Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update September 8 - 12

Charlie Kirk Murdered in Targeted Attack in Utah

Charlie Kirk, an American patriot and Turning Point USA founder, was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University to kick off his national college tour. Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the shooting a "political assassination."

Commemorating the 24th Anniversary of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

This year marks the 24th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, when terrorists hijacked four passenger planes and crashed them into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, claiming the lives of nearly 3,000 people.

As former President George W. Bush said, "One of the worst days in America's history saw some of the bravest acts in Americans' history." We’ll always remember the extraordinary courage, humanity, and kindness of total strangers that brought us all together.

On the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we remember those who lost their lives and honor the bravery and sacrifice of our first responders. Every year, we reaffirm our promise to never forget.

I joined my colleagues in a video statement commemorating the 24th anniversary:

Senate Passes Bill Honoring 1980 Miracle on Ice Hockey Team

The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act is supported by over 70 members

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, honoring the 1980 Olympic Men’s Hockey Team’s improbable victory over the four-time reigning champion Russian Olympic team. Against all odds, the American team of amateur collegiate hockey players, including former University of North Dakota hockey player Dave Christian, defeated the Russian team in the semifinals on their way to win gold while cementing the game’s legacy as the Miracle on Ice.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice game. To commemorate this extraordinary achievement, I introduced the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act to award three Congressional Gold Medals to be displayed at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Minnesota, and the Lake Placid Olympic Center in New York. A companion measure was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) and unanimously passed.

Space Development Agency Successfully Launches 21 Tranche 1 Satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture

State-of-the-art SDA Operations Center in Grand Forks to operate satellites

The Space Development Agency (SDA) announced it successfully launched the first Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Tranche 1 (T1) Transport Layer space vehicles from Vandenberg Space Force Base (SFB) in California. This launch delivered the first 21 of 126 T1 satellites going to low-Earth orbit to deliver next-generation capabilities to the joint warfighter and support missions through the PWSA. Two SDA Space Operations Centers will operate the T1 constellation: Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota and Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.

According to SDA, beginning in 2027 T1 will provide initial warfighting capability through the PWSA to deliver regional persistence for tactical military data channels. It will also advance missile tracking and warning, and beyond-line-of-sight targeting plus demonstration of UHF and S-band tactical satellite communications.

The satellites increase the resilience of our nation’s space-based defense and ensure our warfighters have the capabilities they need. The launch paves the way for future integration of cutting-edge satellite technology. Secretary Meink and I viewed these satellites at Vandenberg SFB before they launched.

Watch the full launch below:

Merit-Based Immigration Policy Introduced to Strengthen Health Care Workforce

The American Hospital Association announced it expects a shortage of about 100,000 critical health care workers by 2028, increasing geographic disparities and barriers to care across the nation. Rural communities are especially hard-hit by shortages in health care practitioners. According to the National Rural Health Association, rural areas have approximately 30 physicians or specialists per 100,000 people, compared to 263 in urban areas. The Rural Health Information Hub reports rural areas have nearly 64 Registered Nurses per 10,000 people, compared to 97 in urban areas.

To address crucial health care workforce shortages, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and I introduced the bipartisan Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act to make a limited number of green cards available to qualified immigrant doctors and nurses. The bill allows the “recapture” of green cards already authorized by Congress, but unused in previous years, allotting up to 25,000 immigrant visas for nurses and up to 15,000 immigrant visas for physicians. It does not authorize any new visas.

The bill mandates employers attest immigrants from overseas who receive these visas will not displace an American worker. It also requires eligible immigrant medical professionals meet licensing requirements, pay filing fees, and clear rigorous national security and criminal history background checks before they can receive green cards.

The legislation is supported by several stakeholders, including the North Dakota Long Term Care Association, North Dakota Hospital Association, and North Dakota Medical Association.

Happy Hooligans Receives 24th Outstanding Unit Award

The North Dakota Air National Guard, known as the “Happy Hooligans,” formally received the Air and Space Force Outstanding Unit Award. This marks the 24th time the Happy Hooligans have earned this honor.

"Mornings with Maria" on Fox Business

I joined Cheryl Casone on Fox Business to discuss Charlie Kirk being fatally shot at Utah Valley University during his American Comeback Tour. We also discussed the importance of a clean continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown.

On the death of Charlie Kirk:

It's a profoundly sad day, it's almost hard to put words to it. My first thought this morning was, 'Lord, don't let my sadness turn to bitterness, or my anger turn to violent speech. But rather, take Charlie Kirk's example.'

Many of my messages from Charlie started or ended with 'Senator, we don't always agree, but you always talk to me.' His profound patriotism for America was based on his love for God, and our God is a God of peace. We must find unity in that.

On negotiations to avert government shutdown:

I think we've all learned through history there's no political party or institution that benefits from a government shutdown.

I don't know what the outcome will be in terms of a compromise. The cleaner the continuing resolution, the better. We need to move on with the business of appropriating through regular order.

Watch the full interview below:

"Washington Watch" with Tony Perkins

I joined Tony Perkins on "Washington Watch" last week to discuss the repercussions of Poland shooting down Russian drones. The unfortunate but deliberate Russian drone incursion over Poland should highlight the need for increased sanctions on Vladimir Putin’s regime and all those who support it.

There's no question in my mind Putin was provoking something. At the very least, he was testing the resolve of Europe. I hope this is the moment Europe joins us in sanctioning Russia and sends a strong message to Putin: you've crossed a red line.

We also discussed reports claiming Hamas leaders survived the strike in Doha.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Aerospace Summit

I was honored to participate in this year’s Global Aerospace Summit. I joined Rodney Davis with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to discuss the importance of modernizing our defense capabilities and innovating at a speed which meets the complexity of future and present threats. The security of the United States is dependent on a modern, lethal, and nimble national defense, and we need to equip our warfighters with cutting-edge tools.

Derrick Anderson, nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict

It was great to meet with Derrick Anderson, nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict. He understands what our special operations forces need, which includes intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance from platforms like the MQ-9 Reaper flown out of North Dakota.

Lance Yohe, U.S. Commissioner at IJC

It was great to meet with U.S. Commissioner to the International Joint Commission (IJC) and native North Dakotan Lance Yohe. It was a beneficial discussion about his work on U.S.-Canada boundary waters issues.

North Dakota Farmers Union

I met with the North Dakota Farmers Union to discuss a variety of issues, including trade, the One Big Beautiful Bill, the need for a Farm Bill 2.0 this year, and challenges in the farm economy. Thank you for the tireless work you do to feed and fuel the world!

National Day of Prayer Task Force

It was good to catch up with North Dakota’s co-state coordinators for the National Day of Prayer Task Force, Karen Boelter and Ruth Jorritsma, and hear about their plans for next year’s National Day of Prayer in our state.

Blake Nixon, CEO of Geronimo Power

Thanks to Blake Nixon and the team from Geronimo Power for providing an update on their work to provide energy solutions across North Dakota.

Yehuda Neuberger, AIPAC

I enjoyed meeting with my good friend Yehuda Neuberger from AIPAC. We discussed the importance of ensuring Israel is equipped to defend itself and guaranteeing antisemitism is confronted at home and abroad.

North Dakota Concerned Women for America

North Dakota Concerned Women for America leaders met with me to discuss efforts to protect women’s sports at all levels of competition.