Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update JULY 14-18

Senate Passes Legislation to Rescind Wasteful Federal Spending

By a vote of 51 to 48, the United States Senate advanced the Rescissions Act of 2025 last week to rescind $9 billion in unnecessary, wasteful federal funds. The bill, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 216 to 213, formalizes $9 billion in requested cuts made by the Trump administration and contains 20 targeted rescissions of unobligated balances.

After four years of reckless spending by the Biden administration, President Trump is right to request this cut in wasteful spending and Congress was right to pass it. This bill reclaims taxpayer dollars for hardworking North Dakotans and Americans, but this is only the beginning. Congress and the administration have a lot more work to do to restore accountability and fiscal sanity to Washington.

This rescissions package cuts funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which funds National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Despite its legal mandate for political neutrality, the funds were used to “subsidize a public media system that is politically biased and an unnecessary expense to the taxpayer” including content celebrating irrevocable ‘gender transitions’ in minors, children’s programming featuring drag queens, and stories on “genderqueer dinosaur enthusiasts,” “nonbinary deer,” and “hermaphrodite banana slugs,” while dismissing the Hunter Biden laptop scandal and pushing the discredited Russia-collusion narrative.

Importantly, these cuts do not impact emergency broadcast capabilities. North Dakota radio stations continue to provide critical emergency services, and all for-profit broadcasters are required by the FCC to maintain an Emergency Alert System (EAS) and typically employ their own meteorologists. FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), and the Next Generation Warning System Grant Program (NGWS) also remain fully funded.

These rescissions also eliminate funding in foreign-aid accounts antithetical to American interests and outside the scope of Congressional intent. Taxpayer dollars have been allocated to projects promoting veganism in Zambia, pride parades in Lesotho, wind farms in Ukraine, and gender diversity in Mexican street lighting, all at the expense of the American taxpayer. At the same time, the Senate bill provides guardrails to protect core Global Health Program funding —PEPFAR, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and nutrition. It also protects the Countering PRC Influence Fund and reaffirms commitment to aid in the Middle East.

Chevron Completes Acquisition of Hess

Chevron announced it completed its acquisition of Hess following the satisfaction of all necessary closing conditions. According to Chevron, the company now has "one of the most advantaged and differentiated portfolios in the industry, with leading positions in critical energy markets around the world and a high cash margin production profile." Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission lifted a restriction, allowing John Hess to join Chevron’s Board of Directors.

Congratulations to Hess and Chevron on completing their deal! Hess has been a leader and essential player in the development of the Bakken in North Dakota. Its assets in North Dakota, Ghana, and beyond are excellent additions to Chevron, just as John Hess will be a terrific addition to the Chevron board. With this merger uncertainty behind them these great American companies can focus on energy production across the U.S. and the world, including the billions of barrels of oil remaining in North Dakota.

Senate Unanimously Confirms General Guetlein to Lead Golden Dome Initiative

Days after his inauguration in January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the implementation of a next-generation missile defense shield for the nation. Last week, the Senate unanimously confirmed General Michael Guetlein to lead the Golden Dome missile defense initiative as its “direct reporting program manager.”

After getting to know General Guetlein while he was visiting Grand Forks and Cavalier, I can’t think of anyone better to build on President Trump's vision for Golden Dome. Congratulations on your confirmation and I look forward to working with you to keep our nation safe.

President Trump nominated General Guetlein to lead the effort in May. In April, General Guetlein joined Space Development Agency Director Derek Tournear and I in visiting the University of North Dakota and touring the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences and the National Security Corridor at the College of Engineering & Mines. We also visited Grand Forks Air Force Base, Cavalier Space Force Station and viewed ongoing U.S. Space Force activities in North Dakota.

North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong Testifies at Senate EPW Committee Hearing

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing to discuss the development of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill. As chair of the EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, I was honored to introduce North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong at the hearing. He brought a unique perspective to the conversation, and there's no better illustration of the relationship between the federal government and local and state governments than in infrastructure.

Kelly brings that very important perspective from a rural state which produces more than it can consume and provides it to a hungry world and growing economy. Whether it’s energy, or food or how you get durum wheat to turn into semolina flour to get it to a pasta plant, to get it to the restaurant in New York. He understands it all, and he understands the relationship. I’m really grateful he’s here.

During the hearing, I first mentioned the importance of providing highway funds to states through a set formula, an approach I worked to maintain under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This approach ensures states have consistent funding and flexibility to meet their constituents needs.

Then, I addressed the broader challenge of funding the nation’s transportation infrastructure and discussed how the highway system is built on a user-pays model, with drivers contributing to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) through the federal gas tax paid at the pump. However, the current revenue is not adequate to meet national needs, and electric and hybrid vehicles use the roads and bridges but pay less into the system.

I asked witnesses to weigh in with solutions for increasing HTF revenue and ensuring all drivers contribute fairly. Many states, including North Dakota, charge registration fees for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids so they are paying into their state’s system but there is no similar mechanism at the federal level accounting for EVs’ use of roads and bridges. I concluded my questioning by asking witnesses if they have closing recommendations for accelerating the delivery of infrastructure projects.

Letter Requests FAA Expedite Delivery of Airport Entitlement Funds

The formula-based Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Program funds are annually awarded to nearly 3,300 public-use airports across the nation. Since these funds are often not awarded until late June and July, it’s challenging for airports to implement the projects during the summer construction season, leading to project delays, cancellations, and cost escalations, especially at small and rural airports.

As Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I led a bipartisan letter with U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford. The letter calls on the agency to expedite the disbursement of AIP and AIG entitlement funds to help airports deliver projects more efficiently and better serve travelers.

We urged the FAA to take steps to disburse entitlement funds earlier in the fiscal year and to work with block grant states to maximize the utility of the program moving forward.

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Permanently Add Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS

As a member of the Senate Armed Services and Banking Housing and Urban Affairs Committees, I led U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and John Fetterman (D-PA) in introducing the bipartisan Agriculture Risk Review Act to strengthen food and national security. A companion measure passed the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee and the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously.

The Agricultural Risk Review Act codifies a key plank of the Trump administration’s National Farm Security Action Plan by permanently adding the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) for agriculture transactions. CFIUS is an interagency committee tasked with reviewing transactions involving foreign investment in the United States to determine the national security implications.

We’ve made tremendous progress over the last few years in our efforts to safeguard our agricultural systems and food supply chains against adversaries. After Grand Forks’ experience with Fufeng, we now know how essential it is to add the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS. Foreign land purchases, especially near sensitive sites, are a threat to both our national and food security. Republicans and Democrats both understand the importance of protecting food supply chains. President Trump was right to put Secretary Rollins on CFIUS. I look forward to making his effort permanent with the Agricultural Risk Review Act.

In 2021, the Chinese Fufeng Group purchased 370 acres of land for a wet-corn milling plant 12 miles from Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). I was a vocal opponent of the purchase due to national security concerns, given the food manufacturer’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party and the sensitive work performed at the base. I requested CFIUS review the investment, however the committee ultimately concluded it lacked the legal jurisdiction to make a determination, regardless of the merits of the case. In a January 2023 letter, the U.S. Air Force officially asserted the Fufeng project “presents a significant threat to national security with both near- and long-term risks of significant impacts to our operations in the area.”

Following the Fufeng controversy, CFIUS expanded jurisdiction over GFAFB and seven other bases. The Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations minibus included language I supported to add the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS to review foreign agricultural and biotechnology purchases of national concern.

Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Preserve Payment Choice

U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) and I introduced the Payment Choice Act to preserve payment options for consumers. This legislation ensures customers can use cash as a form of payment and are able to do so without being charged higher prices.

Cash is still legal tender in the United States, despite some businesses’ exclusive acceptance of electronic payments. Forcing the use of credit and debit cards or imposing premium prices on goods and services paid for with cash limits consumer choice. Americans should have the option of using cards or cash, but they should be the ones who make that choice.

While the majority of American households have access to financial services, 4.5% of U.S. households do not have a checking or savings account. Those without access to financial services are more likely to have lower incomes, less education, or be a member of a racial or ethnic minority group. Despite a decline in cash payments during the last few years, this demographic still represents nearly 20% of all payments in the U.S. economy.

U.S. Department of Transportation Awards $4 Million to Minot Corridor Project

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced an award of $4,050,000 to Ward County. These funds were made available through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program.

Specifically, this BUILD grant funding will allow Ward County to conduct planning, environmental documentation, and preliminary design for three corridors and their connected intersections, including the Outer Connector from US Highway 2/52 to US Highway 83 along County Roads 14 and 16, and the Inner Connector from US Highway 2/52 to County Road 14 along 30th Street SW.

I issued the following statement on the announcement:

Minot’s growth is a testament to the region’s strong economy and welcoming community, and this BUILD grant will enhance residential and commercial transportation options in the area. This grant will help ensure the Magic City’s growth goes hand-in-hand with safer and more efficient travel.

The North Dakota delegation wrote a letter supporting the application submitted by the City of Minot and Ward County, highlighting the need for the project.

Ireland to Boycott Israeli Businesses

Last week, a law was proposed in Ireland banning and criminalizing imports from Israeli businesses operating in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. I issued the following statement on social media against Ireland's bill, which could have implications for Israel-Ireland relations as well as U.S. companies and investors.

Ireland's proposed ban against trading with Israel-occupied settlements is discriminatory, antisemitic, and strategically reckless. The United States needs to stand with our friend and ally Israel against this foolishness.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee publicly condemned Ireland saying it should, "sober up" and and apologize to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

Statement on Passing of Dr. Tom Strinden, Husband of ND Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden

Dr. Tom Strinden, husband of North Dakota Lieutenant Governor Michelle Strinden, passed away peacefully after a 17-month battle against brain cancer. 

Our family extends its condolences to Lt. Gov. Strinden and her family as they grieve the loss of Tom. We have them in our prayers and know that Christ has them in His heart during such a difficult time.

ICE Removes Convicted Illegal Alien Sexual Predators, Pedophiles from American Communities

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the arrests last week of criminal illegal aliens including sexual predators, pedophiles and child abusers. According to DHS, there has been a nearly 700 percent surge in assault against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and DHS law enforcement. Despite this, officers continue to make American communities safer every day.

Promises made. Promises kept. Six convicted pedophiles—illegal aliens—taken off our streets this weekend by ICE. Thanks to President Trump, DHS Secretary Noem, and Tom Homan for letting our agents do their job! Even with assaults on ICE up 700%, they keep protecting our kids. God bless these heroes.

"Varney & Co." on Fox Business

Last week, I joined "Varney & Co." on Fox Business. The U.S. strikes in Iran set its nuclear program back by years and demonstrated that peace through strength can work.

After watching how President Trump responded to Iran, Russia and China shouldn't toy with us.

Vice Admiral Frank "Mitch" Bradley, USSOCOM Commander Nominee

As a highly decorated Navy SEAL and career special operator, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Commander nominee Vice Admiral Frank "Mitch" Bradley exemplifies disciplined and strategic leadership. His experience and intellectual rigor make him an excellent choice for the role.

Katherine Scarlett, Nominee to Lead White House Council on Environmental Quality

Katherine Scarlett is the right person to lead the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Her experience in both the legislative and executive branches is what’s needed to refine cumbersome permitting processes, promote innovation across the federal government, and keep the CEQ within the confines of the law.

Admiral Daryl Caudle, Nominee for Chief of Naval Operations

I met with Admiral Daryl Caudle, nominee for Chief of Naval Operations. We discussed the importance of restoring America's maritime dominance and maintaining operational readiness.

John Bartrum, nominee for VA Undersecretary for Health

Great to meet with John Bartrum, nominee for Under Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We discussed my bill with U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT), the Critical Access for Veterans Care Act, and the importance of the VA not impeding access to the care veterans have earned.

Scott Davis, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs

Thank you, Scott Davis, fellow North Dakotan and long-time friend, for stopping by to update me on your work as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of U.S. Department of the Interior for Indian Affairs.

Mónica Gil, Chief Marketing and Administrative Officer at Telemundo’s EVP

Thanks to Mónica Gil for meeting with me to discuss NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises' plans for FIFA World Cup 26. Counting down the days until the largest World Cup in history takes place in our backyard.