Loading

Senator Cramer's Weekly Update August 5 - August 18

Devils Lake's Coffee with Cramer

I held a Coffee with Cramer town hall with constituents in Devils Lake on Friday, where we discussed my recent trip overseas, constituent services, and the news of the day.

I believe every problem we face can be solved through family discussions over coffee. Our country needs to have more family discussions.

During the event, I heard from veterans seeking assistance in maneuvering through the federal bureaucracy. If you or a loved one needs help with a federal agency, constituents are encouraged to go to cramer.senate.gov where you can fill out a request for help.

Constituents also asked questions on gun reform, medical bills, tribal law enforcement, and ways to elevate civil discourse across the country. My town hall was broadcasted live on the radio during What’s On Your Mind with host Scott Hennen. You can listen to the town hall through the radio archive here.

I held a Coffee with Cramer at Dunn Brothers Coffee in Devils Lake.

Update from Devils Lake

On Friday, I met with community leaders in Devils Lake. We discussed trade, agriculture, and local issues impacting this community. I am grateful to hear from these leaders, and I thank them for being gracious hosts.

Those in attendance included Mayor Dick Johnson, State Senator Dave Oehlke, State Representatives Dennis Johnson and Greg Westlind, City Administrator Terry Johnson, City Engineer Mike Grafsgaard, Tourism Director Suzy Kenner, and Lake Region State President Doug Darling.

Following my meeting in Devils Lake, I toured local construction projects and received an update on their progress from community leaders.

Infrastructure projects are best managed when they are done at the local level, overseen by leaders most accountable to their communities.

Traveling the Indo-Pacific

Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri led a group of my colleagues to Japan, Singapore, Australia, Fiji, and Hawaii in order to conduct oversight of official government programs and engage with key leaders in order to discuss bilateral relations. We also participated in the 2019 Australian American Leadership Dialogue to talk about the “Gateway to the Indo-Pacific" including trade agreements, defense cooperation, and economic security.

I discussed my trip with Chris Berg on Point of View. You can watch the interview below.

Camp Grafton

Last week, I toured Camp Grafton and received a brief on the North Dakota National Guard's partnership with U.S. Northern Command to test the Arctic “Over the Horizon Radar." The military hopes to use this radar to detect small, fast moving items such as aircraft, cruise missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles, ballistic missiles, and Unmanned Aerial System threats.

These efforts continue as foreign adversaries such as China and Russia show increasing interest in the Arctic, and United States military leaders look at innovative solutions to combat them. I often stress to leaders in the Pentagon and across our military community how North Dakota is strategically important to our nation’s Arctic security. Our geographic location makes us ideal for protecting against foreign adversaries who see the Arctic as a way to weaken our national defense.

Breaking Ground on Fargo Readiness Center

Senator John Hoeven, Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford, Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney and I attended the North Dakota National Guard's groundbreaking ceremony for their National Guard Readiness Center in Fargo.

This new facility will aid the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 191st Military Police Company, and 112th Aviation Regiment in readiness and training. We appropriated the funds for the facility in the 2019 fiscal year, and I'm pleased to see this construction start.

Veterans Reimbursement for Emergency Ambulance Services

Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen and I introduced the Veterans Reimbursement for Emergency Ambulance Services Act, a bipartisan bill to authorize veterans’ expenses for emergency ambulance services to non-Veterans Affairs facilities to be reimbursed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Emergency ambulance bills deliver huge financial burdens to our veterans. Our bill corrects unfair regulations that harm those who offered their lives for our country and ensures they are given the health care benefits they have earned.

This legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year by Colorado Representative Scott Tipton and Connecticut Representative Rosa DeLauro. It is endorsed by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and the American Ambulance Association.

75 Years After the Battle of the Bulge

West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin and I introduced a resolution to honor the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. This resolution is an opportunity to remember the heroism of the soldiers who led us to victory, including the thousands of U.S. troops who made the ultimate sacrifice during this battle. The Allies' win here made the final surrender of Nazi Germany possible.

"Now therefore be it resolved, that the Senate commemorates, on December 16, 2019, the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II; recognizes the valiant efforts of the various Allied Forces; and remembers the individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice, which contributed to the Allied victory in the European Theater." - S. Con. Res. 23

America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act

The America's Transportation Infrastructure Act passed unanimously through the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee before August recess.

As the committee wrote the bill, we received input and comments from city, county and state leaders all across North Dakota, expressing their desire for a highway bill reauthorization that works best for our state. Their feedback and priorities are very important to me.

The bill contains the largest funding commitment in highway authorization history. It grows the economy, enhances roads and bridges, eliminates burdensome regulation, invests in tribal lands, and maintains the current funding formula that ensures North Dakota receives steady funding and flexibility to prioritize our transportation needs.

President Donald J. Trump also offered his support for the bill on Twitter:

Japan-U.S. Military Statesmen Forum

I recently spent an incredible night at the Japan-U.S. Military Statesmen Forum, which strengthens the partnership between our two countries. Thank you to Ambassador Sugiyama for hosting and Commander of the United States Space Command, General Jay Raymond, for your remarks.

From L to R: Retired General Ryoichi Oriki, former Chief of The Joint Staff of the Japan Self Defense Forces; Japanese Ambassador Sugiyama; Retired Admiral Michael Mullen; General David Berger, Marine Corps Commandant; North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer; General John Raymond, United States Space Command Commander

I was glad to meet Navy Vice Admiral Stuart Munsch from Oakes at the event.

Navy Vice Admiral Stuart Munsch from Oakes, North Dakota

Contact Me

My offices are open in Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, Fargo and Washington, D.C. You can stop by or call any of the following offices. You can also visit my website at www.cramer.senate.gov.

Bismarck

328 Federal Building

220 East Rosser Avenue

Bismarck, ND 58501

701-699-7020

Grand Forks

114 Federal Building

102 North 4th Street

Grand Forks, ND 58203

701-699-7030

Minot

If you have questions or need help with a federal agency, please contact Lisa Gibbens.

701-837-6141

Fargo

306 Federal Building

657 Second Avenue North

Fargo, ND 58102

701-232-5094

Washington, D.C.

400 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

202-224-2043

Weekly Radio and TV Schedule

RADIO

What's On Your Mind

Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. central

KFYR 550 AM - Bismarck

1100 The Flag - Fargo

KLTC 1460 AM - Dickinson

KTGO 1090 AM - Tioga

Jarrod Thomas Show

Thursdays from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. central

KNOX 1310 AM - Grand Forks

Rick Jensen

Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. central

KHND 1470 AM - Harvey

Jay Thomas

Every other Tuesday from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. central

PODCAST

Rob Port - Plain Talk Podcast

Thursday mornings

Say Anything Blog

TELEVISION

Chris Berg - Point of View

6:30 p.m. central (Semi-Monthly)

Valley News Live - Fargo

Photo credit: North Dakota Tourism Department and the Office of U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer

Credits:

PC: North Dakota Tourism

Report Abuse

If you feel that this video content violates the Adobe Terms of Use, you may report this content by filling out this quick form.

To report a copyright violation, please follow the DMCA section in the Terms of Use.