Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update October 14 -18

Ceremony Sends Off Members of the 142nd Engineer Battalion

The North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) held a ceremony to send off members of the 142nd Engineer Battalion being deployed to Fort Bliss, Texas, in support of Joint Task Force North. The joint service command is tasked with supporting federal law enforcement agencies in the "identification and interdiction of suspected criminal activities conducted within and along the approaches to the continental United States."

Protecting the homeland is the highest priority of the United States Armed Forces, and no one protects ours better than the soldiers of the North Dakota National Guard. Helping send off the heroes of the storied 142nd Engineer Battalion as they deploy for their mission in support of federal law enforcement agencies is an honor of a lifetime, and I get to do it on behalf of grateful North Dakotans and Americans everywhere.

As I do for all of our service members and their families, I pray for a successful mission and a safe return home. They are the best of the best, and I look forward to their homecoming.

Israel Confirms the Death of Yahya Sinwar

Last week, Israel announced Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar was killed during a military operation in Gaza. According to Israel Katz, the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sinwar was responsible for “the massacre and atrocities of October 7th."

Fortunately, the Israeli Prime Minister didn’t listen to the U.S. administration and now Israel celebrates a major victory in the death of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar. While celebrating the death of a single monster, we must never let our guard down or qualify our support for the Jewish Nation of Israel.

Answering Questions with North Dakota Bankers Association's "Ask Kennedy"

I joined the North Dakota Bankers Association for its program "Ask Kennedy" with Tracy Kennedy to answer questions regarding my work on the Senate Banking Committee.

My relationship with groups like the North Dakota Bankers Association is essential to my work. Thank you for the opportunity today to talk about my experience on the Senate Banking Committee and the issues facing our local banks, like Farm Bill reauthorization and regulatory reform.

Edward Jones Grassroots Task Force Holds Round Table

I met with the North Dakota Edward Jones Grassroots Task Force to discuss policies which help North Dakotans strengthen their ability to save for retirement, allow caregivers access to retirement savings options, encourage youth on early savings, and improve financial education.

NDDOT Receives $20 Million to Improve Safety with Freight Reliability, Preservation on US 52 Route

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) received a $20,000,000 award through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program. This funding will help NDDOT enhance the US 52 route by adding railroad bypass lanes, improving safety, and increasing the efficiency of passenger and freight transportation across the state.

Specifically, this project will rehabilitate approximately 45 miles of existing asphalt pavement from west of Drake to Fessenden, consolidate access points at the intersection of US 52 and North Dakota Highway 3 in Harvey, and add acceleration and deceleration lanes at existing at-grade railroad crossings. It will also add turn lanes at intersections from seven miles south of Portal to Carrington.

As we say, North Dakota feeds and fuels the world, and Highway 52 is an essential artery for the flow of many of our goods getting to markets. This grant will help expand this really important transportation corridor and then at the same time, improves the safety for producers and the traveling public.

USDA Awards $200,000 to the Rural Electric and Telecommunications Development Center

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced an award of $200,000 to the Rural Electric and Telecommunications Development Center, which operates under the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives and the Broadband Association of North Dakota. This investment allows the center to offer services to businesses and cooperatives such as technical assistance, financing, education, consultation, enhancing economic development and providing a higher quality of life in rural areas across North Dakota.

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