Senator Cramer's Weekly Update June 13-19

Senate Armed Services Committee Passes Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act

On Thursday, my Senate Armed Services Committee colleagues and I voted to advance the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act out of committee.

The National Defense Authorization Act is an investment in national security, our brave service members and their families, and our homeland.

It contains funding for North Dakota’s military assets and missions in Minot, Grand Forks, and Cavalier in addition to support for our state’s National Guard and the entire North Dakota military community.

This year’s NDAA provides support for members of our armed forces, invests in emerging technologies to ensure we keep pace with our adversaries, rightly emphasizes nuclear modernization programs, and protects our strategic deterrent.

It also makes important inroads to prevent the Biden Administration from implementing its woke, left-wing social agenda at the Department of Defense.

Spirit Lake Nation Roundtable Discusses Regional Health Care Initiatives, Lake Elevation, and Tourism

I’m thankful Tribal Chairman Yankton invited me to a roundtable to visit Spirit Lake Nation and discuss topics important to the region including local health care initiatives, fish and wildlife management, lake elevation, and tourism.

It was important to hear about the needs on the ground firsthand and the efforts by the community to address ongoing issues.

Political BIAS Emails Act Introduced

On Wednesday, I joined Senator John Thune (R-SD) and 24 of our colleagues in introducing the Political Bias in Algorithm Sorting (BIAS) Emails Act. This legislation would hold Big Tech platforms accountable for using biased algorithms and ensure emails are delivered to consumers without a political filter.

Big Tech has an unprecedented influence on our political landscape. Evidence has shown their algorithms have a clear liberal bias over what information Americans receive about candidates, campaigns, and political issues. This is an affront to consumer choice and free political speech.

Our bill confronts this bias by requiring transparency and empowering Americans to choose what they read, not Google.

Banking Hearing Discusses Legislation to Empower Investors

At a Senate Banking hearing, I discussed the Investor Democracy is Expected (INDEX) Act, a bill I introduced with Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), to address problems stemming from the consolidated corporate ownership and voting power within Wall Street’s largest investment advisers and their index funds.

I also talked about the pushback from states against Environmental, Social, and Governance financing by the nation’s largest financial institutions and the impact of politicizing energy sector index funds. If we’re going to have index funds based on political criteria, they ought to be grounded in some science, not just somebody’s perceived crisis. We need more realistic governance in the financial sector.

Support Grows for Travel Nursing Agency Transparency Study Act

Support for my Travel Nursing Agency Transparency Study Act is growing. The legislation requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study and report to Congress on the business practices and the effects of hiring agencies across the health care industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I appreciate the strong support from a wide array of stakeholders in the health care industry.

My legislation is supported by:

• American Hospital Association
• American Health Care Association/ National Center for Assisted Living
• North Dakota Medical Association
• North Dakota Hospital Association
• North Dakota Long Term Care Association
• National Rural Health Association
• Vizient, Inc.

Senate Passes PACT Act to Provide Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits

On Thursday, I voted to pass the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022.

For the first time in our nation’s history, we are providing health care benefits stemming from exposure to toxic substances during military service for all veterans ranging from Vietnam to the Global War on Terror.

The PACT Act provides veterans with access to better resources, services and care. It is unfortunate this bill did not follow regular order and was not refined through the amendment process. Implementation and its success will ultimately fall to the Department of Veterans Affairs, which I hope will be nimble and responsive to veterans’ needs while making sure those already in the system are not neglected.

In a Senate Veterans Affairs’ Committee hearing earlier this week, Secretary McDonough affirmed these new services and benefits will not impact veterans currently receiving care. In response to Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS) asking whether the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can implement the PACT Act “without negative operational impacts on existing disability claims processing and health care delivery for veterans,” Secretary McDonough stated, “I can certify that.”

Bill Introduced to Expand Mental Health Care Services for Military Families and Veterans

Last week, I joined Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in introducing the bipartisan Military Families Mental Health Services Act to help military families access vital mental health care services. The bipartisan bill waives out-of-pocket costs for military families and veterans on TRICARE for their first three outpatient mental health visits per year, empowering them to receive the treatment they need.

Providing mental health resources for veterans and service members who bravely serve and sacrifice for our country must be a top priority for Congress.

Our bill expanding mental health services will provide more accessible resources for North Dakota military families and veterans to ensure they get the care they need.

Letter Requests U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Records on Proposed Climate Disclosure Rule

I joined my Senate Banking Committee Republicans in sending a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) asking them to provide more information related to its 500-page proposed climate disclosure rule.

This sweeping, nearly 500-page proposed rule is not only unnecessary and inappropriate, but also exceeds the SEC’s mission and expertise. It harms consumers, workers, and the entire U.S. economy at a time when energy prices are skyrocketing, and hijacks the democratic process in determining U.S. climate policy.

Letter Renews Call for Answers on Border Crisis

I joined Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) in sending a follow up letter to the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General reiterating their call for a comprehensive review of the decisions by the Biden Administration which caused the worst border crisis in United States history.

In May 2022, 239,416 apprehensions were reported at the southern border, which is the highest number recorded for a single month in over twenty years.

We once again request a comprehensive investigation of the crisis on our southern border.

Letter Calls on Housing and Urban Development to Immediately Reinstate Work Requirement Study for Taxpayer-Funded Housing

In a letter to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge, my Senate Banking Committee Republican colleagues and I are calling on the Department to immediately reverse its decision to abruptly end its study on the incentives of work requirements for individuals given taxpayer-funded housing.

There is personal dignity and value in work. It can create a pathway to a higher standard of living by developing and refining skills as well as promote traits like self-worth and personal responsibility.

The unexpected cancellation of the work requirement cohort comes after stakeholders had given wide support to the project and expended significant resources on it. With near-record lows in unemployment and labor force participation rates, there is no better time to test the benefits of work requirements for HUD’s rental assistance programs than now.

2022 Fiscal Hero Award

I am honored to receive the Fiscal Hero Award from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and Fix the Debt project.

It is imperative we take action to reduce our national debt and stop treating money like it grows on trees.

As a member of Congress, it is my duty to craft and support fiscally responsible legislation on behalf of North Dakota and the American people to ensure future generations are set up for long-term, economic success.

Senate Passes Juneteenth Resolution

The U.S. Senate passed a resolution I co-sponsored commemorating June 19, 2022, as “Juneteenth National Independence Day.”

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation from slavery in the United States. On June 19, we celebrate freedom as we continually strive to form our more perfect union.

The resolution recognizes June 19, 1865, as “the date on which news of the end of slavery reached the slaves in the Southwestern States.” It also recognizes the holiday’s historical significance.

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 from the last 10 weeks is below.

Ukrainian Members of Parliament

I always appreciate meeting with Ukrainian Members of Parliament to receive their updates on the devastating situation they are facing.

Russia’s war on Ukraine is not over and I’ll continue supporting freedom-loving Ukrainians against Putin’s thuggery.

North Dakota State University President

Congratulations to David Cook on his new position as North Dakota State University President!

I have no doubt he’ll have an amazing experience getting to know the students and community members who make North Dakota special. I look forward to working on future opportunities for NDSU together.

Enes Freedom

It was great to see Turkish-American NBA star and freedom advocate Enes Freedom.

We continued our many conversations about the beauty of freedom! I look forward to working with you to stand up for human rights.

Sheyenne High School

I spent time with students from Sheyenne High School in West Fargo during their recent trip to Washington, D.C. Thanks for your interest in the nation’s capital!

Grants for North Dakota

Department of Health and Human Services Awards $978K to the University of North Dakota

The Department of Health and Human Services awarded the following two grants totaling $978,000 to the University of North Dakota:

• $555,000 to advance Nursing Workforce Diversity; and
• $423,000 to support research of bacterial and host factors in the pathogenesis of Lyme neuroborreliosis under the Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation Research program at UND.

Environmental Protection Agency Awards $4 Million to North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality to Address Water Pollution

The U.S. Environment Protection Agency awarded $4,067,000 to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality in nonpoint source implementation grants.

The funds will be used by North Dakota to implement its nonpoint source management program, focusing on watersheds with water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff from nonpoint sources. Nonpoint source implementation projects include a variety of structural and non-structural best management practices, watershed planning, monitoring, technology demonstrations, and a variety of education/outreach programs.