U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Biden Administration’s Vaccine Mandate for Large Employers

On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Biden Administration’s top-down Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard requiring private employers with over 100 employees to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine or undergo weekly testing.

The Biden Administration’s sweeping, nationwide vaccine mandate on businesses is unconstitutional and oversteps its authority. It took the Supreme Court to set the record straight. First and foremost, this is a win for the Constitution. It’s also a win for personal liberties and our economy, which has been ravaged by Joe Biden’s inflation and supply chain crises.

Democrats’ Voting Rights "Fake Crisis" Discussed on ABC News Live

I joined Linsey Davis on ABC News Live to discuss the Democrats’ push for voting rights legislation and threats to eliminate the Senate filibuster.

Democrats have created a fake crisis. In fact, the last election had record minority turnout, demonstrating State self-governance is working very well in the United States.

Joe Biden is the captain of a sinking ship, and he’s trying to divert attention. It’s unfortunate because we have a crisis at the southern border, runaway inflation, and a national security challenge unlike anything we’ve seen in recent decades with 100,000 Russian troops on the Ukraine border. Yet, he’s threatening to blow up the United States Senate because of so-called "voting rights."

This attempt to undermine the integrity of the United States Senate is all designed to permanently tilt the scales in Democrats' favor for future elections. Biden and several Democrat senators, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have said they’d never do this. Yet they’re trying to carve out the filibuster in an attempt to federalize elections and turn the FEC into a partisan commission.

Letter Demands Answers on Biden Administration Scheme to Label Parents "Domestic Terrorists"

I joined Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) on a letter demanding answers from U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on reports that he played a key role in orchestrating a letter from the National School Board Association (NSBA) calling concerned parents “domestic terrorists.”

Parents are not ‘domestic terrorists’ and it is appalling that anyone would suggest that exercising the constitutionally protected freedoms of speech and assembly would be characterized as a threat. Parents across the country are outraged that their children’s education has been disrupted, delayed, even denied over the past two years.

NDSU Bison Congratulated on Senate Floor on FCS Championship Win

On Tuesday evening, I delivered remarks on the Senate floor with Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) congratulating the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Bison football team on their FCS Championship win over the Montana State University Bobcats. We highlighted the players’ academic successes in addition to their athletic successes.

Great athletes are smart athletes.

While they take the stage on ESPN on game days, it’s important to point out NDSU’s athletic teams achieved a remarkable semester last fall with a 3.418 grade point average among all 427 student-athletes.

The Bison now have 17 football national championships and have remarkably won their last 13 title game appearances.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.

I also joined Senator Hoeven in introducing a resolution outlining NDSU’s successful football program due to the hard work of players, coaches, and staff. We also expressed gratitude to all of Bison Nation for its continued dedication throughout the years.

Vote to Oppose Fish and Wildlife Service Director Nominee

I voted against Martha Williams, nominee to be the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Fish and Wildlife Service’s heavy-handed enforcement of Waterfowl Production Area easements has been a focus of mine since coming to Congress because of the blatant abuse of private property rights. In an effort to make meaningful change, I have supported both Trump and Biden Administration nominees, and I have brought them to North Dakota to hear directly from agricultural producers and landowners.

Each time, I have appreciated the conversation and have heard the promises to resolve issues. While some progress has been made, North Dakotans feel like they have been strung along by an intransigent bureaucracy.

I had a good discussion with Ms. Williams and appreciate her commitment to review the enforcement process and appeals; however, after all the interaction North Dakotans have had over the years, my constituents are looking for meaningful change. Until they see action and relief, I cannot give my approval.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell Questioned on Agency Mission Creep and Inflation

I questioned Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell at his nomination hearing before the Senate Banking Committee about skyrocketing inflation rates endemic of the Biden economy.

I also emphasized the importance of the Federal Reserve’s independence and issued a warning about the Biden Administration’s efforts to implement social and climate policy through financial regulation.

Federal Reserve’s Energy and Climate Role Discussed with Governor Brainard

I discussed the Federal Reserve’s limited role in energy and climate with Lael Brainard, nominee to be Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve, at a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Thursday. I’m thankful Dr. Brainard met with me beforehand so I could outline my concerns about her previous comments on the agency’s role in climate change.

I also asked Dr. Brainard to be clear about her positions regarding the agency’s role in social and climate policy.

The Bakken is cash-starved quite honestly and some of that is because of the signals its getting from banks and the banks are getting from others that investing in oil production is persona non grata. Now the demand is going up, the supply is being held down by both rhetoric and policy. Most of it is not your policies, but the President’s. I worry that frankly we want to transfer our climate guilt by suggesting that we shouldn’t produce so much in the U.S. while global demand goes up and our adversaries – who are not nearly as environmentally friendly as we are – produce.

States’ Water Rights and Recreational Opportunities Highlighted at Hearing

I discussed states’ water rights and recreational opportunities with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Michael Connor and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commanding General and Chief of Engineers Lieutenant General Todd Spellmon at a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing.

As we pursue a new Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), we should consider setting up a platform for states to have direct access to Army Corps leadership. This would provide North Dakota and other Western states the forum to bring localized problems to the forefront. Western issues are unique and oftentimes are the consequence of some other region’s policies.

Bill Mandates New Sanctions on Nord Stream 2

On Thursday, I voted to mandate sanctions on the Kremlin-owned Nord Stream 2 AG, the company responsible for building the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The legislation would impose sanctions within 15 days of the bill becoming law. Despite a bipartisan majority in favor of the bill, Senate Democrats blocked the legislation.

This pipeline is bad for our national security and bad for our environment. It erodes our allies’ geopolitical strength and transports Vladimir Putin's dirty natural gas, which emits 41% more greenhouse gas emissions than American natural gas. American energy is cleaner and can help meet Europe’s energy demands. Russia must be kept in check and green-lighting this massive pipeline project does the exact opposite.

It's disappointing to see my Democrat colleagues give Putin this gift and reverse their previously-held position based on who is in the White House.

Democrats’ Attempt to Federalize Elections and Senator Cruz’s Nord Stream 2 Legislation Discussed on Fox Business

Last Monday, I joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss Democrats’ attempt to federalize elections, Senator Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) legislation to mandate sanctions on Nord Stream 2, and the tax code.

Bill Sanctions Beijing for Obstruction of COVID Origins

On Monday, I joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) in introducing the Coronavirus Origin Validation, Investigation, and Determination Act of 2022, legislation to authorize sanctions if, 90 days after enactment, the Chinese Communist Party fails to allow for a credible and comprehensive international investigation into the origins of COVID-19 at laboratories in Wuhan.

Congress should not have to threaten sanctions to get transparency from the Chinese Communist Party on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jack Brewer

It was excellent seeing Jack Brewer to discuss the goals of his foundation, the important role of fatherhood, and how we can lift up disadvantaged veterans. Thanks for visiting!

Mr. Brewer is the Founder and Executive Director of The Jack Brewer Foundation. Since 2006, its various programs and global initiatives have offered educational opportunities and economic development to underprivileged individuals around the world, using sports as a catalyst.

General David Berger

I had a great conversation with U.S. Marines Commandant General David Berger on the status of Force Design 2030 and the importance of driving innovation to outpace our adversaries. I look forward to working together to support our Marines.

Faith and Freedom Coalition

I’m honored to receive the “Friend of the Family Award” from the Faith and Freedom Coalition for my 100% conservative voting record in the 116th Congress and commitment to the values of faith, family, and religious liberty. It’s not hard to stick to these wonderful conservative principles.

Grants for North Dakota

Bismarck State College Awarded $1.3 Million for Applied Science Scholarships

The National Science Foundation awarded $1,368,264 to Bismarck State College.

The funds will be used to award scholarships to academically talented students with demonstrated financial need, who are pursuing associate and baccalaureate degrees in Applied Science.

Commerce Department Awards $682k for North Dakota Economic Development

The U.S. Department of Commerce awarded the following three grants totaling $682,500:

• $227,500 to the Souris Basin Planning Council to support Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville, and Ward counties.
• $227,500 to the Lewis and Clark Regional Development Council to support Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan, and Sioux counties.
• $227,500 to the North Central Planning Council to support Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette, and Towner counties, as well as the Spirit Lake Nation and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa reservations