Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) has announced he will place a hold on all future Trump administration nominees, protesting the administration's decision to retain a Biden-era wetlands policy that he argues hurts agricultural producers. The move, first reported by E&E News, threatens to slow the confirmation process for pending appointees as the Senate prepares to return from recess.
In a statement shared with The Hill, Cramer expressed frustration that the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has opted not to revise a rule aimed at preventing drainage of wetlands protected under conservation easements—a policy designed to safeguard duck habitats. Cramer, whose state is a major agricultural hub, said the decision undermines farmers who are already struggling economically.
“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,” Cramer said. “My farmers are furious and so am I. There won’t be another nominee confirmed until something changes.”
Holds are a procedural tool that can delay Senate consideration of nominees, requiring additional debate time and votes. While they do not automatically block confirmation, a large number of holds can significantly slow the process, as seen when Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) held up hundreds of military promotions in 2023. With the Senate currently in recess, the immediate impact is limited, but the chamber is expected to process more Trump appointees this fall while Republicans still control the majority.
The dispute centers on a policy from the Biden administration that sought to restrict how close drainage ditches can be placed to wetlands protected under FWS easements. Earlier this year, FWS announced it would solicit public input on whether to reconsider the rule’s calculations. However, the agency later announced it would not proceed with changes, stating on X that it is “dedicated to protecting both the wetland easements purchased by the FWS that are necessary to protect our conservation heritage as well as the private landowners’ use of their lands outside the easement boundaries.”
“At this time, no further action is planned as we review the information received,” the agency said. The Hill has reached out to FWS and the Interior Department for additional comment.
Cramer’s hold adds to a growing list of intra-party tensions over environmental policy, as some Republicans push for more aggressive rollback of federal regulations. The move also echoes broader debates about the balance between conservation and agricultural interests, a persistent issue in states like North Dakota where wetlands are vital for wildlife but also pose challenges for farming operations.
Political analysts note that holds can be a powerful bargaining chip, especially for senators in key states. Cramer’s stance may pressure the administration to revisit the wetlands policy, but it also risks alienating colleagues who prioritize swift confirmation of Trump’s nominees. The situation remains fluid, and the outcome could set a precedent for how the Senate handles similar disputes in the future.
