As we close the new year and headed into 2015 and the inauguration of a new public officials, I thought it would be a good time to write about one Guam politician whose political future has been under much speculation over the past several months.
A part of what The Hill newspaper this week has described as "one of the most unproductive and least popular Congresses in history," Guam Delegate Madeline Bordallo fought for her political life and won during a cycle against one of the most divisive and least known candidates for the Island's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Not exactly a barnburner. When Congress gaveled for the final time, many critics noted that this past two-year period that will be remembered for its brinksmanship and lack of legislating-government shutdown and all.
Yes-MZB did finally get funding pushed ahead for the first part of the Pacific Pivot to Guam and loosened monies from the Japan Diet to move the III Marine Expeditionary Force to the U.S. Territory. She also bailed out local contractors fearful of the caps on H-Visas with the help of CNMI Delegate Gregorio Sablan. Killili's 11th hour capitulation on this important economic issue in the Northern Marianas comes as this Congress was wrestling with the heavy handed immigration executive order proffered last month by President Barack Obama. Gotta tip our hats to both for pulling this off. Were their other notable actions by Congresswoman Bordallo over the past two years? Guam opted out of ObamaCare. War Claims effectively was shelved. Education received a smidgen of help. A tough climate in Washington D.C. that saw a reduction of about 40 percent in federal monies to Guam in the past year alone. A new reality indeed.
What about the next two years for the Guam Delegate?
This Blogger believes a sensible approach to the Guam Buildup Program will dominate talks led by Congresswoman Bordallo. That will be plenty. Even a change in policy by our two-term Governor of Guam to focus on federal policy won't be enough to move Guam's most prolific politician from the head of the table to the sidelines until she is done with this term-some insiders conceding could be her last.
Bordallo will be 83 at the start of the next election cycle. The average age of those in the 113th Congress was among the highest in recent U.S. History-a mean age of 57. The 114th probably near that number. Age won't be an issue in two years, but longevity of service may. With 34 years in public service, many are asking if Bordallo should hang it up already. I think she has plenty of gas in her tank. When she is ready to step aside, the coronation of a replacement for her seat will make her the proverbial "King or Queen Maker" as she sails off into the sunset of political retirement.
Congresswoman Madeline Bordallo has surely earned her seventh term and her place in Guam's History Books. Look to the next two years for her to reiterate that, "we will always be neighbors, friends, and relatives and we will always share Guam as our common ground."