{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"Senate\", state = \"ND\" and year = 2025 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/north-dakota-awarded-nearly-200-million-for-rural-health-transformation-plan", "North Dakota Awarded Nearly $200 Million for Rural Health Transformation Plan", "2025-12-29", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "BISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 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.\n\nThe 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\u2019s approved application includes a five-year plan to strengthen and stabilize its rural workforce, bring high quality health care closer to home, and confront immediate threats to rural health while building lasting sustainability.\n\n\u201cRural hospitals are essential to the health and economic stability of their communities,\u201d said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). \u201cThe creation of this fund reflects a clear commitment by the Trump administration to prioritize rural healthcare and protect access to care where it is needed most. I look forward to this money getting to North Dakota and providing the support it was designed to deliver.\u201d\n\n\u201cNorth Dakota is taking bold steps to restore health, opportunity, and dignity to our prairies,\u201d the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services said in its application. \u201cNorth Dakota\u2019s RHTP delivers practical investments that honor local and tribal values, protect rural independence, and get America back to what matters: healthy people, prosperous communities, and common-sense service delivery.\u201d\n\nThe unprecedented funding provides key opportunities for North Dakota\u2019s rural health care systems:\n\nStrengthens and Stabilizes Rural Health Workforce:\n\nThe funding allows rural hospitals in North Dakota to expand rural healthcare training programs, improve retention in rural and Tribal communities, and use technology as an extender for rural providers.\n\nMakes North Dakota Healthy Again:\n\nNorth Dakota\u2019s RHTP initiatives support the launch of Eat Well ND to enhance nutrition education for North Dakotans, initiates ND Moves Together to provide education on the benefits of physical activity across the state and promotes connection and resilience to improve mental health with a focus on children.\n\nBrings High-Quality Health Care Closer to Home:\n\nThe state\u2019s five-year plan right-sizes rural healthcare delivery systems, enhances the telehealth and mobile clinic infrastructure; and expands community health worker and paramedic infrastructure, training, and certification. It ensures rural residents have access to transportation and develops care coordination programs with payers in the state for patients with chronic disease or behavioral health conditions.\n\nConnects Tech, Data, and Providers for a Stronger North Dakota:\n\nNorth Dakota\u2019s application outlines key initiatives to gain efficiency with modern tech and data, including cooperative purchasing agreements for technology, regulatory and financial infrastructure, use of staff, and bulk purchasing of supplies and equipment.\n\nIt also summarizes plans to harness artificial intelligence to detect early signs of chronic disease and behavioral health conditions, expand the capacity of rural providers, and utilize new technology for rapid transport, automated prescription pickup kiosks, and laboratory capability to process self-collected specimens.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-north-dakota-awarded-nearly-200-million-from-one-big-beautiful-bill-rural-health-transformation-fund", "Hoeven: North Dakota Awarded Nearly $200 Million From One Big Beautiful Bill Rural Health Transformation Fund", "2025-12-29", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: North Dakota Awarded Nearly $200 Million From One Big Beautiful Bill Rural Health Transformation Fund\n\nState Receiving Initial Funds for FY26, Expected to Receive $500 Million Over Five Years\n\nBISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today announced North Dakota will receive more than $198 million from the One Big Beautiful Bill\u2019s (OB3) Rural Health Transformation Fund for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. The state is expected to receive a total of $500 million over five years to improve health care quality and access in rural areas, using the funds to:\n\nBuild and retain a rural health workforce.\n\nPrevent chronic disease and reduce costs.\n\nLeverage telehealth and care coordination to bring health care closer to home, while improving the timeliness of care.\n\nHoeven worked to support the state as it developed its application for the program, which was submitted in November. A summary of North Dakota\u2019s application can be found here.\n\n\u201cThis nearly $200 million award is a tremendous step toward implementing North Dakota\u2019s plan for creating a more accessible and robust health care system for our rural communities,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cWith nearly $500 million expected to be awarded to the state over the next five years, these funds will help address staffing needs over the long-term, open up new care opportunities for local residents and improve efficiency to reduce providers\u2019 costs. Through efforts like these, we can improve the health and well-being of North Dakotans across our state and support the continued resiliency of our rural communities.\u201d\n\nAs chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, Hoeven has worked to empower local communities to better meet their health care needs. This includes leveraging Rural Development loans and Critical Access Hospital (CAH) reimbursement to build state-of-the-art hospitals in communities like Rugby, Grafton and Hazen and improve health care access in those regions. Hoeven also advanced a multi-year effort to ensure the best possible health care for the residents of the Devils Lake region. This resulted in the agreement between Altru and CommonSpirit Health for Altru to acquire Devils Lake Hospital, benefiting both patients and health care providers.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-cramer-announces-2025-service-academy-nominees", "Senator Cramer Announces 2025 Service Academy Nominees", "2025-12-26", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "BISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced his nominees to the U.S. service academies:\n\n\u201cOne of the great joys of serving North Dakota in Congress is nominating some of our best young patriots for appointments to our service academies,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cAfter 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.\u201d\n\nThe nominees are as follows:\n\nCormac Dunnick \u2013 U.S. Military Academy (West Point). Cormac, son of Ev and Kendra Dunnick, competes in basketball and trapshooting. He is a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and enjoys hunting, weight-lifting, and golf. Cormac is from Grand Forks and attends Red River High School.\n\nOliver Schaefer \u2013 U.S. Air Force Academy. Oliver, son of Mark and Kristi Schaefer, competes in track and field and cross country. He volunteers for the Serenity Therapeutic Equine Program and enjoys reading, military history, and board games. Oliver is from Minot and attends Des Lacs Burlington High School.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-alsobrooks-curtis-merkley-introduce-bill-to-reauthorize-wildlife-crossings-program", "Cramer, Alsobrooks, Curtis, Merkley Introduce Bill to Reauthorize Wildlife Crossings Program", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "BISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 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.\n\nU.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, EPW T&I Ranking Member U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks and U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced legislation to reauthorize the program.\n\n\u201cThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created the Wildlife Crossings Program to better protect people and animals from the dangers of vehicle collisions, especially in rural states like North Dakota where the two frequently cross paths,\u201dsaid Cramer. \u201cOur bill reauthorizes and expands the program to support infrastructure projects directly aimed at improving roadway safety. I\u2019m grateful to Senator Alsobrooks for her leadership of this bipartisan effort, which will benefit critters and communities across the nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Wildlife Crossings Program at the Federal Highway Administration provides a unique opportunity to protect both our wildlife and our drivers \u2013 it is a true win-win,\u201d said Alsobrooks. \u201cI am proud of the ongoing work in Maryland to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions across our state and look forward to supporting Maryland\u2019s efforts by reauthorizing this important program. I want to thank Senators Cramer, Merkley, and Curtis for their partnership on this legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe North Dakota Department of Transportation supports the reauthorization and improvements to this discretionary grant, as it creates safer connections to communities and provides critical passage for wildlife across North Dakota\u2019s transportation system,\u201d said North Dakota Department of Transportation Director Ron Henke. \u201cThese crossings will enhance year-round recreation by providing safer travel for people of all ages looking to enjoy the outdoor activities that North Dakota has to offer.\u201d\n\n\"Reauthorizing the Wildlife Crossings Program is a priority for state fish and wildlife agencies to enhance the movement of wildlife and ensure safer roads,\u201d said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. \u201cEvery year, more than 1 million wildlife-vehicle collisions are reported across the United States, resulting in human and wildlife fatalities and costing billions of dollars in damages. We know there are proven solutions - such as culverts, bridges and tunnels that allow animals to migrate safely - to reduce these incidents and save lives. We applaud Senators Alsobrooks, Cramer, Merkley, and Curtis for the bipartisan introduction of this important bill.\u201d\n\nAccording to the Federal Highway Administration, each year there are over 1 million wildlife vehicle collisions. These accidents result in tens of thousands of injuries, hundreds of fatalities, and cost over $8 billion.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-highlights-fair-access-to-banking-at-senate-banking-committee-hearing", "Cramer Highlights Fair Access to Banking at Senate Banking Committee Hearing", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here for video. Click here for audio***\n\nBISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 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.\n\nIn preparation for the hearing, Cramer submitted a recent report on debanking released by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency last week. The report details debanking activities practiced by some of the largest banks in America.\n\nCramer began his questioning by asking Dean of the University of Wyoming College of Law Julie Hill, a banking and commercial law expert, about her earlier testimony regarding reputational risk, which is sometimes created by rumors and exploited by regulators, creating uncertainty.\n\n\u201cAs bad as bad regulation is, bad regulators are worse, and as bad as regulators are, uncertainty is even harder,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cAnd the reality is that reputation comes from rumors and rumors of rumors as much as it does from bad regulation. If we don't put some guardrails on the debanking side, we leave decisions up to a variety of views, political views and otherwise, both in the industry and with the regulators.\u201d\n\nHill described her research, explaining how in a study on reputation risk, it was almost always ancillary to other risky or illegal actions.\n\n\u201cSo they find a bank that engaged in money laundering, and they say, \u2018You shouldn't have engaged in money laundering, because it's illegal, and it causes reputation risk,\u2019 or they find a bank that opened unauthorized accounts, and they say, \u2018You shouldn't open unauthorized accounts, because it's illegal, and it causes reputation risk,\u2019\u201d said Hill. \u201cIn those instances, reputation risk isn't really doing anything. We might 100% agree that it exists, but regulators don't need that tool to stop that illegal behavior or that risky behavior.\u201d\n\nHill continued, \u201cReputation risk becomes troublesome when it acts all on its own. So when it's just reputation risk, when you can't point to a violation of the law or increased financial risk, that's when regulators can use it just to punish people for political reasons. And in that case, it's not doing anything to make the financial industry safer. It's just politicizing the regulators, and that's what's wrong.\u201d\n\nCramer also asked about the mixed signals sent by regulators because of a lack of guardrails. \u201cSome people would submit to you that the regulators are sort of a useful excuse for bankers to do what they want anyway. And I might ask each of you, if you think there's some truth to that, because we're seeing bankers who, on one hand, especially large banks, have said, \u2018we're never going to do that.\u2019 And then, there's a change in the administration. They say, \u2018we didn't really say that.\u2019 And then, of course, they wait later, and then they go with political winds. Do you think it's the banks as much as regulators?\u201d\n\nHill explained how the secrecy surrounding financial supervision as making \u201cit very easy for both the regulators and the banks to point at the other and cast blame, and we never really know who's telling the truth.\u201d\n\nCramer referred to his Fair Access to Banking Act, which would eliminate the ability of banks to use ambiguous terms such as reputational risk to discriminate against customers and penalize banks for denying services based on anything other than empirical data consistent with the banks\u2019 established, impartial risk-management standards. He asked witnesses for their perspective on whether \u201ca penalty, or enforcement mechanism help hold those banks accountable [\u2026] and provide for better guidance? [\u2026] Does prohibiting debanking imply a mandate to bank?\u201d\n\nKathleen Sgamma, a Principal at Multiple-Use Advocacy which represents the oil and gas sector, responded by stressing the importance of regulators refraining from encouraging debanking \u201cthe biggest issue over the last five years from my industry has been making sure the regulators can\u2019t use all these levers. To me, that's the really important part.\u201d\n\nDean Hill concluded by explaining \u201cbanks benefit from government supervision and government insurance, which they pay for. So at least in theory, you should be pricing that into your bank model. But the truth of the matter is that there are customers, which it is just difficult to profitably bank. That can be people who overdraw their account or bad credit risks, or it could be marijuana businesses, where the compliance burden is just so high that when you price that into the cost of the account, it becomes prohibitive. I think that there is something of a line between de-banking and being forced to bank, but you've got to be careful about it, because...it will be very difficult, for a bank, to bank some customers.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/us-army-corps-of-engineers-releases-final-environmental-review-for-dapl", "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Releases Final Environmental Review for DAPL", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here for video. Click here for audio***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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.\n\nU.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, released a statement following its publication:\n\n\u201cThis announcement of the Dakota Access Pipeline\u2019s final Environmental Impact Statement has been nearly a decade in the making, for one EIS over a couple hundred yards. The Dakota Access Pipeline has already been safely operating for over eight years, which we all know in North Dakota. It moves millions of barrels of oil every single week, which just proves that an EIS is nothing more than a very expensive formality.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe opposition and delay from within the Obama and Biden administrations was never about the environment or public safety, frankly everyone knows that pipelines are the safest and most environmentally friendly way to move product. But it was kowtowing to a fringe of activists and serial litigants who have as their goal nothing more than killing fossil fuels. Requiring the EIS was pure regulatory abuse, in my view, but it does confirm what we already knew: the Dakota Access Pipeline is operating safely, and it gets Bakken crude to market cleaner, safer, and quicker than any other mode of transportation. Finalizing the EIS and finally granting the easement puts this waste of time in the rearview mirror, thank goodness, so we can finally focus on what really matters: American energy dominance.\u201d\n\nThe National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of major federal actions, in this case an easement covering 0.21 miles of federal land under Lake Oahe. During the Obama administration, on July 25, 2016, the USACE published a final Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Mitigated Finding of No Significant Impact for the DAPL crossing of Lake Oahe. Litigation was filed against the USACE on this determination. The Obama administration allowed thousands of protesters to illegally reside on USACE land causing serious public safety issues and environmental damage, including 9.8 million pounds of garbage and hazardous materials cleanup at taxpayer expense. After President Donald Trump took office, the USACE granted the easement on Feb. 8, 2017, allowing construction to be completed. Judge Boasberg ordered a remanded EA on June 14, 2017, which was completed in Aug. 2018, but rejected by the court on March 25, 2020. The court then ordered a full EIS.\n\nThe DAPL has safely delivered crude oil since becoming operational on June 1, 2017. Nevertheless, several federal court decisions have directed further analysis under NEPA. This is the third NEPA analysis covering the roughly 1,000-foot reservoir crossing provided by the USACE in over nine years. The Record of Decision is expected 30 days after after EIS publication in the Federal Register.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-army-corps-issues-final-eis-for-dapl-recommending-pipeline-maintain-operation-and-easement-be-reinstated", "Hoeven: Army Corps Issues Final EIS for DAPL, Recommending Pipeline Maintain Operation & Easement Be Reinstated", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: Army Corps Issues Final EIS for DAPL, Recommending Pipeline Maintain Operation & Easement Be Reinstated\n\nSenator Worked to Advance EIS, Sets Stage for Final Approval in Q1 2026\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). Hoeven spoke with Assistant Secretary of the Army Adam Telle this morning about the EIS, which recommends that:\n\nThe pipeline operations are maintained.\n\nThe easement to cross Lake Oahe be reinstated.\n\nHoeven has been working to move the EIS process forward, having repeatedly discussed this issue with Army Corps officials. Today\u2019s recommendations align with the priorities Hoeven has advanced with the Corps and will provide certainty for energy production in North Dakota and the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation.\n\nThe Record of Decision for the pipeline, which is the final approval under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, may be issued 30 days after the EIS is published in the Federal Register and is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2026.\n\n\u201cThe Dakota Access Pipeline has been operating safely for more than eight years, moving more than a half a million barrels a day of light, sweet crude from North Dakota\u2019s oil patch,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cThat\u2019s energy we don\u2019t need to import from our adversaries, and this is the proven, safest method for moving the oil we need to market. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve stayed on the Corps throughout this process to ensure they reach the right decision for our economic and national security. Today\u2019s EIS sets up the final approval for DAPL in Q1 2026 and provides needed certainty for the continued operation of this critical infrastructure.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-introduces-legislation-to-prevent-discrimination-against-energy-sources", "Cramer Introduces Legislation to Prevent Discrimination Against Energy Sources", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here for video. Click here for audio.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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 disadvantage projects simply because certain sources of energy are utilized.\n\nU.S. Representative Andy Barr (R-KY-06) introduced similar legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\n\u201cThe reality is that the Defense Production Act is, in fact, an essential tool to secure our supply chains,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cCritical supply chains are critical for a reason. Discrimination against energy sources under the DPA is rich with irony. It undermines the very mission of defending our nation\u2019s security. Remember, this is the Defense Production Act and this is national security. Our Strategic Resources Non-discrimination Act removes that discrimination from the project selection process, preventing future administrations from weaponizing our national security against ourselves to meet their political objectives.\u201d\n\n\u201cAPI supports legislative initiatives that don\u2019t force the government to pick winners and losers in energy policy,\u201d said Kristin Whitman, Senior Vice President of Federal Relations, American Petroleum Institute. \u201cIf the Defense Production Act is invoked to support our national security, all forms of energy should be freely available to power industrial efforts, including oil and natural gas. We look forward to working with all stakeholders in supporting a broader all-of-the-above energy policy.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Strategic Resources Non-discrimination Act is a vital step toward restoring commonsense decision making to our national security supply chain programs,\u201d said Jonathan Fortner, President & CEO, Lignite Energy Council. \u201cAmerica cannot afford to disqualify domestic projects simply because their production pathways involve fossil-based energy. Our defense readiness, energy independence, and resource security depend on evaluating projects based on performance, reliability and strategic value, not political preferences. North Dakota\u2019s lignite industry and related fossil-based energy systems provide dependable power, critical minerals recovery opportunities and industrial feedstocks that strengthen domestic manufacturing and defense supply chains. This legislation ensures these resources can be fully considered under the Defense Production Act to meet our nation\u2019s security needs with American energy and American production.\u201d\n\n\"The North Dakota Petroleum Council strongly supports the Strategic Resources Non-discrimination Act, Senator Kevin Cramer's companion legislation to the Strategic Resources Non-discrimination Act introduced by Congressman Andy Barr in the U.S. House of Representatives,\u201d said Ron Ness, President, North Dakota Petroleum Council. \u201cThis set of commonsense legislation ensures that federal programs designed to support America's strategic industrial capacity are evaluated on merit and national security needs rather than discriminatory bias against essential energy sources. For too long, federal agencies have been allowed to arbitrarily exclude projects simply because they utilize fossil fuels as part of their production process, regardless of how critical those projects are to our national defense and economic security. This bill rightfully prohibits that discrimination and ensures a level playing field where all American energy resources can compete fairly. North Dakota's oil and gas industry is vital to our nation's energy security and economic strength, and federal policy should reflect that reality rather than punish it. We commend Senator Cramer for his leadership on this important issue and urge swift passage of this legislation.\"\n\nThis legislation is endorsed by the American Exploration and Production Council, the American Petroleum Institute, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the Lignite Energy Council, and the North Dakota Petroleum Council.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/department-of-education-awards-10-million-to-nddpi", "Department Of Education Awards $10 Million to NDDPI", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-appointed-to-serve-on-us-air-force-academy-board-of-visitors", "Cramer Appointed to Serve on U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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.\n\nCramer represents a state with two major active-duty Air Force bases, Grand Forks Air Force Base and Minot Air Force Base, and a vital Air National Guard base in Fargo which remotely operates MQ-9 Reapers.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to be appointed as a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy\u2019s Board of Visitors,\u201d said Cramer, who has an advanced degree from the University of Mary in Bismarck and serves on its Board of Trustees.\u201cOur nation\u2019s service academies train future officers to operate in any environment, and their commitment to excellence is what ensures the U.S. Air Force remains the greatest fighting force in the world. I look forward to working with fellow Board members to train and educate leaders who are prepared to meet today\u2019s threats and excited to tackle tomorrow\u2019s challenges.\u201d\n\nThe Board of Visitors is comprised 17 members appointed by the President of the United States, the Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, the Chair and Ranking Member of SASC, or the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-fy26-ndaa-advances-strategic-wins-for-north-dakota-national-security", "Senate Passes FY26 NDAA, Advances Strategic Wins for North Dakota, National Security", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Defense bill boosts readiness and modernization, locks in wins for North Dakota\u2019s military communities\n\n***Click herefor media resources.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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.\n\nThe NDAA returns the U.S. Department of War to its first Constitutional duty to protect the American people by securing the southern border, reforming the Pentagon\u2019s budgeting and acquisition processes to better facilitate innovation, and focusing on a peace through strength approach.\n\nChair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) said the annual defense authorization bill not only invests in national security, but it improves North Dakota\u2019s defense capabilities and ecosystem.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re confronting some of the most consequential national security challenges, I believe, since World War II,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cIt\u2019s unbelievable aggression from our adversaries, a rapidly changing global security landscape, for sure, and the need to rebuild our arsenal of democracy after decades of basically retreating from modernization. This NDAA really makes one thing unmistakably clear: the United States will deter our adversaries, and we will defend our freedoms.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor North Dakota, the legislation delivers big because, of course, North Dakota delivers big for national defense,\u201d continued Cramer. \u201cIt upgrades the early warning radar at Cavalier Space Force Station, it invests heavily in Grand Forks Air Force Base\u2019s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, and really important here, it funds Tranche 3 of the Space Development Agency\u2019s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a big part of modernization, now these are all missions that are operated right out of Grand Forks. It also advances what\u2019s really the number one priority, it advances the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program. It\u2019s a cornerstone of our nuclear deterrence strategy and has been for decades. Finally, it directs the Secretary of War to provide a plan on establishing a combat status identifier or equivalent for our Remote Piloted Aircraft crews operating in Fargo. This is something I\u2019ve been working on for a long time. Really, at every turn, this legislation prioritizes modernization, it recognizes that those Remotely Piloted Aircraft are being piloted by people, it provides innovation, and American strength. Without it, we risk losing our edge, and that\u2019s happening quickly. Our adversaries are modernizing very fast. With this legislation, we do put the safety and security of the American people first.\u201d\n\nThe NDAA incorporates the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, authored by Cramer and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), which provides support for families of first responders who die from service-related cancers caused by exposure to carcinogens, ensuring their sacrifice is recognized and honored.\n\nThrough his role on SASC, Cramer secured funding authorization and policy language supporting several North Dakota-based missions to strengthen national security. The FY26 NDAA will authorize the following projects across the state:\n\nCavalier Space Force Station (SFS)\n\n***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***\n\n\u201cWell, Cavalier is a very special asset in North Dakota and in our country,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cBy mandating modernization of that very old PARCS radar at Cavalier, the National Defense Authorization Act really advances President Trump\u2019s Golden Dome missile defense framework, and it sharpens America\u2019s edge against today\u2019s threats. It delivers the legislative backing that\u2019s needed to push the missile defense network into its next generation, and we badly need it.\u201d\n\nThis year\u2019s bill provides $22 million to upgrade the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS) at Cavalier SFS. The system, which tracks more than half of all objects orbiting the Earth, will see enhanced capabilities in detecting intercontinental and sea-launched missile threats, as well as improved space domain awareness. Cavalier SFS will be central to President Donald Trump\u2019s Golden Dome missile defense shield, which aims to expand U.S. missile defense across all domains\u2014protecting the homeland against ballistic, cruise, hypersonic missile, and drone threats.\n\nCramer and U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced the bicameralGOLDEN DOME Act. The bill works together with President Donald Trump\u2019s executive order on deploying a next-generation missile defense shield, ensuring the United States has the tools it urgently needs to defend against emerging missile threats.\n\nGrand Forks\n\n***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***\n\n\u201cWe all know, don\u2019t we, that Grand Forks Air Force Base is way more than just a base,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cIt\u2019s really a hub for America\u2019s global mission. The RQ-4 Global Hawks - and their intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities - keeps our nation secure and it keeps our reach unmatched really. This year\u2019s National Defense Authorization Act ensures these missions stay strong, keeping North Dakota at the heart of our nation\u2019s strategic and technological excellence.\u201d\n\nThe legislation delivers major investments in Grand Forks Air Force Base\u2019s (GFAFB) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The bill ensures the base can maintain inventory requirements for its RQ-4 Global Hawks, a critical component of the U.S. Air Force\u2019s ISR operations.\n\nAmong the provisions, the bill allocates $10 million for the development of corrosion-resistant coatings produced by Technology Applications Group (TAG) in Grand Forks. TAG, a leader in magnesium surface protection and the inventor of the Tagnite anodize coating, will enhance the durability and longevity of key aircraft systems.\n\nThe NDAA also designates $500 million for Tranche 3 of the Space Development Agency\u2019s (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. Cramer recently visited Vandenberg Space Force Base with Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Troy Meink, observing 21 satellites from SDA\u2019s Tranche 1 ahead of their launch, underscoring North Dakota\u2019s growing role in the nation\u2019s cutting-edge space defense efforts.\n\nMinot\n\n***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***\n\n\u201cThe Minot Air Force Base is really a symbol of North Dakota\u2019s unmatched role in national defense,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cAs the only base to host two of the three legs of the nuclear triad, the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles and the majestic B-52 bombers, it really stands as a powerful reminder to the nation, and to the world, especially to our adversaries, of America\u2019s deterrent might. The National Defense Authorization Act supports long-range and land-based nuclear capabilities while also driving the modernization of our nuclear arsenal to safeguard our nation not just for the time being, but for many generations.\u201d\n\nThe FY26 NDAA secures $3.8 billion to advance the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program, a cornerstone of the nation\u2019s nuclear deterrence strategy. The Sentinel ICBM will replace the aging Minuteman III missiles, which have faithfully served for more than 50 years, ensuring that the United States maintains a modern and reliable nuclear arsenal. This funding builds on the $2.5 billion investment included in the budget reconciliation bill, signed into law on July 4, highlighting Congress\u2019 bipartisan commitment to maintaining America\u2019s strategic edge.\n\nThe NDAA also mandates a minimum ICBM count of 400, reinforcing the nation\u2019s capability to deter nuclear aggression and protect the homeland. Beyond nuclear modernization, the legislation encourages the U.S. Air Force to establish wing-level additive manufacturing facilities. These state-of-the-art facilities will support both conventional and nuclear long-range strike platforms, improving readiness while reducing repair costs and turnaround times, a key step in maintaining a nimble and technologically advanced force.\n\nTogether, these measures position the United States to stay ahead of emerging threats, modernize its strategic deterrent, and ensure the men and women defending the nation have the tools and infrastructure they need to succeed.\n\nFargo\n\n***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***\n\n\u201cWell, what could I say about the pride of Fargo? The Happy Hooligans are a shining example of American strength and ingenuity,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cThe Reapers flying out of Fargo don\u2019t just fly exceptionally well, they do that for sure, but they also deliver lethal attacks against enemy targets with great precision. The missions of the MQ-9s protect our homeland, support our allies across the globe, they provide incredible ISR, they demonstrate the precision, the skill, and dedication of all our armed forces. The airmen of the 119th operate on the front lines of modern warfare, and now their service is being properly acknowledged and supported.\u201d\n\nThe North Dakota Air National Guard's 119th Wing, nicknamed the \"Happy Hooligans,\" plays a central role in the state\u2019s growing mission in remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operations. These airmen conduct critical missions in support of combat operations, providing real-time intelligence and precision capability to strengthen U.S. forces at home and abroad.\n\nThe FY26 NDAA includes report language, based on an amendment introduced by Cramer and U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV). It directs the Secretary of War to provide a briefing to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives no later than June 1, detailing the Department\u2019s plan to establish a status identifier or equivalent recognition for such personnel, including a plan to communicate this information to the Department of Veterans Affairs.\n\nNorth Dakota National Guard\n\n***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***\n\n\u201cThe men and women of North Dakota\u2019s National Guard are the finest defenders of our state and frankly, for the nation,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cThey are well known across the country and certainly in the Pentagon for their expertise and their incredible productivity. The NDAA supports the Jamestown National Guard Armory specifically, which makes sure our guardsmen there are ready, they\u2019retrained, they\u2019re prepared for every mission, whether at home or across the world.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-secures-ndaa-provisions-to-bolster-north-dakotas-nuclear-uas-and-national-guard-missions", "Hoeven Secures NDAA Provisions to Bolster North Dakota\u2019s Nuclear, UAS and National Guard Missions", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Secures NDAA Provisions to Bolster North Dakota\u2019s Nuclear, UAS and National Guard Missions\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement after the Senate passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that authorizes a just under 4% pay raise for service members, streamlines the defense acquisition process and supports North Dakota\u2019s military missions.\n\n\u201cOur service members are the best in the world, and with challenges around the globe, we need to keep them ahead of our adversaries. This year\u2019s NDAA supports our troops \u2013 providing them with a pay raise and bolstering their missions,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cImportantly for our state, we secured provisions to keep our nuclear modernization efforts moving forward at Minot Air Force Base; to advance our unmanned aerial systems (UAS), hypersonic missile testing and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite missions in Grand Forks; and authorizations for the radar upgrades at Cavalier Space Force Station and for our National Guard Readiness Center in Jamestown. North Dakota\u2019s missions are vital to the defense of our nation, and this NDAA ensures our state has the support necessary to continue leading the way.\u201d\n\nHoeven worked to secure provisions in the legislation for North Dakota, including:\n\nGrand Forks Region\n\nRQ-4 Global Hawks: Maintains the current inventory requirements of Block 40 RQ-4 Global Hawks through September 30, 2030.\n\nRoadmaps: Directs the Air Force to submit a comprehensive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance roadmap & comprehensive bomber roadmap.\n\nSpace Development Agency (SDA): Authorizes $500 million for Tranche 3 of SDA\u2019s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.\n\nCorrosion Resistant Coatings: Authorizes $10 million for development of coatings produced by Technology Applications Group.\n\nMinot Air Force Base\n\nSentinel Program: Authorizes $4.2 billion for the Sentinel program.\n\nICBMs: Sets minimum inventory requirements for Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) at no less than 400.\n\nMH-139 Grey Wolf: Authorizes additional procurement of the MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter to modernize the aging fleet of UH-1 helicopters.\n\nGlobal Strike Command: Reinforces and codifies the importance of Air Force Global Strike Command as a major command in supporting United States nuclear deterrence requirements.\n\nCavalier Space Force Station\n\nPARCS: Authorizes $22 million for radar modernization to improve detection of missile threats and space domain awareness capabilities of the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization (PARCS) radar at Cavalier Space Force Station.\n\nNorth Dakota National Guard\n\nFuture MQ-9 replacement: Includes Hoeven-language directing the Air Force to analyze the feasibility of developing and deploying a next-generation version of the MQ-9, capable of performing the missions currently conducted by the MQ-9 at a comparable scale.\n\nJamestown Readiness Center: Authorizes $5.2 million in planning and design for the facility.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-senate-enr-committee-approves-legislation-to-maintain-wild-horses-at-theodore-roosevelt-national-park", "Hoeven: Senate ENR Committee Approves Legislation to Maintain Wild Horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: Senate ENR Committee Approves Legislation to Maintain Wild Horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park\n\nSenator\u2019s Legislation Moves to Full Senate for Consideration\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today secured approval by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee of his bipartisan legislation to maintain wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP). The bill, which now goes to the full Senate for consideration, would require the Secretary of the Interior to:\n\nMaintain a genetically-diverse herd of no fewer than 150 horses in TRNP\u2019s South Unit.\n\nThe Department of the Interior is prohibited from removing horses from the park except as part of a plan to improve genetic diversity, in the case of an emergency or to protect public health and safety.\n\nWithin 120 days of the bill\u2019s enactment, develop a plan to provide for the management of horses in the park.\n\nOn an annual basis, make available to the public information regarding the population, structure and health of the horse herd.\n\n\u201cSecuring committee approval is an important milestone in our efforts to permanently preserve the wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park,\u201d said Senator Hoeven. \u201cThe horses are an essential aspect of the park\u2019s experience, capturing the imagination of visitors and helping maintain the historic scene from Teddy Roosevelt\u2019s time in North Dakota. We now bring our legislation to the full Senate, where we will continue our efforts to move the bill forward and secure its passage.\u201d\n\nThe bipartisan legislation, introduced with Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), comes as part of Hoeven\u2019s efforts to ensure the National Park Service (NPS) maintains a herd of free-roaming horses at TRNP on a permanent basis. The senator previously:\n\nAs a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, passed a provision in annual funding legislation directing NPS to maintain \u201cthe historic scene commensurate with the historic herds during the period when President Theodore Roosevelt was a rancher in the area.\u201d\n\nAdvanced this priority with NPS officials, including Midwest Regional Director Bert Frost.\n\nOn April 25, 2024, NPS formally terminated its proposed removal of horses at TRNP under the environmental assessment process initiated in 2022, and as a result, horses continue to be maintained at the park.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-vatican-approves-altru-healths-acquisition-of-devils-lake-hospital", "Hoeven: Vatican Approves Altru Health\u2019s Acquisition of Devils Lake Hospital", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: Vatican Approves Altru Health\u2019s Acquisition of Devils Lake Hospital\n\nDEVILS LAKE, N.D. \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the Vatican approved Altru Health\u2019s acquisition of the Devils Lake Hospital. As part of his efforts to address community concerns and ensure quality health care in the region, Hoeven worked to secure the acquisition agreement between Altru and CommonSpirit Health to the benefit of both patients and health care providers.\n\n\u201cWe appreciate Altru and CommonSpirit for joining with us in this effort and for reaching agreement on the future of health care at the Devils Lake Hospital. Altru does a tremendous job and will provide quality health care for the entire Lake Region,\u201d said Senator Hoeven. \u201cThis is the result of tremendous collaboration. We thank Devils Lake Mayor Moe, Altru CEO Todd Forkel, Altru President Dr. Josh Deere, CommonSpirit Health Central Region President Tim Bricker, and everyone in the community who worked with us to identify solutions to the region\u2019s health care needs and make this agreement a reality.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are thrilled to welcome the Devils Lake hospital team to Altru; and to continue our commitment of strengthening care for the residents of the Lake Region,\u201d shared Todd Forkel, CEO at Altru Health System. \u201cThis would not have been possible without the steadfast leadership of Senator Hoeven, Mayor Moe and others whose efforts ensure a bright future for health care in the community.\u201d\n\n\u201cReaching this point has taken patience, partnership and a shared focus on what's best for Devils Lake,\u201d said Tim Bricker, President of CommonSpirit Health's Central Region. \u201cWe're thankful for Senator Hoeven's engagement and for the collaboration that helped bring this process to completion.\u201d\n\nToday\u2019s announcement follows Hoeven\u2019s multi-year effort to advance community-led solutions to ensure the best possible health care for the residents of the Devils Lake region. Hoeven repeatedly met and spoke with local leaders and officials from CommonSpirit and Altru on this issue, having:\n\nArranged three community meetings across 2023 and 2024 with local residents, regional leaders, including from Spirit Lake Tribe, and health care providers to gather feedback and address community concerns.\n\nAfter the first community meeting, Hoeven met with CommonSpirit Health CEO Wright Lassiter III in Washington, D.C., where the senator secured a commitment to work towards a solution.\n\nCommonSpirit subsequently undertook a $10 million renovation of the hospital\u2019s emergency department.\n\nHeld more than a dozen discussions with CommonSpirit Health Regional President Tim Bricker, Altru Health CEO Todd Forkel and Devils Lake Mayor Jim Moe to advance this priority.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/dow-awards-more-than-39-million-contract-modification-for-space-operations-in-grand-forks", "DOW Awards More Than $39 Million Contract Modification for Space Operations in Grand Forks", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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.\n\nThe supplemental funding will verify and validate PWSA system capability readiness and performance and raises the contract ceiling for materials. In addition to Grand Forks, work will also be performed in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Huntsville, Ala. The Space Development Agency (SDA) is the contracting organization. Grand Forks Air Force Base hosts SDA\u2019s ground-based Operations Center North where PWSA satellites are remotely piloted.\n\n\u201cWe all know that North Dakota is on the front lines of innovation for our national defense, and certainly, Grand Forks is central to the mission,\u201d said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee and co-chair of the Senate Space Force Caucus. \u201cThis contract modification strengthens our military presence, it really invests directly in the Grand Forks Air Force Base community, and it ensures our warfighters get the advanced capabilities they need without any delay. As we know, there\u2019s a lot of delay in this business, but we\u2019re finally moving along quickly on modernization, acquisition, and deployment.\u201d\n\nThe project is expected to be completed by August 2027. The cumulative face value of the contract is $1,085,940,546.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-veterans-affairs-committee-considers-cramer-bill-to-improve-access-to-care-for-rural-veterans", "Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Considers Cramer Bill to Improve Access to Care for Rural Veterans", "2025-12-15", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The Senate Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee (SVAC) examined U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Tim Sheehy\u2019s (R-MT) legislation to improve veterans access to local care options, the Critical Access for Veterans Care Act. This bill would allow veterans living in rural America to seek health care services at local Critical Access Hospitals or Rural Health Clinics.\n\n\u201cThe Community Care program literally can be a lifeline,\u201d said Cramer.\u201c[What] prevents it from being a lifeline as often as it ought to be is all of the roadblocks that get put up. [\u2026] After hearing from veterans and rural health care providers and leaders across North Dakota, I proposed a solution with Senator Sheehy to simplify access to the Critical Access network, whether it\u2019s a Critical Access Hospital [or] Rural Health Clinic.\u201d\n\nThe North Dakota Rural Health Association and a coalition of 22 rural healthcare providers across North Dakota submitted letters of support for Cramer\u2019s legislation, writing \u201cFar too long veterans have been stuck in a system where access has been overshadowed by bureaucratic procedure. This legislation offers a streamlined, practical approach which builds on existing infrastructure and recognized designations in rural health care to meaningfully improve veteran access to care.\u201d The bill is also supported by the American Hospital Association, America\u2019s Warrior Partnership, and the National Rural Health Association.\n\nNorth Dakota Veteran and Critical Access Hospital CEO Marcus Lewis similarlysubmitted a letter of support for the bill, writing, \u201cMy circumstances reflect those of many rural veterans. I live more than three hours from the nearest VA hospital and work more than two hours from that facility. Yet within 50 miles of my home are three community healthcare facilities, including the one I lead, First Care Health. Despite the availability of this high-quality local care, I am currently paying out of pocket for needed therapy because accessing services through the Community Care Network has proven prohibitively difficult.\u201d\n\nLewis concluded, \u201cS.1868, the Critical Access for Veterans Care Act, is an important and necessary step toward addressing these long-standing inequities.\u201d\n\nMany of America\u2019s veterans live in rural or highly rural areas and face major challenges to accessing quality and timely health care. North Dakota has one VA Medical Center in Fargo and eight Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Grafton, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot, and Williston.\n\nThere are 37 Critical Access Hospitals in towns across North Dakota, but only five of those communities also have a VA CBOC.\n\nThe bill would amend the VA MISSION Act of 2018 to create a new category under which care is required to be furnished through community providers, specifically for care sought by a veteran residing with 35 miles of the Critical Access Hospital or Rural Health Clinic.\n\n\u201cOur VA system effectively discriminates against our veterans compared to their neighbors, their non-veteran neighbors and friends, and family, by giving them less access to care that\u2019s readily available,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cThe goal is to give rural veterans access to local Critical Access Hospitals without the strings attached. [\u2026] I worry if the bill is watered down, quite honestly, that we turn the authority back over to the bureaucracy to decide.\u201d\n\nAt the hearing, Dr. Thomas O\u2019Toole, Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services for the Veterans Health Administration, said the agency strongly supports the intent of this legislation as sees the need for it to meet the needs of rural veterans.\n\n\u201cI think the sticking point, which you noted, is really how do we create some clarity in language and direction as it relates to prior authorization versus clinical necessity,\u201d said Dr. O\u2019Toole. \u201cThat can be achievable and we\u2019re very much looking forward to working with you on how we get appropriate language to make that work.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/first-listening-session-on-wotus-held-by-cramer-trump-administration-in-bismarck", "First Listening Session on WOTUS Held by Cramer, Trump Administration in Bismarck", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "BISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 Not even a Midwest winter storm could keep concerned landowners, developers, farmers, and ranchers from making their voices heard as U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) hosted key Trump administration officials at the first national Waters of the United States (WOTUS) listening session.\n\nCramer, chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, welcomed state, local, and federal officials to North Dakota\u2019s Capital City for the event. Held in Bismarck State College\u2019s light-filled Frank Bavendick Stateroom overlooking the scenic Missouri River, the listening session provided an opportunity for stakeholders to provide input on the new rule to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials. The WOTUS rule was announced last month and the EPA and the Army Corps described it as \u201ca clear, durable, common-sense definition of WOTUS.\u201d\n\n\u201cThank you to the EPA and to the Army Corps for making this the very first WOTUS listening session on the new rule,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cWe are in the heart here of the prairie pothole region and our hydrology has vaulted North Dakota to this leadership role on WOTUS. We know the issue really well. The Clean Water Act abides by the tenets of cooperative federalism by recognizing the responsibility of the states to address water pollution and states are tasked with primacy. Past administrations have completely ignored states\u2019 rights. We are going to get this rule right. This is the legal prescription of clarity we\u2019ve needed for years, and I'm grateful that the Trump administration, unlike the Biden administration, crafted a rule within the confines of the law. Farmers, developers, and landowners shouldn\u2019t need to hire expensive consultants to determine [jurisdictional waters]. Any definition of WOTUS must not impact state's primary authority over their water. And I look forward to working on this rule, and making it a durable one that will stand the test of time, and one that the Supreme Court doesn't have to fix for us every few years.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am honored to join Senator Cramer and other leaders from North Dakota for the first national public listening session to gather input on our proposed definition of waters of the United States,\u201d said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer. \u201cThis rule would fully implement the clear direction provided by the U.S. Supreme Court in Sackett v. EPA and reduce red tape to accelerate economic prosperity while protecting water quality under the Clean Water Act and state authorities. As someone who grew up in rural Wisconsin, I am excited to hear local perspectives as EPA and Army work to finalize a clear and durable definition of WOTUS that will benefit North Dakotans, including farmers, ranchers, energy producers, developers, and landowners.\u201d\n\nThe proposed rule makes important clarifications to align WOTUS with the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Sackett v. EPA, rightsizing federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Specifically, it defines critical terms like \u201crelatively permanent,\u201d \u201ccontinuous surface connection\u201d and \u201ctributary\u201d to prevent future administrations from implementing expansive definitions. Prior WOTUS rules assumed authority outside the intent of the CWA, unnecessarily complicating the process of determining whether a water qualified as a WOTUS. The Trump administration\u2019s proposed WOTUS rule would provide needed clarity, reinforce state\u2019s rights, and adhere to the Sackett decision while still protecting water quality.\n\nToday\u2019s listening session is part of the EPA and Army Corps\u2019 public outreach as the administration gathers input from stakeholders across the country ahead of the rule\u2019s finalization. Cramer, EPA, and the Army Corps encourage the public to make their voices heard by participating in listening sessions and submitting public comments. The WOTUS rulemaking public comment page can be found here; the public comment period ends on Jan. 5.\n\nCramer and the Trump administration have actively worked to provide WOTUS certainty. In March, Cramer joined EPA for its announcement of WOTUS guidance to assist landowners as it began the rulemaking process. At the event, he highlighted North Dakota farmers, ranchers, and landowners who \u201chave always managed their water with the same respect as their land.\u201d\n\nAt his confirmation hearing before EPW, Cramer questioned Administrator Lee Zeldin on the role of cooperative federalism and the prescriptiveness of the Sackett decision. During the Biden administration, Cramer repeatedly questioned witnesses at EPW hearings on the Biden WOTUS rule.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/president-trump-signs-cramer-bill-honoring-1980-miracle-on-ice-hockey-team", "President Trump Signs Cramer Bill Honoring 1980 Miracle on Ice Hockey Team", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here for media resources.***\n\nBISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 During a ceremony at the White House today, President Donald Trump signed U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer\u2019s (R-ND) bipartisan, bicameral Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act into law. The legislation honors the 1980 U.S. Men\u2019s Olympic Hockey Team and its victory over the four-time reigning champion Russian Olympic Hockey Team in the Lake Placid Olympic Games. It awards the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor Congress can bestow on civilians, to recognize their extraordinary achievement. U.S. Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) introduced the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\n***Click here for audio***\n\n\u201cThe Miracle on Ice was such an incredible display of American excellence, of our grit, and of course of our patriotism,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cIn the face of the challenges America was experiencing at the time, which were significant, it was especially important, and it was exactly the miracle we needed as a nation. I\u2019m really grateful to my friend Pete Stauber for his leadership in the House, this whole thing was his idea. As a hockey player, a hockey fan, and a patriotic Minnesotan, Pete really led the charge on this, and it was my honor to join him and take the lead in the Senate. And of course [I\u2019m grateful] to the many Senators that got on board, it was not a hard sell. It was great to get this across the finish line and of course to see President Trump sign it.\u201d\n\n\u201cBut more importantly, I\u2019m really grateful we, as a nation, can remember and honor the members of this spectacular team, these incredible American patriots, these Midwesterners in many cases, and celebrate 45 years later, at a time when America could use another miracle, another boost, another moment, or event that brings us together,\u201d continued Cramer. \u201cThese gold medals as they\u2019re presented to the three locations on behalf of these great American icons \u2013it\u2019s just a great moment, and I\u2019m glad I can be a part of it. I\u2019m grateful to my friend Pete, to my friend President Trump, and mostly grateful to that incredible team for inspiring us 45 years ago and so many, many, many more times since.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis was one of the biggest moments that I\u2019ve ever seen in sports,\u201d said President Trump. \u201cThese are the men who gave us one of the most storied athletic wins of all time. It's called the \u2018Miracle on Ice.\u2019\u201d\n\nThe game took place against the backdrop of political division, economic shifts, and global conflict. The Cold War loomed large, American hostages were being held in Iran, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan had stoked international anxiety, and the United States was in the midst of a painful recession at home. Reviving American patriotism and unity, the Miracle on Ice transcended the rink where 20 amateur hockey players battled for victory.\n\nThe 1980 American team was the youngest in the Olympics and consisted of amateur collegiate hockey players, including former University of North Dakota hockey player Dave Christian. Meanwhile, the juggernaut Russian team was an international force, favored to easily win gold after not having lost an Olympic hockey game since 1968. Despite being the underdog in the semifinal game, the Americans achieved the impossible and mounted a comeback in the third period to beat the Russians 4-3.\n\nCounting down the seconds at the end of the game, ABC sportscaster Al Michaels exclaimed, \u201cDo you believe in miracles? YES!\u201d Team USA advanced to clinch the gold medal against Finland, and their improbable, miraculous win over the Soviet Union team forever became known as the Miracle on Ice, with this year marking the 45th anniversary.\n\nMembers of the team gathered at the U.S. Capitol before heading to the White House where President Trump signed the Congressional Gold Medal Act into law. Medals will be awarded to the Lake Placid Olympic Center in New York, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Minnesota, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado.\n\nCramer penned an op-ed in The Hill with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), urging their Senate colleagues to pass the legislation to honor this historic team. Along with U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cramer hosted members of the team to Capitol Hill for a lunch with Senate colleagues.\n\nCramer\u2019s bill unanimously passed the Senate in September and was supported by over 70 senators. Cosponsors include U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jim Banks (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jon Husted (R-OH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Kennedy (R-LA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), James Lankford (R-OK), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), John Thune (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/president-trump-signs-north-dakota-delegation-bill-to-repeal-disastrous-biden-era-north-dakota-rmp", "President Trump Signs North Dakota Delegation Bill to Repeal Disastrous, Biden-Era North Dakota RMP", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here for audio.***\n\nBISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 During a ceremony at the White House, President Donald Trump signed a historic resolution to unwind the awful Biden-era Bureau of Land Management\u2019s (BLM) Resource Management Plan (RMP) for North Dakota. The resolution was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by North Dakota U.S. Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) and in the Senate by U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). This bill initiates the process for BLM to replace the RMP while preventing the bureaucracy from issuing a substantially similar plan in the future.\n\n\u201cThis signing was historic, it reinforces the multiple use mandate the Biden Bureau of Land Management blatantly ignored,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cI mean let\u2019s face it, it\u2019s not a complicated term. Multiple use means multiple use, it doesn\u2019t mean single use, it doesn\u2019t mean a withdrawal of lands from use at all, it means multiple use. Our landowners, our energy producers, our ranchers, our farmers, really everyone who uses public lands understands this and they can celebrate now knowing the plan has been thrown out.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to the Trump administration writing a new one that respects the mandate that Congress gives it, that doesn\u2019t just ignore it and do whatever the heck they want,\u201d Cramer continued. \u201cI look forward to working with the Trump administration on writing a new one that does all of that. I also just want to congratulate Congresswoman Fedorchak for taking the lead on this. She brought it to her colleagues in the House, she was persuasive, as always, makes the case and makes the argument. As a freshman member in her very first year serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I could not be more honored to be her partner in all of this. This is a big day for North Dakota.\u201d\n\nNorth Dakota Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak with President Donald Trump and North Dakota Senator John Hoeven\n\nThe Federal Land Policy and Management Act instructs the BLM\u2019s management of public lands. RMPs are the plans outlining the agency\u2019s management of its acreage within individual areas. In North Dakota, the BLM is the landlord of 58,500 surface acres and 4.1 million acres of mineral estate. BLM lands are supposed to be managed under a \u201cmultiple use\u201d framework, meaning oil, gas, coal, grazers, and recreationists alike can use the land in a sustainable manner.\n\nThe Biden administration released its final RMP for North Dakota in August 2024, and adopted it in January without incorporating changes the State of North Dakota and its Congressional delegation requested. Instead, the RMP prohibited coal leasing on over four million acres, or nearly 99% of federal coal acreage in the state. It also blocked 213,000 acres, or 44%, of federally owned fluid mineral acreage, reducing state revenues and weakening American energy dominance. Economic data provided by the state of North Dakota estimates the state would have been deprived of $34 million annually in oil and gas royalties and tax revenue if the Biden RMP would have been implemented.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/remains-of-north-dakota-world-war-ii-veteran-officially-identified", "Remains of North Dakota World War II Veteran Officially Identified", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here for audio statement.***\n\nBISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 The Pentagon announced it identified the remains of North Dakotan U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Irvin C. Ellingson, 80 years after his aircraft was shot down during a combat mission to Tokyo, Japan. While Ellingson survived the crash, he was held as a prisoner of war and perished in the Tokyo Military Prison during a fire.\n\nNear the end of World War II, 62 American service members were held captive in Tokyo. Ellingson served as a radar observer aboard a Boeing B-29 \"Superfortress\" bomber assigned to 878th Bombardment Squadron, 499th Bombardment Group.\n\nEllingson will be buried in his hometown, Dahlen, N.D., on June 20.\n\n\u201cStaff Sgt. Irvin C. Ellingson gave his life in World War II fighting for our freedom, obviously as Americans, but really for the freedom of the world,\u201d said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). \u201cIt was such an incredible time in our history, and after all these years, 80 years nearly, he\u2019s finally returning home. It\u2019s heartwarming and it\u2019s cause for gratitude for his family\u2019s tireless work in identifying his remains. I just pray this gives them some closure, but more importantly even than closure at this point is that they\u2019re able to bring him home and then to celebrate the incredible life and sacrifice of their hero, of our hero. His sacrifice is similar to the many, many that were made by so many people during World War II. We can\u2019t ever forget any of them, but Irvin\u2019s courage really reminds us of the extraordinary prices paid for by the Greatest Generation for our liberties. It\u2019s why their legacies are going to endure forever, and it\u2019s to be modeled, it\u2019s to be emulated, it\u2019s to be celebrated, it\u2019s to be grateful for.\u201d\n\nU.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Irvin C. Ellingson\n\nThe Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) said Ellingson\u2019s name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the National Cemetery of the Pacific, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Honolulu. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he is now accounted for.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-cortez-mastos-badges-act-to-strengthen-indian-country-public-safety-unanimously-passes-senate", "Hoeven, Cortez Masto\u2019s Badges Act to Strengthen Indian Country Public Safety Unanimously Passes Senate", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven, Cortez Masto\u2019s Badges Act to Strengthen Indian Country Public Safety Unanimously Passes Senate\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) today announced that the Bridging Agency Data Gaps & Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act, bipartisan legislation he introduced with Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-N.V.), Ruben Gallego (D-A.Z.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) to strengthen Tribal public safety, unanimously passed the Senate. This legislation would support the recruitment and retention of Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) law enforcement officers, bolster federal missing persons resources, and give Tribes and states tools to combat violence.\n\n\u201cThe BADGES for Native Communities Act will help improve and increase resources for Tribal law enforcement,\u201d said Senator Hoeven. \u201cBy enabling the BIA to conduct its own background checks on law enforcement applicants, this legislation gives Tribes critical tools to address staffing shortages. This not only enhances public safety within Tribal communities but also helps ensure offenders are held accountable, empowering Tribes to better protect their citizens and uphold justice.\u201d\n\n\u201cSince my time as Nevada\u2019s Attorney General, I have worked closely with law enforcement to keep families safe in every corner of the Silver State, including in Indian Country,\u201d said Senator Cortez Masto. \u201cIt is past time to get this bipartisan legislation across the finish line to provide Tribes with the resources they need to protect their communities. I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to quickly send this bill to the President\u2019s desk.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the BADGES for Native Communities Act would:\n\nAllow the BIA to conduct its own background checks for law enforcement officer applicants to improve officer recruitment.\n\nIncrease Tribal access to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) by requiring Tribal facilitators to conduct ongoing Tribal outreach and serve as a point of contact for Tribes and law enforcement agencies, as well as conduct training and information gathering to improve the resolution of missing persons cases.\n\nRequire a report on Tribal law enforcement needs, including staffing, replacement and repairs for corrections facilities, infrastructure and capital for Tribal police and court facilities, and emergency communication technology.\n\nEstablish a grant program to support states, Tribes, and Tribal organizations in the coordination of efforts related to missing and murdered persons cases and sexual assault cases.\n\nEvaluate federal law enforcement evidence collection, handling, and processing crucial to securing conviction of violent offenders.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-joins-wotus-listening-session-working-to-advance-rule-that-protects-private-property-rights", "Hoeven Joins WOTUS Listening Session, Working to Advance Rule that Protects Private Property Rights", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Joins WOTUS Listening Session, Working to Advance Rule that Protects Private Property Rights\n\nSenator Worked to Defund Expansive WOTUS Rules, Protect Against Unworkable Mandates & Permitting Requirements\n\nBISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today joined a first-in-the-nation listening session with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer, hosted by Senator Kevin Cramer, on the EPA\u2019s proposed \u201cwaters of the U.S.\u201d (WOTUS) rule. The event comes as part of the official rulemaking process, giving North Dakotans the opportunity to provide direct feedback on this consequential regulation, which seeks to restore the traditional WOTUS definition to protect private property rights and respect the role of states in managing water resources within their borders. Specifically, rule will:\n\nReverse the expanded, overreaching WOTUS definition, which was advanced by both the Obama and Biden administrations.\n\nThese rules sought to expand federal regulatory authority beyond the limits established under the Clean Water Act.\n\nThis would have imposed unworkable mandates, burdensome new permitting requirements and compliance costs on landowners, energy and agriculture producers and other industries.\n\nBring the WOTUS rule in compliance with the Supreme Court\u2019s Sackett v. EPA ruling from 2023.\n\nReduce the regulatory burden, provide certainty to a wide range of industries and limit federal authority to navigable waters, consistent with the Clean Water Act.\n\nThe senator has been working with the Trump administration to advance this new rulemaking, similar to his efforts to establish the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) during President Trump\u2019s first term.\n\nHoeven also previously led the effort to defund the expansive WOTUS rule and prevent its implementation.\n\n\u201cConsidering the tremendous impact the Obama and Biden-era WOTUS rules would have had on our state\u2019s farmers, ranchers, energy producers and construction industry, it makes sense for the EPA to hold its first listening session on this new rule right here in North Dakota,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cThis is about protecting private property rights, pushing back on federal overreach and ensuring the EPA complies with the law. That means restricting WOTUS to navigable waters and not allowing federal authority to be expanded to areas like ditches, intermittent waters and other water resources that fall under the authority of state and local governments. That\u2019s exactly what I\u2019ve been working to achieve since I first led the effort to defund the expansion of WOTUS under the Obama administration.\u201d\n\nToday\u2019s meeting follows Hoeven\u2019s work to push back against regulatory overreach by the Biden and Obama administrations. His efforts include:\n\nAuthoring and securing provisions to defund the 2015 Obama WOTUS rule implementation in 2016 and 2017.\n\nHelping introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval, which Congress passed, to rescind the expanded WOTUS rule. The resolution was subsequently vetoed by President Biden.\n\nHelping introduce legislation in the 117th Congress to codify the first Trump administration\u2019s NWPR, which replaced the 2015 Obama WOTUS rule.\n\nJoining his colleagues in submitting an amicus brief in Sackett v. EPA, urging the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to preserve state authority to regulate local waters and lands.\n\nPressing the EPA and the Army Corps to suspend rulemaking on WOTUS until SCOTUS completed its consideration of Sackett v. EPA.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-to-host-trump-administration-officials-for-first-in-nation-wotus-listening-session", "Cramer to Host Trump Administration Officials for First in Nation WOTUS Listening Session", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have announced a proposed rule, Updated Definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The proposed rule clarifies definitions after the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Sackett v. EPA limited the federal government\u2019s jurisdiction over water according to the Clean Water Act.\n\nU.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, will host the U.S. EPA Office of Water and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the nation\u2019s first WOTUS listening session in Bismarck on Friday, Dec. 12.\n\n\u201cNorth Dakotans know the impacts of a good WOTUS rule better than anyone,\u201dsaid Cramer. \u201cThis listening session is a great opportunity for North Dakotans to help craft the final rule and bring their feedback directly to EPA and Army Corps officials. I encourage North Dakotans to make their voices heard at the listening session and by submitting public comments throughout the rulemaking process.\u201d\n\nCramer has been a longtime supporter of a clear, durable WOTUS rule throughout his time in Congress. In March, he joined EPA at its announcement of the pre-rulemaking guidance. At the event, he highlighted the North Dakota farmers, ranchers, and landowners who \u201chave always managed their water with the same respect as their land.\u201d\n\nEarlier this spring, he questioned Administrator Zeldin on the role of cooperative federalism, at his nomination hearing. During the Biden administration, Cramer repeatedly questioned witnesses at EPW hearings on the Biden WOTUS rule. Cramer also sent a letter in June 2023 calling on the Biden administration to provide a \u201cclear and swift change in administrative direction\u201d regarding its then-pending WOTUS rule to adhere to the Supreme Court\u2019s ruling. In April 2022, Cramer joined 200 of his Congressional colleagues in filing an amicus brief supporting Sackett petitioners. Additionally, in February 2022, Cramer and his Republican EPW colleagues sent a letter requesting the Biden administration halt its plans to finalize its WOTUS rule until the Supreme Court decided Sackett. Weeks earlier, he joined a related effort alongside Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-of-transportation-awards-over-200000-to-north-dakota-airports", "U.S. Department of Transportation Awards Over $200,000 to North Dakota Airports", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced an award of $202,000 through the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program for projects at two North Dakota airports. The funding will be distributed as follows:\n\n$137,001 to the Grafton Municipal Airport for a 4,828 square foot hangar.\n\n$64,999 to the Harvey Municipal Airport for a 5,625 square foot hangar.\n\nThe AIG Program was established by the fully-paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide airports with funding for modernization and safety projects. Since its creation, airports in North Dakota have received over $50 million in program funding.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-joins-president-trump-at-white-house-as-resolution-rescinding-biden-era-resource-management-plan-for-north-dakota-is-signed-into-law", "Hoeven Joins President Trump at White House as Resolution Rescinding Biden-Era Resource Management Plan for North Dakota Is Signed into Law", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Joins President Trump at White House as Resolution Rescinding Biden-Era Resource Management Plan for North Dakota Is Signed into Law\n\nND Delegation Sponsored Resolution to Help Ensure Access to State\u2019s Taxpayer-Owned Energy Resources\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven joined President Donald J. Trump at the White House for the signing of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution he sponsored with Senator Kevin Cramer and Representative Julie Fedorchak to overturn the Biden administration\u2019s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Management Plan (RMP) for North Dakota. The Biden-era RMP would have closed off leasing to 45 percent of potential federal oil and gas acreage and nearly 99 percent of federal coal acreage in the state.\n\nAccordingly, Hoeven, along with the North Dakota delegation, introduced and worked to pass the CRA resolution of disapproval, which rescinds the RMP and helps ensure access to taxpayer-owned energy resources in North Dakota.\n\n\u201cThis Biden-era rule was an egregious overreach that would have severely locked down future energy development in North Dakota. I appreciate Senator Cramer and Representative Fedorchak for our shared efforts to advance and pass this CRA resolution, which preserves access to the vast federal coal, oil and gas acreage in our state,\u201d said Hoeven \u201cWe welcome President Trump signing our resolution and putting an end to another of the Biden administration\u2019s harmful policies. This comes as part of our continued work to push back on the Green New Deal-style policies of the Biden era, support a more robust energy industry in North Dakota and help advance U.S. energy dominance.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-remains-of-nd-wwii-servicemember-irvin-c-ellingson-pow-killed-in-tokyo-military-prison-fire-identified-by-dpaa", "Hoeven: Remains of ND WWII Servicemember Irvin C. Ellingson, POW Killed in Tokyo Military Prison Fire, Identified by DPAA", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: Remains of ND WWII Servicemember Irvin C. Ellingson, POW Killed in Tokyo Military Prison Fire, Identified by DPAA\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the service of U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Irvin C. Ellingson, a Dahlen, North Dakota native who served during World War II. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of Ellingson, 25, were accounted for on June 17, 2025.\n\nIn the spring of 1945, Ellingson served as a radar observer aboard a Boeing B-29 \u201cSuperfortress\u201d bomber assigned to 878th Bombardment Squadron, 499th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). During a combat mission to Tokyo, Japan, the aircraft was shot down over Chiba Prefecture. Ellingson survived the crash but was captured and held as a prisoner of war. He lost his life on May 26, 1945 in the Tokyo Military Prison during a fire.\n\n\u201cThank you to the DPAA for their work in identifying Staff Sgt. Ellingson. We must never forget the courage and sacrifice made by our servicemembers during WWII,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cIrvin, who was killed along with thousands of other Americans during the war, continues to remind us of the bravery of the Greatest Generation. May we always honor Irvin\u2019s sacrifice and join his family, his fellow veterans and all North Dakotans in commemorating his life and service.\u201d\n\nHoeven helped advance legislation in 2014 that created the DPAA, and since that time, he has worked to support the agency as it seeks to locate and bring home the remains of missing service personnel. Additionally in 2021, Hoeven along with several of his Senate colleagues sent a letter to the Defense Secretary requesting that the Department of Defense allow DPAA to disinter U.S. servicemember remains at the Manila American Cemetery. Ultimately, the DPAA was able to conduct the disinterment that led to the identification of Ellingson and his fellow servicemembers. The DPAA identified Ellingson\u2019s remains using anthropological and DNA analysis and other circumstantial evidence. Ellingson\u2019s name is listed on the Courts of the Missing at the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, where a rosette will be placed next to his name to mark that he\u2019s been identified. He will be buried in his hometown on June 20, 2026.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-supports-health-care-reforms-to-put-more-money-directly-in-consumers-pockets", "Hoeven Supports Health Care Reforms to Put More Money Directly in Consumers\u2019 Pockets", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Supports Health Care Reforms to Put More Money Directly in Consumers\u2019 Pockets\n\nWASHINGTON. \u2013 Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after supporting the Health Care Freedom for Patients Act, legislation introduced by Senators Mike Crapo, chair of the Senate Finance Committee and Bill Cassidy, M.D., chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee to lower health care costs and provide money directly to families for health care needs, instead of insurance companies.\n\n\u201cGiving billions of taxpayer dollars to health insurance companies to mask the true cost of Obamacare is not sustainable and is inflating the cost of health care for everyone \u2013 it\u2019s clear that reforms are needed,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cInstead of providing these dollars to insurance providers, this legislation gives money directly to individuals and families, so they have more control over their own health care decisions.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the legislation:\n\nSends money to patients, not insurance companies;\n\nAmericans on bronze and catastrophic plans would access these dollars in a Health Savings Account (HSA).\n\nFunds cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments to lower insurance premiums;\n\nEmpowers Americans to choose the insurance plan that fits their needs by increasing access to low-cost catastrophic plans;\n\nEnsures assistance goes to American patients by requiring citizenship or immigration-status verification.\n\nThe original Obamacare tax credits will remain, however this legislation is an alternative to extending the enhanced COVID-era tax credits provided to insurance providers that have failed to lower health insurance premiums.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-sen-cramer-op-ed-delivering-critical-access-to-care-for-rural-veterans", "ICYMI: Sen. Cramer Op-Ed: Delivering Critical Access to Care for Rural Veterans", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Veterans live in every community across the country. Yet unlike most Americans, they can\u2019t simply use the closest health care providers. A backwards Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requirement prevents veterans from seamlessly accessing certain health care providers in their communities. These men and women honorably served our country but must jump through bureaucratic hoops to receive the VA health care they earned.\n\nOver three million veterans received health care outside of the VA last year while still using their VA benefits, a testament to how far the system has come since its early crises. Yet today, the VA\u2019s implementation of the Community Care Program still falls short of its original intent, largely because of the pre-approval requirement. In some cases, this burden requires multiple phone calls and authorizations before patients ever step foot into a clinic. The VA\u2019s power to approve care comes with the power to disapprove. Whether through a finding of disapproval or use of bureaucratic delay, the outcome is too often the same: Tragedy for a hero.\n\nU.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) penned an op-ed in The Washington Times promoting his Critical Access for Veterans Care Act which would allow all veterans living within 35 miles of a Critical Access Hospital to receive care locally without pre-approval.\n\nDelivering Critical Access to Care for Rural Veterans\n\nThe Washington Times \u2013 December 10, 2025\n\nVeterans live in every community across the country. Yet unlike most Americans, they can\u2019t simply use the closest health care providers. A backwards Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requirement prevents veterans from seamlessly accessing certain health care providers in their communities. These men and women honorably served our country but must jump through bureaucratic hoops to receive the VA health care they earned.\n\nModern VA health care began with a network of VA-run hospitals and clinics to provide care for veterans, which became the largest integrated health care system in the nation. This system was designed to deliver consistent quality care for veterans and their unique needs. But it also hardwired the agency to prioritize care within its own facilities, even when better options are available nearby. When possible, it still makes sense for veterans to seek care at a VA facility. But when it\u2019s not, they should have the freedom to access quality and timely care in their own communities.\n\nOver three million veterans received health care outside of the VA last year while still using their VA benefits, a testament to how far the system has come since its early crises. It\u2019s worth remembering the VA Community Care Program was born out of tragedy. The 2014 access scandal in Phoenix revealed long wait times and systemic failures within the VA as veterans literally died waiting in line for VA care.\n\nYet today, the VA\u2019s implementation of the Community Care Program still falls short of its original intent, largely because of the pre-approval requirement. In some cases, this burden requires multiple phone calls and authorizations before patients ever step foot into a clinic. The VA\u2019s power to approve care comes with the power to disapprove. Whether through a finding of disapproval or use of bureaucratic delay, the outcome is too often the same: Tragedy for a hero.\n\nThis is especially significant in rural America, where a disproportionate share of veterans live compared to the general population. Veterans living in rural areas like those in North Dakota choose non-VA care because going to the state\u2019s only VA hospital can require driving many hours and traveling hundreds of miles. Forcing veterans to travel to a VA facility because of government preference, while passing several capable hospitals along the way, is absurd.\n\nTo address this, I introduced the Critical Access for Veterans Care Act with U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont. This legislation allows all veterans living within 35 miles of a Critical Access Hospital to receive care locally without pre-approval. These rural hospitals can receive a Critical Access designation if they are the sole health care provider within 35 miles, have 25 or fewer inpatient beds, and provide 24/7 emergency care services. They were created to solve the challenge of health care access for residents of rural communities and offer many of the same services available at other VA facilities.\n\nNorth Dakota is home to 37 Critical Access Hospitals scattered in rural communities across the state. These hospitals already exist to bridge the gap for local residents, and veterans should be able to use them as easily as their neighbors.\n\nThis legislation is a win-win solution for veterans and local health providers. Our bill reduces onerous paperwork and travel barriers, increases easy, efficient access to care for veterans, and supports rural Critical Access Hospitals.\n\nThe promise to our veterans was quality care, not government-rationed care, and reforms are needed to deliver on this promise.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senator-hoeven-trump-administration-fighting-for-us-agriculture-producers", "Senator Hoeven: Trump Administration Fighting for U.S. Agriculture Producers", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Senator Hoeven: Trump Administration Fighting for U.S. Agriculture Producers\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 In a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer this week, Senator John Hoeven outlined how the Trump administration is fighting on behalf of U.S. farmers and ranchers to open new markets and secure better trade deals for the long-term. Hoeven specifically highlighted:\n\nThe $12 billion in assistance announced this week to help the nation\u2019s agriculture producers.\n\nAs chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, Hoeven has been working with the administration to advance the agriculture assistance, and joined President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Rollins in announcing the program at the White House on Monday.\n\nThe funding will serve as a bridge for producers, supporting them until the enhanced crop insurance and improvements to ARC and PLC, which Hoeven secured in the One Big Beautiful Bill, come into full effect.\n\nThe Farmer Bridge Assistance program will be administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with assistance expected to be distributed by the end of February 2026.\n\nChina\u2019s agreement to purchase 12 million tons of U.S. soybeans during the current crop season and 25 million tons in subsequent crop years.\n\nHoeven stressed that this means U.S. producers will see a total of 37 million tons of soybean sales to China in little more than a year.\n\nProgress on securing improved trade terms, including with nations in southeast Asia.\n\nLast month, Bangladesh committed to purchase $1.25 billion worth of U.S. soybeans over the next 12 months, a historic improvement in market access to the country for American farmers.\n\nIn addition, the Trump administration secured the near-elimination of tariffs on U.S. goods exported to Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, benefitting commodities such as soybeans, corn, sorghum, meat, poultry and dairy.\n\n\u201cThe Trump administration is out there fighting to get better trade terms and a level playing field for our farmers, ranchers and all of our exporters. We appreciate Ambassador Greer and all those across the administration who are doing this important work,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cThe $12 billion in agriculture assistance is a key part of our efforts, as it sends a strong message to China that we won\u2019t allow them to put pressure on us by going after our farmers. At the same time, we\u2019re securing ag purchases, opening up better long-term market access, particularly in southeast Asia, and working to enforce those agreements, including the 37 million tons of soybeans that China committed to purchase between the current and following crop year.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-working-to-secure-senate-enr-committee-approval-of-his-legislation-to-maintain-wild-horses-at-trnp", "Hoeven Working to Secure Senate ENR Committee Approval of His Legislation to Maintain Wild Horses at TRNP", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Working to Secure Senate ENR Committee Approval of His Legislation to Maintain Wild Horses at TRNP\n\nCommittee Holds Hearing on Senator\u2019s Legislation to Ensure Future of Park\u2019s Horses, Require Herd of No Fewer than 150 Horses\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today made the case to his fellow members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee for his legislation to maintain wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP). Specifically, Hoeven\u2019s bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to:\n\nMaintain a genetically-diverse herd of no fewer than 150 horses in TRNP\u2019s South Unit.\n\nThe Department of the Interior is prohibited from removing horses from the park except as part of a plan to improve genetic diversity, in the case of an emergency or to protect public health and safety.\n\nWithin 120 days of the bill\u2019s enactment, develop a plan to provide for the management of horses in the park.\n\nOn an annual basis, make available to the public information regarding the population, structure and health of the horse herd.\n\n\u201cWild horses have long been a living, breathing part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, and are a key part of the visitor experience,\u201d said Senator Hoeven. \u201cUnfortunately, there have been multiple attempts over the years to remove horses from the park. Each one has been met with overwhelming opposition from the public. That\u2019s why we worked to craft this legislation, which provides a durable solution to permanently protect the horses at the park. I appreciate all of the partners and stakeholders who worked with us on this bill and urge my colleagues on the Senate ENR Committee to move to promptly approve this legislation. Doing so will bring us one critical step closer to ensuring the future of wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park.\u201d\n\nThe legislation comes as part of Hoeven\u2019s efforts to ensure the National Park Service (NPS) maintains a herd of free-roaming horses at TRNP on a permanent basis. The senator previously:\n\nAs a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, passed a provision in annual funding legislation directing NPS to maintain \u201cthe historic scene commensurate with the historic herds during the period when President Theodore Roosevelt was a rancher in the area.\u201d\n\nAdvanced this priority with NPS officials, including Midwest Regional Director Bert Frost.\n\nOn April 25, 2024, NPS formally terminated its proposed removal of horses at TRNP under the environmental assessment process initiated in 2022, and as a result, horses continue to be maintained at the park.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/und-voyager-technologies-sign-agreement-to-drive-innovation", "UND, Voyager Technologies Sign Agreement to Drive Innovation", "2025-12-08", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here for media resources.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The University of North Dakota (UND) and Voyager Technologies [NYSE: VOYG], a defense and space technology company, officially signed a joint investment agreement during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. UND is a leading institution for national security and aerospace education, and its Space Studies Department is the oldest and largest in the nation. The university is the first school to join the U.S. Space Force\u2019s University Partnership Program and is the only university to house a NASA-funded lab for designing and constructing space and planetary surface exploration suits.\n\nU.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, hosted UND President Andrew Armacost, Vice President Scott Snyder and Voyager President Matt Kuta at the event to celebrate the partnership between UND and Voyager. The agreement follows the introduction Cramer made between Voyager and UND to identify joint research and development opportunities.\n\nThe Joint Investment Agreement formalizes the partnership and builds a foundation for breakthroughs in pursuit of space dominance by establishing a framework for accelerating end-product deployment in targeted areas such as human spaceflight, planetary habitats, and orbital operations research. The partnership streamlines the use of innovative rapid prototyping and leverages shared access to UND facilities. Additional partnership work includes improving space policy and governance issues.\n\n\u201cWhen I became a senator and was able to join the Senate Armed Services Committee, I thought I achieved all that a kid from Kindred could ever achieve,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cI wanted to be on the Armed Services Committee because North Dakota has some important assets as I saw the future of warfare and defending freedom in the United States and around the world. The day the White House called me as a freshman member and asked if I\u2019d be willing to carry the ball and create the Space Force, I thought they must have gotten the wrong number. But then I thought about how our state has the University of North Dakota and this world class aerospace and flight school, and people who innovate with great knowledge and experience.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe relationships I take the most satisfaction from are when I bring businesspeople to the University of North Dakota, when I show investors the community, and when I expose them to an incredible workforce and training,\u201d continued Cramer. \u201cThe high-end, high level research institution is training workers for the future and the juxtaposition of the people who hire, invest, and build things, and students, researchers, and workers is the most exciting thing to me. I\u2019m thrilled to be able to bring University of North Dakota officials and Voyager\u2019s leadership here to sign this memorandum of understanding.\u201d\n\n\u201cUND has always been a launchpad for innovation,\u201d said UND President Andy Armacost. \u201cThis collaboration underscores our commitment to advancing spaceflight and national defense, not only extending our impact from the classroom to real-world application but preparing the future commercial space economy\u2019s workforce.\u201d\n\n\u201cVoyager\u2019s partnership with the University of North Dakota represents a powerful convergence of academic research and commercial execution,\u201d said Matt Kuta, President of Voyager. \u201cWe\u2019re expanding our ability to enhance crewed missions and long-duration Starlab spaceflight while also strengthening U.S. leadership across both civil and defense sectors.\u201d\n\nThe collaboration enables the integration of early-stage technologies into Starlab, the next-generation space station, supports Golden Dome initiatives, and advances commercial space infrastructure through Voyager\u2019s science park.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-president-trump-announces-12-billion-farmer-bridge-assistance-for-producers", "Hoeven: President Trump Announces $12 Billion Farmer Bridge Assistance for Producers", "2025-12-08", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: President Trump Announces $12 Billion Farmer Bridge Assistance for Producers\n\nSenator Working with Trump Administration to Support Farmers and Ranchers\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, today joined an agriculture roundtable at the White House with President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to announce $12 billion in assistance to help the nation\u2019s agriculture producers. The Farmer Bridge Assistance program will be administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with assistance expected to be distributed by the end of February 2026.\n\n\u201cBetween China targeting our producers, rising input costs and other challenges, our producers are really going through a tough stretch. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve been working with the Trump administration to advance agriculture assistance to serve as a bridge to the improvements we made to crop insurance, ARC and PLC in the One Big Beautiful Bill,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cThis assistance will not only help our producers in the short-term but will ensure they aren\u2019t used as leverage as the administration continues to negotiate for more markets and better long-term trade agreements. We appreciate President Trump, Secretary Rollins and Secretary Bessent for their work on this and will continue working to help our producers through this tough stretch.\u201d\n\nDuring President Trump\u2019s first term, Hoeven worked with the administration to put in place similar agriculture assistance when U.S. producers were targeted during trade negotiations. Today\u2019s announcement builds on that program and is part of a number of initiatives Hoeven has been working on to help North Dakota and the nation\u2019s agriculture producers. Additionally, the senator has been working with the administration to:\n\nSecure additional agriculture sales, including the recently announced soybean purchases by China.\n\nAdvance year-round E15 sales.\n\nPut in place better long-term trade agreements to open markets for producers.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/trump-administration-repeals-misguided-biden-era-minimum-staffing-requirements-for-long-term-care-facilities", "Trump Administration Repeals Misguided, Biden-Era Minimum Staffing Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click hereto download audio.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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 \u201cpractical, sustainable approaches to improving nursing home care, and allows for further opportunity for engagement with community and Tribal stakeholders,\u201d according to HHS.\n\nThe 2024 rule required applicable nursing homes to provide residents with a minimum total of 3.48 hours of nursing care per day, including at least 0.55 hours from a registered nurse per resident per day, and 2.45 hours from a nurse aide per resident per day. It mandated each facility have a registered nurse onsite 24/7. HHS said these measures disproportionately burdened rural and underserved communities already grappling with critical health care workforce shortages.\n\nU.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) raised concerns over the harmful impact of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services\u2019 (CMS) staffing ratio for rural communities and North Dakota families. He led multiple efforts, including bipartisan legislation, to push back against the rule, culminating in the passage of the Working Families Tax Cut Act which included a 10-year moratorium on enforcement of the staffing mandate.\n\nHe applauded the Trump administration\u2019s announcement this week saying, \u201crural America deserves solutions, not red tape.\u201d\n\n\u201cRolling back the burdensome, Biden-era staffing mandate is a major win for patients, providers, and every rural community depending on accessible, local long-term care,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cCongress mandated a 10-year moratorium of this debilitating rule in the Working Families Tax Cut Act, and now the administration has finished the job. Thank you, President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and Administrator Oz, for prioritizing patients over bureaucracy.\u201d\n\nIn a public comment before the rule was finalized, the North Dakota Long Term Care Association, North Dakota Hospital Association, North Dakota Medical Association, North Dakota Nurses Association, and the Quality Health Associates of North Dakota outlined their concerns.\n\nThe organizations highlighted CMS\u2019 misunderstanding of nursing facilities\u2019 operational realities and disclosed more than 500 nursing homes have closed since 2020, often due to the inability to hire qualified staff. They also noted CMS estimated the staffing rule would cost $4 billion annually, roughly $300,000 per facility.\n\nThe groups said, \u201cNorth Dakota has always had one of the highest staff to resident ratios in the country. We are most concerned about the proposed 24/7 RN requirement. The number of RNs needed to fulfill this standard just simply do not exist. This mandate may force more nursing homes, many of which already operate on tight budgets, to close their doors, reducing access to care. North Dakota has had more nursing home closures in the last few years than ever before, largely due to staffing issues.\u201d\n\nThey concluded, \u201cthe mandate's strict penalties and limited flexibility in addressing temporary staffing shortages demonstrate a lack of understanding of the operational realities of nursing homes.\u201d\n\nNikki Wegner, President of the North Dakota Long Term Care Association, reacted to the Trump administration\u2019s revocation of the rule, \u201cThe formal repeal of the mandate is a long-awaited decision that acknowledges the ongoing workforce challenges facing providers and restores essential flexibility for facilities to staff in a way that best supports resident-centered care. This outcome reflects years of persistent advocacy by long term care providers, caregivers, residents, families, and partners across the country. We want to extend special thanks to Senator Cramer for his tireless leadership on this issue and to Senator Hoeven and Congresswoman Fedorchak for their steadfast support and advocacy.\u201d\n\nCramer met with CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz in July to discuss the reforms needed to improve care for North Dakotans. He delivered a floor speech highlighting dangers of the rule and sent a letter to CMS requesting the agency avoid one-size-fits-all staffing mandates for nursing homes. In the letter, Cramer and his colleagues said staffing mandates are not the only solution and a \u201cone-size-fits-all staffing mandate would undermine access to care for patients, particularly in rural communities.\u201d In June 2023, he questioned CMS officials at a hearing about the mandate\u2019s impact on already stressed staffing challenges.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-introduces-legislation-to-preserve-national-coal-council-codify-mission-in-law", "Hoeven Introduces Legislation to Preserve National Coal Council, Codify Mission in Law", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Introduces Legislation to Preserve National Coal Council, Codify Mission in Law\n\nSenator Working to Keep NCC Focused on Development of Coal Resources, Advancing New Innovations\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, this week reintroduced the National Coal Council Act to preserve the mission of the National Coal Council (NCC) and help secure the future of U.S. coal production. The NCC is a federal advisory committee that provides advice, recommendations and insights to the Department of Energy (DOE) on issues related to the coal industry:\n\nThe NCC was originally established in 1984 and is comprised of coal producers and consumers, carbon researchers, academics, environmentalists and policy experts.\n\nThe council\u2019s core mission is to advance innovation and technological development, enabling the U.S. to continue making the best use of its abundant coal resources.\n\nThe Biden administration previously allowed the NCC\u2019s charter to expire in November 2021, effectively terminating the organization.\n\nThe Biden administration then replaced the council with an agency focused on advancing Green New Deal-style policies instead of the responsible development and innovative use of coal.\n\nThe Trump administration re-chartered the NCC earlier this year, restoring the council\u2019s original mission.\n\nHoeven\u2019s legislation would permanently extend the NCC\u2019s charter and codify it in law, preventing it from being terminated in the future and preserving the council\u2019s core mission.\n\n\u201cThrough innovation, regulatory relief and the right kind of pro-growth policies, we\u2019re working to make the U.S. truly energy dominant. The affordable, reliable baseload power provided by coal is a critical part of these efforts,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re working to ensure the NCC stays focused on developing our coal resources and advancing new innovations, like we\u2019re doing with Crack the Code 2.0 in North Dakota. By permanently extending its charter, our legislation would preserve the council\u2019s mission and help keep DOE on the right track so the U.S. can continue to utilize its vast coal reserves.\u201d\n\nIn addition to Hoeven, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.). Representative Michael Rulli (R-Ohio) sponsored companion legislation in the House of Representatives.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-trump-administration-repeals-unworkable-staffing-mandate-provides-relief-for-rural-long-term-care-providers", "Hoeven: Trump Administration Repeals Unworkable Staffing Mandate, Provides Relief for Rural Long-Term Care Providers", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: Trump Administration Repeals Unworkable Staffing Mandate, Provides Relief for Rural Long-Term Care Providers\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the Trump administration repealed a Biden-era rule imposing unworkable minimum staffing mandates on long-term care (LTC) facilities. Hoeven opposed the rule when it was first proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2023, having:\n\nPressed the Biden administration to rescind the rule.\n\nIn a letter sent with a bipartisan group of his Senate colleagues, Hoeven stressed that the one-size-fits-all approach would force many rural LTC facilities to close their doors.\n\nHelped introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval, sponsored by Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.), to rescind the rule.\n\nSupported a 10-year moratorium on the CMS rule, which passed as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill.\n\n\u201cOur rural long-term care providers already face a range of challenges, and this staffing mandate from the Biden administration only added to their burden,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cThis one-size-fits-all approach would have actually reduced access to long-term care in rural areas by forcing providers to shut down when they were unable to comply. That\u2019s why we worked to rescind the CMS rule and successfully passed a moratorium to keep it from going into effect. We appreciate the Trump administration for following through on our efforts and repealing this unworkable regulation.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-announces-inaugural-western-water-cooperative-committee-meeting", "Cramer Announces Inaugural Western Water Cooperative Committee Meeting", "2025-12-02", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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.\n\nThe 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. It also establishes a platform for western states to better coordinate and engage with the Army Corps.\n\n\u201cHolding this meeting is long overdue, but I\u2019m hopeful it will lead to a more productive relationship between western states and the Army Corps,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cStates and water users know their unique water issues better than any bureaucrat in Washington and I look forward to collaborative cooperative federalism from the Army Corps.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Western Water Cooperative Committee is a forum to bring those most knowledgeable about western water challenges together to find solutions that balance diverse interests,\u201d said Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. \u201cThis advisory committee is now up and running thanks to the leadership of Senator Cramer, Secretary Driscoll, Secretary Hegseth, and President Trump, and I look forward to continuing to support the committee\u2019s work.\u201d\n\nCramer introduced legislation creating the WWCC and secured its inclusion and passage in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022. His bill was endorsed by the Western Governors\u2019 Association, Western States Water Council, and Conference of Western Attorneys General.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-fedorchak-introduce-fair-act-to-stop-states-from-being-forced-to-pay-for-other-states-green-energy-mandates", "Cramer, Fedorchak Introduce FAIR Act to Stop States From Being Forced to Pay for Other States\u2019 Green Energy Mandates", "2025-12-02", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 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\u2019s 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.\n\n\u201cStates must pay the costs of their own goals. That\u2019s a basic principle of cost allocation\u2014and it\u2019s being ignored across the country right now,\u201d Fedorchak said. \u201cFamilies and businesses in states like North Dakota shouldn\u2019t be paying higher electricity bills because other states choose unrealistic, expensive mandates. The FAIR Act restores fairness, respects state sovereignty, and reins in transmission cost-shifting that\u2019s driving up electricity bills nationwide.\u201d\n\nUnder current policy, regional transmission organizations spread the costs of large interstate transmission lines\u2014designed to meet individual states\u2019 aggressive renewable mandates\u2014across all consumers in the region, regardless of whether those consumers need the lines. This cost-shifting raises electricity bills, encourages unnecessary permitting battles, and expands the use of eminent domain.\n\nThe FAIR Act amends Section 205 of the Federal Power Act to:\n\nThe legislation follows Fedorchak\u2019s September 2025 letter, signed by North Dakota Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging the agency to rein in unjust transmission cost-shifting practices. Senator Cramer introduced the Senate companion to the House bill and Senator John Hoeven cosponsored.\n\n\u201cUnrealistic energy policies hurt consumers by enabling policymakers across state borders to pass senseless climate mandates and then build expensive, redundant infrastructure on the backs of consumers. Too often, ratepayers in North Dakota are left holding the bag after the dust settles on failed energy policies enacted by other states. Our legislation protects the principle of \u201cuser pay\u201d by ensuring if activists in Los Angeles, Chicago, or Minneapolis mandate expensive, unreliable electricity, they foot the bill for their decisions,\u201d said Cramer.\n\n\u201cFERC\u2019s 2024 cost allocation rule allows for states with expensive green energy mandates to unfairly shift costs to consumers in other states. North Dakotans shouldn\u2019t be forced to pay higher energy costs to help other states meet their unworkable energy mandates,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cOur legislation will help to stop this cost-shift while also protecting landowners and consumers from being compelled to host or subsidize new transmission lines when those lines fail to serve their needs.\u201d\n\nWHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT THE FAIR ACT:\n\nMark Christie, former Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission:\n\n\"Transmission costs are one of the major drivers of rising consumer power bills. Rep. Fedorchak's legislation is critically needed to ensure that consumers are paying only for the transmission needed to provide them with reliable power, not for transmission to promote public policy agendas in other states without their state's consent.\n\n\"This is a serious problem in regional planning organizations (RTOs) that have been directing billions of dollars\u2019 worth of transmission projects to serve mandatory renewables policies of some states, and without the consent of other states who do not support such policies. Rep. Fedorchak\u2014a former state utility regulator as I am\u2014knows that states in multi-state RTOs should be given the authority to consent before costs are imposed on their consumers for such public policy projects.\"\n\nNorth Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong:\n\n\u201cNorth Dakotans work hard to power this nation, and they shouldn't have to pay for misguided energy policies enacted by other states. I applaud Rep. Fedorchak for standing up for ratepayers and for state sovereignty with this common-sense legislation.\u201d\n\nNorth Dakota Public Service Commission:\n\n\u201cThe North Dakota Public Service Commission strongly supports the Fair Allocation of Interstate Rates Act and believes this legislation is necessary to protect North Dakota consumers. This legislation ensures energy transmission facility costs are borne by those who benefit from them and prevents North Dakota utility ratepayers from subsidizing expensive renewable energy strategies advanced by policymakers in other states.\n\n\u201cTransmission costs have rapidly become a large portion of electric customer bills. Over the past 20 years, North Dakota customers saw the portion of their investor-owned utility bill attributed to transmission costs nearly triple. Much of this cost increase is due to the aggressive renewable energy strategies implemented in other states. By nature, renewable energy sources are built in rural locations far from the load they serve. This requires additional transmission, which drives up costs for North Dakota ratepayers, who receive minimal benefit from these facilities.\u201d\n\nNorth Dakota Farm Bureau:\n\n\u201cNDFB supports the FAIR Act as introduced. Our members should not bear the costs or lose productive farmland to fulfill another state\u2019s energy policy priorities. The FAIR Act is a step toward ensuring citizens are treated fairly, landowners are respected, and states are responsible to pay for their own energy decisions.\u201d\n\nPaul N. Cicio, President & CEO, Industrial Energy Consumers of America:\n\n\u201cThe manufacturing sector consumes 29 percent of U.S. electricity and employs 12.7 million people. Electricity transmission prices are escalating across the country due in part to state cost-shifting socialization of transmission costs. We need transmission capacity for reliability and cost-reduction purposes\u2014not state policy-driven socialization of transmission costs.\u201d\n\nBrent Gardner, Chief Government Affairs Officer, Americans for Prosperity:\n\n\u201cCongress has offered a range of proposals on transmission, cost allocation, and how to ensure Americans continue receiving reliable electric service. We are at a pivotal moment for determining the path toward true energy abundance and needed transmission buildout.?\n\n\u201cRep. Fedorchak brings rare, practical expertise as one of the few Members to have served on a Public Service Commission\u2014reflected in her FAIR Act. As the Energy & Commerce Committee considers transmission policy, Members should closely evaluate her legislation, especially as they weigh how differing state energy choices can shift costs onto others.\n\n\u201cWe must also avoid unfairly socializing costs across states or demographics. The FAIR Act is a constructive contribution to this important and complex debate.\u201d\n\nCompetitive Enterprise Institute:\n\n\"The FAIR Act is an important step towards ensuring that ratepayers in one state aren\u2019t paying for the bad policy of neighboring states. When the costs of complying with renewable portfolio standards and other mandates can be socialized to other states, it allows states adopting those policies to avoid the true costs of their decisions. If states want to adopt such policies, then that\u2019s their call. But they shouldn\u2019t expect other states to help foot the bill.\u201d\n\nJustin Forde, State Director, North Dakota Americans for Prosperity:\n\n\u201cAs a native North Dakotan, it is a pleasure to see Rep. Fedorchak apply her extensive experience in the utility and transmission space for the benefit of our state.?\n\n\u201cAs a newer Member of Congress, AFP\u2013North Dakota is encouraged to see Rep. Fedorchak fully embrace her role on the Energy & Commerce Committee and advance real solutions for her constituents and for all Americans.\n\n\u201cThe FAIR Act continues an important conversation about the future of our energy and transmission systems\u2014one that the committee should consider in coordination with their colleagues in the U.S. Senate. We thank Rep. Fedorchak for her leadership and her willingness to champion promising solutions in the energy space.\u201d\n\nMississippi Public Service Commission:\n\n\u201cThe Mississippi Public Service Commission (Mississippi Commission) fully supports the proposed Fair Allocation of Interstate Rates (FAIR) Act. The Mississippi Commission is one of five commissions challenging the Midcontinent Independent System Operator Inc.\u2019s (MISO) designation of twenty-two billion dollars in transmission projects as multi-value projects. The Mississippi Commission agrees with North Dakota that these cross subsidies should not be allowed.\u201d [...]\n\n\u201cCost allocation decisions should be made based on the benefit a project will provide to a state. Policies that promote these unequitable transmission expenditures and promote cross subsidization should be stopped. The Mississippi Commission is confident that the FAIR Act will restore equity and balance to transmission investment and promote fair cost allocation procedures.\u201d\n\nThe Hon. Chuck DeVore, Chief National Initiatives Officer, States Trust \u2013 Texas Public Policy Foundation:\n\n\u201cThis legislation takes an important step toward restoring the constitutional balance between the states and the federal government while ensuring that American ratepayers are not forced to subsidize the policy agendas of other states. This core commitment to state sovereignty and consumer protection aligns directly with the mission of States Trust.\n\n\u201cTexas has demonstrated the benefits of states maintaining control over their own electric systems. In recent years, however, transmission costs in Texas have more than doubled, driven largely by policy decisions that have prioritized connecting distant wind and solar generation to demand in the cities. Texas should serve as a warning to other parts of the country that are making the same mistake: when policymakers socialize transmission costs to pursue objectives other than cost and reliability, the result is higher costs, diminished accountability, and an erosion of local decision-making.\u201d\n\nCameron Sholty, Executive Director, Heartland Impact:\n\n\u201cNo transmission line crossing state boundaries should be constructed, at a minimum, unless and until it has been approved by the appropriate authorities in every state along the transmission line\u2019s proposed route. This bill puts legitimate authority back in the hands of the states.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hhs-awards-27-million-to-tgu-school-district", "HHS Awards $2.7 Million to TGU School District", "2025-12-02", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/nathan-f-twining-elementary-and-middle-school-at-gfafb-receives-55-million-to-address-capacity-condition-deficiencies", "Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School at GFAFB Receives $55 Million to Address Capacity, Condition Deficiencies", "2025-12-02", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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.\n\nThe Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School provides an education to hundreds of children of military men and women who live or work at the base. The school is unique within the Grand Forks Public Schools system, as it is the only school with a K-8 grade configuration. After completing 8th grade, students transition to Grand Forks Central High School.\n\n\u201cWhen we talk about supporting our military families, this kind of investment is exactly what we mean,\u201d said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee. \u201cGrand Forks Air Force Base is a durable base with a durable mission, and needs equally durable, sustained quality of life improvements. Military families make many sacrifices as they defend our freedom, and their children who attend the Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School shouldn\u2019t settle for outdated, unsafe, or overcrowded schools. Every child deserves to learn in safe and modern facilities.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-more-than-55-million-awarded-to-grand-forks-afbs-nathan-f-twining-school-project", "Hoeven: More Than $55 Million Awarded to Grand Forks AFB\u2019s Nathan F. Twining School Project", "2025-12-02", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: More Than $55 Million Awarded to Grand Forks AFB\u2019s Nathan F. Twining School Project\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) has awarded more than $55 million to Grand Forks Air Force Base Public School District No.140 as part of a larger $69 million project to build a new Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School on Grand Forks Air Force Base in order to address capacity and condition concerns. Once completed, the new facility will support 500 pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students, while providing students from military families with a high-quality education and a learning environment focused on the principles of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).\n\n\u201cNorth Dakota is home to some of the nation\u2019s leading U.S. Air Force bases, and it\u2019s vital that our installations have the capacity to support the educational needs of our service members\u2019 families. We worked to fund and advance this OLDCC grant to help ensure that students at Grand Forks Air Force Base receive the high-quality education they deserve,\u201d said Hoeven.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-statement-observing-thanksgiving-day", "Hoeven Statement Observing Thanksgiving Day", "2025-11-27", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Statement Observing Thanksgiving Day\n\nBISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement to wish all North Dakotans a happy Thanksgiving:\n\n\u201cHappy Thanksgiving to the people of North Dakota and families across our nation. Today we give thanks for the liberties we enjoy, the opportunities our country provides, and the hardworking spirit that defines our state. May this day bring you together with loved ones and renew a sense of gratitude and peace. From Mikey, me, and our family, we wish you a blessed and happy Thanksgiving.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-packet-digital-selected-for-us-military-procurement-award-will-receive-up-to-50-million", "Hoeven: Packet Digital Selected for U.S. Military Procurement Award, Will Receive Up to $50 Million", "2025-11-26", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: Packet Digital Selected for U.S. Military Procurement Award, Will Receive Up to $50 Million\n\nSenator Worked to Secure Funding for Packet Digital to Expand Domestic Battery Manufacturing to Support Army, Navy, Air Force & Special Forces Operations\n\nFARGO, N.D. \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today announced that Packet Digital has been selected to receive up to $50 million to expand its domestic battery manufacturing capacity under the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) Program. As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven worked to:\n\nFund the APFIT initiative and advance the company\u2019s selection under this competitive, merit-based program.\n\nAPFIT seeks to more quickly meet warfighter needs and address gaps in U.S. military capabilities by procuring mature technologies from small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors.\n\nBuild upon partnerships that the senator previously funded and established between Packet Digital and the U.S. Navy, Air Force and Space Force.\n\nThe award will enable the company to expand production lines at its Badland Batteries manufacturing facility in Fargo in order to meet demand for high-power battery packs for unmanned systems operated by the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Forces.\n\n\u201cEvery day, North Dakota is finding new ways to meet the needs of our warfighters in innovative and cost-effective ways. This up to $50 million award to Packet Digital is a testament to these efforts, building on the partnerships we established between this company and the Navy, Air Force and Space Force,\u201d said Senator Hoeven. \u201cThis funding is about expanding our domestic industrial base, ensuring our nation can produce the battery technology we need to strengthen U.S. unmanned operations, while reducing our reliance on materials from adversaries like China. Packet Digital has a proven track record, and this award will help them scale up their operations at the Badland Battery facility in Fargo.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur next-generation lithium-ion cell technology delivers both high power and high energy density, making it essential for unmanned air, sea and space missions,\u201d said Packet Digital CEO Terri Zimmerman. \u201cThis award will help us ensure our military maintains a technological edge and has a reliable domestic battery supply chain.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-and-nps-reopen-trnp-scenic-loop-following-major-restoration", "Hoeven & NPS Reopen TRNP Scenic Loop Following Major Restoration", "2025-11-25", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven & NPS Reopen TRNP Scenic Loop Following Major Restoration\n\nSenator Highlights Completion of Multi-Year Infrastructure Project at Theodore Roosevelt National Park\n\nMEDORA, N.D. \u2013 Senator John Hoeven and the National Park Service (NPS) today reopened the Scenic Loop Road in Theodore Roosevelt National Park\u2019s (TRNP) south unit, celebrating the completion of a multi-year reconstruction project. A segment of the roadway, a key route for park visitors, had partially collapsed in 2019 due to unstable soil conditions in the Badlands.\n\nSince then, Hoeven:\n\nWorked to fund the 6.15-mile reconstruction through the Restore Our Parks Act, legislation he sponsored and helped pass as part of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA).\n\nThe GAOA established the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund, authorizing up to $1.9 billion in funding over five years through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2025.\n\nThe fund leverages revenue from on- and offshore energy production on federal lands, without impacting mineral and energy revenue shared with the states.\n\nSecured $51.25 million to fund the Scenic Loop reconstruction, including $50.8 million from the Restore Our Parks Act (GAOA) and $450,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation.\n\nConstruction began in 2022 and quickly became a major engineering effort. After the initial 4-mile section collapsed, NPS discovered an additional 2 miles were unstable and likely to fail.\n\nThe project included enhanced landslide mitigation, drainage improvements, and expanded infrastructure and parking to improve visitor accessibility.\n\n\u201cReopening the Scenic Loop is an important milestone for Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who travel here each year,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cThis restoration not only repairs the roadway but also strengthens the park\u2019s infrastructure for decades to come, addressing erosion and landslide risks and preserving the park\u2019s most iconic routes for future generations to enjoy.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-breaks-ground-on-veterans-memorial-center-outlines-completed-va-master-plan-for-expanding-fargo-national-cemetery", "Hoeven Breaks Ground on Veterans Memorial Center, Outlines Completed VA Master Plan for Expanding Fargo National Cemetery", "2025-11-24", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Breaks Ground on Veterans Memorial Center, Outlines Completed VA Master Plan for Expanding Fargo National Cemetery\n\nSenator Hosts VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Sam Brown at Groundbreaking\n\nHARWOOD, N.D. \u2013 Senator John Hoeven, along with members of the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard (FMHG) and federal, state and local leaders, today broke ground on the Veterans Memorial Center at the Fargo National Cemetery (FNC). Construction on the up to 6,734 sq. ft. facility will begin in earnest during the next construction season, with construction expected to take approximately seven months. A rendering of the planned facility can be found here.\n\nIn addition, Hoeven announced the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has completed its master plan for expanding the FNC from 5 to 35 acres, representing millions of dollars of federal funding for infrastructure, parking and better access, as well as for ongoing operations and maintenance. Hoeven has been working with the VA to advance a master plan that incorporates the Honor Guard\u2019s project and brings additional enhancements to the FNC, following his efforts to secure an additional 30 acres and initial improvements to the cemetery\u2019s facilities. The phase 1 expansion is expected to be completed by the Spring of 2028, bringing the total number of burial spaces at the FNC to more than 8,500 with 1,337 veterans having been interred at the cemetery to date. Upon completion of all 9 phases of the Master Plan, the cemetery will provide over 45,000 burial spaces, serving veterans and their families far into the future. The layout of the VA master plan can be found here.\n\nHoeven worked to secure approval of the conceptual design put together by ICON Architects with VA Secretary Doug Collins and VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs (USMA) Sam Brown, who attended today\u2019s groundbreaking at the senator\u2019s invitation. Hoeven stressed that these efforts will result in a first-class federal veterans cemetery, on par with the state-run North Dakota Veterans Cemetery (NDVC) in Mandan. The senator further outlined the essential role of the innovative public-private partnership, which spans all levels of government, in bringing the project to this milestone, highlighting:\n\nThe efforts of the Hoeven-led community working group and the FMHG to reach agreement with the VA National Cemetery Administration (NCA) on a plan that:\n\nIncorporates input from local stakeholders.\n\nPreserves the spirit and intent of the FMHG project.\n\nAchieves the goal of ensuring the FNC has the facilities required to meet the needs of veterans, their families and volunteers over the long-term.\n\nThe support of both VA Secretary Collins and VA USMA Brown for the conceptual design.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s groundbreaking is a hard-earned achievement, requiring the cooperation of stakeholders across all levels of government and from the private sector. I truly appreciate Jason Hicks, Jim Graalum and all the members of the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard for their persistent work over the years, as well as the efforts of our community working group, to make this project a reality to the benefit of veterans, their families and the cemetery\u2019s volunteers for decades to come,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cBetween the Veterans Memorial Center and the improvements coming under the VA\u2019s master plan, we are set to build a federal veterans cemetery that matches the first-class state-run cemetery we\u2019ve built in Mandan \u2013 a project that properly honors our veterans.\u201d\n\nThe conceptual design, which was put together by ICON Architects and advanced by Hoeven\u2019s working group and the FMHG, includes the following features:\n\nIndoor committal shelter.\n\nGathering area to be used by family and friends of the deceased veteran prior to or following the interment.\n\nGallery to showcase the lives and service of our veterans.\n\nOffice space for VA staff.\n\nBreakroom for the Honor Guard members.\n\nKiosk to assist with locating graves.\n\nKitchenette.\n\nIndoor restrooms.\n\nGarage to accommodate a hearse.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-underscores-importance-of-democracy-at-halifax-international-security-forum-meets-with-key-defense-leaders", "Cramer Underscores Importance of Democracy at Halifax International Security Forum, Meets with Key Defense Leaders", "2025-11-23", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here for media resources.***\n\nHALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA \u2013 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 \u201cDialogue, Decency, Democracy,\u201d the 2025 forum showcases the United States\u2019 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 world.\n\nU.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and a bipartisan group of his Senate colleagues traveled to Halifax for the annual event. Cramer participated in a panel, moderated by CBC Radio host Susan Bonner, examining how democracies pair power with moral responsibility. The panel, titled, \u201cDemocracies Demand Decency,\u201d focused on how the future of democracies is determined by the citizens who vote and the institutions, leaders, and values they vote for.\n\n\u201cIn our unique form of democracy, a representative republic where the citizens are self-governed and the government is a true reflection of the people, the future is shaped by the citizens, not the preferences of self-ascribed world leaders,\u201d said Cramer, chair of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee and the Republican lead on both the American Canadian Economy and Security Caucus and the Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group. \u201cI was very encouraged over the last couple of days by the commitment and conviction of European leaders, Canadian Members of Parliament, the Minister of National Defence, and others. I\u2019m very grateful to Senator Shaheen for thinking me worthy, frankly, and inviting me here to Halifax. But without question, as intriguing and compelling as some of the panels were, the bilateral meetings were really of the upmost importance this weekend.\u201d\n\nAdditional panelists included Colombian Minister of Defense Pedro S\u00e1nchez, Executive Director of Campaign for Uyghurs & World Uyghur Congress Rushan Abbas, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Sean Fraser.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-awarded-ncfas-friend-of-adoption-award", "Cramer Awarded NCFA\u2019s Friend of Adoption Award", "2025-11-22", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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 \u201cwho have made significant contributions to building a culture that supports all members of the adoption constellation.\u201d\n\nNCFA awarded U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) with the Friend of Adoption Award to recognize his commitment and contributions to the cause of adoption. Cramer and his wife, Kris, are adoptive parents, and he has described adoption as \u201cone of the greatest joys of my life.\u201d\n\nCramer shepherded through a provision in the Working Families Tax Cuts bill this past summer to restore partial refundability of the Adoption Tax Credit (ATC) for the first time since 2011, easing the financial cost of adoption and supporting prospective and adoptive families. As of September, significant changes to the tax credit\u2019s refundability have already taken effect for tax year 2025 to provide relief for lower- and middle-income families. To ensure the successful administration of the restored ATC this tax filing season, Cramer and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption co-chairs sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service urging the administration to work together to improve the process, so families can effectively utilize the credit.\n\nIn a strong show of the bipartisanship inherent in adoption advocacy, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced Cramer at the ceremony and presented him with the NCFA\u2019s Friend of Adoption Award. Klobuchar and Cramer serve as co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption.\n\nCramer highlighted his relationship with Klobuchar in his remarks, explaining how their shared commitment to supporting adoption in Congress has led to partnering on other bipartisan issues.\n\n\u201cAdoption unites us because children are worth uniting for,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cIt\u2019s really an honor to receive the National Council For Adoption\u2019s Friend of Adoption Award. Being able to work on behalf of adoption, this cause that matters so much, is a great joy.\u201d\n\nCramer and Klobuchar frequently partner on adoption legislation, like the Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act to expand eligible uses of federal adoption funding, and the Safe Home Act to spread awareness of the practice of unregulated custody transfers. The co-chairs also passed this year\u2019s National Adoption Month and Day Resolution designating November as National Adoption Month and November 22 as National Adoption Day, encouraging Americans to prioritize the safety, permanency, and welfare of all children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-klobuchar-pass-resolution-recognizing-national-adoption-month-and-day", "Cramer, Klobuchar Pass Resolution Recognizing National Adoption Month and Day", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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 National Adoption Day.\n\nSince the first National Adoption Day in 2000, more than 85,000 children have joined permanent families through celebrations happening across the country. In 2023 alone, 50,193 children were adopted from foster care. Yet 36,411 children remained in foster care despite being legally free for adoption and having a primary permanency plan of adoption.\n\nThe resolution celebrates children and families involved in adoption, as well as promotes national awareness of adoption and children awaiting families. It importantly encourages Americans to prioritize the safety, permanency, and welfare of all children.\n\n\u201cAdoption is one of the greatest joys of my life and I am grateful for the role it played in growing my family,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cIt\u2019s an honor to pass this resolution with Senator Klobuchar recognizing National Adoption Month and Day. This is a great opportunity to promote adoption and the safety and stability of adoptive families.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re grateful for the dedication and commitment of adoptive families who open their homes and hearts to children,\u201d said Klobuchar. \u201cAs co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I will continue to work with Senator Cramer and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure every child has a safe, loving, and permanent family.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-to-speak-at-halifax-international-security-forum", "Hoeven to Speak at Halifax International Security Forum", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven to Speak at Halifax International Security Forum\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, will speak on a panel at the 17th annual Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia, Canada to outline U.S. security priorities. Hoeven is part of a bipartisan Senate delegation attending the national security forum which brings together defense leaders from around the globe. Hoeven will speak on a panel today and is planning to meet with world leaders including both the Canadian and Colombian Defense Ministers.\n\n\u201cI look forward to joining my colleagues at the Halifax International Security Forum to meet with global leaders and build our shared security priorities,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cGiven the security challenges around the world and the threats facing our nation and allies, this forum provides an important opportunity to strengthen relationships and ensure our nation can meet its security challenges now and into the future.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-to-attend-halifax-international-security-forum-in-nova-scotia-canada", "Cramer to Attend Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia, Canada", "2025-11-20", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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.\n\nThe forum provides an opportunity to showcase the United States\u2019 commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the U.S.-Canada partnership, and the shared security challenges with allies around the world. The U.S. has traditionally provided the largest portion of NATO\u2019s military strength, but global peace is going to depend on our allies building up their military strength to meet the growing threats in their regions and across the globe.\n\nThis year\u2019s agenda centers around the shared belief democracies are resilient on their own, but together they are unbreakable. Peter Van Praagh, HFX President, said the program declares \u201conly democracies can create the environment in which individuals feel safe to question established ideas, leading in turn to inventions that secure the future.\u201d As part of the forum, Cramer will participate in a panel titled, \u201cDemocracies Demand Decency \u2013 How Democracies Decide Destiny.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to join my colleagues as part of this bipartisan delegation to Nova Scotia for the Halifax International Security Forum,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cEvents like this are a powerful reminder of why democracies are worth defending because they are a better form of government than tyranny. I look forward to learning from defense leaders and leading a panel to highlight democracy\u2019s role in determining a nation\u2019s future.\u201d\n\nThe panel will take place at 8:00 a.m. CT / 9:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 23. It will be live streamed on the HFX website as well as its YouTube channel.\n\nGlobal defense leaders gather each year at the forum to gain innovative insights into the nation\u2019s security landscape and engage in a wide range of informational sessions covering paramount topics such as energy demands, disinformation, global security, defense technologies, democratic resilience, and food security. More than 80 countries are represented at the annual event.\n\nWhile in Halifax, the delegation of senators is expected to meet with key defense leaders from across the globe, including Minister of Defense of Colombia Pedro Sanchez-Suarez, Minister of National Defense of Canada David McGuinty, European Union Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius, and more.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-duckworth-introduce-mental-health-in-aviation-act", "Hoeven, Duckworth Introduce Mental Health in Aviation Act", "2025-11-20", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven, Duckworth Introduce Mental Health in Aviation Act\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced the Mental Health in Aviation Act, bipartisan legislation to modernize the Federal Aviation Administration\u2019s (FAA) approach to mental health and medical certification.\n\nThe Mental Health in Aviation Act improves aviation safety by encouraging both pilots and air traffic controllers to seek mental health care, when needed, while reducing the stigma associated with mental health and the potential impact on a pilot\u2019s career. Under current FAA regulations, pilots and air traffic controllers are required to obtain and maintain an FAA Medical Certification, which requires the disclosure of medical treatment, including for mental and behavioral health treatment. Once disclosed, even pilots with minor or well-managed conditions can face prolonged uncertainty and bureaucratic delays as they work through the existing processes that allow for treatment and safe return to operation. Further, the FAA has limited psychiatric staff to process pilot mental health evaluations, compounding the bureaucratic delays and leading to a significant backlog of special issuance applications.\n\nIn recognition of these challenges, the FAA convened the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee (ARC) in 2023 to assess barriers for pilots and controllers to acknowledge, seek care and treatment, and report mental health concerns, and to develop and implement policy and protocol recommendations. The ARC delivered 24 targeted recommendations aimed at removing obstacles to mental health care while upholding the highest of aviation safety standards. The Mental Health in Aviation Act builds on these recommendations to modernize the FAA\u2019s approach, promote early intervention, provide additional resources to the FAA\u2019s Office of Aerospace Medicine, and support the well-being of aviation professionals and the overall safety of our skies. Specifically, the legislation would require the FAA to:\n\nModernize mental health guidance regulations for pilots and air traffic controllers to encourage the early disclosure and treatment of mental health conditions, and to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in aviation.\n\nAnnually review the FAA\u2019s Special Issuance Medical Certification process, appropriate mental health treatments and medication use, and overall mental health training for Aviation Medical Examiners.\n\nAllocate $15 million annually (FY2026\u2013FY2029) to the FAA\u2019s Office of Aerospace Medicine to expand and train additional medical examiners, including specialists, to improve the efficiency of the FAA\u2019s Special Issuance Medical Certification process.\n\nAllocate $1.5 million annually (FY2026\u2013FY2029) for a public information campaign to help reduce the stigma around mental health care in aviation and encourage pilots and air traffic controllers to seek treatment.\n\nThis legislation builds upon efforts taken at the University of North Dakota (UND) after John Hauser, a UND Aviation student, took his own life in an aircraft in October 2021. These efforts include the establishment of:\n\nThe John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Initiative Fund at UND, which helped develop the UpLift Peer Support program, to offer mental health support for aviation students from their own peers. This first of its kind program for an educational aviation institution is being replicated globally.\n\nAn annual Aviation Mental Health Summit, to foster collaboration among collegiate aviation training programs, mental health professionals, industry leaders, and the FAA to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in aviation.\n\nThe North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine at the University of North Dakota, which recently signed a $5 million aeromedical research agreement with the FAA.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s imperative that our pilots, air traffic controllers and aviation professionals have access to the resources they need to maintain their mental health,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cThe Mental Health in Aviation Act seeks to address mental health issues throughout the aviation industry, promote early intervention, provide additional resources to the FAA\u2019s Office of Aerospace Medicine, and support the well-being of aviation professionals and the overall safety of our skies.\u201d\n\n\u201cI sincerely thank Senator Hoeven for his leadership in advancing the Mental Health in Aviation Act. This bill ensures members who serve in our aviation community, including pilots and air traffic controllers, have access to the critical mental-health support they need,\u201d said Andy Armacost, President of the University of North Dakota, a global leader in aviation education, research, and safety. \u201cWe are grateful to Senator Hoeven for recognizing the vital connection between mental wellness and aviation safety. His steadfast commitment to this cause sends a powerful message about safety in the aviation industry and reinforces UND\u2019s own efforts to strengthen mental health awareness and support among our students. Since the passing of UND student-pilot John Hauser in 2021, the University has launched several pioneering initiatives for UND aviation students, including the John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Fund, which encourages our student pilots to seek help when facing mental health challenges. John Hauser's legacy along with Senator Hoeven\u2019s leadership, continue to inspire all of us to prioritize the well-being of every member of the aviation community.\u201d\n\n\u201cPilots and air traffic controllers often operate under immense amounts of stress\u2014pursuing mental health care shouldn\u2019t be a career-ending decision,\u201d Duckworth said. \u201cThe fear and hesitancy around reporting mental health conditions and accessing care is hurting our pilots and isn\u2019t making our skies any safer\u2014reforms are critically needed. I\u2019m proud to introduce the Mental Health in Aviation Act with Senator Hoeven, commonsense legislation to help improve aviation safety and reduce bureaucratic delays and overregulation that can create a dangerous culture of silence and stigma around mental health.\u201d\n\nJoining Senators Hoeven and Duckworth in cosponsoring this legislation include Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Curtis (R-UT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Andy Kim (D-NJ).\n\nThe Mental Health in Aviation Act is the Senate companion to Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL) and Pete Stauber\u2019s (R-MN) bill, H.R. 2591, which passed the House of Representatives unanimously by voice vote on September 8, 2025.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ntia-approves-north-dakotas-final-proposal-for-the-broadband-equity-access-and-deployment-program", "NTIA Approves North Dakota\u2019s Final Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here to download audio.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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\u2019s proposal makes it one step closer to being the first state in the nation to be 100% connected with reliable, high-speed internet.\n\n\u201cNot only does approval of North Dakota\u2019s final proposal unlock new opportunities across the state, that\u2019s a given, but it really opens the door to a more connected future which is everything,\u201d said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). \u201cThanks to the hard work of President Trump, our providers, the state partners, and thanks to all of those folks, our state is now on track to be the first state with 100% connectivity. None of this progress would be possible without our entrepreneurs, it starts with them, our cutting-edge technology delivered by those entrepreneurs, and of course the innovative spirit and the pioneering spirit of North Dakota.\u201d\n\nThe state utilizes allocated funds through the BEAD program to expand access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet service. These funds will be used for infrastructure deployment projects and other initiatives to help bridge the digital divide.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/us-air-force-welcomes-general-ken-wilsbach-as-chief-of-staff", "U.S. Air Force Welcomes General Ken Wilsbach as Chief of Staff", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "*** Click herefor media resources.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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.\n\nGeneral Wilsbach previously served as the Commander of Air Combat Command (ACC), which operates more than 1,600 aircraft, 35 wings, 12 bases, and 1,371 units at more than 263 operating locations worldwide with 155,205 total force military and civilian personnel. ACC develops strategy, doctrine, concepts, tactics and procedures for air, space, and cyber-power employment.\n\nU.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chair of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, attended the ceremony and celebrated General Wilsbach\u2019s milestone.\n\n\u201cI can\u2019t think of anyone better prepared to take the helm as Chief of Staff of the Air Force than General Ken Wilsbach, he is eminently prepared,\u201d said Cramer in a video statement after the event. \u201cFrom a warfighter to leading the Air Force in the Pacific to Air Combat Command, he\u2019s the perfect person for the slot. By the way, Cindy [Wilsbach] is a rockstar as well. I\u2019ve watched her with Airmen, she deeply cares about them, she serves the spouses and others with great care and compassion. They\u2019re a dynamic team for sure, and I\u2019m just really grateful for his knowledge of the assets in North Dakota and his commitment to building a more modern, faster, and more lethal Air Force than ever before. He already heads the greatest Air Force in the world.\u201d\n\nGeneral Wilsbach joined Cramer in visiting Grand Forks Air Force Base in June 2024 to discuss base quality of life, current and future intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, the growth of the Space Development Agency, and other potential missions. They also visited the North Dakota Air National Guard in Fargo.\n\nAfter his nomination, General Wilsbach sent a letter to the Air Force where he said \u201creadiness is fundamental\u201d and stressed his goal of modernizing \u201cto win today and into the future.\u201d He said, \u201c\u2026air superiority is not guaranteed. It must be earned every day. [\u2026] Every Airman has a role to play in ensuring the United States Air Force remains the world\u2019s most capable, most lethal, and most respected fighting force. I\u2019m excited to see the ingenuity and the capability of our Airmen. Fight\u2019s on!\u201d\n\nGeneral Wilsbach succeeds General David Allvin, who retired at the beginning of the month. He was commissioned in 1985 as a distinguished graduate of the University of Florida\u2019s ROTC program and earned his pilot wings in 1986 as a distinguished graduate from Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. He has commanded a fighter squadron, operations group, two wings, two Numbered Air Forces and held various staff assignments including Director of Operations, Combined Air Operations Center and Director of Operations, U.S. Central Command. General Wilsbach is a command pilot with more than 6,000 hours in multiple aircraft and has flown 71 combat missions in operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-epa-issues-proposed-wotus-rule-to-protect-property-rights-bring-regulation-into-compliance-with-the-law", "Hoeven: EPA Issues Proposed WOTUS Rule to Protect Property Rights, Bring Regulation Into Compliance With the Law", "2025-11-17", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: EPA Issues Proposed WOTUS Rule to Protect Property Rights, Bring Regulation Into Compliance With the Law\n\nSenator Worked to Protect Against Biden and Obama-Era Overreach, Prevent Implementation of Expanded WOTUS Definitions\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed rule to restore the traditional definition of \u201cwaters of the U.S.\u201d (WOTUS). Once finalized, the rule will:\n\nReverse the expanded, overreaching WOTUS definition, which was advanced by both the Obama and Biden administrations.\n\nThese rules sought to expand federal regulatory authority beyond the limits established under the Clean Water Act.\n\nThis would have imposed unworkable mandates, burdensome new permitting requirements and compliance costs on landowners, energy and agriculture producers and other industries.\n\nBring the WOTUS rule in compliance with the Supreme Court\u2019s Sackett v. EPA ruling from 2023.\n\nReduce the regulatory burden, provide certainty to a wide range of industries and limit federal authority to navigable waters, consistent with the Clean Water Act.\n\nThe senator has been working with the Trump administration to advance this new rulemaking, stressing the importance of protecting both private property rights and the role of states in managing water resources within their borders.\n\nThis follows Hoeven\u2019s efforts to protect against the implementation of previously expansive WOTUS rules.\n\nThe EPA will accept public comments on the proposed rule for 45 days. Interested stakeholders may submit their feedback here once the proposed rule has been published in the Federal Register.\n\n\u201cThe impact of the Biden-era WOTUS rule would have been far-reaching and costly. Our farmers, ranchers and energy producers, among many others, would have been bogged down in federal permitting for everyday activities, imposing an unworkable regulatory burden and inflating not only their operating costs, but ultimately prices for consumers,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cThat\u2019s why I worked to hold back this regulatory overreach under the Biden and Obama administrations and support the Trump administration in advancing a WOTUS definition that respects private property rights and the regulatory role of states. I appreciate Administrator Zeldin for working with us on this priority, and I encourage North Dakotans to submit their feedback to the EPA to ensure the final rule meets the needs of our state.\u201d\n\nPrior to today\u2019s announcement, Hoeven worked to push back against regulatory overreach by the Biden and Obama administrations, having:\n\nHelped introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval, which Congress passed, to rescind the expanded WOTUS rule. The resolution was subsequently vetoed by President Biden.\n\nHelped introduce legislation in the 117th Congress to codify the first Trump administration\u2019s Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR), which replaced the 2015 Obama WOTUS rule.\n\nHoeven previously worked to advance the NWPR, following his efforts to defund WOTUS in 2015 and 2016 and prevent its implementation.\n\nJoined his colleagues in submitting an amicus brief in Sackett v. EPA, urging the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to preserve state authority to regulate local waters and lands.\n\nPressed the EPA and the Army Corps to suspend rulemaking on WOTUS until SCOTUS completed its consideration of Sackett v. EPA.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-fy26-appropriations-provides-more-than-50-million-to-help-north-dakota-drive-future-of-ag-technology-and-policy", "Hoeven: FY26 Appropriations Provides More Than $50 Million to Help North Dakota Drive Future of Ag Technology & Policy", "2025-11-14", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: FY26 Appropriations Provides More Than $50 Million to Help North Dakota Drive Future of Ag Technology & Policy\n\nSenator Secured Increased Support for NDSU Ag Policy Center, AgTech Partnership with Grand Farm\n\nFARGO, N.D. \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today outlined how priorities he worked to include in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Agriculture Appropriations legislation will provide more than $50 million to strengthen North Dakota\u2019s role as a driving force in the development of future agriculture technology and policy. Hoeven made the remarks as part of a roundtable he held at North Dakota State University (NDSU) with agriculture researchers, producers and commodity groups. The senator discussed his efforts as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee to secure the following priorities in the agriculture funding legislation:\n\nApproximately $25 million for ag research in North Dakota with NDSU and its partners, funded through the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).\n\nThese programs cover a wide variety of commodities, supporting better yields and disease resistance for crops like wheat, soybeans, barley, oats, potatoes, pulse crops and canola, among others.\n\n$18.5 million for NDSU-led research initiatives, ranging from autonomous technologies to machine learning and data security in agriculture.\n\nNearly $2.5 million for the NDSU Agricultural Risk Policy Center, which provides timely economic analysis on high-impact issues in farm country.\n\nThis brings the total funding Hoeven has secured for this initiative to nearly $6.5 million since FY2024.\n\nHoeven stressed the leading role that NDSU is now playing in agriculture policymaking for the nation, providing insights and driving policies that have a real-world benefit for producers.\n\nFor instance, the policy center\u2019s analyses have been key in shaping the updates to crop insurance and reference prices that Hoeven advanced in the One Big Beautiful Bill, as well as ongoing work on an agriculture assistance package.\n\n$5 million for the AgTech Cooperative Agreement between Grand Farm, NDSU and ARS.\n\nThis includes $2 million to establish an ARS work site at Grand Farm and brings total funding for the partnership to $11 million.\n\nThe partnership is working to develop the next generation of precision agriculture technologies, helping to secure U.S. farmers and ranchers\u2019 competitive edge now and into the future.\n\n$3 million for continued renovations at the Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center in Fargo, bringing total funding for the project to $18 million since FY2022.\n\n\u201cNorth Dakota has long been a powerhouse in agriculture, but with these latest initiatives in agriculture policy and technology, we are truly taking our leadership to the next level,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cNDSU\u2019s Ag Risk Policy Center is just over a year old, but it has already proven to be a key tool for policymakers and is shaping our nation\u2019s ag policy to the benefit of farmers and ranchers as we speak. At the same time, the university\u2019s AgTech partnership with Grand Farm and ARS is breaking new ground to empower our farmers to produce greater yields with fewer input costs. That\u2019s just two examples of the cutting-edge work that we\u2019ve funded in our FY2026 appropriations legislation.\u201d\n\nSUPPORT FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS\n\nIn addition, Hoeven worked to ensure the FY26 agriculture funding legislation continues to provide strong support for farmers and ranchers, which includes:\n\nHelping ensure producer access to credit by fully funding the demand for the Farm Service Agency\u2019s (FSA) direct and guaranteed operating and ownership loans.\n\nA measure prohibiting closure of FSA offices.\n\n$500,000 for blackbird depredation in the Northern Great Plains.\n\nPriorities for North Dakota livestock producers, including:\n\n$13.5 million to help ranchers comply with electronic identification (EID) requirements.\n\nSupport for avian influenza and chronic wasting disease (CWD) prevention and research efforts.\n\nMeasures to promote competition and transparency in cattle markets, such as:\n\n$1 million to continue Hoeven\u2019s cattle contract library pilot program.\n\nFunding to enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act.\n\n-###-\n\nNext Article Previous Article", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-crack-the-code-20-supports-us-energy-dominance-helps-secure-future-of-coal-fired-baseload-power", "Hoeven: Crack the Code 2.0 Supports U.S. Energy Dominance, Helps Secure Future of Coal-Fired Baseload Power", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: Crack the Code 2.0 Supports U.S. Energy Dominance, Helps Secure Future of Coal-Fired Baseload Power\n\nSenator Outlines Efforts to Secure Federal Support for Deploying EOR in North Dakota, Senator Outlines Efforts to Link Coal-Fired Electric Plants to Oil Production in Bakken\n\nBISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 During the Lignite Energy Council\u2019s (LEC) annual meeting today, Senator John Hoeven outlined his efforts to secure the future of North Dakota\u2019s coal industry. Hoeven, who participated in a panel discussion with leaders from the LEC, North Dakota Petroleum Council, the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) and Rainbow Energy, discussed:\n\nAdvancing his Crack the Code 2.0 initiative which seeks to partner the state\u2019s oil and gas industry, using enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to double both oil recovery in the Bakken and the life of North Dakota\u2019s coal-fired power plants.\n\nThis is possible due to a policy Hoeven worked to include in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) that properly aligned the 45Q tax credit to incentivize the use of CO2 for EOR, which:\n\nSupports coal producers\u2019 continued operations by providing access to a new revenue stream through selling CO2 to oil producers.\n\nMakes EOR the clear, commercially-viable choice for improving oil recovery in the Bakken, opening access to at least 5 billion additional barrels of oil in the formation that were previously inaccessible.\n\nHoeven is working to secure up to $50 million to support the deployment of EOR in North Dakota, having provided $12 million for the effort to date.\n\nThe senator also recently secured a commitment from the nominee to head the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development to work with him and the electric cooperatives on using federal credit programs to accelerate this initiative.\n\nProviding regulatory relief and continuing to roll back the burdensome federal rules imposed during the Biden administration.\n\nTo this end, Hoeven worked with the Trump administration earlier this year to rescind the Clean Power Plan 2.0 and the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule.\n\nHoeven, along with then-Congressman Kelly Armstrong, previously led bicameral legislation to block the EPA from implementing its new MATS rule.\n\nHoeven also joined the North Dakota delegation in sponsoring and passing legislation to rescind the Bureau of Land Management\u2019s (BLM) Resource Management Plan for North Dakota.\n\nThe new RMP would have locked away nearly all federal coal and the majority of oil and gas acreage in North Dakota.\n\n\u201cCrack the Code 2.0 is about realizing the potential of North Dakota\u2019s vast, untapped energy reserves, particularly our oil, gas and coal resources,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cWe know EOR works, because we\u2019ve been shipping CO2 from the Dakota Gasification Company up to Weyburn Field for this purpose for 25 years. Now, due to the changes we made under OB3 and with the federal support we\u2019re advancing, we can utilize this approach in the Bakken. Doing so gives our coal producers a new revenue stream while opening up at least 5 billion barrels of additional oil for production, both of which are supported by our efforts to roll back the regulatory onslaught imposed under President Biden. The result is continued access to reliable baseload power and more domestic oil and gas \u2013 that\u2019s a win for American consumers, our economy and U.S. energy dominance.\u201d\n\n-###-\n\nNext Article Previous Article", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-statement-after-house-approves-legislation-ending-government-shutdown", "Hoeven Statement After House Approves Legislation Ending Government Shutdown", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Statement After House Approves Legislation Ending Government Shutdown\n\nSenator Helped Negotiate Package to Fund Government, Pass Three Full-Year Appropriations Bills\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after the House of Representatives approved legislation to reopen the government. The Senate approved the bill on Monday and it will now go to the President to be signed into law. As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, Hoeven helped to negotiate the legislation, which includes three full-year appropriations bills, including the final Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture Appropriations bill.\n\n\u201cNow that both houses of Congress have approved this legislation we can get the government reopened for the good of the American people. We worked to negotiate this package to both fund the government but also get us back to regular order with passage of three full-year appropriations bills, including our ag appropriations bill for our farmers and ranchers. That\u2019s the right way to appropriate so we can fund our priorities while finding savings to reduce the debt and deficit. Next, the Senate will take up the Defense Appropriations bill to ensure we properly fund our great troops and their defense missions. This shutdown has gone on for too long and now that the government is funded we can continue moving forward with the appropriations process and the work of the American people.\u201d\n\nMore information on the Hoeven-secured priorities in the FY26 Agriculture Appropriations bill is available here and the FY26 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill here.\n\n###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-honors-nations-veterans-outlines-priorities-included-in-milcon-va-approps-bill", "Hoeven Honors Nation\u2019s Veterans, Outlines Priorities Included in Milcon-VA Approps Bill", "2025-11-11", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Honors Nation\u2019s Veterans, Outlines Priorities Included in Milcon-VA Approps Bill\n\nAs Member of Appropriations Committee, Senator Included Provisions to Improve VA Health Care and Veterans Cemeteries\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (Milcon-VA) Appropriations Committee, today honored the sacrifices of all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces on Veterans Day. Hoeven outlined important priorities included in the Milcon-VA Appropriations bill that was part of an agreement to reopen the government that is advancing through Congress.\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s veterans have served honorably and made tremendous sacrifices to secure our liberties and keep us safe. Every day, but particularly on Veterans Day, we pay tribute to these brave Americans and thank them for their service,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cThe best way to honor our veterans is by providing them with the benefits and recognition that they have earned. We included important provisions in this year\u2019s Milcon-VA funding bill to ensure that we keep our nation\u2019s promise to care for those who have served so honorably, including better access to care as well as a provision to help advance the Veterans Memorial Center at the Fargo National Cemetery.\u201d\n\nHoeven outlined important veterans priorities in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Milcon-VA appropriations bill. In addition to strong funding for veterans medical care and veterans benefits, the legislation:\n\nSupports construction of additional infrastructure at Rural Initiative national cemeteries, like the Fargo National Cemetery (FNC) and ensures the VA prioritizes investments that involve state and local contributions, similar to the Veterans Memorial Center being advanced by the Hoeven-led FNC working group.\n\nImproves veterans access to long-term care by recruiting and retaining more partners and pressing the VA to work toward permanently exempting providers from onerous contracting requirements at the Department of Labor.\n\nExpands access to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) by encouraging the VA to continue researching the therapy as a treatment for post-traumatic stress (PTS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), while permitting case-by-case referrals for HBOT through VA Community Care.\n\nAdditionally, Hoeven secured funding and language supporting military construction priorities in North Dakota including:\n\nContinued nuclear modernization at the Minot Air Force Base. Hoeven included measures in the bill directing the Air Force to prioritize and fund security enhancements at Minot Air Force Base\u2019s existing Weapons Storage Area, and develop a plan, including a construction timeline for Sentinel launch facilities that incorporates concurrent construction at all three missile bases.\n\n$1.5 million in additional funding for the North Dakota National Guard\u2019s Jamestown Readiness Center.\n\nHoeven-provision to ensure the Army National Guard meets lodging needs at facilities like Camp Grafton\u2019s Regional Training Institute.\n\nThe housing project is fully designed, supported by $2 million in funding Hoeven secured in FY2024.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-advances-bill-to-end-schumer-shutdown", "Senate Advances Bill to End Schumer Shutdown", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Bolsters National Security, Supports Veterans, Farmers, and Ranchers\n\n***Click hereto download audio.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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 construction, veterans\u2019 affairs, agriculture, rural development, food safety, technology infrastructure, and national security programs.\n\nIn addition to reopening the government, the appropriations package secures funding to support our nation\u2019s farmers and ranchers, fully funds veterans medical care, invests in rural infrastructure, housing, and business development, and supports approximately 300 military construction projects across the nation. Among other provisions, it prohibits the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from purchasing technology equipment manufactured by specific Chinese companies subject to influence by the Chinese Communist Party and protects American farmland from being purchased by foreign adversaries.\n\nThe bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement, touting the wins included in this funding package:\n\n\u201cThe passage of this package is big, it\u2019s a win for our veterans, law enforcement officers, farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers, as well as every American across the nation. It\u2019s really important because not only does it reopen the government, which is the fundamental point, but it pays the people who\u2019ve earned their pay and it keeps vital programs running, all while delivering some key wins for North Dakota which afterall is my first priority. It provides funding for the Jamestown Armory and ensures North Dakota is not neglected when we pursue certain suicide prevention grants for veterans. The bill supports North Dakota\u2019s farmers and ranchers through programmatic funding increases by prohibiting the closure of FSA county offices, which we know are critical to servicing our farmers and ranchers every day. This vote really reflects the Senate\u2019s commitment to those who serve, those who produce, and keep our nation strong. I hope the House will act swiftly to get this across the finish line and reopen the government by mid-week.\u201d\n\nMilitary Construction, Veterans Affairs:\n\nThe Military Construction, VA, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for FY26 secures approximately $1.5 million to design an armory for the North Dakota Army National Guard in Jamestown. It also provides $702.8 million for the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) program, which serves every county in North Dakota through the Williston, Minot, Devils Lake, Grand Forks, Fargo, Jamestown, Bismarck, and Dickinson regional Community Action Agencies.\n\nAs a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Cramer has fought to ensure veterans receive timely access to high quality mental health care, no matter where they live. In April, Cramer and U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced the bipartisan Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act to provide priority consideration of SSG Fox SPGP applications to entities in states, like North Dakota, which have not previously received a grant. The CR reflects Cramer\u2019s work to ensure North Dakota veterans receive suicide prevention support if they need it by extending SSG Fox SPGP through Sept. 30.\n\nIt provides support for housing, infrastructure, and facilities for U.S. military forces and their families, as well as increased funding for veterans\u2019 health care and mandatory benefits such as disability compensation programs, education benefits, and vocational rehabilitation and employment training, and more.\n\nThe bill includes a provision prohibiting the VA from purchasing technology equipment from any Chinese manufacturer on a list maintained by the U.S. Department of War (DOW), the U.S. Department of Treasury, the U.S. Department of Commerce, or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It also provides funding for the DOW military construction program, which supports roughly 300 projects at military installations within the U.S. and around the world; construction and modernization of military infrastructure critical to warfighter readiness; support the integration and deployment of new and emerging technologies.\n\nAgriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration:\n\nThe Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for FY26 secures food supply chains, provides funding for programs to support producers and rural communities, facilitates agricultural research, and offers nutritional and housing assistance for low-income families.\n\nSpecifically, the legislation allocates $10 billion for farm loans, provides $1.4 billion for the Farm Service Agency (FSA), and prohibits closures of FSA county offices. It funds essential programs producers rely on to protect crops and livestock from diseases and pests, facilitates domestic and international marketing of agricultural products, and supports frontline personnel for state meat and poultry inspection programs. Notably, it also provides resources to help ranchers comply with electronic identification (EID) tag requirements.\n\nTo support rural communities, this bill provides $4.1 billion for rural development programs, $1.7 billion for rental assistance, $26 billion for housing loans, $1.4 billion for water and waste grants and loans, and $1.8 billion to support rural business and industry programs. It also delivers $109 million for rural broadband grants and loans aimed at the nation\u2019s most hard-to-reach areas.\n\nIt includes $3.8 billion for agricultural research programs, securing U.S. dominance in agricultural innovation. The Agricultural Research Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative ensure American farmers and ranchers can harness cutting-edge technologies while supporting innovation and agriculture production. To build on the Trump administration\u2019s National Farm Security Action Plan, the bill supports efforts to protect the U.S. agricultural economy and maintain U.S. global leadership in animal health, biodefense, and biosecurity.\n\nFurther, the legislation maintains the Secretary of Agriculture\u2019s position on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to protect food supply chains from adversaries. It also provides funding increases for the Food Safety and Inspection Service and the FDA\u2019s state inspection programs to improve food safety systems and prevents the unregulated sale of intoxicating hemp-based or hemp-derived products, including Delta-8, from being sold online, in gas stations, and corner stores, while preserving non-intoxicating CBD and industrial hemp products.\n\nThe legislation funds food assistance programs for seniors, mothers, and children through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.\n\nLegislative Branch:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-senate-approves-legislation-to-end-shutdown", "Hoeven: Senate Approves Legislation to End Shutdown", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: Senate Approves Legislation to End Shutdown\n\nAg Approps Chairman Helped Negotiate Package Including Three Approps Bills\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate approved an agreement to fund the government and pass three full-year appropriations bills, including funding for agriculture and veterans. As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, Hoeven helped to negotiate the package, including the final Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture Appropriations bill.\n\n\u201cWe worked with Leader Thune and our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to find a solution to reopen the government. Importantly, the package will help us get back to regular order with passage of three of the full-year appropriations bills, including the Agriculture Appropriations bill to support our farmers and ranchers. Under regular order, we are able to fund our priorities while finding savings to reduce the debt and deficit. In addition, the Senate will tee up the Defense Appropriations bill for consideration next week to properly and adequately fund our great troops. The legislation now goes to the House of Representatives, and we hope they will quickly approve it to get government open.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-senate-passes-fy2026-agriculture-appropriations-bill-part-of-legislation-to-re-open-government", "Hoeven: Senate Passes FY2026 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, Part of Legislation to Re-Open Government", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: Senate Passes FY2026 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, Part of Legislation to Re-Open Government\n\nAs Chairman, Senator Worked to Negotiate & Secure Ag Appropriations Bill\u2019s Passage Supporting Ag Research, Producer Access to Credit\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 agriculture funding bill. As chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, Hoeven worked to negotiate and secure the legislation\u2019s passage as part of a package to re-open the federal government. This follows Hoeven\u2019s efforts to author the bill and ensure it provides strong support for farmers and ranchers, agriculture research and rural America.\n\n\u201cWe advanced this year\u2019s agriculture funding legislation through regular order, showing that we can support our priorities and find savings to reduce the debt and deficit, while securing bipartisan support both in committee and on the Senate floor. That\u2019s the right way to approach our appropriations work, and this agreement to re-open government helps us get that process moving again,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cImportantly, we worked to ensure our ag funding legislation supports the innovative research being conducted by NDSU, Grand Farm and their partners. At the same time, this bill supports better access to credit and the services our producers rely on at FSA. This is important not only as harvest wraps up, but as we work to advance an ag assistance bill to provide a bridge to help producers until the new reference prices come into effect.\u201d\n\nAgriculture Research\n\nNearly $2.5 million for the Agricultural Risk Policy Center at North Dakota State University (NDSU), bringing the total funding Hoeven has secured for this initiative to nearly $6.5 million since FY2024.\n\n$5 million for the AgTech Cooperative Agreement between Grand Farm, NDSU and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). This includes $2 million to establish an ARS work site at Grand Farm.\n\n$3 million for continued renovations at the Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center in Fargo.\n\nMaintains and strengthens a wide range of agriculture research conducted in North Dakota, funded through ARS and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), supporting better yields and disease resistance for crops like wheat, soybeans, barley, oats, potatoes, pulse crops and canola, among others.\n\nSupport for Farmers and Ranchers\n\nHelps ensure producer access to credit, providing sufficient funding to meet demand for the Farm Service Agency\u2019s (FSA) direct and guaranteed operating and ownership loans.\n\nContinues the prohibition on FSA county office closures.\n\nGives ranchers the necessary resources to comply with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service\u2019s (APHIS) electronic identification (EID) tag requirement.\n\nThis follows Hoeven\u2019s efforts last year to secure an additional 3 million EID tags to prevent an unfunded mandate from being imposed on U.S. ranchers.\n\nProvides $500,000 for blackbird depredation in the Northern Great Plains.\n\nEmpowers APHIS to protect the nation\u2019s livestock against diseases, including avian influenza and chronic wasting disease (CWD), while supporting continued CWD research at ARS.\n\nSupports a more competitive and transparent cattle market by:\n\nProviding $1 million to continue Hoeven\u2019s cattle contract library pilot program.\n\nMaintaining funding for the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-advances-bipartisan-bills-takes-key-step-toward-ending-schumer-shutdown", "Senate Advances Bipartisan Bills, Takes Key Step Toward Ending Schumer Shutdown", "2025-11-09", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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\u2019s engagement over the past few days.\n\nThe vote is the first step of a plan by Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to reopen the government. It opens the door to passing a modified version of the continuing resolution (CR) Senate Republicans have now voted for 15 times. The latest version of the CR will extend current government funding levels through the end of January 2026 and incorporate the content of three individual appropriations bills the Senate passed this year, including Agriculture-FDA, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction-VA.\n\nCramer issued the following statement after voting in favor of the motion:\n\n\u201cAfter a record-breaking shutdown, we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cAdvancing this appropriations package gets us one step closer to paying the troops, the border patrol agents and all the other federal workers who were inexcusably used as leverage by Democrats. While Chuck Schumer may have believed it got better and better each day the government was closed, the rest of the country paid the price for his political games.\u201d\n\nThe Senate will vote to pass the CR and appropriations bills later in the week and send them to the House, which is expected to pass the bills. The legislation will then be sent to the White House for President Donald Trump to sign into law.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-statementafter-senate-advancesagreement-to-fund-government", "Hoeven Statement\u00a0After Senate Advances\u00a0Agreement to Fund Government", "2025-11-09", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Statement After Senate Advances Agreement to Fund Government\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate advanced a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to reopen and fund the government through January 30. In addition to opening the government, the agreement includes three of the twelve full-year appropriations bills, including the Agriculture Appropriations bill. As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, Hoeven helped to negotiate the package, which cleared a key procedural hurdle today and is now advancing in the Senate.\n\n\u201cWe worked to negotiate a path forward to reopen the government with a short-term CR through January 30 and passage of three of the full-year appropriations bills. These three bills, including the Agriculture Appropriations bill, will help get us back to regular order. This shutdown has gone on for far too long. Let\u2019s get this CR approved so we can get back to the work of the people, and pass the remaining appropriations bills to fund our priorities while finding savings.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-on-senate-floor-open-the-government-and-get-back-to-appropriating", "Hoeven on Senate Floor: Open the Government And Get Back to Appropriating", "2025-11-08", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven on Senate Floor: Open the Government And Get Back to Appropriating\n\nMeasure to Pay Federal Employees Blocked by Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today spoke on the Senate floor about the impacts of the ongoing government shutdown and the need to reopen the government and pass the appropriations bills. Hoeven voted last night for legislation offered by Senator Ron Johnson to pay federal employees during the government shutdown, however Senate Democrats blocked the bill.\n\n\u201cThe Senate Democrats have not only shut down the federal government for more than a month, but are now blocking pay for federal employees, including our military, national guard, air traffic controllers, TSA agents and others, who have continued to keep our nation safe, and provide essential services to the American people during the shutdown. We need to reopen the government and get back to appropriating, and the best way to do that is to pass a clean, short-term continuing resolution.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-discusses-opportunities-for-usda-loan-programs-to-advance-energy-security-meet-rural-health-care-housing-and-livestock-producer-needs", "Hoeven Discusses Opportunities for USDA Loan Programs to Advance Energy Security, Meet Rural Health Care, Housing & Livestock Producer Needs", "2025-11-07", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Discusses Opportunities for USDA Loan Programs to Advance Energy Security, Meet Rural Health Care, Housing & Livestock Producer Needs\n\nSenator Secures Commitment from Rural Development Nominee to Work with Electric Cooperatives on Accelerating Crack the Code 2.0\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 At a hearing of the Senate Agriculture Committee this week, Senator John Hoeven discussed with Glen Smith, the nominee to serve as Under Secretary for Rural Development, the opportunity to leverage credit programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to advance a range of priorities in rural America. Smith currently serves as chairman of the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (FCSIC) and a member of the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) board of directors. Accordingly, both in the hearing and a meeting Hoeven held with Smith in September, the senator outlined how Smith\u2019s experience will empower Rural Development to make the best use of its credit programs and how they can work together to:\n\nAdvance Hoeven\u2019s Crack the Code 2.0 initiative to double the life of North Dakota\u2019s coal-fired power plants and double oil production in the Bakken.\n\nHoeven stressed that rural electric cooperatives will be a key player in deploying enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies in the Bakken.\n\nThe senator secured a commitment from Smith to work with him and the electric cooperatives to accelerate this initiative, which will establish a new revenue stream for coal producers while using EOR to access more than 5 billion barrels of additional oil in North Dakota.\n\nAddress health care, housing and other critical needs in rural America.\n\nHoeven highlighted successful efforts to build state-of-the-art hospitals in communities like Rugby, Grafton and Hazen as a model for meeting similar rural needs.\n\nHoeven worked as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee to support communities in leveraging both Rural Development loans and Critical Access Hospital (CAH) reimbursement to secure new facilities and vastly improve health care access in those regions.\n\nExpand access to local, small meat processing facilities, giving ranchers more options for selling and marketing their products.\n\n\u201cIn North Dakota, we\u2019ve made good use of credit programs at USDA to empower communities to meet local and regional needs, particularly for health care. We\u2019re working to expand upon those efforts, including by working with our rural electric cooperatives to advance Crack the Code 2.0 in the Bakken, and Glen Smith will be an important partner in moving that initiative forward,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cWhether it\u2019s energy security, health care, housing or better helping livestock producers sell their commodities, we have real opportunities through Rural Development to improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. I look forward to working with Mr. Smith to do just that once he\u2019s confirmed to his new role.\u201d\n\nCRACK THE CODE 2.0\n\nThis week\u2019s hearing comes as the latest in Hoeven\u2019s efforts to secure federal support for Crack the Code 2.0, which seeks to partner North Dakota\u2019s oil and coal industries to double both the ultimate oil recovery in the Bakken and the operational life of the state\u2019s coal-fired power plants. To move this priority forward, Hoeven:\n\nIs working as a member of the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Committee to secure up to $50 million from the federal government for the project, having provided $12 million for the effort to date.\n\nThe initial $12 million award enabled the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) and Chord Energy to conduct 18 months of field and laboratory research to study the viability of injecting CO2 and natural gas liquids into unconventional oil reservoirs for the purposes of enhanced oil recovery.\n\nHoeven has since secured commitments from Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy Kyle Haustveit to collaborate with North Dakota on this effort and increase federal support from the Department of Energy (DOE).\n\nThe federal and state funding will be used to leverage $76 million in private investment, bringing the total project funding to approximately $171 million.\n\nWorked to ensure the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) properly aligned the 45Q tax credit to incentivize the use of CO2 for EOR. Doing so:\n\nProvides a strong, long-term incentive for EOR, making it the clear, commercially-viable choice to improve oil recovery in the Bakken.\n\nEstablishes an additional revenue stream for coal producers to extend the life of coal power plants and continue providing a critical source of baseload power.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-questions-defense-nominees-at-senate-armed-services-committee-hearing", "Cramer Questions Defense Nominees at Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing", "2025-11-06", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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.\n\nU.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee, questioned Payne about independent assessments being diluted by program advocacy. He also asked Velez-Green about a reported \u201cpause\u201d in Ukraine aid and claims made by Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby that the British Royal Navy should reduce its presence in the Indo-Pacific.\n\nIf confirmed as the senior civilian official leading CAPE in the U.S. Department of War (DOW), Payne would be responsible for independent analysis of force structure, program alternatives, cost-effectiveness of defense systems, and advising the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of War. Cramer expressed concern that too often, independent assessments get diluted by program advocacy and can be masked by cherry picking operational scenarios to match or disadvantage the platform being evaluated.\n\nCramer asked Payne if this happens at CAPE, either inadvertently or through orders by leadership.\n\n\u201cAt times in the past, yes, I have seen CAPE take on an advocacy role that I think is inappropriate for an independent analytic organization,\u201d responded Payne. \u201cIf confirmed, you have my commitment that my priority would be focusing CAPE on its true mission, which is being an advisory, not a policy making or decision-making organization.\u201d\n\nAs Deputy Under Secretary of War for Policy in the DOW, Velez-Green would support the civilian head on strategy, deterrence, alliance management, and doctrinal posture for the United States. Over the summer, the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales sailed in the Pacific. Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby reportedly made a comment to the British along the lines of \u201cis it too late to call it back? Because we don\u2019t want you there.\u201d\n\nCramer asked Velez-Green if he had knowledge of the specific discussion. Velez-Green said it would be inappropriate to comment on private discussions between different governments given the setting, but Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has publicly said \u201cit is most important for our European allies to focus on their home theater as they work to build out their capacity.\u201d\n\n\u201cThat is the guidance that the Secretary has offered in a public setting, and my personal view is, I think that does make a lot of sense because we believe in a NATO that is as strong as possible,\u201d said Velez-Green. \u201cThat is a sincerely held view. My personal belief is we have an interest in NATO being as strong as possible on an enduring basis, with the United States deeply engaged. But for that to happen, especially as we face the rise of China, our allies simply have to step up and focus those resources where they're needed most.\u201d\n\nCramer asked if anyone coordinated the statement with allies or the U.S. Department of State.\n\n\u201cThere are other agencies for whom international relationships are the higher party, not at least, which, of course, is the State Department,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cAnd so, I'd be interested to know if this position was reconciled with the State Department, or if this was just, again, a private conversation to your point, or for that matter, if other allies were consulted, allies that welcome the British having a ship in the Pacific.\u201d\n\nVelez-Green said the undersecretary has been \u201cruthless and specific\u201d about ensuring the office of the Under Secretary of War for Policy focuses on military matters, and in this case, thinking about the allocation of defense resources across theaters. He said they also interact with their interagency colleagues to ensure those cross-cutting interagency conversations continue.\n\nFollowing up on a statement made earlier this week by Austin Dahmer, nominee for Assistant Secretary of War for Strategy, Plans and Forces, regarding a pause in aid to Ukraine, Cramer asked Velez-Green to reconcile statements denying a pause with a DOW publication which states, \u201csome assistance provided to Ukraine \u2014 as well as assistance to other nations \u2014 is on pause as the Defense Department reviews its own capabilities.\u201d\n\n\u201cI can say categorically, the policy leadership neither ordered nor even recommended a pause to any weapons shipments to Ukraine as it was reported,\u201d said Velez-Green. \u201cFull stop, no caveats. That reporting was completely inaccurate in substantial part because we do not have the authority to order any adjustment to weapons deliveries one way or the other. I am aware of brief disruptions to certain deliveries as a result of the capabilities review that Mr. Purnell referenced in the July 2 transcript that I believe was referenced on Tuesday, but I am not aware of a pause ordered by the Secretary to any of the weapons shipments at the time.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-epa-north-dakota-sign-agreement-implementing-coal-ash-recycling-program", "Hoeven: EPA, North Dakota Sign Agreement Implementing Coal Ash Recycling Program", "2025-11-05", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: EPA, North Dakota Sign Agreement Implementing Coal Ash Recycling Program\n\nSenator Authored, Passed 2016 Legislation Creating State-Led Permitting Program to Provide Regulatory Relief for Coal Producers\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement congratulating Governor Kelly Armstrong and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin on signing an agreement formally implementing the State of North Dakota\u2019s coal ash recycling and disposal program. The program is made possible through bipartisan legislation Hoeven authored and passed in 2016, which was needed after an EPA rule issued in 2014 correctly regulated coal ash as a non-hazardous material, but did not create an effective enforcement mechanism. The 2014 regulation made coal ash recycling more difficult and created uncertainty and added cost for coal producers.\n\nInstead, the Hoeven-created, state-led approach will:\n\nProvide certainty for the safe and efficient recycling of coal ash, helping to reduce costs and creating a potential revenue stream for coal producers.\n\nCoal ash recycling allows for the productive use of coal residuals in applications like construction, where it serves as an ingredient in a less-expensive, stronger and more durable form of cement.\n\nCoal ash was used in the construction of the North Dakota Heritage Center and the National Energy Center of Excellence at Bismarck State College.\n\nEstablish an enforceable state permit program for the disposal of coal ash, which requires protective infrastructure for disposal sites as well as timely and effective groundwater monitoring, among other standards.\n\nStates that choose not to create a permit program or that do not have an approved application from EPA will continue to be regulated directly by EPA.\n\n\u201cWe created this state-led program through my legislation passed in 2016 to help give a more stable footing to coal producers, providing efficient, cost-effective methods for recycling and disposing of coal ash,\u201d said Senator Hoeven. \u201cWe appreciate Governor Armstrong and Administrator Zeldin for their work to finalize and approve North Dakota\u2019s program. This state-led approach means lower costs and more regulatory certainty, benefiting both the environment and our economy \u2013 a win-win for U.S. energy dominance. This is part of our work to maintain access to the reliable, affordable baseload power provided by coal that is available 24/7, no matter the weather.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-klobuchar-lead-bipartisan-effort-calling-on-surface-transportation-board-to-closely-scrutinize-proposed-union-pacific-norfolk-southern-railroad-merger", "Hoeven, Klobuchar Lead Bipartisan Effort Calling on Surface Transportation Board to Closely Scrutinize Proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Railroad Merger", "2025-10-31", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven, Klobuchar Lead Bipartisan Effort Calling on Surface Transportation Board to Closely Scrutinize Proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Railroad Merger\n\nSenators Stress Need to Ensure Competition in Rail Industry, Potential Impacts on U.S. Ag Producers\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led a bipartisan effort calling on the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to closely scrutinize the proposed merger of Union Pacific Railroad (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) Railway and ensure competition in the railroad industry over the long term. In a letter to STB Chairman Patrick Fuchs, Vice Chair Michelle Schultz and Member Karen Hedlund, the senators stressed the potential disruptions to U.S. rail service resulting from a merger of this scale and outlined the need for the STB to fully analyze the potential impact on long-term competition, including for agriculture producers, many of whom already face limited options for accessing rail service.\n\n\u201cThe STBs post-2001 \u2018Major Rail Consolidation Procedures\u2019 were adopted specifically to place heightened emphasis on whether Class I railroad mergers enhance, rather than merely preserve, competition\u2026 The proposed UP/NS merger will be the first to come before the Board under these rules, and it is essential that you establish a strong precedent and apply these heightened standards in the way they were intended,\u201d wrote the senators. \u201cIf approved, a combined UP/NS would handle more than 40 percent of all U.S. freight rail traffic\u2026 a transcontinental system spanning 50,000 route miles across 43 states. Service interruptions of this magnitude could have severe consequences, especially for agricultural producers. Time-sensitive shipments during harvest could be delayed or spoiled, export windows could be missed, and access to global markets could be sharply reduced.\n\n\u201cWe look forward to working with you to ensure the STB continues to promote an efficient, competitive, and economically viable freight rail network that serves the public interest,\u201d concluded the senators.\n\nThe Hoeven-Klobuchar letter was co-signed by Senators Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). The full text of the senators\u2019 letter can be found here.\n\nThis effort has been endorsed by the following organizations: Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC), Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD), American Chemistry Council (ACC), American Crystal Sugar, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Freight Rail Customer Alliance (FRCA), Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce, Minn-Dak Farmers\u2019 Cooperative, Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU), Montana Agricultural Business Association, National Industrial Transportation League (NITL), National Farmers Union (NFU), North Carolina Agribusiness Council, North Dakota Agricultural Association, North Dakota Farmers Union, North Dakota Petroleum Council, North Dakota Grain Growers Association, North Dakota Grain Dealers Association, North Dakota Trade Office and the Southern Rail Commission.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-questions-stratcom-commander-nominee-at-sasc-hearing", "Cramer Questions STRATCOM Commander Nominee at SASC Hearing", "2025-10-30", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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 operations, and missile threat assessment.\n\nMinot Air Force Base (AFB) in North Dakota is the only base in the nation to house two legs of the nuclear triad, including B-52 bombers and Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The Sentinel program was established to replace the 50-year-old Minuteman III ICBM weapon system with the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM. Minot AFB will be the last base to receive Sentinel ICBMs.\n\nIf confirmed, Vice Admiral Correll would lead more than 41,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and civilians who execute STRATCOM\u2019s global missions.\n\nU.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee, questioned Vice Admiral Correll about the importance of the Sentinel program, modernizing B-52 bombers, and the United States\u2019 strategic posture and nuclear deterrence.\n\nCramer, co-chair of the Senate Defense Modernization Caucus, asked what steps are being taken to ensure continuous alert coverage and personnel readiness during construction and testing of the transition from Minuteman III to Sentinel at Minot AFB.\n\n\u201cIf confirmed as a STRATCOM Commander, one of my most [important] responsibilities that I see with respect to the transition from what we have to what we need in the future, is understanding where the risks are within the portfolio and where additional risks might manifest themselves, and communicating that with precision, together with the services to make sure that we're accounting for it,\u201d said Vice Admiral Correll. \u201cThat's as we transition. [\u2026] But I\u2019m comfortable with where we are. We need to continue to keep the pressure on, to pull new capabilities to the left and deliver sooner. But you know, the services are very focused on understanding where the margin is and how our systems are operating, and STRATCOM is as well.\u201d\n\nCramer then asked if it would be acceptable to reduce our nation\u2019s ICBM count below 400 to accommodate Sentinel\u2019s cost and schedule challenges. Vice Admiral Correll said based on the strategic environment, his military advice would be to not reduce the numbers. He said, \u201cthe whole is much greater than the sum of the parts, and each leg of the triad has unique attributes that are really important.\u201d\n\nThe conversation then shifted to the strategic, 70-year-old B-52, a long-range, heavy bomber capable of flying at high subsonic speeds and carrying nuclear or precision guided conventional ordinance. Cramer said, \u201cnot to be outdone by the age of missiles, we have some really old airplanes too at Minot,\u201d and noted how the B-52s are due for modernization as well.\n\nCramer asked Vice Admiral Correll about how STRATCOM plans to sustain the aging B-52 fleet during the transition period before B-21 full operational capability, especially given its critical role in both nuclear and conventional deterrence.\n\nVice Admiral Correll echoed Cramer\u2019s comment about the importance of B-52s and its \u201cessential nature to our strategic deterrent.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-working-to-provide-up-to-50-million-in-federal-funding-for-crack-the-code-20-initiative", "Hoeven Working to Provide Up to $50 Million in Federal Funding for Crack the Code 2.0 Initiative", "2025-10-27", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Working to Provide Up to $50 Million in Federal Funding for Crack the Code 2.0 Initiative\n\nSenator Marks $45.1 Million in State Funding Approved for EOR Project by Industrial Commission\n\nBISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement commending the North Dakota Industrial Commission for approving $45.1 million to advance the implementation of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the Bakken. The state funding supports Hoeven\u2019s Crack the Code 2.0 initiative, which seeks to partner North Dakota\u2019s oil and coal industries to double both the ultimate oil recovery in the Bakken and the operational life of the state\u2019s coal-fired power plants. To move this priority forward, Hoeven:\n\nIs working as a member of the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Committee to secure up to $50 million from the federal government for the project, having provided $12 million for the effort to date.\n\nThe initial $12 million award enabled the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) and Chord Energy to conduct 18 months of field and laboratory research to study the viability of injecting CO2 and natural gas liquids into unconventional oil reservoirs for the purposes of enhanced oil recovery.\n\nHoeven has since secured commitments from Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy Kyle Haustveit to collaborate with North Dakota on this effort and increase federal support from the Department of Energy (DOE).\n\nThe federal and state funding will be used to leverage $76 million in private investment, bringing the total project funding to approximately $171 million.\n\nWorked to ensure the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) properly aligned the 45Q tax credit to incentivize the use of CO2 for EOR. Doing so:\n\nProvides a strong, long-term incentive for EOR, making it the clear, commercially-viable choice to improve oil recovery in the Bakken.\n\nEstablishes an additional revenue stream for coal producers to extend the life of coal power plants and continue providing a critical source of baseload power.\n\n\u201cEOR is a longtime proven technology. North Dakota demonstrates that every day through the Dakota Gasification Company, which has been providing CO2 to the Weyburn Field in Canada for EOR for 25 years. Now through Crack the Code 2.0, we\u2019re working to bring this technique to the Bakken to benefit both our oil and coal industries, and today\u2019s funding from the North Dakota Industrial Commission is an important step in that effort,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cThe back-end of this project is already taken care of, as the corrections we made to tax incentives in the One Big Beautiful Bill provide a solid, long-term foundation for using EOR in the Bakken. In addition, we\u2019ve already provided $12 million in federal research funding for EERC and Chord Energy to get this project going on the front-end. We\u2019re working to bring that number up to $50 million to make this initiative a reality, and I look forward to continuing my efforts with Energy Secretary Wright and his team at DOE to do just that.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-resolution-designates-october-26th-as-day-of-the-deployed", "Hoeven Resolution Designates October 26th as 'Day of the Deployed'", "2025-10-26", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Resolution Designates October 26th as 'Day of the Deployed'\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven introduced a resolution declaring October 26th as the \u201cDay of the Deployed.\u201d The resolution calls upon the American people to remember and honor the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who are, or who have been deployed, on behalf of the United States Armed Forces. As Governor of North Dakota, Hoeven launched the first Day of the Deployed, on October 26, 2006, and as Senator, has continued to lead the national effort in the U.S. Senate. Presently, more than 2 million individuals serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, including active duty, Guard and Reserve components.\n\n\u201cFreedom isn\u2019t free, and the Day of the Deployed is a reminder of the courage and sacrifice it takes to protect our country,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cEvery year on October 26, we recognize the men and women who leave the comforts of home to serve, and the families who support them with strength and dedication.\u201d\n\nClick here for the full text of the resolution.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-democrats-block-bill-to-pay-troops-and-federal-workers", "Senate Democrats Block Bill to Pay Troops and Federal Workers", "2025-10-23", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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 branches of U.S. government.\n\nU.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the Shutdown Fairness Act:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-american-families-pay-the-price-for-democrats-shutdown", "Hoeven: American Families Pay the Price For Democrats\u2019 Shutdown", "2025-10-23", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: American Families Pay the Price For Democrats\u2019 Shutdown\n\nSenator Votes Again for Clean CR to Re-Open Government, Supports Legislation to Pay Essential Federal Workers During Shutdown\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate, pressing his Democratic colleagues to re-open the federal government. The senator outlined the impacts of the shutdown on everyday Americans and federal employees, including military personnel, Border Patrol agents and air traffic controllers, among others, who continue to work without pay. Accordingly, Hoeven voted again this week for a clean, short-term continuing resolution to fund the government, as well as legislation sponsored by Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) to ensure federal workers who are deemed essential and work during a lapse in appropriations continue to receive their paychecks. Both measures were blocked by Senate Democrats.\n\n\u201cToday marks the 23rd day of this government shutdown, now the second longest in our nation\u2019s history. Yet despite the mounting consequences, our colleagues across the aisle continue to block a clean, non-partisan continuing resolution, one that would simply keep the government open and allow us to continue our work on the appropriations process. To be clear, there are no Republican priorities included in this bill. It is the same kind of CR that Democrats passed 13 times under President Biden, yet now they refuse to vote for it.\n\n\u201cInstead, my colleagues across the aisle have chosen a different path. They\u2019ve taken our government hostage, demanding more than a trillion dollars in new spending, just to keep the lights on and pay federal employees and our military for a few weeks. That\u2019s not compromise. That\u2019s coercion. And while this political stalemate drags on, American families are paying the price.\n\n\u201cVital programs that hardworking families rely on, programs they\u2019ve paid into and depend on, have been shuttered or are dangerously close to running out of money. Several states are now warning they will be forced to shut down Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits as soon as November 1st if this shutdown continues. That means millions of Americans could lose access to the assistance that helps them put food on the table\u2026The list goes on and on.\n\n\u201cThe bottom line is this \u2013 we need to get government open. We have offered time and again to work on any and all issues, but you do it once you get the government open. This has gone on way too long.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-talks-agriculture-with-president-administration-officials", "Hoeven Talks Agriculture With President, Administration Officials", "2025-10-21", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Talks Agriculture With President, Administration Officials\n\nUSDA to Resume Core FSA Operations\n\nWASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, was at the White House today and discussed agriculture issues with President Donald Trump and key administration officials including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer. Hoeven also met with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins today to discuss livestock issues.\n\n\u201cWe had a good opportunity to meet at the White House with President Trump, Secretary Bessent and Ambassador Greer, and later in the day with Secretary Rollins on the need to support our farmers and ranchers through this tough stretch,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cWe had productive discussions about trade, rising input cost and other challenges facing rural communities. We appreciate President Trump and his administration\u2019s commitment to support our producers, including their announcement today that USDA will resume critical FSA services for our farmers and ranchers.\u201d\n\nHoeven spoke with Secretary Bessent and USTR Ambassador Greer on trade and is hopeful that there will be more forthcoming agriculture sales as a result of meetings with Chinese officials later this month in South Korea.\n\nThe senator and Secretary Rollins talked about the importance of supporting cattle ranchers and how producers\u2019 increased input costs over the past four years have impacted beef prices.\n\nThis afternoon, Secretary Rollins announced that USDA would resume Farm Service Agency operations, including processing farm loans and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC)/ Price Loss Coverage (PLC) payments starting Thursday.\n\nHoeven will meet additional administration officials in the coming days as Congress continues working to support the nation\u2019s agriculture producers.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/amtrak-completes-over-30-million-in-upgrades-at-north-dakota-train-stations", "Amtrak Completes Over $30 Million in Upgrades at North Dakota Train Stations", "2025-10-17", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Amtrak Completes Over $30 Million in Upgrades at North Dakota Train Stations\n\nBISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 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.\n\n\u201cThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is still delivering for North Dakota,\u201d said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. \u201cIt\u2019s great to see Amtrak stations across the state receive some much-needed upgrades. These funds at the Devils Lake, Fargo, Rugby, Stanley, and Williston stations will go a long way increasing safety and accessibility for travelers.\u201d\n\n$10.4 million to the Rugby station for a 750-foot boarding platform equipped with a snowmelt system and accessible paths between the station and parking area. Construction included sloped walkways and safety barriers, LED light fixtures for full coverage lighting at the platform, detectable warning systems, new signage, and refreshed station interior.\n\n$10 million to the Williston station for a 700-foot boarding platform equipped with a snowmelt system, new parking area, and accessible paths between the station and parking. Construction will conclude next month with completion of sloped walkways, railings, egress, energy efficient LED light fixtures, detectable warning systems, and signage.\n\n$4.5 million to the Devils Lake station for a new 300-foot boarding platform equipped with a snowmelt system, sloped walkways and safety barriers, and accessible paths to the station building. The platform has energy efficient LED light fixtures that provide full coverage lighting at the platform, detectable warning systems, and new signage.\n\n$4.5 million to the Fargo station for a 645-foot boarding platform with sloped walkways and accessible paths. Platform construction included railings, egress gates, energy efficient LED light fixtures, detectable warning systems, new signage, and a refreshed interior.\n\n$400,000 to the Stanley station for an accessible path between the station building and parking area, repair and replacement of detectable warning systems on the platform, station signage, and a refreshed interior.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-democrats-block-defense-bill-pay-raise-for-us-service-members", "Senate Democrats Block Defense Bill, Pay Raise for U.S. Service Members", "2025-10-16", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here to download audio.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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 more.\n\nU.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, issued the following statement after voting in favor of advancing the bill:\n\n\u201cI wish I could say I\u2019m surprised but unfortunately, this has become par for the course for Democrats. They are literally playing not just politics, but hardcore partisan politics with our national security. And of course, that means they\u2019re playing politics with the wellbeing of our troops and their families that sacrifice so much for our freedom and frankly, freedom around the world. Holding the federal government hostage just for these partisan games is awful, it\u2019s so reckless, there\u2019s no way to defend it. Yet somehow, they and their friends and the mainstream media rationalize it. I don\u2019t have much hope that they\u2019re going to come to their senses anytime soon, but we just have to keep trying, keep fighting, keep putting up the bills to fund our government and fund our priorities. Maybe one of these days they\u2019ll come around, maybe after their rowdy weekend with their left-wing nut jobs at the No Kings rallies across the country.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-statement-after-senate-democrats-block-consideration-of-defense-appropriations-bill", "Hoeven Statement After Senate Democrats Block Consideration of Defense Appropriations Bill", "2025-10-16", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Statement After Senate Democrats Block Consideration of Defense Appropriations Bill\n\nWASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked consideration of the Defense Appropriations Bill, legislation to fund the military, including a pay raise for troops, and provide support for key military missions.\n\n\u201cNot only are Senate Democrats refusing to pass a clean, short-term continuing resolution to open the government, now they are blocking consideration of the individual appropriations bills,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cThis legislation would fund a military pay raise and support servicemembers\u2019 families, while providing support for vital defense missions, including in North Dakota. It makes no sense to block national security funding. We\u2019ll continue working to overcome Senate Democrats\u2019 obstruction, so we can get government back open and get back to regular order.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-counter-drone-must-become-a-cornerstone-of-us-defense-strategy", "Hoeven: Counter-Drone Must Become a Cornerstone of U.S. Defense Strategy", "2025-10-15", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: Counter-Drone Must Become a Cornerstone of U.S. Defense Strategy\n\nSenator Hosts Air Force Secretary for Virtual Fireside Chat, Outlines Opportunities to Develop New Unmanned Applications, Counter-UAS Capabilities\n\nGRAND FORKS, N.D. \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today held a virtual fireside chat with U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink as part of the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Summit in Grand Forks. Hoeven invited Meink to attend the summit as part of his ongoing efforts to leverage North Dakota\u2019s unique UAS ecosystem to:\n\nAdvance counter-drone technologies and capabilities to address the threat posed to military and civilian installations by the misuse of unmanned aircraft.\n\nRealize practical applications for drones to strengthen and streamline U.S. military operations.\n\n\u201cTechnology is rapidly changing warfare around the world. We developed Project ULTRA because we can\u2019t wait on the traditional acquisition process. The U.S. needed a new approach to keep pace with our adversaries and overcome the serious risk posed by unmanned aircraft, and there is no better place in the world to do that work than Grand Forks,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cUltimately, this is about getting to a unified counter-drone defense strategy, like we did with missile defense. That\u2019s the long-term goal, and considering the threat we face, it needs to be a cornerstone of U.S. defense. We\u2019re taking the first steps right here in North Dakota, and we\u2019re able to do so because of the unique set of partnerships and capabilities that we\u2019ve brought together.\u201d\n\nADVANCING COUNTER-UAS DEFENSES\n\nHoeven discussed how the prevalence of inexpensive and expendable unmanned aircraft is changing the way war is fought.\n\nAdversaries can easily target high-value assets with minimal expense and risk, while measures to counter such attacks come at a high cost.\n\nThe senator stressed that, just as missile defense has been key to national security for decades, counter-drone must become a cornerstone of U.S. defense.\n\nThe U.S. needs cost-effective measures to detect and neutralize threats from unmanned aircraft, and Project ULTRA is set to begin work on this priority to enhance the defense capabilities of domestic military installations.\n\nThis emerging threat drives home the importance of the two announcements Hoeven made earlier this week, with:\n\nAir Combat Command (ACC) selecting Grand Forks Air Force Base as the home of the new Point Defense Battle Lab.\n\nAeroVironment bringing its counter-UAS system, AV Halo, to GrandSKY.\n\nIn addition, Grand Forks Air Force Base is set to begin repairs on its runway, creating a unique opportunity for counter-UAS research and testing.\n\nWith the skies clear of other aircraft, GrandSKY will be able to fly small UAS systems at the base to gather data and assess tracking and detecting capabilities.\n\nDEVELOPING PRACTICAL MILITARY APPLICATIONS\n\nHoeven stressed the benefits UAS provide to routine operations, like resupply missions, helping improve efficiency and, for missions in dangerous areas, keeping servicemembers out of harm\u2019s way.\n\nSuch operations tie in directly with Project ULTRA\u2019s current efforts to write the playbook for unmanned military cargo deliveries between bases.\n\nFurther, the model used by the initiative outpaces the traditional military acquisition process.\n\nThis enables the U.S. to keep up with adversaries and the fast pace of technological development, while staying on-time and on-budget.\n\nWith an increased contract ceiling of $100 million and a recent partnership with U.S. Central Command, Project ULTRA is positioned to help all military services to cost-effectively and quickly develop the capabilities they need.\n\n-###-\n\nNext Article Previous Article", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-delivers-virtual-remarks-at-19th-annual-uas-summit", "Cramer Delivers Virtual Remarks at 19th Annual UAS Summit", "2025-10-14", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Announces Grand Forks Air Force Base as Home of the New Point Defense Battle Lab\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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.\n\nDue to the ongoing government shutdown, both Cramer and his guest, U.S. Secretary of Transportation and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Interim Administrator Sean Duffy, were unable to attend the event in person.\n\n***Click here to watch his full remarks. Click here for audio.***\n\n\u201cThis ecosystem I talk about so much that has been developed right there in the very place you\u2019re hanging out, it can\u2019t be overstated,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cLook around, you created what\u2019s going on in the room you\u2019re in right now. [\u2026] I\u2019m just standing on your shoulders. [\u2026] I just want to say thank you, thanks for what you do, thanks for hanging in there. Be encouraged. [\u2026] Keep inspiring me to do what I do. Love you all, I wish I could be with you, and I look forward to doing it again next year. God bless you.\u201d\n\nHe also announced Grand Forks Air Force Base will serve as the home of the new Point Defense Battle Lab, which will play a pivotal role in countering the type of small drone warfare being instigated by adversaries.\n\nIn his remarks, he said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth issued a memo directing Pentagon leadership from around the world to establish Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) 401 to better align existing authorities and resources to rapidly deliver joint Counter-UAS capabilities to America\u2019s warfighters. Cramer said the JIATF is \u201ccritical, it\u2019s urgent, and it needs to happen quickly.\u201d As chairman of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, he immediately started pitching North Dakota\u2019s well-established expertise in this area.\n\n\u201cIt was an easy sell,\u201d said Cramer. \u201c[Air Combat Command] and the Air Force are looking closely at Grand Forks and are prepared to announce, if you haven\u2019t heard it already, that Grand Forks Air Force Base is going to play a lead role. In fact, they\u2019ll be the ACC Point Defense Battle Lab to support the Counter-UAS fielding and policy for the Department of Air Force installation defense initiatives. [\u2026] Grand Forks is now going to be at the epicenter, not surprising, again with the expertise that\u2019s been developed there. [\u2026] It\u2019s pretty cool to see us playing that leadership role in something that\u2019s so relevant and so current right now.\u201d\n\nThe ACC\u2019s Point Defense Battle Lab will play a major part in the service\u2019s efforts to develop and test advanced technologies to defend military installations from threats of UAS.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/fy26-ndaa-includes-cramer-klobuchar-language-providing-free-credit-monitoring-for-all-service-members", "FY26 NDAA Includes Cramer, Klobuchar Language, Providing Free Credit Monitoring for All Service Members", "2025-10-14", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 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\u2019s (D-MN) Servicemembers\u2019 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.\n\nThe provision requires the expansion of free credit monitoring for all service members and their families, including non-active-duty reservists and traditional National Guard members. Eligibility was previously limited to active-duty service members and full-time National Guard members.\n\n\u201cOur service members put so much on the line and are frequently deployed or regularly moving, leaving them more vulnerable to financial fraud,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cThe inclusion of the Servicemembers\u2019 Credit Monitoring Enhancement Act in this year\u2019s NDAA is an important step to protecting their financial security.\u201d\n\n\u201cServicemembers are heroes who put their lives on the line for our nation and we must support them in every way we can,\u201d said Klobuchar. \u201cBy making free credit monitoring available for every single member of our armed forces, this bipartisan legislation will improve the financial security of military families and give them greater peace of mind.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-grand-forks-taking-two-major-steps-forward-in-counter-uas-leadership", "Hoeven: Grand Forks Taking Two Major Steps Forward in Counter-UAS Leadership", "2025-10-13", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: Grand Forks Taking Two Major Steps Forward in Counter-UAS Leadership\n\nSenator Worked to Secure Grand Forks\u2019 Selection for Air Force Battle Lab, Bring AV Halo Counter-UAS System to GrandSKY\n\nGRAND FORKS, N.D. \u2013 At a reception to kick off the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Summit today, Senator John Hoeven announced two major developments in counter-drone operations in the Grand Forks region:\n\nThe U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC) has selected Grand Forks Air Force Base as the home of the new Point Defense Battle Lab.\n\nHoeven worked with both General Kenneth Wilsbach, former ACC Commander and nominee to be Air Force Chief of Staff, and current ACC Commander General Adrian Spain to advance Grand Forks\u2019 selection.\n\nThe battle lab is a key part of the service\u2019s effort to develop and test advanced technologies to defend installations from small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) threats.\n\nThe initiative will work to rapidly test and validate technologies that can help defend specific locations against UAS threats, aligning closely with the work of Project ULTRA.\n\nThe specific details of the lab\u2019s operations will be developed in the coming months, and Hoeven will work with the ACC to best leverage the existing partnerships in the region.\n\nAeroVironment is bringing its counter-UAS system, AV Halo, to GrandSKY.\n\nEarlier this year, AeroVironment acquired BlueHalo, a company that Hoeven previously worked to partner with the Sky Range program and Grand Forks Air Force Base, having secured a total of nearly $16 million for those efforts.\n\nAeroVironment is now expanding its presence in the state with the installation of AV Halo, which includes the Titan radar system, providing 360-degree long range surveillance.\n\nAV Halo\u2019s command software uses data from the Titan radar to provide a mission-ready operating picture for counter-UAS detection and air domain awareness.\n\nAV Halo will be immediately positioned to support both Project ULTRA\u2019s counter-drone research and testing as well as that of the new ACC battle lab.\n\n\u201cOur efforts to bring both the Point Defense Battle Lab and AV Halo to the region truly add to the unique UAS ecosystem we\u2019ve built in Grand Forks, further securing our role as the premier location for unmanned aviation, including drone and counter-drone research and testing. Importantly, these two announcements work in tandem. The Air Force needs help to address UAS threats, particularly those to our domestic bases, while companies like AeroVironment have the technical solutions the Air Force needs,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen in Israel and Ukraine how drones are being used to wage war in new and dangerous ways. Between Project ULTRA at GrandSKY, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site and the Grand Forks Air Force Base, the capabilities and partnerships we\u2019ve built in this region will enable our nation to tackle this emerging threat.\u201d\n\n-###-\n\nNext Article Previous Article", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-questions-air-force-chief-of-staff-nominee-general-wilsbach-on-importance-of-airborne-isr-modernizing-nuclear-triad", "Cramer Questions Air Force Chief of Staff Nominee General Wilsbach on Importance of Airborne ISR, Modernizing Nuclear Triad", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing today to discuss the nomination of General Ken Wilsbach, former Air Combat Command (ACC) leader and fighter pilot, to be the 24th U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff. Upon confirmation, General Wilsbach will be responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 689,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving both in the United States and abroad.\n\nDuring the hearing, chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) thanked General Wilsbach for answering the call to serve.\n\n\u201cI have to say, I can\u2019t imagine a person better prepared and equipped than you are for this job,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cI\u2019m really grateful you said yes, and I\u2019m really grateful you got the call.\u201d\n\nCramer, co-chair of the Senate Defense Modernization Caucus, began with comments on the Sentinel program, which was established to replace the 50-year-old Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) weapon system with the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM. Minot Air Force Base (AFB) in North Dakota is the only base in the nation to house two legs of the nuclear triad, including B-52 bombers and Minuteman III ICBMs.\n\n\u201cThank you for your commitment to the Sentinel program,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cIt\u2019s really important to us in Minot, having two of the three legs [of the nuclear triad], to know that we\u2019re going to see it all the way through. We\u2019re not going to stop two-thirds of the way. In fact, I maintain that if you\u2019re going to stop anywhere along the way of developing Sentinel and putting those new missiles in the ground, you shouldn\u2019t start. [\u2026] I really appreciate your commitment to Sentinel.\u201d\n\nCramer then questioned General Wilsbach about his plan for maintaining or acquiring airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities as \u201cspace catches up to the demand.\u201d For the last two years, Cramer has sent a bipartisan letter to the Secretary of Defense in both the Biden and Trump administrations, highlighting concerns over the Air Force\u2019s escalated retirement of airborne ISR capabilities and emphasizing the necessity of the platforms. The letter echoes concerns expressed by combatant commanders on the need for airborne and the insufficiency of space-based ISR alone.\n\n\u201cYou\u2019re exactly right,\u201d said General Wilsbach. \u201cThe RQ-4, the MQ-9, both are really important to us, especially prior to the conflict. Admittedly, if they go into a high threat environment, they could be shot down. But, if it\u2019s not a high threat environment, we can get great value out of those platforms to do missions that if we didn't have them, and you didn\u2019t have that capability on space, you would have to go without. So as we go forward into the future, we need to balance that. And frankly, it\u2019s a simple math problem, right? You take the entirety of the collection that you wish to have, and you determine what you\u2019re actually collecting. And if you have a big gap, then you can easily make decisions, resource decisions, on what you want to keep and what you can afford to get rid of, because you have, you know, have that capability to collect elsewhere.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-cramer-klobuchars-honoring-our-fallen-heroes-act", "Senate Passes Cramer, Klobuchar\u2019s Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click hereto download audio.**\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Senate passed legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to ensure all first responders who die or become disabled due to service-related cancers are covered under the U.S. Department of Justice\u2019s Public Safety Officers\u2019 Benefits (PSOB) program. While the program recognizes those who made the ultimate sacrifice due to 9/11-related cancers, it does not cover other first responders who lose their lives due to other service-related cancers.\n\n\u201cOur first responders epitomize courage and selfless sacrifice, confronting both the immediate perils of their duty \u2013 which are extreme \u2013 and the lingering health risks associated with their service,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cTheir exposure to dangerous carcinogens happens on our behalf. When these heroes make the ultimate sacrifice, their families should not have to bear these burdens alone. I\u2019m grateful my Senate colleagues passed this important legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, often exposing themselves to carcinogens that can have lethal long-term effects. It\u2019s unacceptable that firefighters who succumb to cancer from work-related exposure or become permanently and totally disabled don\u2019t receive the same treatment as others who die in the line of duty,\u201d said Klobuchar. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation will ensure that the Public Safety Benefits Program covers service-related cancers\u2014 honoring the commitment we make to our firefighters like Captain Paidar and other first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice. We must uphold our promise to care for their families.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-fy26-ndaa-invests-in-national-security-and-north-dakotas-defense-capabilities", "Senate Passes FY26 NDAA, Invests in National Security and North Dakota\u2019s Defense Capabilities", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here for audio.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 By a vote of 77 to 20, the United States Senate passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), authorizing more than $900 billion in FY26 for defense-related initiatives. The annual bill accelerates the rebuilding of the United States\u2019 arsenal of democracy by reforming the Pentagon\u2019s budgeting and acquisition process to spur innovation, returning the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to its warfighting mission, and increasing military readiness. Additionally, it strengthens military recruitment and improves service member quality of life, and more.\n\nThis year\u2019s NDAA includes bipartisan language, led by U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), expanding free credit monitoring for all service members and their families to also include non-active-duty reservists and traditional National Guard members. Eligibility was previously limited to active-duty service members and full-time National Guard members. The NDAA also includes the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, authored by Cramer and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, which supports families of first responders who pass away from service-related cancer caused by carcinogen exposure.\n\nCramer, chair of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, celebrated the passage of the NDAA. Cramer is a steadfast advocate for modernization and is a founding co-chair of the Senate Space Force Caucus.\n\n\u201cAs we face what I believe to be the most dangerous national security moment since World War II, this NDAA really recognizes the need to deter our adversaries. And to do that, we need to invest in our offensive capabilities and our innovation, and make generational reforms to the Pentagon, all the while staying focused on the mission at hand,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cThis bill does that. Peace Through Strength isn\u2019t just a bumper sticker, as I like to say. It\u2019s a fundamental principle, and if we don\u2019t shake up the status quo and accelerate modernization we\u2019re going to lose. By passing this bill, we\u2019re prioritizing the safety and security of the American people across the board. Thanks to Leader Thune and Chairman Wicker for getting this bill on the floor and getting it the time on the Senate floor it deserves. I really look forward to working with my colleagues in the House, President Trump, and his administration to rebuild what is, and always has been, and must always be the arsenal of democracy.\u201d\n\nThe bill included several amendments Cramer supported, including language tightening restrictions on United States investments in China. Specifically, the measure authorizes the Secretary of Treasury to prohibit certain transactions and require notification of U.S. investment in sensitive technologies in China. In addition, the Secretary can impose sanctions on Chinese entities affiliated with the country\u2019s military or intelligence sectors.\n\nThrough his role as a member of SASC, Cramer secured funding authorization and the inclusion of language supporting multiple North Dakota-based missions which improve national security. This NDAA will authorize the following projects across the state:\n\nCavalier Space Force Station (SFS)\n\n\u201cThis NDAA supports the development of President Trump\u2019s Golden Dome missile defense architecture by requiring the modernization of PARCS at Cavalier Space Force Station, making it more relevant than ever against today's threats. The bill puts the legislative muscle behind modernizing our missile defense infrastructure.\u201d\n\nThis NDAA provides $22 million for modernizing the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS) at Cavalier SFS. PARCS tracks over half of all earth-orbiting objects. This funding will improve the single-faced, multi-function, UHF-Band, and phased-array radar system\u2019s detection of intercontinental and sea-launched missile threats and space domain awareness capabilities.\n\nCavalier SFS will play a pivotal role in President Donald Trump\u2019s Golden Dome layered missile defense shield for America, which calls for the modernization and expansion of U.S. missile defense capabilities across all domains to protect the homeland against ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles, and drone threats.\n\nCramer and U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced the bicameral Ground and Orbital Launched Defeat of Emergent Nuclear Destruction and Other Missile Engagements (GOLDEN DOME) Act, a sweeping legislative initiative which complements President Trump\u2019s executive order directing the implementation of a next-generation missile defense shield for the nation.\n\nGrand Forks\n\n\u201cWith its RQ-4 Global Hawks and strategically important ISR capabilities, Grand Forks Air Force Base significantly contributes to the global engagement mission. This NDAA ensures our country sustains RQ-4 Global Hawk operations and secures funding for future satellite missions to be controlled in Grand Forks.\u201d\n\nThis bill includes major investments in Grand Forks Air Force Base\u2019s (GFAFB) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Among other provisions, the bill ensures the base maintains inventory requirements of RQ-4 Global Hawks. Specifically, it provides $17 million for the development of corrosion resistant coatings produced by Technology Applications Group (TAG) in Grand Forks. TAG is a leader in magnesium surface protection and inventor of the Tanite anodize coating.\n\nAdditionally, the FY26 NDAA designates $277 million for Tranche 3 of the Space Development Agency\u2019s (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. According to SDA, Tranche 3 satellites will \u201caccelerate the capability to provide global, persistent indications, detection, warning, tracking, and identification of conventional and advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems.\u201d Cramer visited Vandenberg Space Force Base with Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Troy Meink and viewed 21 satellites from SDA\u2019s Tranche 1 prior to their launch.\n\nMinot\n\n\u201cAs the only base to house two legs of the nuclear triad, Minot Air Force Base is the pinnacle of defensive capabilities, serving as a reminder to the nation and world of North Dakota\u2019s exceptional deterrent capabilities. This NDAA ensures we strategically maintain the base\u2019s long-range strike and land-based nuclear response capabilities against global adversaries while fulfilling our commitment to modernize our nuclear arsenal against future threats.\u201d\n\nThe NDAA secures $2 billion for the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program. The Sentinel ICBM, which will replace 50-year-old Minuteman IIIs, is a key component of the nation\u2019s nuclear deterrence. This is in addition to the $2.5 billion investment included in the budget reconciliation bill, which was signed into law on July 4. The NDAA requires the ICBM count to be a minimum of 400 to adequately deter nuclear aggression.\n\nAdditionally, the legislation encourages the U.S. Air Force to establish wing-level additive manufacturing facilities to better support conventional and nuclear long-range strike platforms. The initiative improves readiness while decreasing cost and time of repair.\n\nFargo\n\n\u201cThe Happy Hooligans\u2019 military excellence and airborne ISR MQ-9 mission demonstrates the vital role they play in precision attacks both at home and abroad. My bill with Senator Rosen, the CARE for RPA Crews Act, creates a status identifier for Remotely Piloted Aircraft crews to support our service members and designates resources to keep them fit for duty.\u201d\n\nNorth Dakota\u2019s \u201cHappy Hooligans\u201d in Fargo operate MQ-9 Reapers, which are central to the state\u2019s growing role in operating Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The NDAA establishes a formal combat identifier to recognize the participation of RPA crew members who conduct operations in direct support of combat missions. This identification would enable the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to administer benefits and services for RPA combat-related service.\n\nCramer and U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced the Combat Action Recognition and Evaluation (CARE) for Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Crews Act which ensures provides RPA crew members with the recognition and access to services they deserve.\n\nNorth Dakota National Guard (NDNG)\n\n\u201cOur North Dakota National Guardsmen are the best of the best, providing key support defending the homeland and supporting the state and nation. The Jamestown National Guard Armory acts as a central facility for our Guardsmen to maintain their readiness and ensure they\u2019re prepared for state and federal missions.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-nd-delegation-resolution-to-overturn-biden-era-north-dakota-rmp", "Senate Passes ND Delegation Resolution to Overturn Biden-Era North Dakota RMP", "2025-10-08", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Resolution Now Advances to President Trump For Signature\n\n***Click here for media resources***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Senate voted today to pass a Congressional Review Act (CRA) Joint Resolution of Disapproval to overturn the Biden-era Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Management Plan (RMP) for North Dakota.\n\nUnder the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the BLM must adopt RMPs to govern how the agency will manage its acreage. In North Dakota, the BLM is the landlord of 58,500 surface acres and 4.1 million acres of mineral estate. BLM lands are supposed to be managed under a \u201cmultiple use\u201d framework, meaning oil, gas, coal, grazers, and recreationists alike can use the land in a sustainable manner.\n\nThe Biden administration released its final RMP for North Dakota in August 2024, and adopted it in January without incorporating changes the State of North Dakota and its Congressional delegation requested. Instead, the RMP prohibits coal leasing on over four million acres, or nearly 99 percent of federal coal acreage. It also blocks 213,000 acres, or 44 percent, of federally owned fluid mineral acreage, reducing state revenues and weakening American energy dominance. Economic data provided by the state of North Dakota estimates the state would be deprived of $34 million annually in oil and gas royalties and tax revenue alone if the Biden RMP is implemented.\n\nFollowing the BLM\u2019s refusal to listen to North Dakotans\u2019 concerns regarding the RMP, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) led the delegation in requesting the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to determine if the RMP qualified for repeal under the CRA. Once the GAO determined the RMP qualified for repeal, Cramer and U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) introduced a Joint Resolution of Disapproval in the Senate and Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak introduced its companion in the U.S. House of Representatives. The CRA passed the House in September and the resolution will now advance to President Donald Trump\u2019s desk for his signature.\n\nThe North Dakota Congressional Delegation released the following statements after the bill passed the Senate.\n\n***Click here for audio. Click here for video***\n\n\u201cThe thing that frustrates me the most is that the Bureau of Land Management, like so much of the federal bureaucracy, simply ignores the law because they don't agree with it,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cThey don't have that option. Their resource plan requires the mandate to implement multiple use. Multiple use includes energy development. It includes grazing. It includes agriculture. It includes recreation. It includes development of resources. It's multiple use. And that's what frustrates us and that's why we had to pass this, this resolution of disapproval to roll that thing out of there, make sure it never happens again. And then, of course, we need a new Resource Management Plan that recognizes the modern technologies and recognizes that America's dominance and energy dominance is a national security issue. North Dakota is a main contributor to that goal.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur energy producers operate under the highest environmental standards in the world. But the Biden administration\u2019s North Dakota RMP ignores that record of responsible energy development, locking away taxpayer-owned energy reserves and jeopardizing our nation\u2019s energy security,\u201d said Hoeven.\u201cAs manufacturing is brought back home, and new industries are coming online, our need for affordable, reliable energy is only growing. It makes no sense for the federal government to restrict access to the very resources needed to power this economic opportunity. Passing today\u2019s resolution is part of our efforts with President Trump and Interior Secretary Burgum to take the handcuffs off and unleash North Dakota\u2019s full energy potential.\u201d\n\n\u201cNorth Dakotans saw the Biden administration's plan for exactly what it was: a backdoor attempt to shut down fossil fuels in our state. It would have been devastating to our state\u2019s energy industry, the men and women who power it, and millions who rely on its affordable, dependable power,\u201d said Fedorchak.\u201cToday's Senate passage of our CRA is a major victory for North Dakota and for American energy dominance. I appreciate the partnership with Senators Cramer and Hoeven and look forward to President Trump signing this legislation into law.\u201d\n\nCramer and Hoeven delivered remarks on the Senate floor prior to passage of the resolution, highlighting the disastrous RMP and the need to repeal it.\n\n\u201cDespite vocal objection from the state \u2013 the people who actually use the land \u2013 the final plan prohibits coal leasing on over four million acres by inexcusably prohibiting all future development outside of a 4-mile radius from current development,\u201dsaid Cramer on the Senate floor. \u201cWhether it\u2019s coal, oil, or gas, federally-owned subsurface minerals are intermingled with state and private mineral owners. In plain speak, the Biden Resource Management Plan is a de facto taking from the state and private mineral owners. Throughout the rulemaking process this point was made very clear, but BLM ignored them\u2026By passing this resolution, we reassert Congressional intent and remind the bureaucracy our boundaries are not optional.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis flawed plan, finalized during the closing days of the Biden administration, undermines BLM\u2019s multiple-use mandate and restricts access to vast, taxpayer-owned energy reserves in North Dakota. It is yet another example of the Biden administration\u2019s overreaching Green New Deal agenda intended to block access to domestic energy production,\u201d said Hoeven on the Senate floor. \u201cI am pleased to join Senator Cramer and Congresswoman Fedorchak in introducing this CRA resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support it and help overturn this overreaching and restrictive plan.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe urge Congress to pass this Congressional Review Act and reject federal overreach that would devastate North Dakota\u2019s energy industry,\u201d said Ron Ness, President of the North Dakota Petroleum Council. \u201cThe BLM's Resource Management Plan ignores modern drilling technologies and imposes blanket closures that are inconsistent with federal law and harmful to our state\u2019s economy. We thank Senator Cramer for his leadership on this critical issue and call on both chambers to swiftly pass this legislation to protect North Dakota workers and America's energy independence.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Western Dakota Energy Association thanks our Congressional Delegation for their tireless work to pass the Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn the anti-energy Resource Management Plan,\u201d said Alison Ritter, Executive Director of the Western Dakota Energy Association. \u201cThis action is a major victory for common sense and our rural communities. Keeping North Dakota\u2019s towns and schools thriving starts with allowing for the smart, responsible development of our oil and gas resources \u2014 the backbone of good-paying jobs, strong local economies, and reliable energy for our nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe BLM\u2019s plan would shut down nearly all coal development on federal lands in North Dakota, ignoring decades of responsible energy production,\u201d said Jonathan Fortner, Executive Director of the Lignite Energy Council.\u201cWe thank our delegation for fighting back. This resolution is a critical step toward restoring regulatory balance and protecting the affordable, reliable power our industry provides.\u201d\n\n\u201cEnergy development on federal lands is critical to strengthening America\u2019s energy security, powering our economy, and supporting state and local conservation efforts,\u201d said Holly Hopkins, Vice President of Upstream for the American Petroleum Institute. \u201cCongressional action to rescind this midnight rule by the previous administration to restrict access to North Dakota\u2019s abundant oil and natural gas resources is key to strengthening American energy dominance, and we thank Sen. Kevin Cramer for his leadership.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn recent years, BLM finalized multiple RMPs that imposed unnecessary restrictions on federal lands, creating significant barriers to achieving American energy dominance,\u201d said Parker D. Kasmer, Vice President of Government Affairs, American Exploration & Production Council.\u201cOnshore production from these lands generates substantial economic value at the state and local levels \u2013 creating jobs, funding public programs, and supporting communities. AXPC commends Senator Cramer for his leadership on this critical issue and urges swift passage of S.J. Res. 62.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis RMP, crafted and finalized under the Biden Administration, created de facto moratorium on new energy development by locking up more than four million acres of land in North Dakota,\u201d said Rich Nolan, President & CEO of the National Mining Association in a letter of support. \u201cAt a time when energy demand is soaring, the Biden RMPs for North Dakota ignored the Federal Land Policy and Management Act\u2019s (FLPMA) multiple-use mandate, which charges the federal government with managing public lands according to the principles of multiple use and sustained yield\u2026 I urge swift passage of this important resolution to protect access to our public lands and ensure that the long-recognized requirement that multiple-use public lands are available to meet U.S. energy needs.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Biden Administration instituted several RMPs across the West that closed off millions of acres of public lands from multiple uses,\u201d said Melissa Simpson, President, Western Energy Alliance. \u201cFor example, the North Dakota plan closed over 200,000 acres, or nearly 45%, of available land from oil and natural gas leasing. The Senate resolution is a welcome step that will bring more certainty to energy development and other multiple uses on public lands managed by BLM.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-cramer-secure-senate-confirmation-of-nick-chase-to-be-us-attorney-for-the-district-of-north-dakota", "Hoeven, Cramer Secure Senate Confirmation of Nick Chase to Be U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven, Cramer Secure Senate Confirmation of Nick Chase to Be U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer today announced the U.S. Senate has confirmed Nicholas W. Chase to serve as United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota. Earlier this year, the senators recommended President Trump nominate Chase to the position and have been working to secure his confirmation by the full Senate.\n\n\u201cThe Senate confirmed Nick Chase to be U.S. Attorney for North Dakota because he has the right background and experience to lead federal law enforcement efforts in North Dakota,\u201d said Senators Hoeven and Cramer. \u201cOver his career, he has tried cases ranging from trafficking and child exploitation to fraud and money laundering, and will bring strong expertise to the role. We appreciate his willingness to serve in this position and his work to uphold law and order in our state.\u201d\n\nChase was appointed by Governor Doug Burgum to serve as a North Dakota District Court Judge for the East Central Judicial District. Prior to that, he served 20 years in the U.S. Attorney\u2019s office for the District of North Dakota, including as Acting U.S. Attorney and First Assistant U.S. Attorney. A North Dakota native, Chase has worked in private practice and as a federal judicial law clerk.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-senate-confirms-kirsten-baesler-as-assistant-secretary-for-elementary-and-secondary-education", "Hoeven: Senate Confirms Kirsten Baesler as Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: Senate Confirms Kirsten Baesler as Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed Kirsten Baesler as Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) at the Department of Education. Hoeven has been working to advance Baesler\u2019s confirmation, after recommending her for the position to Education Secretary Linda McMahon.\n\nBaesler was confirmed as part of a Senate measure that allowed 108 civilian nominees, who were favorably reported out of committee, to be considered en bloc. The vote comes in response to unprecedented obstruction by Senate Democrats, who have drug out the confirmation process for every single one of President Trump\u2019s civilian nominees, having refused to allow even nominations with strong bipartisan support to be confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent (UC).\n\n\u201cKirsten Baesler is the right person for this job. Her career and experience have equipped her well for the responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary position, and she will be a great partner as we work to both improve outcomes for students and return decision-making to the state and local levels,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cHer confirmation is long overdue. Thankfully, working together with my Senate Republican colleagues, we have created a path forward for overcoming Democratic obstruction and confirming these routine nominations, all of whom were approved by the committees of jurisdiction.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/department-of-education-awards-over-950000-to-north-dakota-schools", "Department of Education Awards Over $950,000 to North Dakota Schools", "2025-10-03", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Department of Education announced a total of $956,506 to North Dakota schools and colleges.\n\nA total of $658,478 will be distributed to two schools under the Demonstration Grants for Indian Children Program. These grants fund the development, testing, and demonstration of the effectiveness of services and programs to improve educational opportunities and achievement of Native American children in preschool, elementary, and secondary schools. Turtle Mountain will receive $364,016 and the Devils Lake Public School District will receive $294,462.\n\nThe University of North Dakota will receive $298,028 for Indian education and professional development. This funding comes from the Indian Education Professional Development Grant, which trains Native students to become teachers and administrators and helps students pursue careers serving Native communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/dot-awards-over-9-million-to-north-dakota-department-of-transportation-for-roadway-repairs", "DOT Awards Over $9 Million to North Dakota Department of Transportation For Roadway Repairs", "2025-10-03", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded $9,413,942 to the North Dakota Department of Transportation through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Emergency Relief (ER) Program. The FHWA\u2019s ER Program provides grants to repair eligible roads, bridges, and infrastructure after natural disasters such as flooding.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-makes-case-to-reopen-government-stresses-need-for-agriculture-assistance", "Hoeven Makes Case to Reopen Government, Stresses Need for Agriculture Assistance", "2025-10-03", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Makes Case to Reopen Government, Stresses Need for Agriculture Assistance\n\nSenate Democrats Again Vote Against Clean, Short-Term Continuing Resolution\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven today spoke on the Senate floor to make the case to his colleagues for re-opening the government by passing a clean, short-term continuing resolution (CR). At the same time, the senator outlined priorities Congress should be focused on, including passing the appropriations bills through regular order and providing assistance to help the nation\u2019s agriculture producers. Hoeven stressed the need to push back on China\u2019s attempt to target U.S. agriculture producers and give the administration leverage in its ongoing trade negotiations.\n\nHoeven\u2019s remarks come as Senate Democrats again voted against a clean, short-term CR to fund the government through November 21. The measure has already passed the House of Representatives and would give Congress additional time to finish the annual appropriations process under regular order.\n\n\u201cOnce again, our Democrat colleagues are going to have the opportunity to vote for a clean, non-partisan continuing resolution that would open the government and allow us to continue working on the appropriations process. Unfortunately, the Democrat leadership is demanding more than $1 trillion in new spending just to keep the government open until November 21,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cLet\u2019s end this Schumer shutdown and pass a clean, short-term CR \u2013 the same kind of clean CR mind you that 96 percent of Democrats voted to support 13 times during the Biden administration.\n\n\u201cWe need to re-open the government, return to our bipartisan appropriations work, and get back to conducting the business of the American people. A good example is our work to support our ag producers\u2026 With harvest season underway, the Trump administration continues to fight for better markets for our farmers and ranchers, but in the meantime, our producers need a bridge to stronger markets and the updated farm safety net, which we included as part of the Big Beautiful Bill.\n\n\u201cDue to China\u2019s efforts to reduce commodity prices and push up the cost of production, our farmers are having a hard time right now. It\u2019s critical that we don\u2019t allow China to use our farmers as a pressure point in negotiations\u2026 By acting now and providing assistance for our producers during these negotiations, we will send a very strong signal to China that their tactics will not work. That\u2019s how we secure better market access for our producers for the long-term.\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s exactly what President Trump did during his first term in his negotiations with China, when we worked with him on the Market Facilitation Program to keep our farmers in the game. The result was that President Trump secured a $50 billion agreement from China to purchase our ag commodities. That\u2019s what we\u2019re working to do once again, and it\u2019s just one example of the hard work that needs to get done for the American people. So, once again I ask our Democrat colleagues to join with us and vote to get this government open.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/department-of-war-awards-19-million-contract-for-runway-repairs-at-grand-forks-air-force-base", "Department of War Awards $19 Million Contract for Runway Repairs at Grand Forks Air Force Base", "2025-10-01", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Department of War awarded a $19,817,205 task order contract to United Crane and Excavation for runway repairs at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). Due to cracking and weathering, the runway has deteriorated over time and degraded pavement sections require repair. This task order will provide the necessary materials, plans, travel, labor, and equipment for the construction. The work is expected to be completed by Sept. 20, 2026.\n\n\u201cA good runway is the beating heart of any Air Force Base, critical for current and future aircraft operations,\u201d said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, chair of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee. \u201cI heard the concerns of our base leaders and worked hard to get this project authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act, knowing how important it will be to the really important future missions of Grand Forks Air Force Base.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-nearly-20-million-awarded-for-runway-repairs-at-grand-forks-air-force-base", "Hoeven: Nearly $20 Million Awarded for Runway Repairs at Grand Forks Air Force Base", "2025-10-01", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: Nearly $20 Million Awarded for Runway Repairs at Grand Forks Air Force Base\n\nSenator Worked to Fund, Accelerate Construction Project to Ensure GFAFB Can Support a Wide Range of Future Missions\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven announced that earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded nearly $20 million to United Crane and Excavation of Grand Forks, North Dakota, to conduct runway repairs at the Grand Forks Air Force Base. As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven worked to fund the project through Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 appropriations legislation and has been pressing the Air Force to accelerate the project so the airbase can continue to support a wide range of current and future missions, including:\n\nUnmanned operations out of Grand Sky, including MQ-9 flights and Project ULTRA activities.\n\nCustoms and Border Protection (CBP) unmanned flights.\n\nFuture intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions that Hoeven continues working to advance.\n\n\u201cThe Grand Forks Air Force Base is at the center of many critical missions and defense priorities for our nation, including the current Global Hawk mission, the UAS research and development at Grand Sky through Project ULTRA and unmanned border protection operations. That\u2019s why we worked to advance this nearly $20 million award to accelerate runway repairs at the base, which are needed to ensure the base continues to have the capacity to support these and other future missions, like additional ISR operations, that we are working to bring to the base,\u201d said Hoeven.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/army-corps-of-engineers-awards-13-million-contract-for-fm-diversion", "Army Corps of Engineers Awards $13 Million Contract for FM Diversion", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) awarded a contract of $13,377,389 to R.J. Zavoral & Sons Inc. for construction of the Southern Reach SE-2B section in support of the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Area Flood Risk Management Project. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.\n\nThese funds were provided by the fully-paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) helped craft and shepherd through Congress. The USACE received $437 million in funding under the BIL to complete all remaining federal work for the diversion project.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/general-wilsbach-nominated-to-serve-as-next-air-force-chief-of-staff", "General Wilsbach Nominated to Serve as Next Air Force Chief of Staff", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here to download audio.***\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Air Force announced the nomination of General Kenneth Wilsbach, former Air Combat Command (ACC) leader and fighter pilot, to serve as its next Chief of Staff. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, issued the following statement applauding the announcement:\n\n\u201cI know Ken Wilsbach pretty well, and I can\u2019t think of a more competent, better prepared, and experienced General to lead the Air Force as its Chief of Staff than General Wilsbach. His experience as a fighter pilot and his background in leadership of the Air Force and the Pacific uniquely qualifies him for the current geopolitical fight we\u2019re in. Certainly, his command of Air Combat Command makes him well aware of North Dakota\u2019s assets and committed to North Dakota\u2019s assets. He is the right man at the right time for the job, and I\u2019m grateful to the President for choosing him. I could not be more pleased with an announcement than I am with this announcement. I look forward to doing everything I can on the Armed Services Committee and on the Airland Subcommittee as its leader to get him confirmed as quickly as possible.\u201d\n\nGeneral Wilsbach joined Cramer in visiting Grand Forks Air Force Base to discuss base quality of life, current and future intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, the growth of the Space Development Agency, and other potential missions. They also visited the North Dakota Air National Guard in Fargo.\n\nAs the 24th service chief, General Wilsbach will be responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 689,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving both in the United States and abroad. Through this position, he will serve as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and act as a military adviser to the Secretary of War, National Security Council, and the President.\n\nGeneral Wilsbach\u2019s nomination will advance to the U.S. Senate for consideration. If confirmed, he will succeed General David Allvin, who is set to retire once General Wilsbach is confirmed.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hhs-awards-1635823-to-cankdeska-cikana-community-college", "HHS Awards $1,635,823 to Cankdeska Cikana Community College", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $1,635,823 to Cankdeska Cikana Community College in Fort Totten. These funds are distributed through the Tribal College and University Head Start Partnership Program, which seeks to increase the number of qualified staff working in Native American Head Start programs within tribal nations.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-dot-awards-260009-to-north-dakota-agencies-for-pipeline-safety", "Sen. Cramer: DOT Awards $260,009 to North Dakota Agencies for Pipeline Safety", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced an award of $260,009 to North Dakota agencies.\n\n$211,834 to the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services to complete 395 emergency responder trainings through various HAZMAT courses and full-scale and table-top exercises. This funding comes through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant.\n\n$48,175 to the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) to develop and implement the PSC\u2019s damage prevention program. This funding is distributed through the FY 2025 Pipeline One Call Grant.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-democrats-block-second-clean-funding-measure-causing-government-shutdown", "Senate Democrats Block Second Clean Funding Measure, Causing Government Shutdown", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 For the second time in as many weeks, Senate Democrats blocked a clean, short-term continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded through Nov. 21, initiating a government shutdown and cutting off access to many programs and services. Because the CR previously passed the House of Representatives, the bill would immediately become law and fund the government upon Senate passage and being signed by President Trump.\n\nU.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the Republicans' clean CR, and against the Democrats\u2019 partisan bill:\n\n\u201cInstead of voting to keep the government open and protect services their constituents rely on, Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats prefer to make Americans suffer to score political points. These major health care policy changes Senate Democrats are demanding should be negotiated through the legislative process, not a short-term continuing resolution. Their wish list of demands is not serious and is an act of extortion at the expense of troops, border patrol agents, farmers, and the very Americans we represent. The Schumer Shutdown was caused by Democrats, and Democrats alone. I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle can come to their senses, put their partisan games aside, and pass a clean continuing resolution funding the government.\u201d\n\nRather than support the clean short-term extension, Senate Democrats instead proposed an alternate CR, which included more than $1 trillion in unrelated spending. The alternate proposal, which also failed to pass, reflects spending demands and priorities already soundly rejected by the American people, including cutting $50 billion for America\u2019s rural hospitals and providing free health care to illegal immigrants.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-of-education-awards-21-million-to-north-dakota-colleges", "U.S. Department of Education Awards $2.1 Million to North Dakota Colleges", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Department of Education announced $2,139,556 for student support services at six colleges across North Dakota. The Student Support Services Program provides funding to assist students with basic college requirements and motivate them toward degree completion. The funds will be distributed as follows:\n\n$523,609 to North Dakota State University\n\n$416,200 to the University of North Dakota\n\n$348,514 to the University of Mary\n\n$306,505 to Lake Region State College\n\n$272,364 to Minot State University\n\n$272,364 to Turtle Mountain Community College", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-statement-on-government-shutdown", "Hoeven Statement on Government Shutdown", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven Statement on Government Shutdown\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after Senate Democrats again refused to pass a clean, short-term continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded through November 21. The U.S. House of Representatives has already approved the legislation.\n\n\u201cThroughout this year, we have taken a bipartisan approach to the annual appropriations process in the Senate, with the bills we\u2019ve advanced so far receiving broad support from both parties in committee and on the Senate floor. Senate Democrats have decided to suspend this process and force a shutdown over a list of partisan demands totaling more than $1 trillion. During President Biden\u2019s term, Congress passed 13 clean CRs, with 96 percent of Democrats voting in support of those bills, so why are they not willing to join us in passing a clean, short-term continuing resolution now? This would keep the government funded and give us time to finish our appropriations work under regular order.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-army-corps-awards-more-than-13-million-for-continued-advancement-of-fargo-moorhead-flood-protection-project", "Hoeven: Army Corps Awards More than $13 Million for Continued Advancement of Fargo-Moorhead Flood Protection Project", "2025-09-29", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", "hoeven", "https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases", "scraper", "Hoeven: Army Corps Awards More than $13 Million for Continued Advancement of Fargo-Moorhead Flood Protection Project\n\nWASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a more than $13 million contract modification to R.J. Zavoral & Sons, Inc. of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, for continued construction of the Fargo-Moorhead region\u2019s permanent flood protection project. The funding will support construction on the Southern Reach SE-2B segment of the project\u2019s southern embankment, a key component of the region\u2019s comprehensive flood protection. The modification brings the total contract value to nearly $60 million with work scheduled to be completed in Fargo by October 23, 2027.\n\n\u201cThis latest funding builds on our longstanding efforts to deliver permanent, comprehensive flood protection for the Red River Valley,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cFor more than a decade, we\u2019ve worked to secure support and move this project forward. Each milestone brings us closer to protecting homes, businesses, and communities across the Fargo-Moorhead region.\u201d\n\nThis contract follows Hoeven\u2019s efforts to:\n\nPass 16 acts of Congress, including:\n\n9 legislative provisions, such as the project authorization in 2014 and a new construction start authorization in 2016.\n\n7 separate appropriations to fund the project\u2019s construction.\n\nFully fund the $750 million federal cost share.\n\nHoeven helped renegotiate the Project Partnership Agreement to increase the federal funding commitment from $450 million.\n\nAdvance this as the first major Army Corps project to utilize the public-private partnership (P3) split-delivery model and a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan.\n\nCoordinate efforts across four federal agencies.\n\nSecure funding and flexibility to concurrently raise I-29 and begin excavating the Red River Control Structure to keep the project on schedule.\n\nResolve the easement issue on lands purchased with Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding, allowing the project to use an alternative route.\n\nThis work is part of the $437 million federal funding award that Hoeven secured in 2022 to support comprehensive flood protection for the Fargo-Moorhead region.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cramer-turner-announce-over-600000-in-tribal-hud-vash-grants-to-standing-rock-sioux-tribe-turtle-mountain-band-of-chippewa-indians", "Cramer, Turner Announce Over $600,000 in Tribal HUD-VASH Grants to Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians", "2025-09-26", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "www.cramer.senate.gov", "cramer", "https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "***Click here for audio***\n\nBISMARCK, N.D. \u2013 U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Banking Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Scott Turner announced Tribal HUD-VA Supportive Housing (VASH) grants for two North Dakota Tribes for veteran housing programs totaling $608,450.\n\n$348,194 to the Turtle Mountain Housing Authority\n\n$260,256 to the Standing Rock Housing Authority\n\n\u201cAcross North Dakota and across the entire nation, Native Americans serve at the highest rates of any demographic group in our country\u2019s armed forces and their willingness to serve frankly deserves the highest thanks from a grateful nation,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cThese grants from the Tribal HUD-VASH program are an excellent tool to combat tribal veteran homelessness, and it\u2019s really an honor to announce it with Secretary Turner today.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is an honor to see how the Tribal HUD-VASH program is creating economic opportunity and pathways to self-sufficiency for Native American veterans,\u201d said Turner. \u201cToday\u2019s funding announcement will expand the impact of this program to more Native American veterans across the country.\u201d\n\n\"The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is deeply grateful for Secretary Turner's and Senator Cramer's support for affordable housing for our at risk and homeless Veterans,\u201d said Chairwoman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Janet Alkire. \u201cOur Tribal Veterans served to protect us and it is up to us to provide for them. The grant funding that our Housing Authority receives through the Tribal HUD-VASH program is a critical part of providing the housing our Veterans need and deserve. Providing housing on our Standing Rock Reservation is one of our highest priorities. The United States has an ongoing commitment under our 1851 and 1868 Treaties to provide housing on our Reservation. Our Tribal Leadership and Tribal Housing Authority look forward to engaging with Secretary Turner to find innovative solutions that will continue to expand our housing resources for our Veterans and all tribal members.\"\n\nSecretary Turner was previously scheduled to be in North Dakota for the grant announcement at Standing Rock but was unable to attend.\n\nThe Tribal HUD-VASH program combines rental assistance and administrative fees from HUD with case management, clinical and supportive services provided by the VA. It is specifically for Native American veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Native Americans serve in the military at five times the national average and have the highest per-capita service of any ethnic group. Cramer is a strong proponent for HUD-VASH funding and has consistently advocated for robust annual appropriations.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 466, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Senate", "p1": "ND", "p2": "2025"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=ND&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 466, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=ND&year=2025&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=ND&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 466, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=ND&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=ND&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "ND", "label": "ND", "count": 466, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=ND&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "2025", "label": "2025", "count": 466, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=ND", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2025-09-26,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecramer~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fcramer-turner-announce-over-600000-in-tribal-hud-vash-grants-to-standing-rock-sioux-tribe-turtle-mountain-band-of-chippewa-indians", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=ND&year=2025&_next=2025-09-26%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecramer~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fcramer-turner-announce-over-600000-in-tribal-hud-vash-grants-to-standing-rock-sioux-tribe-turtle-mountain-band-of-chippewa-indians&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 196.32474100217223, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}