The Guam Legislature on Jan. 9, 2026, adopted Resolution No. 132‑38 COR reaffirming the body’s call for a moratorium on commercial deep‑sea mining and formally objecting to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) request for information on potential leasing offshore the Northern Mariana Islands. The measure passed the recorded roll call vote with 14 yays and one excused.

Sponsor Senator Teresa M. Turlahi, who introduced the resolution and asked that it be advanced to third reading, said the measure responds to BOEM’s RFI and the short federal comment window. "With BOEM's comment deadline extended only until January 12, it is crucial that we send today a clear, timely message of opposition," Turlahi said, summarizing testimony and written comments submitted to the Legislature and BOEM.

The resolution and floor remarks emphasized testimony from legal and scientific experts, cultural leaders and community organizations who, according to sponsors, described BOEM’s approach as legally and scientifically deficient. Floor statements cited ecological risks including damage to coral reefs and fisheries, sediment plumes that could travel hundreds of miles, threats to marine mammals and undersea infrastructure, and potential harm to cultural practices tied to the ocean. Sponsor remarks also said testimony showed no demonstrated local economic benefit for Guam and pointed to broad regional opposition from Pacific island governments.

Several senators spoke in support during the emergency session. A senator speaking from the Momoto delegation stated plainly: "We do not consent," framing the vote as a matter of local consent and cultural survival. Other speakers urged unity across the Marianas and the broader Pacific, and called on residents and stakeholders to submit comments to BOEM and Congress by the RFI deadline.

The resolution instructs the Legislature to formally object to BOEM’s RFI and to transmit its position to the President, U.S. Congress, the Department of the Interior, and BOEM. Lawmakers also urged coordination with the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and other Pacific nations and encouraged community organizations and residents to submit comments by Jan. 12, 2026.

Procedural actions during the emergency session included adoption of the day's agenda, several waivers of non‑essential agenda items to focus the floor on the resolution, the addition of cosponsors, and a roll‑call vote held in third reading. The clerk read the resolution title and listed the introduced and cosponsoring senators before the recorded vote.

The Legislature adopted the resolution 14–0 with one excused. The session adjourned immediately after the vote.

Next steps indicated on the floor included the transmittal of the resolution and continued public outreach to submit comments to BOEM before the Jan. 12 deadline. No implementing local ordinance or binding regulatory change was enacted in the session; the action is a formal expression of the Legislature’s position and a request that federal decision‑makers and regional partners heed Guam’s opposition.