Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update JUNE 19-25

Senate Armed Services Committee Passes 2024 NDAA with North Dakota Wins

Last week, my Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) colleagues and I voted to advance this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) out of committee. The NDAA is a critical part of Congress’ first Constitutional duty to protect and defend the nation. This year’s bill provides critical funding for the maintenance and modernization of our military and reflects both the needs of our troops and emerging threats.

We live in dangerous times where American leadership and resolve are needed more than ever.

North Dakota plays a pivotal role in our national security, and I am grateful this bill supports our service members and their families while investing in military assets and facilities across the state. I also appreciate Chairman Reed and Ranking Member Wicker’s leadership, and I look forward to getting this bill across the finish line.

U.S. Needs a Thorough Plan to Address China’s Economic Aggression

I penned an op-ed in the Washington Times outlining a comprehensive America First production and manufacturing policy to counter Chinese economic aggression. Enhancing our economic security is necessary to deter any aggression from Beijing, and achieving this goal will require a comprehensive America First strategy.

Instituting a domestic carbon tax or new regulatory schemes would be regressive, hindering the American worker. Throughout my time in Congress, I have firmly opposed domestic carbon pricing and excessive regulatory schemes because they are counterproductive. They penalize excellence.

When we enhance our economic security and detangle ourselves from China’s control of supply chains, America will send a strong message to Xi Jinping’s dictatorship that we now understand the Chinese Communist Party’s game. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

Senators Launch American Canadian Economy and Security Caucus

Senator Angus King (I-ME) and I launched the American Canadian Economy and Security (ACES) Caucus, a bipartisan, bicameral caucus dedicated to strengthening the economic and national security relationship between the United States and Canada.

As anyone in North Dakota knows, our relationship with our neighbors to the North impacts so much life in both our state and across America.

Our ACES Caucus recognizes the strategic role Canada plays when it comes to our economic development, trade, immigration, and border security. I look forward to enhancing our relationship and working on issues impacting the U.S. and Canada.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell Testifies at Banking Hearing

During a Banking Committee hearing on the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to Congress, I questioned Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on increasing capital and reevaluating existing liquidity requirements should another bank failure occur.

I then asked Mr. Powell about his interaction with Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) earlier in the hearing regarding digital economy challenges and individuals’ ability to quickly transfer money between banks.

We need to do all we can to prevent another bank failure. If discipline is never applied when violations occur, they will only be repeated. We don’t need more regulations. We need our regulators to enforce the ones already in place. Silicon Valley Bank was run poorly. The regulators knew it and identified it, but they didn't take strong enough action in response.

North Dakota's Dr. Parag Kumar Attends Joint Session as Guest

Thank you to Dr. Parag Kumar for attending Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to Congress as my guest. Not only is he an India native, he is also a pediatrics hospitalist from Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck and a clinical professor in pediatrics at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Dr. Kumar's knowledge and expertise is second to none, and doctors like him make up a significant part of the workforce in North Dakota.

Ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s Joint Session address, I welcomed him to the United States and hoped he would share with us ways we can work together more to strengthen the partnership between our two nations.

Senate Votes to Rescind Biden Administration’s Overbearing ATF Rule

On Thursday, I voted for a Congressional Review Act resolution to block the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) from reclassifying pistols with stabilizing braces as short-barreled rifles. The ATF’s pistol brace rule gives law-abiding citizens an ultimatum to either submit to constantly changing definitions or risk severe criminal charges.

This is an attempt by the Biden administration to deprive law-abiding citizens, including elderly and disabled citizens and veterans who rely on pistol braces, of their constitutionally guaranteed right to bear arms. I am disappointed this CRA did not pass.

Under the Biden administration’s new rule, law-abiding gun owners could face up to 10 years in jail and thousands of dollars in fines for failing to register pistols with stabilizing braces with the ATF.

Senators Fail to Override President Biden’s Veto of CRA on Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emissions

Last week, the Senate failed to override President Biden’s veto of a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution which would overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) heavy-duty vehicle emissions regulations.

Despite being given multiple chances to prove otherwise, the Biden administration and Democrats have made it clear they simply do not care who gets hurt in their climate crusade. The unrealistic reductions required by the rule hurt small business owners and worsen inflation.

While I am pleased our CRA passed the Senate in April, I am disappointed both in President Biden’s veto and the Congressional Democrats’ refusal to override it.

Legislation Increases Scrutiny of Chinese Investments on American Soil

Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) and I introduced the Exposing China’s Belt and Road Investment in America Act to put Chinese greenfield initiatives within the purview of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). China routinely makes “greenfield” investments while buying land, building factories, and taking advantage of state and local tax breaks in America to expand China’s influence.

Every land acquisition, investment, corporate merger, and building of agricultural facilities, influenced by foreign adversaries, is another step away from American ownership and sovereignty over our own food systems and supply chain.

Placing greenfield investments under CFIUS review will enhance the review process of purchases from Chinese-operated enterprises. Let’s fend off bad, foreign investment once and for all.

Specifically, this legislation would require a CFIUS review for any investment made by a foreign person involving the acquisition of real estate in the U.S. and the establishment of a U.S. business on such real estate which results in China’s direct or indirect control of that U.S. business.

CNH Industrial Hosts Annual Plant Managers Fly-In Meeting

Last week, I joined CNH Industrial's Annual Plant Managers Fly-In meeting to discuss the Farm Bill, year-round E-15, taxation, and implementing a skills-based immigration system. It's always great to hear firsthand from our agriculture machinery and construction equipment manufacturers.

Senators Host Press Conference and Stand for Life

Last week, I joined Senator James Lankford (R-OK) at a pro-life rally to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision.

The Court's ruling was a win for life and states' rights. It is one of the most consequential decisions in my lifetime. The ruling also reaffirms North Dakota's tradition to protect every human life whether unborn, aged, healthy, or sick. I am glad the majority of the Supreme Court agrees.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image, and each life is unique and valuable—including unborn babies. However, we must be consistent in our compassion for all people in order to call ourselves pro-life. Thank you to my colleagues and those across the U.S. who are standing on the frontlines and protecting the sanctity of life.

SAVES Act Provides Service Dogs to Eligible Veterans

I joined my Senate colleagues in introducing the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act. This bipartisan legislation would establish a program to award grants to nonprofit organizations and assist them in providing service dogs to eligible veterans.

From mobility to mental health, I’ve seen firsthand the meaningful change service dogs can have for veterans. We should build on the success they have had by making more well-trained service dogs available to veterans who need them.

Change of Command Ceremony at Grand Forks Air Force Base

On Friday, I attended a Change of Command ceremony at Grand Forks Air Force Base, where Colonel Timothy Curry formally relinquished command of the 319th Reconnaissance Wing to Colonel Timothy Monroe.

A Change of Command ceremony is one of the richest traditions in the military, and I am always inspired when I attend them. Whether leading a squadron, a battalion, a wing, or an entire strategic force or service, the responsibilities are great, and the passing of the torch is appropriately impressive.

It was a special honor to witness Colonel Timothy Curry saluting his troops for the last time. "Beef," Jenny, and their beautiful children have been a blessing to the Grand Forks community and will continue to be.

I was honored to welcome Colonel Monroe, his wife, and his family to North Dakota and pledged my continuing support to the airmen of the Grand Forks Air Force Base, which is growing in people and mission. It is impossible to exaggerate its importance to the defense of freedom in the United States and throughout the world.

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.

Kim Koppelman

It was great to speak with former North Dakota State Representative and Speaker of the House Kim Koppelman about his new role as North Dakota’s State Director for Americans for Prosperity. Thanks for stopping by.

National Grain and Feed Association

It was great meeting with North Dakotans from the National Grain and Feed Association to discuss rail service performance and how we can work together to ensure our agriculture industry receives the timely service it needs. North Dakota is a commodity exporter and our rural economy relies on the movement of goods from our state to the rest of the country and world.

Grants

Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Secures Over $19 Million for Dakota Carrier Network

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration awarded Dakota Carrier Network $19,710,574 through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program. This funding will add middle mile fiber routes to facilitate additional redundancy, resiliency, and network survivability, while also upgrading electronics to support the increased network demand.

Enhancing reliable internet is essential to North Dakota’s workforce, economic development, and communities.

This funding from the bipartisan infrastructure bill ensures those in our state, especially in rural areas, are connected without disruptions.

DOT Awards Over $18 Million to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $18,572,895 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. This funding was made available through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program and will be used to support the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Route 6 Reconstruction and Preservation Project.

This project will reconstruct portions of BIA Highway 6 to bring the roadway into a state of good repair. It’s always a good day when IIJA dollars improve the lives of North Dakotans, and this grant will ensure needed repairs and resurfacing are possible.

DOT Awards Nearly $10 Million to North Dakota Department of Transportation

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $9,850,000 to the North Dakota Department of Transportation for the North Dakota Tribal Trail Connections Project. These funds will be distributed through Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program.

Accessibility on North Dakota’s reservations is critical for tribal communities. This RAISE grant will allow pedestrians and cyclists to take advantage of rehabilitated and safer paths as well as additional trails.

Once completed, these trails will allow more North Dakotans to get outside and enjoy the beauty of our great state.