24 Oct 2015

President's veto halts military construction on Guam

7:58 pm on 24 October 2015

The United States President, Barack Obama, has vetoed a bill that would have provided US$400 million worth of funding for military construction projects on Guam.

The US Naval base at Orote Peninsula, Guam

The US Naval base at Orote Peninsula, Guam Photo: Supplied

However, Congress is likely to try to override the president's veto.

The funding would have expanded the island's ability to provide water and wastewater services to support a new Marine Corp base on the island.

It would also have developed land near the Andersen Air Force base in the island's north, and construct housing for personnel relocated to Guam from Okinawa in Japan.

The Pacific Daily News reports Guam's delegate to congress, Madelleine Bordallo, saying Mr Obama's veto had nothing to do with the Guam projects, but Republican gimmicks to pay for non-war operations.

As part of Washington's pivot to Asia, the US military plans a massive on Guam, including expanding its current Navy and Air Force bases, and establishing a Marine Corp base.

It also includes controversial plans to purchase swathes of land on Tinian and Pagan in the nearby Northern Marianas to create live-fire and bombing ranges.

A US Air Force F-22 Raptor aircraft over Guam

A US Air Force F-22 Raptor aircraft over Guam Photo: Supplied