H.R. 157House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Guam Supplemental Security Income Equality Act

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Updated February 7, 2026 at 9:01 PM UTC

The Guam Supplemental Security Income Equality Act would expand the federal Supplemental Security Income program to cover residents of Guam. By changing the law’s language, it treats Guam like a U.S. state for SSI eligibility and lets the Social Security Commissioner adjust program rules to suit Guam’s needs. The changes would take effect about a year after the bill is enacted.

Key Provisions

Amends the Social Security Amendments of 1972 to remove Guam from the list of places excluded from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, effectively extending SSI coverage to Guam.
Updates the definition of "state" in the Social Security Act to include Guam alongside the Virgin Islands, and adjusts other geographic references so that Guam is treated as part of the United States for SSI purposes.
Gives the Commissioner of Social Security authority to waive or modify SSI statutory requirements in Guam as needed to fit local conditions.
Sets the law’s effective date to the first day of the first federal fiscal year that begins at least one year after the bill becomes law.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Social Security Subcommittee

January 4, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 4, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Ways and Means Committee

January 4, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Social Security Subcommittee

January 4, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 4, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 157

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2021

Mr. San Nicolas (for himself, Mr. Cárdenas, Miss González-Colón, Ms. Plaskett, Mr. Sablan, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Trone, Mr. McGovern, Mrs. Murphy of Florida, Mr. Khanna, and Ms. Barragán) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL

To extend the supplemental security income program to Guam.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Guam Supplemental Security Income Equality Act.

Extension of the supplemental security income program to Guam

(a)

In general

Section 303(b) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972 (86 Stat. 1484) is amended by striking , Guam,.

(b)

Conforming amendments

(1)

Definition of state

Section 1101(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1301(a)(1)) is amended in the 5th sentence by striking , the Virgin Islands, and Guam each place it appears and inserting and the Virgin Islands.

(2)

Guam included in geographic meaning of United States

Section 1614(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382c(e)) is amended by striking and the District of Columbia and inserting , the District of Columbia, and Guam.

(c)

Waiver Authority

The Commissioner of Social Security may waive or modify any statutory requirement relating to the provision of benefits under the Supplemental Security Income Program under title XVI of the Social Security Act in Guam, to the extent that the Commissioner deems it necessary in order to adapt the program to the needs of Guam.

(d)

Effective date

This section and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the 1st day of the 1st Federal fiscal year that begins 1 year or more after the date of the enactment of this Act.