Press Releases

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) announced an award of $200,000 to SAGE Development Authority, a federally chartered Section 17 Corporation created by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. This award, funded through OCED’s Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program, will support clean energy projects.  The ERA Program was established by the fully-paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It seeks to improve the resilience,... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced an award of $11,600,000 to Grand Sky in Grand Forks to enhance emergency response capabilities and improve safety for its growing community by building a new fire station. The new facility will serve as the primary fire response unit for Grand Sky, in addition to the southern portion of Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). This award, provided under the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, will ensure GFAFB’s ability to respond... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced members of his staff will hold mobile office hours in Ashley and Ellendale on Monday, September 30. “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 Cramer. “Having members of my staff in Ashley and Ellendale will give North Dakotans more chances to explore solutions to the problems they face... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced a $1,600,000 investment in North Dakota State University (NDSU) to support research pertaining to the economics of markets and trade. Specifically, the award will be distributed to the following projects at NDSU: $800,000 to support a project assessing the resilience of the supply chain systems of corn and soybeans, the drought-induced impediments in the network under uncertainty,... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began implementing a revised dog importation regulation in August applied to all canines crossing into the United States. The updated rule requires airlines to issue an air waybill for all dogs, including service and hand-carried dogs, and would prevent families from traveling with puppies under the age of six months. Military and diplomatic families living abroad and users of service dogs face additional burdens traveling... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States and Canada share the longest international border in the world, spanning 5,525 miles with 120 land ports of entry. Last year, northern border communities saw a significant increase in apprehensions, and encounters at the northern border in April increased 1,240% compared to April of 2021. The U.S. Border Patrol Swanton Sector in New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont experienced 15,000 apprehensions in Fiscal Year 2024, the largest volume ever recorded by this... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a budget shortfall of nearly $15 billion in July, representing the largest budget shortfall the VA has experienced. This includes $2.88 billion relating to compensation, pension, and readjustment benefit payments at the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA), and another $11.97 billion in medical care accounts at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The Senate... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing today to consider the nominations of Lieutenant General Randall Reed to be Commander of U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) and Lieutenant General Xavier T. Brunson to be Commander of United Nations Command and Combined Forces Command/U.S. Forces Korea (USFK). TRANSCOM is a unified combatant command, which conducts globally integrated mobility operations and... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Park Service (NPS) announced an award of $921,663.50 to the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This funding will support the renovation of approximately 23 campsites at Fort Ransom State Park by upgrading electrical services from 30 to 50 ampere capacity. Water hydrants will also be installed at the campsites. Since 1965, the NPS has provided more than 40,000 LWCF grants, primarily funded with federal... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation announced an award of $222,016 to the North Dakota Department of Transportation through the Fiscal Year 2024 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Emergency Relief Program. This award will address damages from a weather event on April 10, 2023, which caused significant overland and riverine flooding resulting from snow events. CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced an award of $777,850 to the University of North Dakota for the Mountain Plains Addiction Technology Transfer Center (MPATTC). The MPATTC provides training to support the adoption of evidence-based practices for substance use disorder treatment and recovery services. CONTINUE READING

***Click here for media resources.*** BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) held a Change of Command Ceremony today to transfer command leadership from Major General Alan Dohrmann to Brigadier General Mitchell Johnson. Johnson now serves as Adjutant General of the NDNG and Director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES). As Adjutant General, Johnson will lead the NDNG, which has approximately 4,200 service members and facilities in 13 communities. U.S.... CONTINUE READING

Bipartisan legislation supports more reliable, drought-resistant water supplies in North Dakota BISMARCK, N.D. – In exchange for flooding nearly 550,000 acres of North Dakota farmland to create the Garrison and Oahe Reservoir systems, the federal government promised over a million acres of irrigation as compensation to the state. Given a number of issues inhibiting irrigation development, Congress first authorized funding for municipal, rural, and industrial (MR&I) water supply projects in... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. - North Dakota filed its final response brief Wednesday in its Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) case against the federal government for its abdication of duty during the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests. The filing of this brief marks one of the few remaining procedural steps before the final ruling, which is expected later this year. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) released a statement following the filing of the brief: “This brief outlines what North Dakotans know: our... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Education announced an award of $17,369,002 to Bismarck State College and Minot State University through the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Program. The DIF program supports innovative activities aimed at improving the outcomes of individuals with disabilities. The award will be distributed to the following universities and colleges in North Dakota: $9,886,512 to Bismarck State College $7,482,490 to Minot State University CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – For several months, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) has been experiencing significant issues with delivery delays across the country. FDPIR is utilized by low-income families on reservations to receive fresh food. Due to USDA consolidating the program into a single distributor, incomplete, delayed, and missed deliveries have left families without a vital source of food. The program serves 276 tribes, including... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $2,153,971 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services to strengthen public health infrastructure, workforce, and data systems. The grant is administered through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services. CONTINUE READING

Panel at Global Aerospace Summit highlights the importance of policy solutions to invest in defense capabilities, foster American innovation ***Click here for media resources.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosts the Global Aerospace Summit annually, bringing industry and government leaders from across the world to discuss issues unique to the space and aviation industries. This year’s summit is focused on the consequential issues facing the future of flight. U.S. Senators... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced the award of $506,000 for several initiatives in North Dakota. The award will be distributed to the following applicants: $153,000 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to support the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.  $153,000 to the Three Affiliated Tribes to support the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. $100,000 to... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the award of $24,499,236 through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for projects at several airports across North Dakota. The funding will be distributed to the following locations: $9,814,070 for the Bismarck Municipal Airport to reconstruct and reseal sections of its paved taxiways to extend their useful life. $8,538,478 for the Hector International Airport to construct a new 87,202... CONTINUE READING