Speaker Judi Won Pat said this visit was heartening because the two congressmen are in favor of the buildup.
Palazzo just started his term and has been in Congress for eight months. He is a member of the Tea Party, said Won Pat.
“Congressman Wittman said there is a lot going on nationally with the deficit reduction and the biggest cuts will be made in defense, but he feels that it’s very important America still maintains its presence in the Pacific,” said Won Pat.
She said Palazzo sounded supportive of the buildup, “which was surprising to me since he is a member of the Tea Party.”
Won Pat said Palazzo shared with lawmakers he was “here to learn.”
Wittman said although the House supported the buildup, the Senate might take a very different position.
Won Pat said this could happen since Sens. John McCain, R-Az., Carl Levin, D-Mi., and Jim Webb, D-Va., are pushing for new proposals regarding the buildup.
Won Pat said she impressed upon the two congressmen that Guam understands and sympathizes with the United States’ debt issue.
“I [told] them that although tourism and the military are what drive our economy, we don’t want the United States to think that we’re not sympathetic; we don’t want to come across that we’re begging and we’re not sympathetic to their needs.”
“I told them we want to be able to help ourselves financially and economically, but it’s restrictions that hold us back from the ability to do so,” said Won Pat.
Won Pat also brought up the China-Russia visa waiver program and asked the two to assist Guam in acquiring the waiver.
Won Pat said Wittman liked the idea and said some congressmen were thinking of lifting some of the restrictions in some of the states. This would allow states to pass legislation that would allow them “to help themselves.”
Both congressmen agreed their colleagues should visit Guam to fully understand the debate in Washington.
Governor Calvo and senior policy advisor Arthur Clark discussed the military buildup, war reparations and the federal budget situation.
The three members of the House Armed Services Committee included Guam on their four-country tour to review Asia-Pacific regional security and strategic concerns.
“I thank Congressmen Wittman and Palazzo for visiting Guam to get a better understanding of issues impacting our island. I am confident they will return to Congress with helpful information on the importance of Guam’s strategic location in the Pacific. Their visit gave them the opportunity to experience firsthand the opportunities and challenges unique to our island. Our meetings with local leaders and military officials were very informative. I appreciate that, during the visit, Chairman Wittman reaffirmed the House’s bipartisan support for the military buildup,” said Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, who accompanied the two congressmen on their visit to the island.
