Senator Cramer's Weekly Update November 18 - 22

Trip with President Trump and Elon Musk to SpaceX Launch

President Trump invited me to join him and Elon Musk on Trump Force One on a trip to Texas for the test launch of SpaceX's rocket, Starship 6. I was able to witness the launch of the rocket, tour the factory, mission control, launch facilities and more with these two astounding leaders.

The experience was surreal and Elon is a very talented entrepreneur. He has a great gift of being able to simplify rocket science.

U.S. Senator John Thune Secures Appellate Judgeships for Trump administration

Current Minority Whip and the next Republican Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has secured the Trump administration its picks on four Appellate court judges to be confirmed by the new Republican Senate in exchange for lower level court judges to be voted on before January 3, 2025.

In exchange for pulling four appellate judges, Republicans agreed to allow several District judges, who will be confirmed anyway, to pass as a group. This has the additional benefit of clearing the calendar for higher priorities like the National Defense Authorization Act, appropriations and potentially passage of a Farm Bill.

This outcome follows weeks of Republican efforts to stop rushed judicial confirmations and prevent Democratic nominees lacking sufficient votes and bipartisan support from advancing.

This is a major victory and huge credit should be given to our next Majority Leader John Thune for achieving it.

Senate Committee Advances Legislation Supporting Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed a bipartisan, bicameral piece of legislation this week to support the preservation and display of materials at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.

The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library promises to be one of a kind, much like the man himself. As a Rough Rider, governor, and president, his influence cannot be overstated. This markup brings us one step closer to securing funding for the Library and transferring artifacts so visitors can learn more about his leadership and vision for our country.

CBP Adjusts Hours of Operations at Northern Border Ports of Entry

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced an adjustment in hours of operation at 38 ports of entry (POE) along the U.S. northern border. These adjustments will be implemented beginning Jan. 6, 2025, and they will formalize operating hours which have been in effect for more than four years at 13 POEs across the northern border.

As a northern border state, North Dakota’s 18 ports of entry play a vital role in facilitating cross-border travel and trade. While these adjustments in ports of entry operating hours are much needed, we need to restore hours of operation at our border to pre-pandemic levels. The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and it’s time the operating hours at our ports of entry reflect it.

CBP and CBSA will align hours at the following locations:

• Hannah will continue to operate from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Hansboro will continue to operate from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Sarles will continue to operate from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

CBP will temporarily expand its hours at the following location:

• Antler will expand its operating hours temporarily for 120 days to 9 a.m. –10 p.m.

The following are the new permanent POE hours of operation in North Dakota:

• Fortuna will expand its operating hours from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Neche will expand its operating hours from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Noonan will expand its operating hours from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Walhalla will expand its operating hours from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Carbury will permanently maintain current hours of 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Maida will permanently maintain current hours of 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Northgate will permanently maintain current hours of 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• St. John will permanently maintain current hours of 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Sherwood will permanently maintain current hours of 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Westhope will permanently maintain current hours of 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The America the Beautiful Act Protects Funding for Public Lands

The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which was signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2020, established the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) and included $1.9 billion over 5 years to address the maintenance backlog across public land agencies, including the National Parks Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and others. I joined U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Angus King (I-ME), and Mark Warner (D-VA) in introducing the America the Beautiful Act. Specifically, the bill will reauthorize the LRF and provide $2 billion for maintenance projects.

Since the passage of the GAOA, North Dakota projects in Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) and the Dakota Prairie Grassland received significant funding to complete restoration and expansion projects. In TRNP, the South Loop Road is slated to reopen next summer as a result of $47 million to repair the washed-out sections and will have expanded walkways, seating, and wayside exhibits, as well as repaved roadside pull-outs. I visited TRNP in August to view the construction progress on the loop. The Dakota Prairie Grasslands, located near TRNP, has received multiple awards to maintain campgrounds, update the Maah Daah Hey trailhead, and resurface and repair roadways with funding from the GAOA. Additional projects in North Dakota include trail maintenance on the National North Country Scenic Trail.

The Great American Outdoors Act brought real results to North Dakota’s outdoor recreation opportunities. Visitors to Theodore Roosevelt National Park will be able to travel the South Loop road, which washed out several years ago, and recreationists can enjoy the updated trails and campsites in the nearby grasslands. Let’s keep this momentum going by passing the America the Beautiful Act, so we maintain our national treasures.

Senators Request SVAC Ensures Greater Accountability of VA Following Budget Shortfall Debacle

A few months ago, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a nearly $3 billion budget shortfall, which would have prevented the delivery of benefit payments to veterans and their dependents by October 2024 unless it received emergency supplemental funding. However, members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) recently learned the $3 billion shortfall did not exist, and the VA ended Fiscal Year 2024 with a $5.1 billion surplus.

As members of SVAC, I joined U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) in sending a letter to Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT), requesting the committee impose greater transparency and accountability measure on the VA.

Whether by negligence or deceit, this is a stunning about-face that demands our attention. Since the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee has oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs, it is essential to hear directly from VA leadership and receive immediate and honest answers.

North Dakota Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Abortion Ban

The North Dakota Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Access Independent Health Services, Inc., Red River Women’s Clinic v. Drew Wrigley which will determine the outcome of North Dakota's statewide abortion ban.

The North Dakota Supreme Court heard oral arguments for AIHS, Inc. v. Wrigley. Thank you to North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley and his team for nobly fighting to protect life in our state!

Interview with Larry Kudlow on Fox Business Discusses President Trump’s Perspective of Withdrawal from Afghanistan

On his Fox Business show, Larry Kudlow discussed President Trump’s review of the Biden administration’s catastrophic Afghanistan withdrawal with me and how we can make sure to never repeat it.

Discussion with CNN Talks About President Trump’s Cabinet Nominations

In a conversation with Dana Bash on CNN, I discussed President Trump’s cabinet nominations.

Interview on NBC's Meet the Press NOW Covers President Trump's nominations

I joined Meet the Press NOW to discuss President Donald Trump’s executive and cabinet nominations and the path forward for them.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

Sitting down with representatives of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe was a highlight of my week. We discussed tribal transportation and recreation priorities, as well as Congressional efforts to pass the Water Resources Development Act of 2024. Tribes need the support of the federal government, not consternation from bureaucratic backlog.

North Dakota Farm Bureau

I was pleased to join the North Dakota Farm Bureau, as they kicked off their annual meeting in Bismarck. North Dakota farmers and ranchers help feed a hungry world. I look forward to working with the Trump administration to ensure they are well equipped to do so.

North Dakota National Guard Reception

Chatting with members of the North Dakota National Guard and North Dakota's military community is always a joy. Our North Dakota troops were in the nation's capital to advocate for Guard priorities like improvements to base infrastructure and military readiness. Special thanks to Colonel Monroe for the Global Hawk ornament!

Independent Petroluem Association of America

Members of the Independent Petroluem Association of America came by to discuss permitting reform. They showed me the ludicrous amount of pages of permits to be filled out to drill in the Permian basin.

• Texas: 11
• New Mexico: 41
• Federal Government: 224

This is Federal mediocrity in picture form. We must cut the red tape of the federal bureaucracy.

Grand Forks Base Retention and Investment Committee

The Grand Forks Base Retention and Investment Committee visited my office to discuss the success of the Grand Forks aerospace ecosystem and how I can, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, serve Grand Forks in the new Congress.

Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce and North Dakota National Guard

Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce members and the North Dakota National Guard stopped by to discuss their priorities, President Trump’s cabinet picks, and the incoming administration’s immigration and national defense policies.

Close Up Student Meeting

Thanks to Holden from Westhope for stopping by my Washington office as part of Close Up DC's student programs. It is always a pleasure to meet with North Dakota students while they’re in town.

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