Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update September 18 - 24

Legislation to Prevent Declaration of National Emergency for Purposes of Imposing Gun Control

I joined my colleagues in reintroducing the Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act, which would prohibit gun control being imposed through a national emergency declaration by the President or a public health emergency declaration by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

It’s simple: terrorist attacks are national emergencies, and pandemics are public health emergencies; guns are neither. Using legitimate presidential power as a backdoor to violate the Second Amendment is disingenuous at best and diminishes the gravity of real emergencies.

Senators Reintroduce SAFER Banking Act

As a member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, I joined my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Safe and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act, which secures protections for legal industries like energy companies, gun manufacturers, and state-sanctioned marijuana companies to have access to banking services. The bill also restricts the government’s ability to cut off access to financial services for businesses engaged in legal commerce.

While I am concerned about the potential for abuse within the marijuana industry, SAFER Banking is designed to protect employees and businesses by providing them avenues to bank like other legal businesses.

SAFER Banking will allow marijuana industry businesses to use regulated financial services rather than proverbial duffle bags of cash.

Senate Confirms General Brown as Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman

Congratulations to General Charles Q. Brown on a well-earned confirmation to be the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Having an airman leading the Joint Chiefs is welcome news to our airmen in Minot and Grand Forks. Over the past three years as Air Force Chief of Staff, he saw firsthand the critical contributions North Dakota makes to our national security. His experience and wisdom will serve him well in his new role.

Senators Introduce Legislation to Prevent Proposed Changes to Endangered Species Act

As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, I joined my colleagues in cosponsoring legislation to prevent the U.S. Departments of Interior and Commerce from finalizing three proposed rules pertaining to the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The proposed rules to repeal Trump-era ESA regulations are one of the many examples of the Biden administration’s regulatory ping-pong. We need less regulation and more certainty for landowners. The administration’s attempt to change the rules of the game to benefit their radical environmentalist team does nothing to help our landowners.

In 2019, the Trump administration finalized key changes to the ESA which added more flexibility for affected stakeholders while also ensuring species’ recovery plans take a tailored and targeted approach. However, the Biden administration has moved to repeal those changes.

This legislation, introduced with Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to withdraw the proposed rules.

Senators Introduce Legislation to Make Adoption Tax Credit Refundable

Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and I introduced the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act, which would restore the refundable portion of adoption tax credit and support families wishing to adopt by easing the associated financial costs. Additionally, the legislation will make thousands of adoptive families eligible for the full credit.

As many adoptive families know, the financial cost of an adoption can be significant. This tax credit is an important benefit to encourage prospective families to adopt. Shifting it from nonrefundable to refundable will allow families who experience the joy of adoption to take full advantage of the credit, regardless of their tax burden.

While the American Taxpayer Relief Act made the adoption tax credit permanent, it did not extend the credit’s refundability provisions which were available in 2010 and 2011. The Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act would restore the refundable portion.

Senators Introduce Legislation to Provide Medically Necessary Diapers

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and I reintroduced the End Diaper Need Act of 2023, which would assist low-income families in addressing diaper needs by providing targeted funding for states, territories, and other eligible entities.

As any parent knows, diapers are a necessary but expensive essential for babies and toddlers. But for many families, the cost of medical diapers for their children is a recurring, heavy financial burden. Our bill will help alleviate the monthly expense for families already dealing with their child’s complex medical needs.

Among other provisions, the legislation would allow for 200 medically necessary diapers be provided per month for medically complex children through the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program. The bill also makes medically necessary diapers qualified medical expenses so families may purchase them using their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs).

Additionally, the End Diaper Need Act of 2023 would appropriate $200 million per year for fiscal years 2024 to 2027 for the Social Services Block Grant Program, to be used to provide diapers and diapering supplies.

Legislation to Assist Servicemembers in Filing Claims, Accessing Benefits

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), I joined my colleagues in introducing the TAP Promotion Act, which would provide accredited members of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) to participate in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) classes to help servicemembers file Benefits Delivery at Discharge claims.

The Transition Assistance Program is invaluable for servicemembers to access resources for their transition back to civilian life. State and county VSOs are an essential resource for veterans looking to utilize the many benefits available to them. Our legislation will provide greater access to these organizations during the program.

Legally, TAP classroom instructors are not allowed to help veterans fill out benefits paperwork. The bill modifies the program to allow veterans service officers to participate in TAP classes to help servicemembers file expedited claims and complete medical evaluations before leaving service.

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.

U.S. Air Force Birthday Celebration

I was honored to join U.S. Air Force leadership and my House and Senate colleagues in celebrating 76 years of the Air Force and recognizing the airmen who serve throughout the country, including at Minot Air Force Base and Grand Forks Air Force Base.

Energy Infrastructure Council

I joined Energy Infrastructure Council members for their annual meeting. We discussed permitting reform, my letter to FERC on transmission policy, the SEC's overreach on climate disclosure, and shareholder activism. It's always good to catch up with this group of energy advocates.

American Coal Council

I met with members of the American Coal Council during their Day on the Hill this week. Coal keeps the lights on when we need it most and is a vital part of North Dakota’s success.

International Association of Drilling Contractors

Thank you to the International Association of Drilling Contractors for awarding me with the Legislator Award for my support of the drilling industry. I appreciate the work they do in North Dakota.

Association of Equipment Manufacturers

Members of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers stopped by my office to discuss their Farm Bill priorities and the need for sound tax policies focused on innovation.

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

I met with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to speak about their advocacy efforts to support the fight to treat and cure cancer. We also discussed the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, which I’ve cosponsored in the Senate.

Americans for Prosperity Energy Partners

I appreciated the chance to sit down with Americans for Prosperity’s energy partners, Billy Sorenson and Justin Cope, to discuss the Biden administration’s failed energy policies.

Associated General Contractors of North Dakota

The Associated General Contractors of North Dakota stopped by my D.C. office to talk about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and how its historic investment is improving infrastructure across our state.

Livestock Marketing Association

I caught up with Livestock Marketing Association members, including several folks from North Dakota, during their trip to Washington, D.C.

HHS Awards More Than $1 Million to Cankdeska Cikana Community College

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded a total of $1,042,799 to the Cankdeska Cikana Community College for the Head Start Professional Development program. The HHS Office of Head Start administers this funding within the Administration for Children and Families.

NSF Awards More Than $950,000 to North Dakota Colleges

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a total of $952,847 to the following programs and initiatives:

• $349,159 to Dakota College at Bottineau for a project regarding the development of a stackable certificate program for small unmanned aircraft systems technicians.
• $287,188 to Sitting Bull College for analytical instrumentation.
• $200,000 to Turtle Mountain Community College for enhancing cybersecurity and computer science education in underserved areas.
• $116,500 to the United Tribes Technical College for a scanning electron microscope.