Senator Cramer's Weekly Update march 14-20

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Addresses Congress

It was more than an address to Congress. It was an address to the American people.

We must let the requests of President Zelensky be more important to us than the reactions of President Putin. We as a nation have for too long allowed the bully to dictate the terms of our engagement.

We can do more to help Ukraine. We can do a lot more to make sure not only Putin, but other bullies watching know there is a price to pay for their evil and it will not be allowed to be unleashed onto the free world.

America’s leadership is so critical. Just remember the price we have paid for being too late and not stepping up as the leaders of the free world.

Resolution Urges MiG-29 Transfer to Ukraine

I joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in introducing a Senate resolution urging the Biden Administration to facilitate the transfer of aircraft, such as MiG-29s, and air defense systems to Ukraine.

I fully support the immediate transfer of MiG-29s and other air defense systems to Ukraine. President Zelensky has asked for these aircraft multiple times. We should have green-lighted them from the beginning.

It is our responsibility as leaders of the free world to give the independent people of Ukraine all the tools they need to protect themselves against Putin’s thuggery and aggression.

Letter Demands Russian Companies be Banned from U.S. Capital Markets

I joined Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Jim Risch (R-ID), John Cornyn (R-TX), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Mike Braun (R-IN) in calling on President Biden to ban Russian companies from the United States financial system to ensure American investors are not invertedly providing capital to fund Russia’s war against Ukraine. We need secondary sanctions to block China or other adversaries from helping Russia skirt the requested sanctions on the U.S financial system.

While we commend the actions being taken to remove Russian companies from U.S. markets, more must be done to ensure U.S. investors are not supporting Russian companies that currently enjoy access to U.S. capital markets.

Bill Bans Russian Uranium Imports

Uranium is an important energy source and yet another example of how the U.S. needs to shore up our critical supply chains. Unfortunately, rather than producing and re-establishing our domestic uranium enrichment capacity, we have relegated our leadership and the revenue profits to Russia and its allies.

Our bill is an impetus to change by banning the import of uranium from Russia and cutting off another avenue which funds Putin’s unwarranted and unprovoked violent war on Ukraine.

Biden’s Climate Alarmist Nominees Send a Chilling Message to Financial Institutions and the Energy Industry

In my op-ed for The Hill, I wrote about how the Biden Administration’s radical financial nominees and hostility towards fossil fuels are having a chilling effect on the ability of America to achieve energy independence once again.

The Administration is reportedly turning to despots in Iran and Venezuela to help meet oil shortages. Instead, it should be sending market signals to U.S. energy producers who want to step in, fill the void, and help America’s European allies become less dependent on the energy supply of dictators.

The Biden Administration needs to dramatically change course by reversing bureaucratic efforts to deny financing to what they wrongly deem “socially suboptimal” industries. It starts by withdrawing radical, climate alarmist nominees and political appointments. These signals could provide banks, financial institutions, and energy producers the security and stability to unleash long-term American energy growth.

Energy Roundtable Discusses Expanding Access to Capital with North Dakota Petroleum Council and Minneapolis Federal Reserve

On Friday, I participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC) President Ron Ness on expanding access to capital to ensure American energy security. The roundtable also featured Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President and CEO Neel Kashkari.

My mission was simple: foster a discussion on what oil and gas producers and hardworking men and women in the fossil fuel industry need to get North Dakota back to 1.5 million barrels of oil per day. What will it take? We had a great discussion full of sage advice and counsel from Minneapolis Fed President and CEO Kashkari and the North Dakota Petroleum Council.

We discussed global market and oil prices, the ongoing labor shortage, permitting challenges, inflation, the need for more midstream infrastructure, and debunked the Biden Administration’s 9000 permits falsehoods.

National Credit Union Administration Finalizes Strategic Plan

On Thursday, the National Credit Union Administration finalized the Strategic Plan and unfortunately farmers’ and ranchers’ concerns fell on deaf ears.

The language will inevitably discourage credit unions from lending to producers under the guise of ‘climate related financial risks.’ This is exactly what the Biden Administration does. What they can’t get done in law or via regulation, they use memorandum and guidance. It all has the same chilling effect.

This radical agenda needs to be pulled out from the root.

Fox and Friends Interview Discusses Omnibus Spending Bill and Ukraine

Over the weekend, I joined Fox & Friends to discuss Putin’s war on Ukraine and President Biden’s war on the fossil fuel industry.

Senate Republicans urged President Biden to preempt this invasion by putting harsh sanctions on Nord Stream 2 before the attack. Every step of the way, he’s been one step behind.

We also discussed the $1.5 trillion omnibus spending legislation and the lack of transparency regarding the process of these giant spending bills. We must be more fiscally disciplined.

Fox Business Interview Discusses Russia and Energy with Kudlow

I also joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss Russia’s financial support for far-left climate groups. It doesn’t shock me to know Russia and the American Left are colluding on a political agenda. Although it may benefit them in their own respective countries, it doesn’t benefit the environment.

American fossil energy is much cleaner and produced with higher environmental and labor standards. Every organization that’s received money from Russia ought to be under investigation.

We also discussed House Democrats' efforts to ban energy development on federal lands. Even though the President likes to talk about the large number of leases on federal lands out there, the reality is the timeline for getting a permit to drill has increased by multiples. It’s just one more chilling regulatory effect on capital. What we ought to be doing is encouraging production not just with our rhetoric, but with our actions.

Squawk Box Interview Discusses Arming Ukraine and Biden’s Energy Policies

I joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss Putin’s war on Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has demonstrated aggression once thought impossible. The hope is his own people and some of his own leaders that surround him will put a halt to this but, so far, his isolation and aggression are prevailing.

On March 6 the Administration green-lighted MiG fighter jets to go to Ukraine, but four days later, when Poland chose to go through the United States as the arbiter, the United States changed its policy. We ought to give President Zelensky all the tools Ukraine needs to dissuade Putin.

We also discussed the Biden Administration’s disastrous energy policy. I’ve talked to a number of producers in North Dakota and they’re capital-starved. But if the right messages were being sent to the markets, we could pick up another couple hundred to 400,000 barrels per day. Investors have to get the right message, however, and the Administration is turning to despots in Iran and Venezuela instead.

Newsmax Interview Discusses Russian Collusion with Political Left and Environmental Organizations

With Bob Sellers and Heather Childers on Newsmax, I discussed Russian collusion with the political left and environmental organizations.

Russia’s involvement in spreading misinformation through non-governmental organizations disguised as environmental groups in the United States is not a new story. This is something we’ve known for some time. What’s really not so ironic is both Russia and the political left in the United States get to promote what they love most: a socialist economic system.

Let’s face it, the Green New Deal has always been much more about a socialist economic agenda than it has been about the environment.

We also discussed John Kerry’s climate hypocrisy, virtue signaling, and the need to transfer MiG fighter jets from Poland to Ukraine.

A New Iran Nuclear Deal Without Broad Congressional Support Will Not Survive

According to press reports, the Biden Administration may soon conclude an agreement with Iran to provide substantial sanctions relief in exchange for merely short-term limitations on Iran’s nuclear program.

On Monday, I joined 48 of my Republican colleagues telling the Biden Administration we will not support the revived Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran, which, according to public reports, will weaken sanctions and lessen restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program.

Republicans have made it clear: We would be willing and eager to support an Iran policy that completely blocks Iran’s path to a nuclear weapons capability, constrains Iran’s ballistic missile program, and confronts Iran’s support for terrorism. But if the Administration agrees to a deal that fails to achieve these objectives or makes achieving them more difficult, Republicans will do everything in our power to reverse it.

Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing Discusses Iran Nuclear Deal, Weapons Sales and ISR

In a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, I discussed the Iran nuclear deal with Commanders for the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command.

I will not support the Biden Administration’s attempt to revive the Iran nuclear deal which, according to public reports, will weaken sanctions, remove Iran from the Foreign Terrorist Organization list, and lessen restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program.

We also discussed foreign military sales to the United Arab Emirates and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance needs.

Senate Passes Resolution to Overturn Biden Administration Public Mask Mandate

I was glad to see the Senate pass the resolution I co-sponsored to strike down the Biden Administration’s mask mandate for public transportation!

It’s time to move on.

Shalanda Young Confirmed as Director of the Office of Management and Budget

On Tuesday, I voted to confirm Shalanda Young to be Office of Management and Budget Director. She is eminently qualified for the job.

Her deep understanding of the legislative process, impressive wit, and proven ability to build relationships will serve her well in this important role. I have appreciated her responsiveness in her role as Acting Director and I’m honored to support her promotion.

While we do not agree on everything, I look forward to working with her to deliver results for North Dakota.

Sarah Bloom Raskin Withdraws Her Federal Reserve Nomination

In Sarah Bloom Raskin’s letter to President Biden withdrawing her doomed nomination, she confirms what we’ve known all along. She wanted to radically change the mission of the Federal Reserve and choke off funding to fossil fuels. This stands in direct opposition to her statements before the Banking Committee.

This came after Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced his opposition to Raskin’s nomination to the Federal Reserve Board.

Once again Senator Joe Manchin shows himself to be a statesman who understands the American economy and the strength of American energy production with his announcement to oppose Sarah Bloom Raskin. This raises awareness that radicals who speak out against fossil fuels and capital investment are out of the mainstream in this country.

It is especially important during these times when energy has become a weapon used by despots and dictators. We should instead be using it as a tool for peace, American energy dominance, and economic security.

North Dakota Delegation Works to Prevent Disruption in Air Service

The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued an order requiring SkyWest Airlines to continue the level of service required under its Essential Air Service contracts, including in Jamestown and Devils Lake, until the department identifies replacement service.

Access to continued, reliable commercial air service for Jamestown, Devils Lake, and the surrounding communities is necessary to continue economic growth and opportunities in the region and to meet the needs of the traveling public.

Air service demand in North Dakota has significantly increased from previous years. Notably, of the eight commercial service airports in North Dakota, Jamestown and Devils Lake airports are the only that have seen an increase in boardings year-over-year from January 2019. Clearly, now is not the time to cease commercial air service to these communities.

Letter Urges Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau to Stave Off Canadian Pacific Rail Strike

I led my colleagues in a letter on Tuesday calling on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his cabinet to take action to prevent a Canadian Pacific railway strike.

The strike would include more than 3,000 locomotive engineers, conductors, trainpersons, and yardpersons, and have significant market implications from agriculture to energy. It would also exacerbate the Biden Administration’s supply chain crisis.

Letter Urges President Biden to Ensure Contract Negotiations with West Coast Ports are Successful

On Thursday, I joined Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Richard Burr (R-NC), and James Risch (R-ID) on a letter to President Biden expressing our concern regarding upcoming contract negotiations at America’s West Coast ports.

President Biden needs to use the tools available and work with both the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association to guarantee contract negotiations are successfully completed before the contraction expiration date of July 1.

Any delays caused by failed negotiations will have a drastic cost and impact on our nation’s supply chain. This cost will be felt by not only retailers and others that rely on ports for their business, but also by millions of American workers, farmers, and ranchers, who may face short-term shutdowns at their factories or barriers to shipping their products to market.

Letter Calls on Biden to Embrace American-Made Liquid Fuels Over China-Dependent Electric Vehicles

President Biden needs to continue utilizing liquid fuel vehicles in the federal fleet, including vehicles used by the U.S. Postal Service.

A USPS review that found an all-electric vehicle approach would be impractical for at least 12,500 delivery routes across the country.

A complete transition to electric vehicles is not only unnecessary to achieve emissions reduction goals and harmful to consumers, it is also constrained by a broad array of obstacles.

Furthermore, the supply chain for critical minerals and other materials used for electric vehicles is largely dominated by China and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has run up the cost of nickel, also essential for making electric vehicles.

We urge the Biden Administration not to ignore the costs and national security concerns involved in this decision.

Resolution Introduced to Nullify Biden Administration Rule and Stop Federal Grants to Abortion Providers

I helped introduce a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the Biden Administration’s 2021 Final Rule on the Title X Family Planning Program, which reversed the Trump Administration’s 2019 ban on federal funding to entities that provide abortion referrals to pregnant mothers.

The right to life is our most precious and fundamental right. The Biden Administration’s Title X Family Planning Program rule directed millions of taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. This is an attack on all life.

Our resolution overturns this rule and rightly protects all life – born and unborn.

Letters Defend the Second Amendment

I joined Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and 19 Republican Senate colleagues in a letter to the Attorney General and the Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) expressing concern over the ATF’s use of secret internal guidance to enforce regulations that are not openly published.

Americans claimed to have received recent threatening letters where the ATF makes blanket threats based on the recipient allegedly purchasing and possessing various firearms accessories, none of which are illegal based on any statute or regulation.

With this attempted secret regulation, the ATF shows an abject disregard for the fundamental principles of due process and accountable governance. Federal agencies cannot enforce the law in this manner.

I also joined Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and 24 Republican colleagues in demanding the ATF provide answers on recent actions that infringe on Americans’ Second Amendment rights by preventing law-abiding citizens from creating and owning suppressors.

These continued assaults on the Second Amendment threaten law-abiding Americans’ rights as they try to follow ATF guidance on making these parts.

We request that the ATF provide us answers on why it is rejecting legal applications and denying law abiding citizens access to their Second Amendment right. The ATF was not established to interfere with a basic right afforded to every American.

Letter Demands U.S. Potato Export Agreement Be Honored and Expedited

I joined Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Angus King (I-ME), U.S. Congressmen Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR), and 29 Congressional colleagues from potato-producing states in calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to press its counter-agency in Mexico to honor and expedite the U.S.-Mexico trade deal restoring U.S. fresh potato exports to Mexico in a bipartisan, bicameral letter.

The U.S. continues to honor our side of this trade deal, and it is imperative USDA ensure that Mexico does the same.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Opens Public Comment Period on Livestock Management Plan

The National Park Service is collecting public comments on its proposed Livestock Management Plan for Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I encourage all North Dakotans and stakeholders to participate in the public comment process to have your voices heard.

I look forward to working with the park, stakeholders, and North Dakotans to ensure Theodore Roosevelt National Park remains beautiful, vibrant, and accessible. The public comment period is open until Friday, April 15.

Erin Oban Appointed as North Dakota State Director for USDA Rural Development

On Thursday, the Administration announced the appointment of Erin Oban as U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for North Dakota.

The USDA Rural Development State Director plays an important role as the point person for grants, loans, and loan guarantees to help create jobs, support economic development, and provide essential services.

From water to telecommunications, USDA Rural Development provides critical assistance to North Dakota communities. I look forward to working with Ms. Oban to improve the economy and quality of life in North Dakota.

Senate Western Caucus

I attended the Senate Western Caucus Energy Roundtable to discuss how American energy can meet our needs and the world’s.

Putin can’t be trusted! We have an opportunity to help provide for our allies and ourselves by producing more American energy.

North Dakota League of Cities

Thank you to North Dakota League of Cities for a great discussion! I look forward to working with our towns and cities to fix workforce shortages, support small business, and make sure the bipartisan infrastructure law works for North Dakota.

Labeling Legislation Discussed with North Dakota’s Livestock Stakeholders

I enjoyed meeting with representatives from the Dakota Resource Council, Independent Beef Association of North Dakota, North Dakota Farmers Union, North Dakota Farm Bureau, and the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association to discuss the American Beef Labeling Act.

I look forward to working with North Dakota’s ranchers to reach a consensus on beef labeling policy. We must push for solutions which allow American producers to differentiate their higher quality product while not triggering retaliatory tariffs with our largest trading partners.

Close-Up

Thank you to the Close-Up students from Fessenden-Bowdon, Wilton, and Billings County High Schools for stopping by to talk about your time in Washington, D.C., President Zelensky’s address to Congress, and the need to reopen the U.S. Capitol grounds for tours.

Rural Leadership North Dakota

It was wonderful to talk to students with Rural Leadership North Dakota, a North Dakota State University Extension leadership program. We had a great discussion on how to make rural economies more vibrant.

Grants for North Dakota

$114 Million Contract Awarded for Fargo Flood Management

The U.S. Army awarded a $114,897,115 contract for the Fargo Moorhead Metropolitan Area Flood Risk Management Project.

This contract provides for construction of the Red River Structure as part of the overall combination of measures, including water control structures, a diversion channel, and additional in-town measures. The estimated completion date is March 19, 2027.

Infrastructure Law Success Story:

This follows the $437 million the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allocated to complete its work on the Project from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.