WASHINGTON, D.C. — Guam Congressman James Moylan is co-leading bipartisan legislation that would require the federal government to reimburse military reservists for rental car expenses incurred when traveling more than 150 miles from their permanent residence to attend required training.
The bill, H.R. 7593, known as the Reserve Forces Travel Fairness Act, would cover reimbursement for the full period of required training as well as a travel day immediately before or after the duty period. The Department of Defense would be directed to update its travel policies within 180 days of enactment to implement the change.
For reservists based in Guam, the legislation carries particular relevance. The island’s geographic isolation and limited transportation options near certain training locations can leave service members with no practical alternative but to rent a vehicle, paying those costs out of pocket simply to report for duty.
“We expect our reservists to maintain the same standards of readiness as active-duty forces,” Moylan said. “When they are ordered to travel long distances for mandatory training, the system should fully support that requirement. This bill ensures policy aligns with the operational demands we place on our service members.”
Moylan said the added expenses place unnecessary financial strain on service members who are already balancing civilian careers, family responsibilities, and military obligations. He also framed the legislation in the context of Guam’s growing strategic importance, noting that strengthening the island’s Reserve forces supports broader U.S. defense readiness in the Indo-Pacific.
