Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update

U.S. and Israel Launch Strikes on Iran in Operation Epic Fury

President Trump says he wants peace with Iran, but not at the cost of a nuclear-armed regime which endangers U.S. troops, threatens our allies, and murders its own people. After weeks of public warnings and stalled diplomacy, the President turned rhetoric into action, ordering coordinated U.S. strikes alongside Israel targeting Iranian missile infrastructure. President Trump launched the operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” to prevent the "very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests.”

The United States has tried to negotiate the boundaries of Iran’s nuclear program through diplomatic channels since President Trump’s first term. Instead, Tehran has drifted further from compliance. After the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement after just three years, Iran escalated enrichment to 60%, far beyond civilian levels, and surpassed stockpile limitations. Since 2021, international inspectors have faced increasing obstacles on the ground, raising alarms about what the world can’t see.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed in U.S.- Israeli Strikes

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in a strike carried out as part of a large-scale joint military operation between Israel and the United States, according to U.S. and Israeli officials. President Donald Trump confirmed the development in a post on Truth Social, describing Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in history” and calling the strike “justice” for Americans and others killed in attacks attributed to Iran over the past several decades.

The Iranian people have lived under oppression and fear for decades. To Iranians everywhere: The Ayatollah is gone, change is coming. You have an opportunity to embrace a country by the people, for the people, for human rights and equality. You’re not alone. America stands with you.

Khamenei, one of the world’s longest-serving authoritarian leaders, had ruled Iran since 1989. His death represents a significant blow to the country’s ruling establishment and could further destabilize the government.

President Trump Delivers Historic State of the Union Address

In celebration of a successful year, President Donald Trump addressed members of Congress for his first State of the Union speech of his second term. Throughout the speech, President Trump articulated the victories of the last year and carved out a vision for where we're going in the 250th anniversary of our great nation. The fantastic speech reminded us that we are truly in the Golden Age of America. I frankly think it was his best State of the Union yet.

Read my full statement below:

North Dakota radio listeners who tuned into the State of the Union may have seen a familiar face in the audience. Longtime radio host Scott Hennen, who founded the state’s first radio talk show nearly 40 years ago, attended the event as my guest. Scott hosts the statewide program, “What’s On Your Mind?,"  which airs on AM 1100 “The Flag” in Fargo, AM 1090 KTGO “The Flag” in Watford City and Williston, SuperTalk 1270AM of Bismarck-Mandan. We hold a talk radio town hall Friday mornings on the show. It's also simulcast statewide on BEK-TV.

I chose Scott as my invited guest for the State of the Union to celebrate talk radio. We've been doing talk radio hall since my very first day in Congress over 13 years ago. Almost every week for an hour, I join Scott to take unfiltered calls from North Dakotans. Scott's “What’s On Your Mind” show has hosted myriad political leaders and media figures over the years, including presidents, governors, and members of Congress, underscoring the program’s ability to influence North Dakota’s media and political landscape.

I’m really honored that Scott accepted my invitation to celebrate talk radio together at the State of the Union.

U.S. Olympic Ice Hockey Teams Win Gold

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan came to a thrilling close with both the Men and Women’s U.S. Ice Hockey Teams taking the gold medal over their Canadian rivals in overtime! Congratulations to Bismarck native Britta Curl-Salemme, former University of North Dakota players Jake Sanderson and Brock Nelson, and everyone on Team USA! 

46 years after the Miracle on Ice game, the U.S. men’s hockey team reminded the world of our hockey excellence with a gold medal win over Canada! Congratulations to former University of North Dakota players Jake Sanderson and Brock Nelson and everyone on Team USA!

The U.S. Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey Team attended President Trump's State of the Union address. During the speech, President Trump presented Connor Hellebuyck, who made 41 saves during the game, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Senate EPW Committee Hearing Highlights Importance of WOTUS Clarity for Landowners

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing to discuss the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Civil Works Program and policies under consideration for the Water Resources Development Act of 2026. The hearing featured testimony from Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle and USACE Chief of Engineers and Commanding General Lieutenant General William H. Graham Jr.

I began by thanking Telle for his efforts to finalize the Dakota Access Pipeline Record of Decision, saying, “It's been a decade in the works and I just want you to know that those of us that are living with that situation are grateful both for the urgency you've given it as well as the thoughtfulness. […] We look forward to a Record of Decision fairly soon.”

I also thanked him for the USACE’s rollout of its “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” initiative to pursue the agency’s mission more efficiently and cost-effectively. It focuses on building national infrastructure, cutting red tape, improving efficiency, transparency and accountability, and enhancing project prioritization.

The conversation then pivoted to discussing the efficiency of jurisdictional determinations for Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The Trump administration is in the midst of finalizing its proposed WOTUS rule, and I hosted the first national listening session in Bismarck last December with administration officials. Overregulation and jurisdictional ambiguity are longstanding issues with previous WOTUS regulations, and I repeatedly criticized the jurisdictional determination process. I asked Telle how we can better help landowners  know intuitively and intellectually what is not a Waters of the United States.

Telle affirmed the importance of WOTUS jurisdiction clarity, saying, “What we're trying to do would enable the public to have transparency in real time about what is and what is not a Water of the United States. These decisions should be made instantly with the technology that we have today. This is complicated by the legal wrangling that's happened over the decades, but I'm committed to looking at what the law says today and providing technology that provides clarity in real time to the public.”

Watch the full exchange below:

Legislation Streamlines VA Benefits Assistance Before Separation

Service members leaving the military are often told to prepare for civilian life long before their final day in uniform. But when it comes to filing for the benefits they earned, they must navigate a complicated system, which too often leads to delayed compensation and health care. For transitioning service members, timing matters. Delays in filing can mean months without disability payments, postponed medical appointments and access to mental health professionals, and added financial stress during an already significant life transition.   Under existing law, instructors in the military’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP), the mandatory program to prepare service members for civilian life, are not permitted to help participants fill out benefits paperwork. As a result, troops nearing separation often receive information about their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits but cannot get hands-on assistance completing the forms required to access them.

U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and I introduced the TAP Promotion Act to eliminate this hurdle by streamlining the benefits process for service members before they leave active duty. The bill would allow accredited members of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), and similar entities to participate in TAP classes, help service members file Benefits Delivery at Discharge claims, and complete medical evaluations before leaving service.

Accountability Reforms Included in FISA 702 Reauthorization, Calls for Strengthening Constitutional Safeguards

Eighteen years after its creation in 2008 following the intelligence failures related to 9/11, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is set to expire. The program gives the federal government authority to conduct warrantless surveillance of foreign terrorists and national security threats overseas, but has repeatedly been abused by federal agencies who have targeted law-abiding Americans.

  While some reforms have been implemented over the years, more must be done to safeguard Americans’ civil liberties. With Section 702 of FISA sunsetting in April, I joined U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) in introducing the Security and Freedom Enhancement (SAFE) Act. The bill maintains access to critical intelligence tools by extending Section 702 through April 20, 2028, while implementing targeted, enforceable safeguards to prevent abuse and strengthen accountability.   The SAFE Act strikes a balance between equipping the intelligence community to monitor legitimate foreign threats and protecting the constitutional rights of Americans.

The bill would make key reforms to FISA Section 702, including:  

• A Practical Warrant Requirement: Requires a warrant before the government can access the contents of an American’s communications retrieved through a 702-database query, with clear exceptions for emergencies and cybersecurity threats.
• Closing the Data Broker Loophole: Prevents federal agencies from sidestepping the Fourth Amendment by purchasing Americans’ sensitive data from commercial data brokers.
• Fixing Overbroad Definitions: Narrows vague language that could expand surveillance obligations to virtually any organization which handles communications equipment to ensure churches and other places of worship are not unintentionally swept in.
• Strengthening Independent Oversight: Enhances the role of amici curiae in FISA court proceedings to improve transparency and civil liberties protections.
• Ending the Section 215 Workaround: Closes loopholes that allowed the government to continue relying on authorities Congress allowed to expire in 2020.
• Greater Accountability: Adds new layers of internal review and supervision for U.S. queries and increases compliance safeguards.

USACE Announces “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork" Initiative

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle announced a major initiative, “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” for the Army’s Civil Works program. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the initiative will provide greater focus on the agency's core missions. It aims to minimize non-core programs, direct funding to priority water resources projects, shorten permitting timelines, and reduce or eliminate extraneous regulations and paperwork which slow USACE’s delivery of Civil Works projects and programs.

I, along with my constituents, have struggled with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for years. It’s time to right the ship. I look forward to working with Assistant Secretary Telle to deliver more efficient, accountable, and results-driven solutions.

Department of the Air Force Increases B-21 Raider Production Capacity

The Department of the Air Force and Northrop Grumman agreed to expand production capacity for the B-21 Raider, accelerating delivery of the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation stealth bomber fleet. 

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Reorganization Underway

The Trump administration is reorganizing the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) including its structure, personnel, regulations, and basic operations. According to the White House, this action will produce lasting American dominance in the global nuclear energy market, create tens of thousands of high-paying jobs, and generate American-led prosperity and resilience.

I commend the leadership of President Trump and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Capito in reforming and modernizing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Our historic AI-driven power demand can only be met with the dispatchable power provided by nuclear, coal, and natural gas.

New Laws Benefitting North Dakotans Ignored by Local Media

If the Fargo Forum is your main news source, you may not know about the many bills we've recently passed, so I'm stepping in to deliver the facts.

Resolution Recognizes Career and Technical Education Month

I cosponsored a resolution, introduced by U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Todd Young (R-IN), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), recognizing February 2026 as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month.

During CTE Month, we spotlight the importance of preparing a skilled workforce through CTE programs. From the trades and agriculture to marketing and IT, North Dakota CTE programs provide students the skills they need to succeed and support our state’s workforce.

Inflation Falls to its Lowest Level in More Than Five Years

As of February, U.S. inflation has dropped to its lowest level in nearly five years, driven by significant drops in energy costs. Core inflation has fallen, with annual rates dropping to 2.4%, while gas prices have decreased 7.5% over the past year.

Thanks to President Trump, inflation has fallen to its lowest level in five years. Now’s the moment to keep building, making everyday life more affordable and expanding opportunity for families across America.

Nation Celebrates FFA Week

Happy FFA Week to the 7,700 members in North Dakota! Across the nation, the National FFA Organization supports young agriculture leaders in their communities and equips them for success.

Honeywell Aerospace President and CEO Jim Currier

Honeywell Aerospace is leaning into the future of aerospace technology. President and CEO Jim Currier and I talked about the importance of defense modernization, supporting Sentinel, and the company’s priorities in the coming year.

Armada CEO Dan Wright

If we want to meet the need for American AI and energy dominance, we need creative solutions like Armada. I sat down with CEO Dan Wright to discuss applications for Armada’s technology.

TRANSCOM Commander General Randall Reed

U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) is essential for projecting and sustaining military power across the globe. TRANSCOM Commander General Randall Reed provided an update on his priorities, the commercial transportation industry, and more.

Ron Henke, North Dakota Department of Transportation

I met with representatives of the North Dakota Department of Transportation and discussed Congress' work developing the surface transportation reauthorization bill. Flexibility enables them to make investment decisions reflecting the unique needs of North Dakotans and must be protected. States do it better than D.C.! 

DOT Awards $5 Million to NDDOT for Buses

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit Administration awarded  $5,070,000 to the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT). This award is funded through the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities program and will be used to purchase replacement buses in various locations across North Dakota.

EPA Awards Over $28 Million to NDDEQ for Lead Service Line Replacements

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $28,650,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) capitalization grant to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ).

This award is funded through the fully-paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will be used for DWSRF-eligible lead service line replacement projects and associated activities directly connected to the identification, planning, design, and replacement of lead service lines.