Governor Albert Bryan Jr. is in Washington, D.C., this week to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands at the National Governors Association’s annual Winter Meeting and the 2026 Interagency Group on Insular Areas Senior Plenary Session at the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The trip is focused on strengthening federal partnerships and advancing priorities tied to the territory’s recovery, economic stability, and long-term growth.
“Washington is where decisions are made that shape how fast we rebuild and how fairly the Virgin Islands is treated under federal policy,” Governor Bryan said. “We are going to make our case clearly and directly, because our recovery and our residents cannot afford delays, uncertainty, or unequal treatment.”
While in Washington, Governor Bryan will meet with White House Administration officials at the U.S. Department of State and the White House to press several key federal priorities, including H-2B visas for skilled construction workers to support recovery and rebuilding work and keep major projects moving, Medicaid equity to strengthen health care access and secure fair federal support, restoration of the de minimis exemption to avoid added costs tied to low-value shipments and routine imports that affect residents and local businesses, and the recent BVI charter yacht fee increases that threaten regional marine tourism and place new burdens on an industry that supports Virgin Islands jobs and small businesses.
Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach, Esq., will serve as Acting Governor while Governor Bryan is off island. Governor Bryan is scheduled to return to the territory on Feb. 28.
