Congressman James Moylan announced on Mar. 16 that he is expanding a coalition in Congress to support the establishment of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office on Guam. Moylan recently sent a letter to the VA, joined by 16 Members of Congress, urging the agency to create a Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office on the island.
The push for a regional office comes as more than 20,000 veterans living in Guam currently rely on services from a VA office located nearly 4,000 miles away in Hawaii. This distance requires many veterans to navigate time zone differences and often results in late-night calls and long wait times for assistance with claims and benefits.
Moylan said this latest effort builds upon progress made last year when language supporting expanded VA services for Guam was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. However, that measure did not require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an office on Guam.
“Last year we took an important first step by securing language in the MilCon-VA appropriations bill recognizing the need for a stronger VA presence on Guam,” said Congressman Moylan. “Today we are building on that progress by bringing together a renewed coalition of Members who support establishing a VA Regional Office on Guam.”
Moylan plans to introduce new legislation mandating that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs set up an office on Guam. He has also received commitments from leaders of both the House Appropriations Committee and House Veterans’ Affairs Committee to help advance this proposal.
“Adding 16 Members to this effort shows that momentum is growing in Congress,” Moylan added. “But we will not stop here. I will continue working with my colleagues and committee leadership until our veterans in Guam finally have the direct access to VA services they deserve.”
Establishing a local regional office would allow veterans across Guam and throughout the Pacific region easier access to benefits, reduce delays, and improve opportunities for face-to-face assistance.
