Press Releases

***Click here for media resources.*** GRAND FORKS, N.D. – During a meeting with University of North Dakota (UND) faculty on Thursday, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and the team from Space Development Agency (SDA) highlighted SDA’s latest investments in Grand Forks. UND is an innovation hub and essential piece of the defense ecosystem in the Grand Forks community and North Dakota. Cramer and SDA’s meeting with school faculty centered on workforce development and the educational initiatives... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download media resources. Click here for photos.*** GRAND FORKS, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) flipped the switch on Wednesday to bring the Space Development Agency (SDA) Operations and Networking Center at the Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB) online. The center will support the agency’s Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) tracking and transport satellite missions. The first tranche of satellites is expected to launch late this year or early 2025. “I am honored to flip the switch... CONTINUE READING

Optimistic about the Future of the Grand Forks Air Force Base ***Click here to download media resources. Click here for photos.*** GRAND FORKS, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined a meeting with Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski and committee members to discuss strategies for base retention and enhancement at the Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). Cramer, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), discussed ways the community can enhance the support network provided to... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the award of $3,088,705 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. This grant will provide funding for the Money Follows the Person program, which supports community inclusion of individuals with disabilities. CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Education announced the award of$2,285,395 to North Dakota tribal nations under the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program. The funding will be distributed to the following tribes:  $966,149 to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.  $671,442 to the Spirit Lake Tribe.  $647,804 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program provides vocational rehabilitation services to American... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – T he National Science Foundation (NSF) announced an award of $443,325 to North Dakota State University (NDSU) and the University of North Dakota (UND). The NSF announced a total of $425,094 to NDSU. The funding will be distributed to the following programs and initiatives: $236,193 to fund the acquisition of an advanced ultrasound platform for collaborative research in fluid and material science. $188,901 to support efforts to address the existing gap in rural science, technology,... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***  BISMARCK, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced he will be meeting with officials from the Space Development Agency (SDA) and University of North Dakota (UND) this week to talk about three new efforts of collaboration on educational opportunities and workforce development. The first is an Educational Partnership Agreement between SDA and UND. This agreement will permit SDA to loan defense laboratory equipment, transfer... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** BISMARCK — Employees of Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National Railway (CN), represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, voted in June to authorize a strike for railway workers in Canada. The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ruled last week that any resulting work stoppage would not cause an immediate threat to public health and safety, clearing the way for a work stoppage as early as August 22.   On... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the award of $51,000 to North Dakota State University (NDSU). This funding will allow the university to develop and maintain a comprehensive pesticide applicator program addressing all aspects of pesticide applicator certification, training, and outreach and education. CONTINUE READING

***Click here for media resources.*** FARGO – The North Dakota Peace Officers Association’s (NDPOA) annual conference is underway in Fargo, gathering law enforcement officers from across the state to acknowledge their service and honor those who have fallen in the line of duty. The NDPOA has a history dating back to 1911, evolving from the Sheriffs’ Association to become a unified voice for the entire criminal justice system in North Dakota. During this year’s NDPOA conference, U.S. Senator... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced tech billionaire and defense entrepreneur, Palmer Luckey, will be his guest at this year’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Summit and Expo in Grand Forks, Oct. 8 and 9. Luckey is best known for founding Oculus VR and designing the Oculus Rift, a virtual reality head-mounted display, when he was 20 years old. At age 22, he sold the company to Meta for $2 billion in cash and stock. His most recent defense start-up is now turning heads and... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $431,400 to North Dakota State University as part of the Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for the Undergraduate-Focused Institutions program. This program supports projects with an emphasis on providing biomedical research experiences for undergraduate students and enhancing the research environment at applicant institutions. CONTINUE READING

***Click here for media resources.*** MEDORA - U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) participated in a beam signing ceremony on Wednesday to mark the significant progress on the construction of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora. Construction began in the summer of 2023 and the library is slated to open in 2026.  “It’s hard for me as a former tourism director to exaggerate the impact the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will have,” said Cramer. “You cannot overstate the... CONTINUE READING

Project on Schedule for 2025 Visitors ***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** ***Click here for media resources*** MEDORA – For the past five years, a six-mile section of the South Unit Scenic Loop Drive in Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) has been closed as the result of sinkholes and landslides, which eroded the road and made it impassable for residents and visitors. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) visited the park on Wednesday to see the progress on reconstruction... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the award of $6,699,627 through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for projects at several airports across North Dakota. The funding will be distributed to the following locations: $3,963,337 to Hector International Airport $1,086,796 to North Dakota to update its state and regional system plan $481,761 to Robert Odegaard Field Airport $450,000 to Mandan Regional Airport - Lawler Field $365,573... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for media resources.*** BISMARCK – The Bismarck Memory Cafe, a resource support group for those with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia and their loved ones, meets every month for fellowship and resource sharing, and features guest speakers to share their knowledge and experience with this disease. Alzheimer's affects more than 13,000 North Dakotans, with 19,000 unpaid caregivers shouldering the responsibility of care. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) spoke at the Bismarck... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for audio.*** BISMARCK — The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Biden administration’s attempt to ban pistol braces is “arbitrary and capricious.” On Friday, the court found the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) rule lacked clear standards, making it nearly impossible for law-abiding citizens to determine whether their firearms were in compliance with these regulations. The Eighth Circuit’s ruling reversed U.S. District Court of North Dakota Judge... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for audio*** BISMARCK – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its final resource management plan (RMP) for North Dakota on Thursday. BLM’s final RMP will restrict access to coal and oil reserves under federal ownership, cutting energy development and harming the state by reducing revenues. Previously, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led the North Dakota Congressional delegation in writing a letter to BLM... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) today announced the award of $5,000,000 to the University of North Dakota’s (UND) Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC). This funding will allow the EERC to leverage the experience gained through past and ongoing efforts to build a Williston Basin partnership by providing technical assistance to project developers, regulators, and community stakeholders.  UND’s EERC was selected as... CONTINUE READING

CASSELTON – The North Dakota Soybean Processors (NDSP) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of its new facility in Casselton. NDSP, a joint venture between Japanese owned CGB Enterprises Inc. and Minnesota Soybean Processors, said the new facility is expected to crush 42.5 million bushels of soybeans in the first year and create 50 to 60 new jobs once fully operational. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) attended the ribbon-cutting and delivered remarks on the... CONTINUE READING