Editing Politics of Guam (section)

== Debate over political status ==
Maintenance of the status quo vis-à-vis the current political relationship between the territory and the United States is controversial. There is a significant movement in favor of the Territory becoming a [[commonwealth (United States insular area)|commonwealth]], which would give it a political status similar to [[Puerto Rico]] and the [[Northern Mariana Islands]]. 

Competing movements exist, which advocate [[Chamorro Nation|political independence from the United States]], statehood, or a combination with the Northern Mariana Islands as a single territory (not necessarily commonwealth). [[Therese M. Terlaje]], Speaker of the [[Legislature of Guam]], indicated support in 2018 for holding a plebiscite to allow Guamians to vote for their favored political status.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Letman |first=Jon |date=2018-11-17 |title=Historic Wave of Women Candidates Sweep to Power on Guam |url=https://truthout.org/articles/historic-wave-of-women-candidates-sweep-to-power-on-guam/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Truthout |language=en-US |quote="Terlaje sees achieving self-determination an urgent mandate, calling educating the public for a plebiscite “our biggest challenge, our most immediate challenge and one that we can actually accomplish. It’s a goal that we can meet in two years, I think,” expressing confidence that newly elected officials will fulfill promises to make a plebiscite a priority."}}</ref>

These proposals, however, are not seen as favorable by the U.S. federal government, which argues Guam does not have the financial stability or self-sufficiency to warrant such status. They cite Guam's increasing reliance on Federal spending as evidence, and question how commonwealth status or statehood would benefit the United States as a whole.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guam in Washington, 1972-Present: The Overlooked Strategic Implications of Congressional Polarization |url=https://jpia.princeton.edu/news/guam-washington-1972-present-overlooked-strategic-implications-congressional-polarization |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Journal of Public and International Affairs |language=en}}</ref>

A portion of the people on Guam favors a modified version of the current Territorial status, involving greater autonomy from the federal government (similar to the autonomy of individual States).  Perceived indifference by the U.S. Congress regarding a change-of-status petition submitted by Guam has led many to feel that the territory is being deprived of the benefits of a more equitable union with the United States.{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}}