Guam Delegate James Moylan gives a speech during the 2024 Year of the Veteran Kick-Off Event at the Tumon Sands Plaza in Tumon on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.
HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Over the weekend, President Joe Biden signed into law the continuing resolution passed by Congress, a stopgap funding measure meant to keep the federal government operating until March. The measure contains $100 billion in disaster relief appropriations, which, according to a press release issued by the office of Guam Delegate James Moylan, include funding for various pending projects on Guam.
Of the projects highlighted by the delegate’s office, the largest single items pertain to military facilities — $1.8 billion to repair and replace military facilities that sustained severe damage from last year’s Typhoon Mawar, and $1.4 billion for disaster-induced damage toward military installations on Guam.
About $500 million in Community Development Block Grant: Disaster Recovery funding is also included for Guam, the delegate’s office added. This would assist families needing to make repairs after damage resulting from natural disasters.
Another $401.5 million is included to repair the NASA Guam Remote Station, which sustained damage from natural disasters, the delegate’s office said in the release.
The funding also includes $1.38 million in Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief for Guam, which would serve as federal reimbursements toward road and bridge repairs for damage sustained from natural disasters, the delegate’s office stated.
The last item outlined was a $250 million pot of funding that Guam will receive to increase funding for accessing quality child care.
Moylan stated in the release that his office is in conversation with relevant federal agencies to ensure smooth programming of the funds to ensure that objectives outlined for Guam are met. He added that his office also will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on projects that were placed on hold as disaster relief funding was drying up after hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the U.S. earlier this year.
“I thank the committee and federal agencies for taking the time to consider our recommendations for priorities in Guam, particularly with disaster relief. This includes funding for the CDBG, which would assist with housing and infrastructure improvement. Of course, additional funding to beef up our national security by addressing Mawar-related (damage) inside the fence,” Moylan stated in the release from his office.
“This funding would help our economy, create new jobs, and establish new opportunities for Guam businesses. It would also generate new tax collections, sustaining government services,” Moylan added.
