Delegate Silent as House Armed Services Approves Nuclear Microreactor Program

Mary Camacho Torres

Congressional candidate Mary Camacho Torres today called for answers following a recent amendment to the FY27 NDAA passed by the House Armed Services Committee that would establish a nuclear microreactor pilot program for the Indo-Pacific region.

During committee debate, U.S. Rep Jill Tokuda of Hawaii raised concerns that Pacific Island communities, like Guam and Hawaii, could ultimately be considered for future deployment under the program. Tokuda questioned whether Pacific communities were once again being placed at the center of military initiatives without sufficient consideration of local impacts.

But while Guam was specifically referenced during the discussion, Delegate James Moylan remained silent, even after the chairman asked twice whether any other members wished to be recognized on the amendment.

According to committee proceedings, the amendment was submitted before markup and available for review prior to debate. Representative Tokuda clearly came prepared to address the potential implications for Pacific Island communities, including Guam.

“House Armed Services Committee markups are among the most consequential proceedings affecting Guam's military, economic, and strategic future. While we understand that the Delegate recently arrived from a congressionally funded trip to Europe, the people of Guam have every right to expect their lone voice in Congress to be fully prepared when issues like this are debated,” said Torres. “If Guam was potentially implicated by the language, residents deserve to know what actions were taken to protect Guam’s interests before the amendment reached the committee floor.”

Torres is asking the following questions: when did Delegate Moylan’s office first become aware of the amendment? What actions were taken before markup to raise or address potential concerns affecting Guam? And why were Guam’s concerns not publicly raised during committee debate, particularly after Representative Tokuda specifically identified Guam as a possible location for future deployment?

While Moylan ultimately voted against the amendment, Torres says the markup was an opportunity to question the language, defend Guam’s interests, and make clear on the record that our people will not be an afterthought.

“Representation is not just casting a vote. It is using every possible moment to advocate for our island,” Torres said. “Our delegate had a chance to make that position clear. Instead, he chose silence.”

Representative Tokuda’s exchange can be viewed in the House Armed Services Committee markup video (beginning at 3:09:46). Instagram

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