Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update November 6-12

North Dakota Secures Multiple Wins from Appropriations Bills

The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act included a number of priorities for North Dakota. I voted in favor of this legislation, which the Senate passed with a vote of 82-15. It’s always a great day to see progress on North Dakota projects I’ve championed. Read on for more details on specific wins for our state.

Minot Air Force Base

The number one priority of our national defense strategy is nuclear modernization, and this bill requires reporting and updating on projects at Minot Air Force Base like future weapons generation facilities and security upgrades.

The appropriations package contains language benefitting Minot Air Force Base (AFB), which 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 nuclear triad. The bill contains complementary language to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) I helped authorize earlier this year as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC).

Dickinson National Guard Readiness Center

I worked with my fellow SASC colleagues to authorize funding for the Dickinson National Guard Readiness Center in this year’s NDAA. The Readiness Center’s inclusion in this appropriations package is a hard-fought win for North Dakota and a win for our National Guard.

Camp Grafton

In this year’s NDAA, I secured the authorization of $2 million for unaccompanied housing at Camp Grafton. This win for North Dakota is included in the appropriations package. Our military must train and equip the next generation of armed forces, but they need the resources and proper housing to do so.

Fargo

Everyone in the region knows how much of a powerhouse Fargo is when it comes to critical agricultural research, economic growth and development, and innovation.

The Senate’s passage of this appropriations package is a win for our producers here in North Dakota and across the country who benefit from all Fargo has to offer.

The research conducted and food grown in North Dakota are essential to our role in fueling and feeding the world. While the Senate’s passage of this legislation is long overdue, our work isn’t over. I encourage my colleagues in the House to pass this bill to ensure North Dakota receives the support it needs to continue spurring innovation.

The City of Fargo could benefit from numerous secured items pertaining to agriculture, including:

• A prohibition on the closure of Farm Service Agency County Offices
• $2 million for the establishment of a Midwest Center of Agriculture policy at North Dakota State University
• An increase in funds for the circuit rider program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development for rural water systems
• $1.5 million for AgTech cooperative agreements to support the research, development, and acceleration of agriculture technology
• $500,000 for the Pulse Crop Health Initiative, administered through the Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center

North Dakota Witness Testifies Before Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Hearing

As Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I invited and introduced Karin Mongeon, the Safety Division Director for the North Dakota Department of Transportation, during a subcommittee hearing last week.

In my opening remarks, I highlighted the significant investments included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to improve highway safety and emphasized the importance of state flexibility, which is maintained and expanded under the law. The IIJA included the Safe Routes to All Schools Act, bipartisan legislation to prioritize pedestrian and bicycle safety projects for high school students who walk or bike to school. I also highlighted local calls for increased safety in school zones, and I discussed the unique nature of each state’s highway and transportation system. Due to these differences, I noted a one-size-fits-all approach to address roadway safety challenges does not work.

I first questioned how the addition of roadway capacity may prevent drivers from engaging in risky behavior to maneuver around slower-moving vehicle cars, citing U.S. Highway 85, which leads right through the Bakken, as a primary example.

I then addressed concerns mandating speed limits, especially on heavy-duty trucks, which the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is actively pursuing. In North Dakota, the interstate highway speed limit is 75 miles per hour. This mandate may create a situation causing trucks to travel up to 10 miles per hour below the speed limit. As an example, I recalled my time on the Public Service Commission reviewing an infrastructure project that would inevitably disrupt drivers’ expectations.

Veterans Day Events Hosted in Bismarck and Mandan

On Veterans Day, I attended two events in Bismarck and Mandan to honor America's heroes. I first delivered remarks at the annual Veterans Day observance at the North Dakota Heritage Center and spoke to North Dakota veterans on the uniqueness and rich heritage of service in the state as well as the need to work across the aisle to support veterans.

North Dakota is a naturally patriotic pro-military state. We love our God, we love our state, and we love our country.

For centuries, men and women have worn the uniform in defense of our freedom. In light of current events, it’s important now more than ever to project strength, not weakness. When America is strong, the world is safer.

I then attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery's new columbarium. In May, we broke ground on the site thanks to the passage of my Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act. This legislation ensures state veterans cemeteries that bury reserve components and the National Guard are no longer ineligible for federal Veterans Affairs grants.

Earlier this year, I helped secure $1.86 million and $600,000 separately to expand Mandan’s North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. These resources were administered through the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program to support landscaping projects, infrastructure improvements, and the construction of 1,440 columbarium niches.

As said in the National Anthem, “This be our motto, in God is our trust." We are reminded to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans and to always have their backs. They have always had ours.

Senate Votes to Overturn Biden Administration Rule Promoting Chinese EV Chargers

I voted for a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution, which I cosponsored, to overturn a Biden administration rule which would send tax dollars to overseas competitors despite the administration’s own "Buy America" regulations. The resolution ensures American businesses remain at the forefront of electric vehicle (EV) innovation and manufacturing. The resolution passed by a vote of 50 to 48.

This vote was a vote to hold the Biden administration to its own standards. Somehow its electric-at-any-cost agenda supersedes the desire to support American producers and manufacturers. The administration hasn’t even attempted to explain its double standard.

The Biden administration’s policies make America more dependent on supply chains controlled by foreign adversaries, including the Chinese Communist Party. The new Federal Highway Administration rule waives "Buy America" requirements for EV charging stations purchased using taxpayer dollars.

Agency Chief Must Answer for Biden Administration Oil and Gas Leasing Misconduct Under Penalty of Perjury

North Dakota Federal District Court Judge Daniel Traynor ordered the United States Department of Interior (DOI), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Chief of Fluids Adjudications Section Samantha Iron Shirt to appear before him to testify in February 2024.

This is the latest development in North Dakota’s battle against the Biden administration’s unlawful obstruction of fossil fuel leasing in North Dakota – one of the top oil producing states in the country. At the upcoming February hearing before Judge Traynor, the Court and North Dakota will review Interior’s plans for the Q1 and Q2 2024 oil and gas lease sales, keeping pressure on DOI to continue to hold quarterly lease sales in North Dakota.

President Biden cannot hide behind Department of Justice attorneys any longer. The BLM is responsible for leasing decisions, not a cadre of lawyers tasked with circumventing the law on behalf of an administration bent on environmental activism.

This witness will have to provide honest answers to the Court and state regarding federal government compliance with the preliminary injunction in place in North Dakota’s lawsuit. These unlawful delays are directly hurting the state’s bottom line, and it’s time for some accountability.

2023 Military Academy Nominees Are Announced

Last week, I announced my nominees to the U.S. military academies. One of the greatest joys of serving North Dakota in Congress is nominating some of our best young patriots for appointments to our military academies.

After speaking with Micah, Parker, Dawsyn, and Robin, I know they are willing to answer the call to serve. They will be great ambassadors of our state at their respective academies.

The nominees are as follows:

• Robin Harrison – U.S. Naval Academy. Robin, daughter of Bill and Amarins Harrison, is involved in track and field, speech club, the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, and is a 2019 winner of the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, kayaking, embroidery, crochet, and reading. Robin is from Williston where she works as a lifeguard.

• Parker Hintz – U.S. Air Force Academy. Parker, son of Kadon and Michelle Hintz, is involved in varsity cross country and track, the National Honor Society, disc golf, and mountain biking. He also plays the trumpet and is actively involved with his church. Parker is from Bismarck, where he attends Bismarck High School.

• Micah Hummel – U.S. Naval Academy. Micah, son of Aaron and Leah Hummel, is involved in the National Honor Society, student council, Distributive Education Clubs of America, chess club, and baseball. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, hunting, downhill skiing, and water skiing. He is a volunteer with the North Dakota Heritage Center, the Special Olympics, and Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Micah is from Bismarck, where he attends Bismarck Century.

• Dawsyn Malkowski – U.S. Military Academy (West Point). Dawsyn, son of Darnyl and Kasey Malkowski, is involved in football, track and field, the National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, and student council. In his free time, he enjoys ranching, agriculture, and Bible camp. Dawsyn is from Fairfield, where he works at 701 Meats.

Senators Ask FPISC to Abandon Critical Minerals Proposal

I joined my colleagues in a letter to Executive Director of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (FPISC) Eric Beightel, expressing concerns regarding the proposed rule, "Revising Scope of the Mining Sector of Projects That Are Eligible for Coverage Under Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act.”

We requested FPISC to abandon this proposal and use its existing authority to actively support all mining infrastructure projects to unleash America's national supply chains and processing capabilities.

As we wrote in our letter, "The mining of all minerals is essential to the development of domestic infrastructure, and accordingly, it is imperative the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (FPISC) ensure that all mining projects – for all minerals – are equally considered “covered projects” for the purposes of Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41).”

Senators Introduce Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act

I joined my colleagues in introducing the Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act. The legislation would allow the President to submit a two-year budget, and members of Congress would then adopt a two-year budget resolution and two-year appropriations bills during the first session.

The second session of Congress would be devoted to the consideration of authorization bills and oversight of federal programs. Additionally, federal agencies would be able to spend more time focusing on implementing their mission, instead of working on the next year’s budget. Agencies would also benefit from greater budget certainty, reducing the need to plan for continuing resolutions or omnibus bills. The Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act would allow a reconciliation bill to be passed each fiscal year if necessary.

These bipartisan, commonsense reforms move us one step closer to fixing Congress’ broken budget system.

A biennial budget will allow Congress to focus on important work like oversight while also enabling federal agencies to carry out their missions without the annual threat of a shutdown.

It’s past time we enact responsible reforms to establish an accountable, practical process.

Senators Introduce Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking, Child Recycling

I joined my colleagues in introducing the Preventing the Recycling of Immigrants is Necessary for Trafficking Suspension (PRINTS) Act. This legislation would empower Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents to fingerprint non-citizens under the age of 14 to combat trafficking and child recycling. It would also require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to publicly report the number of apprehensions in a given month involving child traffickers who falsely claimed an accompanying child was a relative.

Additionally, the PRINTS Act would criminalize child recycling; require DHS to submit an annual report to Congress identifying the number of minors who were fingerprinted; and remove the Attorney General’s authority to waive fingerprinting requirements for those illegally crossing the southern border.

The exploitation by traffickers at the southern border is vile. Fingerprinting minors is a step to stop child trafficking and protect vulnerable children at the border.

Despite every one in three human trafficking victims being children, current DHS regulation and federal law prohibit CBP agents from fingerprinting children under the age of 14. Allowing CBP agents to fingerprint these children would reduce the misidentification of unaccompanied migrant children released to sponsors in the U.S. and identify victims of child recycling when they are trafficked across the border.

Bismarck-Mandan Community Gathers to End Alzheimer's

It was a blessing to say thank you to everyone who participated in the successful Alzheimer's Association Bismarck-Mandan Walk to End Alzheimer's and congratulate the winners. Together, we can do this. We must do this, and we will do this.

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.

Ukrainian Minister of Energy

I had the opportunity to sit down with German Galushchenko, the Ukrainian Minister of Energy, to discuss Ukraine’s efforts to bolster its infrastructure against drone attacks and move away from Russian energy supply chains.

Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children

I enjoyed a productive conversation with Elizabeth Morris of the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children. We spoke about the commission’s hearings, which have been held across the country, highlighting the critical issues facing Native American children.

Broadband Association of North Dakota

I met with Carissa Swenson, Executive Director of the Broadband Association of North Dakota, to discuss issues facing the rural broadband industry.

Spirit Lake Leadership

I sat down with Lonna Jackson Street, the Spirit Lake Tribal Chairwoman, Darren Walking Eagle, the Crow Hill District Representative on the Spirit Lake Tribal Council, and Frank Jamerson, the Vice Chair of Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. We discussed current issues facing the tribes in our state.

Jamie and Harris Duininck

I enjoyed my conversation with Jamie and Harris Duininck when they stopped by my office last week. I always appreciate their time and insight.

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa

Thank you to Turtle Mountain Tribal Chairman Jamie Azure for stopping by my office during his time in Washington, D.C., last week. Chairman Azure was in town to testify before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs regarding fentanyl in Native American communities.

The Andrist Family

I appreciated the chance to visit with Levi Andrist and his family, who are out in D.C. from Bismarck. Showing North Dakotans the beauty of our nation’s Capitol is always a highlight of my time spent in D.C.

NIFA Awards $204,270 to NDSU for Equipment to Refine Crude Vegetable Oils

The U.S. Department of National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded a total of $204,270 to North Dakota State University (NDSU). This grant will allow NDSU to acquire an Armfield FT 66-D, which can perform the degumming, neutralization, and bleaching of crude vegetable oils and facilitates practical research and development.

The Armfield FT 66-D will improve oil quality, oil recovery, and worker’s safety. Additionally, the equipment will strengthen the optimizing process conditions to improve cost, shelf life, and quality of vegetable oils.