Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $1,898,824 to organizations in North Dakota to support substance abuse and mental health services, food and drug research, and addiction research. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced the following awards: $750,000 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance. $486,178 to the Three Affiliated Tribes (MHA Nation) to expand... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $675,000 to support opioid response efforts in two North Dakota tribal nations. The funding will help expand prevention, treatment, and recovery services to address the opioid crisis and support communities in North Dakota. The awards will be distributed as follows: $425,000 to the Turtle Mountain Tribe $250,000 to the Spirit Lake Tribe CONTINUE READING

***Click here for audio. Click here for video.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a Request for Information (RFI) today as it reviews the 2024 Biden-era drain tile setbacks rule. While the 2024 rule promised transparency and consistency for landowners, it did not deliver. North Dakota farmer Cody Peterson filed suit to block the federal government’s final rule. Drain tile systems are a critical tool for producers to reduce excess water and manage soil health... CONTINUE READING

Senators Worked with White House to Advance Nominee after Judge Erickson Assumed Senior Status, Secured Approval by Committee & Full Senate ** Click to download audio. Click here for video.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and John Hoeven (R-ND) today issued the following statements after U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor’s nomination to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit was approved by the U.S. Senate. “Well, I'm just really proud of my friend... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As North Dakotans know, the summer construction season means infrastructure projects are well underway across the state. Many of these projects are federally funded, but the permitting requirements differ depending on the transportation mode. One notable example is highway projects, which are allowed to use formula funding to purchase offsite buildings, such as maintenance yards or operations facilities, prior to completing a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review.... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $4,673,969 for the following initiatives across North Dakota to support Head Start, diabetes prevention and treatment, and opioid response: $3,668,086 to Mayville State University for Head Start and Early Head Start projects. $294,660 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to strengthen opioid response efforts. $218,449 to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians for diabetes prevention and treatment... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – Cannabis has been legalized in 42 states, but not federally. This legal disparity has created a haphazard regulatory environment for marijuana and cannabis-related businesses and services. Federal prohibitions conflict with state laws, leaving legal enterprise in limbo and requiring them to exist in the shadows, unable to access tools necessary for their success. For example, insurance companies wishing to serve cannabis-related businesses face... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has joined forces to improve care for Americans living with chronic pain. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), along with U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), introduced legislation strengthening federal research and giving clinicians better tools to diagnose and treat the condition. The Advancing Research for Chronic Pain Act directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify gaps in chronic pain research, including non-opioid... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced grants totaling $3,673,217 for the following two North Dakota programs: $2,146,647 to the University of North Dakota for research and training through the Translational Science Engaging North Dakota (TRANSCEND) initiative, a five-year project supporting biomedical research and workforce development emphasizing local healthcare applications. $1,526,570 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded $710,550 to the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs through the Highly Rural Transportation Grants (HRTG) program. The funding provides free transportation for veterans traveling to VA and VA-authorized health care facilities in eligible counties. Roughly 2.7 million veterans reside in highly rural areas across the country. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC),... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a $682,494 investment to support repairs across North Dakota following severe storms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds which struck the state June 20 to 21, 2025. The funding will support the following projects and recovery initiatives across the state: $348,287 to Northern Plains Electric Cooperative to fund wooden poles and electrical sub-assemblies repair or replacement. $334,207 to Nodak Electric Cooperative to... CONTINUE READING

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $6,444,244 for the following programs and initiatives across North Dakota: $4,043,996 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services to strengthen the state’s opioid response. $1,778,045 to North Dakota State University for biomedical research and training. $375,000 to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo to expand access to substance use disorder treatment and mental health services... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $9,457,000 to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Emerging Contaminants in Small and Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program. The funding will support North Dakota’s efforts to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in drinking water. CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) today considered the nomination of Lieutenant General Douglas Schiess to serve as the next Chief of Space Operations. If confirmed, Schiess, who previously served at Grand Forks Air Force Base from April 1993 to September 1995 in multiple missile operations roles, would become the third leader of U.S. Space Force, succeeding Gen. Chance Saltzman. During the hearing, U.S.... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $2,027,850 through the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to support two North Dakota recipients. The funding will expand access to substance use disorder treatment, strengthen prevention efforts, and improve mental health services across the state. The funding will be distributed to the following recipients: $1,250,000 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services $777,850 to the University of... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for audio. Click here for video.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee unanimously passed its Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 today. Enacted every two years, WRDA authorizes essential U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects. WRDA has a long history of bipartisan passage under regular order. This year’s bill includes authorization of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) drinking water and wastewater infrastructure... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement on the passing of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC): "I was shocked by the news about Senator Graham this morning. The man was a joy to serve with. I just can’t imagine going to work in the Senate without Lindsey. I’m so sad for his family and pray for them to feel God’s love as they mourn their loss. His counsel and savvy will be deeply missed in the Senate. Lindsey had a unique ability to navigate the biggest... CONTINUE READING

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Valley City is bringing its homefront history to life with the grand opening of a new World War II Heritage Trail and museum exhibit at the Barnes County Museum. The new additions come after a campaign by the Barnes County Historical Society to have Valley City named North Dakota’s World War II Heritage City—a campaign the North Dakota congressional delegation advocated for in a letter they sent to the National Park Service (NPS) in 2024. The NPS made the designation official... CONTINUE READING

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $282,000 to support flood risk mitigation efforts in Cavalier and Crystal. The funding includes: $144,000 to Cavalier for project scoping to identify potential flood risk reduction and mitigation activities. $138,000 to Crystal for project scoping to identify flood risk reduction solutions that address existing flooding challenges. CONTINUE READING

MINOT, N.D. – Leadership of one of America’s premier bomber wings officially changed hands today as Col. John Burrell assumed command of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base (AFB), succeeding Col. Jesse Lamarand during a change of command ceremony. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, conveyed his deep appreciation and respect to Lamarand for his leadership and service while congratulating Burrell as he takes command. “I’ve really... CONTINUE READING