The National Defense Authorization Act Needs to be Brought to the Floor

At a Senate Republican Press Conference Tuesday, I urged Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to bring to the floor the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes funding levels and provides key authorities for the U.S. military and other defense priorities.

Only four times in history has the Senate begun consideration of this annual bill later than the end of October. Providing for national defense is the federal government’s highest priority, but Democrat leadership seems more interested in expanding federal power than focusing on Constitutional priorities.

Legislation Blocks Taxpayer Funded Payments to Illegal Immigrants

I joined Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in introducing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to block President Biden’s reported plan to spend upwards of a billion dollars to provide $450,000 per person of taxpayers’ money to illegal immigrants

Why President Biden would want to hand out more free money, especially to people who are breaking our laws, is beyond me. Our Border Patrol is already overwhelmed, and the last thing we need is another incentive for more migrants to come here illegally.

President Biden’s Vaccine Mandate Challenged

Earlier this week, my Republican colleagues and I moved to formally disapprove and nullify President Biden’s vaccine mandate on private employees through the Congressional Review Act, the official process for Congress to eliminate an executive branch rule.

President Biden is stretching the limit of his legal authority to mandate Americans and business owners into compliance. At a time when businesses are struggling to find workers and keep up with demand, the administration is further shrinking the workforce by forcing Americans to choose between their job and their personal health care decisions. On Saturday, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay President Biden’s illegal mandate.

Bill Prevents Dishonorable Discharge for Unvaccinated Servicemembers

On Thursday, I delivered remarks on the COVID-19 Vaccine Dishonorable Discharge Prevention Act, legislation which will prohibit the Department of Defense from giving service members a dishonorable discharge for choosing not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

"We’re advocating for their religious freedoms, while they’re actually willing to die for ours."

Scripture tells us, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) To disrespect a servant’s heart with this kind of a rule violates common sense, ethics and the very culture of our great country.

The Biden Administration’s Hurtful Energy Policies

President Biden is Wrong on Climate Change as U.S. Leads in Lowering Emissions

Contrary to President Biden’s rhetoric in Glasgow last week, the United States already leads in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Our products and energy are produced using U.S. technology, under proven environmental standards. When we outsource production, we only increase global pollution.

We can be a model in this fight. We can export U.S. energy and technology that reduces emissions, supports modern economies and creates American jobs in the process.

The Republican Energy and Climate Plan

In a press conference with Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), we unveiled the American Energy, Jobs, and Climate Plan. There is a growing realization by politicians of all stripes that climate change is an issue Americans want us to deal with.

Rather than focusing only on U.S. emissions, let’s set a goal for the planet to reduce emissions by 40% by 2050. This will actually achieve three and a half times the reduction in greenhouse gases, and will socialize the burden rather than just unilaterally disarming the United States economy.

Fox Business Interview on Energy Jobs and Production in North Dakota

On Wednesday I joined Jackie DeAngelis on Fox Business to discuss North Dakota energy jobs and production. The reduction from 57 rigs in 2019 to 34 rigs today has direct connections to a loss in North Dakota’s revenues. For example, in McKenzie County, sales tax revenue is down 44%. That's a massive drop in revenue at the local, small business level - not just for our oil sector, but for the entire economy.

United States production of natural gas and oil is done cleaner and greener than anywhere else in the world. Transferring production overseas, to places like Iran, Saudi Arabia and OPEC+, is bad on every level.

The Biden Administration’s New Methane Emissions Proposal

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new methane emission rules. During a period of skyrocketing energy costs, the Biden Administration is taking another harmful strike at America’s energy producers.

Energy innovation, not penalization, is what has allowed our nation to lower emissions significantly over the last decade. Just seven years ago, the natural gas capture rate in North Dakota was 75% but has recently risen to 94%. Instead of continuing down the path of heavy-handed regulation, we should incentivize and encourage our energy producers to continue their progress in lowering emissions while providing the cleanest, most secure energy supply in the world.

This proposal is duplicative of the good work North Dakota is already doing and it imposes Washington’s bureaucratic mediocrity on our state’s excellence.

North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Testifies at Environment and Public Works Hearing

North Dakota Dept. of Commerce Commissioner James Leiman and I met Wednesday morning to discuss North Dakota’s energy industry, supply chain delays, relationships with other states in the region, and how North Dakota’s military assets and infrastructure can attract businesses to the state.

It was then my pleasure to introduce Commissioner Leiman as a witness at the Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on Economic Development Administration programs. It's clear we need to streamline processes in the EDA in order to reduce unnecessary costs, which disproportionally affect rural states and communities.

Resolution Supports Parents’ Role in Education of Their Children

The government is no replacement for parents when it comes to education.

I joined Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in introducing a resolution supporting parents’ rights to be fully and actively involved in the education of their children.

Threatening parents who speak out in opposition to the indoctrination by the left is a blatant disregard for freedom of speech. As a father of five and a grandfather of six, I stand firmly behind parents who want to be involved in and in charge of their children’s education.

Bipartisan Bill Protects Service Members from Unfair Telecom Contracts

Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and I introduced the Emergency Relief for Servicemembers Act, bipartisan legislation to help protect service members and their families from unfair telecommunication contracts, allowing them to cancel TV, phone, or internet service providers without penalty if a global emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, prevents them from moving and using their planned service provider.

Our military members and their families are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and for freedom across the world, so the least we could do is make their relocation moves easier. If service members receive an order to relocate, obviously they should be able to terminate a telephone, television, or internet contract if the company does not service their new address or if their move is suddenly halted because of an emergency situation.

Senate Confirms Michael Connor as Army Civil Works Assistant Secretary

On Thursday morning, I voted to confirm Michael Connor as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. In his role, Mr. Connor will oversee the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, including the ongoing Environmental Impact Statement for the Dakota Access Pipeline.

After conversations with him and his committee hearing, it is clear Mr. Connor understands what North Dakota, and other western states, need when it comes to states’ water rights. He also publicly committed to keep political bias out of the decision-making process as it relates to DAPL.

Legislation Protects U.S. Nuclear Forces

I joined Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) in introducing a National Defense Authorization Act amendment, which would prevent the Biden Administration from making any unilateral cuts to our nation’s nuclear forces. This follows reports China’s nuclear arsenal is growing more rapidly than anticipated and the Biden administration expects to complete a Nuclear Posture Review early next year.

As our adversaries continue to bolster their nuclear forces, it is crucial we do not unilaterally cut our own. The best way to deter China, Russia, and others from ever starting a nuclear war is by maintaining a credible U.S. nuclear force.

2021 Military Academy Nominees Announced

One of the great joys of serving North Dakota in Congress is nominating young patriots for appointments to our military academies. We send our best of the best when young North Dakotans attend our outstanding academies.

After visiting with Jillian Brodeur – U.S. Naval Academy, Jacob Shomento – U.S. Air Force Academy, and Elizabeth Corcoran – U.S. Military Academy (West Point), I am honored to nominate and grateful they are willing to answer the call to serve. They will be great ambassadors of our state.

Legislation Introduced to Improve Access to North Dakota-Owned Minerals

Sen. John Hoeven, Congressmen Kelly Armstrong, and I introduced the North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act, bicameral legislation to authorize the State of North Dakota to relinquish state-owned lands and minerals contained within Tribal Reservations and the Little Missouri National Grasslands to the U.S. Department of the Interior and, in exchange, receive federal land and minerals of equal value within North Dakota.

The federal government’s ownership of small tracts of land and minerals throughout North Dakota makes our energy development challenging. We are changing this with our bill, which authorizes land transfers and therefore eliminates unnecessary levels of regulation.

Our legislation ensures North Dakota can better access our natural resources, helps industry permitting efficiency, and increases revenues to the state and its education trust funds, while restoring tribal ownership and conservation of lands we have no intent to develop.

Lignite Energy Council

I had a great discussion on important legislation relating to lignite resources, key regulatory measures, and the bipartisan infrastructure bill and budget reconciliation with the Lignite Energy Council on Wednesday.

AgCountry Farm Credit

Thank you to members of AgCountry Farm Credit Services for the discussion on the agriculture economy in North Dakota and ways we can strengthen it.

Midkota High School

On Wednesday afternoon, I joined a video call with Midkota High School students in Glenfield, North Dakota. They asked fun questions about the best parts of being in government, my time in the House of Representatives, my inspirations, college tuition, and our energy industry.