The governors resented that the proposed measure inadvertently excludes the participation of the small U.S. territories from receiving highway funds.
“It is important that the drafting oversight be corrected,” said Camacho. “We must urgently insist that fair and equal treatment is provided to all U.S. territories.”
The letter was addressed to Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M. and chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hi. and chairman of the Committee on Appropriations.
The measure seeks to make supplemental appropriations designed to create and preserve jobs, increase investment on long put off infrastructure, provide seed funding for improvements in energy efficiency and science, provide financial assistance to unemployed Americans and even help states and localities in dire fiscal straights.
The bill, which passed the House on Jan. 28, provides funding for highway projects of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, but not the small territories which include Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands and the CNMI.
The proposed language to be included in the House bill states that highway funds will be distributed among the U.S., Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands and CNMI.
“We are uniting to ensure the equitable allocation of highway funds under this bill,” said Camacho. “Not only will this program improve Guam’s infrastructure, it will influence and stimulate our respective economies.”
