Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update JULY 7-11

SASC Passes FY 2026 NDAA, Advances Major Victories for North Dakota and the Nation

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) advanced the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation, which makes major investments in North Dakota’s contribution to national security and military readiness, will now head to the Senate floor for consideration.

Among other provisions, this year’s NDAA codifies support for President Trump’s Golden Dome architecture, recognizes the importance of robust and timely mental health care for military personnel and their families by addressing staffing shortfalls at military medical treatment facilities, and improves the process for service members transitioning to civilian life.

Advancing the National Defense Authorization Act out of the Armed Services Committee really is an important first step to fulfilling our Constitutional duty by providing for the common defense. Whether it's investing in Grand Forks’ intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, modernizing our nuclear triad in Minot, or upgrading the radar at Cavalier Space Force Station, the bill solidifies the crucial role that North Dakota plays in protecting our homeland. I appreciate Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Reed for their leadership, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the bill on the Senate floor, hopefully very soon.

The SASC FY26 NDAA authorizes multiple projects across North Dakota. Specifically, the NDAA provides $22 million for the modernization of the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS) at Cavalier SFS. The single-faced, multi-function, UHF-Band, and phased-array radar system tracks over half of all earth-orbiting objects. Modernizing PARCS improves detection of intercontinental and sea-launched missile threats, while improving space domain awareness capabilities.

It also includes investments in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities at Grand Forks Air Force Base and maintains the base’s inventory requirements of RQ-4 Global Hawks, funding for Tranche 3 of the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, and funding for the development of corrosion resistant coatings produced by Technology Applications Group (TAG) in Grand Forks.

The NDAA secures $2 billion for the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program in Minot and encourages the U.S. Air Force to establish wing-level additive manufacturing facilities to better support conventional and nuclear long-range strike platforms.

North Dakota’s “Happy Hooligans” in Fargo operate MQ-9 Reapers, which are central to the state’s growing role in operating Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The NDAA establishes a formal combat identifier to recognize the participation of RPA crew members who conduct operations in direct support of combat missions. This identification would enable the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to administer benefits and services corresponding to combat-related service.

The SASC-passed version of the legislation also authorizes $5 million for the planning and design of an Armory in Jamestown. The planned project is a top priority of the NDNG.

North Dakota Delegation Introduces Congressional Review Act to Repeal BLM’s Harmful Land Use Plan

In the final days of the Biden administration, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) adopted a Resource Management Plan (RMP) for North Dakota, significantly constraining the state’s ability to access and develop its mineral resources. After a Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) determination that the plan qualifies for repeal under the CRA, I introduced a Congressional Review Act joint resolution of disapproval to overturn the RMP alongside U.S. Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak and U.S. Senator John Hoeven.

The Biden administration’s Bureau of Land Management Resource Management Plan for North Dakota represented another assault upon our state’s economy and energy producers. Washington bureaucrats targeted our coal, oil, and natural gas reserves by blocking producers’ ability to develop them, ignoring the state’s input, clear text of federal law, and countless court precedents. Thankfully, the Trump administration is taking a new direction. This resolution under the Congressional Review Act is another tool at our disposal to get rid of this disastrous rule.

The plan prohibits coal leasing on over four million acres, or nearly 99 percent of federal coal acreage. It also blocks 213,000 acres, or 44 percent of federally owned fluid mineral acreage, to future development. Throughout the drafting process, the state of North Dakota and the Congressional delegation expressed opposition to the draft RMP before the BLM finalized it. In February, I led our delegation in sending a letter to GAO asking the Comptroller General of the U.S. Gene Dodaro to “conclude the CRA applies to the North Dakota RMP, including specifically that GAO determine it is subject to CRA’s submission requirements and subject to review by Congress.”

Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Recognize Remotely Piloted Aircraft Crew Service in Combat Operations

With the 119th Air Wing “Happy Hooligans” in Fargo operating MQ-9 Reapers and the 319th Reconnaissance Wing in Grand Forks flying RQ-4 Global Hawks, North Dakota plays a critical and growing role in operating Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and is on the forefront of the next generation of technology.

Despite flying and conducting missions in combat zones, RPA crews do not have a formal combat identifier in their records due to their remote operational environment. Without this important distinguishment, RPA crew members who are transitioning to other military careers or leaving the service may face barriers to timely, high-quality mental health care services.

As members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and I introduced the bipartisan Combat Action Recognition and Evaluation (CARE) for Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Crews Act. The bill will establish a status identifier for RPA crews who conduct combat operations to provide them with the recognition and access to services they deserve.

Now more than ever, military missions use airborne ISR platforms to meet our national security objectives. Remotely Piloted Aircraft crews, including Fargo’s Happy Hooligans and the airmen from the 319th at Grand Forks, often play an integral role in achieving high-stakes, mission-critical objectives. The CARE for RPA Crews Act recognizes the accomplishments of RPA crews and identifies the appropriate resources to keep our airmen fit for duty.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act News Conference

I joined U.S. Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) and U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) at the North Dakota Petroleum Council to speak with energy stakeholders about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The energy provisions in the bill give North Dakota the opportunity to continue paving the way for energy security and dominance.

Trump Administration Announces National Farm Security Action Plan

The Trump administration announced its National Farm Security Action Plan to protect American agriculture and farmland. This plan elevates American agriculture into a key position of national security, addressing urgent threats from foreign adversaries and strengthening the resilience of food and agricultural systems.

Thanks President Trump for giving American ag a seat at the national security table by putting Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on CFIUS. China’s attempt to purchase farmland outside Grand Forks highlighted the need to make our food supply chains secure.

Jonathan Gould Confirmed as Comptroller of the Currency

Congratulations Jonathan Gould on your confirmation to lead the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency! I look forward to working with you and President Trump on Fair Access to Banking to prevent banks from discriminating against law-abiding, credit-worthy people and industries.

Department of Energy Report Warns of Looming Blackouts

This reliability crisis was created by decades of subsidies for unreliable power. Each day we are closer to catastrophe unless we rapidly change course and embrace more reliable sources of electricity.

I wrote about this over a decade ago, but at a time when grids like Spain’s are blacking out, I'm glad we're finally talking about reliability in Washington. Thank you to President Trump, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright for your leadership.

FAA Awards Over $31 Million to North Dakota Airports

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced an award of $31,255,696 through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for projects at several airports across North Dakota. The funding will be distributed to the following:

• $10,325,656 to the Bismarck Municipal Airport to reconstruct the existing lighting on Taxiway D and connectors D1, D2, and D3, as well as rehabilitating 4,308 feet of pavement. It also rehabilitates 7,403 feet of the existing paved Taxiways D and connectors D1, D2, and D3 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavements, constructs Runway 3/21 safety area at both Runway ends to enhance safety, and reconstructs 3,483 feet of safety area and the Runway 21 blast pad.
• $10,000,000 to Fargo’s Hector International Airport to construct 25,070 square yards of apron and reconstruct 37,526 square yards of the existing Terminal Apron pavement.
• $3,409,869 to Fargo’s Hector International Airport to expand the existing terminal by 35,245 square feet including four new gates.
• $1,317,035 to the Cooperstown Municipal Airport Authority to construct a new 164 foot South Taxilane to provide airfield access to a non-exclusive hangar development area and rehabilitate 3,500 feet of existing paved Runway 13/31 to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris.
• $1,266,560 to the Cavalier Municipal Airport Authority to rehabilitate 3,300 feet of existing paved Runway 16/34 to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris.
• $1,121,492 to the Langdon Municipal Airport Authority to construct 1,411 feet and the new 1,739-foot Taxiway B.
• $818,010 to the Wahpeton Airport Authority to install new lighting on Taxiway A.
• $676,540 to the City of Mohall to construct new underdrains, storm drain, and lift station to mitigate ponding.
• $626,848 to the Lakota Airport Authority to reconstruct 5,506 square yards of the existing North Apron pavement.
• $335,781 to the Grafton Municipal Airport Authority to construct a new 4,828 square foot sponsor-owned hangar for aircraft storage.
• $300,000 to the Adams County Airport Authority to reseal 1,217 feet of existing Taxilane North and South pavement and joints, reseal 6,500 feet of existing Taxiway A, Taxiway B, and Taxiway C pavement and joints, reseal 4,652 feet of existing Runway 12/30 pavement and joints, and reseal 15,420 square yards of existing center apron pavement and joints.
• $300,000 to the Kenmare Airport Authority to replace existing snow removal equipment.
• $300,000 to the Watford City Municipal Airport Authority to construct a new 2,700 square foot snow removal equipment and sand storage building.
• $207,736 to the Tioga Municipal Airport Authority to reseal 1,800 feet of existing Taxiway A and connectors pavement and joints, reseal 1,000 feet of existing hangar Taxilane pavement and joints, reseal 5,102 feet of existing Runway 12/30 pavement and joints, and to construct and reseal additional General Aviation Apron pavement.
• $150,126 to the Walhalla Municipal Airport Authority to construct a new 5,600 square foot sponsor-owned hangar for aircraft storage and maintenance.
• $100,043 to the Mercer County Regional Airport Authority to reseal 275 feet of existing Taxilane pavement and joints, reseal 13,708 square yards of the existing North and South apron pavement and joints, reseal 1,420 feet of existing Taxiway A and B pavement and joints, and reseal 5,000 feet of existing Runway 15/33 pavement and joints.

FAA Awards $4.4 Million for Projects at North Dakota Airports

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced an award of $4,487,203 through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for projects at several airports across North Dakota. The funding will be distributed to the following:

• $1,024,246 to the City of Williston for replacing existing snow removal equipment, including multi-tasking equipment.
• $602,865 to the City of Minot for realigning existing Taxiway B by eight degrees to enhance safety, reconstructing existing Runway 8/26 lighting, and rehabilitating 6,348 of existing paved Runway 8/26 to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris.
• $600,000 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe for rehabilitating 3,700 feet of existing paved Runway 14/32 to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris.
• $355,084 to the Washburn Municipal Airport Authority to extend existing Taxiway A by an additional 300 feet to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.
• $300,000 to the Cando Municipal Airport Authority to reseal 3,500 feet of existing Runway 16/34 pavement and joints at a nonprimary airport.
• $287,375 to the Bowman County Airport Authority to update the existing airport layout plan with a master plan narrative.
• $285,044 to the Stanley Municipal Airport Authority for expanding the West Apron by adding 1,632 square yards to bring the airport into conformity with current standards. This grant funds the second phase, which constructs 854 square yards.
• $275,000 to the Oakes Municipal Airport Authority for resealing 6,000 square yards of existing general aviation Apron pavement, resealing 210 feet of existing Hangar Taxilane pavement, resealing 1,000 feet of existing Taxiway B pavement and joints, resealing 540 feet of existing Taxiway A pavement and joints, and resealing 3,500 feet of existing Runway 12/30 pavement.
• $208,500 to the Jamestown Regional Airport Authority for resealing 1,706 feet of existing Taxiway E pavement, resealing 4,368 feet of existing Taxiway D and connector pavement and joints, resealing 3,815 feet of existing Taxiway A and connectors pavement and joints, resealing 6,900 feet of existing Runway 13/31 pavement and joints, resealing 5,650 feet of existing Runway 4/22 pavement, and resealing 3,716 feet of existing Taxiway B pavement and joints.
• $200,000 to the Rugby Municipal Airport Authority for resealing 3,600 feet of existing Runway 12/30 pavement and joints, resealing 550 feet of existing Taxilane South pavement, rehabilitating 7,300 square yards of existing Center Apron pavement to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris, and resealing 720 feet of existing Taxiway A pavement and joints.
• $151,489 to the Rolla Municipal Airport Authority for replacing the existing Wind Cone, replacing one existing airport rotating beacon, reconstructing the precision approach path indicator system for Runway 14/32 at both Runway thresholds, reconstructing existing Runway 14/32 lighting and signage, and reconstructing existing Taxiway A lighting.
• $99,750 to the Barnes County Municipal Airport Authority for the design phase of resealing 16,082 square yards of existing General Aviation Apron pavement and joints, resealing 360 feet of existing Taxiway A pavement, and resealing 2,011 feet of existing Hangar Taxilane pavement.
• $97,850 to the Northwood Municipal Airport Authority for constructing a new 5,184 square foot sponsor-owned hangar for aircraft storage and maintenance to assist the airport to be as self-sustaining as possible. This grant funds phase 1, which consists of design.