Guam Wage most likely to stay

Bordallo Expects Abercrombie Amendment To Be Removed From Defense Authroization Act

Guam - Rep. Bordallo briefed Chamber members on the progress of the Marine realignment and said she expected the controversial “Abercrombie amendment” in the National Defense Authorization Act to either be heavily changed or “omitted altogether.”

“I will be advocating for balance… we are working toward ways to boost the interests on Guam without compromising the larger industries,” Congresswoman Bordallo said. “We also will continue our work to support labor training programs so that every local professional has an opportunity for secure jobs.”

Meanwhile, Senator Ray Tenorio in a release says he maintains his confidence in the Guam buildup after Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo addressed the Guam Chamber of Commerce during a lunch meeting held at the Hyatt Regency Guam today.

Senator Tenorio has been a staunch and vocal opponent of the amendment, which seeks to raise construction wages to a rate that would double the cost of the military buildup and set an unrealistic cap on H2 workers for buildup projects.

“I’m so relieved that our Congresswoman, who has her hand on the pulse of Washington D.C., has told the island that the success of this buildup will not be compromised by a man with a vested personal interest,” Senator Tenorio said. “An amendment of this nature must only be implemented if it serves the best interests of our people – our workers – first and foremost. I am confident in the strong congressional support fighting for a buildup that benefits of all of Guam and I thank the members of this delegation for being our voice during this critical time.”

Congresswoman Bordallo is part of a delegation visiting the island from the House of Representative’s Natural Resource Committee. Chairman Nick Rahall also shared his support for Guam and the need for additional assistance in funding the projects necessary to ensure the buildup’s success in what he called an “environmentally sensitive, socially responsible” manner.

“We have to make this buildup right for Guam – not only on the inside of the fence but on the outside of the fence a well,” Chairman Rahall said. “ www.pacificnewscenter.com