Senate Confirms Dan Traynor
Last week, the United States Senate confirmed Dan Traynor to be the next U.S. District Judge for North Dakota. Dan is eminently qualified in every way. His character, demeanor, temperament, as well as his intellectual capacity will make him an excellent judge.
Prior to Dan's vote, I spoke on the Senate floor urging my colleagues to support him.
Delivering My Maiden Speech
On Tuesday, I delivered my maiden speech, an address Senators give on the Senate floor outlining their background and priorities. While a maiden speech one year into a term may seem odd to some, I appreciated the opportunity to reflect on the past year and create a clear vision for the future.
I discussed my faith, family, upbringing, committee assignments, and the importance of being accessible to North Dakotans. What I have learned most from my time in public service is the importance of listening. The individual and collective wisdom of the people of North Dakota is not something to be taken for granted nor wasted.
Below is my full speech, including an introduction from North Dakota's senior Senator John Hoeven. Not only is he a great friend and mentor, but he is a skilled, accomplished leader who works tirelessly on behalf of North Dakotans.
Equipping Our Military
After months of negotiations, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Providing for the defense of our nation is the top priority of the federal government. This NDAA meets the needs of our state’s military community, improves life for those in uniform, continues nuclear modernization efforts, and stands up a Space Force. Below is an outline of the benefits to North Dakota:
Minot Air Force Base
- Awards Minot Air Force Base $5.5 million for work on a consolidated Helicopter/Tactical Response Force Operations/Aircraft Maintenance Unit and Alert Facility. This is added to the $66 million previously awarded for this project.
- Fully funds the Air Force’s new MH-139A “Grey Wolf” helicopter that will eventually replace the old UH-1N “Huey” helicopters at Minot Air Force Base.
- Fully Funds the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (Minuteman III ICBM Replacement) at $552,395 million.
- Fully funds President Trump’s request for B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program at $325,974 million.
Grand Forks Air Force Base
- Increases Global Hawk spares and repairs funding by $25 million.
- Creates a Space Force, giving space programs like the one at the University of North Dakota more opportunities and guidance for training the next generation of space leaders.
North Dakota National Guard
- Funds President Trump’s request for MQ-9 Reaper procurement.
- Fully funds the Army and Air National Guard and sets manning at 336,000 (Army) and 107,000 (Air National Guard).
- Provides an early retirement credit for certain Guardsmen and Reservists.
- Fully funds the President’s budget request of 73 UH-60 Black Hawk M-model helicopters, including 64 for the Army Guard.
- Authorizes the National Guard to establish a pilot program allowing members to receive immediate access to mental health professionals through a smartphone application.
North Dakota’s military community played an important role in shaping this legislation. We made sure their needs were met and their voices were heard.”
Appropriations Package Passed by Congress
Congress passed two appropriations bills last week to fully fund the government. I am glad we finally ditched short-term Continuing Resolutions and have returned to complete appropriations bills. I am not pleased with everything included in this deal, especially the extension of the wind production tax credit, which was supposed to phase out. However, this package prioritizes our most fundamental constitutional duty to provide for our national defense, and it supports the people who keep our country safe and free. It also advances important domestic policies and greatly benefits North Dakota.
Our priorities in this appropriations package include:
- Full defense funding to accompany this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.
- The Affordable Insulin Approvals Now Act, which we introduced in July.
- Continued funding for border wall construction without placing limits on the President’s transfer authority.
- Increased funding for more Customs and Border Protection (CBP) law enforcement officers.
- Additional $1.5 million in Disaster Relief funding for our farmers and producers.
- President Trump’s Title X regulations, which have virtually eliminated federal funds being given to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood.
- Full repeal of the three main Obamacare taxes: Cadillac Tax, Medical Device Tax and Health Insurance Tax. I cosponsored all three repeal provisions.
- The Manufactured Housing Modernization Act, which I first introduced in June.
- The Protecting Access to Biosimilars Act, which I cosponsored in May.
- The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, which I helped advance through the Banking Committee in May.
- ELD exemption for livestock and insects.
- Extension of the short line railroad track maintenance tax credit.
- Protection for electric cooperatives’ tax-exempt status with the inclusion of the RURAL Act, which I cosponsored in May.
White Horse Hill
Also found in the appropriations package was legislation to change the name of “Sullys Hill,” a National Game Preserve within the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation to its traditional Dakota name, “White Horse Hill.”
Even as a deeply divided Congress remains consumed with partisan bickering over the major issues of our day, I am glad we were able to put politics aside to pass this legislation. Changing the name of a Game Preserve in North Dakota may seem like a small matter to some, but it is no small matter to the people of Spirit Lake. I am glad we did not wait another day to fix it.
Export-Import Bank Reauthorization
As another part of this package, Congress included an effort I championed to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. This is the longest reauthorization in the bank’s history. EXIM is important for national security and critical to helping American businesses compete and win in the global marketplace. This legislation provides stability for businesses and workers while making modest reforms to improve the way the Bank runs. I thank the President and my colleagues for ensuring businesses in North Dakota and the United States can compete on a level playing field in the global market place.
Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, the Banking Committee Chairman, as well as North Dakota business leaders, offered their praise for our efforts to pass this reauthorization.
My Review of the Corps' Procurement Process
Over the past five months I have spent many hours with officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Army, and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), discussing the border wall procurement process and reviewing procurement documents.
I shared the findings of this review, which focused on the construction of physical barriers along the southern border, in a letter to President Trump. Below are my four key findings.
- The USACE’s procurement process fails to foster competition, particularly when it comes to price and schedule.
- The USACE set up a procurement process that disfavors new entrants and innovators.
- DHS has abdicated authority for the border wall to the USACE, creating a situation in which those who patrol the wall have little say in its speed and manner of construction.
- The USACE failed to meet the most basic standards of good faith cooperation in satisfying my requests for information. The Administration must continue to work to drain the swamp and ensure our country is not run by unelected bureaucrats who, empowered by the media, obstruct the President’s agenda.
House Votes to Impeach President Trump
Wednesday night, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Trump. This is a tragedy. Impeachment used to be an important constitutional tool used rarely, not mental therapy for distraught liberals in the House of Representatives. It is unfortunate Speaker Pelosi backed herself into this corner. To preserve her gavel, she is trying to appease the far left in her caucus, and chaos has ensued.
However, the Senate ever receiving the impeachment is now up in the air. Speaker Pelosi is refusing to send the Senate the articles of impeachment, meaning President Trump has not technically been impeached yet. Whether this is Speaker Pelosi looking for an offramp from the process she never wanted to join, or just sheer incompetence, it is a truly embarrassing display by the Democrats.
Look at the stock market. Look at the economy. We see record low unemployment numbers for every demographic and growing investor confidence thanks to trade deals secured by President Trump. The American people have already dismissed this unfortunate situation. If we in the Senate are going to be saddled with these partisan, sick articles of impeachment, I think it is important we give them a full, fair process and reach an appropriate conclusion, which restores the integrity of the Congress.
I discussed this issue with Bill Hemmer and Sandra Smith on America's Newsroom. You can watch our full conversation below.
Trump Administration Finalizes Exchange Program Integrity Rule
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized its Exchange Program Integrity rule last week. While the Affordable Care Act required insurance providers to be honest about when money would be used to fund abortions, the Obama Administration circumvented this part of their own law. The Trump Administration enforcing a separate premium payment for elective abortions follows the rule of law and keeps the American people informed about how insurance companies use their money. My colleagues and I urged HHS to take this action in a letter earlier this year.
House Passes USMCA
I was glad to see the House finally pass the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). I discussed how important this deal is for North Dakota and how advancing this deal creates momentum for securing other deals in the future on Fox Business with Charles Payne, a former Minot resident.
New Op-Ed on Trump’s Executive Order on Regulatory Abuse
President Trump continued delivering for Americans by signing an executive order to combat bureaucratic abuse and hold federal agencies accountable. I wrote an op-ed discussing three examples in North Dakota that deserve action as federal departments and agencies begin to implement the President's orders.
As the President said, “We are reforming the bureaucracy to make it lean, responsive, and accountable. And we are ensuring our laws are enforced fairly.” I applaud him for this important work and fulfilling his promise to deliver a better government, which serves the American people, not itself.
Throughout my time in public service, I have seen unaccountable bureaucrats attempt to nullify elections by resisting the policies and priorities of elected leaders. As the President pointed out, federal agencies for decades have issued thousands of pages of so-called “guidance” documents: regulations written by unaccountable bureaucrats in the form of commentary on how rules should be interpreted. Bureaucrats interpret these documents as if they are law when, in reality, they have never received a vote or been scrutinized by the public. That is not how the Founders intended our government to be run. Read more by clicking the button below.
Live on CNBC's Squawk Box
On Squawk Box last week, I broke down how finalizing USMCA and continuing trade talks with China creates momentum for future deals. Each agreement gives President Trump more leverage and benefits North Dakota.
Additionally, we spoke about Speaker Pelosi’s impeachment being a yawner. She’s wanted an offramp since it began, but the radical members of her party forced her into it. The American people have already moved on; it's time for Democrats to do the same. Watch the full interview below.
Contact Me
My offices are open in Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, Fargo and Washington, D.C. Stop by or call any of the following offices, or 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
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
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 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
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 Department, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Office of U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer
Credits:
PC: North Dakota Tourism, U.S. Senate Photographers,