Guam State Clearinghouse - “Latest News”

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the conference report on H.R. 3288, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2010, which includes an appropriation of $737 million for military construction on Guam.

This is the full amount authorized by the Congress in Public Law 111-84, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. The legislation also contains funding for several priorities for Guam in fiscal year 2010.
The bill contains $49 million in funding for defense access roads funding which will be transferred to the Federal Highway Administration. The project seeks to help to reduce congestion and chokepoints on several roads and at several intersections on Guam.
The $49 million in this year’s bill represents the first of future road investments from the Department of Defense.
The bill also funds $259 million for the first phase of construction of a new Naval Hospital in Agana Heights.
“Congress provided funds to fulfill the U.S.’s commitment to the realignment of Marines from Okinawa, Japan to Guam,” Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said. “With $738 million in military construction funding the military buildup on Guam is now moving from the planning to the implementation phase. This significant military construction funding will bring economic activity and will create jobs for our local workforce.”
The bill also contains $30 million for the construction of a new Guam National Guard Readiness Center which will enable the Guam National Guard to continue to grow and modernize.
The Omnibus appropriations bill also contains significant funding for other priorities on Guam including the University of Guam, at-risk youth programs at Sanctuary, assistance to enhance security at the Guam International Airport and assistance for Guam water utilities. This federal funding will help Guam address priority needs and provide begin planning for larger projects.
The Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010 is the last remaining spending bill pending before Congress. Congressional leadership has indicated that this bill will be the last spending bill of the year and may pass before Congress recesses for the holidays.

Ref: MVar 12/15/09