Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update November 10 - 14

Congress Passes Bill to End Longest Government Shutdown in U.S. History

Bolsters National Security, Supports Veterans, Farmers, and Ranchers

After more than 40 days of gridlock, the United States Senate voted 60 to 40 to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and extend current funding through January. The measure advanced after eight Senate Democrats voted alongside Republicans to move the package forward, which includes three Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills supporting our farmers and ranchers, fully funds veterans medical care, invests in rural infrastructure, housing, and business development, and supports approximately 300 military construction projects across the nation. The House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 222 to 209.

President Donald Trump signed the legislation Wednesday evening, reopening the federal government. During the bill signing, he said: "The country has never been in better shape. We went through this short-term disaster with the Democrats because they thought it would be good politically. It's an honor now to sign this incredible bill and get our country working again."

After more than 40 days, the record-breaking Schumer Shutdown is officially over. Thank you President Donald Trump, Majority Leader John Thune, and Speaker Mike Johnson for your leadership and engagement. Now let's get to work!

Honoring Those Who Served: North Dakota and the Nation Celebrate Veterans Day

On Veterans Day, we recognize the generations of North Dakota veterans who have protected America’s freedoms around the world, as well as the service members who carry on the proud tradition today. More than 56,000 veterans reside in North Dakota, and our state consistently ranks among those with the highest concentration of military service members and veterans per capita.

Each year, a Veterans Day observance ceremony is held at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck to celebrate and commemorate the service and sacrifice of United States veterans. During virtual remarks, I thanked veterans and their families for standing in the gap and stressed the importance of young Americans participating in Veterans Day celebrations and learning about the contribution of veterans to their freedom.

It is without a question the joy of my life, as someone who did not serve in the military, to serve the military as a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs and Armed Services Committees.

WSJ Editorial Board Wrong on Meatpacking

After I called on President Donald Trump to look into price fixing and other anticompetitive behavior in the meatpacking industry, he renewed the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into the Big 4 meatpacking companies for “illicit collusion, price fixing, and price manipulation.” I’ve pushed for this investigation for years and am grateful to see progress.

During President Trump’s first term, I sent a letter to the DOJ and although then-Attorney General Barr started an investigation, it was never completed and seemingly ignored by the Biden administration. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the investigation is ongoing. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins called for “transparency, accountability, and a fair market that rewards those who actually raise and produce our beef — not the corporate middlemen gaming the system.”

Last week, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Editorial Board published an all-too-predictable op-ed, blaming U.S. ranchers in the heartland, not meatpackers listed on the Wall Street stock exchanges, for the cost of beef. The WSJ Editorial Board claimed meat packers are turning to Mexican cattle to meet Americans’ growing demand for beef. However, the Department of Agriculture this spring suspended Mexican cattle imports after the screwworm parasite was detected in herds south of the border.” The WSJ Editorial Board condescendingly said the best way to lower beef costs would be to “remove all quotas and tariffs.”

The Wall Street Journal got this wrong. If meatpackers’ hands are clean, they have nothing to worry about in a President Trump and Department of Justice investigation. American ranchers are not to blame and the solution isn’t to import cheap, foreign, and potentially dangerous beef.

I appreciate President Trump's leadership and Attorney General Bondi's effort to rededicate the DOJ to its anticompetitive mission and follow through with its antitrust investigation into the Big 4 meatpackers.

Senate Democrats Continue to Wage Lawfare Against President Donald Trump

U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced a bill on Thursday in an attempt to block the U.S. Department of Justice from its court-ordered compensation to President Donald Trump for both illegal and politically motivated investigations Democrats waged against him, the Russia hoax and the unclassified documents investigations, according to Axios.

There is no end to the Democrats’ weaponization of our justice system. The abuses President Trump and his family suffered at the hands of a corrupt Justice Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and their accomplices must be atoned for and corrected, not repeated.

This Week on Capitol Hill with Tony Perkins

I joined This Week on Capitol Hill with Tony Perkins to discuss the status of the government shutdown and the importance of the filibuster. The Schumer Shutdown hurt real people at every level. When you look throughout history, there's no question many bad things have been prevented by the filibuster. It's a valuable safeguard against the impulse of day-to-day politics and protects the institution of the Senate. We also spoke about the United States' recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). Nigeria is an important trading and strategic partner, and President Donald Trump designating it as a CPC was heartwarming to see. Standing up for religious freedom by standing against religious persecution or violence sends a crucial message globally.

Scott Hennen on The Flag

Earlier this week, I joined Scott Hennen on The Flag's What's on Your Mind? to talk about the government shutdown and take questions from constituents.

Jesse Allen on Agriculture of America

I joined Jesse Allen on Agriculture of America to discuss a variety of topics including President Trump's historic Asia trip, the need for more competition, and the president renewing the investigation into the Big Four meatpacking companies: Tyson Foods, JBS SA, Cargill and National Beef. On Truth Social, the president said "we will always protect our American Ranchers, and they are being blamed for what is being done by Majority Foreign Owned Meat Packers, who artificially inflate prices, and jeopardize the security of our Nation’s food supply."

Earlier this month, I called on the administration to rededicate itself to its anticompetitive mission and follow through with its antitrust investigation into the Big 4 meatpackers. The investigation was first initiated in 2020 under the first Trump administration. Since March 2020, I've advocated for the investigation and have spoken publicly about the need to reinvigorate it.

John Hines with One America News Network

During an interview with John Hines on One America News Network, I spoke about how Biden's COVID bonuses drove insurance premiums higher, benefiting insurance companies, not patients. Their stock prices have soared over 1,000% since Obamacare.

Joel Porter on KX News

I joined Joel Porter on KX News to discuss the passage of the bipartisan appropriations package, ending the longest government shutdown in history. The measure extends government funding levels through January and incorporates the content of three individual appropriations bills, including Agriculture-FDA, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction-VA.