Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update

North Dakota Secures $28 Million Federal Reimbursement for Dakota Access Pipeline Protest Damages

After nearly a decade, North Dakota will receive the last of the nearly $38 million the federal government owes to cover the state’s costs incurred policing the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests and protecting local residents and businesses. Following North Dakota’s successful Federal Tort Claims Act trial, the state settled with the federal government for $27.8 million, bringing the full reimbursement amount to nearly $38 million, after accounting for a $10 million grant awarded from the Department of Justice in 2017. The settlement comes as both North Dakota and the government requested Judge Dan Traynor vacate the decision, permanently bringing an end to the case and eliminating the possibility of a lengthy and costly appeals process.

The state’s lawsuit against the federal government sought reimbursement for emergency costs the state was forced to front in response to the unlawful DAPL protests. These illegal protests, which spanned nearly eight months in 2016 and 2017, inflicted more than $38 million in damages on North Dakota. In the ruling, Judge Traynor wrote, “In 2016, the executive branch, through the Corps, decided it did not have to play by the rule of law and permitted a lawless faction to trample, injure, and disrupt the peace and tranquility of North Dakota."

I published an op-ed outlining the significance of the case, in addition to releasing detailed summaries from weeks one, two, three, four, and five of the trial to provide additional context and information on legal arguments and individual witnesses.

Committee Passage of FY 2027 NDAA Strengthens North Dakota’s National Security Footprint

After three days of debate, members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 18 to 9. The annual defense bill passed the House Armed Services Committee on June 4. Both bills are now ready for floor consideration. This is the 66th year in a row the NDAA has progressed through regular order.

Language I authored to expand access to mental healthcare for servicemembers and military families was included in the bill. The committee-passed bill authorizes several priorities across the state supporting deterrence, maintaining and modernizing the nuclear triad, and strengthening America’s warfighting capabilities.

The committee received over 650 amendments from senators. The subcommittees debated and adopted over 200 amendments, and the full committee debated and adopted over 150 amendments.

Policy Essay in Harvard Journal on Legislation Highlights the Congressional Review Act

Last year, the North Dakota congressional delegation embarked on a mission to overturn the Biden-era Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the state. This effort marked the first use of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn an RMP. Our successful strategy fulfilled the intent of the CRA to check the executive branch when agencies color outside the lines of the authority Congress delegated.

To highlight this legislative success, I authored a policy essay in the Harvard Journal on Legislation. My essay outlines the rationale for using the CRA to overturn an RMP while illustrating the options Congress has at its disposal to reassert its Article I authority. This is the second essay I've authored on cooperative federalism, following my 2022 piece, published in the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy.

Every time Congress passes a CRA resolution, it is a stop sign to the bureaucracy. If the bureaucracy colors so far outside the lines that Congress passes and the President signs a successful CRA, the result is not just a repudiation of the present, but also a warning to future efforts of a similar nature.

Hearing Introduction Supports Judge Traynor’s Confirmation to Eighth Circuit of Appeals

I introduced North Dakota U.S. District Judge Dan Traynor before the Senate Judiciary Committee as members considered his nomination to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Nominated by President Donald Trump last month, Judge Traynor would bring years of judicial experience and a distinguished legal career to the federal appellate bench. In 2019, I  advocated for Judge Traynor’s nomination to the District Court, after which he was nominated and confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota, where he has served since 2020. When Judge Ralph Erickson announced his retirement from active service in early 2026, I, along with U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), supported Dan’s nomination to fill the spot.

It was my honor to be able to introduce Judge Dan Traynor at his nomination hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Dan is a person with a servant's heart, a heart for justice, and the intellect to apply it properly in our [Constitutional] construct.

Op-Ed: China Builds for War While America Waits on Permits

For too long, the debate over permitting reform has been confined to the wonky world of Washington insiders — endless discussions about transmission lines, pipelines, lawsuits, and administrative procedures. Policymakers fixate on the bark while missing the trees, let alone the forest. The stakes are far higher than connecting a natural gas plant, wind farm or data center to the grid. The most important reason for permitting reform is to grow the U.S. defense industrial base at the speed, scale and cost efficiency needed to deter a major conflict with China, and to quickly prevail if deterrence fails.

I published an editorial in FOX News highlighting the urgent need for an overhaul of the federal permitting system.

The need to tackle the challenges of this permitting reform forest is clear: America’s ability to deter conflict, or to win if deterrence fails, rests on American industrial might. Permitting reform is the essential first step toward rebuilding it. The time for tepid measures and insider debates is over.

New School Breaks Ground at Grand Forks Air Force Base

We celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School at Grand Forks Air Force Base. The school serves hundreds of children of military families who live and work on the installation and is the only K-8 school in the Grand Forks Public Schools system. After completing eighth grade, students continue their education at Grand Forks Central High School.

The groundbreaking for the new Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School is a long-awaited milestone for the military families of Grand Forks Air Force Base. Investing in safe, modern classrooms improves the quality of life for airmen and their families in Grand Forks while strengthening the future of one of our nation’s most critical military installations.

Team USA Begins Competition in Historic World Cup Tournament

As the FIFA World Cup kicks off, I’m joining millions of Americans cheering on Team USA. Soccer has been a part of my life for years—as an NCAA soccer referee, a member of the Congressional Soccer Caucus, and, most importantly, a fan. I’ll be rooting for our team every step of the way over the next 39 days. 

This tournament is a global celebration. The world’s most popular sport is rapidly growing across North America, and this World Cup promises to be one of the most memorable in history. It is an opportunity to showcase not only incredible athletic competition, but also the hospitality, partnerships, and friendships making an event of this scale possible. Best of luck to the U.S. team as you represent our nation on the world stage. We’ll be cheering you on.

The world’s most popular sport is fast becoming North America’s most popular sport. The FIFA World Cup promises to be historic. From Canada to Mexico with the U. S. at the center of it all, I’m grateful for the friendships that make it possible. Billions of fans from all over the world will be watching more than 75 games being played in the United States, and we have the opportunity to shine.

Bill Introduced to Lower Housing Costs for Volunteer First Responders

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and I introduced the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act to help recruit and retain volunteer firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency responders by expanding access to affordable housing opportunities. Volunteer first responders are the backbone of emergency services in communities across the country, especially in rural areas. Yet many local departments continue to face staffing shortages and struggle to attract the next generation of volunteers. According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly two-thirds of the nation’s firefighters serve on a volunteer basis.

Our legislation addresses this challenge by expanding eligibility for certain federal housing assistance programs to qualified volunteer emergency responders. By lowering housing costs and creating a new incentive to serve, this bill will help strengthen emergency response capabilities and support the volunteers who keep our communities safe.

Volunteer firefighters and first responders are essential members of their local communities, especially in small towns or rural areas facing volunteer shortages. Our bill aims to ease the burden on our heroes to buy a home or relocate. The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act will encourage more people to step up and serve by making them eligible for federal housing assistance programs.”

The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act is supported by National Volunteer Fire Council, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Housing Assistance Council, Wisconsin State Firefighters Association, Wisconsin EMS Association, and Wisconsin Towns Association.

"America's Newsroom" on Fox News

I joined Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino on "America's Newsroom" to talk about Iran and the expiration of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

On Iran

Barack Obama and Joe Biden tried to convince us we could trust Iran and we all watched it fail. Now Democrats are telling us to try it again. I spoke more about Democrats cheerleading against the United States on "America's Newsroom."

On Democrats Allowing Section 702 to Lapse

Democrats seized on Bill Pulte’s temporary appointment as an excuse to let FISA Section 702 lapse. There’s no justification for putting the United States and the safety of Americans at risk by allowing this national security authority to expire.

Watch the full interview below:

"Kudlow" on Fox Business

I joined Larry Kudlow and Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, on Fox Business for a conversation on Reconciliation 3.0.

Watch the full interview below:

Ontario Premier Doug Ford

Growing up in North Dakota, I’ve always recognized the distinct relationships border states enjoy with our neighbors to the North—we share economic, cultural, and even familial bonds with Canada unique to our neck of the woods. So when my friend Ontario Premier Doug Ford comes to visit, I know it’s going to be a substantive discussion.

Killdeer and Bowman FFA

Future Farmers of America (FFA) students from Killdeer and Bowman Counties took time out of their busy schedules to meet with me during the National FFA Organization's Washington Leadership Conference. As the next generation of agriculture leaders, our future is in good hands!

Brian Fransen

Fourth generation North Dakota barley farmer Brian Fransen and his family stopped by during their visit to DC for the Congressional Baseball Game. Budweiser was smart to ask him to represent barley growers in their Super Bowl commercial.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Awards Nearly $600,000 to UND

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an award of nearly $600,000 to the University of North Dakota (UND) through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program.

The award will support the development and expansion of the behavioral health workforce through improved training and by providing stipends to graduate level students in UND behavioral health programs.

FEMA Awards $817,641 to North Dakota

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced $817,641 in funding to support infrastructure repairs and debris removal efforts across North Dakota following severe storms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds which struck the state June 20 and 21, 2025. The funding will support the following projects and recovery initiatives across the state:  

• $422,804 to Minnkota Power Cooperative to repair and replace poles and other infrastructure.
• $394,837 to the University of Jamestown for the replacement of its sports dome complex and other infrastructure.  

  The North Dakota delegation wrote a letter to President Donald Trump requesting he approve a major disaster declaration submitted by Governor Kelly Armstrong. The disaster declaration was approved, and funds are being distributed by FEMA.   “While the State of North Dakota put numerous resources and measures in place to protect its residents prior to, during, and after the derecho event, the storm system caused unavoidable damages to infrastructure and property, and tragically took the lives of 4 North Dakotans,” wrote the delegation. “This disaster not only destroyed North Dakotans’ homes and businesses, but negatively impacted our farmers and ranchers, as well as rural electric cooperatives. Critical buildings, equipment, silos, grain bins and elevators were damaged or lost just months ahead of the fall harvest. […] We believe our State is a great example of how to effectively and efficiently respond and recover from disasters.”