In a statement of administration policy, the Obama administration said it was concerned about the reduction in funding for military construction projects on Guam, as well as those associated with the relocation of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam.
The statement said “deferring or eliminating these projects could signal that the U.S. does not stand by its allies or its agreements such as the realignment of forces from Okinawa to Guam.”
The Obama administration is concerned with the use of incremental funding that would not support usable segments for the Guam Strike Fuel Systems Maintenance Hangar, Joint Region Marianas, Guam.
The administration said incremental funding of military construction projects runs counter to sound budgeting principles and fiscal discipline.
Reacting to the news, Guam’s Congressman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said the Obama administration’s support for military construction projects related to the realignment of Marines to Guam underscores the importance of the military buildup to America’s national security and maintaining stability in our region.
“The president’s support is consistent with the U.S. House of Representatives’ position, that cuts to military construction funding on Guam will have unintended consequences and may threaten our nation’s security relationship with Japan,” said Bordallo.
“This statement from the White House indicates that the Senate cuts and provisions are simply unworkable and harmful to our strategic position in Asia and the Pacific. I will work with my House colleagues and the administration to restore military construction funds during conference committee,” Bordallo added.
For her part, Sen. Judi Guthertz said a variety of comments out of Washington and Tokyo in recent months have locally created much uncertainty about the eventual shape and size of the buildup.
The official White House position, which emphasized the importance of the buildup going forward, was issued by the Office of Management and Budget in support of H.R. 2055, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; and it specifically emphasizes the importance of the plans for Guam.
