Audio: Kevin Cramer Says He’d Serve in Trump Administration if Asked, Confirms McConnell Meeting

Congressman Kevin Cramer was on my radio show today (subscribe to the podcast) and confirmed for what I believe is the first time that, if asked by the President-elect, he would serve in the Trump administration.

“Kris and I after praying about it decided the best course of action was to place it in [Trump’s] hands,” Cramer told me, referring to his wife. He added that he’s serve in whatever capacity Trump deemed best.

Cramer also confirmed a meeting between himself and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell about possibly running for the U.S. Senate if Heidi Heitkamp is appointed by Trump.

“Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell met with North Dakota Rep. Kevin Cramer this week to discuss a potential open Senate seat,” Politico reported earlier today. “The Tuesday meeting at the National Republican Senatorial Committee offices comes as President-elect Trump is considering Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.) for a Cabinet position, possibly at the Energy Department or the Agriculture Department.”

Cramer said McConnell asked him if he’d commit to running for the Senate if Heitkamp vacates the seat, but Cramer said he wouldn’t.

“I don’t need to commit to a Senate race early,” he said, citing the fact that he’s already elected to an at-large seat in Congress.

Cramer also told me that he discussed the Dakota Access Pipeline situation during his recent meeting with President-elect Trump.

“The first question he asked was why didn’t the tribe come to consultations,” Cramer told me.

He also said that while Trump supports the pipeline he’ll need some time to review the situation to figure out what can be done about it once he takes office. “We have to get clear what the legal opportunities are,” he said, adding that he was told by a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers official that they felt the existing draft easement for the pipeline could be acted on immediately by Trump once he takes office.

Here’s the full audio:

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