U.S. Representative Angie Craig Secures Second District Wins in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Angie Craig voted to pass the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets the funding levels, expenditures and authorizations for the Department of Defense. This year’s NDAA authorizes funding for a number of the priorities and initiatives that Representative Craig has long advocated for.

“This year’s NDAA includes several projects and initiatives that will bring great benefit to the Second District,” said Representative Craig. “The signing of this year’s NDAA will increase our capacity to reduce water pollution in our communities, invest in Second District infrastructure and ensure that our service members are compensated in the way they deserve. I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law.”

Representative Craig’s priorities and initiatives in this year’s NDAA include:

Increasing Pay for U.S. Service Members:

The FY23 NDAA authorizes a 4.6% pay raise for military personnel, the largest increase that U.S. troops have received in 20 years.

Supporting the National Guard:

The FY23 NDAA requires the Secretary of the Air Force to retain a minimum of 279 C-130 aircraft through 2026, ensuring that the Air National Guard has the capacity to carry out critical missions both domestically and overseas.

Additionally, it provides funding for the National Guard and Reserve Component Equipment Account.

Protecting and Improving Water Infrastructure in the Second District:

The FY23 NDAA also includes various authorizing bills, including the Water Resources Development Act and Representative Craig’s Local Water Protection Act.

The Local Water Protection Act, which has passed the House numerous times since 2019, reauthorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Section 319 grant program at $200 million. This program provides funds for states and tribes to develop and implement programs for managing nonpoint source water pollution, or pollution from diffuse sources – including runoff from farms, managed forests and urban areas.

Contained within the Water Resources Development Act is Representative Craig’s $33.4 million dollar authorization for water and wastewater infrastructure in the city of Northfield, Minnesota. The construction of a water treatment facility would help reduce the level of manganese in the drinking water to provide safe drinking water to all residents within Northfield.

Additionally, the FY23 NDAA includes the State Department Reauthorization Act, the Intelligence Authorization Act and the Coast Guard Authorization Act.

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