Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update

President Trump Survives Assassination Attempt

A gunman charged U.S. Secret Service agents in the lobby of the hotel hosting the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday evening. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, members of the Cabinet, members of Congress, and journalists were in attendance.

Several shots were fired before the Secret Service took the suspect into custody. One Secret Service agent was shot, but was wearing a bulletproof vest and has already been released from the hospital.

Op-Ed: Domestic Production Plus Refining Equals Dominance

American energy markets are experiencing a full-circle moment nearly 50 years in the making. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter delivered an “unpleasant talk” calling “the energy crisis” “the greatest challenge our country will face in our lifetime … the moral equivalent of war.” Two years later, Iran’s revolution sparked global energy chaos. Fast forward to today, “Iran” and “gas prices” are again dominating headlines, bringing questions about energy independence to the forefront. I penned an op-ed in the Fargo Forum, advocating for increased domestic refining capability, saying, “turning our production dominance into energy independence requires our refineries being tuned to operate in this century’s reality, not the last one.”

We can learn from history’s lessons or suffer its same mistakes. We have seen how visionary leaders can turn a crisis of confidence into energy abundance through wise public policies. It’s time to do it again.

Senate Republicans End Run Democrat Obstruction, Start Process to Fund ICE, Border Patrol Through Budget Reconciliation

The United States Senate passed a budget resolution by a vote of 50 to 48, marking the first phase of the budget reconciliation process. This resolution is the first step in passing a targeted reconciliation bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations for at least the remainder of the Trump administration. The House of Representatives must now pass its version of a resolution.

Under the Biden administration’s failed immigration policies, the priorities of American citizens were ignored, and a flood of illegal aliens entered the country. There were more than 11 million encounters with illegal immigrants nationwide, including roughly 8 million at the southern border. Over 4 million were released into the United States. Now, under the Trump administration, crossings are at historic lows. Daily apprehensions have dropped to 245, a 95% decrease from the 5,110 daily average during the Biden-era. CBP recorded 237,538 encounters at the southern border in 2025, a dramatic fall from more than one and a half million in 2024, over two million in 2023, and more than two million in 2022, making it the lowest level since 1970. January marked the ninth straight month with zero releases of illegal immigrants into the interior of the country. The Senate’s passage of the budget resolution follows its vote at the end of March to provide funding for the rest of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s core operational agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The bill is awaiting passage in the House.

Visit to GFAFB with Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Bratton Highlights Growing Role in Space Defense

The rapidly expanding defense ecosystem in Grand Forks received another boost, with a visit from Vice Chief of Space Operations General Shawn Bratton to the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Operations Center. The visit came a day after I made the major announcement of a planned $250 million Space Operations Center to be built at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). I toured the base with Bratton, discussing the new Space Operations Center’s role in President Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense budget. The new operations center is one of several major projects I have brought to the region and will become the backbone of the SDA’s next-generation capabilities, strengthening global force protection and bolstering security at home.

Gen. Bratton, who serves as the Space Force’s second highest-ranking officer and oversees the service’s strategy, requirements, and global operations, visited at a pivotal moment for the region. His stop in Grand Forks underscores the growing national importance of the base and surrounding partnerships as the Pentagon sharpens its focus on space superiority. I previously met with Gen. Bratton to discuss Space Force training infrastructure requirements, including the need for a dedicated base to support approximately 3,000 students, as well as the modernization of Cavalier Space Force Station’s Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System.   The visit is part of a broader mission to elevate North Dakota’s role in national security. I have hosted senior military leaders in the state, including Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Golden Dome Director Gen. Michael Guetlein, former Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Jim Slife, Chief of Space Operations for the U.S. Space Force Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, and former U.S. Space Command Commander and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Jay Raymond. In 2020, I hosted Gen. Raymond in Grand Forks for his first public visit after President Trump made him Chief of Space Operations.

Grand Forks is quickly becoming a cornerstone of America’s space architecture. Through its partnership with the SDA the base now plays a key role operating the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation–a partnership I have consistently cultivated by hosting officials and promoting the base's strategic position for satellite operations.

Federal Reserve Chair Nominee Kevin Warsh Fields Questions on Debanking and Groupthink at Banking Hearing

As Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s term comes to a close, the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee held a nomination hearing for Kevin Warsh, President Trump’s Federal Reserve Chair nominee.

I asked Warsh about the independence of the Federal Reserve, and if he has observed philosophical independence within the institution’s deliberative process. I have often found it curious "people expect somebody who's appointed by an elected official and has to be confirmed by 100 other elected officials would somehow not have a philosophy. […] I think we should not forget that it would be common for a president who believes that interest rates should be lower, to want to nominate somebody who has expressed that maybe interest rates could be a little lower, as opposed to the quid pro quo that's being accused of today."

I highlighted the frequent unanimity within the Federal Reserve, asking Warsh how often an interest rate decision by the Fed is a 12-0 or a 10-0 vote. He replied, "I'd say over the last 15 years, decisions have been unanimous or near unanimous. As I said to one of your colleagues earlier, I prefer clean memos and messier meetings, and there's nothing wrong with the divergence of opinion. These are very hard calls."

Prior to serving in the private sector, Warsh spent over 10 years in public service, including five years on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. I questioned Warsh on whether his viewpoint had evolved over the last two decades. “Absolutely,” he answered. “It is essential for the chair of this organization, to be open-minded to new ideas. The world is moving fast. The mistake that's common in the economics profession, which Secretary Schultz once described to me when I was telling him that I was thinking about pursuing further studies. He said, ‘it's fine to get a PhD, but make sure that's not the last day you are learning.’ Too many people in the profession go back to what they learned 30 or 40 years ago. We've got to be open minded. The world's changing and the facts are changing. To the characterization I heard from some of your colleagues about, did my opinions change? My opinions change when the facts change. When interest rates are at zero and the balance sheet is growing and the economy is booming, well, relative to that, I will say I sounded hawkish. In 2018, when the Federal Reserve pushed to raise rates into a financial market meltdown and economic weakening, I said that was a mistake. That was dovish. I expect to have a divergence of views based on the facts on the ground.”

I also highlighted the practice commonly referred to as debanking, in which banks discriminate against law-abiding industries and groups by refusing to provide financial services, saying, “Speaking of institutions that are dug in, I think out of 22,000 [Federal Reserve employees], there are a lot of them who still believe that reputational risk should be a factor, and that reputational risk should be based on out-of-favor industries. Can you give me a sense of how you plan to attack that?” “Politics have no place, not just in monetary policy, but in supervision and regulation,” said Warsh. “If central bankers should stand for anything, it's to resist fads, resist trends, call balls and strikes. That's exactly what I would intend to do.”

My support for Kevin Warsh is a hard yes.

Space Force to Expand Footprint in Grand Forks with New Operations Facility for Next-Generation Missions

There’s big news for Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB) in President Donald Trump’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget. The executive budget proposes $250 million for a satellite operations center at GFAFB, expanding the U.S. Space Force’s role in next-generation missions. The three-story facility taps the base’s unmatched expertise to support National Reconnaissance Office and Space Force operations, powering advanced capabilities to strengthen force protection abroad and security at home.

As the chair of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee and co-chair of the Senate Space Force Caucus, I have highlighted the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities North Dakota’s defense ecosystem provides and worked to create a pathway to integrate and expand existing capabilities into a long-term vision for the region’s space architecture.

Backed by President Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense budget, the site’s mission will strengthen the ISR capabilities of the Space Force, enhancing the ability to detect, track, and target adversary space capabilities with speed and precision.

I facilitated the partnership between the Space Development Agency (SDA) and GFAFB, hosting officials and promoting the base's strengths for satellite operations. In October 2020, I brought former SDA Director Dr. Derek Tournear to Grand Forks to view firsthand how GFAFB’s UAS professionals operate systems around the world from North Dakota. The following year, after steadfast advocacy for federal space assets and defense modernization, SDA designated GFAFB as operator of its future satellite mission using the base as a center to monitor and maneuver satellites. In 2024, I flipped the switch to bring the SDA Operations Center North at GFAFB online. The new satellite operations facility will house advanced intelligence analysis and production, delivering near real-time, all-source insights tailored to space operations. It will serve the Defense Intelligence Enterprise, joint warfighters, and policymakers with actionable intelligence. According to the Space Force, the facility will include a 500-person auditorium for secure briefings and conferences and include a dining area to support 24/7 operations.

PLACEHOLDER - General Bratton visits ND

Letter to USDA, USTR Stresses Importance of Supporting U.S. Onion Growers, Ensures Fairness and Safety in North American Food Supply Chain

Over the last three decades, domestic onion production costs have risen sharply from $1,876 per acre in 1992 to $6,438 in 2025. American onion growers operate under some of the strictest labor, safety, and regulatory standards in the world, but compete against foreign importers with far less stringent oversight, such as those based in Mexico. The outcome is unfair for domestic producers and dangerous for domestic consumers. In 2021, Mexican onions were recalled and credible safety threats meant Food and Drug Administration inspectors were unable to conduct on-site investigations. Today, inspectors are still largely unable to conduct adequate oversight, and Mexican producers are aggressively expanding their market share. At the same time, Mexico has violated its water-sharing obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty. In the five-year cycle from 2020-2025, Mexico provided less than half of the 1.75 million acre-feet of water it owed the U.S.

I joined U.S. Representative Gabe Evans (R-CO-08) and wrote to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer stressing the need to level the playing field for domestic onion producers.

Representative David Scott Passes Away

David was the epitome of a “Gentleman from Georgia.” I will never forget the first time I met him, after he delivered a speech in support of my bill to permit the Keystone XL Pipeline. He changed my heart, and I found myself sponsoring his bills, and he mine, sometimes just because we were friends and brothers. I am better for knowing and loving him. He’s with our Lord now, they know each other well. Thank you for being my friend David. I will see you soon.

Airpower Acceleration Act

I joined U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) in introducing the Airpower Acceleration Act. The bill is a package of three bills focused on elevating and preserving the dominance of American military airpower in modern warfare.

National Assistive Tech Awareness Day

For millions of older Americans and people with disabilities, assistive technology is an essential lifeline, enabling them to connect with friends and family, access education, health care and work, and live independently. The Senate unanimously passed my resolution with U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) designating today as National Assistive Technology Awareness Day, recognizing the important role it plays in our communities.

President Trump Utilizes Defense Production Act Powers

President Trump understands the importance of energy independence, but he also understands our constrained domestic refining capacity is a national security risk. He’s right and just like I said in the Fargo Forum, every tool Congress has given the President, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright needs to be on the table to address the problem.

Protecting American Taxpayers Act

The American people expect accountability when the government spends their hard-earned tax dollars. Grifters have been defrauding Americans and taking advantage of lax oversight for far too long. Our Protecting American Taxpayers Act roots out waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the government and saves taxpayers billions.

"Balance of Power" on Bloomberg

I firmly believe having Kevin Warsh sworn in the second Jay Powell's term expires is a first goal, and anything else is secondary. Watch my Bloomberg TV interview with Kailey Leinz on Kevin Warsh’s nomination and the conflict in Iran:

"The Lead" on CNN

I joined Jake Tapper on CNN to discuss Kevin Warsh’s nomination hearing and President Trump extending the ceasefire in Iran.

"Meet the Press" on NBC

The conflict with Iran and Kevin Warsh's nomination hearing this week were top of the agenda during my interview with Kristin Welker on Meet the Press:

Edison Electric Institute

Thanks to President Trump, we have embraced dispatchable electricity and prioritized resilient generation, but work remains to improve the federal permitting process.

In my recent discussion at the Edison Electric Institute Board Meeting with MDU Resources Group President and CEO Nicole Kivisto regarding permitting reform, as well as in my meetings with Xcel Energy, MDU, Allete and Otter Tail Power, it’s clear North Dakota’s utilities are up to the challenge. We have the resources, we just need the political will.

North Dakota Hospital Association

I had a productive discussion with North Dakota Hospital Association members from across the state. We focused on protecting access to quality care in rural communities and making sure the  Working Families Tax Cuts Rural Health Transformation Plan delivers the support it’s meant to provide.

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy Marc Berkowitz

For far too long, we’ve taken the peace dividend for granted. Now it’s time to reinvest in America’s defense. I spoke with Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy Marc Berkowitz about getting the balance right between offensive and defensive capabilities to keep the U.S. in control of the space domain.

Williston Mayor Howard Klug

Williston Mayor Howard Klug and I discussed some of North Dakota’s infrastructure needs and repairs at the Williston Levee. As a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed and owned project, ensuring continued flood protection for the community remains a federal responsibility. I will continue working with the Army Corps to move the ball forward.

Roger Zakheim

Roger Zakheim from the Ronald Reagan Institute stopped by to talk about the Reagan National Economic Forum. I’m looking forward to joining the forum next month!

General Michael Guetlein

Golden Dome Director General Michael Guetlein is leveraging North Dakota’s strategic geography and defense ecosystem to keep America safe. In our meeting we talked about the modernization and digitization of PARCS radar at North Dakota’s Cavalier Space Force Station, and how the University of North Dakota is digitally connected to Golden Dome to help find innovative solutions at all levels.