Guthertz: defense cuts send wrong message
While major cuts to the Department of Defense budget continue to be discussed, Military Buildup Chair Senator Judi Guthertz wants to ensure that the reduction in funding for the buildup doesn't put Guam at risk.
By KUAM NewsGuam - While major cuts to the Department of Defense budget continue to be discussed, Military Buildup Chair Senator Judi Guthertz wants to ensure that the reduction in funding for the buildup doesn't put Guam at risk. In a letter to House Armed Services Committee Chair Howard "Buck" McKeon, the senator expressed concerns that cutting costs associated with the buildup sends the wrong message that may have national security implications, specifically with North Korea.
"So I wrote to him trying to clarify some things from our perspective, saying that we are of course concerned on Guam because of the threats posed by North Korea; of course, not to mention China but particularly north Korea at this time and he should not leave us defenseless here because of his goal of returning American forces back to the U.S. mainland from Asia," she said.
Guthertz stressed that cutting back on money for the realignment and the buildup sends a bad message and impacts the region and our defense.