Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update May 29-June 4

Senate Votes for Largest Spending Cut in U.S. History

Late Thursday night, I voted for the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act. This legislation will suspend the debt limit until January 1, 2025, cut discretionary spending, and enact substantive permitting reforms.

As our country’s national debt approaches nearly $32 trillion, North Dakotans want a change from Democrats’ reckless spending, and this bill is a step in the right direction. It restores regular order to the appropriations process, provides transparency, claws back unspent COVID money, ends the President’s deferral of student loan payments, and implements substantive permitting reforms.

Failure to raise the debt limit would force the United States’ first-ever default, rattle markets, and delay pay and benefits for our military, veterans, and seniors. Default is not an option.

I supported Speaker McCarthy’s strategy to leverage the debt ceiling, force spending cuts, and include fiscal and permitting reforms in this deal. Now it is time for Congress to build on this momentum by getting back to regular order, funding our national defense, and governing responsibly.

Resolution Overturns President Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan

I voted for a Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn President Biden’s unconstitutional loan forgiveness plan. I cosponsored the resolution, and it passed with bipartisan support.

The Biden administration’s carte blanche loan forgiveness scheme is fundamentally unfair, inflationary, and a gross misinterpretation of its legal authority.

This attempt at wiping out student loans is Democrats’ own self-serving campaign promise predicated on an emergency which no longer exists. The Senate was right to overturn this nonsense.

North Dakota Veterans Cemetery Hosts Memorial Day Ceremony and Columbarium Groundbreaking

On Memorial Day, we recognized all American patriots who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Without these brave men and women who came before us, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today.

Liberty is not a license; it is a responsibility. We should honor our fallen heroes every day.

We then broke ground on the Veterans Cemetery Columbarium site following the passage of my Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act, which has protected the eligibility of federal grant money to be awarded to our state veteran’s cemetery. Improving access to burial and memorial benefits not only pays tribute to America’s heroes, but also allows family and friends to visit their loved ones' final resting place.

Wall Street Journal Op-Ed on Transmission Reforms

Last week, I penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on the principles needed to reach a commonsense agreement between Republicans and Democrats on transmission.

Too often, advocates of transmission reform portray states as the problem. I disagree. While generation and interstate transmission can be complicated, federal involvement can pile on even more bureaucratic complexity

In the end, the user-pays principle must prevail instead of allowing some states to impose their green agendas beyond their borders. If Minnesotans want all renewables, they, not North Dakotans, should bear the cost.

Last year’s discussions fell short largely because transmission policy lacked clarity, permitting reforms lacked teeth, and the whole process lacked public scrutiny. Even though I voted no, I committed to being a willing partner. Momentum is positive, and if we stay within the rails, we can get this done right.

Transmission Reform and Federal Spending Negotiations Discussed on Fox Business

I joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss my Wall Street Journal op-ed and President Biden’s widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

Democrats want regional transmission organizations to be required to send more electricity to other places, except there's not enough electricity. They are building the cart before the horse. You cannot wish traditional energy sources away with crazy proposals like electric vehicle charging stations when there's not enough electricity or enough electric cars to use it.

I also commended Speaker Kevin McCarthy for reaching an agreement on the debt ceiling with President Biden.

Banking Committee Hearing Covers Food Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

I discussed CFIUS' proposal to expand jurisdiction over eight U.S. military bases, including Grand Forks and Minot Air Force Bases, with U.S. Department of the Treasury Assistant Secretary for Investment Security Paul Rosen. I asked him about the importance of advancing our national and economic security and protecting agricultural industry and farmland from investment by foreign adversaries.

In Mr. Rosen’s opening statement, he mentioned sensitive facilities should be one of the criteria for CFIUS review. When CFIUS reviewed Fufeng in Grand Forks, it took 75 days to conclude it didn't have jurisdiction, despite the project's proximity to the Air Force base. It was very frustrating to watch that play out. Because of this, I asked him about the potential to broaden the scope of jurisdiction to all military bases.

When it comes to land itself, whether it's agricultural or otherwise, we're not going to grow more. It's such a precious commodity, maybe we consider more blanket restrictions.

Bill to Claw Back Failed Bank Executive Pay

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and I introduced the Failed Bank Executives Claw Back Act, bipartisan legislation requiring federal regulators to claw back up to three years of compensation given to bank executives, board members, and controlling shareholders in the event of a failure or resolution. This gives bank regulators the tools needed to hold failed bank executives accountable.

Gross mismanagement by bank executives caused three of the largest bank failures in U.S. history. When this type of blatant negligence occurs, executives of those failed banks should be held accountable for creating instability across the banking sector and leaving taxpayers to foot the bill.

This legislation is a good step toward ensuring bank executives engaged in brazen mismanagement are held responsible.

Letter Urges Department of Energy to Withdraw Rule Exacerbating Transformer Shortages

I joined Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and 45 of our colleagues on a bipartisan letter urging the Department of Energy to refrain from finalizing a proposed rule which would require all distribution transformers to shift from the current industry standard to amorphous steel cores. This would significantly add to the cost of distribution transformers and increase grid instability by limiting the availability of essential equipment.

Such a recalibration of the supply chain will further delay manufacturing production timelines – currently estimated to be a minimum of 18 months to two years. The most prudent course of action is to let both grain oriented electric steel (GOES) and amorphous steel cores coexist in the market, as they do today without government mandates, for new installations as we ramp up domestic production and reorient supply chains.

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.

Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps Nominee

I met with Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps nominee General Eric Smith ahead of his nomination hearing to discuss amphibious ships, personnel priorities, and how we can partner to ensure our Marines are ready to meet the needs of the United States.

Australian Ambassador

It was great to meet Dr. Kevin Rudd, Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Our partnership in defense, trade, and climate is vitally important.

Wachter Middle School Students

There is nothing better than showing the next generation of leaders the beauty and history of our nation’s capital. Thank you to Wachter Middle School students for taking a walk with me around the U.S. Capitol during your trip to Washington D.C.

Minnewaukan Students

It was great to chat with students from Minnewaukan in our nation’s capital with the Close-Up Program. They asked great questions about increasing incentives and opportunities for prospective teachers.

Grants for North Dakota

Minot and Bismarck Public Schools Receive Over $6 Million for Head Start and Early Head Start Programs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded over $6 million combined to Bismarck Public Schools and Minot Public Schools.

The resources will be administered through the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs which promote school readiness and early childhood learning, health, and development initiatives for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

The funds are distributed as follows:

• $1,965,732 for Bismarck Public Schools
• $4,105,725 for Minot Public Schools

North Dakota Health and Human Services Receives $1.7 Million for Public Health

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded $1,714,080 to North Dakota’s Department of Health and Human Services to strengthen public health infrastructure, workforce, and data systems.

These funds were administered through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services.