Senator Cramer's Weekly Update February 7-13

BBC Interview Covers Ukraine and Afghanistan

On Monday, I joined Laura Trevelyan on BBC to discuss the situation in Ukraine.

It’s impossible to see the type of build-up occurring along the Ukraine-Russia border without thinking an invasion could happen any day. But as long as there hasn’t been a shot fired yet, I remain hopeful and optimistic there could be a diplomatic way out of this.

We also talked about the current situation in Afghanistan. Thousands of people are suffering at the hands of the Taliban and it’s a stark reminder the consequences of President Biden’s failed Afghanistan withdrawal are more than just military-based, they’re humanitarian as well.

We need to be strong, but we also need to be generous. However, when there is corruption at the very top, it’s never certain whether the United States’ humanitarian aid is getting to the people who need it.

Letter Supports Farmers and Ranchers’ Access to Credit

Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) and I wrote a bicameral letter pressing the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) to continue supporting agriculture producers’ access to credit.

We questioned language included in the NCUA’s Draft Strategic Plan that could lead to regulatory discrimination against credit unions that lend to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses in the name of addressing “climate-related financial risks.”

Placing increased regulations on those that serve the agricultural industry will threaten to restrict access to credit in rural communities, which could have serious consequences for an industry that is already facing high inflation and increased input costs.

Legislation to Reverse IRS Snooping of Third-Party Payment Platforms

I helped introduce the Stop the Nosy Obsession with Online Payments Act with Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), which would strike the tax code provision inserted by President Biden which requires third-party payment platforms to report businesses’ gross transaction volumes totaling more than $600 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Attempts by Democrats to give the federal government more power and reach into Americans’ day-to-day activities are deeply troubling. The IRS should not be able to snoop on taxpayers’ personal transactions.

Federal Communications Commission Corrects Funding for North Dakota's Red River Communications

After more than two years of dispute and intervention, Red River Communications, a telecommunications company from Abercrombie, finally received a revised Alternative Connect America Cost Model II offer from the Federal Communications Commission to provide broadband services in the Red River Valley. The Commission increased its previous funding offer so Red River Communications will receive just over $13 million in support.

I’m pleased to see this ongoing funding issue finally get resolved so rural communities in and around North Dakota have access to reliable broadband and telephone services.

Fox Business Interview Discusses Nominees and China

I joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss Federal Reserve nominees and competition with China.

There are plenty of reasons to vote against Sarah Bloom Raskin, not the least of which is the strong view she has about allocating capital away from legal commerce, mainly in the fossil energy area. Her nomination comes on top of Lael Brainard, nominee to be Vice Chair, who has similar views on climate financial risk.

We also talked about competition with China. If we're going to leapfrog China in terms of value chain, defense technology, and energy, we need to create policies which bring the entire supply chain back to the United States or at least among our allies.

I want solutions and I’m willing to discuss and negotiate, but supporting the United States Innovation and Competition Act was a bridge too far.

Armed Services Hearing Topics Include Attacks in Yemen and United Arab Emirates Military Sales

At a nomination hearing for Lieutenant General Michael Kurilla to be Commander of U.S. Central Command, we discussed reports of Iran-funded Houthi Rebel missile attacks in Yemen.

I then shifted to military sales to the United Arab Emirates. I’m concerned we are allowing our relationship with the United Arab Emirates and the opportunities it presents slip away if we don't ask more questions about why the Biden Administration reportedly put its sale of F-35s on hold. If we don’t provide this equipment, someone less friendly may fill the gap.

I also joined my colleagues in requesting information on the extent to which Central Command played a role in prioritizing who made it out of Afghanistan during the Biden Administration’s botched withdrawal.

Commitment to Block Any Iran Deal Not Submitted to Congress for Approval

The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act requires the president to submit any Iran deal to Congress. I joined Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) on a letter to President Biden to remind him of this and rebuke its negotiations for a new Iran nuclear deal. We will block implementation of any deal not submitted to Congress.

It’s bad enough the Biden Administration is working with the largest state sponsor of terrorism to revive the atrocious Iran Nuclear Deal.

Amicus Brief Supports Review of Buffington v. McDonough

I joined Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) in filing an amicus brief to support a review of Buffington v. McDonough before the Supreme Court.

In 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs refused to give Thomas Buffington the disability payments he had earned and the U.S. Court of Appeals has since defended that decision. In doing so, the Federal Circuit ignored court precedent and violated a long-standing practice of siding with the veteran when interpreting law.

The lower court departed from the plain language of the statute and improperly placed the agency’s view ahead of the established rule that any statutory ambiguities must be resolved in favor of the veteran.

Bipartisan Effort Urges the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to Prioritize Cybersecurity Disclosure at Public Companies

I joined Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) in urging the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to increase transparency for investors in an age of persistent cybersecurity threats with rising economic costs.

Our letter presses SEC Chair Gary Gensler to propose rules regarding cybersecurity disclosures and reporting. It also advises them to require publicly traded companies to disclose whether they have cybersecurity expertise on its boards of directors.

America’s economic prosperity is linked to strong cybersecurity defenses in the private sector. The alternative unfortunately puts investors’ hard-earned savings and pensions at risk.

Letter Supports U.S. Food and Drug Administration Rule to Increase Access to Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids

In a letter to Acting Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Janet Woodcock, I joined my colleagues in expressing support for key provisions in its proposed rule for regulating over-the-counter hearing aids.

The FDA should finalize the rule without delay and exclude any unnecessary restrictions that hinder access to over-the-counter hearing aid devices or limit their effectiveness for Americans with mild or moderate hearing loss.

Polish Ambassador

It was great to meet with Polish Ambassador Marek Magierowski. We discussed trade, military capabilities, Nord Stream 2’s effect on energy security in Europe, and Ukraine-Russia tensions.

European Union Energy Commissioner

In a meeting with U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and the European Union's Commissioner on Energy Kadri Simson, I advocated for the development of more American energy and exports to our allies in Europe to lower the dependence on dirtier energy from Russia and China.

A transatlantic climate and trade initiative would be a strong foreign and economic policy tool when dealing with adversaries. It reduces Russia’s power to coerce Europe and China’s ability to undercut our workers.

Ukrainian Ministry of Energy Delegation

The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy delegation joined me on Wednesday to discuss our vision for the future of Ukraine’s energy security, using coal as a reliable energy source, and the risks that come with Germany’s position on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Ukrainian Fellowship Gathering

I'm grateful to have attended the Ukraine Fellowship Gathering on Wednesday. Ukraine is an important freedom-loving country and it needs our prayers for peace now more than ever.

Nominee for Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition

I had a great call with Frank Calvelli, nominee for Assistant Secretary of the United States Air Force for Space Acquisition, to discuss space procurement.

Leveraging commercial technologies, encouraging innovation, and reducing bureaucracy will ensure we are able to move at the speed of China.

Grants for North Dakota

University of North Dakota Receives $488,000 for Aviation Workforce Development

The Federal Aviation Administration awarded $488,000 to the University of North Dakota under the Aircraft Pilots Aviation Workforce Development grant program.

Through this project, UND will hold Teach the Teacher events in eight locations across the region during the academic school year, preparing teachers to become Part 107 certified, followed by summer professional development workshops for STEM high school educators focused on the implementation of Aviation, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and engineering principles.

It will also feature direct outreach to bring hands-on learning experiences for rural high schools in the area. These funds will help raise interest in aviation at an early age and educate the next generation of aviation professionals across the United States.

Department of Health and Human Services Awards Funds for Head Start and Cancer Research

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded $1,406,428 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in Head Start Funds.

These funds come through the Head Start and Early Head Start programs. They 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.

$169,469 was also awarded to North Dakota State University for amino acids treatment research for pancreatic cancer.