Senator Cramer's Weekly Update march 21-27

Environment and Public Works Hearing Highlights Need for Increased Domestic Energy Production and North Dakota Carbon Capture Project

At a Senate Environment and Public Works hearing, I responded to the false assertion that U.S. oil and gas does not have an impact on global prices while highlighting the need for increased domestic energy production and innovative solutions like North Dakota’s carbon capture projects.

The United States produces energy with less greenhouse gas emissions than any other nation. If domestic production displaced dirtier foreign sources, global emissions would be reduced. However, the Biden Administration stands in the way.

We have an opportunity to produce cleaner, greener, and better energy than our adversaries. I don’t want to be the leader of a new world order. I want to be the leader of a free world order, which is what the oil and gas industry has provided us in this country and what we are able to provide to the world today.

Interview with Neil Cavuto Discusses Reaction to President Biden’s NATO Press Conference

I joined Cavuto: Coast to Coast on Fox Business to emphasize the need to impose harsh sanctions, including secondary sanctions, on Vladimir Putin and Russia, following President Biden’s press conference at NATO headquarters.

The President talked a lot about food production and rightfully noted that Russia and Ukraine together are the third leading producer of wheat. North Dakota, however, is the number one producer of spring wheat and we're the number two producer of oil in the United States.

North Dakota can do a lot to feed the world and supply energy security. There ought to be a “Patriot Premium” for doing business with our allies and in the United States.

Interview with Maria Bartiromo Emphasizes Need for Domestic Energy Production and Sanctions

On Friday, I joined Mornings with Maria on Fox Business to discuss the importance of the United States leading through strength in support of Ukraine. The whole concept of peace through strength is about deterrence. It's about having strength that deters bad people from doing bad things, including the 150 nuclear missiles in the ground in North Dakota and sanctions.

I also emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to unleash American energy resources. We can unleash incredible American ingenuity and innovation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions like we've been doing in the United States and share that with the world.

The window is open for a geopolitical solution now. We just have to take the 2022 reality and override the 2050 aspirations. We can do both, but what we shouldn't do is unilaterally disarm our own economy by turning to our adversaries for our product we can make better in America.

Interview with Charles Payne Discusses Ukraine and Kurt Groszhans

I joined Making Money with Charles Payne on Fox Business to discuss the situation in Ukraine, including our North Dakota farmer Kurt Grozhans who is being wrongfully held, at great risk under deteriorating conditions, in a Kyiv pre-trial detention facility.

We’re trying to get him out and have been for a couple of months now. Frankly, my patience is getting pretty thin. It's time to let him out.

I also emphasized the need to produce and re-establish our domestic uranium enrichment capacity. If Democrats want clean, emission-free electricity, you can’t do any better than nuclear.

Uranium is something America found, invested in, and perfected, yet we acquiesced the supply chain to our adversaries much like many other industries. This is one more fuel source we should get back in the United States, while also drilling more, mining more, and producing more.

Securities and Exchange Commission Proposes New Climate Disclosure Rule

The Biden Administration is hell-bent on regulating fossil fuels out of existence.

Firstly, this authority – forcing publicly traded companies to disclose their risks from climate change – is not in the purview of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Congress never passed a new law granting it new authority in this space.

Secondly, the new climate reporting requirements are arbitrary and confusing. They only serve to further discourage investment in domestic energy development and prevent American energy independence, a critical tool for peace especially in light of Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and unwarranted war on Ukraine.

I encourage North Dakotans to actively participate in the comment period and make our voices heard.

National Women in Agriculture Day Resolution

I joined Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Tina Smith (R-MN) in calling for Thursday, March 24, to be designated as “National Women in Agriculture Day.”

National Women in Agriculture Day recognizes agriculture as one of the most impactful industries of the United States, and acknowledges the countless women who help agriculture prosper both at home and abroad.

Women are vital in fostering the next generation of the agricultural workforce by promoting STEM, agricultural education, and entrepreneurial and community initiatives.

National Park Service Appoints Angie Richman as Theodore Roosevelt National Park Superintendent

The National Park Service announced the appointment of Angie Richman as Superintendent of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

The entire North Dakota congressional delegation welcomes Angie Richman to the best of “America’s best idea,” Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

I look forward to working with her in her new role to address the maintenance backlog, continuously improve the park’s experience, and expand access to North Dakota’s national treasure.

Senate Armed Services Committee Members Press Biden to Boost Defense Budget

Republican members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and I urged President Biden to include a 5% increase above inflation for the defense spending in his fiscal year 2023 budget request.

The President needs to reject progressives’ push to cut or freeze defense spending, and instead target investments in programs that will modernize the force and fill ongoing readiness gaps, and ensure that rate of growth outpaces current record levels of inflation.

It is time to prioritize our national security. If we do not make the investments our military needs today, we will not be able to defend our nation or our allies in the future.

Amicus Brief Supports Workers Denied Religious Exemptions from COVID Vaccine Mandates

I joined an amicus brief in support of the petition for certiorari in Dr. A. v. Hochul, a First Amendment case over New York’s failure to permit religious exemptions to its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for state and private healthcare employees.

Public officials have a duty to safeguard religious liberty.

Allowing New York’s mandate to remain as-is would serve as a dangerous precedent that may invite other authorities, motivated by their zeal to implement the latest public health guidance—or something else in the future—to disregard the fundamental rights of their citizens.

Employee Rights Act of 2022 Introduced

I joined Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) in introducing the Employee Rights Act of 2022. This bill modernizes and updates the Employee Rights Act to protect independent entrepreneurs, contractors, franchisees, and anyone else pursuing flexible work options.

Employees should always be top of mind, not union bosses. The Employee Rights Act protects American workers in our modern economy.

Letter Urges Biden Administration to Protect Americans Against Russian Cyberattacks

On Monday, I joined Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) and a bipartisan group of senators in urging Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to provide resources for private and public institutions to defend against cyberattacks by Russia or its proxies.

Even beyond the current Russian-induced conflict, cyber threats are growing faster than our private, state, and local institutions can adapt. Our institutions need to be informed and supported by the federal government in order to be prepared to absorb and rebuff offensive cyber operations by foreign adversaries.

Celebration of Modern Agriculture

I enjoyed seeing companies like CASE IH and John Deere, along with the Corn Refiners Association and American Soybean Association, at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ Celebration of Modern Agriculture. The innovation of our agriculture industry is second to none.

Taiwanese Ambassador

The consequences of Putin’s war in Ukraine extend far beyond Europe. The Taiwanese people understand the values of freedom and liberty better than most.

The U.S. needs to step up and demonstrate critical leadership for all freedom-loving peoples and democratic institutions across the globe. While meeting with Taiwan Ambassador Hsiao Bi-khim, I expressed our strong support for Taiwan: a good friend, important trading partner, and beacon of hope.

UK Minister for Defense Procurement

I had a great meeting with UK Minister for Defense Procurement Jeremy Quin discussing our nations’ vital partnership in common defense, trade, and energy.

We agreed Putin’s war in Ukraine has shown the strength of allies and the importance of keeping those bonds strong in peace and war.

ConocoPhillips

It was great to see ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance to discuss the need for a comprehensive energy plan.

We produce oil and gas significantly cleaner than global competitors. It is time to prioritize building out the infrastructure needed to get it to market and reduce global emissions.

Canadian Member of Parliament Randy Hoback

I met with Canadian Member of Parliament Randy Hoback to discuss our special US-Canada relationship.

We must work together to expand grain markets, develop our uranium production so we don’t rely on Russia, and unsnarl the Biden-Trudeau supply chain crisis.

North Dakota 4-H

I had a great discussion with North Dakota 4-H students on the wonderful community spirit of North Dakota and their concerns, including how to serve rural student populations and better support mental health.

Close-Up

Thanks to the nearly 200 North Dakota students who braved the rain to meet with me while on their Close Up trip!

I enjoyed taking selfies and talking with all of you on the steps of our United States Capitol.

Our Redeemer’s Christian School

Had a great time with Our Redeemer’s Christian School students from Minot! Thank you for your interest in our government, history, and architecture of the nation’s capital, as well as your kind words in prayer.