Bill allows CNMI to tap Guam buildup funds

The Northern Marianas will have access to Guam military buildup funds under a bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday evening.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 includes two provisions that are seen to benefit the CNMI. One provision makes the CNMI eligible for funds for military base re-use studies and community planning assistance. The U.S. Office of Economic Adjustment administers these grant funds.

The other provision allows funds that will be set aside for the Guam defense policy review initiative to be used for the development of military facilities or training ranges in the Commonwealth.

“These are two administrative hurdles that we had to overcome in regard to the relocation of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force out of Okinawa. Without them we simply would not be eligible for these grants,” said Pete A. Tenorio, the CNMI’s resident representative to Washington, D.C.

He reported that the Tinian municipal government is eager to submit proposals for both grants.

The House of Representatives, by a vote of 384 to 23, passed the bill on Thursday evening in Washington. The Senate version of the bill has been approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee and awaits floor action.

Both versions will need to be reconciled in a conference committee of the two chambers before it can be sent to the President for his action or signature into law.

On Friday, Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo said the bill will strengthen congressional oversight and accountability of the ongoing military buildup in Guam.


The bill authorizes $531.4 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense and national security programs within the Department of Energy. It also authorizes an additional $70 billion for ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. It reflects a commitment from the Congress to provide servicemembers with substantial investment and policies to enhance their readiness. In particular, the bill authorizes an additional $800 million for equipment for the National Guard. The bill also provides men and women in uniform with a 3.9 percent pay raise, which is .5 percent more than requested by the President, and includes provisions strengthening TRICARE and supporting military families. The bill also contains many provisions of significant importance to Guam. Some of the provisions will enable greater federal assistance to Guam as the community prepares to improve critical infrastructure in support of the buildup. It will authorize $180 million in military construction funding for Guam.