Contentious floor debate as Legislature moves vetoed hospital bill into voting file

The 37th Guam Legislature debated whether to move forward with a vetoed measure that would require any new hospital built under the Guam 21st Century Healthcare Center Act of 2021 to be constructed at Epau (EPOW) Point. Senator Thomas Barnett (author of the motion on the floor) moved to place the vetoed Bill 185 (37th Guam Legislature) into the voting file despite objections from the administration and others; that motion to place the bill into the voting file carried on the floor.

The floor debate was sharply divided. Supporters of placing the bill on the voting file — including Senator Barnett and other sponsors — said the Legislature had previously acted, that a Matrix Design Group study and testimony from medical staff supported Epau Point as the most viable and timely site, and that the governor had shifted funds originally promised for the project. Senator Barnett said, “We need a new hospital and we need it now,” and argued the Legislature was preserving its prior decision and holding the executive to account for promised funds.

Opponents argued that the governor retains authority to select a site and that overriding the veto could stall or complicate construction and jeopardize existing federal or administrative plans. Senator Tom Fisher warned the chamber, “The 37th Guam Legislature will go down in history as the legislature that delayed the construction of a new hospital for the people of Guam by 2 years,” and urged colleagues not to override the governor’s veto. Other senators argued an override would endanger funding, risk litigation, and intensify partisan disputes.

Speakers on both sides also raised related governance issues: claims of insufficient transparency, disagreements over whether the governor had invited legislators into discussions, concerns about potential condemnation of private land for alternative sites, and questions about which agency or funding vehicle (including GEDA/GURA and ARP funds) would execute land purchases and infrastructure work.

Procedural action recorded on the floor: Senator Barnett moved to place the vetoed bill into the voting file despite objections of MAGAHOGA (as recorded on the floor). The motion carried and the bill was placed on the voting file for a future vote. The transcript records extensive floor debate and speakers’ positions; it does not contain the final override roll‑call or a final signature in the provided excerpts.

Quotes from medical organizations and clinicians were cited by supporters: Senator Barnett summarized written testimony from medical staff and clinics including testimony from the president of medical staff at Guam Memorial Hospital underscoring provider proximity to the existing hospital as a reason to favor Epau Point.

Next steps: the vetoed bill was placed on the voting file, meaning the Legislature will consider an override vote on a future schedule; supporters and opponents both warned of legal and fiscal consequences if the dispute is not resolved cooperatively.