Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update

Senate Passes Major Housing Bill With Broad Bipartisan Support

Legislation Includes My Provisions to Address Appraisal Workforce Shortage, Streamline Inspections for New Landlords

Housing markets in the United States have struggled for decades with stubborn inflation, making the goal of homebuying much harder to attain. A comprehensive bill aimed at increasing housing supply to meet consumer demand is making its way through Congress and has Republicans and Democrats hopeful for change. The bill, called The 21st Century Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act, includes two provisions I authored. In a vote of 89 to 10, it passed the Senate and now advances to the U.S. House of Representatives.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is the result of the first housing markup in the Banking Committee held in over a decade, which passed unanimously out of the committee last year. The legislation is a comprehensive overhaul of U.S. housing policies and is intended to use market forces and regulatory reform to make home ownership more attainable.

Rural communities in North Dakota and across the country are experiencing an appraiser shortage, leading to delays for appraisals and extending the homebuying process for purchasers and sellers. North Dakotans have experienced an average wait time of 21 days for home appraisals, while the national average is between six to nine days. I introduced the Appraisal Industry Improvement Act alongside U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) last year, which supports building the appraiser workforce to lessen transaction delays. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes this bipartisan provision.

The legislation also includes a portion of my bill with U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), the  Choice in Affordable Housing Act, to reduce U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development inspection delays. This section allows units financed through other federal housing programs to automatically satisfy voucher inspection requirements if inspected within the past year. Additionally, it reduces duplication and administrative burden for new landlords to request pre-inspections to increase access to housing for voucher holders and encourage landlord participation.

Panel at National Security Innovation Base Summit Spotlights Defense Modernization

America’s technological ingenuity and how it’s being harnessed for national defense took center stage at the fourth annual National Security Innovation Base (NSIB) Summit. I joined military leaders, other policymakers, and innovators from across the defense and technology sectors to chart the future of U.S. military modernization. Hosted by the Reagan Institute, the summit brought together public and private-sector stakeholders to examine the effectiveness of the U.S. innovation base and identify ways to accelerate defense modernization.

Our panel explored the pace of U.S. defense innovation, the structural reforms needed to unlock faster technological adoption, and the critical role of strong partnerships in sustaining America’s strategic edge. Together, we covered transformation within industry and government, acknowledging progress made and future strides to take.

The focus of the event was the annual NSIB Report Card, produced by the institute’s Center for Peace Through Strength. The report provides what organizers describe as a first-of-its-kind assessment evaluating how well the national security innovation base supports U.S. defense goals. The report also outlines recommendations to improve coordination between government, the military, and the private sector. I was asked my thoughts about defense modernization receiving a “D” on the NSIB Report Card, which is a “leading output indicator.”

One of the things that’s encouraging about the report and by this discussion, is that there really is an attitudinal shift that’s happening. Even crystalizing across party lines and in between appropriators and the authorizers that this is for real. Tragically, the Russia and Ukraine situation has given us a real view that what happens in the fog of war is the clarity of demand. We’re seeing this play out.

Minot Air Force Base hosts two legs of the nuclear triad, and Grand Forks Air Force Base leads key satellite and counter-drone operations. I spoke about ways I'm pushing to modernize defense assets across the board in North Dakota and throughout the country. I launched the Senate Defense Modernization Caucus with U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) to accelerate innovation across the Department of War (DOW) and delivering new capabilities to warfighters at speed and scale. As co-chair, I'm pressing for rapid modernization to counter near-peer adversaries, emphasizing innovation and sustained investment in next-generation military capabilities.

While defense modernization received a “D” on the report card, I said the United States is moving quickly on the F-47, and B-21 production is “coming along quite well.” It warms my heart that North Dakota will be the final state to transition from the aging Minuteman III to the new LGM-35A Sentinel system—meaning the missiles and silos at Minot Air Force Base will benefit from lessons learned as the system is rolled out and refined at earlier bases, an example of the “spiral development” acquisition strategy intended to enable quicker modernization. By the time Sentinel arrives, many of the initial risks and technical kinks are expected to have been worked through elsewhere. At the same time, the B-52s at Minot will be modernized with new engines and equipped with the Long-Range Stand-Off nuclear cruise missile, bringing some of the U.S. Air Force’s most advanced strategic capabilities to the base.

The conversation then shifted toward the creation of the Space Development Agency (SDA), and how it faced “almost immediate resistance by the bureaucracy.” I referenced my visit to Vandenberg Space Force Base to view 21 satellites of SDA’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer before they launched into Low Earth Orbit. While these satellites were produced by York Space, the idea is that the next tranches may be produced by different companies, depending on their ability to drive costs down through innovation and efficiency. 

Senate Unanimously Passes Legislation to Provide Credit Monitoring Services for All Service Members

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Servicemembers’ Credit Monitoring Enhancement Act, giving service members an effective tool to protect their credit and their financial peace of mind. The legislation, which now heads to the House, expands free credit monitoring to all service members, including non-active duty reservists and traditional National Guard members. Current eligibility is limited to active-duty service members and full-time National Guard members.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and I introduced the Servicemembers’ Credit Monitoring Enhancement Act in July 2025.

New Laws Benefitting North Dakotans Ignored by Local Media

If the Fargo Forum is your main news source, you may not know about the many bills we've recently passed, so I'm stepping in to deliver the facts.

Legislation Supports More Reliable, Drought-Resistant Water Supplies in North Dakota

Legislation I cosponsored was introduced in the Senate to support more reliable, drought-resistant water supplies in North Dakota, while helping to fulfill federal compensation that was promised to the state and tribes upon the construction of the Garrison Dam and Oahe Dam. The bill was introduced by U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) and cosponsored by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA). Representative Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) will introduce a companion to the bill in the House of Representatives.

The legislation would amend the Dakota Water Resources Act (DWRA) to increase authorizations under the Municipal, Rural, and Industrial (MR&I) water supply grant program for North Dakota and the five Tribal Nations in the state. North Dakota reached the state MR&I authorization ceiling at the end of Fiscal Year 2024. An increase is necessary to complete ongoing water supply projects, including the Northwest Area Water Supply Project (NAWS) and the Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply Project (ENDAWS). It would also ensure biota water treatment (BWT) costs are fully accounted for, which are rightly the responsibility of the federal government. Although the DWRA authorized funding for non-reimbursable costs related to BWT facilities, no authorization ceiling was outlined. As a result, North Dakota and the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) have been forced to allocate significant MR&I resources to cover federal responsibilities under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909.

Call Reaffirms Strong U.S.-Canada Partnership

I had a call with Ontario Premier Doug Ford last week, and thanked him for his strong statement following the shooting at the U.S. consulate in Toronto.

In moments like these, we see how much our friendships matter. Clouds have silver linings and the silver lining here is the U.S.-Canada friendship endures.

ACC Seeks Partners for Point Defense Battle Lab Exercises at Grand Forks Air Force Base

Air Combat Command (ACC) announced it's searching for counter-drone firms to participate in a series of exercises at Grand Forks Air Force Base as the service races to build defenses against drone attacks on U.S. installations. The command tapped the 319th Reconnaissance Wing in January to lead the Point Defense Battle Lab, which will develop tactics, techniques and procedures for using industry-developed counter-small unmanned aerial systems, or C-sUAS, technologies. Beginning this year, the wing plans to host exercises each month where companies can demonstrate their systems for potential Air Force use protecting domestic bases.

ACC is looking for counter-UAS industry partners for its 2026 Point Defense Battle Lab exercises at Grand Forks Air Force Base—an opportunity to rise above the competition while showcasing the outstanding Airmen of the 319th Reconnaissance Wing. This will build the tactics, techniques, and procedures keeping Air Force installations protected from above.

Letter Requests President Trump Prioritize Opening Japanese Market Access to U.S. Potato Industry

I cosigned a letter, led by U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), asking President Trump to prioritize gaining market access for U.S. fresh potatoes during Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s upcoming visit to the United States. Ending Japan’s restrictions on U.S. fresh potatoes would result in an estimated $150 million a year in new American exports, benefitting farming communities in states across the country.  

U.S. potato growers produce the best potatoes in the world. International trade and foreign export markets are critical to the U.S. potato industry. [...] Securing this long-delayed market access petition and unlocking the critical Japanese export market would make a meaningful difference for potato growers in our states and across the country.

TSA Workers Miss First Full Paycheck with No End to Democrat's Shutdown in Sight

The partial government funding lapse hit its one-month mark, and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners are missing their first full paychecks of the shutdown.

Bill Introduced to Stabilize and Decrease the National Debt

I joined U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Angus King (I-ME) to introduce the Fiscal Commission Act, legislation to strengthen America's fiscal health and stabilize the nation's finances for future generations. The bill would create a bipartisan, bicameral fiscal commission tasked with finding legislative solutions to stabilize spending and decrease the national debt.

The national debt now exceeds $38.8 trillion, which is approximately 124% of the entire U.S. economy. Both parties are to blame—fiscal policies enacted by both Democrats and Republicans have led to soaring annual budget deficits, which totaled $1.7 trillion in calendar year 2025 alone. It’s projected that the federal government will spend more than $1 trillion on interest on the debt alone in 2026, making it a larger expenditure than Medicare and national defense, and second only to Social Security.

LAKES Act Reforms Benefit North Dakota Recreation Sites

Reforms I secured in the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) Act through the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 are opening new opportunities for public-private partnerships and investments at U.S. Army Corps recreation sites.

Last week, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it's seeking proposals from Non-Federal Public Entities and Non-Profit Entities interested in entering into a Challenge Cost-Sharing Cooperative Management Agreement (CCSCMA) for the purpose of collaboratively managing designated recreation areas within the Omaha District. CCSCMAs may be established for an initial term of up to 10 years, with an additional five option-years available without further competition.

The following recreation sites in North Dakota are included in this opportunity:

• East Totten Trail Recreation Area – McLean County, Lake Sakakawea
• Wolf Creek Recreation Area – McLean County, Lake Sakakawea
• Kimball Bottoms ORV – Burleigh County, Lake Oahe
• Hazelton Recreation Area – Emmons County, Lake Oahe
• Beaver Creek Recreation Area – Emmons County, Lake Oahe
• Cattail Bay Recreation Area – Emmons County, Lake Oahe

"The Bottom Line" on Fox Business

I joined Dagen McDowell and Brian Brenberg for an interview on Fox Business' "The Bottom Line." We talked about Senate Democrats threatening to "seize the floor" unless the White House agrees to public Iran hearings.

When Democrats make a clown show out of something as serious as putting our troops in harm’s way, it’s hard to trust them. We’ve had many transparent briefings; there’s no lack of communication.

Watch the full interview below:

"Meet the Press NOW" on NBC

I joined Kristen Welker on NBC's "Meet the Press NOW" to discuss passing the SAVE America Act and the importance of preserving the filibuster.

We also talked about the latest news on Iran. We have to destroy the institutions that support the Iranian regime. We’ve created an environment for change. But I’d hate to see us leave early, only to leave the regime in charge and not accomplish as much as we could.

Watch the full interview below:

"Worldwide Exchange" on CNBC

I joined CNBC's "Worldwide Exchange" to talk about Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh, the latest on Iran, and more.

On the Strait of Hormuz:

The Strait of Hormuz has been a major trading corridor for a long time, and it’s one of the main reasons there’s so much interest in that region. While we’ve seen a 90% reduction in Iranian attacks on neighboring countries and U.S. assets, we might very well need a strong Navy presence there to escort ships and look for mines. You can’t blame a country or company for not wanting to transit the Strait of Hormuz as long as they’re in some danger. But I do think this is a manageable problem we can deal with.

Federal Reserve Chair Nominee Kevin Warsh:

Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh is well known on Capitol Hill, and I look forward to getting to know him better. As an economist with expertise in regulation, financial policy, business, and markets, he appears well prepared for a job like this. I’m impressed and look forward to meeting him and helping move his nomination across the finish line.

On Iran and Defense Modernization:

We’re in a modernization mode right now — everything from expanding the use of small drones to replacing legacy ICBMs with the next-generation Sentinel system. We’re at a time when replenishing should be combined with modernization.

Watch the full interview below:

Kevin Warsh, Nominee for Federal Reserve Chairman

Kevin Warsh is an excellent pick for Chairman of the Federal Reserve, and I look forward to his confirmation.

Lt. Gen. David Miller, Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans Programs, and Requirements

The PARCS modernization effort was front and center during my meeting with Lt. Gen. David Miller, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements. It was encouraging to hear how the U.S. Space Force is pushing acquisition reform and prioritizing speed to deliver for our warfighters.

University of North Dakota Leadership

I always enjoy hearing from University of North Dakota (UND) President Andy Armacost, UND Alumni Association and Foundation Chief Executive Officer DeAnna Carlson Zink, and university leadership about their growth and development of our state’s defense ecosystem.

Senate Youth Program Reception

North Dakota’s Senate Youth Program students are always the best of the best. I enjoyed meeting two outstanding young leaders, Bridger Rivinius and Alexis Thompson, during their week in Washington.

North Dakota Bankers Association

The North Dakota Bankers Association met with me to talk about their work supporting local business and helping power our state’s economy.

Ryan McInerney, VISA CEO

I enjoyed meeting with VISA CEO Ryan McInerney.

Dr. Robert Cain, President of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine

It was great to connect with Dr. Robert Cain, President of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine after his remarks at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' medical nutrition education event. It's an exciting moment for preventative medicine.

Brian Gunderson, Head of Public Policy at Elliott Management

I met with Brian Gunderson from Elliott Management and enjoyed our discussion about the INDEX Act.