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