Senate Passes the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act
On Thursday the Senate passed bipartisan legislation I helped introduce, the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021.
This bill will ensure North Dakota's small, rural, and tribal communities have access to safe drinking water and wastewater infrastructure programs. Our bill is a great example of how Congress can work together to advance bipartisan solutions to the challenges facing our nation. I am grateful my colleagues supported it, and I urge the House to do the same.
President Biden Addresses a Joint Session of Congress
On Wednesday President Biden delivered remarks to a Joint Session of Congress.
One hundred days into his term, President Biden's lofty rhetoric has yet to match his record, and Wednesday's speech gave us no reason to think that will change. His campaign promise of unity quickly turned into pursuing partisan goals through unilateral action and party line votes.
Instead of trying to dictate a far-left vision for our country, President Biden should recommit to governing for all Americans, as he said he would, and work with both parties on policy areas like energy, infrastructure, and immigration to advance solutions which already have bipartisan support.
I am grateful my colleague Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) led the Republican response to the President's radical agenda, where he articulated a better vision for the nation which would create more opportunity for North Dakotans and all Americans.
Senate Votes to Return to the Obama-era Methane Rule
On Wednesday the Senate voted to return to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Methane Rule put in place under President Obama.
The Obama Administration's Methane Rule is a direct attack on the small, independent producers operating in North Dakota. It's also burdensome as it overlaps with regulations already in place. President Trump and his team worked to craft a rule which maintains health and environmental protections, eliminates duplicative regulations, and helps keep energy costs low for the American people. It's a shame the Senate voted to reject this more reasonable, workable approach.
Letter Asks Amazon to Explain Removing Justice Clarence Thomas Documentary during Black History Month
I joined a letter led by Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to Amazon's Jeff Bezos questioning why Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words, a documentary about the life of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, was removed from Amazon's streaming service. The film's removal came during Black History Month.
“Amazon's decision to cancel from its streaming service a documentary that celebrates the longest-serving and highest-ranking African American public servant in America suggests that what Amazon actually seeks to do is ‘Amplify Liberal Black Voices,’ while silencing any who disagree-including and especially the great Justice Clarence Thomas, a genuine ‘Black History Maker,’”
New Bill Would Restore Young Americans' Right to Purchase Handguns
I joined Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) in introducing the Second Amendment Mandates Equality (SAME) Act of 2021, legislation to reinstate the right of adults between the ages of 18 and 20 to purchase a handgun from a federally licensed dealer.
The federal government has no business telling 18-20 year-olds they cannot exercise their constitutional rights just because of their age. The SAME Act would allow more law-abiding Americans to defend themselves as they see fit by ending an antiquated federal prohibition preventing young adults from purchasing a handgun.
Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Modernize, Improve Banking Security Regulations
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and I introduced the Bank Service Company Examination Coordination Act, a bipartisan bill to amend the Bank Service Company Act to appropriately reflect states' authority to examine third-party technology service providers, improve information sharing, promote more effective oversight, and reduce regulatory burdens.
The laws governing federal banking regulators and their oversight of banks' cybersecurity efforts are silent when it comes to the role of state regulators, which has led to duplicative efforts and an inability to properly coordinate. Our bipartisan legislation would give federal and state regulators much-needed clarity and improve their ability to work together to help protect consumers.
Senate Confirms Janet McCabe as Deputy EPA Chief
The Senate voted Tuesday to confirm Janet McCabe as Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I opposed her nomination when it came before the EPW Committee.
During her time in the Obama Administration, Janet McCabe promised to listen to states, yet she was the architect of the disastrous and overreaching Clean Power Plan. North Dakotans expect the federal government to be a partner, not an adversary. Mrs. McCabe should follow the attitude of collaboration and cooperation Mr. Regan has committed to as the head of the EPA.
Grants for North Dakota
North Dakota Receives over $1.8 Million for Aging Research, Head Start Programs
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded North Dakota State University $1,437,570 for aging research. HHS also awarded $450,551 in Head Start and Early Head Start program funds.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs promote school readiness for young children and toddlers from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development as well as early learning, health, and family well-being
UND Receives Funds to Support Production of Rare Earth Elements and Critical Minerals
The Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy has awarded $1.5 million to the University of North Dakota's (UND) Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC). The funds are part of a nationwide investment which will be used to support the production of rare earth elements and critical minerals.
FAA Awards $1.4 Million to Grand Forks Airport
The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded $1,430,817 to the Grand Forks Regional Airport.
The grant is funded by the Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020 and will be used for operations, personnel, cleaning, sanitization, janitorial services, debt service payments, and combating the spread of pathogens at the airport.
NDSU Receives Funds for Agriculture Production Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the following two grants totaling $680,000 to North Dakota State University (NDSU):
- $500,000 to improve durable crown rust resistance and nutritional quality in oats, and
- $180,000 to enhance improvement of grain yield and protein content in hard red spring wheat.
Contact Me
As recommended by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), our in-state offices are taking precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our staff members are available by phone or email and are taking in-person meetings by appointment only.
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
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.
330 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
202-224-2043
Weekly Radio and TV Schedule
RADIO
What's On Your Mind with Scott Hennen
Fridays 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
WDAY 970 AM - Fargo
The 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
WDAY 970 AM – Fargo
TELEVISION
Chris Berg - Point of View
6:30 p.m. central (Semi-Monthly)
Valley News Live - Fargo
Photo credit: North Dakota Tourism and the Office of U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer
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