Statement on Shooting at Former President Trump's Rally
Kris and I and our family are praying for President Trump and all victims of Saturday's horrifying shooting. We are grateful to God President Trump is ok and mourn this senseless tragedy. It’s time to unite in prayer for our nation. God Bless our first responders and America!
The Federal Interstate Commerce Reform Act (FICRA)
The Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens should not dissipate at state lines. Outdated federal regulations prohibit any licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector to sell or deliver any firearm to an individual who does not reside in the state in which the licensee’s place of business is located. I led my colleagues in introducing the bicameral Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act (FICRA) to modernize and streamline the legal framework governing interstate firearms transactions.
For decades, outdated regulations have placed unnecessary burdens on our nation’s federal firearm purchasing laws. The Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act fortifies Second Amendment liberties by ensuring citizens can purchase and bear arms nationwide. It also enhances lawful commerce and supports our military members and their families, all while respecting states’ laws and regulations.
The legislation has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA-01) introduced a companion measure in May.
Post-Chevron Working Group Fights to Eliminate Unconstitutional Executive Deference to the Executive Branch
The Supreme Court of the United States reversed its 1984 ruling in the case of Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council earlier this month, overturning the Chevron doctrine. The doctrine played a pivotal role in determining how much federal courts defer to executive agencies’ interpretation of statutes passed versus Congressional intent.
As members of the post-Chevron working group, I joined U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) in introducing the Separation of Powers Restoration Act (SOPRA) to ensure courts weigh bias towards administrative agencies. Specifically, the legislation will enshrine a standard of review in the Administrative Procedure Act to ensure courts weigh bias towards administrative agencies.
We also sent a letter to 101 agencies who have published more than 50 final rules since the year 2000, questioning how they plan to implement the Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo. The letter emphasizes the need for the agencies to reassess its rules, adjudications, civil enforcement actions, and ongoing rulemakings in light of this decision.
The Chevron doctrine has plagued Americans for four decades by granting unelected bureaucrats excessive power to determine, and in many cases invent Congressional intent. The courts have been deferring to bureaucrats’ misapplication of the law, rather than enforcing Congressional intent. We are slowly restoring rights to the states and the people by diminishing the power of the government.
Senate EPW Committee Questions Federal Witness on Unused Federal Property, Highlights Solutions to Stop Wasteful Policies
The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommitee on Transportation and Infrastructure held an oversight hearing this week focused on the General Services Administration’s (GSA) management of the federal government’s expansive real estate portfolio, which includes more than 363 million square feet across the country in nearly 8,400 buildings.
A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) study published last October found 17 of 24 surveyed federal agencies, on average, used an estimated 25 percent or less of the capacity of their headquarters buildings. In 2023 alone, federal agencies reported over 5,000 buildings as either underutilized or unutilized altogether. This longstanding problem has been worsened by agencies’ embrace of remote, telework policies.
In my opening statement, I explained while these recent numbers are shocking, this is not a new problem. In 2003, the GAO placed the management of federal buildings on its High-Risk List due to the high financial cost of underutilized space and the complex, seemingly unworkable process of actually disposing of these properties. Put more simply, like most things, the federal footprint is too big and it’s nearly impossible to shrink it.
The current practice of spending billions of taxpayer dollars each year to operate federal buildings, regardless of their utilization, must come to an end. I remain committed to working in a bipartisan way on this committee to find solutions, because this problem cannot go on unaddressed.
Senate Banking Committee Questions Chair Powell on Effects of Basel III Endgame on Electric Cooperatives, Reiterates Importance of the Federal Reserve’s Political Independence
The Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced proposed regulations to implement the final components of the Basel III agreement to raise bank capital requirements. The proposal was created to set the standards for capital reserves, liquidity, and leverage at financial institutions. However, this new proposal is expected to restrict billions of dollars in capital from financial institutions and hinder access to credit for consumers.
In comments to the regulators regarding the Basel III Endgame proposal, 97% expressed concerns about the implementation. Earlier this year, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, a major electric cooperative based in Bismarck, North Dakota, testified before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) where it expressed apprehensions about the potential pitfalls of implementing Basel III Endgame.
During a Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Tuesday, I highlighted Basin Electric’s comments, showing how the proposal will impact the ability of electricity generators ability to provide reliable and affordable service to customers.
I also reiterated to Chair Powell: any move to change interest rates before November 5th could certainly be a bad perception. Even if there's a strong push to do that. As long as he remains independent, I'll be on his side.
Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter to Appropriators Requests Protection of Water Infrastructure Funding from Earmarks
For nearly three decades, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) have been critical programs for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects. Since 2021, more than $3.7 billion dollars has been siphoned from CWSRF and DWSRF to fund Community Project Funding and Congressionally Directed Spending (earmarks). Without a change in the Appropriations process, the formula funding each State Revolving Fund receives will face significant shortfalls for important water infrastructure projects.
I joined U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-7) and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) in sending a bicameral, bipartisan letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committees detailing concerns over federal financing of water infrastructure.
The Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds have been critical to expand access to clean water, modernize aging water infrastructure, and safeguard our public health. If funding shortfalls and diversions continue, a major lifeline of our federal water infrastructure funding will run dry at a time when costs for infrastructure, design, and planning are skyrocketing.
Over $80 million in Fiscal Year 2024 funding was awarded to North Dakota for water infrastructure upgrade projects, including $28.6 million from the DWSRF in May. Over the last three years, North Dakota’s SRF program received over $200 million.
Senate Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Reauthorize the Never Again Education Act
The Senate unanimously passed legislation this week to reauthorize the bipartisan Never Again Education Act, which I co-led with U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Ben Cardin (D-MD). This legislation will reauthorize federal funding through 2030 to provide teachers with resources and training to teach students the important lessons of the Holocaust.
Combating antisemitism starts with education. The dramatic rise in antisemitic behavior since the October 7 attack on Israel is alarming and a result of a distorted, inaccurate understanding of history.
I am grateful the Never Again Education Act passed the Senate and look forward to its passage in the House and getting signed into law by the President.
Resolution Designates July 10 as Lineworker Recognition Day
I joined Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto in introducing a resolution to designate July 10 as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. This resolution honors the men and women who dedicate their lives to ensure communities have access to safe, affordable and reliable electricity – including members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Edison Electric Institute (EEI), and National Electric Contractors Association (NECA).
Our economy depends on the reliable flow of electricity, and our lineworkers are an essential component of keeping the lights on. In North Dakota, rural lineworkers like my father brave the elements and storms to keep the power running in our communities. We celebrate these unsung heroes on Lineworker Appreciation Day.
Meetings
Meeting with Canadian Prime Minister and U.S. Ambassador
Tough love was my message to Canadian leaders attending the NATO Summit in DC last week, urging Canada to step up to meet its commitment to defend itself, North America and Europe. Also on our agenda was North American trade, agricultural opportunities as well as energy and mineral development cooperation. As always, our shared border and friendship were on the table.
Meeting with Tonya Wilkerson, nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security
I had a fruitful discussion with Tonya Wilkerson, nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. We discussed the need for robust capabilities and capacity in military intelligence.
Bipartisan Policy Center's 2024 Climate and Trade Summit
The Bipartisan Policy Center invited Senator Chris Coons (D-DN) and me to speak at its Climate and Trade Summit this week to discuss our legislation, the Providing Reliable, Objective, Verifiable Emissions Intensity and Transparency (PROVE IT) Act.
The bill would require the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct a comprehensive study and submit a report on the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of certain products produced in the U.S. and in certain foreign countries. Existing data shows the United States has a distinct carbon advantage over its global competitors. If we believe in our exceptionalism, we should be ready to "PROVE IT."
Bakken crude is the cleanest in the world and empirical data will help market our products to meet global demand. American companies are already paying a de facto tax to comply with the highest standards in the world. Rather than devolving to other countries’ low standards, we should wean ourselves off of cheap, dirty junk by building a system that acknowledges and rewards our excellence.
Meeting with North Dakota FFA Students
Any day is a good day when I get to meet with North Dakota students in Washington. Members from the Velva, Carrington, and Rugby FFA chapters dropped by the Capitol on Thursday during their Washington Leadership Conference. It was a great conversation on the steps of the Capitol!
Grants
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Awards $18 Million Contract for Fargo Flood Diversion Project
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a $18,279,725.50 contract announcement with R. J. Zavoral & Sons, Inc. for construction of the Southern Embankment Reach SE-2B in support of the Fargo-Moorhead Area Flood Diversion Project. Construction on the project is expected to be completed by October 30, 2026.
These funds were provided by the fully paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which I helped craft and shepherd through Congress. The USACE received $437 million in funding under the BIL to complete all remaining federal work for the diversion project.
U.S. Department of Energy Awards More Than $500,000 to North Dakota State University
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity announced the award of $513,949 to North Dakota State University (NDSU). This funding will support NDSU as it develops a graph-based analytics tool for monitoring and managing stability issues in grids with high inverter-based resource penetration.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Awards More Than $2.7 Million to North Dakota
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $2,738,566 to the following programs and initiatives in North Dakota:
- $2,034,632 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services to finance the program, “Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC).”
- $613,934 to North Dakota State University through the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to support the research of lung diseases.
- $90,000 to the First Nations Women’s Alliance for rape prevention and education among tribal sexual assault coalitions.
U.S. Navy Awards Contract to Ideal Aerosmith for Development of UAS in Grand Forks
The U.S. Navy announced a $14,499,109 contract with Ideal Aerosmith, Inc. for the development of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technology. Specifically, the contract will reimburse costs associated with hardware in the loop (HWIL), software in the loop (SWIL), and inspection and testing methodologies enabling attritable unmanned system development.
The unmanned aerial systems ecosystem here in North Dakota contributes significantly to how we defend the nation and our freedoms around the world. The contract awarded to Ideal Aerosmith recognizes Grand Forks’ ascension to a premier unmanned aerial systems hub. This is a dynamic time for Grand Forks, and it’s always an honor showcasing what’s possible in North Dakota.
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
Photo credits: Adobe, the Office of U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, North Dakota Tourism