While Guam is at risk of losing millions in federal funding under the proposed new supplemental appropriations, the territory’s delegate to the US Congress seems asleep at the wheel, Senator Chris Barnett said. “Who is fighting for Guam’s funding in Congress?” Barnett asked Guam Delegate James Moylan in a letter, which heavily criticised the congressman for a dearth of information from his office. “My primary concern is what Guam stands to lose, and that list continues to grow. How does your office justify these losses?” the Democratic senator added. The Republican-led US House of Representatives is set to vote this week on a stop gap measure to stave off a potential federal shutdown on 14 March and fund the government through 30 September. Opposed by House Democrats, the Republican bill would chop off US$13 billion in non-defence spending and bump the defence budget up by US$6 billion. Despite the forthcoming House action, Barnett said, Moylan has not clued Guam in on how the island will be affected by the Republicans’ push to slash federal spending and what actions his office has taken to rescue the imperiled appropriations for the territory. “Did you remain silent during these critical discussions, simply following the decisions of the majority?” Barnett asked the Republican delegate. “The lack of updates from your office regarding the appropriations bill is deeply troubling. Our community deserves transparency and direct answers from you—your silence is deafening.” While acknowledging the Trump administration’s resolve to shrink the federal bureaucracy, the senator reminded Moylan that his duty as Guam’s delegate to Congress “is to challenge these cuts when they negatively impact our community.” Funds at stake include US$2 million for the Guam Police Department’s vehicles, US$6 million for the Guam Customs & Quarantine Agency’s equipment, as well as allotments for Mobile Command Centres for both agencies and an ambulance for the Guam Fire Department, among others. Two of the Department of Justice’s key programmes—the State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance and the Community Oriented Policing Services—are likely to be scrapped as well. “Cutting funding to these programs is like placing handcuffs on our officers, denying them the necessary resources needed to effectively ensure the safety of our communities,” Barnett said. “These cuts are not merely abstract budget decisions; they carry real and immediate consequences for the safety and well-being of our people.” Without action from the delegate’s office, Guam would forfeit vital resources, Barnett said. He noted that Moylan trumpeted his “success in securing federal funding for Guam” during his first term in office and during his reelection campaign. “However, these funds are now at risk of being cut,” Barnett said. “We need leadership, advocacy and action—now.” Moylan’s office has yet to respond to the Pacific Island Times’ request for comment.