In-Person WOTUS Listening Session to Be Held in North Dakota

This week I’m hosting officials from the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the only in-person listening session in the nation on the Waters of the U.S. rule in Bismarck. This will provide North Dakota farmers, landowners, and stakeholders a space to be heard as the agency works to craft a new WOTUS rule.

On Thursday, EPA and the Army Corps announced a proposed rule to re-establish the pre-2015 definition of WOTUS, which would repeal the Trump Administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule.

It’s a shame the Trump Administration’s rule was repealed at all. Americans deserve better than regulatory ping pong. I look forward to hosting EPA and the Corps of Engineers next week in Bismarck to give North Dakotans the opportunity to put our priorities in front of the Biden Administration as the process moves forward.

Bank of America CEO to Participate in The Bully Pulpit in Fargo

Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan is coming to Fargo tomorrow for the next installment of The Bully Pulpit. This is another opportunity to connect the power and influence of national and global leaders with the great potential and much-needed commonsense of North Dakota. I look forward to another productive discussion.

Senators Challenge Vaccine Mandates

All 50 GOP Senators File Challenge to Biden’s Vaccine Mandate for Businesses

I joined every Republican senator in filing a formal challenge against President Biden’s vaccine mandate on private businesses under the Congressional Review Act, the official process for Congress to eliminate an executive branch rule. This move to overturn President Biden’s vaccine mandate for private employers is guaranteed a vote on the Senate floor as early as December.

The Biden Administration does not have the constitutional authority to impose vaccine mandates on private businesses. We know this, and the courts have ruled Joe Biden is stretching the limit of his legal authority.

No Americans should be forced to choose between their job and their personal decision to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, especially at a time when businesses are struggling to find workers and inflation is soaring.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Urged to Remove Vaccine Mandate for Employees

In a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, I joined my Republican colleagues in urging the department to drop its vaccine mandate for USDA employees and ensure that USDA is able to fulfill its mission to support farmers and ranchers.

We’ve heard concerns from our constituents that the vaccination requirement will negatively impact USDA’s ability to carry out its essential functions. The potential termination of thousands of USDA employees will have sweeping impacts across the Department, from the inspectors who ensure the safety of our nation’s food supply to the firefighters working tirelessly to contain wildfires across the west. According to the feedback we have received from our constituents, FSA county offices, already severely understaffed and overworked, will be among the hardest hit should the mandate go into effect.

Bill Protects Working Families from Federal Overreach

I joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) in introducing the Protecting Working Families from Federal Overreach Act, legislation to allow states to use unspent COVID-19 relief funds to pay federal fines on behalf of private employers who do not comply with the Biden Administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Our bill allows state and tribal governments to use leftover COVID-19 dollars to aid businesses in paying any of the hefty federal fines that could be imposed by the Biden Administration. This would provide much needed regulatory relief should this rule go into effect.

My Statement on House Democrats’ Big Government Socialist Spending Bill

On Friday morning, House Democrats passed their reckless tax and spending spree legislation, which is expected to cost more than $1.7 trillion over a decade and add $367 billion to the deficit.

I absolutely oppose the Democrats' Big Government Socialist agenda along with every one of my Senate Republican colleagues. This socialist wish list is chock full of tax hikes on hardworking American families, tax breaks for millionaires, attacks on domestic energy, and it stifles American exceptionalism. Not to mention it has no legs to stand on in terms of merit or Senate procedure. Last time I checked, we live in the greatest representative democracy in the world, and yet the American people do not want, do not need, and cannot afford this reckless tax and spending spree.

North Dakota Conservation Easements Discussed at Fish and Wildlife Service Nomination Hearing

Martha Williams, nominee to be Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, and I met prior to her nomination hearing to discuss the history of the agency’s heavy-handed enforcement of conservation easements and its impact on North Dakota landowners and producers.

In her Environment and Public Works Committee nomination hearing, I pressed Williams to be a part of the solution for Waterfowl Protection Area easements. Our farmers have been so abused by the federal government they no longer want to enter into these easements. We need to recognize water is water, dryland is dryland, and contracts with landowners matter.

Meeting with Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs

I met with Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Matthew Quinn virtually to discuss the Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act of 2021 ahead of his visit to North Dakota this week.

Guardsmen and Reservists volunteer to risk their lives in defense of our freedoms. These American heroes deserve to be recognized for their service and sacrifice with a proper and respectful burial in veterans cemeteries after their death.

Hearing Covers Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act

In a Senate Veterans Affairs hearing on Wednesday, I highlighted the support from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on my bill expanding eligibility for burial benefits to these groups.

Biden’s Comptroller Nominee Confronted on Her Radical Views at Banking Hearing

I questioned Dr. Saule Omarova, nominee to be Comptroller of the Currency, on a number of her previous radical statements regarding bankrupting oil and gas companies, independent and community banks’ opposition to her nomination, and her views about “socially sub-optimal” industries.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is no place for a nominee with these views, especially in light of current skyrocketing inflation and supply chain problems.

Honoring the Life of Al Palmer

Retired Brigadier General Al Palmer of Grand Forks passed away Tuesday night. He dedicated his career to the military, aviation, and supporting veterans. He was a member of my Military Academy and Veterans Advisory Boards, always providing valued advice.

I am forever thankful for his service to our nation in the U.S. Air Force and North Dakota Air National Guard, as well as his support of the UND Aerospace program. Al was a wise and compassionate man and a great friend. His family and friends are in our prayers.

Discussed North Dakota Energy with Grow America’s Infrastructure Now

On Wednesday, I discussed North Dakota’s energy industry with the Grow America’s Infrastructure Now Coalition. Unlike the actions from the Biden Administration the last nine months, we should be investing in and encouraging American fossil energy development, production, and exportation. It’s the right move.

Our clean energy technologies are proof Joe Biden’s anti-American energy agenda isn’t the only possible approach. There is a more reasonable, common-sense approach to energy, which can benefit our nation, our allies, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the global stage.

Inspector General Dismisses Baseless Claims from House Democrats on Border Wall Procurement

The U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General completed their audit on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers border wall contract. All allegations from House Democrats were found to be unsubstantiated and totally baseless. This complete and total exoneration is a long time coming from this worthless, partisan fishing expedition.

House Democrats wasted taxpayer time and money while the Biden Administration is actively ignoring a crisis of their own doing at the Southern border.

Important Veterans, Natural Resources Bills Move Through Senate Committees

A number of bills I’ve authored and co-sponsored made significant progress in the Senate. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed the FLAIR Act. I introduced this bill to create a complete database of lands owned by the federal government in the hope this will improve management, enhance access, and increase transparency.

The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee considered the Supporting Families of the Fallen Act. This is the right thing to do for our veterans. I’m honored to sponsor this legislation with Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) on the Committee. The bill adjusts the maximum coverage for VA life insurance policies to account for inflation for the past 15 years.

My Interview with Chuck Todd on Meet the Press

I joined Meet the Press with Chuck Todd yesterday to discuss the Rittenhouse verdict, Democrat’s big government socialist agenda, and the state of our political parties.

On the Rittenhouse Verdict:

“Justice was done, but the rhetoric on both sides was inappropriate to the actual event itself… What I get concerned about is a political movement that devalues police officers, that then cuts their funding, that makes them into the bad guys in keeping our streets safe and our communities safe. That kind of rhetoric I'm afraid leads to the very same violence that we're talking about.”

On Democrats’ Big Socialist Agenda:

“Now we’re getting forced with this crazy big government socialist agenda driving up inflation and driving up our debt and our deficit coming at us by the Democrat Party that’s gotten very comfortable with anti-Semitism and socialism. That’s a problem. We all need to get together again and have this conversation about what’s good for America, not what’s good for our tweets tomorrow.”

Infrastructure, Democrats’ Big Government Socialist Agenda, and Rising Prices Discussed on Squawk Box

I joined Joe Kernen and Andrew Sorkin on Squawk Box Thursday morning to discuss Democrats’ big government socialist agenda, the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure law, and rising food and energy prices.

All 50 Republicans oppose the Democrats’ big government socialist agenda. There’s a lot of problems with their plan, but the biggest is it would add more inflationary pressure at a time when we really don’t need it nor can afford it.

Joe Biden’s inflation is self-inflicted. It’s a direct result of his policies that stifle domestic development. He shuts down supply by prohibiting drilling on federal lands then begs OPEC to produce more. It makes no sense.

Letter Denounces Postal Service’s ‘Misguided’ Banking Expansion

I joined Senator John Boozman (R-AR) on a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy questioning the U.S. Postal Service’s authority to implement a banking pilot program that includes check-cashing services. In the letter, we call the new USPS pilot program a threat to mail delivery and a misguided attempt to federalize financial services.

We are concerned that the pilot program exceeds the Postal Service’s legal authority and fails to comply with relevant regulations and procedural requirements.

The USPS launched its postal banking pilot program in September without notifying Congress. Last month the USPS announced it will further slow service and increase prices in attempt to fix its own notoriously poor financial footing.

It is essential the Postal Service address this revenue shortfall by focusing on fixing inefficiencies with its mail delivery system, not pivoting to financial products and offerings with which the agency has no expertise.

Senate Caucus Breakfast Celebrates Second Birthday of Space Force

On Wednesday morning, I hosted the first in-person Space Force Caucus event. With the Space Force’s second birthday around the corner, there is much to celebrate since the stand-up of the Force. I’m proud of all the great work done to protect the safety and security of the American people.

I look forward to continuing the great relationship between Congress and the Space Force and the continuation of this caucus as an avenue to support our nation’s newest military branch.

VISA Chairman and CEO

Visa Chairman and CEO Alfred Kelly, Jr., stopped by on Tuesday to talk about swipe fees, inflation, and the economy.

Grants for North Dakota

North Dakota Department of Transportation Receives Funding for I-29 Smart Corridor

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) received a $550,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

North Dakota’s economy and population have maintained a significant rate of growth for more than 10 years, placing an unprecedented burden on our state’s infrastructure, including the State Highway System. Expanding transportation management for our growing population and its corresponding freight needs is critical to the continued safe movement of goods and people in our state.

Environmental Protection Agency Awards $634k to North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $634,023 to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.

The funds will be used to perform delegated program activities, perform quality assurance activities, and maintain regional and national data bases associated with environmental programs. These address clean air, clean water, hazardous and solid waste, drinking water, underground storage tanks, underground injection control, and radon.

Southeastern North Dakota Community Action Agency Awarded $1.8 Million in Head Start Funds

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $1,828,298 to the Southeastern North Dakota Community Action Agency.

The funds come through the Head Start and Early Head Start programs, which promote school readiness for young children and toddlers from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development as well as early learning, health, and family well-being.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Awards Funds to ND Cities, School Districts, Retirement Home

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development awarded the following four grants totaling $298,200:

• $112,000 to the City of Barnes to purchase two motor graders for the Barnes County Highway Department to grade unpaved county roads in the summer months and snow removal in the winter months.
• $107,000 to the City of Ellendale to purchase a payloader for street maintenance, landfill maintenance, snow removal, and other miscellaneous city needs.
• $72,400 to Elgin-New Leipzig School District to complete an envelope restoration project to make repairs to the exterior of the Elgin/New Leipzig School.
• $6,800 to Finley-Sharon School District #19 to purchase playground equipment for the school district.

USDA Rural Development also awarded a $12,000 loan to Wishek Home For The Aged to purchase a transit van.