Senator Cramer's Weekly Update January 21 - 25

Pete Hegseth Confirmed and Sworn in as Secretary of Defense

Pete is a change agent and leader for a new generation. He will play a pivotal role in protecting our country and implementing President Trump’s agenda to restore our military’s strength and mission. Pete has the skills and experience to lead the Pentagon, and despite Democrats’ obstruction, I’m glad the Senate confirmed him without delay.

Kristi Noem Confirmed and Sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security

Kristi Noem is tough and determined, and the right person to implement President Trump’s number one promise to the American people. We need her leadership now more than ever to crack down on illegal immigration, stop the devastating flow of drugs, secure our borders, and restore safety to communities across the nation.

I applaud the Senate for swiftly confirming her nomination, and I look forward to working with my friend and fellow Dakotan to Make America Safe Again.

VA Secretary Nominee Doug Collins Introduced at SVAC Confirmation Hearing

The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) held a hearing to discuss the nomination of Doug Collins to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If confirmed, Collins will oversee the VA in its mission to provide the healthcare and benefits earned by millions of veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

I had the honor of introducing Doug Collins at his confirmation hearing.

We have now in the Commander-in-Chief and the cabinet he’s picking, people who will put the veteran first, not the bureaucracy. The most important person is the veteran and that’s who Doug Collins will look out for at the Department of Veterans Affairs. I’m grateful he’s my friend and he’s willing to step into this gap. I’m ready to support him in every way possible.

I also gave Collins the chance to respond to a question from U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), who asked if Collins would consider rescinding an "illegal" rule by the Trump administration.

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Advances Nomination of Doug Collins to be VA Secretary

The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) advanced the nomination of Doug Collins to be the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs by a vote of 18 to 1. Collins was first nominated for the position by President Trump in November, and will oversee the Department of Veterans Affairs in its mission to provide the healthcare benefits earned by United States veterans.

I served in the House of Representatives with Doug for six years. In my introduction at his confirmation hearing, I described him as a “former colleague, friend, Navy veteran, military chaplain, and accomplished attorney.” I explained while service providers are important, “the most important person is the veteran, and that’s who Doug Collins will look out for.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs needs servant leadership with a keen focus on mission to take the helm. Doug Collins will fight tirelessly to improve access to timely and quality health care for veterans, whether at VA hospitals or local community providers. It’s time to deliver for our nation’s veterans, and I know Doug will do just that in this new role.

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Advances Lee Zeldin’s Nomination to Serve as EPA Administrator

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee advanced Lee Zeldin’s nomination to be the next Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a bipartisan vote. President Donald Trump first announced the selection of Zeldin for EPA Administrator in November, and Zeldin testified before EPW last week. During his confirmation hearing, I questioned Zeldin on Waters of the United States definitions following the landmark Supreme Court decision paring back federal control.

Zeldin’s nomination will now head to the Senate floor for full consideration. If confirmed, Zeldin would be at the forefront of President Donald Trump’s promises to roll back federal regulations to unleash American energy and restore states’ rights.

As far as I’m concerned, Lee Zeldin is exactly the leader America needs at the helm of the EPA. First of all, he’ll restore primacy of states, that’s priority number one with me, while overturning these backwards regulations that plague energy producers, farmers, ranchers, landowners, and innovators of all types. Like President Trump, he wants clean water and air, but doesn’t think we should settle for federal mediocrity. I urge my Senate colleagues to join me in swiftly confirming Lee Zeldin on the Senate floor now that he’s come out of committee so successfully.

Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Advances Scott Turner’s Nomination to Serve as Secretary of HUD

The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (Banking) Committee advanced Scott Turner’s nomination to be the next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). President Donald Trump first announced the selection of Turner for HUD Secretary in November, and Scott testified before the Senate Banking Committee last week during his confirmation hearing. I met with him before his hearing to discuss my Choice in Affordable Housing Act and housing issues facing North Dakota and tribal communities.

Scott Turner is the kind of guy who is ready to dig in to promote things like regulatory reform, which we need badly, utilize opportunity zones to spur quality housing development, and really get HUD programs back to their original intent. I know Scott will successfully implement President Trump’s housing agenda to benefit millions of Americans, which will have a direct impact on workforce development and workforce availability for our economy.

John Ratcliffe Confirmed as CIA Director

We need a leader at CIA who will bring the agency back to its core mission. John Ratcliffe will provide objective and unbiased analysis, not politically motivated intelligence. I’m glad the Senate confirmed him as the next Director of the CIA.

Serving as Chair of Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) announced I will serve as Chairman of the Airland Subcommittee for the 119th Congress.

The subcommittee oversees the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, giving me direct nexus to North Dakota’s Air Force bases in Grand Forks and Minot. The subcommittee also oversees the National Guard and Reserve. North Dakota has nearly 4,000 Guard soldiers and airmen dispersed across the state in units such as the 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment out of Grand Forks and the 119th Air Wing “Happy Hooligans” in Fargo. The Guard flies UH-60 Black Hawks out of Bismarck for a variety of missions including fighting wildfires and breaking up river ice, and uses UH-72 Lakota helicopters for missions such as search and rescue, reconnaissance, medical evacuation, disaster response, and border security. The North Dakota National Guard also operates an advanced training facility at Camp Grafton in Devils Lake to train and equip the next generation of armed forces.

You couldn’t exaggerate the importance of the Armed Services Committee’s Airland Subcommittee right now. It has a central role in ensuring our national defense, and of course North Dakota’s robust defense ecosystem is full of Air Force and Army capabilities directly under the Airland Subcommittee’s jurisdiction. North Dakota’s B-52 bombers, the RQ-4s, the MQ-9s, the UH-60s, and the UH-72 aircraft are all legacy contributions that are mightily important to our first constitutional responsibility, the common defense of the nation. There are future platforms on the horizon requiring great stewardship. I’m really looking forward to leading this important subcommittee and ensuring our servicemembers and our country are properly equipped to address our most pressing threats from our adversaries, and they are a growing group.

I will also serve on the Senate Armed Services Subcommittees on Strategic Forces, Readiness, and Emerging Threats and Capabilities.

More information can be found here on the SASC website.

Senators Introduce Legislation to Support First Responders Diagnosed with Occupationally-Connected Cancers

Congress established the Department of Justice’s Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program in 1976 to provide monetary benefits to law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders who become permanently disabled or pass away due to injuries sustained in the line of duty. While the program recognizes those who made the ultimate sacrifice due to 9/11-related cancers, it does not cover first responders who lose their lives due to other service-related cancers.

I joined U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in introducing legislation to ensure all first responders who die or become disabled due to service-related cancers are covered under the PSOB program.

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act is built on data indicating elevated cancer risks faced by first responders. A 2011 study by the State University of Buffalo and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health revealed significantly higher rates of brain cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma among law enforcement officers as compared to the general population. The bill aims to recognize these occupational risks as inherent to service, thereby categorizing cancer-related fatalities as line-of-duty deaths under the PSOB program.

Our first responders epitomize courage and selfless sacrifice, confronting both the immediate perils of their duty and lingering health risks associated with their service. The exposure to dangerous carcinogens happens on our behalf. When these heroes make the ultimate sacrifice, their families should not bear these burdens alone.

Thousands Celebrate Life at the Annual March for Life

To everyone who marched in Washington on Friday, just know you have my gratitude for your incredible courage, for standing up for the most fundamental right of all, the right to life.

Unborn Child Support Act Reintroduced to Congress

Pro-life members of Congress have long recognized the importance of providing additional support for pregnant mothers. In honor of the annual March for Life in Washington, I joined U.S. Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24) in reintroducing the Unborn Child Support Act in support of mothers-to-be and their children.

The Unborn Child Support Act allows pregnant women to receive child support payments. It recognizes the needs of mothers and allows them to opt-in to receive prenatal payments, should they choose to pursue them via the court system. Specifically, the judges would be required to consult with mothers on payment plans and give mothers discretion as to whether or not child support payments will be awarded retroactively. The bill also directs all paternity tests be at the discretion of the mother and not be conducted if the test puts the child at risk.

Senate Democrats Vote Against Protecting Most Vulnerable Among Us

Senate Democrats voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. The bill would require healthcare professionals to provide immediate medical care to children born during a failed abortion, just as they would if a child was born in the normal medical birth procedure.

Voting against medical care for babies who survive failed abortions is barbaric and inhumane. Mandating care for the most vulnerable among us should not be controversial, though apparently it is difficult for some. Life is infinitely valuable, and these babies deserve immediate medical care, like any other person whose life is in peril.

140 Members of Congress Call on President Trump to Uphold Pro-Life Policies

The Trump administration must end the weaponization of the United States government against pro-life Americans and unborn children. I joined my congressional colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump asking him to reinstate pro-life policies.

Not One More Inch or Acre Act Introduced

I joined U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Katie Britt (R-AL) in introducing the Not One More Inch or Acre Act. The bill would require the sale of land owned or influenced by the CCP that is deemed a national security risk. The legislation also directs the president to prohibit the purchase of any real estate in the U.S. by Chinese citizens or companies.

Strategically decoupling from China starts in our own backyard. It’s dangerous to allow adversaries to purchase our land. The Not One More Inch or Acre Act reduces the CCP’s influence on our home turf by barring Chinese ownership of American land.

Senate Reintroduces Legislation to Provide Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities

I joined, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Katie Britt (R-AL), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Ted Budd (R-NC), in introducing the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act, legislation to fight sanctuary policies and provide justice for the victims and their families who are harmed when sanctuary jurisdictions put public safety in danger.

Sanctuary cities protect violent criminals from federal law enforcement and should be held accountable. A family harmed by an illegal immigrant should have the right to sue city leaders who refused to comply with federal law enforcement. President Trump’s top priority is public safety and our bill helps deter activist cities opposed to following the law.

POTUS Orders In-Person Work for Federal Employees

President Trump issued an executive order to "require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary."

The Biden administration’s misguided telework policies enabled bureaucrats to sit at home in their pajamas while costing taxpayers millions to maintain empty buildings. It’s long past time to get them back in the office and working for the people who pay them!

North Dakota Senators Recommend Nicholas Chase to Be United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota

I joined U.S. Senator John Hoeven in announcing our recommendation to President Donald Trump he nominate Nicholas W. Chase to serve in the position of United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota. Chase currently serves as a North Dakota District Court Judge for the East Central Judicial District. Prior to that he served for 20 years in the U.S. Attorney’s office, including as Acting U.S. Attorney and First Assistant U.S. Attorney. Chase also has experience in private practice and as a federal judicial law clerk.

Mr. Chase has dedicated his career to serving North Dakota. His leadership has fostered collaboration among federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies, ensuring safety and security across the state. His efforts have been particularly impactful in addressing crime in Indian Country and dismantling large-scale drug organizations targeting North Dakota communities. This proven track record makes Nicholas W. Chase ideally suited to serve as United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota.

North Dakota Senators Recommend Thykeson Serve as North Dakota FSA Director

I joined U.S. Senator John Hoeven in recommending President Trump nominate Brad Thykeson as the next North Dakota State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

We support reinstating Brad Thykeson to serve as the North Dakota FSA Executive Director. Thykeson is a life-long farmer, who served in the same position during President Trump’s first term. During his previous tenure leading the agency, Thykeson implemented FSA programs and oversaw policies providing producers with assistance in times of market uncertainty and natural disasters.

FSA plays a pivotal role in supporting American farmers and ranchers by administering programs crucial to their day-to-day operations including agricultural risk programs, conservation, and commodity price support. Reinstating Mr. Thykeson will provide North Dakota farmers and ranchers an experienced director who, as the former FSA State Director for North Dakota and a lifelong farmer, understands their issues and the needs of North Dakota agriculture as it helps feed the nation.

North Dakota Senators Support Dallas Carlson to Continue as U.S. Marshal for North Dakota

I joined U.S. Senator John Hoeven in recommending to the Trump administration for Dallas Carlson, current U.S. Marshal for the District of North Dakota, be reappointed to the position. We highlighted Carlson’s leadership as U.S. Marshal since October 2018, and his decades of law enforcement experience, including with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Devils Lake Police Department, and as Director of the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).

Marshal Carlson’s extensive experience, exemplary record, and unwavering commitment to public service make him the ideal candidate to continue leading the District of North Dakota. His reappointment would further ensure stability and excellence in this essential role.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Reception

I loved celebrating life with my friends at Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America's reception on Capitol Hill. They keep the flame burning in good times and tough.

Director of Department of Defense Innovation Unit

Doug Beck, director of the Department of Defense Innovation Unit, stopped by my office to discuss the importance of modernization. Innovation in our military is key to ensuring our nation’s security.

Uzbekistani Ambassador

The Uzbekistani Ambassador to the United States, Sidikov Furqat Axmedovich, stopped by to discuss cooperation with North Dakota, and how our two nations can foster better ties.

North Dakota Chiropractic Association

I met with the North Dakota Chiropractic Association to discuss my bill, the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act, which updates Medicare to improve seniors’ access to chiropractic care.

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