Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update September 15-19

Senate Democrats Block Clean, Short-Term Government Funding Plan

Senate Democrats blocked consideration of a clean, short-term continuing resolution (CR). The bill would continue Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations for federal agencies through Nov. 21 while Congress works on a long-term solution and additional individual appropriations bills.

We also voted on a CR proposed by Democrats, which failed. It would have drastically increased spending levels and handcuffed President Trump’s ability to enact necessary spending priorities.

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy Announced as UAS Summit Guest

I announced U.S. Secretary of Transportation and NASA Administrator Sean Duffy will speak at this year’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Summit and Expo in Grand Forks on Oct. 14. Duffy is a former U.S. Representative from Wisconsin, where he served from 2011 to 2019. He is also a former District Attorney and television host.

The UAS Summit is in its 19th year and brings together policymakers and industry leadership from around the world to discuss the regulatory, economic and technological events in the unmanned aerial system industry.

Army Corps Leadership Questioned at EPW Hearing

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing to conduct U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) oversight. The hearing featured testimony from Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle and Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of USACE Lieutenant General William H. Graham, Jr.

I began by thanking Telle for finally establishing the Western Water Cooperative Committee (WWCC). I championed the WWCC and secured its authorization in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022, but it was not set up until earlier this year.

The WWCC provides North Dakota and other western states a platform to bring localized problems directly to the USACE to engage in dialogue and help ensure the agency’s policies align with state water rights and laws.

I also questioned Telle on streamlining bureaucracy within the USACE and applauded the Trump administration’s embrace of doing less with less.

It’s a breath of fresh air and I’m fully supportive of it. In the past, especially with the Corps, something we’ve heard a lot is ‘we just don’t have enough staff to do things.’ […] I think the smarter approach is streamlining things, eliminating unneeded regulations, and ultimately reducing the workload.

Telle continued, “I agree with you that a larger bureaucracy doesn't necessarily mean better results for the American taxpayer. And as you intelligently point out, the staffing levels within the United States Army Corps of Engineers mirror the staffing levels of the United States Army Corps of Engineers prior to the pandemic. I believe that with modern technology, with better forms of cooperation with our non-federal sponsors - I think about the project in Fargo and your state - I think we can deliver more to the American taxpayers with a staff that looks a whole lot like the staff prior to the pandemic.”

I asked General Graham about the long overdue noxious weed report, which was due in 2022. The Terrestrial Noxious Weed Control Demonstration Program was authorized in WRDA 2020 and required the USACE to issue a report to Congress on improved strategies for dealing with noxious weeds. I secured language in WRDA 2024 directing the USACE to prioritize completing the report. As I explained, “Over five years ago, I passed a law that requires a report on how to deal with noxious weeds. I hear it over and over from landowners that border Corps land. It's over three years late. In other words, they're never going to do it. I'm sure it's in some well-intentioned bureaucrat’s pile, but the law didn't say, ‘get around to it when you can.’ When in doubt, obey the law.”

“I believe that report, as you kind of alluded to, is still under administration review,” responded General Graham. “But we absolutely want to be great neighbors with our partners up there and leverage every bit of local knowledge that we have with the farmers out there, with the Tribes out there, so that we can steward this land for the American people to the best of our ability.”

Letter to EPA Supports Repeal of Biden-Era Clean Power Plan 2.0

I joined Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and fellow Republican committee members in sending a comment letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin in support of the agency’s proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan 2.0.

We expressed our support for the repeal and explained how the Biden-era standards “misinterpreted the limited authority that Congress granted…in an attempt to expand the Agency’s authority” without a congressional mandate to do so. Our letter highlights the rule’s impacts on grid reliability along with its mandate for unproven and cost-prohibitive technologies, and reiterates the Trump administration’s accurate interpretation of the Clean Air Act requirements for issuing greenhouse gas emissions standards.

“We appreciate the Agency taking seriously its legal responsibility to carefully consider the scope of its authority under Section 111 of the CAA. Under previous administrations, the EPA attempted to sidestep the statutorily required determination of significant contribution prior to regulating greenhouse gases (GHG) from stationary source categories. EPA also attempted to use Section 111 to claim a broad grant of authority for the Agency to require emission reduction systems for GHGs from the power sector that were not adequately demonstrated and unachievable. Relying on exceptionally novel interpretations of Section 111 of the CAA, the EPA issued rules seeking to transform the power sector contrary to the Supreme Court’s holding in West Virginia v. EPA.”

I have long been a vocal opponent of this heavy-handed regulation. In August 2023, I called on the Biden EPA to withdraw its proposal from consideration. I joined Administrator Zeldin to announce the EPA’s rule to repeal the Clean Power Plan 2.0 and remaining portions of the original Obama-era Clean Power Plan. Following the EPA’s repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding, I applauded the decision.

Debanking Highlighted in the Wall Street Journal

President Trump has done great work with executive action on debanking. But one thing we’ve learned from countless stories like this is without lasting, durable laws, the financial services industry will weaponize grey areas and unofficial policies to discriminate against people and viewpoints it doesn’t like. Only passing the Fair Access to Banking Act—which has 43 Senate cosponsors—truly protects regular people like Steve Happ.

Meeting Held with the Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, SASC Leadership

I enjoyed a productive discussion with Pete Hegseth and fellow Senate Armed Services Committee leaders as we work towards completing the annual National Defense Authorization Act. North Dakota plays a crucial and growing role in our defense infrastructure. As we discussed pressing national security priorities like Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems, Golden Dome, the Sentinel missile program, and the need for rapid innovation, it was an honor to keep our state at the forefront of the conversation.

Mike Waltz Confirmed to Serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

Mike Waltz is highly qualified and a true American patriot. As U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Mike will represent Peace Through Strength and our America First principles with honor.

President Trump's Nominees Confirmed by Senate

Jessica Kramer Confirmed to Serve as EPA Assistant Administrator for Water

Jessica Kramer is exactly who we need at the Environmental Protection Agency and someone who really understands the role of the federal government in working together with the states. She has a clear understanding of the law, private property rights, and the confines of the bureaucracy. I am confident in her ability to get a clear, durable, and workable Waters of the United States rule finalized, and I look forward to partnering with her on a whole host of water issues important to North Dakota.

Sean McMaster Confirmed to Serve as Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration

Sean McMaster is exactly who we need as Federal Highway Administrator. He knows what it takes to build and maintain our infrastructure and he’s going to be a great partner as we craft the next Highway Bill.

Katherine Scarlett confirmed to serve as Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality

Katherine Scarlett will be an excellent Council on Environmental Quality chair and is the right person to keep the CEQ on mission. I’m looking forward to working with her to improve the permitting process and right the wrongs of the last administration.

Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act Highlighted by American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living highlighted my Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, which I introduced with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) earlier this month.

Air Force Birthday

I joined my colleagues and Air Force leadership to celebrate the 78th birthday of the best Air Force in the world. Our airmen at the North Dakota Air National Guard, Grand Forks Air Force Base, and Minot Air Force Base exemplify patriotism, lethality, and deterrence. I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays to come! Aim high!

Associated General Contractors of North Dakota

I met with Associated General Contractors of North Dakota to discuss the importance of passing a highway reauthorization bill and how we can build on the success of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It is great to hear from folks on the ground delivering road and bridge projects across North Dakota.

Signum Global

I enjoyed speaking to Signum Global and business leaders about a wide range of issues from reliable, affordable energy and permitting to government funding.

Blue Cross Blue Shield North Dakota

I had an informative conversation with Dan Conrad, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, on the status of health care in our state. I appreciate the company's input on driving affordability and quality outcomes for patients across North Dakota.

Palantir

Innovative companies like Palantir understand the importance of maintaining American maritime dominance. Enjoyed meeting with friend and former colleague Mike Gallagher to see how Palantir intends to transform and modernize the shipbuilding industrial base.

North Dakota Corn Growers Association

I had a good conversation with the North Dakota Corn Growers Association about addressing how U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service easements are infringing on private property rights, year-round E15, and how trade and labor policy impact North Dakota farmers.

Sierra Space

I had a great discussion with Fatih Ozmen, CEO of Sierra Space and the Sierra Nevada Corporation, about the role Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems and base defense play in Golden Dome missile defense system for America.

Ukrainian Leaders

North Dakota and Ukraine’s relationship is built on a shared history and a prevailing economic partnership. I met with my good friend Pavel Unguryan and Ukrainian leaders in D.C. about the United States’ efforts to bolster more economic agreements and security cooperation with our strategic partner.

National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, National Asphalt Pavement Association and the National Ready-Mix Concrete Association

It was good to visit with National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, the National Asphalt Pavement Association, and the National Ready-Mix Concrete Association members. We talked about the road ahead for the Highway Bill reauthorization, ideas to improve work zone safety, and workforce challenges impacting their businesses.