Senator Cramer's Weekly Update may 2-8

North Dakota Leaders Celebrate the Final Sale of Coal Creek to Rainbow Energy

The sale of Coal Creek Station and its transmission assets was made official on Monday! Decades, maybe even centuries from now, students will read about today’s final sale of Coal Creek Station to Rainbow Energy as the day North Dakota saved base load electricity.

The miners, plant workers, lineman, and others all work hard so people on the end of the line have light when they flip the switch. Even if the customer doesn’t know it, this will be the model that will work well into the future.

Committee Unanimously Passes Water Resources Development Act

On Wednesday, the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 unanimously passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

This bill serves as an exemplary example of what can be done when we work together, when we collaborate, and when we care about our nation’s water infrastructure.

This legislation expands Western states’ water rights and works toward better cooperative federalism with the Army Corps of Engineers. This bill gives flexibility to the local jurisdictions for the Army Corps to make repairs more quickly and provide improved recreational access, while requiring the Army Corps to outline a plan for future use of these resources.

It also provides increased funding levels for water and wastewater programs which are utilized and sought after by the small towns throughout North Dakota and throughout the entire country. I’m grateful to the North Dakota Attorney General’s office, North Dakota Department of Water Resources, and other stakeholders for their invaluable input throughout this process to deliver wins for our state.

Committee Passes Legislation to Bolster Outdoor Recreation and Promote Biking on Federal Lands

Last week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed the bipartisan Biking on Long-Distance Trails Act.

The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a North Dakota treasure. As a former Tourism Director for the State of North Dakota, I am proud to have helped advance this bill to bolster outdoor recreation across the country and in North Dakota.

I have enjoyed working as a team with Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), John Barrasso (R-WY), and Joe Manchin (D-WV) to get this one step closer to becoming law.

Statement on Supreme Court Leak

The leak from inside the Supreme Court undermines the legitimacy, confidentiality, and independence the Court has had for centuries. The far left is attempting to bully justices into submission instead of letting the judicial branch perform its duties without influence or bias.

The final decision has not been released and I will not speculate on its contents. However, the impact of this case cannot be overstated. Each and every life is precious and sacred and I will not shirk away from this conviction.

I hope to see the right to life be restored in North Dakota once again in the final decision.

What I’ve Learned from Enes Freedom

In an op-ed, I wrote about lessons learned from Turkish-American NBA star and freedom advocate Enes Freedom’s visit to Bismarck last month. Enes preaches the truth that freedom isn’t free – and as Americans we take our freedoms for granted while the Chinese Communist Party is committing genocide against the Uyghurs.

Enes’ message is one we all need to hear. He speaks about representing faith, family, and country. He speaks about standing up for freedom, morals, and values. He speaks about bringing greater peace into the world. These are American values, ones we should all agree on and support unwaveringly.

Chinese Communist Party leaders control every aspect of the country, and they are trying to implement their dominance on a global scale. They engage in full-scale surveillance of their citizens and the world. Every time you open Tik Tok, China is accessing your data. They are actively committing genocide and forced labor against the Uyghur Muslim minority and they hold expansionist ambitions over the freedom-loving people of Taiwan and Hong Kong. Enes brought these issues to light during his time in the NBA and it cost him his career.

Senate Armed Services Hearing Discusses Grand Forks Air Force Base and Cavalier Radar Modernization

I discussed the future and importance of Grand Forks Air Force Base and Cavalier Space Force Station at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the posture of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.

Grand Forks Air Force Base plays a critical role in our nation’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities. I’m glad U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Brown understands that and has assured us there will be no reduction in force at the base.

I also urged the Space Force to prioritize radar warning system modernization at Cavalier. The Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System at the base is 50 years old. I’m concerned because this year’s budget documents say the radar at Cavalier has a “high risk that equipment failures will cause unacceptable mission downtime.” This needs to be addressed.

Hearing Discusses Army Personnel Pay System Modernization

I discussed the Army’s personnel payment system at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing with Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth and Army Chief of Staff General James McConville.

I was struck by how many times the Secretary and the General stated the most important part of the Army, of course, are the people. They speak with great affection, passion, and sincerity about it.

Secretary Wormuth and I got to know each other through working to fix a pay problem for a North Dakota constituent. The whole process highlighted a broken system.

The new integrated personnel pay system was supposed to be fixed last year, but I’m told it’s still struggling to roll out properly. It seems this would be a priority when looking to modernize and address challenges of recruitment and retainment.

Legislation Defunds Homeland Security’s “Disinformation Board”

I joined Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) in introducing legislation to bar federal funds from being used to establish a Disinformation Governance Board at the Department of Homeland Security.

Government agencies are never and should never be the sole voice of truth. The role of government is to act on behalf of the people, not tell them what to think.

This is completely unconstitutional and against everything I stand for as an American. This bill fights back against the Biden Administration’s totalitarian rule and would give power back to the people.

Resolution Repeals Biden Administration Policy Upending Asylum Process

I joined Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) in introducing a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to dissolve a proposed Biden Administration rule which would illegally upend the process by which the U.S. government grants asylum claims.

The Biden Administration’s incompetence in handling the crisis it created at the southern border is astounding.

This new asylum rule will make the border crisis worse and endanger legal American citizens across the country. Our resolution puts a necessary and timely check on the executive branch and protects against future surges of migrants illegally entering the United States.

Letter Requests TV Parental Guidelines Board Update Ratings Following Disturbing Content from Disney

In a letter to the Chairman of the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board in response to Disney’s latest campaign to embed left-wing sexual politics in its children’s programming, my colleagues and I requested an update to the company’s guidelines. We specifically requested they include ratings on content related to gender dysphoria and help inform parents of this disturbing content.

To the detriment of children, gender dysphoria has become normalized in the popular media and television with radical activists and entertainment companies. This radical and sexual sensation not only harms children, but also destabilizes and damages parental rights.

The Board is obligated to ensure the rating criteria helps parents be informed about mature content before it is displayed to their children.

North Dakota Rural Electric Cooperatives

Recent blizzards destroyed significant electric infrastructure, but thankfully rural cooperatives are working hard to keep the lights on!

Thanks to North Dakota Rural Electric Cooperatives for talking with me about RUS loan refinancing, carbon capture, and ensuring affordable, reliable electricity.

North Dakota Rural Letter Carriers Association

I spoke to North Dakota Rural Letter Carriers Association about the passage of the bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act, the first successful reform effort in 16 years!

Our postal workers, especially those in rural areas, keep us connected and our economy running. I thank all who who provided input on this bill.

Independent Community Bankers of America

Thanks to the Independent Community Bankers of America for meeting with me to discuss important legislation to protect our bankers!

I’ll keep working on your behalf to help rural farmers and ranchers more easily acquire credit, stop Democrats’ attempt to turn the SBA into a direct lender, and pass the SAFE Banking Act.

Association of Evangelicals

It was wonderful to meet with the National Association of Evangelicals, including two pastors from North Dakota.

We talked about how Congress can approach immigration reform, border security, and helping asylum seekers through a thoughtful, biblical lens. Thank you for your support and prayers.

North Dakota Association of Realtors

Thank you to the North Dakota Association of Realtors for coming by to discuss issues facing your industry. The Biden Administration needs to get a hold on inflation and fix labor shortages and supply chain problems to stabilize the housing market.

CoBank

I met with CoBank to discuss innovative energy solutions and how cooperative banks help support agricultural businesses and industries in rural communities.

Nutrien

With a global food crisis setting in, producers in North Dakota stand ready to answer the call. It was great to meet Nutrien CEO Ken Seitz to discuss the fertilizer market and how we can work together to ensure growers have access to the affordable, high-quality inputs they need.

Grants for North Dakota

National Park Service Awards $729,353 to North Dakota and to Tribes for Historic Preservation

The National Park Service awarded a total of $729,353 in historic preservation grants to the State of North Dakota, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Three Affiliate Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, Spirit Lake Tribe of Fort Totten, and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.

Department of Health and Human Services Awards $7.3 Million to North Dakota and Spectra Health

The Department of Health and Human Services awarded a total of $7,350,331 to Spectra Health and the State of North Dakota.

HHS awarded a $1,924,581 Health Center Cluster grant to Spectra Health and $5,425,750 to the North Dakota Department of Human Services. The funds will be used for the Money Follows the Person grant program, which supports community inclusion of individuals with disabilities.