Press Releases

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

WASHINGTON – The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) announced the award of $254,625 to tribes in North Dakota through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program. The award will be distributed to the following projects in North Dakota: $167,875 to Spirit Lake Tribe for the construction of an outdoor recreation support building $86,750 to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians for the development of Heritage Park Since 1965, the NPS has provided more than... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) announced its final “Engaged in the Business” rule, establishing an unlawful reinterpretation of what classifies a firearms dealer under federal law. Upon implementation, this burdensome and costly rule would infringe upon the Second Amendment freedoms of lawful gun-owning Americans and firearms dealers.U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) in cosponsoring a... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download audio*** WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act today. The bill expands access to benefits for the families of first responders who pass away from cancer caused by carcinogen exposure throughout their service. This bipartisan legislation, which was first introduced by U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) last year, would also extend disability benefits in cases where these first responders become... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON – The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing today on the posture of the Department of the Navy in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2025 and the Future Years Defense Program. During the hearing, members heard testimony from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, and Commandant of the Marine Corps General Eric Smith. U.S. Senator Kevin... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced the award of $933,513 to the North Dakota Council on the Arts. This award will support art programs, services, and activities associated with carrying out the agency’s NEA-approved strategic plan. CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) announced its Fiscal Year 2024 work plan, which allocates more than $27 million to support infrastructure projects, operations, and maintenance across the state of North Dakota.   The FY 24 work plan specifically includes $2,850,000 for the City of Mott’s Water and Sewer System Improvement Project under the Army Corps Section 594 Program. “The 594 program uniquely benefits local communities across our state, which is why I prioritized... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – Enacted on January 5, 2021, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 expanded eligibility for the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) home loan program to servicemembers in the National Guard and Reserves who perform “full-time National Guard duty” for at least 90 days. Following the law’s enactment, reservists and members of the National Guard have encountered an unintended gap in the legislation, which fails to fully... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) delivered remarks on the Senate floor today to commemorate National Police Week and honor TOP COP award recipient Fargo Police Officer Zachary Robinson. Officer Robinson received this award in recognition of his heroism and bravery last summer when officers with the Fargo Police Department were ambushed while investigating a traffic crash. Officer Robinson is the first member of North Dakota’s... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK – The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted today on its transmission planning cost allocation rule. In a 2-1 decision, the Commission adopted Order 1920 with Commissioner Mark Christie dissenting. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ranking Member of Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, released the following statement: “The rule issued by FERC today on transmission planning is an assault on the sovereignty of the states... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) through 2028. The legislation passed by a vote of 88-4. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the bill: “The FAA has to be authorized to operate, and every five years, we have a responsibility to ensure it has the tools to effectively oversee and manage our national aviation system.... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – With Mother’s Day around the corner, a group of senators is introducing legislation to help address the challenges many mothers face throughout their pregnancy journeys, and the expensive endeavor of raising a family. This comes at a critical moment as the number of U.S. births in 2023 was the lowest since 1979, according to provisional CDC data. Last year, the total fertility rate in America hit an all-time low.Today, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined U.S. Senators Katie Boyd... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced its intention to implement further changes to its processing and delivery network under the “Delivering for America” plan. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and their colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, requesting the agency pause its changes until it studies the... CONTINUE READING

“Economically, competitively…we need to be more realistic.”  ***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) questioned U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan at a Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearing on Tuesday. He first questioned Administrator Regan on the EPA’s emissions standards for coal-fired power plants announced two weeks ago. He reiterated the 90 percent carbon dioxide... CONTINUE READING