Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update october 20-24

Senate Democrats Block Bill to Pay Troops and Federal Workers

Senate Democrats voted against the Shutdown Fairness Act, blocking pay for federal employees who are required to work during government shutdowns. The bill, introduced by U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), would have paid Coast Guard and active duty service members, air traffic controllers, Border Patrol agents, federal contractors, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, federal law enforcement officers, and excepted employees in the legislative and judicial branches of U.S. government.

Russia Sanctions

Last week, the Trump administration announced sanctions on top Russian oil producers to speed up an end to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said the U.S. is "prepared to take further action."

AUKUS Partnership Reaffirmed

President Trump reaffirmed U.S. participation in the AUKUS trilateral security partnership between the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Australia. The AUKUS partnership aims to promote a secure Indo-Pacific by delivering nuclear-powered attack submarines and collaborating on advancing capabilities.

USDA Reopens FSA Offices

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it is reopening over 2,000 Farm Service Agency offices despite the government shutdown. Reopening these offices will allow farmers to access programs like farm loans, crop insurance, and disaster aid.

"Mornings with Maria"

I joined Cheryl Casone on FOX Business for "Mornings with Maria." Democrats wasted four weeks insisting on keeping the government shut down because as Bernie Sanders says, "if we reopen the government, we lose our leverage."

They see paying federal workers and service members as leverage to get partisan policies passed. If they can't get on board with Senator Ron Johnson's (R-WI) bill to pay essential federal workers, it will be telling.

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is preserving America’s nuclear deterrent and modernizing our ICBM force at Minot Air Force Base. It was great meeting with Northrup Grumman CEO Kathy Warden to discuss the Sentinel missile program, the B-21 bomber, and support for our defense industrial base.

Uranium Producers of America

I started Wednesday meeting with the Uranium Producers of America and had a great conversation on the importance of developing our domestic supply of uranium instead of depending on foreign adversaries.

ALLETE

I enjoyed meeting with ALLETE to discuss its work in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Museum of the Bible

I had an inspiring meeting with Dr. Carlos Campo, CEO of the Museum of the Bible, about all its plans for America’s 250th birthday and ways the Bible influenced our nation’s founding.