Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update March 24 - 28

D.C. District Court Dismisses Lawsuit Seeking to Shut Down Dakota Access Pipeline

Judge James Boasberg of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia granted North Dakota’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline.

FWS, EPA Nominees Testify Before EPW Committee on WOTUS, Cooperative Federalism

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing to discuss nominees to serve in the Trump administration. The hearing featured testimony from Brian Nesvik, nominee for Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and Jessica Kramer, nominee for Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Water.

During the hearing, I questioned Kramer on the EPA’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) guidance and upcoming rulemaking, which it announced on March 12. I asked her to explain the guidance, why it complies with the U.S. Supreme Court's prescriptive decision in Sackett v. EPA, and how the previous rule did not align with Sackett. I also asked the witnesses to give a primer on their interpretations of cooperative federalism.

Kramer also committed to visiting North Dakota during the WOTUS rulemaking process.

Defense Nominees Testify on Modernization, Protecting Innovators, Access to Rural Mental Health Care Services

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing to consider four nominations for key positions within the U.S. Department of Defense. During the hearing, members heard testimony from Secretary of the U.S. Air Force nominee Troy Meink, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment nominee Michael Duffey, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering nominee Emil Michael, and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs nominee Keith Bass.

During the hearing, I questioned Dr. Meink about the importance of keeping pace with adversaries and protecting innovators. I also asked Bass about legislation I championed to increase access to rural mental health care services.

Comment on Leak of Sensitive Signal Chat

Earlier last week, Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic Jeffrey Goldberg published an article stating U.S. national security leaders accidentally included him in a group chat about the military strikes in Yemen. The Atlantic published the text chain, which contained sensitive information about the planned military operation.

While this was a mistake that should never happen again, the mission was successful. President Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and the national security team successfully killed terrorists who have targeted U.S. troops and disrupted one of the most consequential shipping routes in the world.

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary Hegseth threw 6 touchdowns and 1 interception. Let’s not lose sight of the big picture. For the first time in a long while, we are taking the fight to the enemy and our Sailors and Marines are no longer sitting ducks waiting to be attacked.

Legislation Introduced to Enhance Patient Advocacy for Rural Veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) patient advocacy program employs individuals at VA Medical Centers nationwide to manage the feedback received from veterans and their families. The patient advocate serves as a bridge working directly with VA staff to facilitate resolutions on behalf of all veterans.

U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and I introduced the Strengthening VA Patient Advocacy for Rural Veterans Act of 2025, which would enhance the VA’s patient advocacy program to better support rural veterans receiving care outside of the medical center setting. Specifically, facilities would designate a patient advocate to serve as the coordinator for veterans residing in rural and highly rural areas to improve veteran access and experience.

The measure also contains reporting provisions to enhance accountability and Congressional awareness of the issues veterans face when seeking care.

Patient advocates really play an important role in helping our veterans navigate the incredible VA red tape. It's just outlandish as it is with most bureaucracies. Our bill recognizes the unique challenges that are faced by particularly rural veterans, and then it provides targeted support through dedicated patient advocates to ensure they are able to access the healthcare they’ve earned, both in and from their more rural homes.

Our bill is supported by several organizations, including the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, and America’s Warrior Partnership.

Legislation Introduced to Cut Red Tape for State Departments of Transportation

Under current law, state departments of transportation (DOTs) submit a Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP) every four years to the Federal Highway Administration. State TAMPs are planning and budget documents, intended to ensure effective management and long-term functionality of infrastructure like roads, bridges, and the National Highway System.

In addition to the TAMPs, state DOTs are required to file separate annual reports with information about the implementation of their TAMPs. These reports reiterate the state’s transportation planning from the TAMP, but require extensive labor hours and tedious review to compile and submit to federal authorities.

U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and I introduced the Transportation Asset Management Simplification Act (TAMSA) to streamline reporting requirements by eliminating the annual submissions and incorporating them into the TAMPs every four years. The bill also provides states additional time to remedy any deficiencies to match the 90-day TAMP deficiency cure period, and allows the Secretary of Transportation to extend this period upon the request of a state.

Our bill reduces red tape, easing the burden on state DOTs, so they can spend more time actually maintaining roads and bridges instead of filing unnecessary reports. It’s a commonsense way to get rid of bureaucracy, while ensuring states remain responsible stewards of their infrastructure.

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Expand VA Burial Benefits

In 1985, U.S. Air Force Veteran Dennis “Denny” Krisfalusy and his wife, Lois, tragically died during an earthquake in Mexico City. While neither of their remains was found, Dennis received a memorial headstone at the Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Pennsylvania. Lois was ineligible to have her name added due to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) date restriction. Under existing law, the VA can only provide burial markers or headstones for spouses and dependent children who died after Nov. 11, 1998, and before Oct. 1, 2025.

I joined U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Dave McCormick (R-PA) in introducing our bipartisan Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act to eliminate this restriction and permanently expand VA burial benefits for veterans and their families.

Families of service members sacrifice and serve alongside their loved ones, but outdated restrictions prohibit the VA from providing a memorial headstone for military spouses and dependents if they passed away before 1998. I joined Senators Fetterman and McCormick in reintroducing our bipartisan Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act to remove this hurdle, honoring the service of these family members to our nation.

Senate Confirms John Phelan as Secretary of the Navy

The United States Senate confirmed John Phelan as Secretary of the U.S. Navy last week by a vote of 62 to 30.

Our incredible U.S. Navy is second to none! As Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan will build a lethal force to defend our interests around the world. I look forward to working with him to ensure our Sailors and Marines have the resources they need to meet pressing and evolving threats.

Bill to Block Federal Reserve from Issuing Central Bank Digital Currency

U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ted Budd (R-NC), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and I introduced the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, which would prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC).

A central bank digital currency has the potential for financial monitoring and surveillance and could turn the Federal Reserve into a retail bank. Despite the previous administration’s push for this, Congress should not be circumvented and our bill ensures it!

This bill is endorsed by America First Policy Institute, American Bankers Association, Americans for Tax Reform, America’s Credit Unions, Bank Policy Institute, Blockchain Association, Center for a Free Economy, Center for Freedom and Prosperity, Club for Growth, Consumer Bankers Association, Heritage Action, Independent Community Bankers of America, Project for Privacy & Surveillance Accountability, Restore the Fourth, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, Digital Chamber, Association of Mature American Citizens, and Crypto Council for Innovation.

Legislation Introduced to Roll Back Anti-Gun Rule

Liberal anti-gun extremists have spent years waging an all-out assault on the Second Amendment, trying everything under the sun to unjustly restrict our right to bear arms. U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and I introduced the Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act to remove the unconstitutional taxation, registration, and regulation of short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and any other weapons under the National Firearms Act (NFA).

I joined Senator Marshall in introducing the SHORT Act to defend our Second Amendment liberties by removing the oppressive taxation, registration, and regulation of short-barreled rifles and shotguns. It’s time to put a stop to federal overreach and defend the fundamental freedoms our Constitution guarantees.

Interview with "Erin Burnett OutFront" on CNN

My interview with "Erin Burnett OutFront" on CNN highlights the recent Signal group text situation.

Interview with Rob Astorino on Newsmax

My interview with Rob Astorini on Newsmax discussed the Executive Order President Trump signed to designate English as the official language of the United States. We also discussed my support of the English Language Unity Act of 2025, which was introduced by U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH).

Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf

Last week, I met with Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf to discuss the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program and updates regarding Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) and the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS).

This month, the United States Air Force named Anduril as one of two vendors funded for the next phase of the service’s CCA drone program. Last year, I visited Anduril’s headquarters in southern California where I saw Fury, Anduril’s high-performance CCA, a multi-mission group 5 autonomous air vehicle.

Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril, was my guest at the 2024 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Summit and Expo in Grand Forks. When I visited Palmer at his Costa Mesa headquarters, I knew immediately this guy is a disruptor and exactly what the military needs if we are going to stay ahead of our adversaries at a cost the taxpayers can afford.

Close Up Foundation High School Program

A little wind in D.C. didn’t stop these Cavalier High School students from meeting with me on the Capitol steps during their Close Up trip. Part of the privilege of representing a smaller state is being able to meet with students from back home!

Brian Nesvik, Nominee for Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) heavy-handed enforcement of conservation easements is an affront to private property rights. Brian Nesvik is a rancher who loves his land and understands landowners are better stewards of their property than any federal bureaucrat. I appreciate his willingness to lead the FWS.

Carbon Capture Coalition Breakfast

I started my day on Wednesday by speaking with members of the Carbon Capture Coalition. The time is right to advance this technology.

Congressman Pete Stauber and the National Hockey League

The Miracle on Ice game isn’t just a hockey moment, it’s an American one. I sat down with my friend, Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN-08), and the National Hockey League to keep momentum going for our Miracle On Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act. Let’s get this done!

Shane and Charlie Waslaski

Thanks to Shane Waslaski, CEO of Moore Holding Company in West Fargo, and his son, Charlie, for stopping by my office during their trip to Washington!

Pioneer Equipment Dealers Association Board of Directors

The Pioneer Equipment Dealers Association, which represents dealers across North Dakota, stopped by my office to discuss the need to pass the Farm and Highway Bills this Congress. We also spoke about tariffs, as well as the importance of enacting pro-growth tax policy.