Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update September 23 - 27

Floor Speech Stresses Unworkable Nursing Home Rules, Bureaucratic Intransigence at CMS

I delivered remarks on the Senate floor to highlight the dangers of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) minimum staffing rule. I also spoke on the dangers of administrative bureaucracy, the punitive nature of survey fines, and the flawed inducement (“extortion discount”) experienced by long-term care (LTC) facilities.

At existing staffing levels, North Dakota facilities would need to reduce the average number of residents served per day by about 74 people to satisfy this mandate. In my state, we’ve had six facilities close since 2021, indicating the already challenging operating environment.

The actions of the bureaucrats at CMS prove they are out of touch with operational challenges actually facing these facilities and the people they serve. If they in fact want to achieve the stated goal of improving quality, these decisions do just the opposite.

Congress Passes Continuing Resolution to Fund Government through December

The U.S. Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) by a vote of 78 to 18, extending Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations levels for federal agencies through December 20. The measure passed the House of Representatives 341 to 82, providing funding for the U.S. Secret Service in addition to extending expiring programs and authorities.

While we averted a shutdown for next week, this CR just really punts September’s work to December. It’s a terrible way to run the government and instead of putting appropriations bills on the floor when we had plenty of time to do it, plenty of good bills that passed the Appropriations Committee, Chuck Schumer opts for political show votes and then short-term extensions. Keeping the government open is literally the least we can do, and the American people deserve a lot better than this.

Bill to Rename N.D. Post Office Passes Out of Committee

In May, the North Dakota delegation introduced legislation in the House and Senate to designate the United States Postal Service facility at 840 Front Street in Casselton as the “Commander Delbert Austin Olson Post Office.”

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) held a markup of the bill which would rename the Post Office, on September 25.

Commander Olson served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He earned multiple awards for his service, including the Navy Commendation Medal with valor, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon Bar. His name is also inscribed along with all fallen comrades from the Vietnam War, on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

Senate Committee Passes Legislation to Strengthen, Update Northern Border Security Measures

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) held a markup for the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act. The committee unanimously advanced this vital piece of legislation, which will now head to the Senate floor for consideration.

USS Theodore Roosevelt Model Arrives in D.C. Office

Last week an at-scale model of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) aircraft carrier was delivered to my office in Washington, D.C.

Representatives from Huntington Ingalls Industries delivered the glass-encased replica to my office, where it will remain until it is delivered to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora when it opens in 2026.

Interview on Fox Business' Kudlow Discusses President Trump's Economic Plan

I joined Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss President Trump's plan to cut taxes, deregulate, and make America competitive again.

Mobile Office Hours Scheduled for Today in Ashley and Ellendale

Since it’s not always possible for people to travel to my in-state offices, these mobile office opportunities help bring the services we offer closer to the constituents who need them. Having members of my staff in Ashley and Ellendale will give North Dakotans more chances to explore solutions to the problems they face with people who are in a position to help.

North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives

I met with the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives to discuss permitting reform. It may not be the most glamorous political topic, but permitting reform is one of the biggest issues we face. NDAREC co-ops need certainty and efficiency to keep providing reliable, affordable electricity.

Associated General Contractors of North Dakota

I met with the Associated General Contractors of North Dakota to discuss infrastructure investments and regulatory reform to improve project delivery. I applaud AGC of North Dakota members for their vital work building bridges and fixing roads.

NSSF Issues A+ Rating on 2024 Congressional Report Card

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) released its 2024 Congressional Report Card, a comprehensive report analyzing the support of each lawmaker during the 118th Congress. The report card is based on elected officials’ advocacy for legislation of critical importance to the firearm industry and Second Amendment liberties.

I was among eight senators named to the NSSF’s 2024 Congressional Dean’s List, receiving an A+ for my 100% voting and co-sponsorship record.

National Park Service Names Valley City as World War II Heritage City

Valley City has been designated by the National Park Service as an American WWII Heritage City. Valley City citizens played an important role in the war effort. The city’s veterans served in the Pacific and at D-Day, residents worked to rescue German Jews from persecution, and Clifford Klein helped advance the Manhattan Project.

FAFSA Rollout Is a Bureaucratic Mess

For the second application cycle in a row, the botched FAFSA rollout leaves more families dealing with bureaucratic disarray, while trying to make informed decisions to pay for college. I joined in sponsoring a resolution calling on the U.S. Department of Education to fix the mess it created.

Empowering Main Street in America Act Introduced to Generate Economic Growth

Overbearing regulations burden small businesses, stifling innovation and competition throughout North Dakota communities and across our nation. I joined my Senate Banking Republican colleagues in introducing the Empowering Main Street in America Act to create more access to capital for businesses to generate economic growth and shape a regulatory environment to attract investments.

Department of Energy Awards Initial Funding to Project Tundra

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced an award of $4.2 million to Project Tundra. This is the first installment of up to $350 million to Project Tundra. These funds will be distributed through the fully-paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program, which supports the development of community-informed integrated carbon capture, transport, and storage projects.

This initial award really brings Project Tundra one step closer to being the first user of carbon capture utilization storage technology at a coal plant with on-site storage in the country, and how appropriate that it would be done in North Dakota. This project demonstrates our state’s ingenuity and decades of energy development, experience, and dominance. Obviously, more work lies ahead, but this is really welcome progress.

Project Tundra will capture up to 4 million metric tons of CO2 annually from the Milton R. Young Station, a lignite coal-based power plant. The CO2 would then be safely stored in geologic formations, roughly a mile underground. The facility’s commercial operation is set to begin in 2028.

NPS Awards More Than $4 Million to Support Park Projects in Grand Forks, Turtle Mountain

The National Park Service (NPS) announced an award of $4,490,000 through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) to support redevelopment projects at parks across North Dakota. The award will be distributed for the following projects:

• $3,490,000 for the Grand Forks Downtown Gateway and Greenway, an outdoor recreational area consisting of 2,200 acres.
• $1,000,000 to support the Turtle Mountain Family Recreation Areas.

The ORLP program, managed by the NPS and funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), provides grants for community sponsored park projects where population is greater than 30,000 residents. Since 1965, the NPS has provided more than 40,000 LWCF grants, primarily funded with federal offshore oil and gas lease revenue, to states and local communities. LWCF awards allow states to further allocate these funds to support local public parks projects and state conservation, and expand outdoor recreation access.

Economic Development Agency Awards $675,000 to Support the Agricultural Production Industry in Baldwin

The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration announced an award of $675,000 to Enhancing and Strengthening North Dakota Nonprofits and Communities in Minot. This award will help construct a regional processing facility for local foods, providing classrooms, kitchen facilities, warehouse space and more in Baldwin.

According to grantee estimates, the grant is expected to create 47 jobs and generate $1.8 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

North Dakota excels at value-added agriculture. Investments like this drive innovation, boost economic development in our communities, and help families put food on the table. North Dakota stands to gain for many years to come as a result of the construction and use of this facility.

Department of Health and Human Services Awards $970,634 to North Dakota Tribal Nations for Opioid Programs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $970,634 to support substance abuse programs in three North Dakota tribal nations. The award will be distributed to the following tribes:

• $425,000 to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians
• $295,634 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
• $250,000 to the Spirit Lake Tribe

Department of Education Awards $500,000 to State Department of Public Instruction

The U.S. Department of Education announced an award of $500,000 to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) under the State Personnel Development Grants Program. This funding will support NDDPI’s Grad 701 initiative, which aims to close graduation gaps, improve support systems, and boost outcomes for all students.

Weekly Radio Town Hall Schedule

Jay Thomas

Every other Tuesday from 2:00 to 2:30 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 Friday from 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. CT

AM 1100 The Flag - Fargo

WDAY 970 AM - Fargo

KTGO 1090 AM - Tioga

Michael Bell

Every Friday from 10:30 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