ND North News

Senator Kevin Cramer, who represents North Dakota in the U.S. Senate, recently shared updates on meetings with key figures and organizations through his social media account.

On September 9, 2025, Senator Cramer posted about a discussion with Lance Yohe, Commissioner at the International Joint Commission (IJC) and a native of North Dakota. In his post, Cramer stated: "Great to meet with @IJCsharedwaters Commissioner and native North Dakotan Lance Yohe. It was a beneficial discussion about his work on U.S.-Canada boundary waters issues."

The following day, September 10, 2025, Senator Cramer reported meeting Derrick Anderson, nominee for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict. He wrote: "Great meeting with Derrick Anderson, nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict. He understands what our Special Operations forces need, which includes intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance from platforms like the MQ-9".

Later that same day, Senator Cramer also mentioned connecting with Karen Boelter and Ruth Jorritsma—North Dakota’s co-state coordinators for the National Day of Prayer Task Force—to discuss their plans for next year’s event in the state. The senator posted: "Good to catch up with North Dakota’s co-state coordinators for the National Day of Prayer Task Force, Karen Boelter and Ruth Jorritsma, and hear about their plans for next year’s National Day of Prayer in our state."

The International Joint Commission is a binational organization established by the United States and Canada to help prevent and resolve disputes over shared waters along their border. The role of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict involves oversight of policies related to special operations forces within the Department of Defense.

Senator Kevin Cramer's engagement with these individuals reflects ongoing legislative interest in both international water management issues relevant to North Dakota and national defense matters concerning special operations capabilities.