Senator Cramer's Weekly Update APRIL 4-10

Fort Belvoir Visit with North Dakota National Guard

Last week I visited Fort Belvoir and met with soldiers from North Dakota National Guard’s 1-188th Air Defense Artillery Battalion. We discussed the advancing technologies they work with every day.

While at Fort Belvoir, I received a mission brief and participated in a promotion ceremony for North Dakota National Guard Staff Sergeant Micheal Iverson. It was an honor to be a part of this special occasion and thank him for his service to our great nation.

Vote Opposes Confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court

I did not vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. In my meeting with Judge Jackson, we discussed her judicial record and covered numerous cases which are important to North Dakota. While our conversation was cordial, it was apparent we fundamentally disagree on how judges should interpret our laws and the Constitution.

While I did not vote to confirm Judge Jackson, this is a historic moment and one we should all celebrate.

During our meeting, she said to me that she starts every case on its own merits and the text of the Constitution. Then she looks to see if there’s anything beyond that. There’s nothing beyond the text of the Constitution or statute under review. Cases should be determined on their constitutionality.

Judge Jackson made it clear she provides great deference to the federal government even when such authority is not enumerated in the Constitution or intended by law. This is a fundamental difference in opinion between us. If it’s not in the law, Congress has authority to clarify, not the courts.

I also have concerns about how far below sentencing guidelines she sentenced criminals and how very far below the average she sentenced child pornography perpetrators.

Secretary of the Navy

I spoke with Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro about retention and taking care of our Sailors and Marines, funding for our U.S. Navy, and shipbuilding. I look forward to continuing to work together!

National Shooting Sports Foundation

Thanks to the National Shooting Sports Foundation for the invitation to discuss my Fair Access to Banking Act and how we can push back against radical activists trying to crush lawful commerce they don't like. It's wrong and antithetical to the freedom we love!

Bill Introduced to Extend Title 42 Authority Until 2025

In response to President Joe Biden’s decision to rescind Title 42 authority, which would result in a massive surge of illegal immigration across the southern border, I joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) in introducing a bill to extend Title 42 authority until February 2025. 

Rescinding Title 42 is a dumb idea and an even dumber political strategy.

This irresponsible move by the Biden Administration will escalate the dangerous situation at the southern border, where immigration facilities are already overwhelmed and illegal immigrants are coming into the United States by the thousands.

Letter Urges Biden Administration to Extend Title 42 Order

I joined Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) on a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the dangerous and reckless decision to rescind the Title 42 Order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which permits the immediate expulsion of illegal immigrants who attempt to cross the southern border.

Rescinding the Title 42 Order during a border crisis, and with knowledge of a building surge of illegal immigrants, presents a serious threat to public safety.

Landowner Easement Rights Act Introduced

I introduced the Landowner Easement Rights Act with Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and John Hoeven (R-ND) which will prohibit the Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from entering into a conservation easement with a term of more than 50 years. It will also give owners of existing easements the option to renegotiate, renew, or buy out the easement

Too often, these bureaucrats have overstepped the legal bounds of their contracts and turned a blind eye to the appeals of North Dakotans. Our bill acknowledges private property owners’ grievances and provides them the opportunity to make decisions on the land they live and work on.

Vote Opposes Bill to Shift Resources from States to Federal Bureaucracy at Fish and Wildlife Service at EPW Markup

At a markup in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I voted against the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, a bill I originally co-sponsored. The bill was intended to proactively address and keep species off the Endangered Species Act list.

In its original form, it put an emphasis on states and what they can do. States are more responsive to their constituents and more nimble. Frankly, they’re more attuned to the situation in front of them. Instead, the bill in front of us reduces the money going to states and instead shifts it over to the federal bureaucracy and Fish and Wildlife Service.

During the markup, I also highlighted North Dakotans’ experience with the Service.

Hearing Presses Secretary Austin and General Milley on Biden Administration’s Military Climate Change Objectives

At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing I pressed Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley on the Biden Administration’s push to incorporate climate change into the U.S. military’s mission.

Do you think China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are going to be slowed in their military development by climate change concerns?

I highlighted the geopolitical opportunity domestic energy provides both in terms of national security and decreasing global greenhouse gas emissions.

Hearing Highlights Poor Methane Capture Rates on Federal Land and Pushes for Answers on Chlorpyrifos Disposal

At a Senate Environment and Public Works hearing, I highlighted poor methane capture rates on Federal lands – especially when compared to North Dakota state and private lands – and pressed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan to work with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture on chlorpyrifos disposal.

In the Bakken where we produce a lot of oil, natural gas is a byproduct so we do have some venting and flaring. The range of capture of natural gas from the Bakken oil production range from 56% to 94%. The good news is the state average is 93%. The 94% is all state and private land. The 56% to 83% is largely either tribal land or other Federal lands. We need to do better on Federal lands and Indian lands.

I called for increased cooperation between Federal agencies and encouraged Administrator Regan to work with Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to use the permitting efficiencies the agencies already have from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to increase energy infrastructure that reduces methane emissions.

I also asked for assurances the EPA is not going to punish growers who may currently hold chlorpyrifos given the lack of direction from the Agency and for the EPA to work with state agencies to properly handle disposal.

Legislation Introduced to Establish Strategic Uranium Reserve and Increase Domestic Production

I introduced the National Opportunity to Restore Uranium Supply Services in America (NO RUSSIA) Act of 2022 with Senator John Barrasso (R-WY). This legislation authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a national strategic uranium reserve.

Uranium is a critical piece to our energy security, national security, and grid reliability. Establishing a national strategic uranium reserve, made up of American produced and processed uranium would reduce our reliance on Russia and other adversaries and support domestic energy production.

This bill would increase domestic uranium production, conversion, and enrichment to ensure existing U.S. nuclear reactors have sufficient fuel to continue operating.

Letter Calls on the Securities and Exchange Commission to Withdraw the Proposed Climate Disclosure Rule

I led every Republican member on the Senate Banking and Environment and Public Works Committee in calling on Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler to withdraw the agency’s proposed climate disclosure rule, which would require publicly-traded companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and other information related to climate change.

Addressing climate issues is a complex task with widespread consequences across the U.S. economy. We believe devising climate policy is the job of elected lawmakers, not unelected regulators at the SEC.

The letter outlines the SEC’s lack of regulatory authority to issue a climate change rule, which would impose significant compliance burdens on public companies, and would further push capital away from domestic fossil fuel producers at a time when energy prices for Americans are skyrocketing.

Bill Introduced to Clarify Biden Cannot Unilaterally Declare “Climate Emergency”

I joined Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) in introducing the Real Emergencies Act to clarify President Biden cannot use climate change as the premise to declare a national emergency.

The Real Emergencies Act applies a much-needed check on the executive branch. We should instead focus on an all-the-above energy solution which is crucial to defeat our adversaries, lower energy prices, and address global greenhouse gas emissions.

House Progressives’ shortsighted attempt to double down on President Biden’s failed energy policies by encouraging him to declare a national climate emergency and ban fossil fuel development would be an unprecedented abuse of his authority, cripple America’s energy stability, and devastate global energy markets.

Senate Passes Bill Banning Russian Oil Imports and Suspending of Permanent Normal Trade Relation Status

I voted to pass legislation to ban Russian oil imports and suspend Russia’s Permanent Normal Trade Relations status.

We can and we should be doing everything in our power to undercut Putin’s malign influence as they continue his violent unwarranted and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Banning Russian oil imports and suspending preferential trade treatment shuts down vital revenue streams for Putin’s war chest.

Floor Speech on Biden’s "9,000 Lease Lie"

On Wednesday, I delivered remarks on the Senate floor on the Biden Administration’s “9,000 Lease Lie” occurring amidst a backdrop of skyrocketing inflation, soaring gas prices, and an ongoing supply chain crisis.

We have a geopolitical opportunity right now to cut Putin’s malign influence and we should be taking full advantage of it. Believe it or not, producing more U.S. oil and gas reduces global greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the West’s reliance on dirtier fuels from our adversaries.

Let’s make the world safer, and let’s unleash American energy production. At North Dakota’s peak, we produced 1.5 million barrels per day of oil. North Dakota alone could provide two-thirds of the product Europe imports from Russia. It would be cleaner than Russian oil and would lessen Putin’s leverage over Europe.

Senate Armed Services Committee Republicans Respond to Biden’s Inadequate Defense Budget

I joined my colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee in responding to President Biden’s inadequate defense budget.

President Biden needs to put a serious budget proposal forward to confront the real threats we face. Russia is just one reason why defense spending needs to be higher. China and other nations are watching the seriousness and resolve of freedom-loving nations.

Letter Demands Disclosure of Report on Border Patrol Horse-Whipping Investigation

More than six months after the promised release of an investigative report concerning horse patrol activity last September in Del Rio, Texas, I joined Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) in demanding public disclosure of these unreleased findings by U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

The American people—and especially agents whose superiors publicly accused them of misconduct—deserve the transparency promised, even if it is embarrassing for the Biden Administration.

Senators Work to Save School Choice After Threats from Biden Administration and Bureaucrats

I joined Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Tim Scott (R-SC) in urging the Department of Education to reconsider its proposed ruling redefining the Charter School Program, stripping parents of their ability to choose the best education for their child.

After teachers’ unions spent the pandemic keeping public schools closed while many charter schools stayed open, it is particularly appalling the Department is working aggressively to limit charter school options for families in need.

Bill Introduced to Accelerate Economic Growth and Spur New Business Creation

Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the enactment of the bipartisan Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, my Senate Banking colleagues and I unveiled a discussion draft of a new plan to help accelerate economic growth and spur new business formation.

Our work seeks to accelerate economic growth and spur new business creation. These bills create more access to capital for businesses on Main Street and in rural communities while repealing burdensome requirements inhibiting growth and innovation.

At a time with record inflation and Biden’s supply chain crisis, it’s more important than ever to work towards a regulatory environment where entrepreneurs, small businesses, and investors can thrive.

Bill Introduced to Expand Medicare Coverage of Chiropractic Services

I joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in introducing the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act to ensure Medicare patients have full coverage of chiropractic care.

Chiropractors can provide patients with a wide range of health care services, but current restrictions under Medicare prevent them from offering seniors a full scope of treatments or ordering diagnostic services. This is particularly an issue in rural areas.

The Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act provides care options from chiropractors for Medicare patients suffering from back or neck pain and ensures they can receive the care they need.

Ukrainian-American Veterans

It was great to hear from the Ukrainian American Veterans about their pride for our two freedom-loving countries! We need to give Ukraine what it needs to win this fight.

Federal Reserve Governor

I talked with Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman about the important role our community banks play in rural communities and how I can best serve them on the Senate Banking Committee.

Essentia Health

I met with Essentia Health, a top health care provider in North Dakota, about the importance of telehealth services, flexibility in utilizing federal funds, and investing in our state.

Our rural health care and critical access hospitals are important to the well-being of our communities.

U.S. Travel

I visited with U.S. Travel officials, including State Tourism Director Sarah Otte Coleman, about workforce shortages, immigration reform, and how to assist tourism industries as they work to recover from COVID shutdowns.

LiUNA

Great meeting with LiUNA members to discuss opportunities in the bipartisan infrastructure law, workforce challenges, and the vast opportunities presented in the energy and mining industries.

Close Up

Thanks to the Close Up students from West Fargo for visiting with me. We had a great discussion about our branches of government, the Founding Fathers, and growing up in a small, but important state like North Dakota.

Grants for North Dakota

Infrastructure Law Success Story: $21.6 Million for North Dakota's Transit Systems

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration awarded $21,558,937 in funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Highway Trust Fund to North Dakota’s transit systems.

This funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is another win for our state. These dollars will specifically aid projects to improve North Dakotan’s access to transit systems.

North Dakota Department of Health Awarded $2.8 Million from FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded $2,822,425.57 to the North Dakota Department of Health.

The funds come from the Disaster Relief Fund as authorized under the Stafford Act and will go toward helping reimburse the costs of North Dakota’s efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

University of North Dakota Awarded Funds for Biomedical Research

The National Science Foundation awarded $249,118 to the University of North Dakota.

The funds will be used for research of Stimuli-Responsive Biodegradable Polymeric Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications.