GUAM - Nearly two months into the current fiscal year, Congress continues to let slide its decision on a 2012 budget for defense and most other federal agencies. Lawmakers last week passed only three out of a dozen appropriations bills needed to keep the government running, and opted to bridge the gap with yet another temporary funding extension, the third such continuing resolution in since the Oct. 1 start of the fiscal year.

GUAM – The super committee conceded Monday in Washington that it will not meet its Wednesday deadline to submit a deficit reduction plan, setting the nation on a path to across-the-board budget cuts to U.S. domestic and defense programs, affecting budgets for ten years beginning in fiscal year 2013. The failure could cast a yearlong freeze in the military buildup program meant to prepare Guam to base thousands of Marines from Okinawa.

GUAM – Despite a flurry of last-minute proposals and meetings to hammer out a bipartisan deficit reduction plan, the super committee looks set to fail its mandate and miss its Nov. 23 deadline for a deal. The missed deadline to agree on a plan for shrinking the U.S. deficit by at least $1.2 trillion will trigger across-the-board cuts of domestic and defense spending, with the Pentagon taking the biggest hit.

Editor's Note: This story first broke over the weekend in the Guam Buildup News e-newsletter and is made available now at the web site.

GUAM – More affirmation for troop realignment in Japan came from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton this week on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting.

GUAM – The Navy awarded a $7.13 million contract to Guam Cleaning Masters of Dededo for grounds maintenance and tree trimming at various military installations throughout the island, according to a Defense Department announcement.

GUAM –Democrats on the deficit super committee rejected a new Republican proposal this week to reach a deal before the Nov. 23 deadline, prolonging congressional paralysis over Pentagon cuts that could affect the Guam military buildup.

GUAM – U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta spoke recently in more detail than ever about the nation's strategy for military forces in the Asia-Pacific region and Guam's role in the Pentagon's plan to reassert and enhance America's Pacific presence.