Senator Cramer's Weekly Update February 21-27

Russia Invades Ukraine

Last week, Russia invaded Ukraine and violated international law.

It’s crystal clear Vladimir Putin harbors fantasies of reuniting the Soviet Union, and now he’s translated this fantasy into action.

He has absolutely no right to invade Ukraine’s sovereign borders and impose Russia’s will on the freedom-loving people of Ukraine. The United States fiercely condemns this violent action and stands strongly in support of Ukraine.

We needed sanctions months ago to ward off exactly this type of action. Now that Putin has taken these steps, we must implement strong, primary and secondary sanctions immediately. Our response here is greater than Russia and Ukraine; what we choose to do will also send a message to China on Taiwan.

President Biden Announces Supreme Court Nominee

Congratulations to U.S. Appeals Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on her nomination to serve as Associate Justice to the United States Supreme Court. President Biden fulfilled his duty to nominate a candidate, now it is the Senate’s duty to fulfill its obligation of advice and consent.

I look forward to meeting with her and having a hearty, open dialogue about her qualifications, adherence to the Constitution, and the principles of limited government and cooperative federalism just as I did during Justice Barrett’s nomination process. North Dakotans expect a thorough review of her record and I plan to do just that.

University of North Dakota Medical School Tour Highlights Groundbreaking Alzheimer’s Research

On Friday, I joined Dr. Colin Combs, University of North Dakota Department of Biomedical Sciences Chair, and Dr. Marc Basson, Senior Associate Dean for Medicine & Research on a tour of their ongoing research concerning Alzheimer's Disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.

For an issue near and dear to me and my family, it was a privilege to learn more about ongoing Alzheimer’s Disease research.

Luncheon Profiles High Tech Labs and Practical Education for UND Petroleum Engineering Students

I joined University of North Dakota President Andrew Armacost, North Dakota Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford, Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) CEO Charles Gorecki, members of the North Dakota Industrial Commission, the North Dakota Petroleum Council, and additional state and local leaders for a luncheon and tour of EERC labs.

Military and Veterans Issues Covered at Roundtable Discussion in Fargo

I participated in a military roundtable on Thursday with the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber of Commerce to discuss the current state of the military and veterans affairs.

What we’re seeing with the Russian invasion of Ukraine is a reminder of how important intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance are in modern warfare.

Fargo’s Happy Hooligans and the Grand Forks Air Force Base are critical assets in our nation’s ISR capabilities. Maintaining and developing North Dakota’s unmanned system expertise is one of my overriding priorities on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Fox Business Interview Discusses Energy Policy in Light of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

On Wednesday, I joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss the implications of President Biden’s disastrous energy policy and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Energy is in the supply chain or value chain of everything – everything we grow, everything we produce, everything we manufacture, and everything we ship. President Biden’s energy strategy is anti-national security, anti-energy security, and anti-economic security.

Good Morning America 3: What You Need to Know Interview Discusses the Situation in Ukraine

Last week, I also joined T.J. Holmes on Good Morning America 3: What You Need to Know to discuss the situation in Ukraine amidst Russian aggression. I’m an optimist, but things right now look pretty bleak. Vladimir Putin has violated international law by invading freedom-loving Ukraine.

We should have had pre-emptive sanctions recognizing the fact Putin is already in violation of international law. Vladimir Putin may have taken us all a little more seriously if we would have shut down Nord Stream 2 or ended the prospect of certifying it.

New Executive Director for North Dakota Farm Service Agency Announced

On Thursday, the Biden Administration announced the appointment of Marcy Svenningsen as Farm Service Agency state executive director for North Dakota. The state executive director position for the Farm Service Agency plays a critical role in implementing policy, administering loan programs, and promoting conservation, commodity, disaster, and farm marketing programs in the state.

The Farm Service Agency provides North Dakota’s farmers and ranchers critical assistance on time-sensitive matters. I look forward to meeting with her and hearing her ideas on how to improve responsiveness to farmers’ needs.

Dunseith Land Port Receives Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

On Friday, the U.S. General Services Administration awarded funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to modernize the land port of entry in Dunseith, North Dakota.

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs act is bringing more than just traditional dollars for roads, highways, and bridges. This funding for our land port of entry in Dunseith is a boon for North Dakota and for the country to strengthen supply chains and enhance security and jobs.

Bill Introduced to End Vaccine Mandates for International Truck Drivers

I joined Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) in introducing the Terminating Reckless and Unnecessary Checks Known to Erode Regular Shipping Act, which would exempt non-U.S. citizen commercial truck drivers traveling from Canada or Mexico who are seeking to temporarily enter the United States for business through a land port of entry from proof of vaccination requirements.

Vaccine mandates for truckers to enter the U.S. from Mexico and Canada are an extreme abuse of power with far-reaching consequences.

We’re suffering through a supply chain crisis, and we need every trucker moving every product to every consumer and every place possible.

Our bill provides much-needed relief from burdensome vaccine mandates to allow commerce to flow freely throughout North America.

Letter Presses EPA to Halt New Waters of the U.S. Definition Until Supreme Court Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to deliver a ruling on Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, which will impact any future definition of Waters of the U.S.

In a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Michael Connor, my colleagues and I called on the Biden Administration to stop any work on a WOTUS definition until the court’s ruling.

Bill to Require U.S. State Department to Release Afghanistan Dissent Cable

I joined Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Jim Risch (R-ID) in introducing a bill to require the U.S. State Department to release a public, unclassified version of the July 13, 2021, internal dissent channel cable that reportedly warned of the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the Taliban’s ability to capture Kabul.

The American people have yet to receive all the information about the Afghanistan withdrawal. The internal dissent channel cable will provide important insight into what went wrong and how to make sure this never happens again.

Letter Calls on FDA to Immediately Restore Oversight of Chemical Abortion Pills

I joined Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH), and 123 colleagues from the Senate and House of Representatives, on a letter demanding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) immediately restore more stringent oversight of chemical abortion bills, including the in-person dispensing requirement the FDA suspended in December.

In addition to the loss of the unborn child, chemical abortion drugs present serious risk to the health of the mother, including severe bleeding, infection, the need for surgical intervention, and even death.

Letter Urges Biden Administration to Increase Liquefied Natural Gas Exports

In response to a February 2 letter signed by 10 Democratic senators calling for the Biden Administration to curb liquefied natural gas exports, I joined Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on a letter urging the Department of Energy to facilitate the increase of LNG exports to supply our European allies with energy in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Investing in domestic oil and gas production creates U.S. jobs, lowers domestic and global emissions, and increases U.S. energy security and makes us essential to the energy security of others.

Senator Jim Inhofe Announces Retirement

Senator Jim Inhofe is a giant in the Senate and I consider him a great mentor and close friend.

He’s just one of those mentors who has ultimate integrity, intellectual curiosity, institutional knowledge, and at the end of the day is one of the greatest gentlemen of the United States Senate.

The impact of Senator Inhofe’s public service cannot be overstated. He will be sorely missed in the Senate.

Letter Urges Support for Medicare Advantage Program

I joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tim Scott (R-SC), and a bipartisan group of their Senate colleagues in urging the administration to continue support for the Medicare Advantage program, which provides quality health care to 27 million seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Letter Asks for Targeted Relief for the Automobile Industry

Dealerships are struggling with inflation and inventory shortages amidst ongoing supply chain disruptions.

On Wednesday, my Republican colleagues and I urged the U.S. Department of the Treasury to use its existing authority to provide temporary and targeted relief to the automobile industry.

The Department of the Treasury’s inaction comes despite the unprecedented pandemic-related interruption of global supply chains that are severely curtailing vehicle production due to the ongoing shortage of semiconductors.

Bipartisan Group Calls for Diaper Banks Funding in Final FY2022 Appropriations Package

I joined a bipartisan group of Senators urging U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Chairman Patrick Leahy and Vice Chairman Richard Shelby to include funding for our nation’s diaper banks in the final fiscal year 2022 appropriations package to help better support working families.

Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, one in three families struggled to afford enough diapers to keep their children clean, dry, and healthy. The economic fall-out from the pandemic has exacerbated families’ already strained budgets and greatly increased diaper need across the country.

Continental Resources

Continental Resources Chairman Harold Hamm stopped by to discuss carbon capture and the 45Q tax credit.

Horace Mayor

Thanks to Horace Mayor Kory Peterson and City Administrator Brenton Holper for coming by to discuss the city’s recent growth and infrastructure needs.