The House of Representatives previously passed this legislation on July 1, 2010, with additional funding for domestic concerns.
However, Republican obstructionism in the Senate required the Senate to remove the domestic funding and return the package back to the House for a final vote.
Despite differences of opinion between the House and Senate on this domestic funding the funding for the Port of Guam was not in question and is supported by the House and Senate leadership.
Additionally, the 2010 Supplemental Appropriations Act would provide a $45.4 billion in discretionary funding for fiscal year 2010, of which $32.8 billion is provided for Department of Defense operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The bill also provides $5.1 billion for FEMA disaster relief, $2.8 billion to support relief efforts in Haiti, and $68 million for relief efforts in response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
H.R. 4899 also includes $50 million in funding for the Port of Guam.
Specifically, the provision authorizes the Department of Defense to transfer $50 million of operations and maintenance funds to the Port of Guam Improvement Enterprise Fund established by a provision sponsored by Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo in H.R. 2647, the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009.
This funding was made available at the request of President Obama after the Port of Guam was denied Recovery Act funding and was strongly supported by Bordallo.
“The $50 million in port funding included in this bill is critical to beginning infrastructure and modernization projects at the Port of Guam,” Bordallo said.
“The Port of Guam has repeatedly been identified as a potential chokepoint for supplies and personnel, and this funding is a major step forward ensuring that our island is prepared for the realignment of forces in our region and to sustain our economic development in the future.
“I appreciate the support of the Obama administration for requesting this funding and the support of my colleagues for recognizing the importance of this funding to our community and to the strategic importance of our port.
“This funding demonstrates a continued commitment from the Obama administration to address our long standing infrastructure issues with specific funding commitments. We have a long ways to go, but funding for the port, financing for a new landfill and continued road funding are important steps forward. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress and with administration officials to ensure that the military build-up is done right.”
