Sen. Kevin Cramer puts hold on Trump nominees, citing wetlands policy approach

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said he is placing a hold on all future President Donald Trump nominees, linking his decision to the administration’s approach to wetlands policy. In a statement shared with The Hill, Cramer said he was disappointed that the administration is leaving in place a wetlands policy adopted during the Biden administration, at least for the time being.

Cramer’s statement, directed at Senate consideration of Trump nominees, frames his hold as a response to disagreements over how the federal government regulates wetlands. The North Dakota senator did not identify specific nominees in the provided account, but he said the hold would apply broadly to future presidential nominations while the wetlands approach remains unchanged.

Wetlands policy largely falls under the authority and regulatory oversight of agencies within the executive branch, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which has been associated with implementing and interpreting wetland-related protections under federal law. Cramer said the administration’s decision to maintain what he described as a Biden-era policy direction is driving his opposition to moving Trump nominees forward.

Cramer’s action comes as Senate practice allows individual members to place holds, which can slow consideration of nominations or compel additional negotiations before leadership schedules votes. Holds are not themselves final rejections of nominees, but they can delay Senate business depending on the timing of committee review and floor scheduling.

The statement also indicates that Cramer views the wetlands policy issue as not only regulatory but consequential for how the executive branch exercises enforcement and permitting standards. He said he would not advance Trump’s nominees under the current wetlands policy approach, using his leverage in the confirmation process to press for changes.

It was not immediately clear from the reporting how long Cramer intends to maintain the hold or what specific policy changes would satisfy his concerns. The next steps would typically involve whether Senate leadership or the nominee process adjusts to address the senator’s objections, and whether the administration indicates a policy shift on wetlands that would allow confirmations to move ahead.