New Government: 117th Congress with Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.)

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) shares his concerns about the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, his priorities on energy and the future of the Republican Party. He recently delivered remarks before the North Dakota State House on American exceptionalism and the growing culture challenges facing society.

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Highlights

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) says there are laws in the Constitution that aren’t being adequately enforced that could help keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them. “One of the frustrations a lot of us have is that we are not adequately enforcing the existing laws within our constitution. And by enforcing, I don’t just mean catching the bad guys, or prosecuting the bad guys, or carrying them out but registration, if you will, the background checks, not making it to the NCIS list, the FBI not adequately vetting, local and state officials not sending in the information for people that shouldn’t be eligible for guns. And we’ve seen that play out in tragic ways.” (Video: Washington Post Live)

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) says the Biden Administration is doing a poor job on immigration at the Mexican border. “We had a manageable situation at the border after those things were negotiated by President Trump. We need to get back to them…Joe Biden owns this crisis for sure.” (Video: Washington Post Live)

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said there’s bipartisan support for an infrastructure package "especially at a time when rebuilding the economy is so important." (Video: Washington Post Live)

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.)

Kevin Cramer was elected to the United States Senate on November 6, 2018 after serving three terms as North Dakota’s At-Large Member of the United States House of Representatives. He is the first Republican to hold this Senate seat in his lifetime. He serves on the Armed Services, Environment and Public Works, Veterans Affairs, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and Budget Committees.

While a member of the House, Cramer made constituent outreach a top priority, describing interacting with the public as “the best part of public service.” According to Legistorm, the Capitol Hill government issues website, Cramer held more town halls than any other Member during several of his years in the House.

Cramer has had a distinguished career in public service. In 2003, then-Governor John Hoeven appointed Cramer to the Public Service Commission, and in 2004 he was elected to the position. As a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner, Cramer helped oversee the most dynamic economy in the nation. He worked to ensure North Dakotans enjoy some of the lowest utility rates in the United States, enhancing their competitive position in the global marketplace. An energy policy expert, Cramer understands America’s energy security is integral to national and economic security.

A strong advocate for the free market system, Cramer has a proven record of cutting and balancing budgets, encouraging the private sector through limited, common sense regulations and limited government.

Cramer has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, a Master’s degree in Management from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, and was conferred the degree of Doctor of Leadership, honoris causa, by the University of Mary on May 4, 2013.

He is a native of Kindred, North Dakota, where he received his primary and secondary education. Kevin and his wife, Kris, have two adult sons, Isaac, who passed away in early 2018 and Ian; two adult daughters, Rachel and Annie; a fourteen-year-old son, Abel; two granddaughters, Lyla and Willa; and three grandsons, Beau, Nico and Chet.