Natural Resources Committee Reports Out Amended H.R. 4402

Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo today announced that the House Committee on Natural Resources has reported out an amended H.R. 4402, the Guam Military Training and Readiness Act, by unanimous consent. The amended H.R. 4402, which was submitted as an amendment in the nature of a substitute, reflects compromise language developed by the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The amended H.R. 4402 is identical to the amendment approved last night by the House Rules Committee. The amendment made in order at the Rules Committee allows the amended version of H.R. 4402 to be included in H.R. 4435, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015. Passage by the Natural Resources Committee satisfies a procedural motion and allows the bill to be considered as an amendment to the NDAA, which is being considered by the full House of Representatives later today.

“H.R. 4402, as amended, addresses a potential legal impediment of allowing an SDZ over the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, and it outlines areas that would need to be mitigated if Northwest Field is selected as the location for the firing range,” said Congresswoman Bordallo. “I believe this legislation is important to keep the NEPA process on track, and it keeps the Navy and the Fish and Wildlife Service talking about the potential impacts of a firing range on Northwest Field. This amendment does not prejudge the outcome of this process, and it is intended to keep the process on track so we do not suffer any unnecessary delays in the realignment of Marines from Okinawa to Guam. 

“I appreciate that our community has been closely engaged on this issue, especially during the SEIS public meetings this past week. Community feedback is absolutely critical to the process, and it provides the Navy and other stakeholders with important viewpoints to consider when final decisions are made for the Record of Decision. I thank Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member DeFazio for convening today’s Full Committee mark up of H.R. 4402. I look forward to moving this process forward as the NDAA is considered by the House this week and to working to keep the buildup on track.”

Congresswoman Bordallo’s statement during the Full Committee markup can be found here.