Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update August 8-14

FBI Raids President Trump’s Residence at Mar-a-Lago

On Monday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided President Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago.

This is the most weaponized Department of Justice in my lifetime. It hasn’t always been this way, but certainly since Donald Trump became a player. Democrats and the Biden Administration’s nightmare of a Donald Trump presidency just became so much more real. This is the dumbest political move I’ve ever seen.

We can go through the whole history from Hillary Clinton acid washing 33,000 of her emails on government servers, which Congress attempted to subpoena, to Hunter Biden and his laptop and business dealings.

This is a total show and I have no clue what they’re going to find at this point. If they don’t find a “murder weapon,” then they are going to be in a lot of trouble.

BNI Commissions New Dragline at Center Mine

On Monday, I celebrated the commissioning of a new dragline at BNI’s coal mine in Center, North Dakota.

Lignite coal has a proud legacy in North Dakota. It is a critical component of our nation’s all-the-above energy strategy, providing tangible benefits from its affordability and reliability to its abundance.

I’m encouraged to see continued investment in our state’s coal industry and look forward to this dragline helping power our residents and neighbors for years to come.

North Dakota Intervenes in Lawsuit from Radical Environmentalist Interest Groups to Stop Oil and Gas Leasing

Last week, the D.C. District Court approved North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley’s Motion to intervene in radical environmentalist interest groups’ attempt to invalidate all June 2022 Bureau of Land Management oil and gas lease sales.

In a half-hearted effort, the Biden Administration put up a lease sale sorely lacking in acreage with increased development costs attached. Even under these challenging terms, producers proved the competitiveness of the Bakken, yet environmental obstructionists are attempting to block the sale in court, depriving North Dakota of critical revenue and good-paying jobs.

I’m glad to see Attorney General Wrigley leading efforts to intervene on what could become very dangerous precedent. The frivolous lawsuit, driven solely by wishes to stop fossil fuel production, calling for a cumulative environmental impact analysis for all of the June quarterly lease sales has broader national security and energy independence implications.

The Biden Administration should stand up to its radical environmentalist allies and join Attorney General Wrigley by vociferously defending its sale in court.

Montana District Court Judge Reinstates Moratorium on Coal Leases on Federal Lands

On Friday, Judge Brian Morris of the U.S. District Court for Montana reinstated the moratorium on coal leases on federal lands.

Coal is an essential component of our nation’s energy strategy, especially in North Dakota and our neighboring states. A suspension of federal coal leases is insulting to working Americans who as taxpayers and citizens own the land and mineral resource. Not to mention it cuts vital revenue and jobs out of local and state economies and puts a dent in reliable and affordable electricity.

Yet again, Judge Morris has proven himself a judicial activist, choosing to disrupt based on how he wishes the law was written rather than how it has clearly been interpreted for decades. His ruling is illogical and illegal and deserves to be challenged

Kudlow Interview Discusses FBI Raid and Democrats’ Inflation Enhancement Act

I joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to express concern over the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s unprecedented raid of President Trump’s home at Mar-a-Lago. I also discussed the Inflation Enhancement Act, which Democrats rammed through the Senate over the weekend on a party-line vote.

I’ve thought the Department of Justice should have been busted up a long, long time ago. But the raid of former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, particularly in the context of the times we’re living in, should be feared by every American. They could clear up a lot with increased transparency and show us the subpoena.

On the Inflation Enhancement Act, there’s a lot of money authority and appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in the bill. Anytime you have money, you have power. You just can’t take $369 billion and spread it over a few agencies and expect there not to be some mischief along the way with the money.

Independent Community Banks of North Dakota Annual Convention

On Wednesday, I participated in a legislative panel and delivered remarks at a luncheon during the Independent Community Banks of North Dakota’s annual convention

With 75 community banks operating across the state, North Dakota recognizes and protects the critical role independent community banks play in supporting both main street and families across the state.

The legislative panel and luncheon provided a great opportunity to hear from community bankers firsthand about their challenges and legislative priorities amidst President Biden’s economic recession and record-high inflation.

North Dakota State Penitentiary Tour

On Thursday, I toured the North Dakota State Penitentiary and met with Prison Fellowship Academy participants. The Prison Fellowship Academy takes a Biblical and restorative approach to those affected by crime and incarceration and helps prepare inmates and their families for life after prison.

As a nation founded by people of faith, it is heartening to see people of faith addressing matters of justice by addressing the issues that lead to crime today. Prison Fellowship Academy is committed to reducing recidivism in our criminal justice system by addressing the issues of the heart and providing hope where little exists.

By treating individuals with dignity, the Prison Fellowship Academy program demonstrates each person has value. By providing skills training, they add value to their clients and the community. The program demonstrates the redemptive ministry of Christ in a criminal justice culture too often focused on punishment.

I also visited the Restoring Promises Unit and Rough Riders Industries. These initiatives advance second chances and aid in the transition back into society. It was a privilege to see this work firsthand and hear stories directly from participants in these impactful programs.

USDA Invests $5 Million into Wetland Mitigation Banking Program

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $5 million investment into the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program. Authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program is a competitive grants program supporting the development and establishment of wetland mitigation banks.

Being a wetland-rich environment, North Dakota has long been a leader in promoting a symbiotic relationship between farming, ranching, and conservation. I’m pleased to see a federal investment in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program as it provides a workable solution for agricultural producers to maintain farm program eligibility and benefit the environment.

Producers who participate in the Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program restore, create or enhance wetlands to compensate for the unavoidable impacts to wetlands in another location. This programs help producers remain in compliance for farm program benefits. Funds are available to Tribes, state and local government entities, nonprofits, and other organizations. NRCS is accepting proposals from eligible entities through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm ET on Sept. 19, 2022.

Statement on North Dakota Department of Transportation Director Bill Panos

Last week, North Dakota Department of Transportation Director Bill Panos submitted his resignation effective September 9, citing family obligations in his home state of California.

I appreciated partnering with him to develop North Dakota’s infrastructure, especially with the drafting and implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, making sure rural voices were being heard in Washington.

Director Panos adeptly handled challenging transportation needs stemming from a growing population and he helped make the state competitive for grants we previously were left out of. I wish him and his family the best in this next phase.

Senate Banking Committee Republicans Blast the Federal Reserve After New Reports Indicate It Withheld Documents from Congress

I joined my Senate Banking Committee Republican colleagues in blasting the Federal Reserve after discovering it is in possession of documents that Banking Committee Republicans specifically requested six months ago.

Last week, it was revealed that the Fed does in fact have documents related to former Fed Governor Sarah Bloom Raskin’s involvement in helping secure a Fed master account for financial technology company Reserve Trust.

The Fed’s failure to turn over these documents to the Committee, or even notify senators that they exist, has impeded the Senate’s ability to perform two of its core functions.

The Federal Reserve’s lack of transparency and accountability to Congress further highlights the need to reform the Federal Reserve and the regional Federal Reserve banks to make them more transparent and accountable to Congress.

Upcoming Public Schedule

This week, I will be hosting Export-Import Bank Director Spencer Bachus for a roundtable, touring Blue Flint Ethanol LLC with the Associated Builders and Contractors of Minnesota and North Dakota, and speaking with the North Dakota Peace Officer Association.

Export-Import Bank Roundtable

• Monday, August 15
• 10:00 AM MT
• Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing
• 1700 Interstate 94
• Business Loop E, Dickinson

Blue Flint Ethanol Plant Tour and Tuesday Tailgate

• Tuesday, August 16
• 11:00 AM CT
• Associated Builders and Contractors of MN/ND
• Blue Flint Ethanol LLC
• 2841 3rd St SW, Underwood

North Dakota Peace Officer Association Opening Ceremony

• Thursday, August 18
• 8:30 AM CT
• Radisson
• 605 E Broadway Ave, Bismarck

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.

Grants for North Dakota

EPA Awards $6.8 Million to North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $6,817,200 to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program.

The CWSRF provides low-interest financing for the development of water systems for communities, schools, parks, and other projects. These projects improve and protect water quality and public health for communities throughout the state.

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act specifically increased funding for North Dakota’s State Revolving Fund programs to accelerate water infrastructure improvements. The bill authorized $200 million for clean water infrastructure projects and programs in North Dakota through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

Department of Transportation Awards $19.5 Million to NDDOT for Tribal Safety Project

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $19.5 million to the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT).

This funding was made available through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program and will be used to support the Tribal Safety Project including the installation of roundabouts, turn lanes, lighting, or rumble strips to improve safety on both the Standing Rock and Fort Berthold Indian Reservations.

In a letter to the DOT, the North Dakota Congressional delegation outlined the public safety needs of both the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation to ensure safe and efficient transportation in their communities.

Department of Transportation Awards $1.5 Million to Fargo for 12th Avenue North Bridge

The DOT awarded $1.5 million to the City of Fargo to support a path forward to replace the 12th Avenue North Bridge. This funding was made available through the RAISE grant program.

The North Dakota Congressional delegation urged DOT to approve the city’s request, stressing the importance of the 12th Avenue North Bridge and the critical access it provides to residents in the region seeking health care, the airport, and the industrial park.

Federal Aviation Administration Awards $9.4 Million to the Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority

The Federal Aviation Administration awarded $9,391,274 to Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority.

This money will fund a project to construct a 20,000 square foot 18-unit T-hanger for aircraft storage, maintenance, or service to assist the airport to be as self-sustaining as possible by generating revenue. It will also modify the existing terminal building by adding a replacement customs and border protection facility to better accommodate passenger loads. The funds come from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020.

National Science Foundation Awards $1.45 Million to North Dakota State College of Science

The National Science Foundation awarded $1,447,429 to the North Dakota State College of Science.

The funding will support a project entitled “The Science of Success: Addressing Workforce Needs in North Dakota” to address the national need for well-educated scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technicians by supporting the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need.