Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update July 15 - July 26

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu's Joint Address to Congress

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed both the House of Representatives and Senate, highlighting the United States’ solidarity with Israel. Since October 7, Israel has been engaged in an existential conflict with Hamas. I attended this joint meeting of Congress along with my colleagues and was honored to show my support for the Nation of Israel and reflect upon our own democracy and freedoms.

Paris Olympics - GO TEAM USA

Congratulations to all of the athletes competing for Team USA in Paris this summer. North Dakota will be cheering for all the RED, WHITE and BLUE, but especially NDSU graduate Payton Otterdahl, and Katie Ledecky, who has Williston roots. GO TEAM USA!

Mobile Office Hours On July 30 in Medora and Beach.

Golden Valley County Courthouse 150 1st Ave. SE Beach 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MDT

Billings County Courthouse 495 4th St. Medora 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. MDT

Since it’s not always possible for people to travel to my in-state offices, these mobile office opportunities help bring the services we offer closer to the constituents who need them. Having members of my staff in Beach and Medora will give North Dakotans more chances to explore solutions to the problems they face with people who are in a position to help.

Constituents should contact my Constituent Services Representative, Mary Belzer, mary_belzer@cramer.senate.gov, for more information.

Gold Star Children Education Act

Along with my fellow senators, Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) I introduced the "Gold Star Children Education Act" to support the education of children of fallen U.S. servicemembers. This legislation would make children of servicemembers who died while serving on active duty eligible for enrollment in U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools on a tuition-free, space-available basis.

The DODEA manages 160 schools globally, providing K-12 education to the children of active duty servicemembers residing on military installations. Military families frequently cite the availability of schools on installations as positively impacting their quality of life, but Gold Star children are not eligible to enroll in the schools after the death of a parent who served.

America is the land of the free because of the brave servicemembers who sacrificed their lives in defense of our freedoms. After losing a parent who served, Gold Star children should not be further disrupted by losing their access to DOD schools. I joined Senators Ossoff and Rounds in introducing the Gold Star Children Education Act to preserve the educational options for families of fallen servicemembers.

Combat Action Recognition and Evaluation (CARE) for Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Crews Act

While Remotely Piloted Aircraft crews fly combat missions across the United States, they have no identifier in their records for combat operations performed due to not being physically located in a combat zone. If crew members decide to change career fields within the military or leave the service altogether, they often face barriers when accessing the appropriate mental health care, despite the long-lasting mental health impacts of these operations.

I joined Jacky Rosen (D-NV), in introducing the bipartisan CARE for RPA Crews Act to establish a status identifier for RPA crews who conduct combat operations to help increase their access to services and give them proper recognition.

Now more than ever, military missions use airborne ISR platforms to meet our national security objectives. Remotely Piloted Aircraft crews, including Fargo’s Happy Hooligans and the airmen from the 319th at Grand Forks, are an integral part of the nation’s Joint Force. The CARE for RPA Crews Act recognizes the accomplishments of RPA crews and identifies the appropriate resources to keep our airmen fit for duty.

Border Weather Resiliency Act

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) facilities are often exposed to extreme weather events, posing significant challenges to border security operations, national security, and critical infrastructure. Just last year alone, there were 28 natural disasters across the nation causing at least $92.9 billion in damages, surpassing the previous record of 22 in 2020.

The extreme weather conditions directly challenge the CBP's ability to fulfill its responsibilities, affecting both the safety and well-being of personnel. Given the unique winter weather challenges CBP personnel face at the northern border, it is imperative the agency receives the resources and support it needs.

To enhance CBP preparedness and response to hazardous weather and water events near U.S. borders, I joined U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) in introducing the Border Weather Resiliency Act of 2024. The legislation will require the development of a preparedness and response strategy, assessment of past impacts, and implementation of safety protocols to protect personnel, technology, and infrastructure.

Northern border states like North Dakota know firsthand how severe snowstorms can hamstring local communities. But whether it is a blizzard up North or extreme heat in the South, the Customs and Border Patrol have a vital mission that cannot afford to fail. I joined my colleagues in introducing the Border Weather Resiliency Act, which takes a proactive approach to support Border Patrol agents as they prepare and respond to severe weather events.

Op-Ed with Canadian Consul General and Minnesota Senator Klobuchar

I joined the Canadian Consul General Beth Richardson and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar in a joint op-ed on American-Canadian relations. We are stronger together.

While we represent different countries and constituencies, we write with the same message — the United States and Canada are better together.

In a month that includes both America’s Independence Day and Canada’s National Holiday, from the Peace Garden State, to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, to the True North, we join together to wish the citizens of both countries peace and prosperity.

Letter to Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau on Potential Rail Strike

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National Railway (CN) workers represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference voted in late June to authorize a strike.

Before a strike can legally occur, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) must issue a ruling outlining shipments required to continue during a work stoppage. CIRB is expected to finalize a ruling in the coming days.

I sent a letter to Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, stressing the need to keep railways open and operational.

Railroads play a key operational role in the trade relationship, offering a cost-efficient and reliable means of transportation. Each year, railroads haul millions of tons of products between North Dakota and Canada. This includes fuels, agricultural commodities, and other goods the residents of our communities rely on daily. Any disruption to the transport of these essential products poses risks to consumers and our economies.

Those in the agricultural community are particularly vulnerable to a possible strike. They rely heavily on rail transport during the harvest season. Disruptions to this transportation option would delay the delivery of agricultural goods and a strike could lead to potential food shortages and higher prices for consumers. This concern is exacerbated by the fact there are limited alternative transportation options available to shippers should a disruption occur.

Letter to CDC on Canadian-U.S. Border Regulation on Dog Importation

I joined a letter along with 14 of my Senate colleagues requesting that the CDC grant an extension of the August 1, effective date until a regulation can be drafted that both appropriately protects public health and allows the importation of dogs from Canada and other low-risk countries.

The CDC's final rule would have unintended, detrimental consequences. The financial and regulatory burdens this new rule would place on U.S. and Canadian dog owners would undoubtedly restrict travel between the two countries.

Letter to Urge Veterans Affairs to Protect VA Home Loans from Costly Energy Conservation Standards

I joined Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS.) – ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Senior Appropriations Committee Member – and my colleagues, Sens. John Boozman (R-AR.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN.), and Mike Braun (R-IN.) to raise concerns to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough about how recently adopted Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Agriculture energy conservation policies could impact the cost of VA home loans for veterans.

If adopted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, we are concerned that the revised standards could negatively affect the availability, affordability, and competitiveness of VA home loans for veterans. Declining to finance any loans for new homes that do not meet these increased requirements, the agencies put accessible homeownership in jeopardy for thousands of veterans. Both rental and housing costs have risen at the fastest rates in decades, and any proposals that raise the cost of home building must be meticulously examined.

Investment in Radical Activists: A Case Study on the NDN Collective Supported by the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act

We already knew the Inflation Reduction Act was bad, but now we know it was used to fund pro-Hamas radicals. The EPW committee is following the money. Not a single cent of taxpayer money should’ve been sent to these extremist groups.

Letter to the USDA on Potato Wart Disease

In a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas Vilsack, I joined U.S. senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in expressing concern about the potential for potato wart to spread from potato imports originating in Canada’s Prince Edward Island (PEI) to U.S. farms and production facilities. The Senators urged urging the USDA to implement additional mitigation measures to prevent introduction into the United States.

Potato wart is a highly destructive disease capable of spreading via infected potatoes and soil. Its spread would reduce crop yields and make potatoes unmarketable domestically and internationally. There is no treatment available to eliminate the disease from contaminated farmland where it can persist in the soil for decades.

If potato wart should enter the United States, our farmers and the communities they support will be economically devastated. Given that twenty percent of our potato crop—valued at over $2 billion—is exported, we cannot allow introduction of a disease that would shut off access to international markets, and also curtail domestic production and sales.

Meeting with Three Affiliated Tribes Business Council

I met with representatives of the Three Affiliated Tribes Business Council in Washington. We had a detailed discussion on rural water access and the need to improve cooperation with federal bureaucracies.

Clean Energy Buyers Association

I met with Rich Powell, the CEO of Clean Energy Buyers Association, for a constructive conversation on the need for comprehensive permitting reform to meet the rapidly increasing demand for electricity.

AGT Foods Ribbon Cutting in Minot

It was a pleasure to commemorate Saskatchewan-based AGT Foods' opening of its newest facility in Minot. While all farmers are entrepreneurs, the pulse crop growers who have taken the risk to try something new epitomize the most entrepreneurial of them all.

The event highlighted the importance of the U.S.-Canada partnership. When I recently met with Prime Minister Trudeau, I acknowledged our sovereignty as nations, but emphasized the need for trade and infrastructure to facilitate the interchange of our products.

We need a U.S.-Canada food and energy strategy that benefits both sides of the border because our successes are often tied together. Business relationships are based on personal relationships, and today we celebrate a great example of what’s possible.

GSA Awards Contract to Modernize the Dunseith Land Port of Entry

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced it has awarded a $94 million Design-Build contract to McGough Construction that will modernize the Dunseith Land Port of Entry (LPOE), one of five inspection facilities in the north-central part of the state.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Gives Award to University of North Dakota

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an award through the Indian Health Service to the University of North Dakota (UND). The funding will be distributed to the following programs and initiatives:

The Recruitment & Retention of American Indians into Nursing (RAIN) program at UND, which provides support services to American Indian students enrolled in pre-nursing, undergraduate, and graduate nursing programs.

To the Indians into Psychology Doctoral Education (INPSYDE) program at UND, which provides mental health services and professionals for Native American populations across the Midwest.

NIFA Gives Award to North Dakota State University to Develop Fiber-Based Packaging for E-Commerce

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) gave an award to North Dakota State University through its Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). This funding will support research to increase the use of natural, fiber-based, compostable packing materials for e-commerce using under-utilized agricultural byproducts.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Gives Award to North Dakota

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a discretionary award to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services for a cooperative agreement under the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP). The HPP provides funding to support recipients’ capacity to plan for and respond to large-scale emergencies and disasters.

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 other Friday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. CT

AM 1100 The Flag - Fargo

WDAY 970 AM - Fargo

KTGO 1090 AM - Tioga

Michael Bell

Every other Friday from 10:00 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