{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-votes-for-national-defense-authorization-act-to-support-wisconsins-service-members-veterans-and-economy", "Senator Baldwin Votes for National Defense Authorization Act to Support Wisconsin\u2019s Service Members, Veterans, and Economy", "2022-12-15", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin voted for the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 that supports Wisconsin\u2019s military members, families, and economy. The bill includes the U.S. Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 and Water Resources Development Act of 2022, among other provisions.\n\nAs Chair of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change, and Manufacturing, with jurisdiction over the U.S. Coast Guard, Senator Baldwin successfully negotiated inclusion of her bipartisan Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act, which will improve the icebreaking capacity of the Great Lakes Fleet and provide $350 million for the Great Lakes Icebreaker (GLIB). For the first time, the USCG Authorization Act will also include a standalone Great Lakes subtitle in the bill.\n\n\u201cI am proud to vote for the bipartisan defense authorization legislation that supports our servicemembers and veterans, strengthens our national security and invests in Wisconsin\u2019s economy,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cI\u2019m thrilled to have included bipartisan provisions in this legislation to strengthen our Made in America economy \u2013 including the Invent Here, Make Here Act to ensure technology developed in the U.S. is also manufactured here and my Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act, which will boost our icebreaking resources, support our maritime economy, and protect our Great Lakes for generations to come. I am excited to have included so many provisions in the NDAA that deliver for our servicemembers, veterans, and Made in Wisconsin economy.\u201d\n\nBelow are some of the major victories Senator Baldwin secured for Wisconsin in the NDAA:\n\nBoosting the Made in Wisconsin and Made in America Economies\n\nBipartisan Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act \u2013 Included in the NDAA is $350 million for the acquisition of a Great Lakes icebreaker and $20 million for the design and selection of icebreaking cutters for operation in the Great Lakes, Northeastern US, and the Arctic. The Great Lakes Ice Breaker will strengthen icebreaking capacity and increase year-round commerce on the Great Lakes. The bill will also create a database specific to icebreaking operations, including unsuccessful attempts to transit during ice season because of inadequate icebreaking.\n\nBipartisan Invent Here, Make Here for Homeland Security Act \u2013 Senator Baldwin\u2019s legislation will better ensure products invented as a result of funding provided by the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) are manufactured in America.\n\nInvesting in Wisconsin\u2019s Military Installations, Equipment and Infrastructure\n\nFt. McCoy \u2013 Senator Baldwin secured a total of $64 million for military infrastructure improvements at Fort McCoy in Monroe County. Specifically, the bill includes $38 million for enlisted barracks and $26 million for officer barracks.\n\nGreat Lakes Snowmobile Acquisition Plan \u2013 the bill directs the Coast Guard to develop a plan for snowmobile procurement to support ice search and rescue efforts. Senator Baldwin also included a study on sufficiency of the Coast Guard\u2019s Aviation Assets, often used in search and rescue on the Great Lakes. These provisions will highlight gaps in capabilities in meeting mission needs and improve the Coast Guard\u2019s search and rescue capacity along the Great Lakes.\n\nSupporting and Honoring Veterans, Service Members and Their Families\n\n4.6% pay raise for uniformed service members and Department of Defense civilian employees.\n\nHealthcare for Our Troops \u2013 In line with Senator Baldwin\u2019s bipartisan legislation, the bill requires a study on the cost and feasibility of expanding enrollment in TRICARE Reserve Select coverage for National Guard members \u2013 including the impact providing health benefits will have on deployment readiness. This provision moves forward Senator Baldwin\u2019s legislation to expand TRICARE Reserve Select coverage to all members of the Guard and Reserve at no cost.\n\nChildcare for Coast Guard Members \u2013 The bill expands the Coast Guard childcare subsidy program, which helps Coast Guard families pay for childcare services. The bill would authorize $25 million (a 56 percent increase over current authorization) and expand eligibility so families are able to use the subsidy for additional types of childcare, such as nannies and multigenerational support.\n\nOpioid Prescribing Practices \u2013 Senator Baldwin has pushed for reform on opioid prescribing practices at the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense. The NDAA includes authorizations for a permanent program to improve opioid management in the military health system.\n\nAccess to Affordable Housing \u2013 To address the high cost of housing, Senator Baldwin helped secure a provision last year to help the Department of Defense (DOD) more accurately determine the basic allowance for housing (BAH) for service members. This year\u2019s legislation extends authority to adjust the BAH in high-cost areas and encourages DOD to coordinate efforts to address housing shortages. The bill also requires the Coast Guard to study and develop a plan to improve access to housing.\n\nMedical training \u2013 The bill would provide increased professional opportunities for medical training for Coast Guard Members as well as help address shortages in medical providers by directing the Coast Guard to allow more Members to obtain postgraduate degrees in medical disciplines.\n\nSupporting America\u2019s Allies\n\nThe NDAA supports our allies abroad by extending and modifying the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through Fiscal Year 2023. The bill also authorizes $800 million in Fiscal Year 2023 to provide security assistance to Ukraine.\n\nBoosting USCG Capacity in the Indo-Pacific \u2013 The bill would require a study on the USCG needs in the Indo-Pacific, to include an assessment on a permanent USCG cutter presence, which would help deter China and increase partner and allied capacity in the region. Senator Baldwin recently spoke to USCG members in Japan about this request.\n\nPreserving the Great Lakes and Investing in Water Infrastructure", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-votes-for-national-defense-authorization-act-to-support-wisconsins-service-members-veterans-and-economy"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 4.126477986574173, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}