Cramer Halts Trump Nominations Over Wetland Policy

Republican Senator Kevin Cramer from North Dakota is blocking the confirmation of future nominees from the Trump administration due to disagreements over wetland policies. Cramer’s dissatisfaction centers on the current administration maintaining a policy from the Biden era concerning wetlands, which he believes negatively impacts farmers while being overly favorable to environmental groups.

In a statement provided to The Hill, Cramer expressed his anger and the frustrations of farmers. He emphasized that no nominees would move forward until changes are made, stating, “The blind defense of a Biden rule favored by environmental extremists at the expense of farmers confounds me, particularly at a time when our ag producers are hurting so badly.” He further mentioned, “My farmers are furious and so am I. There won’t be another nominee confirmed until something changes.”

As initially reported by E&E News, these holds can significantly delay the confirmation process, necessitating prolonged debate and multiple votes for each nominee. This development follows the Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision not to alter a Biden-era regulation that protects wetlands under conservation easements, aiming to preserve duck habitats.

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter with Rachel Frazin, providing updates on policy impacts related to energy and supply chains.

Essential Reads

Updates impacting the energy and environment sectors:

• The Trump administration is lifting summertime smog limits on gasoline earlier than usual to alleviate high fuel costs.
• Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson criticized a recent National Republican Senatorial Committee memo for being “alarmist” about data centers.

What We’re Reading

Selected highlights from various sources regarding energy and environmental issues:

• The New York Times reported on the fate of protected wild horses being sent to slaughter under Trump policies.
• The Washington Post covered the fallout for a woman who lost her job after Elon Musk’s social media post, as she seeks to restore her reputation.

What Others are Reading

Currently trending stories on The Hill include:

• Senator Jon Ossoff from Georgia doubled down on his criticism of President Trump’s ties with Natalie Harp, amid criticism from the president’s circle.
• The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has reclassified the Texas and Iowa Senate races as toss-ups due to evolving political dynamics and a Republican candidate’s scandal in Texas.

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