Senator Cramer's Weekly Update November 26 - DECEMBER 7

Meeting with Pete Hegseth

The importance of a warrior for the warfighter cannot be overstated. The Secretary of Defense must be clear-eyed, mission-oriented, and vigilant on behalf of the men and women they lead. I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s willingness to serve. The scrutiny of the nomination process and transparency matter. I look forward to his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Meeting with Rep. Elise Stefanik

The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations is one of our most prominent representatives to the world. We need someone who will give unequivocal support to our ally Israel, kick down doors in New York, and bring the U.N. back to its original charter. Representative Elise Stefanik is THE person for the job.

Meeting with Former Rep. Lee Zeldin

Lee Zeldin is ready to lead the Environmental Protection Agency and serve on President Trump’s National Energy Council. Recent Supreme Court rulings have set the table. Now is the time to reduce the bureaucracy, return power to the states, get WOTUS right, and Make America Energy Dominant Again.

Meeting with Former Rep. Doug Collins

Doug Collins is a good friend and strong advocate for veterans because he is one! I appreciate his focus with taking on the bureaucracy and getting real results for our veterans. I’m looking forward to his hearing before the Senate Veteran's Affairs Committee and his swift confirmation.

Panel at Reagan National Defense Forum Highlights America’s Role as Arsenal of Democracy

I attended the Reagan National Defense Forum which brings together leaders in the political and defense communities each year to discuss policies strengthening the defense of the United States.

The theme of this year’s forum is “Peace Through Strength in a Time of Transition” and included panels featuring members of Congress, administration officials, and senior military leadership, in addition to defense industry and technology executives.

During this year’s forum, I participated in a panel entitled: “A Secure and Free Europe: NATO, Ukraine, and the Arsenal of Democracy.”

Following the 2024 elections, priorities and leadership are shifting. The expected changes have led to questions regarding American global leadership, the role of NATO, and peace and stability in Europe nearly three years after Russia attacked Ukraine.

The conversation centered around these transitions and how the United States can boost its capacity to serve as the arsenal of democracy. During a radio broadcast in 1940, in the midst of World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt used the term “arsenal of democracy” to signal the then-neutral United States would use all of its “immense industrial capacity to build the weapons of war needed by the last struggling democracies to save themselves, and the idea of democracy itself, from the threat of conquest by fascism and militarism in Europe and Asia.”

The Reagan Institute conducted a survey of forum attendees on their views regarding the Russian war. I said the following when asked about

I’m not surprised a majority of Americans overall support Ukraine entering some sort of negotiation, even if it means giving up some territory. You asked if my party is united, and I think it’s pretty clear that we have a wide-range of views on the war in Ukraine, and more importantly on America’s continued support. […] I do go back to the Cold War lessons, but we should have learned lessons since then about how the fight generally comes to us if we’re not presenting a posture of strength that threatens the ability to go to them if they come to us.

B-1B Bombers Arrive at Grand Forks Air Force Base

The first two of seventeen B-1B bomber planes landed in Grand Forks on December 4. Previously stationed at South Dakota's Ellsworth Air Force Base, the remaining aircraft will touch down in North Dakota in January.

They’re back! The first of 17 B-1B Bombers arrived at Grand Forks AFB for a short stay, something I’ve been working on with the U.S. Air Force and the 319th for a couple years. They’ve been away too long. Many more exciting missions ahead for this special place!! Welcome home Lancers!!

2024 Military Academy Nominations Announced

Last week I announced my nominees to the U.S. military academies: Kendall Jones, Gus Maughan, and Luke Naslund.

One of the great joys of serving North Dakota in Congress is nominating some of our best young patriots for appointments to our military academies. After visiting with Kendall, Gus, and Luke, I am honored and grateful they are willing to answer the call to serve. They will be great ambassadors of our state.

The nominees are as follows:

• Kendall Jones – U.S. Military Academy (West Point). Kendall, daughter of Ross Jones and Shannon Roers-Jones, is involved in swimming, softball, weight lifting, Student Council and the National Honor Society. She also enjoys hunting and fishing. Kendall is from Fargo, where she attends Shanley High School.
• Gus Maughan – U.S. Air Force Academy. Gus, son of Jack and Brenda Maughan, is Senior Captain of the football team and a member of the wrestling team. He enjoys hiking and camping, is involved in the National Honor Society and Fargo North Student Council, and coaches youth wrestling. Gus is from Fargo, where he attends Fargo North High School.
• Luke Naslund – U.S. Naval Academy. Luke, son of Shane and Rebecca Naslund, is involved in tennis and taekwondo, and is a volunteer for the Salvation Army. Luke teaches taekwondo, plays piano, and is a member of the marching band. Luke is from Bismarck, where he attends Bismarck High School.

83rd Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Serves As Reminder for Vigilance

On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we remember the lives lost on Dec. 7, 1941—"A date which will live in infamy.” Their sacrifice reminds us our enemies will bring the fight to our shores if they aren’t convinced we are capable and willing to bring it to theirs.

North Dakota Delegation Requests Federal Assistance for Wildfires

The North Dakota delegation sent a letter to President Biden requesting the approval of Governor Burgum’s request for a major disaster declaration. This declaration would make federal resources accessible for those who were affected by the fires in Western North Dakota.

While North Dakotans are extremely resilient, the historic wildfires last month have deeply impacted the agricultural community and electrical infrastructure. We are urging the President to declare the wildfires a presidential major disaster as soon as possible, so the necessary federal resources can be made available to North Dakotans.

Discussion with Larry Kudlow Speaks on Pete Hegseth and His Bid to Become Secretary of Defense

During an exchange with Larry Kudlow on his Fox Business show, I talked about President Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. I absolutely believe Pete is the right person for the job. He is a warrior’s warrior who the rank-and-file military men and women can look to, who represents THEM.

Interview on Newsmax Discusses Pete Hegseth Selection as Next Secretary of Defense

I talked about President Trump propping up Pete Hegseth to be his Secretary of Defense on Wake Up America with Newsmax.

Interview with Newsmax Discusses Pete Hegseth

In a discussion with Newsmax I talked about my meeting with Pete Hegseth and his aspiration to serve as Secretary of Defense. I’m confident Pete is the right guy for the moment. He’ll do a great job.

Interview with Newsmax Discusses Government Efficiency

During an interview with Newsmax, I spoke on ways to reduce government bureaucracy.

Interview with Newsmax Discusses President Trump's America First Agenda

In an interview with Newsmax, I spoke about new leadership in government dedicated to government transparency and President-elect Trump’s America First agenda.

Representative-elect Julie Fedorchak

It was my honor to show North Dakota's Representative-elect Julie Fedorchak around my DC office. I am eager to work with her in the new Congress and bring real results to North Dakotans.

United States Army Corps of Engineers

I had a productive meeting with Lt. Gen. Graham of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

His commitment to fix the Snake Creek Embankment and establish the Western Water Cooperative Committee is welcome news. I look forward to working with him in his new role as Commanding General.

NSSF President Joe Bartozzi

Discrimination in banking against law-abiding businesses is unacceptable, pure and simple. I met with Joe Bartozzi who is the President of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, to discuss my Fair Access to Banking Act, which ensures financial institutions provide services based on objective criteria, not political bias aimed at pro-gun advocates.

Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and Voyager Space President Matt Kuta

It was good to catch up with former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and President of Voyager Space Matt Kuta. We discussed the International Space Station and America’s future in space privatization.

Secretary of the National Security, Defense, and Intelligence Committee of Ukrainian Parliament

The Secretary of the National Security, Defense, and Intelligence Committee of Ukraine’s Parliament met with me last week. Colonel Roman Kostenko gave me a breakdown on the unprovoked Russian war in Ukraine and what it would take to end this conflict.

Unseen - Anti-Human Trafficking Non-profit

Had a good discussion with representatives from Fargo-based nonprofit Unseen about the important work they are doing around the world to accelerate the fight against human trafficking and its root causes.

President and CEO of Cerilon, Nico Duursema

The President and CEO of Cerilon, an energy company with assets in North Dakota, was in Washington, D.C. We spoke about the need for permitting reform to enhance natural gas production and ways to increase energy output in our state.

North Dakota Tribes Receive More Than $32 Million for Water Infrastructure Projects

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation awarded $32,482,941 for several projects in tribal nations across North Dakota to improve and strengthen water infrastructure. This funding was provided by the fully-paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

North Dakota’s tribal nations need updated water infrastructure to meet the vital needs of their communities. These awards will modernize aging systems and protect the delivery of clean, reliable water across the state.

This funding will support the following projects:

• $11,482,871 to the Turtle Mountain Public Utility Commission (PUC) to enhance the efficiency and reliability of the water supply infrastructure, addressing the critical need for upgraded raw water collection lines.
• $10,831,393 to the Turtle Mountain PUC to replace the aging and failure-prone 200 class polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with new 250 class PVC.
• $5,029,945 to the Turtle Mountain PUC to replace glued PVC pipe with gasketed PVC pipe.
• $1,800,000 to the Fort Berthold Rural Water System to assist in the installation of master meters at key locations to facilitate the development of a reservation-wide automated meter reading system.
• $755,789 to Spirit Lake Rural Water for a project to eliminate the bottle neck restricting flow to areas of the town of Fort Totten.
• $700,000 for the Mandaree Community Metering Project, which will install 138 water meters in the Mandaree community.
• $530,496 to the Turtle Mountain PUC for the replacement of the water main at Reservoir C.
• $500,000 for the replacement of three Master Meter vaults and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition modernization to two Control Vaults on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.
• $407,950 to Turtle Mountain PUC for the replacement of the water main at Reservoir C East.
• $275,268 to remove and replace the water filter media in the Spirit Lake Rural Water Treatment Plant’s Tonka Tank.
• $169,229 to replace all of the pneumatic valves in the Spirit Lake Rural Water Treatment Plant.

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