Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update August 22-28

Department of Defense’s Test Resource Management Center Welcomed to Grand Sky

The Department of Defense’s Test Resource Management Center is now converting Global Hawk aircraft to aid in hypersonic missile testing at Grand Sky!

Grand Sky is a proven leader in aerospace and unmanned systems, and with this announcement, it will be a critical component to the testing and development of hypersonic missile technology. This new mission and capability will strengthen our nation’s defense and security as well as bring additional economic and employment opportunities to the Grand Forks community.

This is one more part of a technological ecosystem that makes North Dakota critical to national security and innovation. It would not have been possible without the leadership of Senator Hoeven and we thank Director Rumford for coming to North Dakota and experiencing our excellence firsthand.

Following the announcement, I participated in a Community Leaders SkyRange Fleet Expansion Information Session at Minnkota Power to discuss the economic and employment impact on the greater Grand Forks community and northeast North Dakota.

REGROW Act Brings $25 Million to North Dakota to Remediate Orphaned Wells

The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources was awarded $25 million to plug and remediate orphaned wells. The money comes from my Revive Economic Growth and Reclaim Orphaned Wells (REGROW) Act of 2021, which was included in the bipartisan infrastructure law.

North Dakota was proactive in dealing with orphaned wells remediation and now, through the bipartisan infrastructure law, more dollars are coming to our state to enhance the program.

The REGROW Act provides oilfield job opportunities, cleans up environmental hazards, and brings land back into productive use. While this funding should have been distributed over three months ago I’m pleased to see it happen and will continue to work with the U.S. Department of the Interior and the states to ensure our Congressional intent is met.

Statement on Biden’s Student Debt Cancellation

Last week, President Joe Biden announced the cancellation of up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt per borrower and up to $20,000 of debt for some borrowers who previously received a Pell grant. President Biden’s unilateral decision to forgive the student loan debt of some borrowers also included an extension of the payment pause through December 31, 2022.

Just when you think Joe Biden can’t possibly make inflation worse than he already has, he pulls this stunt.

Not only will this “free money” further fan the flames of Biden’s inflation, it is fundamentally unfair to the millions of Americans who don’t have student debt to pay off. Transferring student loan debt to people who paid theirs off or never accumulated any in the first place is theft, and taxpaying voters will be justifiably outraged.

Flag Presentation Honors Local WWII Hero Vern Otterson

Last week, I honored 96-year-old World War II Veteran Vern Otterson of Fargo with a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol. After growing up on a farm near Kindred, Mr. Otterson enlisted in the U.S. Army and served overseas as a medic-MP in General George S. Patton’s 3rd Army.

Vern Otterson is the embodiment of our greatest generation. With a high school education in tow, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and left North Dakota for the Western Front.

Because of brave soldiers like Mr. Otterson and his fellow countrymen, the Allied Powers defeated Nazi Germany, dismantled fascist rule in Europe, and ended the Holocaust.

We are forever indebted to Mr. Otterson for his valiant service to our great country. The flag we presented today is a small token of our appreciation for his heroic dedication and sacrifice.

Officer Dexter Davis Receives Congressional Badge of Bravery

On Tuesday, Senator John Hoeven and I presented the Congressional Badge of Bravery to Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officer Dexter Davis in recognition of his exceptional acts of bravery while serving on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

Three summers ago after heavy rainfall, Officer Davis selflessly waded into dark and raging waters to rescue an injured bus driver near the North Dakota-South Dakota state line. He exemplifies what it means to be an officer of the law by demonstrating courage, sacrifice, and excellence in the line of duty.

On July 9, 2019, significant heavy rainfall washed out a large section of Highway 1806 on the border of North and South Dakota. Fast moving water swept several cars and a bus into a hole which was approximately 30 feet deep by 50 feet wide and was quickly filling with water. As one of the first responders on the scene, Officer Davis acted quickly, entered the water, and used ropes to stabilize the bus and retrieve the bus driver, who was severely injured. Officer Davis and the driver were then pulled to safety by the other emergency personnel.

North Dakota Soybean Processors Break Ground on New Facility in Casselton

On Wednesday, I attended the groundbreaking of North Dakota Soybean Processors’ new facility with Governor Doug Burgum, Senator John Hoeven, and local, agriculture, and business leaders in Casselton, North Dakota.

Eastern North Dakota is a national leader in soybean production. This new North Dakota Soybean Processors facility expands market access, increases value for local soybean producers, and drives investment back into the local communities.

North Dakota Soybean Processors, a joint venture between CGB Enterprises, Inc. and Minnesota Soybean Processors, said the new facility is expected to crush 42.5 million bushels of soybeans in the first year and create 50 to 60 new jobs once fully operational in 2024

Tour of SpaceAge Synthetics

I toured SpaceAge Synthetics, Ltd., on Thursday. Locally owned in Fargo, North Dakota, since 1994, SpaceAge Synthetics produces fiber-reinforced urethane products serving the building, transportation, and marine industries.

It’s always a great day when I get to see the leadership and ingenuity of North Dakotans first hand. SpaceAge Synthetics embodies our state’s entrepreneurial spirit.

John Hertsgaard’s Fargo-based company is a leading manufacturer of American-made reinforced products for the transportation, marine, and building industries providing good-paying jobs and revenue for the community.

Fox Business Kudlow Show

I joined Larry Kudlow on his Fox Business show to compare and contrast the philosophies surrounding the Trump economy, which focused on tax reform and deregulation, and the Biden economy, which focuses on socialist policies and unchecked government spending.

Donald Trump understood the value of deregulation, states authority, and state oversight. That was a game changer in terms of unleashing ingenuity, innovation, and our economy. Now, you have exactly the opposite. This changes investment and it changes the relationship with states.

Mornings with Maria Show Interview

I joined Maria Bartiromo on her Mornings with Maria show on Fox Business to discuss Democrats’ fiscally irresponsible Inflation Enhancement Act and student loan debt forgiveness.

The mainstream media still refers to the bill as the “Inflation Reduction Act.” I have always called it the “Inflation Enhancement Act.”

There’s nothing about the economic formula that backs this bill up to reduce inflation. The Biden Administration gets away with calling hundreds of billions of dollars in spending a reduction in inflation because we have a complicit media willing to help with its marketing and branding.

Forgiving student loan debt would create so many perverse incentives starting with increasing tuition costs.

If you gave every kid in America $1,000 to go toward their next semester of college, the price of college goes up $1,000.

Letter Raises Concern About Biden Administration Permitting Individuals Who Have Supported Terrorism to Immigrate to the U.S.

Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and I sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing serious concern over their Departments’ June 8 determination, which makes individuals who provided “insignificant material support” or “limited material support” to terrorist organizations eligible for immigration to the United States, thereby altering U.S. immigration policy and affecting the security of the United States.

We write because the American people deserve an explanation regarding the broad, open-ended nature of this authority for exempting individuals who would otherwise be barred from immigration to the United States for supporting a terrorist organization.

Letter Pushes Commerce Department to Implement Broadband Expansion as Congress Intended

I joined Susan Collins (R-ME), Rob Portman (R-OH), and a group of 10 Senators in calling on the Department of Commerce to follow congressional intent in implementing the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program that was created through the bipartisan infrastructure law.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently issued its Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the $42.45 billion BEAD program. While there are some aspects of the NOFO that track the legislation, there are significant concerns about many aspects of the NOFO that deviate from congressional intent. The letter asks the NTIA to revise the NOFO to ensure the BEAD program is implemented as Congress intended.

Upcoming Public Schedule

Monday, August 29

Rural Health Tour and Meeting

• Northwood Deaconess Hospital
• 4 North Park Street, Northwood
• 11:00 AM CT

Tuesday, August 30

• Military Appreciation Event feat. USMC Silent Drill Platoon
• 4 Bears Casino Event Center
• 202 Frontage Road, New Town
• 12:00 PM CT

Wednesday, August 31

• North Dakota Veterans Cemetery Thirty Year Commemoration Ceremony
• North Dakota Veterans Cemetery
• 4606 Highway 1806, Mandan
• 1:00 PM CT

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.

North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders

It was great to meet with the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders to find the best ways to support North Dakota students and school staff. The combination of staffing and teaching shortages and the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are real challenges facing our schools and students.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby

The North Dakota chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby stopped by to discuss the Growing Climate Solutions Act and support for a carbon border adjustment mechanism.

A carbon border adjustment mechanism can be a geopolitical tool for the U.S. to capitalize on our energy successes and emissions reductions. We do it better and cleaner than everyone else!

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - ND

It was a pleasure to meet with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) North Dakota advocate Carl Young and hear about his family’s experiences with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Early detection and intervention treatments can be the difference maker in fostering a child’s development. FASD can range from behavioral to learning challenges in people who were exposed to alcohol before birth.

North Dakota Pharmacists Association

I enjoyed meeting with the North Dakota Pharmacists Association to discuss the important role pharmacists play in providing health care. Thanks for stopping by!

Grants for North Dakota

North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality Receives $692,000 to Replace Old School Buses

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $692,384 to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) to replace older diesel school buses through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act State Grants.

The funding will support NDDEQ in its efforts to reduce diesel emissions and exposure throughout the State of North Dakota. The project will replace diesel school buses with newer diesel and/or propane school buses.

USDA Awards $317,000 to Ellendale Fire Protection District

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Rural Development awarded $316,500 to the Ellendale Fire Protection District through the Community Facility Disaster Grants.

This Rural Development investment for the Ellendale Fire Protection District will be used to replace the fire pumper truck for Ellendale and the surrounding area. The new state-of-the-art truck is intended to provide upgraded and reliable service for years to come.

Department of Health and Human Services Awards $1.8 Million in Head Start Funds to HIT, Inc.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a $1,833,728 Head Start grant to HIT, Inc., which provides a variety of services to people with disabilities in western North Dakota.

The funds come through the Head Start and Early Head Start programs, which promote school readiness for young children and toddlers from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development as well as early learning, health, and family well-being.