The House and Senate Conference Committee voted Dec. 6 to advance the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act to the respective Rules Committees.
Guam’s Delegate James C. Moylan said in a Dec. 7 press release that he is “working with his colleagues in Congress to ensure that over $3.2 billion in economic activity will be heading to Guam as part of the 2024 NDAA.
The $3.2 billion includes:
-
Over $2.2 billion in new and continuous military construction projects, to include:
-
Over $1.6 billion of projects inside Andersen Air Force base, Joint Region Marianas, and Naval Base Guam.
-
$166 million for the Communications Upgrade of the Joint Region Marianas.
-
$411 million for Joint Region Marianas projects for the Air Force.
-
$27 million to construct the Air Force Reserves Aerial Port Facility.
-
$6.9 million to complete the Army National Guard’s Readiness Center.
-
Nearly $545 million to fully fund the Guam Missile Defense System ($147 million over the President’s budget).
-
Over $169 million for the Defense of Guam Procurement.
-
Over $290 million to construct new military housing.
“The amount of construction activity heading to Guam will certainly create an economic resurgence for our island. This will create many new jobs. Additionally, the boost in economic activity the island will experience through an extension of the H2B program, which is part of the NDAA,” Moylan said. The House leadership intends to have the measure voted on by the end of the week.
According to Hannah D’Avanzo, the Director of Communications for the office of the Congressman, “The house is looking at voting on the morning of Dec. 14.” mbj