Introducing the USS Frank E. Evans Act
Last week, I introduced the USS Frank E. Evans Act at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks hearing.
This tragedy happened 50 years and 21 days ago, when the USS Frank E. Evans was split in half after being struck by an allied ship during a training exercise, resulting in the death of 74 sailors who have come to be known as the ‘Lost 74.’ This is the year to finally remember these fallen veterans properly.
The son-in-law of Dick Grant, a USS Frank E. Evans survivor and Fargo, North Dakota resident called into a weekly radio show to tell me about the injustice. Many survivors like Dick Grant have worked to have the ‘Lost 74’ added to the wall by petitioning the Department of Defense, but they have been denied. This bill would change that. You can watch the full introduction at the link below.
Trade Update: Mexico Ratifies USMCA
Last week, Mexico became the first country to ratify the United States–Mexico–Canada trade deal through a Senate vote. Mexico approved the deal, and the United States should be next.
Passing USMCA will improve market access for our agricultural community and keep our economy growing. It’s a good deal for our state and for the country.
Upcoming Mobile Office Hours
Members of my staff will be in Wahpeton and Lisbon on Thursday, June 27.
It’s not always easy or possible for people to get to my state offices, so mobile office hours bring our services closer to constituents. Having members of my staff in Wahpeton and Lisbon gives North Dakotans more time to explore solutions to the problems they face with people who are in a position to help. Details are below.
A New Bill to Combat Threats Toward Israel
Texas Senator Ted Cruz and I, along with New York Congressman Lee Zeldin and Virginia Congresswoman Elaine Luria, introduced the Countering Hezbollah in Lebanon’s Military Act of 2019. Israel is our greatest ally in the world’s most dangerous region; a threat to them is a threat to us. Hezbollah is a state sponsor of terrorism, undeserving of assistance from us or any country we choose to support. Lebanon must separate itself from Hezbollah’s influence.
This legislation would withhold 20 percent of U.S. military assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces unless the President can certify they’re taking necessary steps to end Hezbollah and Iran’s influence over the Lebanese Armed Forces. Read more about our legislation at the link below.
The Next Secretary of Defense
On Friday night President Trump nominated Mark Esper to serve as our next Secretary of Defense.
Mark is an excellent Army Secretary and a good choice for Acting Defense Secretary, and I am thankful President Trump is moving quickly to fill this important post. A Senate-confirmed Secretary in the Defense Department will help provide the stability and leadership our military needs. I shared my thoughts on this issue earlier in the week on CNN's "At This Hour."
Voting on the NDAA
The Senate took the first step in passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on the Senate Floor, and we expect to take votes on amendments and final passage this week. This legislation reflects the priorities of North Dakota and addresses the needs of our military by bolstering our nuclear triad, improving the lives of our service members, and paving the way for a modernized, adequately-equipped Space Force.
Final Affordable Clean Energy Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency released the final Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule.
I applaud President Trump and Administrator Wheeler for repealing the previous administration’s Clean Power Plan and replacing it with the ACE rule. Not only was the Clean Power Plan illegal, it threatened to raise electricity bills, reduce grid reliability, and eliminate well-paying jobs. The ACE rule respects the law and restores the proper balance between states and the federal government while promoting energy security. ACE is a win for North Dakota and the nation.
Confirming Judges
The Senate confirmed our 80th district judge, totaling 123 appointments to the federal bench since President Trump was sworn in.
Cover Crops Dates
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that farmers who planted cover crops on prevent plant acres will be permitted to hay, graze, or chop those fields in September instead of November this year.
Our policies should incentivize farmers to do what they do best: grow food. This policy does exactly that by giving farmers more flexibility and discretion over how they manage their land and crops while ensuring they can receive prevent plant indemnities.
Discussing President Trump on Fox Business
On the Fox Business Network, Stuart Varney and I discussed the economy under President Trump and North Dakota's energy production.
I do not think President Trump "inherited" this economy, as Democrats suggest. He inherited higher taxes, then lowered them. He inherited unprecedented regulatory burdens, then reduced them. He transformed anemic growth into the rocketship economy we see today.
Contact Me
I currently have offices in Fargo, Minot and Washington, D.C. Offices in Grand Forks and Bismarck will open in June. You can stop by or call any of the following offices. You can also visit my website at www.cramer.senate.gov.
Minot
105 Federal Building
100 First Street SW
Minot, ND 58701
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, Office of U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, Grand Forks Air Force Base
Credits:
PC: North Dakota Tourism