Approved supplemental budget includes $50M for PAG
THE Port of Guam is one step away from receiving $50 million for upgrades needed for the military buildup.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the final version of the 2010 supplemental appropriations act by a vote of 308 “yes” and 108 “no.” The bill now goes to President Barack Obama for signature.
“We are ecstatic that this pivotal piece of legislation has been passed as it is critical to the progress of the Port Authority of Guam,” Port general manager Enrique San Augustin said in a press release yesterday. “Once the President signs the measure and the funding is released, we will be able to accelerate our modernization activities.”
The $50 million is needed before the Port can receive a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for another $50 million to nearly fully fund the modernization program.
The 2010 supplemental budget act provides $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 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 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 Department of Transportation’s denial of the Port of Guam’s request for a stimulus grant.
“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 in a press release yesterday.
“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,” she added.
$50M on its way to port
