Fund the Marine Crops Buildup On Guam and in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)

Most of the plan to bring 5,000 Okinawa-based Marines and their families to Guam within the next decade remains unfunded by the U.S, even though Japan is paying its share under a 2006 bilateral pact. The funding delay, spurred by congressional questions about cost and value, raises the same concern in Guam that is being voiced in other Asia-Pacific countries: Will the U.S. follow through on its commitment to make the region its top long-term strategic priority? The US needs to follow through on its commitment and fund the Marine Corps Realignment on Guam and in the Common Wealth of the Northern Marianas islands (CNMI). If we do not it will send the wrong message to the nations of the Pacific rim.