Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update September 11 - 17

Letter to FERC Rebuts Democrats’ Transmission Wishlist

As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee and former North Dakota Public Service Commissioner for nearly 10 years, I wrote a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding its ongoing rulemakings on transmission planning, cost allocation, and federal backstop siting authority.

My letter was a rebuttal to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) recent letter to FERC, requesting the agency federalize the siting of electricity transmission and broadly socialize costs, efforts Senate Democrats have not been able to accomplish legislatively.

The states, not FERC, are responsible for shaping the electricity generation mix. This also means FERC must respect the policy differences between all states, not just those pushing for a rapid, costly transition to intermittent resources in need of new transmission.

Any attempt by FERC to undermine this state authority by shifting generation sources from reliable baseload to intermittent, distant generation under the guise of transmission planning would be a legal farce.

In May 2023, I penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on the principles needed to reach a commonsense agreement between Republicans and Democrats on transmission.

General Allvin Testifies on ISR Capabilities During SASC Confirmation Hearing

During a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) confirmation hearing, I questioned General David W. Allvin, nominee to be Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF), about intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. General Allvin commanded the 905th Air Refueling Squadron at Grand Forks Air Force Base from 2001 to 2003.

The CSAF is the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Air Force and is responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 685,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas.

I began by questioning General Allvin on the most recent budget overview for Fiscal Year 2024, which does not mention the future or transition of ISR.

I've interacted with a number of Space Force officials, and they're pretty clear the transitions are a ways off before they can take it and run with it as the exclusive platform. The transition has to involve something other than keeping the last nine R-Q4s flying, which at this point two or three I think are capable of flying.

I then mentioned the Air Force’s plan to establish affordable, rapid, and adaptable aircraft as a force multiplier companies can use, while reiterating his concerns over new acquisition formats and rules and defaulting to the same congested airspace.

I also asked whether he is committed on behalf of the Air Force to seeing through the modernization and completion of all three bases hosting ICBMs.

In conclusion, I thanked him for accepting my invitation to visit North Dakota, along with General Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations at U.S. Space Force. We plan to attend the 17th annual Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Summit in Grand Forks to discuss the private and civilian partnerships between Grand Forks Air Force Base, and other local leaders.

Chief of Naval Operations Nominee Testifies at Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing

During a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, I questioned Admiral Lisa Franchetti, who was nominated to be Chief of Naval Operations. If confirmed, she will be the first woman to serve as the Chief of Naval Operations and the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

I highlighted the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS), as well as my appreciation for Admiral Franchetti’s comments regarding the National Call to Service.

The National Call to Service isn't just the military, it's the entire value chain. I think particularly in the workforce piece of it, Admiral Franchetti had some pretty profound things to say about how we can perhaps give it our best, to step things up so we're meeting our needs as well as the needs of our allies.

During my questioning, I specifically pressed Admiral Franchetti on previous comments made by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), claiming members of the Republican Party do not care about U.S. military families. Senator Warren's comments were disingenuous and ignored the red line Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin crossed by facilitating abortions. You can watch Senator Warren's comments and my response below.

Trinity Broadcast Network Discusses Chinese Nationals Posing as Tourists to Breach U.S. Military Sites

As a member of Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), I joined Joe Gumm on Trinity Broadcast Network’s Centerpoint to discuss the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Defense tracking more than 100 incidents of Chinese nationals posing as tourists and attempting to breach U.S. military bases and other federal sites. I also highlighted China’s ongoing aggression against the United States.

One of the things China has greatly exposed and taken advantage of is a vulnerability of ours, which is also a strength, and that is: we're a very open system. Why wouldn't the President be very open in his discussions with Chinese leaders to talk about spying and espionage and why they continue to push us in these directions? More importantly, why do we allow it to happen?

Instead of treating China like the adversary they are, we just kind of let them take advantage of our open system and allow Chinese nationals to do things they'd never in a million years consider allowing Americans to do when they're visiting China.

191st Military Police Company Returns from Yearlong Mission to Kuwait

On Sunday, I welcomed home members of the 191st Military Police Company at a ceremony recognizing their yearlong mission to Kuwait. The unit performed theater customs operations to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs, contraband, and agricultural pests from the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

I cannot say thank you enough to our men and women in uniform who have made incredible sacrifices for the greater good and for protecting liberty, not just here at home but around the world. Even though they were a continent away, we commend them for being a light in the dark.

I also thank Captain Nathan Johnson and First Sergeant (ISG) Jeremy Gowan for their leadership and determination to achieve this mission. None of this would be possible without the sacrifices of our military spouses and families.

The 191st Military Police Company, led by Captain Johnson and Sergeant Gowan, is comprised of 153 soldiers from 35 communities throughout North Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, Wisconsin, Montana, Florida, and South Dakota. The 191st Military Police Company’s Combat Support is part of the North Dakota Army National Guard and is headquartered in Fargo with a detachment located in Grand Forks.

Microsoft CEO

It was great to catch up with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella last week. Microsoft’s Fargo campus is home to about 1,600 employees, operating for more than two decades as one of the largest employers in the area and a strong partner in the community.

North Dakota Farmers Union

Thank you to members of the North Dakota Farmers Union for stopping by my office to speak with me about the status of the Farm Bill and priorities for its reauthorization. I appreciate the chance to hear directly from producers across our state as this legislation is crafted.

National Association of Wheat Growers & U.S. Wheat Associates

Meeting with our producers is a top priority for me as we draft legislation to reauthorize the Farm Bill. I appreciated hearing from members of the National Association of Wheat Growers and the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) last week. It was especially great to have the chance to speak with Jim Pellman, a farmer from McClusky, ND, who serves as the USW Secretary-Treasurer.

Automobile Dealers Association of North Dakota

It is always good to visit with members of the Automobile Dealers Association of North Dakota. Last week, we talked about challenges from supply chain disruptions, catalytic converter anti-theft legislation, and the FTC’s proposed vehicle transition rule.

Independent Women’s Forum

I enjoyed the chance to speak with Andi Bottner about the Independent Women’s Forum’s advocacy efforts and the Women’s Bill of Rights, legislation introduced by Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and Representative Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08), which I have cosponsored in the Senate.

Citi

It was great to meet with Pam Habner, CEO of U.S. Branded Cards and Lending for Citi, to discuss issues impacting the payment industry.

Growth Energy

Grateful to be presented with Growth Energy’s Fueling Growth Award for my work to support North Dakota’s biofuel producers.

Spectra Health & Northland Healthcare Alliance

Thank you to Spectra Health and Northland Health Centers for meeting with me last week to discuss current issues impacting our community health centers in North Dakota.

ClearPath

Great to sit down with Jay Faison, the founder of ClearPath, to discuss the future of permitting reform, promoting energy innovation, and my recent letter to FERC rebutting the Democrats’ unrealistic transmission wishlist.

Dakota Credit Union Association

I heard from members of the Dakota Credit Union Association during their visit to Washington, D.C., last week. We had a good discussion on issues affecting credit unions and their members throughout the Dakotas.

Task Force 21 Minot

It was great to meet with Minot's Task Force 21 delegation while they were in our nation's capital for the Annual Nuclear Triad Symposium. I appreciate their work on housing, mental health access, and all their preparation for the Sentinel ICBM modernization at Minot Air Force Base.

North Dakota Concerned Women for America

Thanks to North Dakota members of the Concerned Women for America for meeting with me to discuss their advocacy work and efforts to protect religious values.

Haven Hills Foster Hill Community

After returning from Washington, D.C., I met with Amber Bohl and Leslie Reisenauer, foster parents who are working to launch Haven Hills, a foster care community dedicated to caring for foster children until they can be reunited with their biological families or obtain permanency.

Rail Companies Issue Status Reports on Grain Car Backlog

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 from the last 10 weeks is below.

FEMA Awards $73 Million for North Dakota Hazard Mitigation Projects

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $73 million in federal funds to the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services. These funds will support North Dakota’s hazard mitigation projects under the agency’s Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant programs for Fiscal Year 2022.

I appreciate FEMA’s willingness to listen to and work with North Dakotans. Flooding and severe weather can impact so much of our state and these areas are no exception. This grant is an opportunity to implement flood mitigation improvements which will allow the community to protect hardworking residents and save taxpayers’ money in the long run.

Nearly $64 million of the federal funding will be distributed to two FMA projects in the Bismarck-Mandan area, providing protection from flooding impacts for more than 11,500 homes. Further, the City of Lincoln was selected for $7.8 million and the City of Fessenden for $2 million in BRIC grant funding to replace their wastewater systems.

More than 1,000 projects were submitted between states, local, and tribal governments from across the country for Fiscal Year 2022 FEMA program funding. Under these programs, communities can receive up to a 75% federal cost share to implement projects which will prevent damages from natural hazards.

HHS Awards $1.2 Million to North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded a total of $1,250,000 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. This Partnership for Success (PFS) grant will go towards preventing underage drinking among individuals between the ages of 12 to 20. The goals of PFS grants are to:

• Prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance abuse
• Reduce substance abuse-related problems
• Strengthen prevention capacity and infrastructure at the state and community levels
• Leverage, redirect, and align funding streams and resources for prevention

HHS Awards $769,488 to Support Drug Free Communities, Tribal Home Visitation Program

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded a total of $769,488 to the following programs and initiatives:

• $125,000 to Grand Forks Public Schools for Project Drug Free Communities, which supports the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth, and addresses the community risk factors related to substance abuse.
• $644,488 to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians for the Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program to support healthy, successful children and families through a coordinated, high-quality, home visiting strategy and to expand the evidence base for home visiting in tribal communities.