Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update JUly 24 - July 30

Senate Floor Speech Honors Fallen Fargo Officer Jake Wallin

I delivered remarks on the Senate floor in remembrance of Fargo Police Officer Jake Wallin, who was killed in the line of duty on July 14, 2023. He and fellow officers Andrew Dotas, Tyler Hawes, and Zachary Robinson responded to the scene of a routine fender bender, where they were ambushed by an uninvolved assailant armed with several weapons, 1800 rounds of ammunition, and multiple homemade explosive devices, clearly intent on going on a murder spree. Officer Robinson, the last cop standing, swiftly responded to neutralize the threat, fatally shooting the hate-filled killer.

While we are slowly learning the details of this senseless and tragic day, we know Officer Wallin is a hero who died serving his community. Heroes like Jake bravely respond to the call and serve without hesitating, without knowing what might be around the corner or the end of the parking lot.

Senate Passes National Defense Authorization Act, Secures Critical Funding for North Dakota

On Thursday evening, the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) with a vote of 86 to 11. The NDAA is a critical part of Congress’ first Constitutional duty to protect and defend the nation.

This year’s bill provides funding authorization and language for missions both directly and indirectly benefiting North Dakota’s military community. This includes a 5.2% pay raise for both military servicemembers and the DOD civilian workforce, $3.7 billion for Sentinel (GBSD) modernization at Minot Air Force Base, RQ-4 Retirement Prohibition at Grand Forks Air Force Base, and $5.4 million to complete Dickinson’s National Guard Readiness Center,

We live in dangerous times where American leadership and resolve are needed more than ever. North Dakota plays a pivotal role in our national security, and I am grateful this bill supports our servicemembers and their families while investing in the military assets and facilities across the state.

Included in this year's NDAA are two amendments I cosponsored which seek to counter Chinese influence. Both passed with broad, bipartisan support.

China has become the United States’ greatest geopolitical competitor, and it is a threat deserving our attention.

As we know from Grand Forks’ experience raising the alarm about Fufeng, a Chinese company setting up shop a stone’s throw away from a sensitive military base should be prevented. The pandemic also shined a bright light on the importance of securing our supply chains. Both these amendments are a step forward for our national security and a clear signal the United States is taking China’s aggression seriously.

News Conference Highlights Major North Dakota Broadband Infrastructure Projects

As Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I joined Polar Communications and other broadband partners to highlight $122 million of fiber broadband projects granted throughout eastern North Dakota. It was great to participate in the announcement of these projects, which are vital to our state’s supply chain and economic success.

You cannot deliver food to hungry people without a good transportation system, whether it's by rail, ship, or highway. You can hardly do anything if you can't transact business without high speed, secure Internet. You can’t reserve a few miles for gravel or copper and still do the kind of work in the global marketplace needed to be the most exceptional country in the world.

You can't move durum wheat to the elevator, the pasta plant, or the restaurant in New York City without an interstate highway system, and you can't sell a product to Italy from North Dakota without using the Internet. You do it with innovation, entrepreneurs, technology, and in the spirit that exists here in North Dakota.

NORTHCOM, NORAD & SPACECOM Nominees Testify Before Armed Services Committee

During a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, I questioned Lt. General Gregory Guillot, USAF, and Lt. General Stephen Whiting, USSF, on domain awareness, airborne ISR missions and equipment, and the Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer program which will be operated out of the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

The hearing considered the nominations of Lt. General Guillot for Commander, U.S. Northern Command, and Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command, and the nomination of Lt. General Whiting for Commander, United States Space Command.

CEQ’s Proposed Rule Oversteps Bipartisan Permitting Reforms

The Biden administration’s White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released a proposed rule to circumvent bipartisan permitting reforms and expand the scope of environmental reviews. This will force agencies to consider short- and long-term effects of building a project to combat climate change. It also expands environmental justice provisions and explicitly states federal agencies are not bound by their authorizing statutes.

Radical environmentalists are trying to have their cake and eat it, too. Instead of staying within the bounds of the law, they are inserting their climate-obsessed wish list into permitting. The White House says this will ensure a level playing field and speed up timelines, but it will only make it easier than ever for its environmental activist friends to tie up and drag out expensive litigation.

I am sick and tired of the double speak and sneaky backdoor attempts to regulate fossil fuels out of existence and add bureaucratic hurdles to everyone who needs a permit.

Harold Hamm Releases Book on U.S. Energy Independence

It was great to hear from Harold Hamm about “Game Changer” – his new book on restoring the United States as an energy superpower. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich hosted a sit-down interview with Harold at the National Press Club which covered the more than 50 years he has spent in the oil and natural gas industry. I appreciated the opportunity to hear about his work to lift the oil export ban, expand market opportunities for American producers, and learn more about his philosophy on how we can use energy as a geopolitical tool.

Harold's pioneering development of hydraulic fracturing paired with horizontal drilling has allowed us to tap oceans of previously unrecoverable oil and natural gas. This technology has driven North Dakota's economic boom while reducing the price of goods globally. His impact on North Dakota is immeasurable, and his perspective is important given the relentless attacks on domestic oil and gas production today.

Bicameral, Bipartisan Legislation Addresses CBP Intransigence at Northern Points of Entry

I joined my Senate colleagues in introducing bicameral, bipartisan legislation requiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) hours of operations at northern ports to match or exceed pre-pandemic hours. The bill’s creation was spurred by CBP’s recent announcement it will reduce hours at certain northern ports and maintain adjusted hours at others. This includes entry at Maida, Northgate, and Sherwood in North Dakota.

Life is back to normal, and we all know the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Instead of returning all Northern Border Port of Entry hours to pre-pandemic levels, North Dakotans and border communities are forced to contend with shorter hours. It’s time to restore hours of operation at our border to previous levels and end this saga.

Senators Move to Block Biden Rule Allowing Chinese EV Chargers

This week, my Senate colleagues and I introduced a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act to overturn a Biden administration rule which would send American tax dollars to overseas competitors despite the administration’s own Buy America regulations. The resolution would ensure American businesses remain at the forefront of electric vehicle (EV) innovation and manufacturing.

The Biden administration’s attempted Buy America waiver for electric vehicle chargers is a joke. Our CRA will hold the administration accountable and prioritize secure supply chains over EV pipe dreams.

Legislation to Prohibit Federal Funding of Critical Race Theory

This week, I joined U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mike Braun (R-IN) in reintroducing the Protect Equality and Civics Education (PEACE) Act. The legislation will prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars from funding and promoting divisive concepts such as Critical Race Theory under the U.S. Department of Education’s American History and Civics Education program.

Woke concepts like critical race theory only serve to spread division. We are all created equal in God’s image, and any implication otherwise is just plain wrong. Taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for liberal academic agendas.

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.

British Ambassador Karen Pierce

On Wednesday, I met with British Ambassador Karen Pierce to discuss the ongoing partnership and friendship between our two countries.

Lieutenant General Stephen Whiting, Nominee for Commander of U.S. Space Command

Following his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, I met with Lieutenant General Stephen Whiting, the nominee to lead the U.S. Space Command. I appreciated the opportunity to hear from him about the opportunities and challenges facing the U.S. Space Command.

General David Allvin, Nominee for Air Force Chief of Staff

I met with nominee for Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force and former Grand Forks Squadron Commander, General David Allvin, to discuss his pending nomination and the critical roles Grand Forks Air Force Base and Minot Air Force Base play for the Air Force.

American Legion Students

I was glad to meet with great young North Dakotans from Bismarck and Fargo who were out in DC for the American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation and the American Legion Boys Nation. As a former Boys Stater, I know how valuable this leadership opportunity is.

North Dakota FFA State Officers

I enjoyed meeting with Ty and Jack, North Dakota FFA State President and Secretary, during their visit to my DC office. These bright young students are the next leaders in North Dakota agriculture.

Lisbon Middle School & Discovery Middle School

It’s always great to visit with North Dakota students! Thank you to Lisbon Middle School and Discovery Middle School groups for the great questions and conversation during their visit to our nation’s capital.

Grants

USDA Awards $1 Million for Hospital, Nursing Home Access

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development awarded $1,000,000 for the purchase of construction equipment for a 76,000-square-foot Critical Access Hospital (CAH) and nursing home for Towner County Hospital Authority (TCHA).

Critical Access Hospitals play an essential role in the delivery of health care services across our rural state. This project is no different, and will support timely access to care and high-paying jobs in the Cando area. The Towner County community should be applauded for their investment in this project, and I look forward to its completion.

HHS Awards $4.2 Million to North Dakota Universities

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a total of $4,297,639 to the following programs and initiatives: $734,528 to the University of North Dakota (UND) for the North Dakota Rural and Tribal Suicide Care Project; and $3,563,111 to Mayville State University for Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

USDA Awards $30,000 for Water, Sewer Systems Study

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development awarded a total of $30,000 through its Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Grant Program to Steele, N.D.

These funds will help conduct a study of the city’s existing water and sewer systems to determine deficiencies and develop a plan for the city.