Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) delivered remarks this morning at the North Dakota Peace Officer Association’s annual meeting highlighting his continued support for the selfless men and women in the law enforcement community.
“It was a privilege to address the North Dakota Peace Officer Association this morning and reaffirm my support for the work they do to provide for the safety, security, and protection of rights of individuals and our communities. It is not lost on me how the thin blue line is vital for the safety of our communities in North Dakota, and yet, it is often a thankless job. It’s not just members of law enforcement who wake up every day and choose to protect and serve our communities, even as crime rates rise, but their families carry the burden as well. We cannot thank them and their families enough for their service and sacrifice, it does not go unnoticed,” said Senator Cramer.
During Senator Cramer’s remarks, he discussed about the ongoing Federal Tort Claim Act litigation between North Dakota and the United States relating to the costs incurred from the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests.
Background:
In July, Senator Cramer introduced a broad package to clarify and strengthen violent crime laws related to homicide, bank robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and other offenses with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA). The Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act resolves discrepancies brought on by conflicting court decisions and clarifies congressional intent regarding crimes of violence and their respective penalties.
He is a longtime supporter and co-sponsor of National Police Week. In May, the Senate unanimously adopted a Senator Cramer co-sponsored resolution marking National Police Week and reiterating support for the men and women in law enforcement. The resolution honored the 576 law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2021, including nearly 400 who died from COVID-19, as well as the 92 lost to date in 2022. Last year marked the most intentional killings of police since the September 11, 2001, attacks. In the face of an ongoing pandemic and rise in violent crime, law enforcement personnel continue to answer the call, serving their communities, often at great risk to themselves.
Senator Cramer has also called on the Biden Administration and the White House to work with Congress to develop a plan to combat the rise in crime and crisis at the southern border. “The President should work with Congress to develop and execute a strategy, drawing on the multiple instruments of power and resources of the United States to counter the rise in violent crime across the country by reinforcing strong criminal justice policies, by laying blame on the perpetrators of violent acts, and by securing the southern border,” stated the letter.