Senator Cramer’s Weekly Update MARCH 31 - APRIL 4

Senate Passes Budget Resolution Amendment

The United States Senate passed its amendment to the budget resolution from the House of Representatives by a vote of 51 to 48.

The amended resolution is a step toward making President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, strengthening national defense, enhancing border and energy security, and reducing spending. The budget resolution will now head back to the House of Representatives for passage. Both chambers must pass identical budget resolutions before they can craft and advance legislation through the reconciliation process.

This resolution’s passage is a prime example of Senate Republicans working together to achieve President Trump’s agenda and deliver on the promises we made to the American people. Our budget resolution will help us make generational investments to bolster national defense and border security, unleash American energy dominance, cut waste and unnecessary spending, and prevent the largest tax hike in American history.

Democrats talk a big game and offer hundreds of unserious amendments, with nothing to show for it other than delaying this process by a few hours. With the passage of this resolution, we are one step closer to creating opportunity and bringing certainty to North Dakota families, businesses, and markets.

Hard-Hitting Primary and Secondary Sanctions Legislation Against Russia Introduced

Since taking office, President Donald Trump and his administration have prioritized negotiating a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. While Ukraine announced its willingness to support a 30-day ceasefire proposal, Russia has not.

I joined U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and 50 of our colleagues, to introduce the bipartisan Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025. This bill would impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors backing Russia’s aggression if the country refuses to engage in good-faith negotiations for a lasting peace with Ukraine or undermines the sovereignty of Ukraine after peace is negotiated.

The legislation also imposes a 500 percent tariff on imported goods from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products.

The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 will issue decisive consequences aimed at deterring Russian aggression. This bill sends a clear message: bullies have a price to pay for their actions. Vladimir Putin and Russia must face serious consequences for their destructive and unprovoked war on Ukraine.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Nominee Testifies Before Senate Armed Services Committee

Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine to be the 22nd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed, Lt. Gen. Caine would serve as the highest-ranking and most senior military officer in the United States Armed Forces.

On September 11, 2001, Lt. Gen. Caine was the mission commander over Washington, D.C. and was responsible for protecting the skies over our nation's capital as an F-16 pilot. From 2009 to 2016, Lt. Gen. Dan Caine was a part-time member of the National Guard.

Lt. Gen. Caine has played a key role in overseeing classified military programs. He served as Director of Special Programs in the U.S. Department of Defense Special Access Program Central Office, where he advised the Secretary of Defense on highly sensitive projects. Lt. Gen. Caine also served as Associate Director for Military Affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency, acting as the principal military advisor to the agency.

I thanked Lt. Gen. Caine for his willingness to return to service and asked him about the need for acquisition reform and fostering innovation in the Department of Defense.

Secretary of Transportation Questioned on One Federal Decision, Formula Funding at EPW Hearing

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing to officially kick off the process for development of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill. U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy testified before the committee, providing input on the Trump administration’s priorities. Prior to his service as Secretary of Transportation, Duffy represented Wisconsin’s 7th district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

At the hearing, I questioned Duffy on the One Federal Decision framework from the first Trump administration. One Federal Decision was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and was designed to streamline the burdensome permitting process by setting deadlines and reducing duplicative reviews, allowing infrastructure projects to be built more expeditiously.

Heather Ranck Reinstated As The Director Of The National Rural Export Center

Heather Ranck was reinstated as the Director of the National Rural Export Center. U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) and I worked with the new administration at the Department of Commerce to accelerate the important work of the National Rural Export Center by bringing Ranck back to the position, citing her experience and leadership in founding the center. The National Rural Export Center specializes in conducting customized market research designed to guide rural U.S. companies toward the most opportune exporting markets.

The Rural Export Center is a critical asset in finding new market opportunities for small, medium size and large companies throughout rural America, and Heather has been the driving force in its success from the beginning. I look forward to working with Heather, Senator Hoeven and the business community we represent, in building on the center’s success and taking rural exporters to even greater economic opportunity.

Bicameral, Bipartisan Resolution Introduced Declaring April as Second Chance Month

Every year, more than 600,000 individuals are released from prisons across the United States after serving their sentences. Even though individuals reentering society have paid their debt for the crimes committed, they still face significant collateral consequences such as struggling to find employment, securing a place to live, and being barred from receiving financial aid. To serve as a reminder of the challenges those reentering society may face, I joined U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to reintroduce our bipartisan, bicameral resolution to designate April 2025 as “Second Chance Month."

America is a nation of second chances. Yet too often our criminal justice system focuses on punishment over redemption. I joined Senator Klobuchar in introducing a bipartisan resolution to designate April as Second Chance Month, recognizing those who have paid their debt to society and have earned a second chance to rebuild their lives, reclaim their futures, and positively contribute to their community.

Legislation Introduced to End National Injunctions

Activist judges have weaponized sweeping orders to block the will of the people and delay President Trump’s agenda. I joined U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in introducing the Judicial Relief Clarification Act to curb judicial overreach, restore separation of powers, and put an end to flippant national injunctions.

The Judicial Relief Clarification Act will limit federal court orders to parties directly before the court, ending the practice of universal injunctions and clarifying the constitutional role of the judicial branch. Parties seeking nationwide relief would be required to file a class action lawsuit. The bill would amend the Administrative Procedure Act and the Declaratory Judgment Act to limit courts’ decisions to the parties before them, and make temporary restraining orders immediately appealable.

Letter to President Trump Requests Permitting Nationwide, Year-Round Sale of E15 Fuel

I joined a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues, led by U.S. Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), in sending a letter to President Donald Trump requesting the year-round sale of E15 fuel. Specifically, the letter asked President Trump to use the nationwide temporary waivers provided under the Clean Air Act to extend the Reid vapor pressure waiver through the 2025 summer driving season. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has enabled the year-round sale of E15 fuel through nationwide temporary waivers for the past several years.

Utilizing American ethanol year-round is a direct solution to reinforcing our energy supply and reducing consumer costs, and the issuance of a nationwide waiver for the 2025 summer driving season is a clear path toward these shared goals.

Healthy SNAP Act Introduced

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income Americans purchase nutritious food, and over 42 million people access SNAP benefits. However, over 20 percent of all SNAP dollars are used to purchase soda, candy, desserts, and other junk food items, which is projected to total $240 billion over the next decade.

I joined U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) in introducing the Healthy SNAP Act to prevent the use of SNAP funding to purchase soda, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Charles Payne are exactly right: Taxpayer-funded SNAP benefits should not be funding junk food! I joined my colleagues in introducing the Healthy SNAP Act to Make America Healthy Again.

Prison Fellowship

Always a joy to join Prison Fellowship's Day of Action on Capitol Hill, which coincides with the introduction of my resolution with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) designating April 2025 as Second Chance Month.

Forgiveness and dignity come from the heart of compassion anchored in our faith.

Colby Jenkins, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict

I enjoyed meeting with Colby Jenkins, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, to discuss the importance of ISR, modernizing our forces, and partnering with innovative defense companies across the country.

General Atomics

Last week, I met with Linden Blue, CEO of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., and his team to discuss the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, the MQ-Next, and Advanced Sensing.

Whether it’s supporting MQ-9 operations for the Happy Hooligans in Fargo, training foreign pilots on UAS operations in Grand Forks, or interacting with the University of North Dakota on technology and workforce development, General Atomics plays an important role as a North Dakota corporate constituent, and we only expect that role to get bigger.

Portland Cement Association

The Portland Cement Association has been a great partner in promoting infrastructure and my PROVE IT Act, and it is an honor to be awarded its 2025 Cement Champion!

Secretary Ben Carson Portrait Unveiled

Secretary Ben Carson is a true servant leader and it was an honor to attend the unveiling of his official Department of Housing and Urban Development portrait.

Jonathan Gould, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Nominee

Met with Jonathan Gould, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency nominee, to discuss the importance of enforcing “Fair Access” standards and my Fair Access to Banking Act. These efforts would prevent banks from discriminating against law-abiding, credit-worthy people and industries.

Kate MacGregor, Department of the Interior Deputy Secretary Nominee

The Fish and Wildlife Service has been a lousy neighbor to North Dakota landowners, especially those encumbered with easements. Kate MacGregor is a friend and I appreciate her willingness to serve as Department of the Interior Deputy Secretary and get to work on making the situation right!

Close Up Students

I was delighted to meet with Close Up students from Turtle Mountain, Fessenden-Bowman, and Hettinger! We had great discussions ranging from term limits to cattle prices.

Moldovan Delegation

I enjoyed meeting with a Moldovan delegation, including Speaker of Parliament Igor Grosu, Foreign Minister Mihai Popsi, and Ambassador Viorel Ursu about the importance of their country’s energy security and supportive partnership with Ukraine.

Matthew Lohmeier, Nominee for Under Secretary of the Air Force

Thanks to Matthew Lohmeier, for answering the call to serve as the next Under Secretary of the Air Force. His devotion to integrity and service will help keep the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force on mission, focused on projecting strength as our nation faces evolving, dynamic threats.

GFAFB Commander Col. Tim Monroe and Command Chief Master Sgt. Carl Vogel

Grand Forks Air Force Base significantly contributes to the common defense of the nation while remaining mission focused. It was a joy to meet with Grand Forks Air Force Base Commander Col. Tim Monroe and Command Chief Master Sgt. Carl Vogel during their visit to Washington.

Miki Bowman, Federal Reserve Governor and Vice Chair for Supervision nominee

Thanks to Federal Reserve Governor and Vice Chair for Supervision nominee Miki Bowman for taking the time to meet with me. Her thoughtful approach to regulation will ensure the safety and soundness of our financial system, and I look forward to her confirmation.

Missile Defense Agency Director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is tasked with developing, testing, and sustaining our nation’s integrated missile defense capabilities. I met with MDA Director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins to discuss a variety of topics such as the importance of building a robust and integrated Golden Dome capability.

United States Military Transfers 17 Tren de Aragua and MS-13 Criminals

Last week, in a successful counter-terrorism operation with our allies in El Salvador, the United States military transferred a group of 17 violent criminals from the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 organizations, including murderers and rapists. In order to keep the American people safe, President Trump also designated the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

This is what Making America Safe Again looks like.

SEC Votes to Drop Defense of Emissions Reporting

The Securities and Exchange Commission regulates Wall Street, not the environment. It had no authority to force companies to report emissions. This was always an indefensible rule, and I’m glad to see the SEC abandon its misguided climate agenda.

FEMA Awards More Than $1 Million to Replace Helendale Township Bridge in Richland County

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded a total of $1,166,291 in federal funding to Richland County to replace the Helendale Bridge, an 82-foot, single-span steel truss bridge which was damaged from a severe winter storm and flooding event between April 22 - May 25, 2022.

The structure will be replaced with a 142-foot, three-span concrete bridge using contract services which follow consensus-based codes and construction sstandards. The award will fund full demolition, excavation, foundation fill, rip rap, and bridge construction.

The severe storms in April and May of 2022 caused major damages to North Dakota’s transportation and electrical infrastructure. In rural North Dakota, crossings like this are often the only option for residents for miles. This is a much-needed replacement for those affected by the damage to the Helendale Bridge, while also helping to mitigate the impacts of future disasters.