Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update September 16 - 20

My Statement on the Second Assassination Attempt Against President Trump

A second assasination attempt on President Trump occurred in Florida at the former President's Mar-a-Lago golf course on September 15.

A lesser person, which most are, would say, “I don’t need this.” Donald Trump says, “Keep fighting.” I’m honored to be in this fighter’s corner. America is worth it! Please be safe Mr. President.

Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates for the First Time in Four Years

On Wednesday the Federal Reserve announced interest rates have been cut 50 basis points. It was the first cut to rates in four years.

The Federal Reserve claims political independence. They could have waited to move rates until after the election to confirm it. 25 basis points would’ve received minor grumblings, but the claim rings hollow with 50 basis points.

North Dakota Stockmen's Association Holds Annual Convention

The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, founded nearly a century ago in 1929, holds an annual convention and trade show for its members. I attended the association’s 95th annual convention, and participated in a discussion with attendees.

I value the opportunity to speak with members of the North Dakota Stockmen's Association at their annual meeting. The meeting theme ‘Building for the Future’ truly embodies their dedication to uniting, protecting, promoting, educating and serving the state's beef cattle industry. I am committed to providing unwavering support to our ranchers by advocating for proper risk management tools that provide not only options, but also flexibility.

North Dakota National Guard Holds Change of Command Ceremony

The North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) held a Change of Command Ceremony to transfer command leadership from Major General Alan Dohrmann to Brigadier General Mitchell Johnson. Johnson now serves as Adjutant General of the NDNG and Director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES). As Adjutant General, Johnson will lead the NDNG, which has approximately 4,200 service members and facilities in 13 communities.

Our North Dakota Guardsmen are the best in the nation at protecting our country and state when called upon. Al Dohrmann has worked tirelessly for the men and women under his command and he leaves a profound impact on North Dakota. He will always be a trusted advisor for me. We are grateful for his 40 years of dedication to our state and his remarkable leadership. I look forward to working with Brigadier General Johnson in his new position. I am confident he will serve the people of North Dakota with distinction.

Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act Will Strengthen U.S.-Canada Border

The United States and Canada share the longest international border in the world, spanning 5,525 miles with 120 land ports of entry. Last year, northern border communities saw a significant increase in border apprehensions and encounters, with increases in April up 1,240% compared to April of 2021. The U.S. Border Patrol Swanton Sector in New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont experienced 15,000 apprehensions in Fiscal Year 2024, the largest volume ever recorded by this sector. North Dakota experienced 4,444 attempted illegal entries into the state from Canada in Fiscal Year 2023, a significant increase from 548 in Fiscal Year 2021. North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley testified at a House hearing in May and said the number will continue to increase in 2024.

I joined U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in introducing the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act. This legislation strengthens the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to monitor and manage northern border threats by requiring an annual analysis be completed and the Northern Border Strategy be updated within 90 days of the completed analysis. The annual threat analysis must also include an assessment of changes in apprehensions at the northern border, including sector-level reviews.

Over the last four years, our nation has experienced an unprecedented surge in illegal crossings at the U.S.-Canada border. Yet, the Northern Border Threat Analysis hasn’t been updated since 2017 and the strategy remains outdated. The escalating crisis at the northern border must be addressed, and we must take action to combat the growing threat our communities face. I joined Senator Hassan in introducing the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act to hold the Biden administration accountable, secure our ports of entry, and protect our communities from rising threats.

Homeward Bound Act Addresses New Regulation on Dogs Entering the Country

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implemented a revised dog importation regulation in August, which applies to all canines crossing into the United States. The updated rule requires airlines to issue an air waybill for all dogs, including service and hand-carried dogs, and would prevent families from traveling with puppies under the age of six months. Military and diplomatic families living abroad and users of service dogs face additional burdens traveling with their pets.

The stringent requirements, such as separating service dogs from their handlers during travel or preventing families from bringing puppies under six months old, create logistical challenges that are both emotionally and financially taxing. Similarly, cross-border hunting trips with dogs and transporting dogs from breeders in Canada have become more difficult.

I introduced the Homeward Bound Act alongside U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), and U.S. Representatives Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) and Mary Peltola (D-AK). This legislation is designed to address issues faced by military families, diplomatic personnel, and individuals with service animals under the CDC’s new dog importation rule.

The CDC’s dog importation regulation poses significant and unnecessary burdens. Whether it’s Canadians coming to North Dakota to hunt with their dog or Americans going to Canada to pick up their newest pet, cross-border travel is common place. Similarly, individuals with service dogs, members of the military, and diplomats with pets frequently come in and out of the country. Traveling with pets is hard enough without saddling families with the CDC’s newest requirements. The Homeward Bound Act fixes this bureaucratic overreach, while upholding public health protections.

Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs Hears Testimony on VA Budget Shortfall

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a budget shortfall of nearly $15 billion in July, representing the largest budget shortfall the VA has experienced. This includes $2.88 billion relating to compensation, pension, and readjustment benefit payments at the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA), and another $11.97 billion in medical care accounts at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) held a hearing on Wednesday to hear testimony from VA leadership how to address current and future budget challenges.

Airborne ISR Topic of Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing on Tuesday to consider the nominations of Lieutenant General Randall Reed to be Commander of U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) and Lieutenant General Xavier T. Brunson to be Commander of United Nations Command and Combined Forces Command/U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).

I highlighted two important airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) units in North Dakota: the 319th Reconnaissance Wing and the 119th National Guard. I asked Lieutenant General Brunson about the retirement of legacy systems with little to replace them and inquired whether his command has adequate access to ISR.

77th Birthday of the U.S. Air Force celebrated September 18

The Birthday of the U.S. Air Force was Celebrated on Wednesday.

Happy 77th Birthday to the U.S. Air Force! We are grateful for our airmen of the North Dakota Air Guard, Grand Forks Air Force Base, and everyone at Minot Air Force Base! Thank you for all you do.

Joint Statement Condemning United Nations Vote Against Israel

I joined my fellow GOP Senators in condemning a United Nations General Assembly vote that labeled the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza as an "unlawful presence" and required they leave the area within six months.

The international community must focus its energy and resources on ensuring Hamas and other terrorist groups are completely destroyed. We must remain firm to ensure every single hostage held by these terrorists is safely returned to their loved ones.

Constitution Week Celebrated

“We the people” is the cornerstone of our Constitution. Ours is a government of, by, and for the people.

During Constitution Week, we celebrate the profound duty and privilege we hold as Americans and reflect on the enduring genius of our Founders who laid the foundation for liberty, justice, and self-governance.

Andersen Air Force Base Airmen

Chief Merissa Schmidt, a former military fellow of mine, brought airmen from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam by my office during their trip to Washington. Such a good visit.

Automobile Dealers Association of North Dakota

Automobile sales literally drive our economy. I heard from the Automobile Dealers Association of North Dakota about some of the issues affecting them, such as catalytic converter theft and the EPA’s insane electric vehicle mandate. We also discussed my efforts to overturn the Federal Highway Administration’s disastrous greenhouse gas emissions rule.

American Israel Public Affairs Committee

Israel is a sovereign state and has a fundamental right to defend itself. We have a void of leadership in confronting Iran and its proxies, but the defense of our foremost ally in the Middle East is paramount. Thank you AIPAC for making your voice heard.

American Fraternal Alliance "Fraternal Ally" Award

I am honored to have received the “Fraternal Ally” award from the American Fraternal Alliance. These societies provide critical financial benefits to individuals and communities across the nation, while delivering community service to those who need it most.

Department of Energy Awards $200,000 to SAGE Development Authority

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) announced an award of $200,000 to SAGE Development Authority, a federally chartered Section 17 Corporation created by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. This award, funded through OCED’s Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program, will support clean energy projects.

The ERA Program was established by the fully-paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It seeks to improve the resilience, reliability, safety, availability, and environmental performance of energy systems serving the nation's rural or remote areas with populations of less than 10,000 people.

NIFA Awards $1.6 Million to North Dakota State University

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced a $1,600,000 investment in North Dakota State University (NDSU) to support research pertaining to the economics of markets and trade. Specifically, the award will be distributed to the following projects at NDSU:

• $800,000 to support a project assessing the resilience of the supply chain systems of corn and soybeans, the drought-induced impediments in the network under uncertainty, and the resulting impacts on trade, food security, and farm income.
• $800,000 to support a project assessing the impacts of regulations for genetically modified organisms.

NPS Awards More Than $900,000 for Water, Electrical Upgrades to Fort Ransom State Park

The National Park Service (NPS) announced an award of $921,663.50 to the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This funding will support the renovation of approximately 23 campsites at Fort Ransom State Park by upgrading electrical services from 30 to 50 ampere capacity. Water hydrants will also be installed at the campsites.

FHWA Awards $222,016 to North Dakota Department of Transportation

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced an award of $222,016 to the North Dakota Department of Transportation through the Fiscal Year 2024 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Emergency Relief Program. This award will address damages from a weather event on April 10, 2023, which caused significant overland and riverine flooding resulting from snow events.

HHS Awards $777,850 to University of North Dakota

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced an award of $777,850 to the University of North Dakota for the Mountain Plains Addiction Technology Transfer Center (MPATTC). The MPATTC provides training to support the adoption of evidence-based practices for substance use disorder treatment and recovery services.

Weekly Radio Town Hall Schedule

Jay Thomas

Every other Tuesday from 3:00 to 3:30 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