Press Releases
March 18, 2010
President Obama Postpones Trip to Asia to Ensure Final Passage of Health Care Reform
Congresswoman Bordallo announced today that the President has postponed his trip to Guam, Indonesia, and Australia, until June of this year. President Obama will remain in Washington to participate in final negotiations on the health care reform legislation. A final vote on the bill is expected to take place in the House sometime this weekend. According to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, the President wanted to be sure that he was present in Washington to help as needed to secure the bill’s passage and sign it into law as soon as possible.
However, Congresswoman Bordallo has been informed that Nancy Sutley, Chair of the President’s Council on Environmental Quality, will still travel to Guam for discussions and meetings with local leaders.
“This decision underlines the President’s commitment to ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care, including those in the territories,” Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. “Although I am disappointed in the announcement that he will delay his visit, I understand the historic importance of needing to pass health care reform and appreciate his continued leadership to ensure the territories are included in the bill. I will continue to work with the White House over the coming months to ensure his visit in June is a success. However, I appreciate the President’s commitment to remain focused on the military build-up and I look forward to Nancy Sutley’s visit. Her visit will be important for high-level Administration officials to better understand the impacts that the military build-up will have on our community.”