Senator Cramer's Weekly Update april 25-May 1

Op-Ed: The World is Watching, Stop the Double Talk

I penned an op-ed in the Washington Times on the Biden Administration’s all-out assault on domestic energy production. Energy security is national security for the United States and our allies, but the intransigency of the Administration’s environmental regime stands in the way.

This 2050 fantasy has distorted the Biden Administration’s vision to the point they can’t see the geopolitical moment before us today. Our allies are asking for help. We can meet it if we unleash American energy production.

Let’s get serious about energy and environment policy. To lower global greenhouse gas emissions, we need to produce more domestic energy and export around the globe. Rather than stupidly shooting ourselves in the foot, American made energy will meet the world’s energy demands while reducing the West’s reliance on dirtier fuels from adversaries, despots, and dictators.

There’s an easy road map for energy, national, and economic security, but the Biden Administration must be a willing partner in this effort. It starts with undoing nearly everything it’s done since January 20, 2021.

Fox Business Op-Ed: “Free” Money Can’t Fix Inflation — The American Producer Can

For the past 15 months of Joe Biden’s presidency, we’ve seen an increase in inflation every month. Rural America is feeling the pain worse than anyone. Inflation is rising at the fastest pace in four decades in America’s heartland. In expansive rural states, we drive the furthest to get places. Grocery and convenience stores aren’t around the corner. We drive greater distances to stock up on everyday goods, to and from work and to drop our kids at school.

With North Dakota and much of rural America being commodity-based economies, farmers and ranchers may be making more on their crops and cattle, but the dollar won’t stretch as far and the input prices for things like fertilizer, diesel, and feed are all more expensive. President Biden is wrong when he accuses producers of price gouging. Whether it’s the oil driller in Western North Dakota or the farmer in the east, I have never met a producer who wasn’t actively looking to produce more for a buying market.

We need to be serious about taking actions that will not add more fuel to the fire of inflation. The focus needs to flip to the supply-side of the economy.

North Dakota and middle America are paying the highest prices, all while the world expects us to fuel and feed the world. There must be a change. Stop the subsidies, embrace regulatory restraint, and unleash the power of the American producer. “Free” money can’t fix inflation – the American producer can.

Meeting with Air Force Global Strike Command General Cotton

I enjoyed spending time with General Anthony Cotton, Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command and six-year Minot Air Force Base alumnus.

We discussed B-52 modernization, development of new ‘Sentinel’ Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent, replacing Vietnam-era Huey helicopters, and supporting Airmen and families at Minot Air Force Base.

Letter Urges USDA to Provide Relief for Livestock Producers and Increase Calf Payment Rate Following North Dakota Winter Storms

Last week, I wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency, urging FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux to provide accurate relief to eligible livestock owners for deaths under the Livestock Indemnity Program following recent winter storms in North Dakota.

As producers have familiarized themselves with LIP, they have expressed concerns the payment rate for calves under 250 pounds does not accurately compensate them for the losses they incurred.

LIP payment rates are 75% of the fair market value of livestock using nationwide prices for the previous calendar year. In 2022’s calculations, assistance for non-adult beef cattle weighing less than 250 pounds is roughly $175. However, in today’s market, cattle prices for under 250 pound calves range from $250 to $500 with an average price of approximately $393, meaning producers could receive a price of $294, significantly higher than the current LIP payment.

In 2022, producers lost a number of calves and expended significant feed resources to keep their livestock warm and fed. It is critical these producers receive meaningful relief as soon as possible.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

Thank you Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chair Janet Alkire, Councilwoman Avis Little Eagle, and External Affairs Director Kerry Libby for the visit in D.C.

I look forward to discussing further issues with you in North Dakota soon. I’m proud of my former star student Kerry Libby!

Interview with Larry Kudlow Discusses Inflation and White House Roadblocks to Energy Development

I joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss Biden’s soaring inflation and domestic energy development roadblocks from the White House.

I also emphasized the need for long-term investment in American-produced energy, which would reduce inflation and strengthen national security. We have European allies who previously shunned our energy and are now begging for American energy. They have voluntarily cut themselves off from Vladimir Putin and are now open to the free market.

We need to come to the realization this is an opportunity to produce more in the United States, which would bring down prices, strengthen national security, and improve the economy.

Video Highlights Dangerous Consequences of Ending Title 42

The past 15 months under the Biden Administration have been a disaster for our national security. We need to be focused on ending the crisis at the southern border, yet President Biden plans to lift Title 42 in May.

This was a crucial tool the Trump Administration used to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and flow of illegal immigration. Title 42 grants the federal government the “power to prohibit, in whole or in part, the introduction of persons and property” to stop a contagious disease from spreading in the U.S.

DHS predicts over 1 million migrants will illegally cross the border in the six weeks after Title 42 is officially lifted. This is more than the entire population of North Dakota.

Even President Biden’s own Department of Homeland Security is warning them of the dangers of rescinding Title 42! This is absolutely hypocritical and dangerous.

Interview Discusses Ukrainian Aid and Senate Energy and Climate Negotiations

I joined Chuck Todd on Meet The Press Daily to discuss Ukrainian aid, Senate energy and climate negotiations, and immigration reform.

A realistic energy and climate package is fuel neutral. If we’re going to the tax code and start talking about credits, let’s focus on emissions, not on the fuel choice because the fuel choice becomes part of the politics.

The other thing that’s really important, but we don’t acknowledge often enough is if all we did was replace Venezuelan oil with American oil or Vladimir Putin’s natural gas with liquefied natural gas from the United States, we’d already be bringing down greenhouse gas emissions.

It becomes very difficult to pass Ukrainian aid if it’s linked with COVID aid. I think it becomes more political and Ukrainian aid so far has been bipartisan. I’d prefer it remain bipartisan.

Seapower Subcommittee Hearing

Opening Statement Criticizes Biden’s Inadequate Navy and Marine Corps Budget

I delivered opening remarks at a hearing to review the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2023 and the Future Years Defense Program.

This is a critical time for our national security and the stakes are very high.

I’m concerned President Biden’s defense budget request is inadequate and nowhere near enough to give our Navy and Marine Corps the resources, equipment, and training they need. Because this budget doesn’t keep up with inflation, it’s a cut in military funding.

Questioning Presses Military Officials on Shipbuilding Acquisition Strategies and Workforce Challenges

I pressed U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps officials on five shipbuilding issues this week. I focused on the Next-Generation Guided-Missile Destroyer DDG(X) program, the procurement of eight Lewis-class oiler ships, my concerns over the Navy’s failure to adhere to the shipbuilding acquisition plans clearly laid out in previous National Defense Authorization Acts, and potential workforce incentives.

I also reiterated the need for consistent protocol as not only a benefit to the military, but to Congress and the taxpayer as well.

Resolution Opposes the Department of Justice’s Expansion of Firearm Definitions and Creation of National Gun Registry

I joined Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) in introducing a Congressional Review Act Joint Resolution of Disapproval to prohibit President Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ) from implementing a new rule to expand firearm definitions.

Biden’s new rule would require gun kits and gun parts to be regulated as if they were fully functional firearms, meaning they wouldn’t be able to be sold without a serial number or without the buyer having to undergo a background check. The new rule would also require those with Federal Firearms Licenses to retain records permanently, in effect creating a national firearms registry.

The Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms to all citizens, but the Biden Administration wants to use bureaucracy and red tape to weaken this fundamental freedom and prohibit law-abiding citizens from exercising their rights.

Our resolution will prohibit the Biden DOJ from issuing a final rule expanding the definition of firearm and creating a national gun registry, which protects our hunters, sportsmen, and firearm owners from more federal overreach.

Legislation Introduced to Stop Biden from Crushing American Innovation

On Tuesday, I joined Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in introducing legislation to stop the Biden administration from compromising the intellectual property rights of vaccine manufacturers through Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights waivers.

The Biden Administration’s efforts to undermine intellectual property protections when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines discourages the very medical breakthroughs of President Trump’s Operation Warp Speed and threatens future discoveries, as well as our ability to prepare for the next pandemic.

Ingenuity is a key aspect of the American dream. Our bill adds a necessary check on the Biden Administration and prevents it from entering into agreements which waive global intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics.

Interview with Neil Cavuto Discusses Meatpacking Industry Concentration

I joined Cavuto: Coast to Coast on Fox Business to discuss consolidation in the meatpacking industry. When four packers have 85% of the market and two of the four packers are foreign-owned, that is at least worth looking into. I prefer to knock down barriers to entry for other producers, other packers, and for smaller state or regional packers who provide an opportunity for more customized beef or other livestock.

We also discussed opportunities to expand processing options for ranchers because our producers ought to have options available to them. They should have the opportunity to market directly to a specific packer in more of a forward fashion as opposed to a day-to-day market or auction.

Letter Calls for the Termination of Citibank as the U.S. Senate’s Credit Card Provider for Circumventing Abortion Laws

I joined Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) in calling on the Senate Sergeant at Arms to immediately terminate Citibank as the U.S. Senate credit card provider following the company’s recent announcement that it would pay for its employees to travel out of state for abortions.

Citi is now paying for its employees to travel to obtain abortions out-of-State that are illegal in the employees’ State. Citi’s decision to finance abortion tourism for its employees in brazen circumvention of State law, shows a reckless disregard for the lives of preborn children and disdain for the will of the people of the States in which Citi acts as an employer.

Consistent with nearly five decades of Federal policy against using taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions, taxpayer dollars used by the U.S. Senate should not be administered through a company that facilitates abortion on demand and promotes a woke, pro-abortion agenda. We ask the Senate Sergeant at Arms immediately terminate the U.S. Senate’s existing contracts with Citi and refrain from entering into any new contractual agreements with them.

Major General Glynn

Thanks to U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Commander Major General James Glynn for stopping by to talk about the tools they’ll need to properly sustain readiness and prepare themselves for the future.

SpaceX

I congratulated Tim Hughes of SpaceX on the successful launch of NASA astronauts to the Space Station and spoke about meeting global challenges to commercial industry and national security.

We also talked about the innovative work being done at the University of North Dakota Department of Space Studies. Looking forward to getting Americans back to the lunar surface. Hope to have SpaceX visit Grand Forks soon!

Dream Center Bismarck

Congrats to Dream Center Bismarck on a successful open house!

It was great to be a part of the celebration and I’m thankful for the philanthropic work you do to make our communities a brighter place.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Omaha District

I met with the Omaha District’s U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commander Col. Mark Himes to discuss water issues throughout North Dakota, the Snake Creek Embankment, and progress on the Dakota Access Pipeline Environmental Impact Statement.

North Dakota Hospital Association

It was great to meet with the ND Hospital Association and discuss workforce shortages, telehealth, and how they are working to ensure North Dakotans’ access to quality care.

Strasburg Students

I’m blessed to be a Senator from a small state where not only can I meet with many groups of students, but I can take them on an impromptu tour of our U.S. Capitol!

I hope the students from Strasburg Public School enjoyed the history lesson and the beauty of our nation’s capitol.

Close Up Students

It was great to meet with Close Up students from Parshall and discuss the resilience that makes North Dakotans special, how my office serves our constituents, and issues facing Native Americans in our state.

EU Parliament Member Cristian-Silviu Buşoi

It was great to meet with European Union (EU) Parliament Member Cristian-Silviu Buşoi to talk about the EU’s energy needs and global climate policy. There is more which unites us than divides us, the EU and US must lead together on climate and trade policy.

Tellurian

I met with Tellurian LNG Executive Chairman Charif Souki to discuss U.S. liquefied natural gas exports to the EU. With Russia’s war on Ukraine, it’s time for American banks to step up to the plate and lend to export projects which will displace dirty Russian gas with cleaner American LNG.

Grants for North Dakota

Fish and Wildlife Service Awards North Dakota $562k in State Wildlife Grant Funding

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service awarded $561,784 to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

The funds are awarded from the State Wildlife Grant Program, which supports the development and implementation of state programs and supports priority setting for species and habitats.

Health and Human Services Awards $1.6 Million in Head Start Funds to Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded $1,647,773 to Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.

The funds come through the Head Start and Early Head Start programs, which promote school readiness for young children and toddlers from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development as well as early learning, health, and family well-being.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Awards $131K Scholarship Grant to Bismarck State College

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission awarded $131,163 to Bismarck State College.

This funding will provide scholarships for students enrolled in the BSC Nuclear Power Technology and the Instrumentation and Control Technology Programs.