Press Releases

***Click here for audio.*** BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement on President Donald Trump releasing a new plan today to increase health care transparency:“Americans deserve more control over their health care and a clear, upfront understanding of the costs they will be charged. These new rules – including allowing a patient to know what their care is going to cost before they go to the doctor – are commonsense steps to make the health care... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issuing its second round of Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments today:“I am grateful President Trump and Secretary Perdue are providing these necessary payments and working to protect American agriculture from unjustified trade disruptions. We know the Trump Administration is looking out for our farmers and ranchers. I will continue monitoring this program to ensure this... CONTINUE READING

LINCOLN, ND – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Senate Banking committees, participated in an event today hosted by Wells Fargo and Military Warriors Support Foundation (MWSF) where veteran Joe Sielski was presented with the keys to a mortgage-free home.“While we can never fully repay our veterans for what they have given us, we should always try,” said Senator Cramer. “I was honored to participate in an event honoring Joe and his family. I... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) led a letter this week with Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) to Office of Management and Budget Director (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney and OMB Federal Procurement Policy Administrator Michael Wooten requesting information about the status of President Donald Trump’s efforts to build physical barriers along the southern border.“Our government is working with limited resources, and each dollar wasted on incompetent contracting procedures... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen Jim Inhofe (R-OK), yesterday introduced the Keep Our Communities Safe Act, with Sens. John Boozman (R-AR), Tom Cotton (R-AR), David Perdue (R-GA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Ted Cruz (R-TX). The legislation would close the legal loophole that requires immigration authorities to release back into the United States illegal aliens who have not been accepted for deportation to other countries after being detained for six months; a practice also referred to as "catch and... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement today regarding the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reducing their hours of operation at two North Dakota ports instead of three:“This is a positive step taken by CBP for the Maida port of entry, and I applaud them for responding to the concerns of residents in the area. However, their decision to reduce hours at the Antler and Carbury ports will affect those North Dakota communities, and I urge CBP to work with them... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement today after U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue welcomed Brazil’s implementation of an annual, duty-free tariff rate quota (TRQ) for wheat imports:“Wheat is a top commodity in North Dakota. I applaud President Trump and his Administration’s commitment to securing better market access for our producers. With the implementation of this... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – In association with World Diabetes Day, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) today introduced bipartisan legislation—along with Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and Roger Wicker (R-MS)—to create a national study to more fully understand the scope of the insulin affordability crisis in America. Earlier this year, Sens. Smith and Cramer introduced bold, bipartisan legislation to bring down the cost of... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced his support for S. Res. 411 today, a resolution condemning Democrats’ efforts to ban fracking and reaffirming state and tribal rights to manage their natural resources as they see fit.“These flippant proposals from Democrats are devoid of reality and would trample on states’ rights and tribal sovereignty. Oil and gas employs one in five North Dakotans and brings over $1.6 billion in revenue for our roads, bridges, and... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) member Kevin Cramer (R-ND) stressed North Dakota’s Air Guard priorities as he met with Air National Guard Director Lieutenant General L. Scott Rice today.“North Dakotans know the Happy Hooligans are the finest Air National Guard unit in the nation. I appreciate General Rice’s time to discuss their work and other priorities important to North Dakota’s Air Guard,” said Senator Cramer. “I’m... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) member Kevin Cramer (R-ND) delivered remarks on the Senate floor today urging House Democrats to focus on passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “While Senate Republicans want to provide for our national defense, House Democrats are spending today running a taxpayer-funded kangaroo court,” said Senator Cramer. “It is maddening to see the... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement on the public impeachment hearings House Democrats began today:“These hearings are pointless. Today’s political theater in the House of Representatives is nothing more than an outward demonstration of their inward motivation to remove President Trump from office since the day he was elected. Democrats’ one-sided impeachment process is producing no persuasive substance; their only accomplishment is further dividing our... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee member Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced today the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) published their notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply (ENDAWS) Project. This kicks off a year-long scoping and public comment process, concluding with a final record of decision. “This project is vital for North Dakota,” said Senator Cramer. “I... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for audio.*** FARGO – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) delivered welcoming remarks this morning at the Pioneer Equipment Dealers Association’s Inaugural Convention.“There is no comparison to a constituent meeting with an elected official. As we saw with writing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the advice and insight I receive from the members of this group is necessary and invaluable,” said Senator Cramer. “I encourage everyone to continue reaching out with ideas and... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for audio.*** FARGO – U.S. Senator and Senate Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Committee member Kevin Cramer (R-ND) delivered opening remarks at the United Patriotic Bodies’ Veterans Day ceremony today.“Today we reflect on what it means to be a free American and honor those who were willing to pay the ultimate price to protect our freedom,” said Senator Cramer. “I am deeply grateful to our veterans for their sacrifice and bravery.” The United Patriotic Bodies of the... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for audio.*** ARGUSVILLE, ND – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) participated in an agriculture roundtable with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary Bill Northey today as USDA approved the disaster designation for 47 North Dakota counties. “The Trump Administration cares about North Dakota. I appreciate Secretary Perdue for approving our farmers’ requests for more relief, as well as Under Secretary Northey for meeting with them and hearing... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate Budget Committee member Kevin Cramer (R-ND) today helped passed through committee S. 2765, the Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act, a bill he cosponsored to change the way Congress debates and passes a budget.“Congress’s budget system is broken,” said Senator Cramer. “These commonsense reforms supported by both sides of the aisle move us toward a more accountable, functional process.” Among other reforms, this bill would change the... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee member Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced at an EPW Committee hearing today he will cosponsor S.2662, the Growing American Innovation Now (GAIN) Act, a bill to reform the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) burdensome New Source Review (NSR) program.“One of my frustrations with NSR has always been what seems to be a perverse... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development (RD) awarded a grant of $114,000 to the Hettinger Area Chamber of Commerce. The USDA funds will be used to purchase equipment and renovate a building to establish a workforce development training center. The project will assist with the development of small and emerging businesses by providing a space for entrepreneurs and... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement on the Trump Administration’s Health and Human Services (HHS) ending regulations which violated the Constitutional rights of nonprofit organizations:“This is a win for supporters of the Constitution. It overturns overreaching regulations written by unelected bureaucrats violating the religious rights of nonprofit organizations, such as faith-based adoption agencies. I applaud President Trump and Secretary Azar... CONTINUE READING