Press Releases

***Click here for media resources.*** HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA – Each year, global defense leaders from more than 80 countries gather in Nova Scotia, Canada, for the Halifax International Security Forum (HFX). Framed around the themes of “Dialogue, Decency, Democracy,” the 2025 forum showcases the United States’ commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the strength of the U.S.-Canada partnership, and collective security challenges facing democratic allies around the... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Across North Dakota and the nation, adoption advocates recognize November as National Adoption Month. To celebrate, the National Council For Adoption (NCFA) held its Adoption Hall of Fame ceremony to honor individuals “who have made significant contributions to building a culture that supports all members of the adoption constellation.” NCFA awarded U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) with the Friend of Adoption Award to recognize his commitment and contributions to the cause of... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Across the United States, more than 100,000 children in foster care are waiting to be adopted. For many, adoption provides children the stability of a permanent home and the opportunity they need to thrive. To encourage families throughout the nation to consider adoption, U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chairs of the Senate Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA), passed a resolution designating Nov. as National Adoption Month and Nov. 22 as... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) will join a bipartisan group of senators in attending the Halifax International Security forum (HFX) this weekend in Nova Scotia, Canada. Cramer is the chair of the Airland Subcommittee on the Senate Armed Services Committee and is the Republican lead on both the American Canadian Economy and Security Caucus and the Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group. The forum provides an opportunity to showcase the United States’ commitment to the North... CONTINUE READING

*** Click here for media resources.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – General Ken Wilsbach formally assumed responsibility of serving as the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff on Tuesday during a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews. As the 24th Air Force Chief of Staff, he oversees 665,000 active, guard, reserve, and civilian personnel, and sets the strategic direction for force modernization and global operations. General Wilsbach previously served as the Commander of Air Combat Command (ACC), which operates more... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced it approved North Dakota's final proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which was a product of the fully-paid-for-Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Approval of North Dakota’s proposal makes it one step closer to being the first state in the nation to be 100% connected with reliable, high-speed internet. “Not only does approval of... CONTINUE READING

Bolsters National Security, Supports Veterans, Farmers, and Ranchers ***Click here to download audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – After 41 days of gridlock, the United States Senate voted 60 to 40 to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and extend current funding through the end of January 2026. The measure advanced after eight Senate Democrats voted alongside Republicans to move the package forward, which includes three Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills supporting military... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – By a vote of 60 to 40, the U.S. Senate voted to proceed to an appropriations package, bringing Congress one step closer to ending the longest-lasting government shutdown in history. Late hour negotiations delivered five additional Democrats, securing the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture. Three Democrats had voted with Republicans during the previous 14 attempts. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) credited the progress to President Donald Trump’s engagement over the past few... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing to consider the nominations of Timothy D. Dill to be Assistant Secretary of War for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; Dr. Maurice L. Todd to be Assistant Secretary of War for Readiness; Michael Payne to be Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE); and Alexander J. Velez-Green to be Deputy Under Secretary of War for Policy. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing to consider the nomination of Vice Admiral Rich Correll to be Admiral and Commander of United States Strategic Command (STRATCOM). As STRATCOM Commander, Vice Admiral Correll would be responsible for strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, global strike, nuclear command, control, and communications enterprise operations, joint electromagnetic spectrum... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Democrats voted against the Shutdown Fairness Act today, blocking pay for federal employees who are required to work during government shutdowns. The bill, introduced by U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), would have paid Coast Guard and active duty service members, air traffic controllers, Border Patrol agents, federal contractors, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, federal law enforcement officers, and excepted employees in the legislative and judicial... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. – Amtrak announced it has spent over $30 million to complete work at five North Dakota train stations for accessibility upgrades and improvements. These improvements bring the five stations into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is still delivering for North Dakota,” said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. “It’s great to see... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Democrats blocked consideration of a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government 10 times and have pivoted to obstructing the passage of individual appropriations bills. Today, Senate Democrats voted against taking up the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Defense Appropriations Act. This key bill would have supported service members and their families, funded military readiness efforts, strengthened the defense industrial base, and... CONTINUE READING

Announces Grand Forks Air Force Base as Home of the New Point Defense Battle Lab WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) addressed attendees virtually at the 19th annual Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Summit and Expo in Grand Forks today. This is a gathering of policymakers and industry leaders from around the world who discuss the regulatory, economic, and technological events in the unmanned aerial system industry. Due to the ongoing government shutdown, both Cramer and his guest,... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of 77 to 20, including U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar’s (D-MN) Servicemembers’ Credit Monitoring Enhancement Act. The annual bill, which passed the House in September, will now be negotiated by the House and Senate to reconcile differences. The provision requires the expansion of free credit monitoring for all service members and their families, including... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download audio.** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate passed legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to ensure all first responders who die or become disabled due to service-related cancers are covered under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program. While the program recognizes those who made the ultimate sacrifice due to 9/11-related cancers, it does not cover other first responders who lose... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – By a vote of 77 to 20, the United States Senate passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), authorizing more than $900 billion in FY26 for defense-related initiatives. The annual bill accelerates the rebuilding of the United States’ arsenal of democracy by reforming the Pentagon’s budgeting and acquisition process to spur innovation, returning the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to its warfighting mission, and... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing today to discuss the nomination of General Ken Wilsbach, former Air Combat Command (ACC) leader and fighter pilot, to be the 24th U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff. Upon confirmation, General Wilsbach will be responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 689,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving both in the United States and... CONTINUE READING

Resolution Now Advances to President Trump For Signature ***Click here for media resources*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate voted today to pass a Congressional Review Act (CRA) Joint Resolution of Disapproval to overturn the Biden-era Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Management Plan (RMP) for North Dakota. Under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the BLM must adopt RMPs to govern how the agency will manage its acreage. In North Dakota, the BLM is the landlord of 58,500... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded $9,413,942 to the North Dakota Department of Transportation through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Emergency Relief (ER) Program. The FHWA’s ER Program provides grants to repair eligible roads, bridges, and infrastructure after natural disasters such as flooding. CONTINUE READING