Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update

King Charles III Delivers Joint Address to Congress During Historic First U.S. State Visit as Monarch

Visit Celebrates 250th Anniversary of U.S. Independence, Enduring U.S. and U.K. Partnership

His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla visited the United States, marking their first official visit to the United States since the King’s ascension to the throne. The visit honored the longstanding and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom as America approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence.

The four-day visit featured a series of events, including a garden party hosted by British Ambassador Sir Christian Turner and a formal State Arrival Ceremony at the White House—a tradition dating back to the nation’s earliest days. I joined administration officials, members of Congress, military families, and students in welcoming Their Majesties.

In a rare and historic moment, King Charles III addressed a joint meeting of Congress, only the second British monarch to do so, following Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.

Watch King Charles III's full address below:

Resolution Recognizes April 2026 as Second Chance Month

After serving their sentences, formerly incarcerated individuals should be stepping into a new chapter. But for many, the next chapter is defined by barriers, not opportunity. The challenges they face – from employment to housing to education – don’t end when they are released and persist long after their time is served.

Seeking to shine a national spotlight on both the promise and the difficulty of reentry, the Senate passed a resolution I introduced along with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) designating April 2026 as “Second Chance Month.” U.S. Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04) and Danny Davis (D-IL-07) introduced a companion measure in the House.

The resolution recognizes April 2026 as “Second Chance Month” to highlight the importance of removing barriers hindering individuals with criminal records from successfully rebuilding their lives. It acknowledges the efforts of organizations and communities working to expand opportunities for reentry and calls on institutions to mark the month by promoting awareness, advancing second-chance policies, and supporting individuals as they move forward after completing their sentences. Roughly 80 million Americans have a criminal record. In North Dakota alone, about 2,200 individuals are incarcerated and another 7,200 are under community supervision. Individuals who have been incarcerated even once are nearly seven times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population. The resolution underscores the importance of matching individuals with opportunity, and ensuring successful reentry to strengthen families, communities, and the broader economy.

The legislation is endorsed by Prison Fellowship, American Correctional Association, Brennan Center for Justice, Conservative Political Action Conference, Due Process Institute, Families Against Mandatory Minimums, Major County Sheriffs of America, Modern Fortis, National District Attorneys Association, Niskanen Center, Right on Crime, and Unify.US.

Governor Kelly Armstrong issued a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Second Chance Month, saying the designation is "intended to increase public awareness about the need for closure for those who have paid their debt, and promote opportunities for individuals, employers, congregations and communities to extend second chances."

President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Secures Nuclear Modernization Projects at Minot AFB

Minot Air Force Base is slated to receive a $230 million nuclear modernization facelift under President Donald Trump’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget, zeroing in on support for the next generation of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) operations. I announced plans to fund two cornerstone projects tied to the LGM-35A Sentinel program, the replacement for the aging Minuteman III system. Minot, the nation’s only base supporting two legs of the nuclear triad, is slated to receive $124 million for a new Sentinel maintenance complex and $108 million for a state-of-the-art operations center.

The executive budget’s proposals align with a broader push by the Trump administration to accelerate nuclear modernization, with major investments aimed at enhancing deterrence across air, land, and sea.

A new consolidated vehicle maintenance complex would replace infrastructure dating back to the Eisenhower era by phasing out five outdated facilities built in the late 1950s and early 1960s—structures not designed for today’s fleet of more than 1,100 oversized vehicles. Right now, Airmen are often forced to repair equipment outdoors in difficult conditions, especially in the winter months when temperatures drop below zero. The new building shifts resources away from costly patchwork solutions and toward long-term capability.

The budget also advances a new Security Forces Operations Center for the 91st Missile Wing, consolidating training, storage, and deployment functions under one roof. The facility will support everything from convoy security to missile site protection for over 1,000 Air Force Defenders.

After more than 50 years of service, the Minuteman III system, with roughly 400 missiles deployed across three bases, is set to be replaced by LGM-35A Sentinel. The transition is expected to begin in 2030, modernizing the land-based leg of the nuclear triad amid rising global threats. As the first North Dakotan to serve on SASC and co-chair of the Senate Defense Modernization Caucus, I have championed Minuteman III’s next generation replacement. My work on behalf of the base has taken me across the country, including a recent visit to Hill Air Force Base in Utah, which supports the Minuteman program and is the proving ground for Sentinel.

Meanwhile, efforts to preserve the legacy of the current system are also underway. I worked with the U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman to secure a decommissioned Minuteman III missile for public display. The missile is now headed to the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, where it will anchor a new Military Gallery set to open in 2027 and offer the public an up-close look at the weapon system.

Fireside Chat at Silverado Policy Accelerator Summit Highlights PROVE IT Act, EXIM Reauthorization Bill

The Silverado Policy Accelerator hosted its 4th Annual Silverado Summit, “250+: Securing the Next American Era,” convening leaders from across industries to tackle policies shaping America’s future.

At the summit, I joined a fireside chat with David Banks, CEO of the American Council on Capital Formation, to discuss how Congress is advancing energy dominance at home and abroad—deepening ties with allied producers while navigating strategic competition with China—and the legislative tools needed to sustain long-term American economic leadership. We highlighted my legislation with U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) to reauthorize the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) for the next decade, alongside my PROVE IT Act, which underscores America’s carbon advantage and pushes back on discriminatory foreign tariffs targeting U.S. products.

The summit opened with a keynote from United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer followed by a moderated discussion with Silverado's CEO, Sarah Stewart, reflecting on the administration’s trade approach, key lessons from its first year, and priorities moving forward.

Thanks to Silverado Policy Accelerator for inviting me and Ambassador Greer to open up its 2026 summit. It was the perfect venue to talk about my PROVE IT Act and my bill to reauthorize the EXIM Bank. Energy and trade policy build economic strength and resilience at home. When given a level playing field, American exceptionalism will always excel!

Laborers' International Union of North America and Legislator Receptions

North Dakota Republican state legislators were in Washington, D.C., taking part in several events across the city. At a North Dakota leadership reception, I connected with state leaders while they were in town. I also met with Republican legislators at an event hosted by the Laborers’ International Union of North America to discuss workforce development and strengthening career pipelines.

Got a little slice of home in Washington last week, with a Laborers' International Union of North America reception and discussions with dozens of North Dakota legislators. We had timely conversations on energy security and economic growth and supporting our workers who do the best job in the world.

Council for Secure America Reception and Fireside Chat

The Council for Secure America hosted a reception in Washington for North Dakota and Montana state legislators visiting the nation’s capital, bringing together state leaders for a timely discussion on global security and U.S. partnerships. The event centered around conversations on Israel’s regional strategy, the shifting geopolitical landscape across the Middle East, and opportunities to strengthen the U.S.–Israel partnership through energy, diplomacy, and security.

At the event, I participated in a discussion with Dr. Yechiel Leiter, Ambassador of Israel to the United States, on how domestic energy leadership ties directly into broader strategic conversations shaping American energy security.

From the terror of October 7 to every North Dakotan and American injured or killed overseas, the threat hits close to home. There’s no security without energy security. I’d much rather use the productive development of energy security than the weapons of war to bring about peace and freedom. Thank you to the Council for a Secure America and Israel's Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter for your work in facilitating the unbreakable bond between our two nations!

North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives

At a North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives legislative meeting, I spoke to electric cooperative members about the need to make energy and transmission investments to meet the moment we’re in, and how important it is to avoid simply passing large user infrastructure costs along to all ratepayers.

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Examines Bill to Support Outdoor Recreation for Veterans

A proposal to expand veterans’ access to outdoor recreation programs was on the docket at a hearing of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC). The Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, which I introduced alongside U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Boozman (R-AR), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), will ensure outdoor recreation is an available tool to facilitate community among veterans after leaving military service. The bill reflects the growing recognition of how recovery from service-related injuries, both physical and psychological, does not occur solely within the walls of a clinic or hospital. Early studies show these programs are an effective tool in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety among veterans.

I spoke about the bill, highlighting its authorization of $10 million each year for a grant program for state U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) organizations to deliver structured outdoor recreation programs for veterans. The bill creates a base allocation structure for funding, providing any eligible state which applies at least $200,000 for these activities. Under the proposal, states and contracted partners are encouraged to coordinate with relevant federal land management agencies to utilize these spaces for the outdoor programs if suitable.

Although the VA acknowledged the importance of expanding outdoor recreation opportunities for veterans, I criticized the agency’s lack of engagement and initiative. I noted “[The testimony] reads like a bureaucrat - that doesn’t want to do any more work - wrote it. Probably worked harder at writing it than the work that would be required to carry it out.”

Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Patient Care Services at the Veterans Health Administration Mark Koeniger said the department would work with me to improve its efforts to understand the bill.

“What I can say, is that it’s my understanding that the VA is working with your staff to make sure that we understand the language appropriately and that we get to some kind of agreement here,” said Koeniger. 

“The VA fully understands that there is potential therapeutic value in outdoor rec activities. What we want to be sure is that we’re able to measure that therapeutic value and that there are appropriate boundaries put in place for such activities,” Koeniger reiterated. “Our goal is to support veterans and improve their outcomes.”

Although I was frustrated with the VA’s initial response—the bill language seems quite clear to me—I am happy to work with the VA to improve it. However, if the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act is passed into law and signed by the President of the United States, I expect the VA to carry it out as written.

The Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act is supported by the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA), American Legion, Veterans Outdoor Advocacy Group, the Action Foundation, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the National Association of State Park Directors, and the Action Foundation.

In a letter to SVAC Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the Veterans Outdoor Advocacy Group emphasized the bill is a “measured, evidence-informed step that builds on proven VA models while addressing a clear gap in access. It aligns with how many veterans are already choosing to reconnect and move forward.”

Written testimony from the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) said it would “be grateful for the opportunity to continue working with Sen. Cramer and members of the Committee to pass this important legislation.”

“The mental and physical health benefits of outdoor recreation are well documented, and VA recognizes that engaging with nature can reduce stress, improve mood, and strengthen coping skills through accessible, low-cost activities integrated into daily life,” said Brian Dempsey, Director of Government Affairs for WWP. “VA research, including work from the South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, shows that even brief, regular time outdoors can enhance wellbeing and emotional regulation, including for veterans facing mobility or disability related barriers.”

AMVETS said it supports the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act and its intent to broaden the “wellness and rehabilitation options available to veterans. AMVETS fully believes that recovery and resilience are not limited to traditional clinical settings. Structured outdoor programs can complement existing care by improving engagement, strengthening social connections, and supporting long-term wellness.”

Watch the full exchange below:

Senate EPW Committee Hearing Highlights Grid Reliability, WOTUS Rule

Bad math and bad policy were center stage when Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin testified before the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee on the Fiscal Year 2027 EPA budget request.

At the hearing, I pushed back on misleading claims from U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who alleged electricity bills were increasing as a result of a “fossil industry plot to subvert the powers of government to keep inexpensive clean energy off the grid.” Whitehouse referred to intermittent energy sources, like wind, as “zero cost,” yet neglected to mention the significant government subsidies and dispatchable power necessary to back up these sources.

In fact, when I asked Administrator Zeldin about those comments, he said, “Respectfully, Senator Whitehouse's math is extremely wrong."

On the topic of preference on the grid, I asked Zeldin about the costs associated with mandates which prioritize intermittent resources, “[For] Net-zero, marginal costs, you'd be crazy if you didn't put it on the grid first if you're already stuck with all the investment costs and the taxpayer costs. So that I understand, and that's part of the rate structure. Isn't it true that there are regions and states that add regulatory or legal mandates that require the less reliable energy to be on the grid, first before they then go to the much more reliable extra cost electricity that goes on the grid?”

“Senator it is not a coincidence that the 10 states that have the cheapest rates across the country voted for President Trump, and nine of the 10 with the highest rates voted for Kamala Harris,” replied Zeldin. “That's not a coincidence.”

I pivoted to the Trump administration’s pending Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, thanking Zeldin and his team for holding the first listening session in North Dakota. In December, I welcomed state, local, and federal officials to Bismarck. The event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to provide input on the proposed rule to EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials.

Reflecting back on the listening session, I said, “One of the things that was interesting to me, that I did not expect, frankly, at that listening session was when the president of the Home Builders Association, testified after a question, that the surveying and studies that they've done, show that the cost of a lot—due to the Waters of the United States, in certain areas—increased $25,000 per lot for a home before a shovel went into it. Does that not seem like a cost issue or an inflationary issue that could have been relieved by a better rule?”

“Absolutely, there are landowners, farmers, ranchers, there are entire states who have come to us, they've done the math,” said Zeldin. “The impact of the way the Waters of the United States was defined previously, results in a heavy cost to be able to hire an attorney or a consultant to tell them whether it was a Water of the United States. That great uncertainty has caused a lot of issues across the country, and that's what we're working to fix.”

Watch the full exchange below:

Record-Breaking BLM Oil and Gas Lease Sale in Dakotas Generates Over $44.3 Million in Revenue

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced a record-setting oil and gas lease sale across the Dakotas, generating $44.3 million in total receipts. In its latest quarterly sale, BLM leased 23 parcels spanning 8,989 acres in North Dakota, marking the highest revenue ever recorded for a Montana/Dakotas lease sale.

The auction was held under the Working Families Tax Cuts framework, which resets the federal onshore royalty rate to a minimum of 12.5%, reversing the 16.67% rate established by the Inflation Reduction Act. BLM emphasized the broader impact, noting the sales bolster domestic energy production, strengthen U.S. energy independence, and contribute to both economic growth and national security.

This record-breaking sale means investment in North Dakota’s schools and infrastructure, revenue to lessen the federal deficit, and energy dominance! Thanks, President Trump, for changing course!

North Dakota State Representative Liz Conmy Dies in Plane Crash

I was saddened to hear about the tragic death of North Dakota Representative Liz Conmy. She was a dedicated public servant and her service to the people of North Dakota and Fargo will not soon be forgotten. Kris and I are praying for her family, friends, and colleagues.

"Squawk Box" on CNBC

I joined Joe Kernen and Andrew Ross Sorkin on CNBC's "Squawk Box" to talk about Kevin Warsh's confirmation hearing and Iran.

On Kevin Warsh:

Kevin Warsh's credentials have only gotten better since he was unanimously confirmed to the Fed Board. All the Democrats' rhetoric is nonsense, such as Senator Warren's partisan carping: referring to him as President Trump's sock puppet.

On Iran:

The latest Iranian proposal to remove the blockade in the hopes of talking about their nuclear ambitions is ridiculous. President Trump's number one goal is to ensure Iran never has nuclear weapons. The President prefers a peaceful resolution going forward, but he shouldn’t be afraid to use his leverage.

Watch the full interview below:

2026 EXIM Annual Conference

I spoke to a group at the U.S. Export-Import (EXIM) Bank Conference and gave them an update on my bill to reauthorize the EXIM Bank. Congress and the administration see the EXIM Bank as part of a bigger strategy, one where capital formation, environmental and energy policy, geopolitics and trade are all working in concert, allowing our companies and workers to punch above their weight class.

Garrison Diversion Conservancy District

I caught up with North Dakotans from the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District to discuss ongoing progress and next steps for the Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply Project, known as ENDAWS.

Dirk Wallinger, CEO of York Space Systems

Aerospace company York Space Systems is a key partner powering U.S. Space Force and Space Development Agency missions from Grand Forks Air Force Base, and its footprint is only growing. I spoke with CEO Dirk Wallinger about how the company is moving fast, proving its capabilities, and staying ahead in an increasingly competitive space domain.

Judge Dan Traynor

I had an enlightening conversation with U.S. District Judge Dan Traynor, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Director Judge Bob Conrad, and Melanie Gilbert about the condition of federal courthouses throughout the country. They laid out the challenges they’re facing and the need for more flexibility to renovate, modernize, and keep our nation’s courthouses fully operational.

HHS Awards More Than $12 Million for Initiatives Across North Dakota

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an award of $12,014,482 for the following programs and initiatives across North Dakota:

• $4,562,442 to Minot Public School District 1 to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
• $3,777,040 to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
• $3,675,000 to the University of North Dakota to provide technical assistance, information, and resources to improve healthcare in rural areas.