Newsletter: Addressing Government Spending, Infrastructure Upgrades, and the Space Academy

Counting the Cost of Interest

The Cost Estimates Improvement Act, which I have introduced in the past four Congresses, would require cost estimates prepared by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) or the Joint Committee on Taxation to include the cost of interest on the public debt. Under current law, CBO does not count debt-service costs in its assessment of how much a bill would cost to enact. Senator Rick Scott recently introduced a Senate version of the bill, demonstrating the urgency of reforming federal spending.

Taxpayers are paying $1 trillion a year to service the national debt. It is unthinkable that Washington has placed this burden on the American people. The federal government is spending more money as a proportion of GDP than it did during the Second World War. We spend more on debt each year than we do on our military. No private business or person could act this way and survive. These spendthrift practices have become routine for Washington, and their cost is concealed by misleading taxpayers with abysmal accounting. I introduced the Cost Estimates Improvement Act to fight against this fiscal irresponsibility and return to common sense.

The national debt is a compounding crisis for our country. We cannot care for our veterans, seniors, and communities if it is not faced head-on. Congress has avoided passing the Cost Estimates Improvement Act for years because they know it will reveal the true recklessness of their spending practices. Taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability from Washington on how their money is being spent. I thank Senator Scott for taking the initiative on this pressing issue, and I will push for this legislation until it is made law.

Read the full text of the bill here.

---

Water Infrastructure Upgrades for Corpus Christi

The Department of War awarded Corpus Christi over $17 million of much-needed funding to update water infrastructure in support of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. This is excellent news for the City. I applaud the City of Corpus Christi and extend my appreciation to the Department of War and the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation for this significant $17.83 million investment.

This federal investment will help modernize and strengthen the City’s water infrastructure that is critical to supplying water for both NAS Corpus Christi and the Corpus Christi Army Depot. This project will benefit both our military mission and the people of Corpus Christi.

---

U.S Space Academy Belongs in Texas

From the beginning, Texas has been the beating heart of America’s space endeavors. President Trump recently announced that he would be working with Congress to establish the United States Space Academy. The President’s Executive Order recognizes that America’s future in space will require the development of astronauts, engineers, entrepreneurs, civil servants, and warriors. It also envisions a NASA-led institution combining rigorous technical education with leadership, discipline, and public service. As part of the Texas Delegation, we are urging President Trump to establish the Space Academy in Texas, where it belongs.

When President John F. Kennedy challenged the nation to reach the Moon, America built the institutions necessary to turn that vision into reality. Johnson Space Center and Houston became emblematic of that effort. America is preparing for sustained space exploration that will dictate the future of our national security. The Space Academy should be located where the next generation of pioneers can contribute to that future firsthand.

As our letter to the President states: “Students should train where astronauts train, learning from those operating today’s missions, working alongside engineers, developing tomorrow’s space technology, and engaging with service members protecting American interests in space. Texas is the natural home for the Space Academy, with more than sixty years as the heart of America’s human spaceflight programs.” You can’t get to space without Texas.

Read the letter here.

---

China’s Backdoor Invasion

Applications for the Service Academy are open. One of the privileges of serving in the United States Congress is the opportunity to nominate outstanding young people from the 27th District of Texas to be considered for appointment to our nation’s service academies.

Learn more and apply here.

Behind every vote and press release, our district office is working every day to cut through federal red tape for the people of TX-27. Here are a few recent wins:

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

A constituent needed assistance with his 2025 tax refund. After our office contacted the IRS on his behalf, he was able to receive it for $1,107.00.

Veterans Affairs (VA)
A constituent had been trying to find his military medical records for 2 years. Our office was able to locate them at the VA and have them sent to him.

National Archives
A constituent was looking for her deceased mother’s military records so she could make funeral arrangements. We were able to request an urgent inquiry to the National Archives and the documentation was sent to her.

If you are experiencing an issue with a federal agency, our office is here to help. You can submit a contact form with your request or issue here.

---

In the Media

The Center Square: Scott bill would add interest costs to CBO estimates

Rep. Cloud Asks Immigration Research Expert Steven Camarota About Who Is Using Birth Tourism

God Bless

Rep. Michael Cloud

Member of Congress