Press Advisory: Dem-NPL View on the State of the State to be Delivered Tuesday

BISMARCK, ND — The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen will deliver the Dem-NPL’s State of the State perspective on Tuesday, January 5, at 3 p.m. (CT) after Gov. Burgum’s address. Her remarks will be given virtually and broadcast on Facebook Live.

Press who plan to attend virtually must RSVP by emailing [email protected] to request the meeting ID and passcode. Contact Alex Rohr at that address with any other questions.

Relief Deal: Dems Put Working Families First; GOP Secures Three-Martini Lunch

BISMARCK, ND — A COVID-19 relief bill passed the House and Senate last night after months of urging by Democratic lawmakers, who previously passed two bills that Sen. John Hoeven and Sen. Kevin Cramer refused to consider in the Senate. The latest bill includes a $600 relief payment for individuals as well as food aid and rent assistance at the behest of Democratic lawmakers who advocated for higher individual payments and support. It also included a three-martini lunch tax deduction after insistence by Republicans. A recent study shows the pandemic is exacerbating food and housing insecurity in North Dakota as working families struggle to pay for basic needs.

Funding for state and local governments, championed by House Democrats, did not make the final bill because Republicans refused to support it even as North Dakota ran out of money to help healthcare providers and other frontline workers who were promised help paying for COVID-19 medical bills. The Senate has declined to pass any meaningful COVID-19 relief legislation after the initial CARES Act passed in March. The last-minute vote came after the Senate sat on two bills passed by the Democratic-controlled House: one at $3.4 trillion in June and the other at $2.2 trillion October. 

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

“While working families worry about feeding their kids and making rent payments, Sen. Cramer and Sen. Hoeven held out for the three-martini lunch so New York CEOs can write off happy hour. While frontline healthcare workers were denied relief for COVID-19 medical bills, Sen. Cramer and Sen. Hoeven refused to act. Even if it’s last minute, we’re thankful to see a deal because North Dakotans who are struggling to feed their families, make rent, and keep their businesses open this winter needed compromise in Washington months ago. Working families, who remain amongst the hardest hit while still getting the least relief, need to see more proactive leadership in Congress moving forward.”

 

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Biden Officially President-Elect; Our Delegation Should Move Forward 

BISMARCK, ND — Today, members of the Electoral College gathered across the nation to officially name Joe Biden President-elect. The Supreme Court quickly dismissed the Trump campaign’s allegations last week in a baseless lawsuit supported by North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. The Trump team has lost more than 50 attempts to overturn the free and fair election because they have not produced a shred of evidence to support their claims.

For the sake of the nation and to encourage a peaceful transfer of power, North Dakota’s congressional delegation Sen. Cramer, Sen. Hoeven, and Rep. Armstrong must embrace Biden as president-elect.

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

“Our congressional representatives should already be working with the new administration for an America and North Dakota economy that works for all of us, especially in the middle of a public health and economic crisis. Instead, they’ve spent the last six weeks opposing the results of a free and fair election. Their failure to admit the obvious and to respect the will of voters nationwide will leave the United States and North Dakota weaker. They need to stop playing games and get to work.” 

 

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While Awaiting COVID-19 Results, Sen. Holmberg Attended Public Lunch

BISMARCK, ND — Sen. Ray Holmberg, who appears to have contracted COVID-19 during last week’s organizational legislative session, attended a public luncheon this week while awaiting his COVID-19 test results, according to a report in the Daily Beast. He received a positive result later that day. There was an option to participate in the lunch remotely.

Holmberg told the Daily Beast: “In hindsight, should I have gone? Probably not.” 

During the organizational session, several Republican members of the legislature fought against rules requiring a mask to protect elected officials, public workers, and the public from COVID-19. Some flouted the rule throughout the week.

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said: 

“So much for personal responsibility when Sen. Holmberg couldn’t even miss lunch to protect everyone else attending the event and the people who served and cooked their meals. It shouldn’t take hindsight to follow common sense and listen to what public health officials have been saying for months. The NDGOP has refused to take this deadly virus seriously from the beginning, and it’s costing lives and livelihoods. We sincerely hope he fully recovers and that no one he put at risk contracts COVID-19.” 

Rep. Karla Rose Hanson, District 44, said:

“I worry about the health of my colleagues – especially those with underlying conditions. The news of several positive cases resulting from last week’s meeting should bring home the importance of consistently wearing masks and staying home when sick.”
 

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Stenehjem to Waste Tax Dollars in Disgraceful Attack on Free and Fair Elections

BISMARCK, ND — Today North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem joined the lawsuit asking the Supreme Court to undo democracy in the United States. President Trump and his allies are 1-53 in post-election lawsuits as of Wednesday after repeatedly making baseless claims that entirely lack evidence or legal merit.

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

“U.S. courts have already thrown out more than 50 of these lawsuits for completely lacking evidence, unsubstantiated claims, and shoddy legal arguments. Along with putting his integrity as an attorney in serious doubt, joining this lawsuit undermines the foundation of the republic. How would North Dakotans feel if New York’s attorney general said our votes shouldn’t count? That’s what this is. No less. It’s a disgraceful attack on free and fair elections and will do lasting damage to the nation, not to mention waste North Dakota’s tax dollars.”
 

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Silence by Federal Delegation Threatens Democracy for Generations

BISMARCK, ND — North Dakota’s congressional delegation continues to ignore public requests about where they stand on the president’s refusal to concede, his baseless lawsuits, and whether they acknowledge the incoming Biden-Harris administration. The Washington Post surveyed every Republican member of Congress last week on three critical questions:

  • Who won the election?
  • Do you support or oppose Donald Trump’s continuing efforts to claim victory?
  • If Joe Biden wins a majority in the Electoral College, will you accept him as the legitimately elected president of the United States?

Sen. John Hoeven, Sen. Kevin Cramer, and Rep. Kelly Armstrong refused to respond. The president’s legal team is 1 and 48 in post-election litigation as of Monday afternoon while judges throw out their cases for entirely lacking evidence.

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

“It’d be easy to say their refusal to admit reality is a mockery of democratic and republican ideals on which the United States is founded. But it’s not a joke. Their actions will leave a lasting stain that our children will still be scrubbing. It’s hard to tell if they think it’s a political game, they’re afraid, or if they just don’t care. But it doesn’t help anybody to hide from the truth. Hoeven, Cramer, and Armstrong need to recognize President-elect Joe Biden, so we can move forward for North Dakota and as a nation.”

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Burgum Budget Misses Working Families; Shows Promise in Other Areas 

BISMARCK, ND — Gov. Doug Burgum today introduced a budget proposal that included an investment plan for Legacy Fund earnings, a $1.25 billion infrastructure bonding bill, a raise for some public employees, and reforms to Medicaid funding in North Dakota. One major hole in the spending plan is support for working families through paid family leave, childcare, and rental assistance, which would address some of the most pressing concerns for North Dakotans most affected by the pandemic while also supporting economic growth. The governor’s Legacy Fund plan and bonding plan are similar to those introduced by Dem-NPL leaders earlier this year.

Dem-NPL House Leader Josh Boschee said:

“There’s a lot to like in the governor’s budget, including a raise for public employees, although it needs to be across the board for public workers who have risen to incredible challenges this year. It’s great to see long-term planning for the Legacy Fund similar to the proposal we introduced to fix the legislature’s routine use of these earnings just to backfill the budget. The investments in entrepreneurs and research are important to diversify the economy, but we ultimately can’t meet this goal without comparable investments in working families through paid family leave and assistance for rent and childcare. A sprinkle of support in these few areas where the market struggles to meet demand would mean a world of independence for working families and create a strong base for the North Dakota economy.” 

Dem-NPL Senate Leader Joan Heckaman said: 

“As we said this summer, an infrastructure bonding plan will mean a strong investment in rural communities where we need to support economic growth. I’m going to research the proposed changes to Medicaid reimbursement and the effect on critical access hospitals in rural North Dakota, which were facing serious challenges even before the pandemic. What’s clearly missing in this budget, though, is support for childcare, which is a critical service for working families that keeps our economy moving. Working families face some dire choices, and with a modest investment, we can relieve a serious strain made worse by the pandemic.”

 

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Hoeven and Cramer Are Failing North Dakota and America on COVID-19 Relief 

BISMARCK, ND — Even in the lame duck session, the Republican-controlled Senate continues to ignore the most vital issue facing the United States: addressing the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis. The Senate has refused to pass any meaningful COVID-19 relief legislation after the initial CARES Act passed in March. The Democratic-controlled House passed two bills that the Senate failed to vote on, one at $3.4 trillion and the other at $2.2 trillion. The second version was roughly halfway between the Senate’s initial $1.1 trillion HEALS Act, which the chamber never passed.

The House bill included an extension of $600 unemployment payments as well as funding for state, local, and tribal governments facing unprecedented budget restraints. The support is particularly relevant in North Dakota as the promised Prairie Dog funding is no longer expected. The slimmed down HEROES Act would have also supported education and childcare, which not only help our children live as normal a life as possible, but make it feasible to keep the economy running. It included improvements and funding for the Paycheck Protection Program to support small businesses and their employees.

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

“North Dakota is the number one COVID-19 hotspot in the world. Workers are striking because they don’t have safe working conditions. Our hospitals have breached capacity, and our economy is teetering as the crisis deepens. Hoeven and Cramer won’t lose their taxpayer-funded paychecks. They won’t lose their government-funded health insurance, and they do not share in the economic threats the rest of us are facing as they refuse to address COVID-19. There’s often two sides to blame for gridlock in Washington. Not this time. If the death and suffering of North Dakotans is not enough for Hoeven and Cramer to do their jobs, what is?”

 

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Dem-NPL Candidate Files Supreme Court Motion to Intervene in District 8 Lawsuit 

BISMARCK, ND — The Democratic-NPL Party District 8 candidate Kathrin Volochenko filed a motion today to intervene in the Supreme Court proceeding regarding the District 8 House of Representatives seat in question after the death of David Andahl. The action was brought by Gov. Doug Burgum against Sec. of State Al Jaeger, the legislative assembly, Rep. Chet Pollert, chair of legislative management, and the District 8 GOP Committee. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Friday, November 20, at 9:00 a.m. 

Burgum announced a purported appointment to fill the seat just hours after Election Day ended, although the state legislature, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Dem-NPL agree that he does not have the authority to do so. But Andahl was not qualified to be elected after his widely publicized death. The result is that Volochenko, who received the next highest number of votes among qualified candidates for the second District 8 House seat, should be seated.

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said: 

“The governor has no authority to fill this seat, and he must not be allowed to buy or steal elected offices as it suits him. Kathrin Volochenko earned the next highest number of votes among candidates qualified for election, and therefore should be seated to represent District 8. The Supreme Court will have an opportunity to hear a well-rounded argument Friday.”

Kathrin Volochenko, Dem-NPL District 8 candidate, said:
 
“This is not how I would want to end up with a seat in the North Dakota House, but as the qualified candidate with the next highest number of votes for this seat, I look forward to representing all of District 8 and our whole community to the best of my ability.” 
 

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Dem-NPL Reps Stand with Legislature Against Burgum Power Grab, but Disagree on Final Result

 BISMARCK, ND — On Friday, Dem-NPL Legislative Management Committee members voted along with the NDGOP representatives in a unanimous vote to challenge the governor’s purported appointment in House District 8 after the untimely death of David Andahl, which was too late for him to be removed from the ballot. 

House Minority Leader Josh Boschee said: 
 
“It’s essential for us as legislators, regardless of party, to stand up for the proper role of the legislative branch and a fair balance of power in North Dakota. The governor has overstepped his authority, and it’s our duty to unify on those grounds, even if we don’t agree on the ultimate outcome as to who will be seated in District 8. The governor does not get to pick and choose the legislature.” 
 
Dem-NPL Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:
 
“We agree with the legislature that the governor has no authority to make this appointment, but we also agree with the governor that David Andahl was not qualified to be elected after his untimely death. As the qualified candidate with the next highest number of votes, Kathrin Volochenko should be seated as the House member for District 8. The governor tried to buy the seat in the primary, now he’s just trying to steal it when he should be focused on saving lives and livelihoods after his dismal COVID-19 response. We are consulting attorneys to determine the best path forward.”

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Biden-Harris Win, NDGOP Hold Anti-Democratic Protest

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

With record turnout across the nation, Americans sent a resounding message that we are committed to building a country that works for all of us. President Biden will live and govern by his words on the campaign trail, that he is a proud Democrat, but will be a president for all Americans. We are eager to work with this administration and anyone looking out for the best interests of North Dakotans.

The election of Sen. Kamala Harris as Vice President is an exciting and historic moment for women, for people of color, and for our nation. Her leadership and example will inspire us for generations to come.

Today, Sen. Cramer, Sen. Hoeven, and Rep. Armstrong make a dangerous statement by rallying in support of President Trump as he spews explicitly unproven attacks against election integrity across the nation. Their blatant disregard for the constitutional right of every American to make their voice heard at the ballot box is dastardly at worst and cowardly at best.

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NDGOP Leaders Must Condemn the President’s Attempt to Invalidate Ballots

BISMARCK, ND — As votes continue to be counted across the country, President Trump gave a speech tonight stating, without any evidence at all, that normal ongoing vote counting would “steal the election” from him. The president said he did not think “late votes” should be counted, which would mean legally cast North Dakota ballots that are still in the mail would not be counted.

North Dakota’s election rules, similar to those in several states, allows any vote postmarked by Nov. 2 and delivered in time for the official canvass on Nov. 9 to be valid. In several states, mail-in ballots were counted last unlike North Dakota that counted them first. 

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said: 

“The president’s attacks on routine and legal vote counting are deeply troubling, and we urge leaders across the aisle to join the bipartisan call that all ballots be counted in every state. Both Republicans and Democrats across the country have called out the president’s remarks as threatening the integrity of the voting process. Sen. Hoeven, Sen. Cramer, Rep. Armstrong and Gov. Burgum must condemn the president’s dangerous and baseless claim.”

 

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