Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update October 28 - November 3

Letter Requests Answers on USDA EID Tag Mandate, Resources for Ranchers Amidst Federal Support Shortfall

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Final Rule mandating the use of electronic identification (EID) tags on certain cattle and bison will take effect on Nov. 5. Approximately 300,000 tags will be needed for North Dakota ranchers to meet USDA’s EID mandate and brucellosis program, but USDA will only allocate 116,000 tags to the North Dakota State Veterinarian to meet the EID mandate.

I wrote a letter to USDA requesting answers on the funding shortfall and stressed the need to allocate resources to ranchers for EID compliance.

Animal disease traceability (ADT) efforts are critical for protecting our nation’s herds, but new mandates should not erode the ability to carry out existing programs.

USDA told the State Veterinarian it will no longer lend support to ranchers for the brucellosis program, or “bangs,” and ranchers will be expected to cover the shortfall in bangs tags. These tags are an important tool for animal disease traceability in livestock. USDA’s decision to only fund EID tags for interstate movement, and not brucellosis, creates an unfunded mandate and leaves a nearly $500,000 shortfall. This goes against a longstanding commitment from USDA to assist producers forced to comply with its regulations.

If USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is serious about its mission to protect against disease that could harm our nation’s livestock, it should recognize the importance of maintaining federal support for bangs and abide by its decades-old obligation to supply tags needed for ADT programs.

North Dakota Family to Receive a Replacement Purple Heart, Quilt of Valor in Honor of WWII Hero

A ceremony will be held on Monday, Nov. 4 in Bismarck to present a Purple Heart medal to honor the service and sacrifice of Private Franklin Joseph DuFrame, who gave his life in service to our nation in World War II. The replacement medal will be presented to Pvt. DuFrame’s son, Donald Franklin DuFrame of Lincoln, who served and enlisted in the Navy Reserve at 18 as a machinist mate 3rd class during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1967.

On March 24, 1945, he was wounded in action and transported to an evacuation hospital in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. Pvt. DuFrame died of his wounds two days later on March 26 at the age of 24. He was temporarily interned at the military cemetery in Stromberg and permanently laid to rest, at his family’s request, at the Lorraine American War Cemetery in France.

This Purple Heart medal is much more than an award; it’s really a symbol of our nation’s eternal gratitude for Franklin DuFrame’s bravery, and heroism, and sacrifice. Private DuFrame gave his life for our country, and it's really an honor for me to be able to present his family with this replacement medal to recognize his valiant service.

This replaces a previous Purple Heart awarded to Pvt. DuFrame, which had been lost. I will also have the honor of presenting the family with a flag flown over the United States Capitol in honor of Pvt. DuFrame’s heroic service.

Wells Fargo and Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Present Check to Fargo Beyond Shelter

Wells Fargo and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines gave a $400,000 Member Impact Fund donation to Beyond Shelter on Tuesday. Beyond Shelter provides affordable housing opportunities to the Fargo community.

I joined Fargo community members in celebrating this impactful donation. Our state will be better served because of it.

It was an honor to participate in this festive event as we celebrate the generosity of the private sector and the solutions of local innovators like Beyond Shelter.

Meeting with Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce Discusses Numerous Federal Issues

I had a great discussion with Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber members. We covered issues important to our community leaders including the geopolitics of energy, national security, rural health care, tax policy, immigration reform, work force shortages, and increasing U.S. Customs and Border Protection funding.

Federal Issues Covered at the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions Bank Summit

I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with bankers and industry leaders to discuss issues impacting North Dakota banks. It was a great conversation focusing on regulatory reform, the urgency of passing a robust Farm Bill, and my work on the Senate Banking Committee.

Grand Opening Celebrates the Minot Air Force Base Fitness Center Dome

I participated in the Grand Opening of the Minot Air Force Base Fitness Center Dome. The Dome is an all-season bubble-style covering, which allows base residents to use facilities year-round. It’s an extension of the McAdoo Fitness Center and will host activities like Physical Fitness Assessments, intermural sports, group fitness classes, and unit physical training.

With cold, snowy winter months around the corner, I was honored to join the Minot Air Force Base community at the grand opening of its new fitness center. This indoor facility will go a long way in boosting morale and improving the quality of life for North Dakota’s service members and their families on even the most frigid days.

The term “game changer” isn’t adequate to describe the Dome. Fitness, physical and mental, is critical to readiness. This bubble will facilitate 365 day a year exercise and recreational opportunities for airmen and their families as they serve in community.

Letter Sent to President Biden Calling for Intervention in China Adoption Program Termination

In August, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) halted all international adoptions, except those between blood relatives. Prior to the announcement, approximately 300 children in the PRC had been matched with American families in the adoption process.

As a co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD), and a bipartisan, bicameral group of 103 members of Congress in sending a letter to President Joe Biden, calling on him to stand up for families navigating the PRC’s decision to end intercountry adoptions for those without Chinese familial ties.

We request that you act in the best interest of these children and families by urging the PRC to fulfill and uphold the commitment the country has made.

DOT Awards Over $20 Million to Red River Valley & Western for Safety and Capacity Upgrades

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced an award of $20,714,004 through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program to the Red River Valley & Western Railroad (RRVW) Company for safety upgrades under the Safety Enhancements and Capacity Upgrades for Reliability and Efficiency (SECURE) Project. Specifically, the grant will replace 25 miles of century-old rail on RRVW’s 3rd Subdivision between Gwinner and Oakes, and construct two new sidings to hold trains near Casselton.

North Dakota is an export-driven economy, and our commodities need safe, reliable rail service to get goods to market. Red River Valley & Western’s network is a critical artery for agriculture producers in Eastern North Dakota and this investment will improve the service it provides.

DOT Awards $12 Million for Two North Dakota Bridge Improvement Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the award of $12,100,000 to the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) for two bridge replacement and reconstruction projects.

• $9,400,000 for the Safe and Resilient Passages at Standing Rock Project. The NDDOT, in cooperation with local communities and stakeholders from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, is planning to replace two bridges along North Dakota Highway 1806 in Morton and Sioux counties: the Backwater Bridge over Canta Peta Creek and the Cannonball River Bridge.
• $2,700,000 for the Viking Bridge Reconstruction Project. The Viking Bridge is in fair condition, but at risk of falling into poor condition within the next three years. The new bridge is designed to meet current standards by widening the sidewalk, expanding the travel area, and incorporating a non-mountable traffic barrier. The bridge design will include measures to prevent scouring and enhance resilience against flooding events.

Bridges are critical for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across North Dakota and beyond. These projects will enhance safety, support local growth, and ensure reliable infrastructure for years to come.

U.S. Department of Transportation Awards $1 Million to Grand Forks International Airport

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced an award of $1 million through the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) to the Grand Forks International Airport. Specifically, this award will assist the airport with revenue guarantee, start-up costs, ground handling offsets and an associated marketing plan to recruit, initiate, and support new nonstop service between Grand Forks and Denver International Airport via SkyWest Airlines.

The Grand Forks International Airport is an essential transportation hub for the northern Red River Valley. A region can only grow with quality air service and quality air service can only grow with a quality airport.

USDA Awards Nearly $500,000 to Dakota Angus, LLC

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an award of nearly $500,000 to Dakota Angus, LLC, which is based in Drake. This funding, awarded through the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), will add up to five new routes for farm to consumer beef distributions and expand wholesale business through grocery stores, food hubs, convenient stores, and schools in underserved markets. The award will expand market opportunities for livestock producers, create additional local jobs, and diversify consumers’ options.

Weekly Radio Town Hall Schedule

Jay Thomas

Every other Tuesday from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. CT

"Mitchell in the Morning" with Todd Mitchell

Every Wednesday from 8:15 to 8:50 a.m. CT

KFYR 550 AM / 99.7 FM - Bismarck

Noah Chelliah

Thursdays from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. CT

KNOX 1310 AM - Grand Forks

Rick Jensen

Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. CT

KHND 1470 AM - Harvey

"What's On Your Mind" with Scott Hennen

Every Friday from 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. CT

AM 1100 The Flag - Fargo

WDAY 970 AM - Fargo

KTGO 1090 AM - Tioga

Michael Bell

Every Friday from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. CT

KFYR 550 AM / 99.7 FM - Bismarck

Contact Me

My offices are open in Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, Fargo, Williston, and Washington, D.C. To request an appointment, call any of the offices below or visit my website at www.cramer.senate.gov.

Bismarck

328 Federal Building, 220 East Rosser Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501

701-204-0500

Grand Forks

114 Federal Building, 102 North 4th Street, Grand Forks, ND 58203

701-402-4540

Minot

105 Federal Building, 100 First Street SW, Minot, ND 58701

701-837-6141

Fargo

306 Federal Building, 657 Second Avenue N, Fargo, ND 58102

701-232-5094

Williston

125 Main Street, Suite #217, Williston, ND 58801

701-441-7230

Washington, D.C.

313 Hart Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

202-224-2043