RELEASE: Rep. Cloud Secures Wins for NAS Corpus Christi in Annual Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Michael Cloud (TX-27) celebrated the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), highlighting his efforts to secure critical language benefiting Naval Air Station Corpus Christi (NASCC) and the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD), improving the quality of life for service members, and ending woke and divisive policies that divert resources from military readiness.

Congressman Cloud has fought tirelessly for language included in this year’s NDAA for NASCC and CCAD, including:

• Infrastructure Improvements: Allocates $79.3 million for a critically needed warehouse at NASCC to improve the base and the needs of our service members in Corpus Christi. Also requires a congressional briefing on the improvement plan for NASCC.

• 180-Day Rule Elimination: Eliminates the 180-day waiting period for retired military personnel to work at depots like CCAD, facilitating immediate hiring.

• Additive Manufacturing: Includes a requirement for a Department of Defense report on the utilization of additive manufacturing technology in military depots.

• Fiber Optic Network Needs: Requires a strategy to enhance fiber optic capabilities within the Naval Aviation training enterprise.

Additionally, this NDAA brings numerous benefits to service members, including a 19.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers, expanded housing and food allowances, an improved cost-of-living calculation, expanded access to medical providers, and employment support programs.

Since his election in 2018, Congressman Cloud has been a strong advocate for solutions to persistent issues at NASCC, focusing on unaccompanied housing and childcare options. He explored Community Project Funding (CPF) for a child development center and barracks at NASCC. However, restrictive rules prevented CPF requests for projects not on the Department of Defense’s priority lists. Nevertheless, Cloud received commitments from multiple colleagues to explore avenues on securing the funding, which is a positive development in delivering the much needed facilities.

Rep. Cloud released the following statement:

“Equipping our military is one of my highest priorities in Washington – and this National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House includes several crucial provisions for NAS Corpus Christi, the Corpus Christi Army Depot, and our men and women in uniform who sacrifice daily for our freedoms. The amendments that we were able to include are vital to improving the quality of life for our service members and ensuring our military remains focused on readiness and effectiveness, not on divisive and woke policies on the taxpayer’s dime. I’m grateful to have played a part in it.

While the fight for essential projects like childcare and housing at NASCC continues, I am committed to seeing these through in future legislation. The reforms in this bill, such as eliminating the 180-day rule for retired personnel and advancing technology in our depots, are steps forward in supporting our military community and enhancing our national security. I am particularly pleased to have secured a $79.3 million allocation for a critically needed warehouse at NASCC. This funding will significantly improve the base’s infrastructure and address the needs of our military personnel in Corpus Christi. I will continue to advocate for our service members and their families, ensuring they receive the support and resources they need and deserve.”