Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update september 12-18

Ceremony Welcomes Home North Dakota National Guard Unit from Deployment

I had the privilege of joining Major General Alan Dohrman, Adjutant General of the North Dakota National Guard, in a Welcome Home Ceremony for the 1st Battalion 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.

It was a great afternoon welcoming home the 1st Battalion 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment of the North Dakota National Guard in Grand Forks. These brave men and women deserve our utmost respect and honor for their willingness to serve the United States through all types of missions, emergencies, and natural disasters.

These Soldiers were so committed to making a difference during this deployment when they weren’t keeping the skies over the National Capital Region safe, they were logging more than 4,000 hours of volunteer work while off duty. They proudly represented North Dakota and we are forever grateful.

I had the honor of visiting them in DC and it’s a great privilege to welcome them home.

Towner County Medical Center Celebrates Groundbreaking

On Friday, I celebrated the groundbreaking of the Towner County Medical Center. The new medical center will include a hospital, clinic, emergency department, surgical suite, and nursing home.

I am inspired by the Towner County community for stepping up to not only provide access to quality health care but invest in its future.

This new medical center will lead to a better quality and higher volume of life for the surrounding area while contributing to the overall standard of living because this facility will attract high-paying jobs and employers.

This place, Cando, will forever be home. Thanks for the honor of letting me be with the community on this great day.

Comprehensive Permitting Reform Legislation Introduced

I joined Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and 46 of my Republican colleagues in introducing the Simplify Timelines and Assure Regulatory Transparency (START) Act, comprehensive federal regulatory permitting and project review reform legislation.

The backroom so-called permitting reform deal was a farce and we all know it. The quid pro quo of theoretical permitting reform in exchange for $700 billion in new taxes, spending, and inflation doesn’t even count as a feeble effort, but this bill is an incremental move in the right direction.

Our bill codifies a number of streamlined permitting policies which protect American jobs, decrease costs, and give authority back to state governments, all of which provide certainty to applicants who have to work with the federal government. It will make a difference in a time when we need more energy and infrastructure, not less. My hope is to strengthen this bill with even more meaningful reforms.

2022 Taiwan Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission Highlights Shared Friendship and Values

It was great to speak at the 2022 Taiwan Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission. I reiterated my support for Taiwan and highlighted our strong agriculture trade relationship.

North Dakota and Taiwan share a Sister State relationship, in which we recognize our friendship, trading partnership, and shared values of freedom and democracy. Given the increased risk China poses to the region and the world, Taiwan’s strategic alliance is more important now than ever.

Agreements like this highlight the need for a more comprehensive trade agreement between our nations. North Dakota farmers and ranchers are national leaders in the production of food for a hungry world.

We are committed to supporting the peace and stability of one of America’s most important partners in the Asia-Pacific region through the strengthening of our economic partnership.

Unborn Child Support Act Op-Ed Urges Support At First Moment of Life

Pro-abortion activists often quip that pro-life supporters only care about the unborn child. This is fundamentally untrue.

We believe each and every life is sacred. Therefore, we must particularly emphasize compassion and support for new mothers, unborn children, and families. Maximum care must begin at the first moment of life: conception.

My bill empowers mothers by giving them the choice to receive child support payments as early as the first month of their pregnancy. In this age of polarization, the Unborn Child Support Act is something all Americans should rally behind. It is a vital step toward ensuring mothers and children are well cared for and fathers embrace the responsibility of bringing life into the world.

Bill Introduced to Remove Burdensome Regulations on American Trucking Industry

I joined Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) in introducing the Trucking Regulations Unduly Constricting Known Service-providers (TRUCKS) Act to remove burdensome government regulations, which are impacting the agricultural industry, school districts, and trucking companies in North Dakota.

With the current supply chain issues and shortage of truck drivers nationwide at a time of tremendous demand, the last thing the transportation industry needs is more overbearing, bureaucratic red tape placed on it by the Biden Administration.

The TRUCKS Act allows states to exempt certain drivers from new ELDT requirements and provide regulatory relief to small trucking businesses ensuring we have drivers on the road to keep interstate commerce moving.

It would allow states to issue a new “Small Business Restricted CDL” so Entry-Level Driver Training requirements would not affect small businesses with nine CDLs or less. This would make certain drivers obtaining a CDL without completing the ELDT process could not switch to a larger company and bring a “Small Business Restricted CDL” with them. It would protect small businesses from these constricting regulations so they can fill their positions in a timely manner and remain competitive in the industry. It would also allow states to exempt employees of agriculture-related industries, school districts, and local units of governments, from ELDT requirements to obtain their CDL.

Kudlow Interview Discusses Inflation

I joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss the higher-than-expected August inflation report, with the consumer price index coming in at 8.3%.

Hours after the release of a hot inflation report, President Biden and Democrats gathered on the White House lawn to celebrate the passage of their $700 billion tax and spend “Inflation Enhancement Act.” Their celebration is beyond tone deafness.

Food inflation is the highest it’s been since Jimmy Carter was President. Housing inflation is the highest it’s been since 1982. This is all because of the Biden Administration’s $2 trillion American Rescue Plan, the three-quarters of a trillion dollars from the “Inflation Reduction Act,” and, with student loan forgiveness on top of that, inflation will continue to run rampant for a long time.

Environment and Public Works Hears from Federal Highway Administration Nominee

I questioned Shailen Bhatt, nominee to be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, at a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing this week. I asked him to help rein in the bureaucracy and focus on implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as Congress intended it.

The Federal Highway Administration’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Performance Measure Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which imposes GHG performance measures on state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations, directly contradicts the bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Every state is different and the rules have to reflect that. But in the proposed Greenhouse Gas Emissions Performance Measure rule, it indicates the Department of Transportation can replace cars and trucks with a transit system. We don’t have the type of population density in North Dakota to make that even plausible or possible, much less, be part of any rule. Flexibility for states is really, really critical.

We also discussed permitting reform, innovation, and the need for local solutions as opposed to imposing one-size-fits-all mandates.

Space Innovation and PARCS Radar Modernization Discussed at Senate Armed Services Nomination Hearing

I’m glad to support General Bradley Saltzman’s nomination to be Chief of Space Operations for the United States Space Force.

At his nomination hearing, we discussed space innovation and the success of the Space Development Agency. I also reiterated the importance of modernizing the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System at Cavalier Space Force Station.

Bill Makes It Illegal for Protestors to Block Interstates

Over the last several years, protesters have increasingly adopted the tactic of blocking interstate highways, risking the safety of commuters, first responders, and other travelers on our nation’s roadways. This dangerous and disruptive practice should be criminalized at the federal level.

The Constitution is clear in granting Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. The Safe Passage on Interstates Act reasserts Congress’ critical role by making intentional obstruction of interstates illegal.

Letter Calls on Leader Schumer to Bring National Defense Authorization Act Up for a Vote

In a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), I joined 22 of my colleagues in demanding the Senate vote on the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act before the end of September.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved its version of the legislation in July, with a broad, bipartisan majority voting in support.

For the bill to go to conference and make it to President Biden’s desk, our colleagues must have the opportunity to debate the Senate version with an open amendment process. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 needs to be brought to the Senate floor before the conclusion of the September work period.

Letter Calls on Biden Administration to End Overreaching Child Mask Mandates

On Wednesday, I signed onto a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra requesting the department rescind its one-size-fits-all federal mask mandate on Head Start programs. Children six months to five years of age are currently eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but an HHS interim final rule still requires all staff and volunteers in Head Start educational facilities to be vaccinated and requires all staff, volunteers, and children two years of age and older to wear masks – even when they are outside on the playground.

The nation must continue to transition toward treating COVID-19 as an endemic condition and return to a sense of normalcy, and it is past time for Washington bureaucrats to allow Head Start programs to do the same.

Congressional Review Act Seeks to Protect Charter Schools from Biden Administration’s Attacks

Twenty-one of my colleagues and I introduced Congressional Review Act legislation to nullify the Biden Administration’s new rules adding burdensome requirements to charter schools seeking funding.

These days school choice is a necessary resource for parents and families across the country and charter schools are a crucial component. Charter schools offer an affordable, quality education, and present more options for students and parents.

We must protect charter schools from the Biden Administration’s bureaucratic red-tape and new regulations on their funding so these institutions can continue to serve and educate their students.

Unprecedented Drug Price Control Scheme Threatens Innovation and Future Drug Costs

I expressed concerns with the establishment of a permanent government price-setting program for pharmaceutical drugs, funded by billions of taxpayer dollars in the partisan Inflation Reduction Act, and raised questions regarding federal health agencies’ plans for program implementation.

In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, my colleagues and I highlighted the outsize risks the impending government pricing initiative poses for patients, frontline health care providers, small businesses, and the American economy as a whole.

Letter Challenges Department of Education on Its Progressive Gender Ideology in Proposed Title IX Rule

I sent a letter with 11 of my Republican colleagues to Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona regarding our concerns with its recently proposed rule on Title IX federal financial assistance to schools. We are asking him to withdraw the rule, citing that over the past decade two Administrations have tried to undercut the purpose of the law—meant to protect women’s sports—and use it to promote the left’s progressive gender ideology.

Congress enacted Title IX 50 years ago to provide women with equal opportunities in educational programs and activities. If finalized, this rule would actually have the opposite effect of the law’s intent and further erode women’s equality, privacy and safety.

Letter Blasts Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for Advancing Liberal Policy Preferences

I joined my Banking Committee Republican colleagues in blasting Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra for pursuing a radical and highly-politicized agenda unbounded by statutory limits and deploying inappropriate and legally dubious tactics to unfairly damage financial institutions’ reputations and customer relationships.

The CFPB’s actions, which have been uncontrolled and unwarranted, will ultimately lead to costlier credit, or no credit at all, for millions of Americans.

White House Nominates Mac Schneider to be U.S. Attorney for North Dakota

Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) and I congratulated Mac Schneider on his nomination as U.S. Attorney for North Dakota.

Congratulations to Mac on his nomination to serve as the U.S. Attorney for North Dakota. This important role ensures adherence to the rule of law and protects the safety and security of our communities.

I look forward to getting Mac confirmed as soon as possible.

Resolution Posthumously Honors Queen Elizabeth II

Last week, the Senate passed a resolution honoring Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II following her death on September 8.

The Senate paid tribute to the Queen’s historic legacy and her 70-year reign, expressed condolences to her family and citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, and reaffirmed U.S. commitment to its close alliance with the United Kingdom.

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.

U.S. Bank

Thanks to Andy Cecere with U.S. Bank for the discussion on banking regulations, securing consumer data, and the importance of investment in American energy.

U.S. Bank is the only large bank in the nation headquartered in the Midwest, and North Dakota appreciates its presence across the state.

JP Morgan and PNC Bank

I met with JPMorgan Chase and PNC CEOs to discuss banking oversight and the state of the economy.

The Biden Administration’s overregulation and obsession with climate activism are hampering economic growth and exacerbating inflation. Banks need to resist the urge to follow ESG mania.

VISA

I met with Visa CEO Al Kelly this week to discuss the ISO’s new merchant code targeted directly at gun stores.

I appreciated his commitment to protect Americans’ Second Amendment right to purchase a firearm and I will hold Visa, American Express, Mastercard, and banks to it!

North Dakota Farmers Union

It was great to visit with 16 North Dakota Farmers Union members who came to my office! I enjoyed our discussion on antitrust enforcement, the Fufeng project, and the upcoming Farm Bill.

I look forward to working together to get a Farm Bill done which recognizes the needs of production agriculture.

Automobile Dealers Association of North Dakota

I met with members of the Automobile Dealers Association of North Dakota to discuss supply chain issues, the rise of catalytic converter thefts and potential solutions, and the Federal Trade Commission’s Vehicle Transition Rule mandating burdensome new record-keeping requirements on small businesses.

Ukrainian Members of Parliament

I met with Pavel Unguryan and Ukrainian Member of Parliament Yurii Solovei to hear about Ukraine’s recent success against the Russian invasion.

This momentum is meaningful and I urge Ukrainians to stay strong in the fight for their homeland.

Grants for North Dakota

EPA Awards $240,000 Brownfields Grant to North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality

The Environment Protection Agency awarded a $240,000 Brownfields grant to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality

The funds will be used towards surveying and taking inventory of brownfield sites, which are properties whose expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances.

The objective of this project is to establish and enhance the capacity of the State Brownfields Program and assist in remediating and reusing brownfields sites.

Three Affiliated Tribes Receives $897,636 Performance Partnership Grant

The Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $897,636 Performance Partnership Grant to the Three Affiliated Tribes.

The funds will be used by the Three Affiliated Tribes for its existing environmental programs. The grant gives greater flexibility to address its highest environmental priorities, improve environmental performance, achieve savings, and strengthen the partnership between the Three Affiliated Tribes and EPA. This agreement funds tribal continuing environmental programs for air, water, land, and data quality, pollution prevention, Brownfields, and chemical safety.

DOT Awards $467,000 to NDSU and North Dakota Highway Patrol

The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration awarded a total of $466,128 to North Dakota State University and the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

• $241,128 to NDSU for research to improve safe driver operations among large trucks and vehicles operating around them through a broad and sustained education program
• $225,000 to NDHP for North Dakota Commercial Vehicle Information Exchange Window project, which will ensure enforcement and desk side personnel have accurate and timely information regarding carrier and vehicle statues, provide timely and accurate information for supporting E-Screening activities, and help North Dakota achieve core compliance by implementing CVIEW.