urged members to ask their colleagues to support H.R. 1365.
Shelton also met with delegates of the territories to ask for their assistance in rallying support for H.R. 1365.
According to Shelton, she received positive feedback from each of these discussions to see the bill through.
Because of this, Shelton told the Phill Leon Guerrero show on NewsTalk K57 in a long-distance phone call that she is confident that H.R. 1365 will pass when it goes through the full House next week.
Shelton said she also took the opportunity to advocate for Guam war claims with congressional leaders who attended Guam’s 75th Liberation festivities in Washington D.C. throughout the week.
“There was no better time to advocate for Guam than when members of Congress joined us this week to commemorate Guam’s 75th Liberation, while already listening to Chamorro voices and our traumatic history of wartime experiences. These collective efforts coupled with a united front from all of Guam’s leaders are truly the best hope for our people,” Shelton said.
She added: “I would like to thank Congressman San Nicolas, his predecessors and all the people who have worked over the last 75 years for this recognition and compensation.”
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