Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update

Senate Passes the Secure America Act

Legislation Funds ICE and CBP, Bolsters Law Enforcement and Homeland Security

Fulfilling our promise to secure the border and prioritize the safety and security of Americans, the U.S. Senate passed the Secure America Act, funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the remainder of President Donald Trump’s administration. The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for final approval before heading to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

Democrats obstructed passage of funding for ICE and CBP, causing a 76-day U.S. Department of Homeland Security shutdown — the longest in U.S. history — which began on February 14 and ended April 30 after President Trump signed legislation restoring funding for most of the department. After congressional Democrats blocked bipartisan appropriations, Republicans had to use the budget reconciliation process to fund border and immigration agencies.

President Trump Funds Critical Energy Infrastructure Through the Defense Production Act

President Donald Trump announced his plan to respond to the nation’s energy emergency by providing funding under the Defense Production Act for upgrades at power plants and other coal infrastructure throughout the nation. For more than 20 years, federal and state policies prioritized unreliable, intermittent energy generation resulting in higher electricity bills and distribution grids pushed to the breaking point. President Trump recognized the danger posed by decades of neglect and declared an energy emergency shortly after he was sworn in. The president is focused on lower energy bills and more affordable and reliable sources of electricity as he leads us to the front of the AI race.

Legislation Introduced to Address USPS Delays

According to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General, North Dakota and Minnesota ranked in the 10 worst regions for mail service performance. Residents across the two states often deal with missing and delayed deliveries with little to no explanation from the USPS. To solve the critical issues behind this, I joined U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in introducing the Postal Delivery Accountability Act which requires the USPS implement tracking information for mail deliveries and ensure it is available to residents.

EVs Should Pay into Highway Trust Fund Like Other Vehicles

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee heard testimony from Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Administrator Sean McMaster at a hearing discussing the FHWA’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027. I thanked McMaster for his work finalizing West Fargo’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant agreement, which was signed earlier this year for “an important safety project.” The award supports the installation of a road-rail grade separation project complete with pedestrian, bicycle, and ADA accommodations at the intersection of 9th Street NE and an existing transcontinental BNSF rail line.

I also highlighted the need to simplify bureaucratic burdens on state departments of transportation (DOTs) and the importance of electric vehicles contributing to the Highway Trust Fund.

Watch our full conversation below:

"Washington Watch"

I joined Tony Perkins on "Washington Watch" to discuss the conflict in Iran, the defense industrial base, and FISA Section 702 reforms.

On the Conflict in Iran:

President Trump remains focused on one goal—a solution with Iran. The Iranian regime is feeling the weight of sustained economic pressure, the ceasefire has largely held, and negotiations continue as the administration works toward a lasting resolution.

On the Defense Industrial Base:

Our defense demand signals are being met by an industrial base which is ready and eager to be helpful. But America’s greatest advantage isn’t just our industrial capacity, it’s our alliances. We have something our adversaries do not—a lot of allies who are freedom-loving countries and democracies.

On Section 702 Reform:

We also talked about the progress we’re making on both FISA Section 702 reauthorization and budget reconciliation. We need to ensure ICE and CBP and have the resources they need to secure the border for the next several years.

Watch the full interview below:

"Squawk Box"

I joined "Squawk Box" on CNBC to discuss Iran, budget reconciliation, permitting reform, and more.

On the Conflict in Iran:

The aggressive confrontation is over, but the U.S. is responding to Iran’s irresponsible attacks on our troops, bases, and allies. We need to open up the Strait of Hormuz to move product and bring prices down.

On Budget Reconciliation:

We need to take up budget reconciliation soon and keep it simple. The high ground for Republicans is focusing on border security and supporting ICE. Democrats aren’t willing to help get it done.

On Permitting Reform:

This is the moment for permitting reform. As a former energy regulator for nearly 10 years, I’ve seen how broken the process can be. Now there’s bipartisan support to fix it.

Matt O'Malley, Deputy Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Nominee

After bringing Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey to North Dakota, I met with Matt O’Malley, the nominee to serve as Duffey’s deputy. This position plays an important role in modernizing the Pentagon’s acquisition system, focusing on new entrants to the defense industrial base, and accelerating the delivery of cutting-edge capabilities to our warfighters.

National Association of Manufacturers

With movement on permitting reform, the highway bill, and EXIM Bank reauthorization, the stars are finally aligning for our nation’s manufacturers. It was good to see Jay Timmons and discuss how the National Association of Manufacturers members build the highest quality goods in the world, enriching quality of life across the board and creating countless opportunities for an evolving workforce.

American Exploration & Production Council

AXPC members are a driving force behind America’s energy dominance, but a broken federal permitting system hinders them. North Dakota and the nation’s energy producers need a durable fix to meet our nation’s growing demand and supercharge our economic output.

CCAI Foster Youth Interns

I enjoyed meeting with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's 24th cohort of Foster Youth Interns as they kick off their internships on Capitol Hill. These are talented young people with big policy ideas. Thanks for the great discussion and cookies!

NGFA

I met with North Dakota members of the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) to discuss the importance of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and the Farm Bill to the American grain and feed industry.

Alzheimer's Advocates

Alzheimer’s has affected my family and millions of other Americans. Advocates from Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot came to Washington to tell their story many of us know all too well. I am committed to supporting those living with the disease, their families, and the search for a cure.

Associated Equipment Distributors

From permitting reform to preserving highway formula funding for states, Associated Equipment Distributors is in the middle of the policies which will help us rebuild American infrastructure, get our crops out of the field, and develop our energy resources.  I appreciated hearing from North Dakotans representing RDO Equipment and Titan Machinery who made the trek to Washington to tell us about the issues they’re facing and work they’re doing back home.

Dr. Roger Mason, Nominee for Director of the National Reconnaissance Office

Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance are at the heart of the National Reconnaissance Office's mission, and few places understand the value of ISR capabilities better than North Dakota. I met with Dr. Roger Mason, nominee to lead the NRO, to discuss his priorities and vision for maintaining America’s edge in an increasingly competitive security environment.

Christopher Phelan, Council of Economic Advisers Chair Nominee

Leading the Council of Economic Advisers requires thorough expertise in economic theory and an ability to understand the financial concerns of all Americans. Christopher Phelan’s record as an economist makes him qualified to provide President Trump with counsel and keep us on the path of economic growth.

Close Up

This week's Close Up students from Flasher and Richardton-Taylor had excellent questions about a range of topics, from my path to the Senate to energy production and term limits.

EPA Awards $28.7 Million to NDDEQ For Drinking Water Systems

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded two grants totaling $28,730,000 to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). These DWSRF grants will support the planning, design, and construction of drinking water improvement projects across North Dakota.