Air Force Chief of Staff Visits Grand Forks Air Force Base
On Wednesday, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. joined me and Senator John Hoeven at the Grand Forks Air Force Base and the Grand Sky Unmanned Aerial Systems Research and Development Park for a classified briefing and tour.
Advanced technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Unmanned Aerial Systems are the future of Air Force missions, and as this visit to Grand Forks by yet another senior military leader demonstrates, North Dakota is well-positioned to lead the way.
I am glad General Brown accepted our invitation to visit the state and gave our leaders a chance to showcase Grand Forks' great potential. I look forward to following up with him on what we saw as we work to support and strengthen the state's Air Force installations.
Subcommittee Assignments for the Senate Armed Services Committee
The Senate Armed Services Committee released its subcommittee assignments last week, announcing I will serve as the Ranking Member on the Seapower Subcommittee and hold seats on the Strategic Forces Subcommittee and the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee.
It's an honor to receive a leadership position on the committee. The Seapower Subcommittee plays a pivotal role in overseeing the military branches responsible for maintaining our presence at strategically important ports and bodies of water, and fending off acts of aggression by adversaries like China, Russia, or Iran.
Serving on the Emerging Threats and Strategic Forces subcommittees will give North Dakota's military community a seat at the table as we tackle issues like nuclear modernization, the development of advanced technologies, and America’s presence in space. It provides me an opportunity to advocate for our Guardsmen and our military installations at Minot, Grand Forks, and Cavalier; and to promote the great potential they each possess.
Remembering Rush Limbaugh
On Wednesday we lost an American legend. Rush Limbaugh was a radio talk show pioneer and an icon in the conservative movement for decades. He will be missed dearly.
Rush understood the issues impacting North Dakotans. I was honored when he highlighted our efforts on energy during my days on the Public Service Commission.
Last year, it was a privilege to be in the House chamber as Rush was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Trump at the State of the Union Address.
Weighing in On Texas' Energy Crisis
Freezing temperatures surged energy demands beyond what state supply could meet in Texas this past week, and over four million people were without power. This is a real-time example of why we need reliable sources of energy like coal, oil, nuclear, and natural gas.
An over-reliance on unreliable energy sources like wind and solar are to blame for what we're seeing in places like Texas. Years of insufficient support for coal and nuclear put them in a position to fail, and that's exactly what happened when they were needed most. It's a shame the Biden Administration appears hell-bent on weakening these industries, along with the safety, security, and economic benefits that come with them.
On Friday, I spoke with Rob Port about this issue on his Plain Talk podcast.
U.S. Postal Service Fairness Act
I am cosponsoring bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) entitled the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Fairness Act, which would repeal a federal mandate requiring the USPS to pre-fund its employees' retirement health benefits. The USPS is the only federal agency subject to this requirement, which has caused significant financial strain. I cosponsored this legislation last Congress as well.
Rural communities in North Dakota rely heavily on the Postal Service for secure and consistent mail delivery, but this nonsensical mandate placed a severe financial strain on the agency that could mean the end of this vital service as we know it. By eliminating it, our bipartisan legislation would help make the Postal Service solvent and ensure its services remain available for those who need them.
Bicameral Letter Supports Proposed Rule to Support Conservation, Create Jobs
I joined Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) on a bicameral letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service in support of their proposed rule to reduce roadblocks created by the Cottonwood decision and help spur responsible forest and grassland management and conservation projects on federal property.
"The proposed revision would clarify consultation obligations for finalized forest and land management plans. We urge you to finalize this rule in order to preserve the land planning process, re-establish consistency within land management agencies, remove any ambiguity that could be exploited in litigation, and ensure the Services' time and resources are not further diverted from critical wildlife conservation work."
Letter Urges President Biden to Reverse Misguided Western Sahara Decision
Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) led a bipartisan letter I signed onto urging President Biden to reverse his administration's decision to recognize the Kingdom of Morocco's illegitimate claims of sovereignty over Western Sahara. The letter calls on the president to recommit the United States to the pursuit of a referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people of Western Sahara.
"The abrupt decision by the previous administration on December 11, 2020, to officially recognize the Kingdom of Morocco’s illegitimate claims of sovereignty over Western Sahara was short-sighted, undermined decades of consistent U.S. policy, and alienated a significant number of African nations. We respectfully urge you to reverse this misguided decision and recommit the United States to the pursuit of a referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people of Western Sahara."
Grants for North Dakota
HHS Awards $2.1 Million in Research Funds to UND
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $2,115,001 to the University of North Dakota (UND). The funds will be used for pharmacology, physiology, and biological chemistry research.
North Dakota NeighborWorks Awarded $432k for Community Development
NeighborWorks America, a public nonprofit organization established by Congress in 1978, awarded $432,000 to members of the NeighborWorks network serving North Dakota to support efforts to develop and preserve affordable housing, revitalize and sustain neighborhoods, and create jobs.
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.
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
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
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