Thursday - October 31, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving North Dakota Newsletter for Sunday May 19, 2024 ( 20 items )  

ARMSTRONG, HOEVEN LEAD BICAMERAL LEGISLATION TO BLOCK BIDEN EPA MATS RULE
WASHINGTON, May 17 -- Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: Congressman Kelly Armstrong, a Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Armstrong today introduced bicameral legislation to block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing its new Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS) rule. The Biden administration's MATS rule imposes costly and ove  more

Army Corps Work Plan Allocates $27 Million for Projects in North Dakota
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) announced its Fiscal Year 2024 work plan, which allocates more than $27 million to support infrastructure projects, operations, and maintenance across the state of North Dakota. The FY 24 work plan specifically includes $2,850,000 for the City of Mott's Water and Sewer System Improvement Project under the Army Corps Section 594 Program. "The 594 program un  more

Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Repeal Biden Administration's Arms Embargo on Israel
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: * * * Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Repeal Biden Administration's Arms Embargo on Israel Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, legislation that would force the Biden administration to send critical weapons to Israel. The bill comes after President Biden announced that his administration would withhold certain weapons from Israel if it conducted a   more

Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Repeal Tax on Certain Firearm Purchases
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: * * * Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Repeal Tax on Certain Firearm Purchases Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises (RIFLE) Act, legislation that would remove a burdensome tax imposed on firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (  more

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Votes to Further Socialize Cost of Transmission Projects
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: BISMARCK - The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted today on its transmission planning cost allocation rule. In a 2-1 decision, the Commission adopted Order 1920 with Commissioner Mark Christie dissenting. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ranking Member of Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, released the following statement: "The ru  more

Hoeven Honors Fallen ND Officers on National Peace Officers Memorial Day
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: On National Peace Officers Memorial Day, Senator John Hoeven paid tribute to Fargo Police Officer Jake Ryan Wallin and Mercer County Deputy Paul Steven Martin, North Dakota peace officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2023. Additionally, Sheriff Charles McCarthy whose death in 1874 was recently discovered by the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department was recognized at this year's event. Hoeven  more

Hoeven Presses Army Corps Leaders to Issue Final Approval for DAPL
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: At a hearing of the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Committee this week, Senator John Hoeven pressed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leaders to complete the environmental impact statement (EIS) process for the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) as soon as possible. The senator: Stressed the pipeline's more than six years of safe operations, due to it having the latest technology and safeguards  more

Hoeven, Armstrong Lead Bicameral Legislation to Block Biden EPA Mats Rule
WASHINGTON, May 17 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Congressman Kelly Armstrong today introduced bicameral legislation to block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing its new Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS) rule. The Biden administration's MATS rule imposes costly and overly-stringent Obama-era regulations on coal-fired electric power plants   more

Hoeven, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Strike Down Unconstitutional ATF Rule
WASHINGTON, May 17 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: Senator John Hoeven and 41 Senate Republicans introduced a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), led by U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), to block the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) rule on the definition of "Engaged in the Business" as a Dealer in Firearms, which disregards the law and congressional intent and violates  more

Hoeven: City of Mott Receives Nearly $3 Million for Water & Sewer Updates in Army Corps' FY24 Work Plan
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 work plan includes $2.85 million for the City of Mott, North Dakota to update its sewer and water system. The city will use the funds to replace vitrified clay-tile pipe (VCP) and asbestos cement pipe (ACP) sewer mains that were installed between the 1920s and 1960s and are beyond their operational life. As a   more

Hoeven: DOD Should Leverage North Dakota Expertise in Developing Counter-UAS Technologies
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: At a hearing of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee this week, Senator John Hoeven outlined the opportunity for the Department of Defense (DoD) to partner with the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry in North Dakota to develop more cost-effective methods for countering adversaries' use of drone technology. The senator highlighted recent drone attacks against Israel and Ukraine, where Iran and R  more

National Park Service Awards $254,625 to Tribes in North Dakota
WASHINGTON, May 17 -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) announced the award of $254,625 to tribes in North Dakota through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program. The award will be distributed to the following projects in North Dakota: $167,875 to Spirit Lake Tribe for the construction of an outdoor recreation support building $86,750 to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians   more

ND Delegation: USPS to Pause Mail Processing Changes for Grand Forks, Bismarck Until After January 2025
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer and Representative Kelly Armstrong today announced that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has agreed to pause the implementation of the U.S. Postal Service's (USPS) Mail Processing Facility Review (MPFR), including proposed changes to processing in Grand Forks and Bismarck, until after January 1, 2025. "We are pleased that the Postal Service has agreed to our request to  more

NEA Awards $933,513 to the North Dakota Council on the Arts
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced the award of $933,513 to the North Dakota Council on the Arts. This award will support art programs, services, and activities associated with carrying out the agency's NEA-approved strategic plan. *** Original text here: https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/nea-awards-933513-to-the-north-dakota-council-on-the-arts  more

Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Senators Cramer and Klobuchar's Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: ***Click here to download audio*** The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act today. The bill expands access to benefits for the families of first responders who pass away from cancer caused by carcinogen exposure throughout their service. This bipartisan legislation, which was first introduced by U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) last year, would   more

Senator Cramer Delivers National Police Week Floor Speech, Honors Fargo Police Officer Zachary Robinson
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: ***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) delivered remarks on the Senate floor today to commemorate National Police Week and honor TOP COP award recipient Fargo Police Officer Zachary Robinson. Officer Robinson received this award in recognition of his heroism and bravery last summer when officers with the Fargo Police Department were ambushed while investiga  more

Senator Cramer Presses U.S. Navy Leadership on Department's Misplaced Priorities, Flat Budget
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: ***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing today on the posture of the Department of the Navy in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2025 and the Future Years Defense Program. During the hearing, members heard testimony from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franch  more

Senators Cramer, Shaheen Introduce Legislation to Fulfill Promise of Housing Loan Eligibility for Members of the National Guard and Reserves
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: Enacted on January 5, 2021, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 expanded eligibility for the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) home loan program to servicemembers in the National Guard and Reserves who perform "full-time National Guard duty" for at least 90 days. Following the law's enactment, reservists and members of the National Guard   more

Senators Introduce Resolution of Disapproval on ATF's Oppressive Gun Control Rule
WASHINGTON, May 17 -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: BISMARCK - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) announced its final "Engaged in the Business" rule, establishing an unlawful reinterpretation of what classifies a firearms dealer under federal law. Upon implementation, this burdensome and costly rule would infringe upon the Second Amendment freedoms of lawful gun-owning Americans and firearms dealers.U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R  more

Sens. Rick Scott & Tom Cotton Introduce Bill to Repeal Biden Administration's Arms Embargo on Israel
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, issued the following news release: Today, Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Tom Cotton to introduce their Israel Security Assistance Support Act, legislation that would force the Biden administration to send critical weapons to Israel. The bill comes after President Biden announced that his administration would withhold certain weapons from Israel if it conducted a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah in Gaza where Hamas, which is still holding A  more