Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update June 5-11

Grand Forks Receives $30 Million Rail Grant to Relieve Traffic Congestion and Improve Safety

I joined Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Monday to announce a $30,000,000 grant to the City of Grand Forks to build an underpass at the intersection of 42nd Street and Demers Avenue.

This project would not be possible without the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. It’s hard to get broad, unanimous support out of committee, but it’s not as difficult when it’s the right thing to do.

Everyone can agree infrastructure is critical to our country’s safety, security, and ability to transport goods and services to our communities.

Our first responders need to respond quickly to accidents without being stuck behind a train. We're only as strong as our weakest link, and these funds will help the people of Grand Forks and our nation’s commerce move more freely and efficiently.

The proposed project will support the construction of a grade separation and add a 10-foot shared-use path to improve safety and eliminate 131 hours of vehicle delays caused by the nearby Grand Forks Yard-associated train transfers. In addition, this project improves access to the University of North Dakota campus, the local hospital, and will make 42nd Street permanently accessible for all emergency services in the area.

Bipartisan Legislation to Prove America’s Exceptional Standards

Last week, Chris Coons (D-DE) and I introduced the Providing Reliable, Objective, Verifiable Emissions Intensity and Transparency (PROVE IT) Act, bipartisan legislation directing the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct a comprehensive study comparing the emissions intensity of certain goods produced in the United States to the emissions of those same goods produced in the other countries.

The United States lives up to the highest environmental standards in the world, and the PROVE IT Act is an opportunity to bolster our advantage by backing it up with verifiable data.

Americans know and appreciate the stewardship that goes into the energy we produce and the goods we manufacture. Quantifying global data will prove our emissions-intensive goods are cleaner here at home while highlighting the countries who monetize their lax or nonexistent standards.

Comprehensive data on product emissions intensity is an important step to addressing climate through trade policy and leveling the playing field for domestic producers and manufacturers who are forced to compete against rivals with little to no standards.

Letter Requests Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps to Change Course Following Supreme Court Decision

In a letter, I called on the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide a clear and swift change in administrative direction on Waters of the United States to prevent further delay of determining jurisdiction. In addition, I asked the agencies to provide more information on the associated cost savings and whether the agencies will adhere to the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA.

The Supreme Court provided a clear definition of WOTUS to protect the regulated community and states’ authority from unlawful federal overreach. In light of this decision, these federal agencies need to issue expedient guidance with clear guardrails to operate within so jurisdictional determinations can resume.

While the decision did not align with the Biden administration’s perspective, these issues should be addressed promptly so the American people are not relegated to more regulatory limbo by an unresponsive or dilatory bureaucracy in Washington.

Minot Air Force Base Hosts Change of Command Ceremony

I attended a Change of Command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, where Major Chase Shields formally relinquished command of the 891st Missile Security Forces Squadron to Major Moses Lee.

Thank you to Major Chase Shields for his dedicated service to our state and nation, and to his wife, Lauren, for her commitment in enriching the lives of families at the base and her students in the community.

For years, Minot Air Force Base has been on the frontlines to deter aggression from potential adversaries. I trust Major Lee will lead our airmen to new heights and safeguard our nation’s most sensitive assets.

Treasury Department Approves North Dakota’s $68 Million CTE Centers Application

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has approved North Dakota’s application for more than $68 million in funding for Career and Technical Education (CTE) Centers. This funding will address the state’s workforce challenges and provide more opportunities for students to receive cost-effective education and training in high-demand careers.

Our economy is only as strong as our workforce. When we increase access to job training programs and pathways to obtain high-demand careers, we can prepare the next generation of workers to meet the opportunities of tomorrow.

I look forward to seeing the impact this funding will have on the 13 projects throughout the state.

Truth and Liberty Conference Discusses Energy and Limiting Federal Regulations

On Friday, I joined Charles Payne, Congressman Kelly Armstrong, and North Dakota Petroleum Council's Ron Ness in Medora to discuss my PROVE IT Act and limiting federal regulations on our state's energy sector. Absence of a prohibition is not a license for DC bureaucrats to do what they want.

I also talked about my Fair Access to Banking Act which would prevent financial institutions from discriminating against law-abiding industries. The American banking system was not created to virtue-signal. At their root, banks are intermediaries. They take in funds from depositors and lend funds to borrowers. They should resist the impulse to respond to the very loud noise in their left ear from political activists. I’m more than happy to be the loud noise in their right ear urging them to simply make banking decisions based on fundamental lending criteria.

Defender of Limited Government Award

Limited government is an incredibly valuable part of our Constitution and a guiding light for how I work in Congress.

I am grateful to receive the Conservative Policy Institute’s Defender of Limited Government Award for my consistent voting record in supporting the principles of limited government.

Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing Addresses Staffing Challenges and Access to Care

At a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing Wednesday, I questioned representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on the availability of long-term care services for veterans. North Dakota, like many rural states, has plenty of nursing facilities. They want to serve more veterans, but it's a clumsy relationship with complicated contracting and bureaucratic hurdles.

We need to simplify this process so our long-term care facilities can effectively serve veterans in their communities.

I also dismissed a one-size-fits-all approach to improving staffing shortages. Staffing ratio mandates only make an already very stressed situation worse.

Letter Requests Return to Pre-Pandemic Hours of Operation at Northern Border Ports of Entry

Senator James Risch (R-ID) and I joined our Senate colleagues in requesting U.S. Customs and Border Protection Executive Assistant Commissioner Pete Flores to expand hours of operation at ports of entry in North Dakota and other northern states to, at a minimum, match the operating hours of adjacent Canadian Border Services Agency ports.

These ports of entry serve a vital role in connecting our states’ economies with Canada, and our constituents heavily rely on them for commerce, tourism, religious activities, trade, travel, health care, tribal connections, and more. When the border hours are extended to match adjacent Canadian ports, vehicular and pedestrian traffic will increase to match, if not exceed, pre-pandemic levels.

At the same time, we stand ready to support these efforts and provide additional resources to our border patrol officers working hard to secure and bolster security along our northern and southern borders.

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.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Nominee

I have appreciated General Charles Brown’s leadership in the U.S. Air Force and his goals for both Minot and Grand Forks Air Force Base.

I’m glad I was able to meet with him ahead of his nomination hearing to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

UBS Americas

I spoke to executives from UBS, a leading wealth manager in North Dakota, about the current political climate, my work on the Senate Banking Committee, and my PROVE IT Act, which would study U.S. emissions intensity to back up our high environmental standards with verifiable data.

Norway State Secretary

I met with Norway’s State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson to discuss the war in Ukraine, Norway’s commitment to robust defense spending, Sweden’s accession into NATO, and how a carbon border adjustment mechanism would benefit both the U.S. and our allies.

It was also great to see Norway's Ambassador Anniken Ramberg Krutnes again. She recently visited my office in February to discuss our important partnership.

American Israel Public Affairs Committee

I was glad to see American Israel Public Affairs Committee members stop by my D.C. office.

The United States must be clear in our support of Israel and never falter on our commitment to maintain strong relationships with our democratic allies.

Wells Fargo

I talked with Wells Fargo President and CEO Charlie Scharf about the bank’s large presence in North Dakota, as well as federal efforts to further regulate our banking industry following other bank failures.

Phillips 66

It was great to meet with Phillips 66 CEO Mark Lashier to hear an update on their business, discuss permitting reform, and receive an outlook on fuel prices for this summer season.

National Association of Home Builders

I spoke with North Dakota National Association of Home Builders members about problems facing their industry, like high material costs, energy codes, and electric transformer shortages.

Close Up – Lisbon High School

It was great meeting with students from Lisbon High School on Capitol Hill. I am thankful Close Up brings North Dakotan students to DC to learn more about our nation's rich history. They all have bright futures ahead.

North Dakota Residents

The Mahoney family stopped by the office while visiting DC. It’s always great to see North Dakotans when they are in town.