Letter To The Editor: Prioritizing Unity And Service Over Petty Power Grabs

BY TINA MUNA BARNES
Senator of the 38th Guam Legislature

It’s disheartening that instead of writing about efforts to care for our families, this letter will focus on the petty side of politics. But I find it necessary to weigh in on the ongoing impasse between the six Democrat senators who make up the minority of the 38th Guam Legislature.

Over the course of several weeks, we have not found a candidate to serve as our Minority Leader. While I was happy to let this process, frustrating as it is, be resolved internally - I was disappointed to see members of our caucus mislead the public and media on how we found ourselves in this position.

As the longest serving member of the Legislature, I submitted myself for consideration, hoping that my efforts could help to advance the policies and priorities of all six Democrats in our caucus. The former Speaker expressed interest as well, leading to a 3-3 split that has not changed.

As a practical matter in the Legislature, the role of Minority Leader is largely ceremonial. It does come with extra media attention and prestige, but the reason I have refused to support the former Speaker for this role is, while there aren’t many Legislative powers attached, being the Minority Leader is rooted in important democratic principles.

First, the Minority Leader must be willing to advocate for all six of us in the caucus. Over the course of her legislative career, the former Speaker has lied to and lied about Democrat members of the Legislature. She has also torpedoed bills from Democrats she personally did not agree with, by refusing to hear and report them out of her committee. It wouldn’t be right to let someone lead a caucus knowing they are not willing to put aside their personal feelings to support everyone in the Minority.

The Minority Leader must also be able to work well with our colleagues across the aisle, if only to secure the minimum two votes necessary to pass a bill through our body - four, should the bill need to survive a veto from the Governor. As one of two Democrats serving in the Committee on Rules, as a member of eight of our nine standing committees, and as the only Democrat to serve as a Vice Chairperson of a standing committee, I feel better positioned to aid Democrat efforts in this term.

Lastly, a key job of any Minority Leader is to secure a majority in the next legislative term. Considering the former speaker was the top Democrat in the Legislature presiding over our party’s first loss in nearly 20 years, her record does not inspire confidence that she will rebuild our reputation and trust with Guam’s people. Personally, I also find it hard to believe she will be able to recruit the talent necessary to build a competitive slate of senatorial candidates for the 39th Guam Legislature.

Contrary to the statements made by one of our most inexperienced members, our selection of Minority Leader should be considered on these fundamental duties - not based on popularity or polling.

A single person’s popularity doesn’t translate to majority support in a deliberative body. One person’s favorable polling doesn’t trickle down to the rest of a senatorial slate. If anything, being the Minority Leader should go to the person who is the best team player - not the player trying to hog the spotlight.

This impasse, however, does raise a few practical concerns for how the Legislature does business. In consultation with the Committee on Rules, I will be introducing resolutions to amend our Standing Rules to prevent any delays in important decisions that must be made. These resolutions will allow, should the Minority Leader position be vacant, for expenditures to be approved and for Democrat members to be appointed to the Committee on Ethics and Standards - the two substantive duties vested to the Minority Leader.

And should this solution to the two practical concerns not be enough for the three members of the minority still pushing for the former Speaker to regain some sense of power and prestige - I will gladly withdraw my name from consideration for the Minority Leader, and support a candidate who will ardently support all six Democrats in this term, who will focus on regaining the majority, and who will prioritize caring for our people over petty power grabs.

(Sen. Tina Rose Muña Barnes is currently serving her tenth term in the Guam Legislature. She began her public service more than 40 years ago.)

Letter To The Editor: Prioritizing Unity And Service Over Petty Power Grabs