August & September Newsletter
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Dear Friend, Even though the federal government is shut down, my team and I are busy working for you. Our offices in D.C. and North Dakota are open, and we’re here to help North Dakotans navigate federal agencies, answer questions, and continue advancing key policy priorities. Included in this newsletter are the latest updates regarding the shutdown and highlights from D.C. and district work over the past six weeks. I always appreciate hearing from you, so please reach out anytime to share your thoughts, questions, or concerns. |
| My Best, |
Julie Fedorchak
Member of Congress
On September 19th, House Republicans passed a simple non-partisan plan to continue funding the federal government until Nov 21. In government, this is called a clean Continuing Resolution (CR). This short-term measure simply extends current government spending levels—levels Democrats themselves enacted and supported in the past—while we complete work on the full slate of appropriations bills for the next fiscal year.
What should have been a straightforward, non-partisan exercise has become partisan only because Senate Democrats voted against a clean CR 7 times. This is the same funding extension they supported just six months ago—and passed 13 times under the Biden administration.
We passed this CR well ahead of the September 30th deadline to give the Senate plenty of time to act. The CR requires 60 votes to pass in the Senate. Because Republicans hold only 53 seats in the Senate, we could not complete this simple measure without support from Senate Democrats. Sadly, Senate Democrats have voted against passing the CR six times, creating a lapse in government funding and causing the government to shut down.
What are they asking for in exchange for their votes? A $1.5 trillion proposal that could:
Remove the modest 20-hour-per-week work requirements established in the Working Families Tax Cuts for able-bodied, working-age adults on Medicaid.
Restore taxpayer-funded free healthcare for illegal aliens.
Eliminate eligibility testing and safeguards to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicaid program.
Restore the one-size-fits-all minimum staffing mandate for nursing homes.
Repeal the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund, hurting hospitals and clinics in vulnerable communities.
Rescind border security measures passed through the Working Families Tax Cuts.
Quite honestly, this is not a serious policy proposal. And while it pains me to see these obvious political antics affecting our soldiers, Border Patrol, TSA agents, Capitol Police, and other federal workers, we cannot cave to such unreasonable demands that are bad for America. Republicans are unwilling to compromise on common sense. It is now up to Senate liberals to put politics aside, join us, and pass the clean CR to reopen the government.
In collaboration with the Bank of North Dakota, Governor Armstrong rolled out a new short-term, low-interest loan program for North Dakota residents and members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in our state who are furloughed federal government employees.
Disbursements of the individual’s base net pay for up to three months will be provided unless the federal government reinstates pay before that time. The loan program will not be available after federal government pay is reinstated. Click here to download the Furloughed Federal Employee Relief Program (FFERP) Fact Sheet. For more information, please click here.
Resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s Resource Management Plan for North Dakota passes the House: Background: In its very last week in office, the Biden administration finalized a reckless Resource Management Plan for North Dakota which ignored our state’s concerns. This plan would have locked up nearly 99 percent of North Dakota's federal coal acreage and blocked nearly half of our federally owned oil and gas acres from leasing and future development.
Solution: North Dakota should decide how to responsibly use our abundant natural resources. Last month, the House passed my legislation to repeal this harmful plan—protecting our jobs, our communities, and our state’s right to chart its own energy future. Last week the Senate, led by Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, followed suit. | |
Promoting Cross-Border Energy Infrastructure Act receives bipartisan support: The problem: Under current law, the permitting process for cross-border oil, gas, and electricity projects involves a mix of presidential permits, agency-specific procedures, and executive discretion, which has led to regulatory uncertainty, project delays, and in some cases, permit revocations—such as the Keystone XL pipeline. The solution: Last month, my legislation to establish a streamlined, predictable, and transparent process for approving cross-border energy projects passed the House with a bipartisan vote. This bill provides regulatory certainty for energy developers, protects critical infrastructure from political reversals, and strengthens the United States’ energy partnerships with Canada and Mexico. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act: The Working Families Tax Cuts Act has a long list of wins for everyday North Dakotans—from farmers and entrepreneurs to families and seniors. Check out how these policies benefit your neighbors: | |
Resolution to overturn “Once-In-Always-In” Rule:
North Dakota’s only brick manufacturing company, Hebron Brick, is thriving thanks to the repeal of the Biden administration’s “Once In, Always In” rule. This rule permanently classified certain industrial facilities as “major sources” of hazardous air pollutants, even if the facility took significant steps to reduce emissions below federal thresholds. Earlier this year, President Trump signed into law my commonsense legislation to reward innovation and repeal this burdensome regulation. Watch:
Strengthening North Dakota’s nuclear deterrence capabilities:
North Dakota plays a vital role in keeping our nation safe. The House passed the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act, which strengthens our nuclear deterrence, supports our service members, and restores accountability and focus to America’s defense mission. Among other things, this legislation:
Fully funds modernization of the Sentinel missile program at Minot Air Force Base
Prohibits any reduction to the ICBM fleet
Elevates Grand Forks Air Force Base’s mission within America’s space defense network
Provides a 3.8 percent pay raise for service members
Delivers long-overdue reforms to save taxpayer dollars while eliminating wasteful, politically driven programs
North Dakota Ag update:
North Dakota farmers want robust markets, lower credit and input costs, and fewer regulations—not government relief. Unfortunately, North Dakota farm families have been the target of China’s unfair trade practices and are experiencing a market disruption that is threatening their livelihoods.
While I fully expect President Donald Trump's negotiations to result in greater market access in the long term, I’m urging him and working with leadership on bridge payments to farmers this fall to address the trade and market disruptions.
This isn’t a long-term solution, but a necessary step this fall. North Dakota’s farmers feed and fuel the world. They deserve full support against China’s actions and greater certainty heading into the next crop year.
Additionally, we must double down on efforts to strengthen North Dakota agriculture in other ways:
Expanding domestic and international markets, including through the sale of year-round E-15 and growing domestic demand for biofuels.
Decreasing input costs that strain producers’ margins.
Modernizing credit access and financing tools for farm families.
Addressing federal land management issues that affect producers through the Landowner Easement Rights Act.
Completing the Farm Bill.
In case you missed it: Last month, Taiwan announced their commitment to purchase $10 billion of American agricultural products over three years, including soybeans, corn, wheat, and beef.
Making Coal Great Again:
Reliable baseload power comes from hardworking North Dakota energy producers, and the Trump administration recognizes their importance to our nation’s energy security.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and Under Secretary of Energy Wells Griffith announced major actions that expand coal leasing, modernize regulations, and strengthen our energy security at the “Advancing America’s Beautiful Clean Coal” event last month.
The reforms open 13 million acres for coal production, lower royalty rates, and provide $625 million in funding to modernize and recommission coal plants.
These actions will cut red tape, lower costs, and provide certainty for producers—helping protect jobs, strengthen reliability, and keep America competitive.
More North Dakota legislative priorities on our to do list:
- CABLE Expansion Act: Reliable broadband is a necessity for everyday Americans, especially in rural states like North Dakota. The CABLE Expansion Act eliminates overregulation and helps providers deploy and upgrade networks faster.
- Lowering home prices in North Dakota: The Biden administration’s federal energy code mandates have increased home prices by as much as $31,000 in North Dakota. The Energy and Commerce Committee is leading to reverse these mandates and bring down costs.
- Reducing energy costs: North Dakotans shouldn’t have to foot the bill for other states’ aggressive decarbonization goals. Your Congressional delegation urged FERC to correct a flawed formula that unfairly shifts billions in transmission costs onto North Dakotans and puts grid reliability at risk.
- Restoring law and order in Washington: America is the greatest country in the world. There’s no reason why our capital should have a violent crime rate higher than some of the most dangerous places on earth. The House passed a series of public safety bills that toughen sentences for violent offenders, lower the age threshold for trying juveniles as adults in serious cases, and roll back restrictions that prevent police from pursuing dangerous suspects.
- Strengthening America’s Borders: The House passed the Stop Illegal Entry Act to restore law and order at our southern border and protect American families. This bill imposes tougher penalties on migrants who repeatedly break U.S. immigration law and holds human traffickers accountable.
- In Rugby, the brand-new Heart of America Medical Center is delivering big results, thanks to a $50 million USDA Rural Development loan. This 25-bed critical access hospital, with 280 employees, 14 providers, and an always-full long-term care center, is a vital lifeline for the region and a model for rural health excellence.
- The Fargo VA Health Center earned a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. With tools like the Da Vinci surgical robot, improved scheduling, and faster claims processing, the team is delivering practical, high-quality care for America’s veterans.
Curious about rural health care reforms in the Working Families Tax Cuts plan? Check out this article in KFYR.
- At Camp Grafton, North Dakota is demonstrating how military training, industry expertise, and cutting-edge research can come together to protect America’s future. North Dakota’s leadership in UAS and C-UAS positions us well to lead in the next phase of national defense innovation, which is critical in today’s changing geopolitical landscape.
- Dickinson is home to some of the most innovative, entrepreneurial, and resourceful businesses in our state. Fisher Industries is building hundreds of miles of the southern border wall. Steffes is solving challenges in the electric, oil, and gas industries. And Brenntag supplies vital chemicals with a worldwide safety record. These small businesses show why strong infrastructure, affordable energy, and pro-growth policies are essential to keeping North Dakota’s economy leading the nation.
- Aldevron is a North Dakota success story rooted in innovation and service. What began in an NDSU lab in 1998 has grown into a company of more than 500 employees in Fargo serving clients in 53 countries. Their work is advancing cutting-edge cell and gene therapies that treat rare and genetic diseases. Aldevron is proof that research investments, reliable energy, and a strong American manufacturing base pave the way for breakthroughs.
- North Dakota businesses are the backbone of our communities both in terms of providing jobs and filling local leadership roles. We had a fantastic discussion with Minot Chamber members about the tax and regulatory relief provided by the Working Families Tax Cuts plan and other commonsense changes needed in Washington to better support Minot.
- The Northland Health Center provides effective, affordable, and comprehensive primary and preventive care to low-income and medically underserved communities across our state. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act’s Rural Health Transformation Fund will help health centers like the Northland Health Center.
- AI is both an incredible tool and the most powerful weapon of our time. The U.S. must lead in setting guardrails and building a responsible framework. That’s why discussions like the Midwest Technology Summit are so important. They ripple all the way to Washington and help shape policy decisions that reflect North Dakota’s values.
- In Hillsboro, local producers hosted a roundtable to talk about the challenges they’re facing, including grain storage, rising input costs, workforce shortages, and market uncertainty. Their ideas for reforming H-2A visas, expanding market access, and cutting red tape show the kind of common-sense problem solving that defines our state.
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- Steady progress is being made on the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion project, scheduled to provide permanent flood protection for the Fargo-Moorhead area by 2027. We appreciated the thorough update from Major Kyle Volk, resident engineer with US Army Corps of Engineers, Kris Bakkegard, FM Diversion Authority, and Dave Zavoral of R.J. Zavoral & Sons, one of the local contractors hired for the project.
- Collegiate sports are one of America’s most cherished traditions, but the current NIL framework has created an uneven playing field that can disadvantage smaller schools. At UND, leaders discussed how NIL has changed the landscape of college sports. Their insights have been especially helpful as we work through the Energy and Commerce Committee to advance commonsense, transparent reforms that preserve the integrity of college athletics and keep education at the heart of college sports.
- The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce members had great questions about trade, tax policy, health care, agriculture, immigration, and energy security. The ideas shared in rooms like these help shape better policy for North Dakota’s businesses and communities.
- Office hours and Fedorchak Forums are a great way to connect with North Dakotans, answer questions, and discuss key legislative priorities. Thank you to every North Dakotan who takes the time to join a Fedorchak Forum or meet during office hours, regardless of whether we agree or disagree on issues.
“It's about the harm... Families will be hurt. Farmers will be hurt… The ability of everyday Americans to visit their family, their friends, their loved ones will be impacted. Border security and border patrol agents will not be paid. TSA agents will not be paid. Small businesses will be hurt in every single community in this country.”- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), December 2024
“So let’s take a moment to talk about the people who are truly at the center of this story… It’s the service members who will work without a paycheck. It’s the firefighters that will be furloughed. It’s the early educators who will have to leave their classroom. It’s the moms and parents who will be left scrambling for childcare.” - House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA), September 2023
P.S. For more frequent updates, please sign up for our press releases and subscribe here to continue receiving this monthly newsletter. The next Fedorchak Forum will be in early November, click here for more information.