Newsletter: CCRTA Groundbreaking, Fraud Prevention Legislation, and I-69

Groundbreaking for CCRTA’s New Facility

Work is officially underway on the new Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA) Maintenance Facility! Earlier this week, I had the privilege of attending the groundbreaking for this critical project, which marked a major step forward in modernizing transportation infrastructure and strengthening emergency preparedness across the Coastal Bend.

The new facility will feature 21 state-of-the-art work bays for fleet maintenance and repairs, climate-controlled environments, and dedicated training spaces to support workforce development. Its hurricane-resilient design will help ensure uninterrupted CCRTA operations during times of crisis, providing greater reliability when the community needs it most.

I was grateful to work alongside the CCRTA in securing a $46 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration, as well as a $1.9 million allocation through the Appropriations process to support this effort.

At its core, this investment is about people—riders who depend on public transit, the employees who keep the system running, and the communities that rely on strong regional connectivity. Congratulations to the CCRTA on reaching this milestone, and thank you to the local and state partners whose dedication will help keep the Coastal Bend moving forward.

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Common Sense Legislation to Fight Fraud

After months of reports highlighting widespread fraud and spending abuse across government programs, the House took action this week to close loopholes and deter further fraud in federal law. The House Committee on Oversight, of which I am a member, marked up and passed a package of fraud prevention and spending reduction measures. These include:

• The Federal Program Integrity and Fraud Prevention Act, which would prohibit those convicted of felonies—specifically fraud against the government—from participating in federal contracts or receiving federal assistance.
• The Settlement Agreement Information Database Act, which would require federal agencies to publish information regarding settlements and decrees.
• The Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act, which would require the federal government to issue guidance directing agencies to submit annual information on federally funded projects that are more than five years behind schedule.

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Investing in TX-27 Through I-69

Investing in our region’s connectivity is essential to growing economic opportunity and investment in the Coastal Bend. I am grateful to the I-69 Alliance, the Port of Corpus Christi, and Victoria County Judge Ben Zeller for spending time with me and my team this week to discuss the ongoing developments with I-69 projects across Texas.

Congress authorized I-69 in 1991 to run from Port Huron, Michigan, to Brownsville, Texas, with hundreds of miles passing through TX-27 between Corpus Christi and Houston. Currently, there is no dedicated federal funding to complete the entirety of the interstate; however, local and state officials continue to pursue plans to improve existing highway systems to allow for new interstate designation.

As one of the nation’s leading energy export hubs, our region depends on efficient, modern infrastructure to move goods quickly and reliably across Texas and beyond. Continued investment in I-69 will enhance supply chain resilience, reduce congestion, and position the Coastal Bend as a premier gateway for domestic and international trade. I applaud the I-69 Alliance, the Port of Corpus Christi, and other local officials for their diligent work to advance these development projects, and I look forward to our continued partnership in securing additional federal support.

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Congressional Art Competition

The 2026 Congressional Art Competition is now open for high school students across the Coastal Bend! This event encourages young artists to showcase their talents, and there is no set theme. Students may submit artwork on any subject of their choice.

The deadline to submit is April 2nd, and entries can be dropped off at our district offices in Victoria and Corpus Christi before that date. Four winners will be selected.

Students should enter the competition in the district where they reside, not where they attend school, and artwork must be an original creation of a single student.

For more information on rules, eligibility, and submission requirements, please visit our Congressional Art Competition webpage. This is a unique opportunity for students to gain recognition for their creativity and to represent the best of the Texas spirit!

See last year’s winner, Edna Hisler, by Bobbi Catalano, Gregory-Portland High School, below.

God Bless,

Michael Cloud
Member of Congress