Press Releases

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee heard testimony from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) leadership about how proposed changes to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) would affect veterans in North Dakota and the rest of the nation. The VA recently announced theRestructure for Impact and Sustainability Effort (RISE) initiative to reorganize the VHA over the next 18-24 months, aiming to reduce bureaucracy... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing to review the federal permitting process and identify opportunities for reform. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) began by highlighting not “every transaction in this town requires a loser… we can have winners all around.” He also stressed the federal government’s misalignment of incentives. “In this case [permitting reform], we have an opportunity to line up all the incentives.” Cramer asked witnesses about... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for photos.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hundreds of leaders and industry stakeholders from around the world attend the Nuclear Deterrence Summit each year to discuss issues facing the defense sector and the evolution of nuclear deterrence strategies and capabilities. This year’s summit focuses on removing barriers to production, accelerating capability development, and sustaining the resilience and readiness of America’s nuclear deterrent. Speaking at the event today, U.S. Senator Kevin... CONTINUE READING

Language Reflects Senators Cramer and Coons PROVE IT Act ***Click here for audio*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate passed three appropriations bills on Jan. 15 and President Trump signed them into law. Imbedded in the bill is language directing the Department of Energy (DOE) in consultation with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) to conduct a comprehensive study comparing the emissions intensity of certain goods produced in the United States to the emissions of those same goods... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. — U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) expressed his gratitude today for the thousands of marchers who traveled to Washington, D.C. for the 2026 National March for Life to support the unborn, the sanctity of God’s greatest creation, and call attention to the ongoing moral decay hidden by the falsehood of choice. “These pro-life warriors are doing God’s work as they raise the banner of life and step forward to defend the defenseless in the incessant war on the unborn,” said Cramer.... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for media resources.*** YUMA, AZ – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R–ND) got an up-close look at next generation technology the U.S. Army is developing at the Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) in Arizona. The Army’s premier large-scale test and evaluation center is a cornerstone of America’s national security. From artillery systems and aircraft to cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies, YPG’s expansive, isolated ranges allow rapid testing of a wide spectrum of military equipment... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for media resources.*** YUMA, AZ – Conditions were calm as U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R–ND) visited Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) to observe military testing operations and Department of Homeland Security activities along the U.S.–Mexico border. Accompanied by Assistant Chief Michael Wisniewski and Division Chief William Schaeck of the U.S. Border Patrol Yuma Sector, Cramer evaluated the progress local agents have made in securing the region and enforcing U.S. immigration laws since... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the midst of President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade negotiations with India, two U.S. Senators are calling on the president to strike a deal on pulse crops. U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Steve Daines (R-MT) wrote a letter to President Trump, requesting he “push for favorable pulse crop provisions in any agreement the United States signs with the Republic of India.” According to U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, the U.S. and India are actively engaged in... CONTINUE READING

Cuts Billions in Unnecessary, Wasteful Funding ***Click here to download audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – By a vote of 82 to 15, the United States Senate passed three bipartisan Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations bills, cutting more than $10 billion in spending and funding the Departments of the Interior, Energy Commerce and Justice. The minibus, which previously passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 397 to 28, invests in America’s energy dominance, combats violent crime, and supports... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced an award of $2,220,687 to two North Dakota colleges and the North Dakota Highway Patrol. The funds will be distributed as follows: $1,249,653 to North Dakota State University (NDSU) under the High Priority Commercial Motor Vehicle (HP-CMV) Program. NDSU will use these funds to conduct research and testing of autonomous vehicles in winter conditions, focusing on two-lane rural... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. – When Congress passed the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, it established the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to strengthen rural health care by providing states funding to support innovation, expand access, and enhance quality of care. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) announced the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services will receive $199 million in initial funding for its RHTP. North Dakota’s approved application includes a five-year plan... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced his nominees to the U.S. service academies: “One of the great joys of serving North Dakota in Congress is nominating some of our best young patriots for appointments to our service academies,” said Cramer. “After visiting with Cormac and Oliver, I am honored and grateful they are willing to answer the call to serve. They will be great ambassadors of our state.” The nominees are as... CONTINUE READING

BISMARCK, N.D. – The Wildlife Crossings Program provides grants for infrastructure improvements designed to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. States and tribes can apply for grants to create safe paths for wildlife to cross roads and highways, often in the form of enlarged culverts, underpasses, and bridges. The program was authorized for five years in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is set to expire next year. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Environment and... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for video. Click here for audio*** BISMARCK, N.D. – As part of its commitment to improve economic opportunity and rebuild the economy, the U.S. Senate held a hearing on fair access to banking. During the hearing, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) highlighted his Fair Access to Banking Act, a response to the practice commonly referred to as debanking, in which banks discriminate against law-abiding industries and groups by refusing to provide financial services to them. In... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for video. Click here for audio*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Dakota Access Pipeline. After months of illegal protests and costly bureaucratic delays, Judge James Boasberg issued a highly partisan ruling in March 2020 requiring the EIS. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, released a... CONTINUE READING

***Click here for video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the unprecedented anti-fossil energy initiatives from the Obama and Biden administrations, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced legislation to prevent discrimination against fossil energy sources when awarding Defense Production Act (DPA) funds. The Strategic Resources Non-discrimination Act amends the DPA to ensure the Executive Branch does not... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Education announced an award of $10,000,000 to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction through the Education Innovation and Research Program. This grant will allow the creation, development, implementation, replication, and scaling of entrepreneurial, evidence-based, field-initiated innovations to improve student achievement and attainment for high-need students. CONTINUE READING

Defense bill boosts readiness and modernization, locks in wins for North Dakota’s military communities ***Click here for media resources.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following negotiations between House and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) members, the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 77 to 20. The bill passed the House overwhelmingly last week by a vote of 312 to 112 and now advances to the White House to be signed into law. The NDAA... CONTINUE READING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, has been appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) Board of Visitors by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). The Board of Visitors offers advice and recommendations on USAFA operations, including morale and discipline, curriculum and instruction, academic methods, facilities, and fiscal affairs. Cramer represents a state with two major active-duty Air Force bases, Grand... CONTINUE READING

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of War (DOW) announced an increase in the size of its contract with General Dynamics, a global aerospace and defense company, by $39,307,155. This contract modification will support the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) ground management, integration, operation, and sustainment efforts. The supplemental funding will verify and validate PWSA system capability readiness and performance... CONTINUE READING