Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update october 27 - 31

North Dakota Celebrates 136th Birthday

On Nov. 2, 1889, North Dakota became the 39th state to be admitted into the union.

From our vast prairies to our thriving energy and agriculture bounty, North Dakota sure is beautiful. Our state is filled with resourceful, innovative, and kind individuals. I’m truly blessed and thankful to represent the great state of North Dakota.

Happy 136th birthday, North Dakota! I’m thankful to call this beautiful state my home.

Push for U.S. Department of Justice to Swiftly Conclude Meatpacker Antitrust Investigation

Amid conversations about foreign beef imports, I called on the U.S. Department of Justice and Attorney General Pam Bondi to rededicate itself to its anticompetitive mission and follow through with its antitrust investigation into the Big 4 meatpackers: Tyson Foods, JBS SA, Cargill and National Beef. The investigation was first initiated in 2020 under the first Trump administration.

Senate Confirms General Ken Wilsbach as Air Force Chief of Staff

The U.S. Senate confirmed General Kenneth Wilsbach, former Air Combat Command leader and fighter pilot, to serve as Air Force Chief of Staff.

General Wilsbach joined me in visiting Grand Forks Air Force Base to discuss base quality of life, current and future intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, the growth of the Space Development Agency, and other potential missions. We also visited the North Dakota Air National Guard in Fargo.

As the 24th service chief, General Wilsbach will be responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 689,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving both in the United States and abroad.

STRATCOM Commander Nominee Vice Admiral Rich Correll Testifies at SASC Hearing

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing to consider the nomination of Vice Admiral Rich Correll to be Admiral and Commander of United States Strategic Command (STRATCOM). As STRATCOM Commander, Vice Admiral Correll would be responsible for strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, global strike, nuclear command, control, and communications enterprise operations, joint electromagnetic spectrum operations, and missile threat assessment.

Minot Air Force Base (AFB) in North Dakota is the only base in the nation to house two legs of the nuclear triad, including B-52 bombers and Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The Sentinel program was established to replace the 50-year-old Minuteman III ICBM weapon system with the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM. Minot AFB will be the last base to receive Sentinel ICBMs.

If confirmed, Vice Admiral Correll would lead more than 41,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and civilians who execute STRATCOM’s global missions.

During the hearing, I questioned Vice Admiral Correll about the importance of the Sentinel program, modernizing B-52 bombers, and the United States’ strategic posture and nuclear deterrence.

Watch my full questioning below:

Governor Kelly Armstrong Directs State Funds to North Dakota Food Programs During Schumer Shutdown

North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong directed more than $1.5 million in state funds to support food assistance programs during the ongoing federal Schumer Shutdown. He also called on North Dakota residents to "consider donating food or money to their local food pantries to help meet the needs of those losing federal food assistance."

According to a press release, the announcement comes as more than 56,000 North Dakotans – about 28,000 households – are at risk of losing their federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on Nov. 1 when federal funding runs out.

Governor Armstrong directed the state Department of Health and Human Services to provide $915,000 in contingency funds to the Great Plains Food Bank, which supplies food and supports a network of nearly 200 partner food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens across the state. Additionally, Governor Armstrong directed HHS to use contingency funds to support the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program through the month of November, at an estimated cost of roughly $600,000.

Bicameral Letter Reaffirms Support for CDFI Fund

Last week, I joined U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) and U.S. Representative Young Kim (R-CA-40) in sending a bicameral letter to U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought reaffirming support for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund.

Senate Passes Resolution Commemorating National Bison Day

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating Nov. 1 as National Bison Day. The resolution, introduced by U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), honors the American bison and historical, cultural, and ecological significance.

"Wake Up America" on Newsmax

I joined Marc Lotter and Sharla McBride on Newsmax's "Wake Up America" to discuss the ongoing government shutdown.

I told them Hakeem Jeffries is lying to the American people when he says the clean continuing resolution is a "partisan" bill. It's a continuation of Joe Biden's last budget.

This isn't some sort of political science experiment, this is real life, and real people are being hurt by the Schumer Shutdown.

Aaron Flint on Montana Talks

I'm grateful for the opportunity to join Aaron Flint and Jesse Ramos on Montana Talks. Thanks for having me on!

Click here to listen to the full segment

Vice Admiral Rich Correll, nominee for Commander of United States Strategic Command

United States Strategic Command is at the core of our national defense strategy, maintaining peace through strength and ensuring nuclear deterrence and readiness across the globe. Vice Admiral Rich Correll, nominee for Commander of United States Strategic Command, will oversee two legs of the nuclear triad based in North Dakota and effectively carry out the global warfighting command’s operations. I look forward to supporting his nomination.

Michael Borders, nominee for Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Installations, Environment & Energy

I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Michael Borders, nominee for Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Installations, Environment & Energy. He understands the importance of ensuring operational readiness of the Air Force, breaking down procedural barriers, and building a resilient and mission-ready force for years to come.

ISight Drone Services

North Dakota's UAS ecosystem is second to none, and ISight Drone Services delivers impressive unmanned capabilities. I enjoyed visiting with leadership from North Dakota's first private drone company during their visit to Washington, D.C.

Member of Parliament Sigridur A. Andersen

No state has deeper Icelandic roots than North Dakota, having the highest concentration of Icelanders in the country. From our commitment to mutual defense and strengthening economic ties, the United States’ partnership with Iceland is more crucial now than ever. I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Icelandic Member of Parliament Sigridur A. Andersen during her visit to Washington, D.C.

Michael Payne, nominee for Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation

The Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) is designed to provide the U.S. Department of War with informed, strategic decision analysis. I met with CAPE Director nominee Michael Payne to discuss the role the organization plays in our national defense.