Press Releases

BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded a total of $1,541,799 to Cankdeska Cikana Community College. These funds are distributed through the Head Start Indian Grants program, which promotes early childhood learning, health, and development initiatives, as well as family and community support services. CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – Across the United States, counties which grapple with frequent severe snowstorms can only receive assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) if the National Weather Service (NWS) determines it received a record or near record 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day snowfall. As defined by the NWS, a “day” refers to a full calendar day, “which is consistent with first-order climate records. Measurable snowfall (at least 0.1 inches) had to fall on 2 (3) consecutive days in order for... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** BISMARCK – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, joined Larry Kudlow, Steve Moore, and Taylor Riggs on Fox Business. They discussed potential Federal Reserve interest rate actions and the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent efforts to effectively mandate the transition from vehicles with combustion engines to battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs). Excerpts... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) released the following statement after two federal courts issued decisions against the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) rule requiring states to measure tailpipe emissions on the National Highway System and then set declining targets to reduce emissions from roadway travel. In a clear rejection of the administration’s overreach, both decisions reiterate Congress never gave the Executive Branch this authority. “The absence of a prohibition is not... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an academic research enhancement award of $434,929 to North Dakota State University. This grant, distributed through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, will support early childhood homophone learning. CONTINUE READING

***Click here for audio.*** BISMARCK – Today, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced the implementation of the U.S. Air Force’s plan, directed by his authorization committee, to introduce Assignment Incentive Pay for eligible Airmen and Guardians stationed at cold weather locations, bases where the temperature reaches -20 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Eligible military stations in North Dakota include Minot Air Force Base, Cavalier Space Force Station, and Grand Forks Air Force Base.  Senator... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK — The Department of the Interior issued a final rule on Wednesday from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to add burdensome, redundant regulations on oil and gas producers operating on federal and Tribal lands. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, issued the following statement: "This rule is another step backwards for American energy. It will drive up the cost of energy even to the point of shutting some production... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – While potatoes have been classified as a vegetable since the inception of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recent media reports speculate the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Dietary Guidelines) could recategorize them as a grain. The Dietary Guidelines, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the USDA every five years, provides food-based recommendations to update nutrition standards.    In a letter to USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced members of his staff will hold mobile office hours in Kindred and Lisbon on Tuesday, April 16. These hours were originally scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, but were postponed due to poor weather and no travel advisories. “Since it’s not always possible for people to travel to my in-state offices, these mobile office opportunities help bring the services we offer closer to the constituents who need them,” said Senator Cramer. “Having... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – On Friday evening, a United States District Court rejected a lawsuit issued by Dakota Resource Council and other non-government organizations (NGOs) which would have forced a nationwide environmental impact statement (EIS) for each quarterly oil and gas lease sale. North Dakota intervened to defend quarterly lease sales of federal minerals in the state. The court found the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducted an extensive environmental analysis and claimed the six challenged... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Inspector General (IG) released its interim audit of facilities in Bismarck, Mandan, and Minot, which found delayed mail and other operational deficiencies at each facility. After the release of the interim audit, the North Dakota delegation issued the following statement: “The USPS’s audit makes it clear that improvements are needed at postal facilities in Bismarck, Mandan and Minot,” said the delegation. “We will continue working to ensure USPS follows... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – On Friday, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) in introducing a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Israel has the inherent right to defend itself and take necessary steps to eradicate the terrorist threat posed by Hamas. Additionally, the resolution states any call for elections in Israel by a United States government official is to be considered an act of electoral interference. With the passage of S. Res. 417, the United States... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – Under the Biden administration, the United States has experienced the worst border security crisis in American history. After being sworn in, President Biden immediately took executive action to reverse the Trump administration’s successful immigration policies, including halting construction of the wall at the southern border, suspending the Remain in Mexico policy, and lifting the travel ban from certain high-risk countries. The open border policies implemented by the Biden... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON — On Friday, after the House passed a package of the remaining six Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 spending bills by a bipartisan vote of 286 to 134, the Senate took it up and passed it early Saturday morning with wide support by a margin of 74 to 24. After voting in favor of the final tranche of funding bills, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) released the following statement: “Six months after the end of the fiscal year, Congress finally reached the finish line and successfully avoided a... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON — Following an announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to lift the long-standing ban on fresh beef from Paraguay, the United States Senate passed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval by a vote of 70 to 25 in an effort to overturn the Biden administration’s rule. For 25 years, the United States has blocked the importation of fresh beef from Paraguay as a result of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) determining foot-and-mouth... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released the  General Explanations of the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 Revenue Proposals (Green Book), a compilation of reforms proposed by President Biden to raise revenues, expand tax credits, and improve tax administration and compliance. Instead of increasing U.S. energy production, the Green Book proposes to weaponize the tax code against domestic producers by suggesting the implementation of tax hikes on the... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – As women remain the fastest growing group of veterans using U.S. Department of Veterans (VA) services, it is more important than ever to ensure women veterans have consistent access to the benefits and healthcare services they have earned. This is particularly important for those veterans who have experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST), which has been linked to increased risk for suicide. Throughout the two million women veterans living in the United States, about one in... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for photos.*** WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, the Embassy of Canada to the United States sponsored a “Canada Day on the Hill” reception to recognize the relationship between the United States and Canada. During the event, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral American-Canadian Economy and Security (ACES) Caucus, highlighted the importance of the bilateral partnership between the two countries. “Whether it’s the fight for democracy or the fight for... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request, announced at the beginning of March, includes a proposal to allow the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make direct loans through the 7(a) lending program. This ill-conceived proposal would manipulate markets by enabling the government to rival banks and credit unions in providing loans. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and John Kennedy (R-LA) in reintroducing the Protecting Access to... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a total of $3,224,503 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding to airports across North Dakota. These funds will be administered through the FAA Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Program as follows: $2,600,000 to Jamestown Regional Airport for the improvement, modification, and rehabilitation of a service road and taxiway and the purchase of snow removal equipment. $150,000 to Garrison Municipal Airport for the... CONTINUE READING