Moylan Presses Defense Secretary Hegseth on Guam Housing, Workforce Support, and Infrastructure Priorities

(Washington, D.C.) Congressman James Moylan today pressed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on several priorities affecting Guam during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, including implementation of civilian workforce housing allowances, pressure on Guam’s housing market, support for the island’s power infrastructure, and recognition of three Guam servicemembers for the Medal of Honor.

The Congressman first pressed for implementation of Living Quarters Allowances (LQA) for Department of Defense civilian employees on Guam, a provision he secured in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act to strengthen recruitment and retention of the island’s civilian defense workforce. 

Secretary Hegseth reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to implementing the provision on the previously announced timeline, stating, “we need to stick with it…we are committed to that,” and recognized that compensation in unique locations, like Guam must reflect local housing and cost-of-living realities.

Congressman Moylan also highlighted increasing demands on Guam’s power grid as defense activity expands. In response, the Secretary pointed to Department investments in installation energy resilience, including funding for small modular reactors to strengthen preparedness at forward locations such as Guam.

The Congressman further raised concerns about housing affordability for local families as buildup continues on island. Secretary Hegseth noted the Department’s request for “$4.5 billion for family housing” in the FY2027 budget and efforts to accelerate delivery through greater private-sector participation. He also underscored Guam’s strategic importance to the nation’s defense posture, pointing to “almost a billion for the Guam defense system” as part of broader investments strengthening the Indo-Pacific defense umbrella.

“As Guam continues to play a central role in our nation’s defense posture in the Indo-Pacific, it is critical that federal planning keeps pace with the realities facing our community,” said Congressman Moylan. “I will continue pressing the Department to follow through on workforce support, housing affordability, and infrastructure needs as these investments move ahead on our island.”

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