Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update may 1-7

Comprehensive Permitting and Environmental Review Reform Legislation Introduced

I joined Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) in introducing legislation to substantively reform the nation’s broken permitting and environmental review processes. The Revitalizing the Economy by Simplifying Timelines and Assuring Regulatory Transparency (RESTART) Act covers key reforms under the Environment and Public Works Committee’s jurisdiction.

We don't need more government; we need smarter government. We don't need more regulators; we need fewer regulations. We don't need endless litigation; we need responsible oversight without reflexively killing critical infrastructure projects.

Our bill addresses underlying issues in our environmental statutes and presents the clearest option for permitting reform. North Dakota has a lot to contribute to this discussion, and in my capacity on the Environment and Public Works Committee, I look forward to bringing some of our state’s excellence and common sense to the negotiating table.

Resolution to Reverse Rule Waving Tariffs on China-Made Solar Panels Passes Senate

On Wednesday, I voted for a Congressional Review Act resolution I cosponsored to rescind a Biden administration rule which waives tariffs on China-made solar panels imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

President Biden’s suspension of tariffs on imported solar tech is a shining example of environmental virtue-signaling at the expense of the American worker. It keeps our supply chain dangerously reliant on China, instead of empowering domestic manufacturing, all in the name of climate change.

My colleagues and I voted to put an end to this nonsense and undo this shortsighted rule from the administration.

CFIUS Proposes Expanded Jurisdiction Over Foreign Transactions Around Grand Forks Air Force Base

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) announced its proposal Wednesday night to expand jurisdiction over eight U.S. military bases, including Grand Forks Air Force Base. The committee would cover transactions within 100 miles of the installation.

I am pleased to see CFIUS’ proposal expand its oversight of foreign transactions in proximity to Grand Forks Air Force Base. This is a good first step to bolster reviews and mitigate threats similar to what we saw with Fufeng.

Kudlow

I joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss CFIUS' proposal to expand its jurisdiction over Grand Forks Air Force Base.

During the pandemic, we learned firsthand how susceptible and vulnerable our critical supply chains are to Chinese Communist Party, including our food supply chain. China owns one of the largest, if not the largest, meatpacking facility in the United States. They're always looking to buy more critical infrastructure and more critical supply chains.

China has taken full advantage of our open, free market capitalist system, but they've never adopted it. We need to wean ourselves from this.

Hearings

NewsNation Interview Ahead of Armed Services Committee Hearing on Worldwide Threats Covers Foreign Issues

I joined Adrienne Bankert on NewsNation’s Morning in America ahead of Thursday’s Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on worldwide threats.

We discussed Iran's nuclear capabilities, the growing threat of China, our nation’s defense, and aid to Ukraine. I also talked about reports of enriched Uranium stores in the Middle East and Iranian nuclear capabilities.

We need to demonstrate leadership. We need to demonstrate strength and be leading from a position of strength rather than a position of weakness. We have to be prepared for multiple potential conflicts across the globe and I worry that we’re not quite prepared for that.

Armed Services Committee Posture Hearing Held on Worldwide Threats

Later, at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, I discussed a proposal from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to expand its jurisdiction over Grand Forks Air Force Base.

There needs to be increased intelligence involvement, or scrutiny, of U.S. land purchases by foreign entities, particularly adversarial foreign entities.

It’s easy to focus on the big, obvious threats, but there are smaller skirmishes here and there that are also significant, like what's going on in Haiti. I questioned Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence, and Lieutenant General Scott Berrier, Director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, about proposed ways to address growing security, moral, and ethical concerns there.

Armed Services Committee Hearing Discusses Improvement Needs at Minot and Grand Forks Air Force Bases

On Tuesday, I questioned General Charles Brown, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, about bomber agile combat employment capabilities in North Dakota. The only two remaining options between Michigan and Montana are located in Minot and Grand Forks.

Grand Forks Air Force Base had a 300-foot-wide runway, but it’s been reduced to a 150-foot runway based on movement of the lights. It’s due for improvement in 2025, and I hope the Air Force considers widening that runway.

I also asked to expedite the delivery of eight MH-139A helicopters, which will replace the UH-1s “Hueys,” to Minot Air Force Base.

Strategic Forces Hearing Supports Modernization and Rapid Acquisition Timeliness

At a Strategic Forces Subcommittee hearing last Tuesday, I discussed prioritizing Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System modernization at North Dakota’s Cavalier Space Force Station.

Amid the Space Force’s plans for a “transition to more modern architecture,” I questioned General David Thompson, Vice Chief of Space Operations, and Frank Calvelli, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, about how Cavalier’s system fits with such proposals.

I also discussed rapid acquisition with Secretary Calvelli and John Plumb, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy. It’s important the force maintain flexibility and engage with the private and commercial sectors.

We don't want to ever stop innovating. We want our space leaders to have the ability to be nimble with appropriate oversight.

Environment and Public Works Committee Hearing Covers Water Projects and LAKES Act

During Wednesday’s hearing, I amplified the Lake Access Keeping the Economies Strong (LAKES) Act and acknowledged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for providing information and technical support during the drafting process.

Not many people think of the Army Corps as recreational managers, but it's incredible what’s under its jurisdiction. Some of North Dakota’s best assets are the Army Corps’. As a former North Dakota Tourism Director, it's hard to exaggerate the value of these resources.

Additionally, I highlighted Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s water initiatives and invited Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Michael Connor to visit North Dakota to learn firsthand about its work.

I also thanked Lieutenant General Scott Spellmon, Army Corps Chief Engineer and Commanding General, for extending the comment period for the Environmental Assessment of the Snake Creek Embankment through May 18.

Washington Watch Interview on Debt Limit Negotiations

On Friday, I joined Tony Perkins on Family Research Council’s Washington Watch to discuss debt limit negotiations.

If all-or-nothing is your beginning point, that's fine; but it can't be your ending point because an all-or-nothing-ending point is oftentimes nothing.

Republicans in the Senate are standing 100% with the Republicans in the House of Representatives and Kevin McCarthy. He has drawn the line in the sand and the ball is in President Biden's court. The way it may play out is Biden wakes up and realizes he's playing chicken with the wrong guy.

Whatever they come up with clearly isn't going to be a deal every Republican loves and it's not going to be a deal every Democrat loves, but we have a divided government and a wonderful opportunity to test this magnificent system our Founders gave us, and find both common ground and then compromise.

Support Grows for Bipartisan LAKES Act

Two weeks ago, I introduced the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) Act, a bill to improve outdoor recreation facilities in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed areas by providing opportunities for public-private investments and giving local districts more flexibility to reinvest their resources.

Last week, Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Boozman (R-AR), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Steve Daines (R-MT) joined the legislation as cosponsors. I appreciate the strong support the LAKES Act has already received and look forward to advancing the bill with my colleagues.

Our bipartisan bill would keep resources and decision-making closer to home, while providing new opportunities for private investment in our recreation facilities.

North Dakota Delegation Calls for FEMA to Reconsider Proposed Flood Map for Bismarck

Senator John Hoeven, Congressman Kelly Armstrong, and I sent the Federal Emergency Management Agency a letter calling for the cancelation or delayed implementation of its new Flood Insurance Rate Map for Bismarck.

We emphasized the proposed map would disproportionately impact low-income residents, particularly in the southern part of the city.

Bismarck has made great strides in flood mitigation and has plans to complete additional flood mitigation improvements to benefit all city residents. Providing the opportunity to implement these flood mitigation improvements will give the community its best chance at enhanced flood protection without increased household costs.

Letter Urges Veterans Secretary to Prioritize Softer Transitioning of Service Members

Angus King (I-ME) and I sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough urging him to improve connections to local resources for retiring service members. We emphasized the importance of a “warm hand-off,” where the agency connects recent veterans with local networks during the Transition Assistance Program.

Every year approximately 250,000 service members transition out of military service into civilian life. While the Transition Assistance Program has significantly improved over the past decade, one area that continues to lag is the warm hand-off into the community. This does not have to be the case.

Legislative Package Protects Industries from Frivolous PFAS Lawsuits

I joined Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) in introducing a five-bill package to protect industries and municipalities from legal claims should the Environmental Protection Agency designate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds as hazardous substances.

If the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rule designating two PFAS compounds as hazardous substances is finalized, it could hold water treatment plants, landfills, farms, and ranches liable for PFAS contamination for which they are not responsible. Further, airports, fuel depots, and refineries, all of which are required to test and use fire suppression foam containing PFAS, could be subject to litigation.

This could have significant consequences for our farmers, waste and water systems, and airports in North Dakota by exposing them to unfounded litigation risk.

Our legislation protects them from being roped into endless lawsuits for pollution they did not create or which resulted from simply following applicable federal and state regulations.

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.

Edison Electric Institute

It was good to meet with the Edison Electric Institute to discuss permitting and transmission reform, as well as how utility company projects across the U.S. can benefit from more secure timelines, reduced bureaucratic hurdles, and increased certainty.

Titans of Nuclear Podcast

I spoke with Titans of Nuclear about how my path to the Senate, the innovative spirit of North Dakotans, and how my work on the Armed Services and Environment and Public Works Committees has impacted my support for the development of nuclear energy. Stay tuned for the release of this episode in the coming weeks!

Center and Stanton Students

I enjoyed chatting with seniors at Center-Stanton about what it’s like to work in the United States Senate. They asked great questions about artificial intelligence and global threats to our national security.

Grants for North Dakota

Infrastructure Law Success Story: Dakota Prairie Grasslands Receives $464,000

U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded Dakota Prairie Grasslands $464,000 for improvements to the Initial Rock Structure National Forest System Road 740 Milepost 1.20.

These Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act resources will support a Legacy Roads and Trail project to restore fish passage, enhance road resilience, and ensure access to adjacent areas.

North Dakota Department of Transportation Receives $400,000 for Shared Use Path Improvements Along Highway 43

The Federal Highway Administration awarded $400,000 to the North Dakota Department of Transportation. The resources will support the development of a new shared use path along Highway 43, part of the Turtle Mountain State Scenic Byway near Lake Metigoshe.

Proposed projects include:

• Trail bed preparation and signage updates
• Construction of a separate facility to enhance safety for pedestrians and bicyclists
• Improvements to a non-motorized connectivity, which would eliminate a gap in the existing scenic byway trail network