Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update march 20-26

EPW Hearing Spotlights EPA’s Overreaching Waters of the U.S. Rule and Excessive Regulation

At an Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, I pressed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan about the revised Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. Currently, more than 24 states including North Dakota have filed legal challenges against it.

The agency should have waited for the Supreme Court to decide Sackett v. EPA before redefining WOTUS. It’s nearly impossible to institute a durable rule while a relevant case is pending.

I also questioned Administrator Regan about the EPA’s overregulation of the power sector. The bureaucracy should not impose its mediocrity on North Dakota’s excellence. States can regulate their energy industries more efficiently than the federal government can, and at lower cost.

Bipartisan Legislation Addresses Veteran Mental Health

To address deaths of veterans by suicide, Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and I introduced the VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act. This bipartisan legislation would implement a Zero Suicide Initiative pilot program at five U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers across the country, with one dedicated to serving rural communities.

North Dakota veterans bravely served our country, and taking care of them includes taking care of their mental health.

Resolution Protects Law-Abiding Gun Owners from Restrictive ATF Rule

Last week, I joined Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) in introducing a Congressional Review Act resolution to block the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) from reclassifying pistols with stabilizing braces as short-barreled rifles.

Instead of targeting criminals, the new rule punishes millions of law-abiding citizens.

The Biden Administration’s new rule forces law-abiding gun owners in Second Amendment sanctuary states like North Dakota to alter, destroy, surrender, or register pistol-stabilizing braces as short-barreled rifles. Those who do not comply could face up to 10 years in jail and thousands of dollars in fines. I will always protect our constitutional right to bear arms, which is why I strongly oppose this rule.

Bill Expands Market Access for Meat and Poultry Producers

On Wednesday, I joined Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Angus King (I-ME) in introducing the New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act, which would allow state-inspected meat and poultry products to be sold across state lines.

The meat processing sector is one of the most consolidated industries in the United States today. By permitting the sale of state-inspected meats across state lines, our legislation would expand market opportunities for North Dakota ranchers, better position smaller processors to compete against larger companies, and give consumers more choice at the grocery store.

As state Meat and Poultry Inspection standards must meet or exceed federal safety benchmarks, it makes sense to authorize the sale of state-certified products across state lines.

Stakeholders supporting this legislation include the North Dakota Farm Bureau and the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association.

Sustainable Budget Act Addresses U.S. Budget Crisis

Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and I reintroduced our Sustainable Budget Act, which would establish a bipartisan commission to identify a plan for addressing our national debt and balancing the budget.

For years, we have let our national debt balloon out of control. It’s time to stop this reckless spending and have an honest conversation about the real drivers of the problem.

Guidance Out of Darkness Act Improves Transparency

Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and I joined 14 of our Republican colleagues in reintroducing the Guidance Out of Darkness Act, which requires federal agencies to post their regulatory guidance online in a public location. By improving access to these documents, our bill aims to help small businesses, workers, and households identify and comply with the most up-to-date regulations.

Washington bureaucrats should not be able to hide what they are doing from the American people.

This commonsense legislation establishes a long overdue standard: federal agencies must publish regulatory guidance to ensure accountability and transparency.

Bipartisan Bill Supports Firefighters Diagnosed with Occupationally-Connected Cancers

I introduced the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to ensure firefighters and other first responders who develop permanent disabilities from line-of-duty carcinogen exposure are eligible for the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program. Should a first responder pass away from duty-related cancer, their family members would have access to the program's benefits.

Firefighters and first responders put their lives and health on the line every day and have an increased risk of receiving devastating diagnoses many years after exposure to carcinogens.

Expanding benefits to include occupationally-connected cancers is the least we can do to care for those who protect our communities every day.

North Dakota Delegation Urges President Biden to Approve Disaster Declaration Request

Senator John Hoeven, Congressman Kelly Armstrong, and I urged President Biden to approve Governor Burgum’s major disaster declaration request for the January 16-20 severe winter storms. This request for federal natural disaster recovery and mitigation resources was on behalf of Burke, Divide, McLean, Nelson, Renville, Sheridan, and Walsh counties.

North Dakota continues to work to harden infrastructure, promote resiliency, and mitigate potential damage in future disasters. While these efforts continue, unlocking Federal assistance via a presidential disaster declaration is critical for North Dakota’s recovery.

Rail Companies Issue Status Reports on Grain Car Backlog

I announced BNSF Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway publicly filed weekly grain backlog status updates as required by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. A summary of the reporting data specific to North Dakota for the last 10 weeks is below.

Commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command

I’m grateful to have met with General Glen VanHerck ahead of a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday.

Doosan Bobcat

I spoke with Scott Park, President and CEO of Doosan Bobcat, and his team about workforce and inflation struggles, how the bipartisan infrastructure law benefits manufacturers, and the Section 301 tariff exclusion process.

America’s Warrior Partnership

Empowering our veterans and holding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs accountable are some of my top priorities.

I met with Medal of Honor recipient Clint Romesha and the America’s Warrior Partnership to discuss how best to support our veterans and ensure they have access to benefits and quality health care.

Trinity Health

I had a great discussion with Trinity Health CEO John Kutch about workforce issues, programs to support North Dakota providers, and Trinity’s new medical campus in Minot.

North Dakota Bankers Association

I appreciated the opportunity to meet with members of the North Dakota Bankers Association.

Close Up Students

I visited with Close Up students from across North Dakota – from Williston, Grenora, Tioga, and Beach to Hankinson and Petersburg.

We discussed government transparency, my career path, and the North Dakota policy priorities I’m working to advance in Congress.

Grants for North Dakota

Department of Health and Human Services Awards Over $4.3 Million for North Dakota Family and Health Services

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a total of $4,312,314 to support North Dakota family and health services:

• $2,750,316 to the Coal Country Community Health Center
• $1,251,250 to the Three Affiliated Tribes for Head Start projects
• $310,748 to the University of North Dakota for undergraduate pharmacology, physiology, and biological chemistry research