Senator Kevin Cramer, US Senator for North Dakota | Senator Kevin Cramer Official website
Senator Kevin Cramer, US Senator for North Dakota | Senator Kevin Cramer Official website
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted the Global Aerospace Summit, gathering industry and government leaders to discuss pivotal issues in the space and aviation sectors. This year's summit emphasized the future of flight.
U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), participated in a panel on defense modernization, announcing the formation of the bipartisan Senate Defense Modernization Caucus. The caucus aims to promote defense investments and innovative capabilities to counter foreign adversaries.
The Senate Caucus will collaborate with U.S. Representatives Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) and Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), co-chairs of the House Defense Modernization Caucus.
“The security of the United States is dependent on a modern, lethal, and nimble national defense,” said Cramer. “We can’t just keep pace with our adversaries, we must beat them. We established the Defense Modernization Caucus to spur real investment in our capabilities and foster a culture of innovation and ingenuity to meet the threats we face. I look forward to working with my co-chairs to drive the necessary modernization of the joint force.”
“Ensuring that our military remains the most capable force in the world requires more than just maintaining current capabilities—it demands constant innovation,” said Kelly. “The Senate Defense Modernization Caucus is a critical step toward adopting cutting-edge technologies needed to meet emerging threats. This bipartisan effort will help equip our servicemembers with tools and strategies they need to protect our nation and stay ahead of our adversaries.”
During their discussion, Cramer emphasized that modernization efforts include replacing outdated systems such as Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) with new Sentinel ICBMs, B-52 bomber engines, and air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM) with Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) weapons. He stressed that modernization extends beyond weapon systems to include policies for recruiting and maintaining a modern workforce.
“This caucus is an example of how without all of us, none of us can do what we need to,” said Cramer. “Together we can do twice as much, if not more. This moment and the demand for modernization being created not by us but by our adversaries makes it the perfect moment for caucuses like ours."
Cramer has been instrumental in legislative efforts supporting space-based capabilities through his position on SASC. He played a key role in establishing Space Force within the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, signed by President Donald Trump in December 2019.
In August, Cramer inaugurated the Space Development Agency Operations Center North at Grand Forks Air Force Base and toured facilities at University of North Dakota’s National Security Corridor.