Press Releases

***Click here to download audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) formally repealed Biden-era minimum staffing requirements for long-term care facilities (LTC), which affected nearly 1.2 million residents across the nation. The rule exacerbated workforce shortages and significantly harmed access to care in rural communities. Reversal of the mandates demonstrates a commitment to “practical, sustainable approaches to improving nursing home care, and... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer and Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) introduced H.R. 6336, the Fair Allocation of Interstate Rates (FAIR) Act, to prevent households from being forced to subsidize transmission projects built to satisfy another state’s green energy goals. The bill establishes a clear principle: states must bear the costs of the policies they choose, and consumers in other states should not be stuck with the bill. “States must pay the costs of their own goals.... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After years of bureaucratic delays, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, announced the first Western Water Cooperative Committee (WWCC) meeting will be held in Bismarck on Dec. 3 and 4. The WWCC will ensure U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) projects in western states are operated consistent with congressional directives and adhere to state water rights and water laws.... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of War (DOW) announced the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation awarded $55,249,082 to Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB) Public School District No. 140. This grant is part of a larger project to address capacity and condition deficiencies at Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School, located at GFAFB. The Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School provides an education to hundreds of children of military men and women who live or work at... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2,771,248 to the TGU School District for Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Towner and Granville. This award will bolster early childhood learning, health, and development initiatives, along with family and community support services. CONTINUE READING

***Click here for media resources.*** HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA – Each year, global defense leaders from more than 80 countries gather in Nova Scotia, Canada, for the Halifax International Security Forum (HFX). Framed around the themes of “Dialogue, Decency, Democracy,” the 2025 forum showcases the United States’ commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the strength of the U.S.-Canada partnership, and collective security challenges facing democratic allies around the... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Across North Dakota and the nation, adoption advocates recognize November as National Adoption Month. To celebrate, the National Council For Adoption (NCFA) held its Adoption Hall of Fame ceremony to honor individuals “who have made significant contributions to building a culture that supports all members of the adoption constellation.” NCFA awarded U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) with the Friend of Adoption Award to recognize his commitment and contributions to the cause of... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Across the United States, more than 100,000 children in foster care are waiting to be adopted. For many, adoption provides children the stability of a permanent home and the opportunity they need to thrive. To encourage families throughout the nation to consider adoption, U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chairs of the Senate Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA), passed a resolution designating Nov. as National Adoption Month and Nov. 22 as... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) will join a bipartisan group of senators in attending the Halifax International Security forum (HFX) this weekend in Nova Scotia, Canada. Cramer is the chair of the Airland Subcommittee on the Senate Armed Services Committee and is the Republican lead on both the American Canadian Economy and Security Caucus and the Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group. The forum provides an opportunity to showcase the United States’ commitment to the North... CONTINUE READING

*** Click here for media resources.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – General Ken Wilsbach formally assumed responsibility of serving as the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff on Tuesday during a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews. As the 24th Air Force Chief of Staff, he oversees 665,000 active, guard, reserve, and civilian personnel, and sets the strategic direction for force modernization and global operations. General Wilsbach previously served as the Commander of Air Combat Command (ACC), which operates more... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced it approved North Dakota's final proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which was a product of the fully-paid-for-Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Approval of North Dakota’s proposal makes it one step closer to being the first state in the nation to be 100% connected with reliable, high-speed internet. “Not only does approval of... CONTINUE READING

Bolsters National Security, Supports Veterans, Farmers, and Ranchers ***Click here to download audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – After 41 days of gridlock, the United States Senate voted 60 to 40 to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and extend current funding through the end of January 2026. The measure advanced after eight Senate Democrats voted alongside Republicans to move the package forward, which includes three Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills supporting military... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – By a vote of 60 to 40, the U.S. Senate voted to proceed to an appropriations package, bringing Congress one step closer to ending the longest-lasting government shutdown in history. Late hour negotiations delivered five additional Democrats, securing the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture. Three Democrats had voted with Republicans during the previous 14 attempts. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) credited the progress to President Donald Trump’s engagement over the past few... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing to consider the nominations of Timothy D. Dill to be Assistant Secretary of War for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; Dr. Maurice L. Todd to be Assistant Secretary of War for Readiness; Michael Payne to be Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE); and Alexander J. Velez-Green to be Deputy Under Secretary of War for Policy. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing to consider the nomination of Vice Admiral Rich Correll to be Admiral and Commander of United States Strategic Command (STRATCOM). As STRATCOM Commander, Vice Admiral Correll would be responsible for strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, global strike, nuclear command, control, and communications enterprise operations, joint electromagnetic spectrum... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Democrats voted against the Shutdown Fairness Act today, blocking pay for federal employees who are required to work during government shutdowns. The bill, introduced by U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), would have paid Coast Guard and active duty service members, air traffic controllers, Border Patrol agents, federal contractors, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, federal law enforcement officers, and excepted employees in the legislative and judicial... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. – Amtrak announced it has spent over $30 million to complete work at five North Dakota train stations for accessibility upgrades and improvements. These improvements bring the five stations into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is still delivering for North Dakota,” said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. “It’s great to see... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Democrats blocked consideration of a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government 10 times and have pivoted to obstructing the passage of individual appropriations bills. Today, Senate Democrats voted against taking up the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Defense Appropriations Act. This key bill would have supported service members and their families, funded military readiness efforts, strengthened the defense industrial base, and... CONTINUE READING

Announces Grand Forks Air Force Base as Home of the New Point Defense Battle Lab WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) addressed attendees virtually at the 19th annual Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Summit and Expo in Grand Forks today. This is a gathering of policymakers and industry leaders from around the world who discuss the regulatory, economic, and technological events in the unmanned aerial system industry. Due to the ongoing government shutdown, both Cramer and his guest,... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of 77 to 20, including U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar’s (D-MN) Servicemembers’ Credit Monitoring Enhancement Act. The annual bill, which passed the House in September, will now be negotiated by the House and Senate to reconcile differences. The provision requires the expansion of free credit monitoring for all service members and their families, including... CONTINUE READING