by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - The House's version of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House on Thursday, heads now to the Senate - where the Marines' relocation faces its biggest critics such as Senators Carl Levin, John McCain and Jim Webb. The House's version doesn't include amendments requested via letter by Governor Eddie Calvo.

The governor was hoping for the authorization to release $33 million in funding for projects in the Programmatic Agreement, such as the construction of a mental health facility and a repository to house cultural artifacts. Calvo was also hoping for an amendment that would release nearly $140 million for critical infrastructure projects.

Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo didn't introduce those amendments but said at this time she is working to priorities the inclusion of Fiscal Year 2013 and future years funding which are more immediately critical to getting the military buildup back on track.

Said Calvo, "I think the important area is more of the Senate, and I think what's she trying to work is some kind of consensus amongst both the House and the Senate. But as far as I'm concerned, I would like to see the reconciliation occur."

In the past, Senator McCain has criticized the funding for the mental health facility and cultural repository saying it had nothing to do with the buildup.