Guam - The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the fiscal year 2013 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill by a vote of 30-0. So how much is Guam getting for military construction for the buildup in the measure? Evidently, nothing.  During a Department of Defense press briefing at the Pentagon, Spokesperson George Little was asked the following question:

Q:  This morning the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a military constructions appropriations bill. And within this, they decide to cut the entire Guam construction bill, saying that the Department of Defense doesn't have a clear defense strategy. Do you have any guidance on that? 

            MR. LITTLE:  That we don't have a clear defense strategy? 

Q:  On the Asia-Pacific region. 

            MR. LITTLE:  On the Asia-Pacific region? Well, I think we've made it clear for the past several months that this department has a robust Asia-Pacific strategy that is contained in the new U.S. defense strategic guidance. 

            The secretary, when he was last in Asia, previewed much of that strategy. He talked about the United States being a Pacific nation and a Pacific power. He reiterated that several times in several locations in the region and on the continent. 

            The Asia-Pacific region is vital to U.S. national security interests and will be so in the future, and we are absolutely turning toward the Asia-Pacific as a place where our strategic interests are increasingly of importance. Our partnerships with partners in the region are critical. And we're going to continue to invest in those relationships. 

            So we have a very sound Asia-Pacific approach. So I would take issue with any suggestion that we have not put appropriate emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region as important to the United States military in our future. 

The Defense Strategy as we reported includes the relocation of 5,000 marines from Okinawa to Guam and hundreds of other troops to be rotated through places like Australia, and Hawaii.  Although funding was cut for Guam, the appropriation measure includes  $366,099,000 for military construction projects in Hawaii including $181 million to build new housing at Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield, $5 million for a C-130 rinse facility at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point and $24 million for a waterfront operations center at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. The Senate Appropriations Committee is chaired by Sen. Daniel Inouye. "Today, as America's defense posture shifts to account for the challenges in the Asia Pacific, the military's mission in this region is as important as it was when I served in the Army many years ago," said Senator Inouye.  "These measures provide the funding necessary to build the infrastructure and housing we need in Hawaii to support our men and women in uniform. I will see to it that the government continues to provide whatever the military needs to perform their duties and return home safe to their families and loved ones. The construction projects included in these bills will also create much needed jobs for Hawaii's construction industry," Senator Inouye added. 

KUAM is awaiting comment from Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo.