Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update October 9-15

Palestinian Militant Group Hamas Attacks Israel

On October 7-15, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a deadly land, air, and sea attack against our friend and closest ally in the Middle East, Israel.

I condemn these terrorist attacks and stand with the Israeli people in the face of this naked aggression by Iran and its pawn, Hamas.

America’s strength and its role in the world matters, no matter what some on either side of the aisle may think. Terror, hate, and aggression do not stop unless confronted. Iran will not stop with the fall of Israel any more than Russia would with the fall of Ukraine. As the strongest nation in the world, we must wisely choose where our leadership is needed, whether through clear foreign policy or direct support.

Since the attack, Congress has taken many actions to stand in solidarity with Israel and push the Biden administration to take aggressive action. The world is watching how we will respond. Now is the time to show strength, not restraint.

Senators Call on President Biden to Convene G7 Nations, Sanction Iran

I joined Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and my Senate colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden, calling on the administration to immediately convene the G7 nations and further isolate Iran with severe sanctions and action. Since 1948, six wars and thousands of terrorist attacks have been launched against Israel simply because it exists. During this time, Israel has not initiated a single war or a terrorist attack against any state.

Every Israeli military action has been launched against its enemies in retaliation for violence against Israel and its citizens, much of which has been directly funded and supported by the evil Iranian regime.

As the leader of the free world, the President needs to put a stop to providing any money to Iran. Instead, he needs to lead from the front and partner with America’s allies and take the most severe economic and diplomatic action against Iran possible under the law.

Senators Demand Answers for Violations of Iran’s Nuclear Program

In 2015, the Obama administration, Iran, and other countries signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreeing to place restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. One JCPOA condition tasked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure Tehran’s regime adheres to nuclear restrictions. However, Iran proves to be non-compliant and is keeping these nuclear programs alive.

Last week, I joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and my colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting an update on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) investigation into the Iranian regime’s nuclear program. Since 2018, the IAEA has been investigating Iran’s undeclared nuclear material and activities related to a secret 2003 effort to produce atomic weapons, known as the “Amad Plan.”

As Iran violates its commitments and refuses to comply with the IAEA, the business-as-usual approach to resolving the situation is tantamount to an endorsement of the Iranian regime’s activities.

Further, the failure to pursue a censure of Iran, likely in conjunction with ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran which continues to be concealed from Congress, is simply unconscionable.

Concealing these details from Congress is illegal under the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. It’s time the United States defends our homeland by taking swift, aggressive action against an adversary who does not share the same values as our great nation.

On Thursday, I joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss placing more sanctions on Iran and the Biden administration’s attacks on U.S. energy. Not only did President Biden relieve Iran from some of the sanctions on oil, but he encouraged them to produce more. He would rather have our adversaries reap the benefits from selling their oil rather than promote our own domestic production. It's shameful and this is the result of those policies.

Acting Chief of Staff of the Air Force Visits UAS Summit, Minot Air Force Base

On Tuesday, I delivered remarks at the 17th annual Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Summit in Grand Forks, highlighting North Dakota’s ability to generate one of the most diverse and critical defense ecosystems in the nation. I also highlighted the innovation of the University of North Dakota as well as commercial entities leading the way in combating emerging and potential threats.

Following my remarks, I introduced Acting Chief of Staff of the Air Force General David Allvin ahead of his keynote speech. Allvin currently presides over the Air Staff and is responsible for the organization, training, and preparation of 689,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas.

Grand Forks Air Force Base has evolved from fighters, bombers, missiles, tankers, and now unmanned aircraft. Its latest military missions involve cutting-edge drone and space technologies that keep our defense capabilities relevant against peer adversaries like China.

We also toured GrandSKY, the nation’s first commercial UAS-focused park, where we met with Northrup Grumman and General Atomics to discuss their growing airfield operations and capabilities as well as future growth and partnership opportunities.

GrandSKY has landed the likes of Northrup Grumman, General Atomics, and others who came because of runway access, radar feeds, and a UAS-friendly airspace created through the Northern Plains UAS Test Site which was funded by the state. When you add in the university’s efforts to train the next generation of UAS pilots and develop cutting edge technologies, you start to see our recipe for success.

Prior to the UAS Summit, General Allvin and I attended a breakfast with University of North Dakota President Andrew Armacost. We also met with Army and Air Force ROTC students to discuss their role in the future of our nation’s defense, and answer questions.

On Wednesday, General Allvin and I visited Minot Air Force Base to meet with airmen and tour several sites on the base. Minot AFB plays a historic and critical role in the defense of our nation, as the only base to house two out of three legs of the strategic triad. I am grateful General Allvin came to Minot to see North Dakota’s remarkable capabilities and soaring potential firsthand and hear directly from our military leaders.

Especially now, we must be steadfast in our deterrence efforts to meet the threats of China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. General Allvin is on the forefront of preparing our nation for all challenges to our safety, and I look forward to partnering with him to make our nation more secure.

We began our visit with a briefing on the missions of the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Missile Wing. Then we toured the Weapons Storage Area before proceeding to the UH-1 flight line for transit out to the missile fields.

For years, I have advocated for the timely replacement of aging UH-1s with modernized MH-139As. I helped secure military construction funding through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to build a hangar for these new replacement aircraft. Minot AFB uses these helicopters to provide combat air power in defense of the 91st Missile Wing’s airmen and assets in the 8,500 square mile missile complex.

To wrap up our visit, we toured one of the base’s Missile Alert Facilities, a Launch Control Center, and the 91st Security Forces Group building for Defender Culture to hear directly from the launch crews and better understand our Airmen’s work environment and everyday tasks.

Department of Energy Awards $925 Million to EERC for Regional Hydrogen Hub

The Department of Energy (DOE) awarded $925 million to the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota for its Heartland H2 Hub in partnership with Marathon Petroleum, TC Energy, and Xcel Energy. This funding was awarded as part of the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, which was established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. North Dakota, through the EERC, led the application development with Minnesota, Montana, and Wisconsin.

Through the leadership of the Energy and Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota, this announcement further solidifies North Dakota as a national leader in the energy and agricultural economy of the future.

This program includes up to $7 billion to establish six to 10 regional clean hydrogen hubs across the country. According to the DOE, clean hydrogen hubs will create networks of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure to accelerate the use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier which can deliver or store tremendous amounts of energy.

In March, I submitted a letter of support for EERC’s application on behalf of Heartland Hydrogen Hub (HH2H) LLC to secure funding from the DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations to establish the hub.

Former North Dakota Lieutenant Governor Rosemarie Myrdal Passes Away

On Wednesday, former North Dakota Lieutenant Governor Rosemarie Myrdal passed away at the age of 94. She was the second woman to serve as North Dakota Lieutenant Governor, which she did with distinction from 1993 to 2000. She also represented District 11 in the North Dakota House from 1985 to 1992.

Kris and I are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our friend and my political mentor, Rosemarie Myrdal. I will never forget meeting with Rosemarie at her farm in 1991 as a young State Republican Party Chairman, in an effort to convince her to run for North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner.

With a combination of grace and firmness, she informed me she was not interested in the job of Agriculture Commissioner, but rather, was interested in running for Lieutenant Governor. It was the first of many times where she schooled me, and I am forever grateful for her being in my life. I loved Rosemarie and look forward to reuniting with her one day. We are praying for her family and the many friends mourning and remembering her and her legacy.

Harold Hamm Discusses American Energy Independence

It was a great honor to interview the great Harold Hamm at the University of Mary! Thank you, Harold, for changing North Dakota and America into an energy power house. You are the Game Changer!

Members of the 817th Engineer Company Deploy to Southern Border

I issued the following statement after sending off the North Dakota National Guard’s 817th Engineer Company which will be deployed to the southern border for one year. This deployment was in response to Texas Governor Greg Abbot asking states to send available resources to combat illegal activity at the border and ensure the safety and security of Americans.

I am struck at this moment, during these times, when so much is asked of the most blessed people in the world. You all step up in such big ways.

As a nation, we exercise global responsibilities while also protecting the home front, and no one does it better than the North Dakota National Guard. We owe a special debt of gratitude to the soldiers, their families, and their employers, who all sacrifice for every mission. Your mission at the southwest border is a crucial one.

The more than 100,000 fentanyl deaths every year are the fatalities of an invasion at our border. Whenever I visit the border and see the masses of people coming across illegally, I am often moved by how many young children are among the immigrants seeking help, and the compassion of our border protectors as they deal with a crisis created by bad policies coming out of the White House. Your military might and your compassionate hearts are symbols of American strength. Forgive us when we do not say thank you enough, but know I will pray for you all as you carry out a most noble mission.

Lawmakers Urge TSA to Rescind Burdensome Employee Screening Policy

I joined Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Representatives Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) in sending a letter to Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) David Pekoske. Together, we are urging the agency to rescind its Airport Security Program National Amendment (TSA-NA-23-02) and provide long-term certainty by retaining aviation worker screenings as the sole responsibility of the TSA.

It is a step in the right direction, but we remain highly concerned over the long-term. The National Amendment places burdensome requirements upon small, rural airports and calls into question its implementation's feasibility, regardless of the modified timeline.

Senators Introduce Legislation to Protect Independent Workers

I joined my colleagues in introducing the Modern Worker Empowerment Act, which creates a clear definition and standard across federal law to protect independent workers. The legislation provides America’s workforce with the flexibility and autonomy it needs, while empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses to succeed.

The administration’s labor policies burden entrepreneurs and impede an individual's ability to choose his or her desired employment path. The Modern Worker Empowerment Act puts American workers first by preserving their flexibility over how they work and make a living.

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.

Turtle Mountain Community College Receives $500,000 to Bolster Diverse Workforce

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) awarded $500,000 to the Turtle Mountain Community College. In collaboration with the Sandia National Laboratories, this grant will enhance education curriculum for building construction and electrical trades to recruit and train a skilled workforce of American Indian and Alaska Native students.