Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update

Two National Guard Members Shot in D.C.

The day before Thanksgiving, an Afghan national opened fire in an ambush shooting, attacking West Virginia National Guardsmen Andrew Wolfe, 24, and Sarah Beckstrom, 20. Andrew Wolfe was severely wounded and remains in critical condition, and Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom tragically died as a result of her injuries on Nov. 27. As a mark of respect for her memory, President Trump ordered all U.S. Flags be flown at half-staff on Dec. 4.

Fellow guardsmen responded swiftly to subdue the suspect, who has been charged with first-degree murder, with additional charges pending. Prosecutors working under the direction of U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro successfully argued the suspect be held with no bond. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department.

President Trump Announces Historic Repeal of Burdensome, Biden-Era Fuel Efficiency Standards

President Donald Trump and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced the reset of the Biden administration’s "costly and unlawful" Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. The regulations and standards negatively affected vehicle manufacturers and passed higher costs along to American consumers. They imposed burdensome and costly regulations requiring automakers to double the average fleet-wide fuel economy in under 10 years. These standards effectively forced an electric vehicle (EV) mandate on the nation and severely restrict consumer choice.

The White House said this action represents an enormous win in response to the cost-of-living increases imposed on the economy by the Biden administration. During the event, I highlighted how this move by the Trump administration will escalate economic opportunity in 2026.

I was honored to join President Trump and Secretary Duffy at the White House to announce the roll back of the stupid CAFE standards and electric vehicle mandate from the Biden administration.

Secretary Duffy issued a memo in January directing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)  to revise its Biden-era CAFE standards to align with President Trump’s Executive Order 14154 (Unleashing American Energy). He said the CAFE standards put coercive pressure on automakers to phase out production of internal combustion engine vehicles, fundamentally distort the market, and destroy consumer choice at the dealership.

Last year, I signed a bicameral letter, led by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) and U.S. Representative Tim Walberg (R-MI-07), to then-NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman, expressing our concerns with the proposed standards. The letter, signed by more than 100 members from the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, requesed the agency withdraw its proposal and reissue new CAFE standards complying with the law, rather than one which picks “winners and losers in the free market and remake[s] our country’s economy.” 

Bill Introduced to Ensure Fair Transmission Cost Allocation

I introduced the Senate version of U.S. Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak's (R-ND) Fair Allocation of Interstate Rates (FAIR) Act to prevent households from being forced to subsidize transmission projects built to satisfy another state’s 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. 

Under current policy, regional transmission organizations spread the costs of large interstate transmission lines—designed to meet individual states’ aggressive renewable mandates—across 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. 

The FAIR Act amends Section 205 of the Federal Power Act: to prohibit cost allocation of policy-driven transmission to consumers in states that did not approve or benefit from the underlying policy; restore state authority and protect ratepayers and landowners from subsidizing projects they do not need; and requires FERC to issue implementing regulations within six months.

Earlier this year, the North Dakota delegation sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission urging the agency to rein in unjust transmission cost-shifting practices.

North Dakota on Track to be First in Nation with 100% Broadband Internet Access

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced it approved North Dakota's final proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a product of the fully-paid-for-Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Approval of North Dakota’s proposal makes it one step closer to being the first state in the nation to be 100% connected with reliable, high-speed internet.

The North Dakota Monitor reported the state expects to receive "$6 million from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, a $42 billion initiative included in the infrastructure bill passed under the Biden administration. The funding will be awarded to a pair of local internet carriers, BEK and Midco, to install fiber connections to the last 279 locations in the state without access to high-speed internet."

North Dakota would become the first state in the nation to provide 100% access to broadband internet.

The 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. 

Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School at GFAFB Receives $55 Million to Address Capacity, Condition Deficiencies

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. The 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 eighth grade, students transition to Grand Forks Central High School.

This project will place Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School under the DOW’s Public Schools on Military Installations program. There are more than 160 public schools located on military installations across the country. This program is designed to respond to condition and capacity deficiencies at schools and helps to address local family life needs.

Western Water Cooperative Committee Holds Inaugural Meeting

After years of bureaucratic delays, the Western Water Cooperative Committee (WWCC) held its first-ever meeting in Bismarck. The 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.

“The Western Water Cooperative Committee is a forum to bring those most knowledgeable about western water challenges together to find solutions that balance diverse interests,” said Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “This 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’s work.”

I introduced legislation creating the WWCC and secured its inclusion and passage in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022. My bill was endorsed by the Western Governors’ Association, Western States Water Council, and Conference of Western Attorneys General.

Despite language in WRDA 2022 requiring the committee’s creation 90 days after the law’s establishment, it was not initiated until earlier this year. I repeatedly pressed the Army Corps to follow the law and formally launch the WWCC. This includes questioning the Army Corps leadership about it during an EPW Committee hearing in 2024 and later writing a letter to the agency demanding a timeline for when the WWCC would be established and hold its first meeting. More recently, I raised the issue with Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll about the years-long delay under the Biden administration.

National Park Service Reopens Scenic Loop Road in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

After nearly six years, the Scenic Loop Road in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park has been reopened for visitors. The road was closed in 2019 after a section of the road collapsed, leaving the road impassible.

Eroded sections of the road have been repaired with enhanced stormwater drainage and roadside pull-outs have been repaved. The Loop will also feature expanded walkways, seating, and wayside exhibits. The project was made possible by $51 million in federal funds, including significant funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), a bill I cosponsored, and President Trump signed into law in 2020, which contained funding to address the maintenance backlog on federal lands. I'm a cosponsor of the America the Beautiful Act, which builds on the success of the GAOA to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund and increase funding for backlog maintenance projects.

I observed construction progress in Aug. 2024, and visited the park in Oct. 2019, with then-U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt to see the need for infrastructure repairs.

August 2024

October 2019

Trump Administration Repeals Misguided, Biden-Era Minimum Staffing Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities

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 “practical, sustainable approaches to improving nursing home care, and allows for further opportunity for engagement with community and Tribal stakeholders,” according to HHS.

The 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.

I 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. I applauded the Trump administration’s announcement this week saying, “rural America deserves solutions, not red tape.”

Nikki Wegner, President of the North Dakota Long Term Care Association, reacted to the Trump administration’s revocation of the rule, “The 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.”

In 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. The organizations highlighted CMS’ misunderstanding of nursing facilities’ 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.

I met with CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz in July to discuss the reforms needed to improve care for North Dakotans. I 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, we said staffing mandates are not the only solution and a “one-size-fits-all staffing mandate would undermine access to care for patients, particularly in rural communities.” In June 2023, I questioned CMS officials at a hearing about the mandate’s impact on already stressed staffing challenges. In March 2024, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and I joined forces to introduce the VA Report on Proposed CMS Staffing Ratios Act to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit a report regarding the proposed rule’s impact on veterans access to LTC services. I  cosponsored U.S. Senator James Lankford’s (R-OK) bipartisan Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval to overturn the final rule issued by CMS.

President of Rwanda Paul Kagame

I met with President Kagame and Members of Congress to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation through key initiatives that contribute to lasting stability and prosperity.

NDSU Vice President for Agriculture Greg Lardy and Interim Vice President for Research Heidi Grunwald

Thanks to Greg Lardy and Heidi Grunwald from North Dakota State University (NDSU) for stopping by. We had a good discussion on how they’re leveraging our region’s strategic advantages to address workforce needs and help rural communities.

Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo

Thanks to Gevo CEO Patrick Gruber for meeting with me to discuss the work they’re doing in Richardton after acquiring Red Trail Energy.

JT Batson, U.S. Soccer CEO & Secretary General

Enjoyed meeting with JT Batson, CEO and Secretary General of U.S. Soccer, ahead of the exciting FIFA World Cup 2026 and Final Draw. We had a great discussion on ways to grow American soccer and make investments in the U.S. for the future.

Capitol Ministries

I always appreciate meeting with my friends at Capitol Ministries and welcoming Dr. Randy and Paula Adams.

Wealth & Health Strategies

Thoughtful reforms are essential to lowering healthcare costs for consumers, expanding patient choice, and avoiding creating perverse incentives in other parts of the value chain. I met with North Dakota insurance brokers, agents, and members of the North Dakota Insurance Commission to discuss how the latest trends are affecting their operations and the customers they serve.

Dakota Credit Union Association

Grateful for the opportunity to meet with North Dakota credit unions in Bismarck to discuss issues impacting their members.

HHS Awards $2.7 Million to TGU School District

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.