by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Another setback in Guam's ongoing efforts for war reparations: the Republican-controlled House Committee on Rules shot down Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo's effort to include the text of HR44 or the Guam World War Two Loyalty Recognition Act from being considered as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, which the House is expected to vote on in the next 24 hours.

Bordallo's amendment - had it been included in the NDAA - provided an offset to address the GOP's concerns about the cost of funding the reparations. Her proposal would have offset the cost of war claims by using additional Section 30 funds received above current fiscal year levels that are derived from additional military forces on Guam due to the buildup.

Bordallo said she was disappointed the republicans once again blocked HR44 from a vote as an amendment to the NDAA. She added its time for Congress to afford the people of Guam the right to have an up or down vote on this important legislation.