By Pacific Island Times News Staff
The federal stopgap measure signed by President Joe Biden over the weekend includes more than $4 billion in funding for several Guam projects related to disaster recovery and repairs of infrastructure and facilities damaged by Typhoon Mawar.
“Additional funding to beef up our national security by addressing Mawar-related damages inside the fence,” Guam Del. James Moylan said.
The appropriations for Guam projects were part of the $100 billion in disaster aid.
“This funding would help our economy, create new jobs, and establish new opportunities for Guam businesses. It would also generate new tax collections, sustaining government services,” he added.
Biden on Saturday signed into law H.R. 10545, the American Relief Act, 2025, avoiding a federal shutdown.
The continuing resolution provides fiscal year 2025 appropriations to federal agencies through March 14, 2025, for continuing projects and activities of the federal government; provides disaster relief appropriations and economic assistance to farmers; extends the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; and extends several expiring authorities.
For Guam, the measure includes:
$500.83 million in Community Development Block Grant, which would
assist families needing repairs from damage sustained from natural disasters.
$1.38 million in Federal Highway Administration Emergency relief, which would provide federal reimbursements for the costs of repairing roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters.
$1.8 billion to repair and replace military facilities that sustained severe damage from Typhoon Mawar.
$1.4 billion for disaster-induced damage to military installations
$401.5 million to repair the NASA Guam Remote Station, which sustained
damage from natural disasters.
The Coast Guard in Guam will receive from a pot of $312 million for
disaster-related repairs.
Guam will receive from a pot of $250 million to increase funding to access
quality childcare.
“Our office is in conversation with relevant federal agencies to ensure a smooth programming of the funds from this CR to safeguard that the objectives outlined for Guam are met,” Moylan said.
“We will also work with FEMA on pending projects for Guam that were placed
on hold with disaster relief fund drying up after Hurricanes Helene and Milton,”
he added.
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It’s important that we ensure all areas of the island, not just military facilities, receive adequate attention. Hopefully, these funds will be used efficiently and directly where they are needed most. snake game continues until the snake collides with a wall or itself, at which point the game ends.