Press Releases

WASHINGTON – The Lignite Energy Council and the National Rural Electric Cooperative (NRECA) filed a Petition for Review in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS). This petition is the initial step in filing litigation. The MATS rule, finalized at the end of April, will tighten the emission standards of mercury and non-mercury metals for existing lignite-fired power plants. Since 2010, mercury... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden issued an executive order on Tuesday in an effort to address the crisis at the southern border. After the announcement, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement on the executive order: “This executive order is a stunt. The American people have not forgotten how this mess was created: Joe Biden axed the successful Trump policies and invited millions of illegal immigrants. When he facilitated this influx, he and his administration refused to... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule last month, mandating minimum staffing levels at long-term care (LTC) facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which includes community facilities serving veterans. U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Angus King (I-ME), members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), sent a letter to Secretary Denis McDonough, highlighting the anticipated negative effects of the rule on access... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for media resources.*** FARGO – In her first visit to the state with the highest percentage of citizens with Norwegian heritage, Norway’s Ambassador to the U.S. Anniken Krutnes spent the day in Fargo on Friday. Krutnes was invited to North Dakota by U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), to highlight the state’s Norwegian heritage and economic strength, and discuss defense and national security policies between the two countries. During a luncheon at the Fargo Sons of Norway Kringen... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $4,431,195 to Minot Public School District 1. The funds will support Head Start and Early Head Start programs, which promote early childhood learning, health, and development initiatives, as well as family and community support services. CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $1,000,000 to the University of North Dakota (UND) to its Dakota Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program. This program supports enhanced care delivery for older adults and helps primary care teams develop age and dementia-friendly practices. Earlier this year, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) led the North Dakota delegation in sending a letter of support for UND’s application to the Administrator of the... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download audio.*** BISMARCK – Norway’s Ambassador to the U.S. Anniken Krutnes will visit North Dakota this week for the first time to celebrate the rich history shared by North Dakota and Norway, and the strong partnership that has proven integral to both the U.S. and the Nordic country. Senator Cramer will host Ambassador Krutnes in Fargo on Friday, May 31, with events showcasing the state’s Norwegian heritage and economic strength, while advancing discussions regarding defense... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a contract announcement of $23,893,746.95 to PWS, Incorporated for construction of the Southern Embankment Reach SE-4, in support of the Fargo-Moorhead Area Flood Risk Management Project. Construction on this project is expected to be completed on September 30, 2027. The funding for this contract was delivered by the fully paid-for 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and follows the Army Corps’ contract announcement of $23 million to R.J.... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – Thousands of Americans struggling with rare and life-threatening diseases are stuck waiting for new cures to make their way through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) arduous approval process. This unfair delay often leaves patients with terminal or untreatable diagnosis with no options. But by creating conditional pathways to expedite treatment options, barriers to timely care can be safely reduced for those who cannot afford to wait. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK — Last month, North Dakota was joined by Montana, Texas, and Wyoming in filing a lawsuit in North Dakota Federal District Court challenging a rule finalized by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) which establishes a new royalty on flared gas, institutes monthly limits on allowable flaring, and adds new application requirements for operators regarding their ability to capture natural gas before obtaining a drilling permit. The states filed for preliminary injunction today in an effort to... CONTINUE READING

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $2,404,467 in discretionary funding for Head Start and Early Head Start projects in North Dakota. The funding will be distributed to the following programs and initiatives: $1,308,890 to Community Action Partnership, located in Dickinson. $1,095,577 to Community Action Region VI, located in Jamestown. The funds will support Head Start and Early Head Start programs. These programs promote early childhood learning,... CONTINUE READING

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) awarded several new contracts on Tuesday, including a single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a ceiling of $60,184,023 to United Crane and Excavation Inc., located in Grand Forks, N.D. The contract provides a streamlined means to complete a broad range of maintenance, repair, design, and paving projects at Grand Forks Air Force Base. The projects are expected to be completed by May 27, 2029. CONTINUE READING

ICYMI: Sen. Cramer Op-Ed: America Needs Transmission BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) penned an op-ed in the Washington Times discussing the need for increased transmission capacity and permitting reform for all linear infrastructure. He highlighted the debate over cost allocation and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s recently finalized regulation, which co-opts “citizens into paying for green states’ renewable energy transmission projects they do not need and will not... CONTINUE READING

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the award of $6,699,135 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. This grant will be used for the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program, which supports community inclusion of individuals with disabilities. CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON — In the wake of record illegal border crossings at the U.S. southern border, fostered by the Biden administration’s disastrous immigration policies, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) refiled legislation that had already failed with bipartisan opposition. The U.S. Senate voted against taking up the legislation by a vote of 43-50 today. A nearly identical bill failed in February by a vote of 49-50.  After voting against taking up the bill, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)... CONTINUE READING

Water Resources Development Act, National Dam Safety Program Reauthorization, GSA Disposal Process Tribal Parity Act, and FASTA Reform Act ***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON – The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee marked up and passed four of U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer’s (R-ND) bills during today’s committee meeting. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), the General Services Administration Disposal Process Tribal Parity Act, the Federal... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download audio.*** WASHINGTON – News outlets across North Dakota have been negatively impacted by surging postal rates and deteriorating service by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). This has resulted in financial hardships for newspapers and other media outlets, as well as loss of timely access to local news and information for citizens, especially in rural areas. USPS recently announced another round of rate increases for news outlets, which will take effect in July, while... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON – The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing today to hear testimony on the Department of Defense’s space-related activities in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2025 and the Future Years Defense Program. During the hearing, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), who was instrumental in the creation of the Space Force, questioned the witnesses on how to ensure entities like... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) announced a FY 2024 award of $27,447,361 for tribes in North Dakota to improve and strengthen water infrastructure. This funding was provided by the fully-paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, helped craft and negotiate. “From improving water intake systems to rebuilding storage tanks,... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – Norway’s Ambassador to the U.S., Anniken Krutnes, will visit North Dakota later this month at the invitation of Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) to celebrate the rich history shared by North Dakota and Norway, and the strong partnership that has proven integral to both the U.S. and the Nordic country. The Senator will host Ambassador Krutnes in Fargo on May 31. In addition to Fargo, the Ambassador will also visit other North Dakota communities.“I look forward to welcoming Ambassador Krutnes... CONTINUE READING