Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update JUly 10 - July 16

Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Hosts Forum

Last week, I delivered remarks at the Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Forum and highlighted the need to combat the Chinese Communist Party’s economic aggression by reorienting American manufacturing and trade policy.

For the last decade, we’ve acquiesced much of our excellence and dominance, and we missed opportunities to trade with our partners and like-minded countries. We’re already paying a domestic price for carbon through our compliance with the strongest environmental policy. We shouldn’t add a domestic tax on top of the price we pay to comply with these high standards.

Fox News' Common Ground Series Highlights the PROVE IT Act

Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and I joined Brett Baier on Fox News’ Common Ground Series to discuss our bipartisan PROVE IT Act, which would direct the Department of Energy (DOE) to study the emissions intensity of certain goods.

Our bill will demonstrate what I think we already suspect, if not know: American businesses are put at a global disadvantage when other countries produce the same products we do that are carbon intensive.

What we want to do is prove American industry is the cleanest industry in the world.

Other countries will want to use the lack of evidence against us, and already do to some degree. We also have trading partners, particularly in Europe, that have carbon border adjustments that have already done this study. We need to demonstrate the same evidence. If it comes down to that, we can prove we are at par or cleaner than they are.

General Charles Q. Brown Jr. Testifies at SASC Hearing

At last week's Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, I questioned General Charles Q. Brown Jr., President Biden’s nominee for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the need for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across the combatant commands and the importance of private sector telecommunications advancements to the military.

I also highlighted the department’s responsibility to be fiscally responsible and addressed opportunities for the military to engage with the private sector to partner and leverage commercial telecommunications, especially 5G and NextGen wireless technology.

Elephant in the Room Podcast Covers North Dakota Issues and Priorities

Last week, I joined the Senate Republicans' podcast Elephant in the Room to talk about my journey to Congress, my family, and North Dakota's excellence.

I also discussed my efforts in establishing the United States Space Force and my role as founder and co-chair of the Senate Space Force Caucus. Space is a critical domain. Now more than ever, it’s vital we have a service dedicated to protecting us from evolving threats and ensuring we maintain America’s advantage in space.

Champion of Healthcare Innovation Award Recognizes Efforts in North Dakota and Across the Nation

I received a “Champion of Healthcare Innovation” award from the Healthcare Leadership Council, a coalition of our nation’s premier leaders from healthcare companies and organizations. I am grateful for their recognition of my efforts to improve healthcare in North Dakota and across the country.

Senators Introduce Legislation to Reverse Unfair Biden Mortgage Rule

I joined my colleagues in introducing the Middle-Class Borrower Protection Act to reverse the Biden administration’s harmful provision which will increase mortgage rates for many middle-class Americans. One of the primary indicators of financial health is a borrower’s credit score and not just income or bank account balances.

Instead of benefitting middle-class families who save and spend within their means, the Biden administration’s rule punishes responsible Americans with higher rates and provides perverse incentives for already risky borrowers.

Let’s end this nonsense and protect responsible, hard-working Americans by nullifying this rule and preventing any other foolish proposals like it.

Senators Question State Department’s Handling of Special Envoy for Iran Malley’s Suspension

My colleagues and I sent a letter to Acting Inspector General Diana Shaw calling for an independent investigation into whether State Department officials complied with all appropriate laws and regulations with respect to the suspension of Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley’s access to classified information.

Conservative Achievement Ratings Released

My commitment to conservative principles has always been reflected in my voting record. I thank the Conservative Political Action Conference for recognizing my efforts to represent North Dakota’s commonsense, conservative values.

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.

Ag Country Farm Credit Services

I had a productive discussion about farm bill priorities with AgCountry Farm Credit Services. Farmers are the reason we can keep food on the table. We must empower and help them as they continue to feed, fuel, and clothe our nation.

Uranium Producers of America

I enjoyed talking with the Uranium Producers of America. We discussed my bipartisan PROVE IT Act and how our miners and refiners produce the cleanest, best fuel in the world. We should rely on them for our supply chains.

North Dakota Superintendents

Met with North Dakota school superintendents, Dr. Rupak Gandhi and Brandt Dick, to talk about the challenges facing our educators and students. Thank you for stopping by.

National Retail Federation

I had a productive discussion with the National Retail Federation about the many challenges facing small retailers. I appreciate their expertise and input.

Romanian Ambassador

Thank you to Ambassador Muraru and members of the Romanian Parliament for meeting with me to discuss security in the Black Sea. I look forward to more cooperation between our two nations.

KKR Investment Firm

Thank you to Ken Mehlman and the KKR team for visiting my DC office to talk about my PROVE IT Act and investing in our nation's infrastructure.

Grants

UND's Energy & Environmental Research Center Receives $2.5 Million to Advance CCUS

The U.S. Department of Energy awarded $2,500,000 to the University of North Dakota’s Energy & Environmental Research Center to advance the implementation of carbon capture, utilization and storage technology at the Marathon renewable diesel facility in Dickinson.

These funds will be distributed through the Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships program, an initiative committed to the advancement of CCUS demonstration projects and mapping potential storage locations.

HHS Awards $1.1 Million for Substance Abuse Prevention Efforts

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $1,156,685 combined to support the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance Program. The funds will be distributed as follows:

• $406,685 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe for tribal opioid treatment and prevention programs
• $750,000 to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara (MHA) Nation for mental health and substance abuse prevention