Bordallo voted against the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House by a vote of 283 to 136.
The NDAA nixes the entire $150 million allocated for the planned transfer of U.S. troops from Okinawa to Guam.
The bill also cut down funding from the House’s proposal of $303 million to just $83.6 million for military construction projects on Guam. Another $33 million for civilian infrastructure projects — intended to support the buildup population increase — was entirely removed.
During discussion on the House floor before a vote took place, Bordallo vigorously expressed her opposition to the bill and urged her colleagues to vote against the measure, saying the bill goes against the efforts the Obama administration has taken to better posture military forces in the Pacific region.
“If I were able to vote on final passage of this legislation, I would vote against this bill,” said Bordallo.
“People discuss their concerns about the potential threats posed by China and North Korea; yet when this country and this administration ask the Congress to act in our best national interest to realign forces in the Pacific, we blink,” she added. “We are all talk and no action on this very important issue.”
She implored her colleagues to make the “necessary hard choices and investments” even in the face of budget realities as it could cost more money for the U.S. in the long run.
Bordallo then urged Japan to continue the progress being made to further developments being made on Japan’s part for a Futenma relocation plan. This, she said, includes the construction of a replacement facility for Futenma and presentation of an environmental impact statement to the governor of Okinawa.
As part of the U.S.-Japan 2006 bilateral agreement, the planned realignment of 8,600 U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam is contingent upon the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station.
“Right or wrong, the patience of those in the Senate has run out and it’s important for more action and less rhetoric in Okinawa,” she said.
Her efforts, however, proved futile.
Now that the NDAA has passed the House, it must pass the Senate, which is expected to vote on the bill today, before it is sent to President Obama l.
“I am disappointed with [yesterday’s] passage of H.R. 1540 by the House of Representatives. The bill does not prioritize our national security needs in the Asia-Pacific region and does not recognize the administration’s efforts to strengthen our military posture in Asia. This is a temporary setback, and I will continue to work with stakeholders to address concerns raised in Conference so that we may move forward with the buildup,” Bordallo said.
Despite the lack of fundamental support for Guam’s buildup from Congress, the Department of Defense Undersecretary for Policy Michele Flournoy expressed support for the U.S.-Japan realignment.
Flournoy said DoD will continue to consult with allies and partners, including Congress, to address concerns about the planned realignment.
“The United States is committed to Guam’s role as a strategic hub, and to that end a U.S. Marine Corps presence in Guam remains an essential part of our Pacific strategy,” said Flournoy.
While a nod of support from DoD’s undersecretary of policy is welcoming news for military buildup supporters, she concurrently announced that she plans to step down from her post early next year.
The Washington Post reported yesterday that Flournoy, 50, was influential since the start of the Obama administration in shaping defense policy toward emerging threats.
Flournoy told the Associated Press that she plans to “rebalance” her life and spend more time with her three children.
