Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update October 2-8

Western North Dakota Honor Flight Returns Home

It was an honor to meet and hear stories from veterans on the Western North Dakota Honor Flight when they returned home from their trip to Washington, D.C.

I'm always grateful for the chance to say thank you to our country's veterans.

North Dakota's Deep Defense Ecosystem

I penned an op-ed in the Grand Forks Herald, discussing the pivotal role of North Dakota’s defense ecosystem. Specifically, I highlighted Grand Forks Air Force Base (AFB) and its many transitions to meet emerging threats.

North Dakota has strung together one of the most diverse and critical defense ecosystems in the nation.

It formed from geographic necessity, a patriotic population, innovative educational institutions, and forward-thinking local, state, and federal government officials. It did not come together overnight, and no one piece defines the value of the whole. But the sum of these complex, interconnected parts has become a massive piece of our nation’s defense.

There is no better example than the Grand Forks AFB and its many transitions to meet emerging threats. It 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. While change is never easy, efforts by state and local governments to take care of Grand Forks Airmen and their families have created one of the nation’s most supportive base communities.

ND Department of Transportation Receives $342 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

North Dakota will receive a total of $342,192,740 in Federal Aid-Highway Program (FAHP) funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continues to deliver for North Dakota. Maintenance and repair of our highways are critical to fostering safe, efficient travel and transporting the commodities we produce to market.

This year’s apportionment is a significant increase and reiterates why my top priority was delivering infrastructure funding through formula so large, rural states like North Dakota are not overlooked.

These funds will be distributed to the following programs and initiatives:

• $188,471,914 from the National Highway Performance Program;
• $91,689,040 from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program;
• $17,460,544 from the Highway Safety Improvement Program;
• $11,925,868 from the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Improvement;
• $9,296,250 from the PROTECT Formula Program;
• $8,957,853 from the National Highway Freight Program;
• $8,175,606 from the Carbon Reduction Program;
• $3,911,271 from the Railway-Highway Crossings Program; and
• $2,304,494 from Metropolitan Planning.

The FY 2024 apportionment represents a nearly $7 million increase from last year’s total of $335,482,642. Since the IIJA’s enactment, North Dakota has received $1,141,579,495 in formula funding.

Senators Request Government Funding Plan from Majority Leader Chuck Schumer

I joined my colleagues in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), requesting a plan regarding how the chamber will vote on and pass the 12 appropriations bills which have been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, avoiding an omnibus spending package.

The core constitutional responsibility of the United States Congress is the power of the purse, to set and authorize appropriations which fund the operations of the United States government.

Since 1977, there have only been four instances where Congress successfully completed its appropriations work of taking up, debating, amending if necessary, and passing all appropriations bills prior to the end of the fiscal year on September 30th. This is unacceptable, and the American people deserve better.

Last week, both chambers passed a continuing resolution (CR) which averted a government shutdown prior to the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2023. The CR will keep the government funded until November 17, 2023. With just weeks remaining until government funding expires, Congress must work quickly and efficiently to finish our work.

Senators Oppose Proposed FCC Net Neutrality Rules

I joined my colleagues in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), expressing strong opposition to a proposal reinstating the heavy-handed, public-utility regulations of Title II of the Communications Act on the internet. The proposed rules are largely similar to the rules adopted by the FCC in 2015, which reclassified broadband from Title I to Title II.

Title II grants the FCC expansive regulatory powers which include the ability to: regulate rates and practices, compel companies to provide service, and declare a practice illegal if a majority of commissioners declare it “unjust or unreasonable.”

The growth of the internet continues to be a great American success story. Broadband investment has increased, deployment has increased, speeds have increased, and high-speed internet access has become more affordable than ever.

American networks, freed from obtrusive regulations, easily handled the surge in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, Europe’s heavily regulated internet providers were forced to actively slow down speeds to maintain connectivity. Indeed, America is now a leader in adopting next-generation telecommunications services like 5G and Wi-Fi 6e while Europe struggles to keep pace.

KX News Discusses Potential Government Shutdown, Latest on House Leadership

I sat down with Adrienne Oglesby of KX News to discuss a potential government shutdown and the U.S. House of Representatives ousting Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

We’re a diverse country. It’s reflected in our diverse House of Representatives, which is a diversity of views and philosophies. It’s reflective of our country. There’s no Republican king or Democratic king. There’s no Republican dictator or Democratic dictator.

Our founders did it on purpose so that diversity would be reflected in the final package or whatever that might be. The outcomes of our wonderful self-governed people’s house needs to be more respected by people on all sides.

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.

Lieutenant General James Slife

Lieutenant General James Slife, nominee to be Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, stopped by my office to discuss getting the future of ISR right, as well as the missions at Minot Air Force Base and Grand Forks Air Force Base.

Lieutenant General Michael Loh

I met with Lieutenant General Michael Loh, Director of the Air National Guard, for updates on its federal and state missions and remarkable contributions of the Happy Hooligans at Fargo Air National Guard Base.

Competitive Enterprise Institute

It was good to speak with Kent Lassman, President and CEO of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, about the value of free enterprise and the dangers of government overregulation.

Fargo North German Exchange Program

German exchange students had good questions for me over our video call. I enjoyed sharing about my work on Capitol Hill, as well as answering questions about our educational system and the importance of balancing our budget.