Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) announced Thursday that he is placing a hold on all future Trump administration nominees. The senator stated his decision is a response to the administration's choice to maintain a Biden-era wetlands policy rather than proceeding with proposed changes.
The policy in question, established under the Biden administration, is designed to prevent the draining of wetlands protected by conservation easements to preserve duck habitats. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), an agency within the Department of the Interior, recently decided not to move forward with revisions to these regulations.
In a statement to The Hill, Cramer expressed frustration with the administration's defense of the existing rule, which he argued comes at the expense of agricultural producers. "My farmers are furious and so am I," Cramer said, noting that agricultural producers are currently facing economic difficulties. He stated that no further nominees would be confirmed until the policy changes.
For residents of North Dakota and other agricultural regions, the immediate concern involves drain tile setbacks on land covered by conservation easements. Farmers who wish to manage water levels on their property are currently restricted by the Biden-era rule that Cramer is challenging. The senator’s action seeks to force a regulatory change that would alter how these landowners can use their property, though the specific number of affected households or the exact economic value of these land-use rights was not reported.
The use of a Senate hold sets a precedent for how individual lawmakers may use their procedural power to influence administration policy on specific regional issues. While a single senator cannot permanently block a nominee, the hold requires the Senate to dedicate additional hours to floor debate and conduct multiple votes for each individual, significantly slowing the legislative calendar. The hold remains in effect until Cramer chooses to release it or the Senate leadership moves to bypass it through these more time-consuming procedures. As of August 20, 2026, no specific date for a resolution or a vote to override the hold has been scheduled.