Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update December 12-25

Vote Opposes $1.7 Trillion Omnibus Spending Bill

I voted against the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill.

I oppose the utter dysfunction of Congress. Ramming through must-pass bills like this omnibus spending package with absolutely no transparency is disrespectful to Rank and File members and the American people we represent.

While there’s some good in the bill including fully funding our military and defense needs, I refuse to facilitate this bad behavior.

Op-Ed: The EU Goes Rogue on Climate Policy with Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

I penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on the European Union’s carbon border adjustment mechanism agreement and its problematic national security and economic implications. The U.S., EU, and allies who already have high environmental standards, have an opportunity to work together on developing a global climate agenda supported by smart energy and trade policies.

The U.S. has nothing to apologize for. The rest of the world needs to clean up.

The moment to work together on climate policy is here. The EU shouldn’t waste it by going rogue.

Kudlow Interview Discusses EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism Agreement Op-Ed

I joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss my Wall Street Journal op-ed on the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism agreement.

Europe has been going down this unilateral path for some time. Over the past few years, several EU leaders came to my office, including the European Union's Commissioner of Energy. I told them if they slowed down the agreement, let us work with them, then they would have a multicontinental alliance where we could do some trade together based on our excellence rather than on somebody else's mediocrity.

A mutually-beneficial deal can be reached with the right amount of pressure and cooperation. We should set a high standard that American and modern nations’ companies already meet so our excellence is rewarded while disadvantaging our adversaries.

Senate Passes the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act

On December 15, the Senate passed the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. The FY 2023 NDAA was named in honor of Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) to commemorate his 35 years of public service in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

As the first-ever North Dakotan to be a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee in Congress, I strive to use my seat to ensure North Dakota’s military missions and members secure the resources they need.

While this bill should have been passed months ago, providing for the common defense is a founding principle and absolutely critical responsibility of Congress. The NDAA invests in our national security and our brave service members and their families.

It contains funding for North Dakota’s military assets and missions in Minot, Grand Forks, and Cavalier while providing support for our state’s National Guard and the entire North Dakota military community.

Senate Passes the Water Resources Development Act of 2022

I joined my Senate colleagues in celebrating the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022. This biennial bill provides flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration resources to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 delivers big wins, not only in North Dakota but the entire United States. It embraces states’ water rights, improves recreational access, supports flood mitigation initiatives, and establishes policies to better develop and utilize Corps projects.

This bill came together through regular order and within the two-year timeframe, and proves when we work in a cooperative manner, we can make meaningful progress.

Vote Opposes Senator Manchin’s “Permitting Reform” Legislation

I am in favor of permitting reform and I appreciate Chairman Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) fervor, but the electricity transmission section of his legislation is particularly troubling. It expands federal influence over the grid and allows the cost socialization of very expensive localized renewable projects, meaning rural communities paying for city projects or Midwesterners paying for coastal projects.

The legislation upends long-settled rate design law. I worked with Chairman Manchin and progress was made, but private interaction cannot replace open regular order where the public and other elected officials can help review and refine the final product.

I urge Chairmen Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Tom Carper (D-DE) to be proactive next Congress on permitting reforms. They will still have a willing partner in me.

Newsmax Interview Discusses CFIUS Decision on Fufeng

I joined Greta Van Susteren on Newsmax to discuss the outcome of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States review of the Fufeng Group’s purchase of farmland near Grand Forks Air Force Base. I’ve always been opposed to this investment. I remain opposed to this investment.

At the end of the day, I think the security concerns are obvious. We’re talking about the Chinese Communist Party at a time when they have made it very clear that they want to take over more supply chains in the United States. They spy on us. They’re building a super military to rival us. It’s a bad idea to invite them into our backyard.

We have to take more action to demonstrate we’re going to stand up for American security and independence at a time when China is rivaling us in so many respects economically, as well as militarily. We need to be more diligent.

Senate Passes Legislation to Establish a Western Water Cooperative Committee for Army Corps Projects

The Senate passed legislation I introduced with Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) to establish the Western Water Cooperative Committee. The Western Water Cooperative Committee will ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) flood control projects in Western States are operated consistent with congressional directives and adhere to state water rights and water laws. The committee also establishes a platform for Western states to work out water appropriation and other issues with the Army Corps.

North Dakotan and Western water issues are often the result of the Army Corps overrunning state authority. Our bill creates this committee to provide our states with a new avenue for input and cooperation with Army Corps leadership.

This increased communication and transparency will help bring about the cooperative model Congress envisioned between states and the Army Corps, ultimately bringing about better policies, water management, and recreational opportunities for western states. The passage of the Western Water Cooperative Committee will benefit North Dakota for years to come and I look forward to its swift implementation.

Statement on Resignation of Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford

Last week, Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford announced his resignation and his intention to return to the private sector to focus on his family and career.

Kris and I thank Lieutenant Governor Sanford for his work for and dedication to our great state during the past six years. Brent’s long and decorated career in public service took him from beloved mayor of Watford City to a staple in Bismarck.

His particular attention to the policies surrounding our energy and natural resources has made our state and nation stronger. North Dakota is a better place because of his mark. We wish him and his family all the best in this next chapter.

Letter Urges Defense Departments to Stop Costly Green New Deal Mandates

I joined Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) in efforts to stop the Department of Defense (DoD) from imposing a new environmental rule on federal contractors, both large and small, which would drive up costs for our national defense. We pressed DoD to drop the newly proposed rule requiring burdensome greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting in a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

DoD’s proposed rule on GHG emissions disclosures is self-defeating. It undercuts our industrial base, drives up costs, and puts environmentalism over national security. As such, it is at odds with the DoD’s mission and should be rescinded immediately.

We also introduced legislation to block the proposed regulation.

Letter Urges Trade Representative and Department of Agriculture to Address Mexico’s Proposed Ban on Genetically Engineered Corn

I joined Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in sending a bipartisan letter to the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Mexico’s proposal to phase out genetically engineered corn imports by 2024.

These actions are unsupported by science and a breach of United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. It would be detrimental to food security in Mexico, hurt U.S. agricultural sustainability, and stifle future agricultural technology innovations that would benefit both nations.

Mexican President Lopez Obrador issued a decree in 2020 to phase out GE corn by 2024, an order unsupported by science and threatens to run the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement afoul. Last year, 90 percent of corn grown in the U.S. met GE criteria.

Letter Urges Department of Labor to Protect Independent Contractor Classification

I joined Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Richard Burr (R-NC), and John Thune (R-SD) and Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC-05) on a bicameral letter urging the Department of Labor not to move forward with its proposed rule for determining independent contractor classification due to the negative impact on workers and business, the test’s lack of clarity, and the devastating consequences for the U.S. economy.

The independent contractor proposed rule would have immediate and long-term disruptive effects on millions of workers and thousands of businesses at a time when the economy is facing high inflation rates.

We urge the Department of Labor not to move forward with its proposed rule for determining independent contractor classification. The proposed rule will jeopardize millions of individuals’ independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

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.

Surgeon General

Thanks to Surgeon General Vivek Murthy for stopping by my office to check out my healing finger!

I’m glad we made time to discuss opportunities to address the youth mental health crisis across our nation and workforce issues facing every industry.

Defense Fellow Presentation

Thank you to our Defense Fellow, Justin Kronenberg, for spending the past year in my office serving North Dakota constituents with his military acumen and U.S. Marine Corps experience. I am grateful to accept a plaque and “swagger stick” in commemoration of our time together!

Grants for North Dakota

Infrastructure Success Story: Environmental Protection Agency Awards $8.7 Million to North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $8,738,000 to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program. This program provides low-interest financing for the development of water systems for communities, schools, parks, and other projects. These projects improve and protect water quality and public health for communities throughout the state.

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act specifically increased funding for North Dakota’s State Revolving Fund programs to accelerate water infrastructure improvements. The bill authorized $200 million for clean water infrastructure projects and programs in North Dakota through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

EPA Awards $7.5 Million to North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund

The Environmental Protection Agency also awarded $7,555,000 to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program.

The DWSRF supports a number of North Dakota water initiatives, including projects to address emerging contaminants in drinking water. The program improves and protects water quality and public health for communities throughout the state.

Department of Agriculture Awards North Dakota Electric Infrastructure Loan and Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Rural Development has awarded the following:

• $30,400,000 Electric Infrastructure Loan to Minnkota Power Coop to finance transmission system improvement projects; and
• $150,000 Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants to the City of Bisbee to ensure the city does not have another emergency freezing situation by providing emergency backup power, updated controls, and an insulated structure at the base of the water tower.

Department of Agriculture Awards Tribal Colleges Nearly $1.4 Million in Grant Funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Rural Development awarded a total of $1,392,068 in Tribal College Initiative Grants:

• $348,017 to Sitting Bull College to construct an outdoor classroom/auditorium adjacent to the academic center;
• $348,017 to Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College to improve the area surrounding the campus building in New Town;
• $348,017 to United Tribes Technical College to finance the reconstruction and rehabilitation of portions of All Nations Circle at the intersection of University Drive; and
• $348,017 to Cankdeska Cikana Community College to support campus facility improvements, including new concrete near the entries, new paint and flooring for two suites, air conditioning for the server room, heating, ventilation and air conditioning updates for Certificates Dakota Language area, and window replacement.