Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update may 20-26

Environment and Public Works Committee Unanimously Passes Four of My Bills

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee marked up and passed four of my bills during a committee meeting last week. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), the General Services Administration Disposal Process Tribal Parity Act, the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act Reform Act, and the National Dam Safety Program reauthorization passed out of committee and now head to the Senate floor for full consideration.

WRDA is passed biannually and reauthorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects. This year’s bill is an example of timely, regular order, reflecting committee members’ input and delivering wins for North Dakota communities.

Our state and tribal nations will benefit from the Corps’ ability to better support local flood control projects and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities. I commend my EPW colleagues for keeping the decade-long streak of passing WRDA out of committee and urge its swift passage.

Space Defense Leadership Testifies at Armed Services Strategic Forces Hearing

The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing on Tuesday to hear testimony on the Department of Defense’s space-related activities in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2025 and the Future Years Defense Program. During the hearing, I questioned the witnesses on how to ensure entities like the Space Development Agency (SDA) do not become mired in bureaucracy and are given the leeway to accelerate.

I first questioned Frank Calvelli, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, about how it is encouraging industry disruptors to engage on more programs.

Calvelli explained the SDA has done a “magnificent job” in terms of getting capabilities to orbit. He said it is currently demonstrating the abilities of SDA’s Tranche 0, which has 27 satellites on orbit, eight missile warning tracking satellites, and 19 transport satellites.

I requested elaboration from Vice Chief of Space Operations General Michael Guetlein on whether SDA continues to operate satellites after they are launched.

Senate Rejects Democrats' Border Stunt

In the wake of record illegal border crossings at the U.S. southern border, fostered by the Biden administration’s disastrous immigration policies, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) refiled legislation that had already failed with bipartisan opposition. The U.S. Senate voted against taking up the legislation by a vote of 43-50. A nearly identical bill failed in February by a vote of 49-50.

I voted against advancing the bill. Chuck Schumer and his cronies have decided to pull this theatrical stunt after years of apathy toward the border crisis.

The Biden Border Crisis is a direct result of his intentional decision to undo President Trump’s successful policies. President Biden facilitated this mess, and he should be the one to fix it.

Senate Democrats’ sudden interest in the border is a halfhearted reaction to the realization the American people know they helped foster this crisis. Americans deserve better—they need decisive action and real solutions from the President, not political theatrics.

America Needs Transmission

Last week, I penned an op-ed in The Washington Times discussing the need for increased transmission capacity and permitting reform for all linear infrastructure. I highlighted the debate over cost allocation and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s recently finalized regulation, which co-opts “citizens into paying for green states’ renewable energy transmission projects they do not need and will not directly benefit from."

Here is what we know: transmission is necessary but expensive, someone will have to pay for it, and the permitting process is broken. Somehow liberals in Washington looked at this set of facts and concluded the solution was to tip the scales in favor of unreliable, costly renewables, while making ratepayers in states who do not want or need them foot the bill.

While transmission policy is complicated, it is not rocket science to know a growing economy needs a 24/7 grid, not one that hiccups with shifting winds and a setting sun. Political bias and unaccountable bureaucrats should not build the grid. The end result will inevitably be a classic Washington blunder: costly, centralized, and full of special interests.

Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Incentivize Reliable Postal Service, Limit Excessive Rates for Local News Outlets

News outlets across North Dakota have been negatively impacted by surging postal rates and deteriorating service by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). This has resulted in financial hardships for newspapers and other media outlets, as well as loss of timely access to local news and information for citizens, especially in rural areas. USPS recently announced another round of rate increases for news outlets, which will take effect in July, while failing to meet on-time delivery standards for periodicals.

In response, I joined U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-VT) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) in introducing the bipartisan Deliver for Democracy Act, legislation to block rate increases unless performance is improved.

In North Dakota, a dependable postal service isn't a luxury — it's a lifeline for our rural communities, and that's exactly why I support the Deliver for Democracy Act.

Publications around North Dakota rely on the USPS for delivery, and a troubling pattern has emerged where rates have increased, coupled with a noticeable decrease in reliability. If the Postal Service wants to increases rates, it should be held responsible and actually deliver periodicals within a reasonable timeline.

By tying rate increases to their ability to deliver on time, we safeguard our local news — the heartbeat of our rural communities. Efficiency and reliability must be the cornerstones of USPS delivery.

Specifically, our legislation would require the USPS to either achieve at least a 95% on-time delivery rate for periodicals or an improvement of at least two percentage points to unlock its 2% surcharge authority for that class of mail; direct the USPS to annually report to the Postal Regulatory Commission on its progress in including on-time delivery data for newspapers in its periodical service performance measurement; and Instruct the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study and submit a report to Congress on options for alternate USPS pricing schemes to improve the financial position of periodicals.

Norway's Ambassador to the U.S. Anniken Krutnes Will Visit North Dakota to Celebrate Our State's Rich Norwegian History

Norway’s Ambassador to the U.S. Anniken Krutnes will visit North Dakota later this month at my invitation to celebrate the rich history shared by North Dakota and Norway, and the strong partnership that has proven integral to both the U.S. and the Nordic country. I will host Ambassador Krutnes in Fargo on May 31. In addition to Fargo, the Ambassador will also visit other North Dakota communities.

I look forward to welcoming Ambassador Krutnes to North Dakota to celebrate the Norwegian heritage that has deeply shaped our great state and to showcase the innovation, economic progress and quality of life that defines who we are as North Dakotans. Last week marked Syttende Mai, Norway’s Constitution Day, a time to celebrate our proud past and strong future as long-standing economic and national security partners.

A full day of events and opportunities for the public to meet Ambassador Krutnes are planned, including lunch at the Sons of Norway and a Fargo premiere of the Norwegian film, “Songs of Earth.” More information and a detailed schedule of events will be available soon.

DOD Awards Contract to United Crane and Excavation Inc. for Airfield Paving

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) awarded several new contracts on Tuesday, including a single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a ceiling of $60,184,023 to United Crane and Excavation Inc., located in Grand Forks, N.D.

I know the citizens in and around Grand Forks are noticing increased activity at the Air Force Base. This multi-year maintenance and construction award is the latest illustration of a base growing in importance and stature. Since my assignment on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have had the honor of bringing new space and ISR programs to Grand Forks, as well as helping secure quality of life upgrades for the Airmen.

This month alone has celebrated completion of a new munitions facility and the beginning of an addition to the Child Development Center. Modernizing assets of the 319th Reconnaissance Wing is critical to national security and the economy of the Grand Forks region. I continue to work closely with the Air Force and Space force on new missions for a great base.

The contract provides a streamlined means to complete a broad range of maintenance, repair, design, and paving projects at Grand Forks Air Force Base. The projects are expected to be completed by May 27, 2029.

North Dakota Tribes Receive More Than $27 Million to Revitalize Water Infrastructure

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) announced a FY 2024 award of $27,447,361 for tribes in North Dakota to improve and strengthen water infrastructure. This funding was provided by the fully-paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I helped craft and negotiate in my role as Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

From improving water intake systems to rebuilding storage tanks, updating rural and tribal water infrastructure across North Dakota is essential. It’s good to see these much-needed projects awarded, and I look forward to their completion.

This funding will be disbursed to the following projects:

• $12,789,040 for the Turtle Mountain Public Utility Commission to replace undersized raw water collection lines from Thorne and Rolette wellfields to the Water Treatment Plant.
• $3,257,758 to the Garrison Diversion Unit for Phase III of a Fort Yates project to replace asbestos cement pipe with HDPE pipe and related appurtenances.
• $3,247,000 for the Fort Berthold Rural Water Treatment Plant to replace the existing eight Lake Sakakawea intake screens to discourage mussel attachment and growth.
• $2,858,688 to the Garrison Diversion Unit for Standing Rock’s replacement of a 370,000-gallon, high bolted stainless-steel tank.
• $1,700,000 to the Garrison Diversion Unit to replace deteriorated buried power lines at Fort Yates.
• $1,556,875 to the Garrison Diversion Unit for the rehabilitation of a chemical feed building and sidewalk upgrade at the Standing Rock RuralWater Treatment Plant.
• $1,538,000 to the White Shield Community for the installation of approximately 158 water meters on existing water service connections in the community.
• $500,000 to the Garrison Diversion Unit for the installation of three master meter vaults and to upgrade supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) at two control vaults on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

HHS Awards North Dakota Nearly $7 Million for Home and Community Based Services

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $6,699,135 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. This grant will be used for the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program, which supports community inclusion of individuals with disabilities.

National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors

North Dakota’s National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors members were in my office to talk about how the Biden administration’s U.S. Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule will hurt their ability to help people plan for their financial futures. Their clients are like family, and this disastrous rule should be stopped.

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread

It was good to catch up with North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread while he was in D.C. with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. His updates on his work on behalf of North Dakotans and the latest issues affecting insurers are always valuable.

Colonel Tim Curry & Auterion Leadership

Leaders from Auterion stopped by to talk about the role their drones are playing in Ukraine’s fight against Putin’s unprovoked invasion. I enjoyed hearing about Auterion’s vision and how it might fit into North Dakota’s unmanned ecosystem.

Minot International Airport Executive Director Jennifer Eckman

I enjoyed visiting with Minot Airport Director Jennifer Eckman and her family last week while they were in DC. Thank you, Jennifer, for taking the time to update me on activities happening at the airport and within the community.