ND North News

After more than a month of gridlock, the U.S. Senate voted 60 to 40 to end what has become the longest government shutdown in American history. The measure will extend current funding through January 2026 and now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

The appropriations package advanced with support from eight Senate Democrats who joined Republicans. It covers three Fiscal Year 2026 bills related to military construction, veterans’ affairs, agriculture, rural development, food safety, technology infrastructure, and national security programs.

Key elements of the bill include funding for veterans’ medical care, investments in rural infrastructure and housing, business development initiatives, and support for approximately 300 military construction projects nationwide. The legislation also prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from purchasing technology equipment made by certain Chinese companies influenced by the Chinese Communist Party and restricts foreign adversaries from buying American farmland.

Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) highlighted several aspects important to North Dakota: “The passage of this package is big, it’s a win for our veterans, law enforcement officers, farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers, as well as every American across the nation. It’s really important because not only does it reopen the government, which is the fundamental point, but it pays the people who’ve earned their pay and it keeps vital programs running, all while delivering some key wins for North Dakota which afterall is my first priority. It provides funding for the Jamestown Armory and ensures North Dakota is not neglected when we pursue certain suicide prevention grants for veterans. The bill supports North Dakota’s farmers and ranchers through programmatic funding increases by prohibiting the closure of FSA county offices, which we know are critical to servicing our farmers and ranchers every day. This vote really reflects the Senate’s commitment to those who serve, those who produce, and keep our nation strong. I hope the House will act swiftly to get this across the finish line and reopen the government by mid-week.”

For military construction and veterans’ affairs specifically, funds are allocated toward designing an armory for the North Dakota Army National Guard in Jamestown as well as supporting services that reach every county in North Dakota through regional Community Action Agencies. Senator Cramer noted his ongoing efforts on mental health care access for veterans; earlier this year he co-introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding suicide prevention grants like SSG Fox SPGP in states such as North Dakota.

The bill continues support for housing and facilities used by U.S. military personnel and their families while increasing funding for health care benefits including disability compensation programs and education benefits.

On agriculture issues, funds are directed toward securing food supply chains; supporting farm loans; maintaining Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices; aiding disease prevention among crops and livestock; assisting with domestic marketing of agricultural products; supporting state meat inspection programs; helping ranchers comply with electronic identification requirements; expanding rural broadband access; backing agricultural research initiatives through agencies such as ARS or NIFA; protecting U.S. agricultural innovation leadership globally; ensuring foreign investment reviews protect food supply chains; boosting food safety inspections at both federal and state levels; restricting unregulated sales of intoxicating hemp-based products while preserving non-intoxicating CBD items.

Food assistance continues via established federal nutrition programs targeting seniors as well as mothers with young children.

The legislative branch portion includes provisions enabling mutual-aid reimbursements for Capitol Police operations along with resources dedicated to maintenance needs within Capitol buildings overseen by agencies like Architect of the Capitol or Library of Congress.