President Trump Signs USMCA

Last week, President Trump signed the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement. Approving this deal ensures manufacturers, service providers, agricultural communities, and energy producers in North Dakota and across the country are able to operate on an equal playing field with some of our biggest trading partners and puts them in a better position to fulfill their missions. I thank President Trump and my colleagues in Congress for their tireless work to make this deal a reality.

Official White House Photo by D. Myles Cullen

I visited with The Daily Caller about why President Trump was uniquely prepared to deliver the USMCA and other trade victories for the American people.

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Introducing the "Unborn Child Support Act"

Life begins at conception. Our laws should reflect that truth, especially when it comes to helping mothers provide for the welfare of their children, which is why I introduced the “Unborn Child Support Act." This bill give mothers the ability to receive child support payments while they are pregnant. If we are going to be pro-life, we should be pro-all-of-life and ensure we give moms the support they need. 
 
The Unborn Child Support Act allows a court, in consultation with the mother, to award child support payments while the child is still in the womb and retroactively up to the point of conception as determined by a physician. Montana Senator Steve Daines, Mississippi Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn and Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe joined the bill as original cosponsors.

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Impeachment Update

During the second week of impeachment, we heard the conclusion of the President’s opening statement, asked questions of both teams, and voted to move to the conclusion of the trial. I joined Dana Bash on CNN prior to the Senate voting on whether to subpoena witnesses and documents. Throughout this entire trial, Democrats have failed to make the case for impeaching President Trump, and no witness would change that. We will vote on the articles of impeachment this coming Wednesday and finally put this behind us.

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Senate VA Committee Passes HBOT and Tribal Affairs Legislation

During a committee markup this week, the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs (VA) passed the “Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019.” This bill contains several provisions to improve mental health services for veterans, including an expansion of the VA’s research into Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).
 
I’ve witnessed firsthand the powerful difference Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can make for our veterans. Our legislation is a positive step. It advances the study of this treatment, which ought to create a pathway for more veterans to receive access to this care. If passed by the Senate, this legislation would authorize the Secretary of the VA to enter into public-private partnerships to research the effectiveness of HBOT, require the VA to use an objective test to measure the effectiveness of HBOT treatment, and commission a comprehensive review and study of HBOT, both within the VA and in outside organizations.
 
During the same hearing, the Senate VA Committee also advanced bipartisan legislation to establish a Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs. This committee would exist to provide guidance and information on issues and concerns specific to Native American Veterans. The victory of getting this language – creating a Tribal and Indian Affairs Advisory Committee for the VA – was very special.
 
In North Dakota, our Native Americans have the highest rate of military service of any ethnic group, and I think that’s true throughout our country. They’re some of the most patriotic people I know. This Committee would provide an opportunity for them to have even greater input into the issues and the policies of the VA, as well as giving them access to the leaders.

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"Never Again Act" Passes the House

Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen, Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal and I were pleased to see the passage of the House counterpart to our bipartisan, the "Never Again Education Act," which would establish dedicated federal funding to provide teachers with resources and training necessary to teach our students the important lessons of the Holocaust.

I'm grateful to the House of Representatives for recognizing the importance of educating the next generation about this terrible moment in history. Learning the lessons of the Holocaust helps ensure a tragedy such as this is never repeated. 

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Hashing It Out 

I sat down with Siraj Hashmi of the Washington Examiner to discuss trade, anti-Semitism and the ongoing impeachment trial of President Trump. Watch our full interview below.

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President Trump Proposes Middle East Peace Plan

President Trump offered a bold vision for a brighter future for Israel and the Palestinian people in his Middle East peace plan. Through his strong and effective leadership, the President has made significant progress toward bringing peace and prosperity to the region and our ally Israel. I hope world leaders are able to build on this momentum, and I urge each side to take their seat at the table to continue making important progress.

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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

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

Grand Forks
114 Federal Building
102 North 4th Street
Grand Forks, ND 58203
701-699-7030

Washington, D.C.
400 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
202-224-2043

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Weekly Radio and TV Schedule 

RADIO
What's On Your Mind      
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

TELEVISION
Chris Berg - Point of View
6:30 p.m. central (Semi-Monthly)
Valley News Live - Fargo

Blessings,

Kevin Cramer
U.S. Senator for North Dakota