Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Administering Federal Programs in America’s Territories

Authors

Grace T. Kelly, American University Washington College of Law

Document Type

Response or Comment

Publication Date

2025

Journal

American University Administrative Law Review

Volume

77

Issue

1

Abstract

It is already tomorrow in Hagåtña, Guam, fourteen time zones from Washington, D.C. When the federal government’s work week starts in the nation’s capital on Monday, it is almost Tuesday in Guam. Territorial governments may especially feel this temporal disconnect when executive agencies administer federal programs in the U.S. territories. Throughout its history, the United States has maintained numerous territories and possessions, but today, five remain: Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and Guam. Additionally, there are three Freely Associated States (FAS): the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Recommended Citation

Kelly, Grace T., "Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Administering Federal Programs in America’s Territories" (2025). Celebrating WCL Student Authors. 58.
https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/stusch_lawrev/58