By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Sen. William A. Parkinson has introduced a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to grant the people of Guam full representation in the U.S. Senate by providing for the election of a senator from Guam.
“The people of Guam are proud U.S. citizens who serve in our armed forces at one of the highest rates in the nation. Yet, we have been denied full representation in Congress,” Parkinson said. “This resolution is a clear statement that we will no longer accept second-class status when it comes to our fundamental rights as Americans.”
Currently, Guam has only a non-voting delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives and no representation in the Senate. Americans living on Guam are also unable to vote for the U.S. president. Policies and constitutional applications for Guam and other U.S. territories are still guided by century-old Supreme Court rulings, which have become collectively known as Insular Cases.
Parkinson said the territory’s lack of vote in Congress leaves the island’s residents without a voice in critical federal decisions that impact their daily lives, including military funding, infrastructure investments, healthcare policy and economic development initiatives.
“The U.S. Senate is responsible for confirming key executive appointments, approving treaties, and shaping the laws that govern the country. The people of Guam, who are fully subject to federal law, deserve a seat at the table,” Parkinson said.
The senator noted that Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico previously advocated for Senate representation through the election of shadow senators. He said Guam could take the same route to push its advocacy.
The District of Columbia, despite its population exceeding that of some states, lacks full voting representation in Congress. In response, the district has elected two shadow senators since 1990, following the passage of the District of Columbia Statehood Constitutional Convention Initiative of 1980. The initiative led to the drafting of a state constitution and the creation of shadow congressional positions to lobby for D.C.'s interests in Congress.
The shadow senators—who are not officially recognized by the U.S. Senate—advocate for full voting representation for D.C. until such a time as the question of self-determination is settled.
While many supporters of D.C. statehood see the shadow senator role as part of the broader statehood movement, the position itself is focused on securing full congressional voting rights for D.C. residents, whether through statehood or other means of representation.
The first individuals to serve in these roles, Jesse Jackson and Florence Pendleton, worked to raise national awareness about the disenfranchisement of D.C. residents.
Today, shadow senators continue to push for full representation, ensuring that D.C. residents have a voice in Congress.
Puerto Rico has similarly sought representation through the election of shadow senators. Following the island legislature’s approval of the Puerto Rico Admission Act of 2017, the territorial government created a commission to advocate for statehood and representation in Congress. This included the selection of two shadow senators and five shadow representatives, modeled after D.C.’s approach.
These shadow officials have since worked to engage with federal lawmakers and advance Puerto Rico’s case for statehood, underscoring the legitimacy of territories seeking equal representation in the U.S. government.
While the ultimate political status of Puerto Rico remains a matter of self-determination, the role of shadow senators serves as a mechanism for amplifying Puerto Rico’s demands for greater representation in the federal government.
“Guam has been loyal to the United States for generations. It’s time for the United States to show that same loyalty to us by ensuring our voices are heard where it matters most—on the floor of the U.S. Senate,” Parkinson said.
“I want to make it clear: I am putting Guam first,” Parkinson said.
“For too long, decisions about our island have been made without us. We deserve a Senator who can fight for our needs, our rights, and our future, just like every other American.”
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