Gootnick is the GAO director of international affairs and trade while Friberg is the assistant director and senior economist of international affairs and trade.
The two will assess the adequacy of federal funds provided to the government of Guam to assist with funding costs associated with providing services to migrants from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. The government of Guam receives $16.8 million annually in Compact-Impact aid.
The delegation will conduct a comprehensive study to evaluate the adequacy of current Compact-Impact assistance, review past expenses associated with Compact-Impact, and assess the quality of the reports associated with the direct and indirect impacts of Freely Associated States citizens residing on Guam.
Speaker Judi Won Pat said GAO intends to assess the enumeration methodology currently being used in the census count. Lawmakers told the visiting delegation that the $30 million shared among Guam and the CNMI just wasn’t enough.
Of extreme concern to lawmakers is the fact that in 2023, the Compact-Impact contract expires, but migration from the neighboring islands will continue despite the funding coming to an end.
According to Sen. Frank Blas Jr., Guam’s unreimbursed costs is at least $501 million and if the Earned Income Tax Credit, Section 8 and labor were included, it would total $1.2 billion.
Another concern lawmakers brought up was the plan by Arkansas, California and Oregon to tap into Compact Impact money since they have thousands of migrants from the FSM residing in their state.
Sen. Judi Guthertz said that in order for these states to dip into the money pot, Congress would have to make an amendment to the Compact-Impact document.
Guthertz also said that any changes to the Compact-Impact would have to come from the policy level in Washington.
Gootnick and Friberg said the report will be completed in the fall, but Gov. Eddie B. Calvo will be given the opportunity to submit his comments in the summer.
The fact-finding visit is the result of a joint request made to the GAO during the 111th Congress by Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, D-Guam.
The Compacts of Free Association between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau authorize admission of their respective citizens into the United States and waives visa requirements applicable to other countries.
The congresswoman was successful in increasing Compact-Impact funding from 2004 to 2023 through the enactment of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-188).
