Bipartisan Trip Expresses Solidarity With Ukraine

Meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Other Ukraine Officials

As part of a bipartisan congressional delegation trip to Ukraine, I met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials.

We expressed strong solidarity with Ukraine in the face of increased Russian aggression, including further military buildup on the Ukraine-Russia border as well as the ongoing conflict in Donbas and purported annexation of Crimea.

We had an informative and productive trip. There is strong unity in our respect and support for the Ukrainian people and their independence.

Press Conference on Ukraine

Following a quick and intense trip to Kyiv, I met virtually with President Biden and joined my colleagues at a press conference on Ukraine. While we certainly have some honest policy disagreements across the political aisle, particularly with regard to the Nord Stream 2 sanctions and when they should be applied, this should not be mistaken by Vladimir Putin or Russia as disunity in our resolve to stand with people of Ukraine.

Nord Stream 2 never should have been built. It has handed Vladimir Putin leverage he should never have had. Despite this, sanctions affecting Putin and Russian oligarchs can still be used as leverage. However, for those sanctions to have a deterrent effect, the United States needs to be unwavering and Germany must publicly display its commitment.

It’s time to demonstrate some action. We need to get to a sanctions package which is strong and decisive enough to be a deterrent. The message needs to be loud and clear: the United States stands as one in unity with the freedom-loving people of Ukraine and never wants a return to Putin’s dream of reuniting Ukraine as part of the Russian empire.

Meeting with Kurt Groszhans

While in Ukraine, I also had the opportunity to meet in person with Kurt Groszhans, a North Dakota farmer detained at a pretrial detention facility. I wanted to ensure he was in good health and had access to the legal representation he needs for a fair trial. In our meeting, I passed along the support of his family and fellow North Dakotans and we prayed together.

Vote Opposes Democrats’ Partisan Election Takeover Bill

I voted against the Democrats’ partisan election takeover bill. After it failed to gain a majority of support in the Senate, the Democrats attempted to eliminate the 60-vote threshold to end debate, in order to ram through their radical agenda, which would silence millions of citizens and entire states.

The Democrats created a fake crisis. These attempts to undermine the integrity of the U.S. Senate are purely designed to tilt the scales in Democrats’ favor for future elections.

The Senate is better than this. America is better than this. Existing law already guarantees voting rights to all American citizens and state self-governance is working quite well and as intended.

It’s unfortunate we wasted precious time on the Senate floor amid the very real crises inflicted upon us by the Biden Administration including skyrocketing inflation, rampant illegal immigration at the porous southern border, mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the buildup of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Paves Way for Launch of Historic Bridge Investment Program

The U.S. Department of Transportation launched the Bridge Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection, and Construction Program. The Federal Highway Administration plans to provide $26.5 billion for states to repair bridges and infrastructure, made possible by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The program is the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system. It will provide North Dakota with $225 million over a five-year period to support bridge improvements including $45 million in the current fiscal year.

Video Statement Supports March for Life

In honor of the March for Life on Friday, I issued a video statement supporting all those who marched.

To all who march, thank you. Thanks for giving your time – that irrevocable gift – and for braving the cold to stand as a voice for the voiceless. I have always promised the people of North Dakota that I would fight for life at all stages. I will always fulfill that promise. The sanctity of life is not a political fight, but a fight for humanity itself. Now is the time to join together to give the future of our country—our next generations—the right to life.

Last week, I also received an A+ rating from the Susan B. Anthony List for my strong legislative record supporting pro-life measures.

Letter Calls on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to Rescind Universal Masking Requirements at Head Start Facilities

In a letter, Senator John Thune (R-SD), several Republican colleagues, and I urged U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to rescind an interim final rule that places one-size-fits-all federal mandates on Head Start programs across the nation.

Layering inflexible federal mandates onto individual Head Start programs that are experiencing varying COVID-19 transmission levels and that are already complying with guidance from their state and local public health officials, in our view, does not make sense.

Legislation Repeals DC Vaccine Mandates for Consumers and Students

I joined Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) in introducing the Restore Parental and Consumer Medical Rights in the Nation’s Capital Act, legislation to overturn the COVID-19 vaccination requirements on consumers and students imposed by the District of Columbia.

Americans should not be required to show personal medical records just to eat at a restaurant or work out at the gym. These are decisions best left to individuals, their doctors, and businesses themselves, not mandates by the government.

Will Nelson Serves as Senate Page

It was great meeting with Will Nelson from Jamestown as he participates in the Senate Page program in our nation’s capital. It’s inspiring to see young North Dakotans actively involved in politics and striving for excellence.

Grants for North Dakota

North Dakota Awarded $534 Million for Flood Protection, Water Supply Projects

The Army Corps of Engineers will allocate North Dakota $533,907,500 in funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for flood protection, water supply, infrastructure, and recreation projects.

The funding from the bipartisan infrastructure package is crucial to protecting our state against future floods and improving our communities’ water supply and wastewater facilities. It also makes much-needed investments in Lake Sakakawea’s recreation access.

• $437,000,000 for Fargo Moorhead Comprehensive Flood Protection
• $61,450,000 for Souris River Basin
• $20,150,000 for Garrison Dam, Lake Sakakawea to repair the Penstock Gallery roof, updated East Totten Trail campground electrical, rehabilitate gates bubbler and heater systems, and dredging
• $4,887,500 for Aneta Water and Sanitary Sewer Project
• $3,275,000 for Cando Sanitary Sewer System Replacement
• $3,800,000 for Enderlin Water Supply
• $2,250,000 for City of Medina Water and Wastewater Improvements
• $745,000 for Sheldon Road Bridge Pre-Construction Engineering and Design
• $300,000 for Lake Ashtabula and Baldhill Dam abutment stability analysis
• $50,000 for project coordination on North Dakota environmental infrastructure

Spirit Lake Tribe Awarded Funds for Building Cleanup

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awards $62,870 to Spirit Lake Tribe.

The funds will be used for unforeseen costs for compliance with the Uniform Relocation Act. The grant will allow the Tribe to complete the cleanup of remaining buildings that were part of the original workplan and grant proposal to allow the properties to be reused as new home sites, open space, and for tribal services.