Senator Cramer's Weekly Update DECEMBER 9 - 13

Gov. Kristi Noem begins Senate visits for Cabinet Confirmation Process

I have the distinct honor of being South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem's "sherpa" as she begins the process to become President Trump's Secretary of Homeland Security! Kristi is tough, determined, and ready to take charge of Homeland Security to deliver the change President Donald Trump has promised the American people.

Standing Rock Chairwoman and Governor Kristi Noem Connect for Conversation in Senate

As I took Governor Kristi Noem to Senate meetings, we were able to connect with Chairwoman Janet Alkire and members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. So glad we could have a good discussion together as Dakotans.

Floor Speech Congratulates Governor Doug Burgum as Next Secretary of the Interior, Chair of National Energy Council

Last month, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to serve as Secretary of the Interior. In his statement, President Trump also announced the creation of the National Energy Council, which will include every agency involved in each step of the energy development, production, and distribution process. As Secretary of the Interior, Burgum will chair the council.

I delivered a speech on the Senate floor highlighting President Trump's announcement and congratulating Burgum on his new positons.

The pick of Governor Burgum and the creation of the council are brilliant moves by a president who has made energy dominance a central pillar of his second administration. Like every other cabinet secretary nominee, Doug Burgum will come before the Senate, first in committee, and then on the floor for a Senate-wide vote. We will fulfill our Constitutional duty to provide our advice and, ultimately, consent to the president’s nominee.

We need dedicated outsiders like President Trump and Governor Burgum to begin cleaning up the mess of the last four years and Make Energy Policy Make Sense Again. Undoing the mountain of Biden administration regulations is the first step to unleashing our energy potential. But it will take deliberate, thoughtful coordination between the Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture, and yes, the Department of Justice and others. Encouraging American energy development requires making producers’ interactions with the federal government as seamless as possible and we must have a Justice Department committed to the laws and policies they are responsible for defending.

North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley Visits D.C.

It is always a joy to catch up with my friend, North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley, when he is in Washington. Drew is working tirelessly to fight for the best interests of North Dakotans, highlighting our state’s excellence and pushing back against federal overreach.

Suspected Member of Venezuelan Gang Arrested in West Fargo

Police in West Fargo arrested a suspected member of the Tren de Aragua gang in early November, marking its presence in at least 17 states. West Fargo Police Chief Pete Neilsen confirmed the individual is in the U.S. illegally and has stolen more than $150,000.

A member of a Venezuelan prison gang was arrested in West Fargo. Like President Donald Trump says, EVERY state is a border state. We need real change NOW.

Legislation Introduced to Improve Vision Care Quality and Protect Consumer Choice

Two Vision Benefit Managers (VBMs) dominate the vision insurance market, providing coverage to two-thirds of Americans with vision benefits. These VBMs often own the frame and lens manufacturers and control which labs an optometrist can use, resulting in less autonomy for providers and more limited choices for their patients.

Along with U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), I introduced the Vision Lab Choice Act of 2024 to allow clinicians to use the medical labs of their choosing and lower costs for both patients and doctors. Specifically, the legislation would amend Title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to allow optometrists to choose the best labs and suppliers for their practice, ensuring patients receive high-quality, personalized vision care.

Vision Benefit Managers are often a hurdle to optometrists and eye care specialists providing the best care to their patients. Expanding consumer choice benefits patients when service is improved. I joined Senator Murphy in introducing the bipartisan Vision Lab Choice Act of 2024, so doctors will have more autonomy over which labs they work with and where they source their materials.

Interview on Mornings with Maria Discusses National Defense Budget and Arrested Gang Member in West Fargo.

I joined Mornings with Maria on Fox Business to discuss the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, strategically decoupling from China, and getting our border under control. The arrest of a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member in North Dakota is proof every state is a border state.

Interview with Wolf Blitzer Covers Corruption in the Federal Bureau of Investigation

It is the job of the FBI Director to oversee an agency that roots out illegal activity, starting with the agency itself. I joined CNN to discuss the serious problems at the FBI and the need to change course.

GEVO CEO Patrick Gruber

Patrick Gruber, the CEO of GEVO, an energy company with business in Richardton, met with me to discuss energy innovation and eliminating bureaucratic red tape.

Space Force Guardians

I met with several U.S. Space Force Guardians to celebrate the five year anniversary of the Space Force.

Congratulations to the U.S. Space Force on its fifth birthday! All the Space Force has accomplished in such a short time is remarkable momentum for the great work it will keep doing in the future.

Former Member of Ukrainian Parliament Pavel Unguryan

Pavel Unguryan, a friend and former member of Ukraine’s parliament, was in Washington to discuss what’s happening in his country. American strength on the global stage is desperately needed.

U.S. Department of Energy Announces Nearly $1 Million to University of North Dakota

The U.S. Department of Energy announced a grant of $999,999 to the University of North Dakota (UND) to improve unit operations of processing and manufacturing of critical materials.

Specifically, this funding will allow UND to conduct a prototype demonstration of a proven process for producing low-cost, high-performance silicon monoxide with graphene coating (SiO/G) anode materials for lithium (Li)-ion batteries (LIBs) while reducing water, waste, chemical intensity, and energy consumption.

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