The Governor of the US Virgin Islands, Albert A. Bryan Jr, has confirmed he will not pursue legal action against the 36th Legislature’s efforts to roll back his salary increase. Photo: VIC

Speaking with the Consortium on Friday, June 27, 2025, Mr Bryan publicly stated for the first time that he will not challenge the Senate's plan to override his veto of Bill No. 36-0085, signaling what may be the final chapter in a controversy that has dominated public discourse and overshadowed his other policy priorities.

Bill No. 36-0085, sponsored by Senator Alma Francis Heyliger, aims to rescind salary increases previously granted to Governor Bryan, Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach, and cabinet-level officials. Although Mr Bryan has repeatedly argued that retroactively reversing approved compensation raises presents constitutional issues and undermines fundamental employment principles, he now says he intends to move on from the dispute.

'Legislature’s action is personal'- Gov Bryan

Still, the governor maintains that the Legislature’s action is personal in nature. He is asking lawmakers to clarify key inconsistencies in their approach.

“The interesting thing here is that it is personal,” said the governor. “If they override the bill and set my salary back to the code, doesn’t that mean that now all commissioners must be paid according to the code, which is between $85k-$97k, and why aren’t the judges reverted back to their last salary in the code as well? If it’s not retaliation, then why does the bill specifically speak to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor and no one else? Why is one office being singled out and the other branch (judiciary) get to set their own salary?"

Despite his frustration, Mr Bryan stressed his readiness to shift focus to more pressing matters. “I'm not going to court, but they need to explain what the overriding of the bill means. I'm confused,” he said.