Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update May 22-28

Honoring Our Fallen Heroes This Memorial Day

Today we pay tribute to the bravest among us: the members of our armed forces who paid the ultimate price for our country. We also remember the loved ones they left behind, whose courage and selflessness embody the American principles we hold dear.

Last Congress, I led several bills to support our nation’s veterans and fund efforts by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Among them, four became law:

• The VA Solid Start Act, which strengthens the Solid Start Program.
• The WWII Veterans Hospital and Medical Eligibility Act, which ensures all World War II (WWII) veterans have access to VA health care services.
• The Burial Equity for Guardsmen and Reserves Act, which allows state veterans’ cemeteries to bury Guard and Reservists without penalty from the federal government.

Supreme Court Decision on Sackett v. EPA WOTUS Case Restores Power to Congress

On Thursday, the Supreme Court issued its decision on Sackett v. EPA, with all nine justices siding with the Sacketts.

The ruling importantly restores power to Congress, consistent with the intent of the Clean Water Act: wetlands are only protected under federal law if they have a contiguous surface connected with a larger body of water. The Environmental Protection Agency overstepped its authority, and the Court appropriately posited the absence of a prohibition in the law is not a license to regulate.

This decision finally makes clear what we’ve known all along. The Clean Water Act was never intended to regulate puddles. The Court was right to rein in the Environmental Protection Agency’s quest to regulate to the rain drop.

Now, the Biden administration must withdraw its Waters of the United States rule and stop trying to circumvent the law. I am hopeful this case puts an end to the unworkable regulatory ping pong which North Dakotans and landowners have been subjected to for far too long.

Letter Urges Withdrawal of Small Gasoline Bulk Plant Vapor Balancing Mandate

Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA) and I led 82 colleagues from the Senate and House on a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency urging it to withdraw portions of a proposal which would place more stringent vapor emissions requirements on small gasoline bulk plants. If finalized, the rule could drive compliance costs, impact regular service, and choke off supplies to entire communities during emergencies.

Given these adverse effects, we suggested the Environmental Protection Agency convene a Small Business Advocacy Review panel to engage in a conversation with energy marketers about the proposal's consequences.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s overzealous proposed rule could have disastrous consequences for North Dakotans. Small, family-owned gasoline bulk storage plants are a critical part of the fuel distribution system in rural areas.

The rule would force increased costs on consumers and prompt storage facility closures. It’s a lose-lose for everyone involved, and the EPA should withdraw it.

Bill Introduced to Enhance Tech Career Opportunities for Veterans

I joined Senator Angus King (I-ME) in introducing the VET-TEC Authorization Act to make permanent the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses pilot program, which is set to expire soon.

Since 2017, the program has established pathways for thousands of veterans to secure jobs in the high-tech sector by providing tuition aid at eligible institutions, housing stipends, and connections with prospective employers.

Supporting our veterans includes enhancing the resources and opportunities available to them. Our bill builds on the pilot program’s successes by making it permanent and expanding participants’ eligibility.

President Biden Nominates General C.Q. Brown as Joint Chiefs Chair

Last week, President Biden nominated General C.Q. Brown to be the next Joint Chiefs chair. I have enjoyed working with General Brown and witnessing his strong leadership in his role as the Secretary of the Air Force. I also appreciate his support for our North Dakota Airmen and their missions.

President Biden made a good choice and would be well served by General Brown’s military counsel and wisdom. I look forward to meeting with him and hearing his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee throughout his confirmation process.

Bill Makes Tax Relief for North Dakota Small Businesses Permanent

Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and I introduced a bill to make the 20% pass-through business tax deduction permanent. The Main Street Tax Certainty Act aims to support small businesses, create more jobs, and strengthen our economy.

Small businesses are essential in North Dakota’s rural communities and are the backbone of our economy.

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act established Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code, which allows pass-through businesses to deduct up to 20% of qualifying income. The deduction is slated to expire at the end of 2025. Our legislation ensures millions of Main Street businesses maintain tax parity with large corporations. Without congressional action, they will face a massive tax hike, which could spur wage reductions and cut jobs.

Wachter Middle School Visit with 8th Graders

I enjoyed speaking with Wachter Middle School 8th graders last week about the rich history of our great country. I also had the opportunity to hear about their recent studies, including those of my 10th great-grandfather William Bradford and his journals.

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.

Grants for North Dakota

North Dakota HHS Receives Over $10 Million for Loan Financing, ELC Program

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10,263,178 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. The grants will finance loan repayments and the program entitled “Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC).”

Infrastructure Law Success Story: North Dakota Receives $7.5 Million to Enhance Grid Resilience

The Department of Energy awarded the state of North Dakota $7,499,037 in the first round of resources distributed through the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants program, which was funded in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

These grants will help modernize the electric grid by reducing the magnitude, duration, frequency, and impacts of grid outages caused by natural disasters and extreme weather conditions. Selected projects will enhance the reliability of our power sector and advance the development of energy solutions, with the objective of lowering energy costs for disadvantaged and underserved communities.

Infrastructure Law Success Story: North Dakota Receives $3.5 Million for Brownfield Cleanup

The Environmental Protection Agency awarded $3,500,000 to North Dakota communities. These resources were allocated in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and will be administered through the Brownfield Cleanup Grant Program.

Remediating sites contaminated by hazardous substances and returning them to productive use is a win-win for our communities. These bipartisan infrastructure law grants will help create new opportunities at currently unusable locations.

The grants will be disbursed as follows:

• $2,000,000 for the Fargo Housing and Redevelopment Authority to remove asbestos, heavy metals, and other inorganic contaminants from the Lashkowitz High Rise
• $1,000,000 for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians to eliminate hazardous substances at the Main Hospital on the San Haven complex in Dunseith
• $500,000 for McKenzie County to conduct environmental assessments and develop cleanup plans at properties in Arnegard, Watford City, and Alexander

Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative Receives $3.6 Million for Distribution System Repairs

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded $3,615,862 to the Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative for repairs to its distribution system, which was damaged during a severe winter storm and flooding event last spring.

North Dakota State University Receives $145,000 for Biochemical Research

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded North Dakota State University $145,000 for research on Biochemical Characterization of the CAMKV Pseudokinase.

The resources will be administered through the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, which aims to streamline the development and deployment of disease treatments.