Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – By a vote of 90 to 6, the Senate today passed a clean continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through Dec. 11, averting a potential government shutdown and giving the Senate Appropriations Committee additional time to complete work on fiscal year appropriations bills. The measure, which includes an extension of funding for the nation’s surface transportation programs, now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. “Democrats have made it clear... CONTINUE READING

Package Includes New Penalties on Iran ***Click here to download audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by a vote of 86 to 11 today, uniting Congress and the Trump administration in pursuit of escalating penalties against Vladimir Putin and Iran, whose malign cooperation enables Russia’s war in Ukraine and the Iranian regime’s terrorization of the globe. Before his unexpected passing on July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $6 million to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. The funds will support services designed to improve mental health outcomes for children and youth, who are at risk for or experiencing serious emotional disturbances (SED), as well as for their families. CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate confirmed General Douglas Schiess as the third Chief of Space Operations, succeeding General Chance Saltzman. Schiess, who served at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB) from April 1993 to September 1995 in multiple missile operations roles, will train and equip Guardians serving in the United States and overseas. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), co-chair of the Senate Space Force Caucus and chair of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, applauded Schiess’... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $1,057,500 to the University of North Dakota (UND). The award, which will be distributed through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, supports biomedical research and training at the university. CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an award of $1,407,000 for the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. The funds will support municipalities in North Dakota with the planning, design, and construction of water quality improvement and protection projects. CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $1,898,824 to organizations in North Dakota to support substance abuse and mental health services, food and drug research, and addiction research. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced the following awards: $750,000 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance. $486,178 to the Three Affiliated Tribes (MHA Nation) to expand... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $675,000 to support opioid response efforts in two North Dakota tribal nations. The funding will help expand prevention, treatment, and recovery services to address the opioid crisis and support communities in North Dakota. The awards will be distributed as follows: $425,000 to the Turtle Mountain Tribe $250,000 to the Spirit Lake Tribe CONTINUE READING

***Click here for audio. Click here for video.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a Request for Information (RFI) today as it reviews the 2024 Biden-era drain tile setbacks rule. While the 2024 rule promised transparency and consistency for landowners, it did not deliver. North Dakota farmer Cody Peterson filed suit to block the federal government’s final rule. Drain tile systems are a critical tool for producers to reduce excess water and manage soil health... CONTINUE READING

Senators Worked with White House to Advance Nominee after Judge Erickson Assumed Senior Status, Secured Approval by Committee & Full Senate ** Click to download audio. Click here for video.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and John Hoeven (R-ND) today issued the following statements after U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor’s nomination to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit was approved by the U.S. Senate. “Well, I'm just really proud of my friend... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As North Dakotans know, the summer construction season means infrastructure projects are well underway across the state. Many of these projects are federally funded, but the permitting requirements differ depending on the transportation mode. One notable example is highway projects, which are allowed to use formula funding to purchase offsite buildings, such as maintenance yards or operations facilities, prior to completing a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review.... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $4,673,969 for the following initiatives across North Dakota to support Head Start, diabetes prevention and treatment, and opioid response: $3,668,086 to Mayville State University for Head Start and Early Head Start projects. $294,660 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to strengthen opioid response efforts. $218,449 to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians for diabetes prevention and treatment... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – Cannabis has been legalized in 42 states, but not federally. This legal disparity has created a haphazard regulatory environment for marijuana and cannabis-related businesses and services. Federal prohibitions conflict with state laws, leaving legal enterprise in limbo and requiring them to exist in the shadows, unable to access tools necessary for their success. For example, insurance companies wishing to serve cannabis-related businesses face... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has joined forces to improve care for Americans living with chronic pain. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), along with U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), introduced legislation strengthening federal research and giving clinicians better tools to diagnose and treat the condition. The Advancing Research for Chronic Pain Act directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify gaps in chronic pain research, including non-opioid... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced grants totaling $3,673,217 for the following two North Dakota programs: $2,146,647 to the University of North Dakota for research and training through the Translational Science Engaging North Dakota (TRANSCEND) initiative, a five-year project supporting biomedical research and workforce development emphasizing local healthcare applications. $1,526,570 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded $710,550 to the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs through the Highly Rural Transportation Grants (HRTG) program. The funding provides free transportation for veterans traveling to VA and VA-authorized health care facilities in eligible counties. Roughly 2.7 million veterans reside in highly rural areas across the country. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC),... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a $682,494 investment to support repairs across North Dakota following severe storms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds which struck the state June 20 to 21, 2025. The funding will support the following projects and recovery initiatives across the state: $348,287 to Northern Plains Electric Cooperative to fund wooden poles and electrical sub-assemblies repair or replacement. $334,207 to Nodak Electric Cooperative to... CONTINUE READING

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $6,444,244 for the following programs and initiatives across North Dakota: $4,043,996 to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services to strengthen the state’s opioid response. $1,778,045 to North Dakota State University for biomedical research and training. $375,000 to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo to expand access to substance use disorder treatment and mental health services... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $9,457,000 to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Emerging Contaminants in Small and Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program. The funding will support North Dakota’s efforts to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in drinking water. CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) today considered the nomination of Lieutenant General Douglas Schiess to serve as the next Chief of Space Operations. If confirmed, Schiess, who previously served at Grand Forks Air Force Base from April 1993 to September 1995 in multiple missile operations roles, would become the third leader of U.S. Space Force, succeeding Gen. Chance Saltzman. During the hearing, U.S.... CONTINUE READING