Senate Passes Legislation to Avert Government Shutdown, Extend Farm Bill
The U.S. Senate passed a continuing resolution by a vote of 85 to 11, extending current government funding levels for three months, authorizing a one-year farm bill extension, and securing vital farm and disaster aid. The legislation, which extends appropriations levels through March 14, passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 366 to 34.
While the passage of the bill is obviously important to avoid a government shutdown and of course to pass some priorities for North Dakota, it had better be the last time we do it this way. This is not how you should run the legislative branch and our constituents deserve a lot better than this incompetence and this dysfunction that we’ve seen these last few days and hours. I look forward to new leadership in Congress when Republicans become the majority in the Senate and Donald Trump occupies the White House.
This package includes funding and authorizations to support programs and initiatives benefitting North Dakota and the nation. The following provisions are included in the package:
Extends the 2018 Farm Bill, Provides Economic Assistance for Farmers
The continuing resolution extends the 2018 Farm Bill for one year, giving Congress another year to provide farmers and ranchers with a much-needed, new, and improved Farm Bill with an adequate farm safety net. This extension protects critical commodity programs which provide financial support to producers in the event of price or revenue declines, extends trade facilitation programs designed to expand markets for American crops, and continues providing specialty crop block grants to state departments of agriculture.
This bill provides substantial financial relief for farmers impacted by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. It authorizes nearly $31 billion for agricultural aid, including $21 billion for the Emergency Relief Program for agricultural losses due to natural disaster in 2023 and 2024, and $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers to account for low commodity prices and high interest rates. This funding includes $2 billion set aside for livestock losses due to drought, wildfires, and floods, $828 million for the Emergency Conservation Program to rehabilitate damaged farmland, and $920 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program to address flood and erosion damages. The legislation also directs $362.5 million toward rural development disaster assistance to help rebuild infrastructure in rural communities and allocates $220 million in state block grants to support disaster recovery efforts.
Provides Disaster Aid
It’s been a difficult year, particularly for citizens in the southeast who experienced Hurricane Milton and Helen. In response to recent flooding, wildfires, and other natural disasters, this funding measure provides $100 billion in disaster relief assistance and includes allocations for infrastructure repair and rebuilding. Nearly $29 billion will go to the disaster relief fund at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, with $8 billion allocated towards rebuilding highways and bridges, and $2.2 billion to low-interest loans for businesses to assist in recovery.
Secures Key National Defense Provisions
As the U.S. Navy seeks to strengthen the submarine industrial base, this legislation supports nearly $5.7 billion for the Virginia-class submarine program and for workforce, wage, and non-executive salary improvements for other nuclear-powered vessel programs. Additionally, it provides funding for the Columbia-class submarine program, with $3 billion for the regular procurement of Columbia-class submarines, and almost $6 billion for advanced procurement. As Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Subcommittee on Seapower, Cramer has championed legislation and initiatives to bolster the Navy’s capabilities.
Congress Passes Strong National Defense Authorization Act and Secures Wins for North Dakota
The U.S. Senate passed legislation containing major victories for North Dakota and the nation. This includes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and a 4.5% pay raise for all other servicemembers, at a time when recruitment is a vital concern.
The annual bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, passed by a vote of 85 to 14 and advances a “warfighting, not wokeness” agenda, reforms antiquated Department of Defense procurement, and expands tough-on-China policies. The FY25 NDAA pushes for the modernization of nuclear, hypersonic, missile defense, and space capabilities while also expanding U.S. Navy shipbuilding.
The House of Representatives passed the bill with a broad bipartisan vote of 281-140, and will now head to the President’s desk for his signature. The bill is a major victory, but still not enough.
This bill is a good step, but we need to do a lot more to rebuild our military and project strength to a world yearning for American leadership. Our adversaries need to see that projection of strength as well. I look forward to working with President Trump and his administration in January so we can address America’s most pressing threats from our adversaries, and end this radical woke ideology that’s distracting the Department from its warfighting mission.
Infrastructure and Water Development Wins Secured for North Dakota Communities
The Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) passed the Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 97 to 1. Last week, the House of Representatives passed the bill on a broad bipartisan basis, with a vote of 399 to 18.
WRDA is a biennial bill which authorizes flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This year, WRDA is paired with a collection of bills, which moved through regular order and received markups in both the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee.
In addition to WRDA, this package includes legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and repurpose unused transportation financing for state departments of transportation formula programs.
Two provisions within the WRDA package directly benefit tribal communities. I helped pass the permanent reauthorization of the Corps’ Tribal Partnership, allowing USACE to perform feasibility studies for tribal water resource development projects. The bill also includes language I championed directing the Corps to submit a report to Congress on land suitable to be transferred to Standing Rock Sioux Tribe for improved recreation access and development, fulfilling a commitment made by Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Mike Connor during a visit with I made to Standing Rock in 2023.
The bill includes a version of my bipartisan LAKES Act to improve management of recreation sites by allowing the USACE to enter into cooperative agreements with local stakeholders and retain recreation fees collected for the operation and maintenance of the site. The LAKES Act provides new opportunities for public-private investments and gives local USACE districts more flexibility to reinvest the resources they collect locally from visitors.
I also secured wins for rural communities across North Dakota, to maximize federal cost shares, fund essential water infrastructure projects, and ensure communities have necessary resources for water infrastructure. The 594 Program, an essential source of funding for communities constructing water and wastewater infrastructure, now requires less non-federal cost share to be eligible for funding. Additionally, WRDA will increase the federal cost-share for inland waterway projects to 75% from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, providing enhanced support for communities pursuing infrastructure projects. WRDA also reauthorized the National Dam Safety Program, which is legislation I joined U.S. Senator Padilla (D-CA) in introducing earlier this Congress. This program provides North Dakota much-needed support to oversee the management and safe operations of over 3,000 dams.
FASTA Reform Saves Taxpayers Millions
The Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 passed by Congress this week includes several bills to right-size the federal government’s real estate portfolio. Following extensive support in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the package heads to the President for his signature. The package includes several bills to right size the federal government’s real estate portfolio, including my bipartisan FASTA Reform Act. I serve as the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the committee of jurisdiction over federal buildings across the country.
During an EPW hearing in July, I asked General Services Administration’s (GSA) Public Buildings Service (PBS) Commissioner Elliot Doomes to explain his agency’s actions to ensure better usage of federal buildings. A Government Accountability Office study from October 2023 found 17 of 24 surveyed federal agencies, on average, used an estimated 25 percent or less of the capacity of their headquarters buildings. In 2023 alone, federal agencies reported over 5,000 buildings as either underutilized or unutilized altogether. This longstanding problem has been worsened by agencies’ embrace of remote, telework policies.
The FASTA Reform Act is one of two public buildings reforms included in the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act to assist the federal government in consolidating real estate and ensuring taxpayer-funded buildings do not sit empty. The Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act (FASTA) was passed in 2019 to create a process for offloading unused federal assets. Since its passage, the federal government already disposed of 10 buildings and generated $193 million in revenue. The FASTA Reform Act streamlines the process for disposing of unused federal real estate, allowing for even greater sales and better returns to taxpayers.
Israel Removes its Embassy from Ireland
Israel announced it has removed its embassy from Ireland due to "the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government."
The Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris posted on X complaining about the embassy closure.
The United States and all friends of Israel will remember this “regrettable” false equivalence by Ireland. Pro-peace you say? The 1,200 senselessly murdered and countless others who were raped and kidnapped would say otherwise? Pro-human rights? Hundreds of Jewish hostages would see it differently. Pro-international law? International law didn’t bring Hamas terrorists to justice, Israel did. It takes a lot of nerve for a country neutral during WWII to now lecture the world on human rights.
President Trump's Next FBI Director Visits Capitol Hill
I met with Kash Patel President-elect Trump's choice for FBI Director. Patel is a lifelong hockey player who brings the grit and sharp elbows you'd expect on the ice—perfect for restoring accountability and getting the FBI back to the law enforcement agency it is meant to be!
The fact he’s a University of North Dakota Hockey fan is just gravy.
Next Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner Shares His Vision for Department
Scott Turner, former NFL player, businessman, and President-elect Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), came to meet with me to discuss his vision for HUD.
Thank you for stepping up to serve in such a meaningful way, Scott! I look forward to a good working relationship for the people of North Dakota! It was an honor to meet with you.
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, North Dakota Trust Lands Bills Pass Senate Unanimously
I cosponsored two bills which passed the Senate unanimously. Joining fellow North Dakota delegation members U.S. Senator John Hoeven and then-Congressman Kelly Armstrong, we introduced the North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act and the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Act.
North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act
This legislation authorizes North Dakota to relinquish its lands and minerals on Tribal Reservations to the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) in exchange for those in the state which are federally-owned. North Dakota holds more than 130,000 acres of minerals and over 31,000 surface acres within Tribal Reservations, though they are largely unavailable for development. At the same time, existing laws do not adequately accommodate land and mineral exchanges between the state and the federal government.
As any North Dakotan knows, fragmented mineral rights complicate energy and mineral development. Our North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act is really an easy fix to federal and state land transfers to ensure we encourage more energy and resource development in the state.
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Act
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Act authorizes funding for the library’s continued construction in Medora, and ensures the preservation of President Roosevelt’s history and legacy. It draws on established precedent of presidential libraries receiving federal funding via the Congressional appropriations process, as well as to receive artifacts from the federal government.
In year and a half from now, North Dakotans and visitors from around the world are going to be able to see the story of our 26th President and our beloved Rough Rider while experiencing the actual place that had a large impact on his life and Presidency. This legislation is going to help immerse visitors in Theodore Roosevelt’s world as they view artifacts from every era of his life and learn, of course, about his legacy of leadership.
U.S. Space Force Celebrates Fifth Birthday
Happy fifth birthday to United States Space Force! The Force is dedicated to keeping us safe from emerging threats, with our very own SDA facility and Cavalier Space Force Station supporting missile warning and space surveillance operations. Glad we’re a part of the Space Force family.
MEETINGS
Abraham Accords Roundtable Event
With President Trump and his team taking office, there is finally real support for Israel and strong renewed American leadership on the global stage. The Abraham Accords Roundtable focuses on the incredible opportunity for greater peace and stability in the Middle East.
INTERVIEWS
GRANTS
National Science Foundation Awards $250,000 to Turtle Mountain Community College
The National Science Foundation announced an award of $250,000 to Turtle Mountain Community College.
This award will increase the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) instructional and research capacities. Specifically, this project will enhance the cyberinfrastructure and cybersecurity necessary to facilitate development of the institution in STEM fields and for the protection of sensitive data.
DOD Awards Contracts for Vital Projects at Grand Forks Air Force Base
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced it awarded contracts to Gideon Contracting, LLC, and General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc., for two projects at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB) in Grand Forks. The contracts will support two projects to improve the standard of living for airmen at GFAFB and further the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
Specifically, the contracts will support the following projects:
- A contract for $14,167,979 to Gideon Contracting, LLC for repairs to Bunch Hall Dorm 221. This contract provides for the contractor to furnish all labor, tools, materials, equipment, supervision, personnel, and all else necessary to manage and accomplish a comprehensive dorm renovation. Work will be performed at GFAFB and is expected to be completed by March 11, 2026. The 319th Contracting Squadron, GFAFB, is the contracting activity.
- An additional $9,956,096 modification to a previously awarded contract to General Dynamics, a global aerospace and defense company. This contract will go towards a project supporting Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture ground management, integration, operation, and sustainment efforts. The work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2029, and will be performed in Grand Forks, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Huntsville, Alabama. The Space Development Agency is the contracting activity.
Well, you’ve heard me many times say that the United States has to develop space assets at the speed of China, and that clearly takes some major investments. The contract to General Dynamics Mission Systems certainly acknowledges that reality, and highlights, of course, the importance of North Dakota in that effort. The state is also home to some really important Air Force assets, and the contract with Gideon Contracting signals what is a critical investment in upgrading housing for our airmen at Grand Forks.
Weekly Radio Town Hall Schedule
Jay Thomas
Every other Tuesday from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. CT
"Mitchell in the Morning" with Todd Mitchell
Every Wednesday from 8:15 to 8:50 a.m. CT
KFYR 550 AM / 99.7 FM - Bismarck
Noah Chelliah
Thursdays from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. CT
KNOX 1310 AM - Grand Forks
Rick Jensen
Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. CT
KHND 1470 AM - Harvey
"What's On Your Mind" with Scott Hennen
Every Friday from 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. CT
AM 1100 The Flag - Fargo
WDAY 970 AM - Fargo
KTGO 1090 AM - Tioga
Michael Bell
Every Friday from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. CT
KFYR 550 AM / 99.7 FM - Bismarck
Contact Me
My offices are open in Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, Fargo, Williston, and Washington, D.C. To request an appointment, call any of the offices below or visit my website at www.cramer.senate.gov.
Bismarck
328 Federal Building, 220 East Rosser Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501
701-204-0500
Grand Forks
114 Federal Building, 102 North 4th Street, Grand Forks, ND 58203
701-402-4540
Minot
105 Federal Building, 100 First Street SW, Minot, ND 58701
701-837-6141
Fargo
306 Federal Building, 657 Second Avenue N, Fargo, ND 58102
701-232-5094
Williston
125 Main Street, Suite #217, Williston, ND 58801
701-441-7230
Washington, D.C.
313 Hart Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
202-224-2043
Photo credits: The Office of U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, Adobe, North Dakota Tourism, WTOP, NPR, Pinterest, Turtle Mountain Community College
Credits:
Created with images by Anastassiya - "Christmas tree branches with a garland against falling snow." • LittleDreamStocks - "Public debt, government borrowing and spending" • luzitanija - "puzzle with the colourful national flag of ireland and flag of israel." • Gary - "FBI building in Washington DC USA" • Mario - "Aerial view of building rooftops in suburban village in Switzerland" • larryknupp - "Teddy Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota " • sripfoto - "Milky way galaxy with stars and space dust in the universe, Long exposure photograph, with grain." • Marcio - "Dove of peace Israeli flag background, Israel" • Miro Novak - "flag of Israel" • A2Z AI - "Hypersonic Missile Flying Above the Clouds, Advanced Aerospace Technology and High-Speed Flight" • ozerkina - "US National Capitol in Washington, DC. The building of the United States Congress is on the background of 100 dollar bills." • Hummingbird Art - "American Bison or Buffalo resting in a snow storm in north Quebec Canada."