Right to Life Rally
I attended the North Dakota Right to Life’s “Rally for Life” in Bismarck on Sunday. I am a Senator today, in no small part, because of the issue of life. Thank you to those who came for putting the most important things first and for being a light. Because of you, we are making a difference in this world
In my remarks, I outlined important pro-life moments from my first year in the Senate, highlighted the importance of confirming President Trump’s judicial nominees and preserving institutions like the Electoral College, and urged attendees to remain civically involved.
Water Supply Rule
At the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention, President Trump announced he will withdraw the Water Supply Rule, which I fought to delay in order to better integrate stakeholder input.
I led the fight against this one-size-fits-all rule because it was bad policy. The Army Corps has no business federalizing water authority reserved for the states. I am glad the Trump Administration is staying within the confines of the law, and I look forward to working with them to make sure the Corps does not propose such egregiously bad policy like this again.
Congratulations, NDSU Bison!
Congrats to the North Dakota State University Bison football team for winning its eighth NCAA Division I FCS National Championship in nine years! Senator John Hoeven, Congressman Kelly Armstrong and I introduced congratulatory resolutions and gave speeches in their honor.
this is a remarkable team and a remarkable accomplishment. We are proud of the Bison and proud of the entire university. They repeatedly demonstrate that excellence can be achieved not only on the gridiron, but in life.
Senate Passes USMCA
Last week, the Senate passed the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement. USMCA is a huge win for our producers. Its implementation will stimulate the economy, create new jobs, and increase exports with two of North Dakota’s top trading partners.
USMCA will also reduce trade distorting policies and improve transparency while ensuring non-discriminatory treatment for American agricultural product standards with two of North Dakota’s biggest trading partners. Specifically, this deal will:
- Ensure North Dakota grain is no longer graded as sub-par feed;
- Provide increased access to the Canadian market for poultry, eggs and dairy;
- Mandate that vehicles, built with 75 percent North American content, are imported without tariffs; and
- Require any member of the agreement to give three months’ notice to the other countries if it starts negotiations with a non-market economy, which is what the United States considers China.
USMCA will impact over 90 percent of North Dakota’s exports. In 2018, North Dakota exported $7.9 billion worth of goods to the global marketplace. Of that $7.9 billion, $6.9 billion went to Canada, accounting for 88 percent of the state's total exported goods. North Dakota exports an additional $228 million to Mexico.
The War Powers Act Resolution
I delivered remarks on the Senate floor to establish my opposition to the War Powers Act resolution being debated by Congress. I believe such a resolution is designed to hurt our President politically in the short-term while inflicting long-term damage to our national security and military readiness.
In my speech, I stressed an often overlooked point: General Soleimani was killed in Iraq, not Iran. He was with another known terrorist driving to meet militia members who recently fired rockets at Americans – killing an American contractor with rocket fire – and tried to storm our embassy, which is sovereign United States territory.
Whether through an existing Authorized Use of Military Force or the War Powers Act, President Trump was well within the legal bounds to take action against a known terrorist sitting in Iraq plotting attacks against the United States. It would have been culpable negligence to not act.
President Trump Signs Phase One Trade Deal with China
On Wednesday, I visited the White House for the signing ceremony of the "Phase One" trade deal with China. This is a major victory for the United States and for North Dakota, and it was a privilege to attend.
The deal includes China committing to purchase $200 billion of American products over two years, which is an average of $40 billion annually for agricultural goods, while also pledging to stop intellectual property theft and currency manipulation. I thank President Trump for fighting tirelessly to deliver trade deals that are good for North Dakota’s producers and put American interests first.
📸Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour
Protecting Students' Commutes to School
Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and I introduced bipartisan legislation to make pedestrian and bicycle safety projects targeting high school students who walk or bike to school eligible for federal support from the Department of Transportation.
The Safe Routes to School program empowers local education systems to make traveling to school safer, but it only applies to elementary and middle schools. In the highway bill Congress is considering, we included language amending this program to also provide funding for high schools. As we debate that legislation, our standalone bill raises awareness for this issue and, if passed, would help prevent tragic accidents for all students. Learn more about our legislation by watching the video below.
Space Force Chief Raymond Officially Sworn In
It was wonderful to have a front-row seat to history as General John Raymond was sworn in as the Space Force chief just days after his visit to North Dakota. I’m looking forward to working together as we stand up the Space Force. You can watch General Raymond's swearing in here.
Strengthening Chronic Disease Management Effort
I joined South Dakota Senator John Thune and Delaware Senator Tom Carper to introduce bipartisan legislation to ensure high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) cover certain chronic disease care prior to beneficiaries reaching their deductible.
High-deductible health plans help people avoid the burden of skyrocketing premiums and allow them to take greater ownership of their health care decisions. Our legislation builds on the Trump Administration’s work to provide greater health care access by making these plans a viable option for those with chronic conditions.
North Dakotans in Washington
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
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
Credits:
PC: North Dakota Tourism,