Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update January 2-22

North Dakota National Guard 957th Engineer Company Returns to Bismarck

On January 9, I helped welcome home members of the North Dakota National Guard 957th Engineer Company at a ceremony to recognize their yearlong mission at the southwest border.

Heroes are ordinary people who do extraordinary deeds. To me, this is the definition of our North Dakota National Guard. Their excellence can be characterized by a remarkable readiness to serve and dedication to seeing through their missions from start to finish.

The critical support they provided at our southwest border alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents did not go unnoticed. It was a privilege to welcome home members of the 957th Engineer Company – exceptional individuals, heroes, in selfless pursuit of protecting our country – and extend my thanks to them, as well as their friends and families.

North Dakota Files Lawsuit Against Department of Interior Citing Federal Overreach on State and Private Mineral Leasing

North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley filed suit against the U.S. Department of the Interior in early January for the Bureau of Land Management’s cancellation of quarterly oil and gas lease sales without notice or public input.

Attorney General Wrigley is right to sue the Biden Administration for its illegal suspension of quarterly oil and gas lease sales. The President’s executive orders and political whims on climate change do not trump the Bureau of Land Management’s statutory duties, especially when their hindrance equates to a regulatory taking from the State of North Dakota.

The Administration’s actions push production overseas, which impedes our state and local budgets, U.S. global competitiveness and national security, and environmental efforts. It’s illegal and incompetent, and I applaud Attorney General Wrigley for proactively taking the fight to the federal government on our state’s behalf.

North Dakota Seeks Disaster Declaration Coverage for November Winter Storms

I joined Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) and Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) on a letter to the President urging him to approve Governor Doug Burgum’s request for a major disaster declaration to cover the November 9-11, 2022, winter storms. We requested the White House unlock federal natural disaster recovery and mitigation resources on behalf of seven counties: Dickey, Kidder, Mercer, Nelson, Ransom, Sargent, and Wells.

Snow fell at a rate of three inches per hour, making it impossible for snow removal to keep pace, leaving people stranded in their homes and on roadways. Further, high winds created zero visibility conditions and prevented effective snow removal. These conditions, coupled with layers of ice under the snow, closed down major highways in the State for nearly five days, which in turn reduced access to emergency assistance and other critical services.

Not only did ice impact roadways, but it also contributed to fallen trees and collapsed power lines, which left many North Dakotans without heat and power. Unlocking federal assistance via a presidential disaster declaration is critical for North Dakota’s recovery.

Waters of the U.S. Definition Published in the Federal Register is Blatant Overreach

It does not make sense for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers to redefine Waters of the U.S. while the Supreme Court considers Sackett v. EPA.

The new definition represents blatant overreach by the federal government. It intrudes on North Dakota’s jurisdiction over waters within its border and seeks to assert federal control over state and private property.

North Dakota was instrumental in achieving the unprecedented stay of the 2015 Obama WOTUS Rule and should lead this fight once again.

RESPECT Act Signed into Law

The bipartisan Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act I co-sponsored with Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) was signed into law.

The RESPECT Act strikes 11 outdated federal laws that discriminated against Native Americans, including ones that stripped children from their families for the purpose of placing them in “Indian reform schools."

I’m grateful the RESPECT Act is now law. While these outdated laws were not being enforced, it’s right to officially strike them.

This bill recognizes a devastating period in our history – one never to be repeated – and my hope is it will help heal wounds inflicted in the past as we focus on cultivating cooperative government-to-government relationships for the future.

Life Protector Award from North Dakota Right to Life

This week, I received the Life Protector Award from North Dakota Right to Life for my strong stance and track record of protecting the sanctity of life in Congress. The right to life is the most fundamental right we have, and it should be defended. It was wonderful to be in the company of individuals so dedicated to being voices for the voiceless, and I look forward to supporting pro-life legislation in the 118th Congress.

I'm thankful for the honor of this award and North Dakota Right to Life's commitment to advancing the work it represents.

I thank the many schools, families, and Americans who have traveled to D.C. this week to march for life. Your mission matters and I support you.

FCS Championship Wager Settled with Senator Mike Rounds

For the 10th time in 12 years, North Dakota State University headed to the FCS Championship game! I put up a friendly wager with our neighbors to the south that North Dakota State University's football team would beat South Dakota State University.

Unfortunately, North Dakota's Bison lost. I now owe U.S. Senator Mike Rounds and his staff Bison burgers and brats, but a deal is a deal! Congratulations to the Jackrabbits. They are an outstanding team attending a great university. Senator Rounds and I are lucky to represent these genuine people.

Kudlow Interviews

New Congress Policy Agenda

I joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business on January 5 to discuss potential permitting reform legislation and government spending in the new Congress.

The House of Representatives still has a clean slate to start with the 2024 Fiscal Year. We all need to present a more conservative supply-side economic model and appropriations process, all through regular order.

On permitting reform legislation, there’s a good opportunity in the 118th Congress to find common ground, particularly if it includes siting and regulatory reform for building infrastructure and moving products to market, like oil, gas, and electricity. However, it would need to be a negotiated compromise, instead of being built around 51 Democrats and just nine Republicans.

President Biden Classified Document Discovery

I discussed the discovery of Obama-era classified documents in President Biden’s office and home on January 13 with Larry Kudlow.

We can all agree presidents and vice presidents shouldn't walk out of the White House with classified information. Something needs to be done to make sure it never happens again.

We also talked about the hypocrisy of the situation. If we want to create equity, then the current president and the former president should be treated the same.

Letter Urges Flexibility for Nursing Homes in Rural Communities

I joined Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, urging the agency to avoid one-size-fits-all staffing mandates for nursing homes and to support provider flexibility in addressing recruitment and retention challenges. Such mandates would exacerbate existing workforce shortages and place additional financial burdens on facilities in rural and underserved communities.

Last year in North Dakota, staffing and financial challenges forced facilities to significantly suspend patient admissions. I stand ready to work with the agency on proposals to improve long-term care for patients.

The best way to accomplish this goal is for the agency to work with Congress and stakeholders to ensure any future actions do not further exacerbate the serious challenges already facing facilities in rural America.

Federal Trade Commission Proposal Bans Non-Compete Clauses

A bipartisan group of colleagues and I commented on the Federal Trade Commission’s proposed rule to prohibit employers from imposing non-compete clauses on employees.

Restrictive non-compete agreements suppress economic growth, discourage innovation, and are barriers to market entry for entrepreneurs. Non-competes are neither pro-business nor pro-worker, and Americans deserve flexibility to freely pursue their careers.

This is why North Dakota largely prohibited non-competes years ago. This proposed rule follows our state’s leadership.

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.

March for Life Students

Sophomores from Shanley High School in Fargo toured my office following the March for Life in our nation's capital. It's great to see North Dakota's students standing up for life!

I'm glad they had the opportunity to sit down with my staff and ask them questions about the work we do for North Dakota and the value of life.

Reverend Miller

It was great to sit down with Reverend Brad Miller of Charity Lutheran Church in Bismarck following his mission trip to Ukraine.

The people of Ukraine are truly suffering and benefit greatly from this kind of selfless charity and prayer in their time of need.

Grants for North Dakota

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Success Story: North Dakota Receives $3.1 Million to Reclaim Abandoned Coal Mines

The U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement awarded North Dakota more than $3.1 million for abandoned coal mine reclamation projects. The funding for this Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation grant was increased in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

North Dakota is consistently proactive when it comes to initiatives like coal mine reclamation. This award will help create jobs and support efforts already underway in our state to properly clean up and repurpose mines.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law set aside strong funding for North Dakota and I’m pleased to see these resources administered as directed by Congress.

North Dakota Universities and K-12 Schools Receive $4.9 Million

The U.S. Department of Education awarded a total of $4,866,137 to North Dakota universities and K-12 schools:

• $2,320,788 to West Fargo Public Schools
• $1,200,000 to University of Mary
• $889,991 to Minot State University
• $455,358 to the Dickinson Public School District

The Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration Program for the University of Mary and Minot State University supports training for school counselors, social workers, psychologists, or other mental health professionals qualified to provide school-based mental health services.

The School-Based Mental Health Grant Program for the Dickinson Public School District and West Fargo Public Schools helps state and local educational agencies increase the number of credentialed mental health service providers accessible to their students.

North Dakota State University Receives $500,000 National Science Foundation Grant

The National Science Foundation Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems awarded $500,000 to North Dakota State University.

The grant will help support a university project to analyze factors affecting river ice processes. In addition to research, the proposal includes a K-12 education component to encourage early interest in winter hydraulics, as well as a public education component to inform communities and authorities about the important impacts of icy flows.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Success Story: Federal Aviation Administration Awards Over $350,000 to Mott Municipal Airport Authority

The Federal Aviation Administration awarded $351,500 to the Mott Municipal Airport Authority. This funding will help support the reconstruction of a terminal building for the efficient movement of passengers and baggage.

The resources will be administered by the FAA’s Airport Terminal Program, a grant established in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

This funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is another win for North Dakota. Small airports are important in our rural landscape, and these dollars will enable key improvements and upgrades for the Mott Municipal Airport Authority.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Success Story: Watford City Receives $100,000 for Water Metering Project

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation awarded Watford City $100,000 for an advanced metering infrastructure project, provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Among other initiatives, these resources will support the installation of a telemetry base station, help modernize existing municipal water meters, and streamline the exchange of water loss and usage data between consumers and the City.

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has delivered real results to North Dakota. This award is the latest example of how this law can help drive the infrastructure projects and innovations communities across our state are launching.