News Releases
Hoeven Pushes on Senate Floor to Pass Tax Increase Prevention Act, Including Extension of Section 179
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven Monday spoke on the Senate floor to press for a vote on the Tax Increase Prevention Act, legislation that will extend through the end of 2014, certain tax credits and deductions that expired either at the end of calendar year 2013 or during 2014. Of particular importance to North Dakota, the measure extends Section 179, a part of the tax code that allows farmers, ranchers and other small businesses to expense the purchase of equipment they need to run their oper… Continue Reading
12.16.14
Hoeven Statement on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's Plan to Make Keystone XL First Order of Business in New Congress
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the plan to make Hoeven's Keystone XL approval legislation the first order of business in the 114th Congress: "Leader McConnell announced today that my Keystone XL approval bill will be the first order of business in the new Congress. He has also indicated that we will take it up in regular order, with an open amendment process and debate on the floor of the U.S. Senate. By going to regular order and allowing a… Continue Reading
12.15.14
Hoeven Announces $310,000 in Economic Development Grants for North Dakota
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding grants totaling $310,000 to help support economic development in North Dakota communities. The grants will be used to implement comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) plans to bring together public and private sectors to strengthen and diversify regional economies. "These grants will help to develop and diversify the economies of communities across North Dakota," said… Continue Reading
12.13.14
Hoeven Statement on NDSU Bison's Win in Today's Quarterfinal Game
FARGO, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the North Dakota State University Bison win over Coastal Carolina in today's quarterfinal game of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. The final score was 39 to 32. "Once again, the Bison demonstrated their resilience and talent on the field. The Chanticleers played a lively game, leading right into the fourth quarter, but the Bison defense held them and our offense came back with a long, exciting touchdown … Continue Reading
12.13.14
Hoeven: Congress Passes Omnibus Appropriations Legislation for 2015
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Senate and House have passed an omnibus appropriations bill, a bipartisan measure that will fund the U.S. federal government through September of 2015. The House of Representatives passed the measure by a vote of 219 to 206, with 162 Republicans and 57 Democrats voting for the bill. The Senate vote was 54 to 40. "It's important that we passed this bill to keep the government f… Continue Reading
12.12.14
Hoeven: Congress Passes Defense Authorization Legislation
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that Congress has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes important provisions to benefit North Dakota and bolster the nation's defense. "We worked to ensure that the defense authorization legislation supports the nuclear missions at Minot Air Force Base, the Global Hawk missions at Grand Forks and other North Dakota priorities," said Hoeven. "The bill provides our military with the resources and tools they need to … Continue Reading
12.12.14
Hoeven: Congress Passes Legislation to Improve Permitting Process for Energy Development, Grazing on Federal Lands
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that Congress has passed provisions to improve the federal permitting process for oil and gas wells and grazing on federal lands. The provisions approved today include the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Processing Improvement Act, legislation cosponsored by the senator that makes permanent the BLM's pilot permitting office in Sydney, Montana. This bill builds on Hoeven's BLM Streamlining Act, which made it possible for that BLM office to process … Continue Reading
12.06.14
Hoeven Welcomes Home 2-285th Aviation Regiment at Freedom Salute
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today welcomed home the C Company, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment of the North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) at a Freedom Salute in Bismarck. The unit of 36 soldiers recently returned from a one-year deployment to Kosovo. "We have much to be thankful for during this holiday season and today we are reminded once again that the blessings we enjoy in this country are preserved by brave soldiers like those of the 2-285th," said Hoeven. "We are grateful … Continue Reading
12.05.14
Hoeven Presses NRCS Chief to Work with Producers for Local Solutions to Conservation, Flooding Issues
WASHINGTON - At a hearing of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator John Hoeven this week urged Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Jason Weller to work closely with producers in North Dakota and across the country to dispel uncertainty and find solutions for issues created by Waters of the U.S., conservation compliance in the new farm bill and measures to help protect against flooding. The senator invited Weller to North Dakota to meet with producers directly to address thes… Continue Reading
12.05.14
Hoeven Presses FERC Nominee to Build Energy Infrastructure, Ensure Efficient and Fair Application Process
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven this week pressed Collette D. Honorable, a nominee to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to help build the nation's energy infrastructure, including expediting the citing of transmission lines. Hoeven also pressed Honorable to help expedite the export applications for liquefied natural gas (LNG). "We can become energy secure in the United States, but we need to invest in the necessary energy infrastructure to do so," said Hoeven. "W… Continue Reading
12.03.14
Hoeven's Minot Field Office Relocates to Federal Building
MINOT, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today announced that his Minot field office has relocated to the Judge Bruce Van Sickle Federal Building, 100 1st Street SW, Suite 107. The new office will open Friday, December 5. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, with Sally Johnson, a Minot native, serving as the regional director. "We look forward to continuing to serve the people of the Minot region from our new location in the federal building," said Hoeven. "Our regional offices p… Continue Reading
12.03.14
Hoeven Statement on the Death of Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement upon news that Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker died Tuesday evening. The mayor had been fighting kidney cancer: "Denny Walaker truly loved Fargo and the people of Fargo. As mayor, he presided over one of the greatest periods of growth in the city's history, and his relentless fights against flooding have become a permanent part of his legacy. "Mikey and I visited Denny in September following his treatment for kidney cancer. A… Continue Reading
12.03.14
Hoeven Announces More Than $450,000 in Grants for NDSU, NDDOH
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is awarding nearly $435,000 to North Dakota State University (NDSU) in mental health research grant funding. The funds are made available through the HHS National Institute of Mental Health and will support research on information retention and memory. In addition, the North Dakota State Department of Health was awarded $25,000 to develop a State Systems Development Initiative (SSDI) G… Continue Reading
12.02.14
Hoeven Announces OPM Approves Pay Increases for Federal Workers at Minot Air Force Base
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has approved a Department of Defense request for special rate increase for federal civilian workers at the Minot Air Force Base (MAFB). The action will increase the pay of base laborers, custodians, maintenance mechanics, cooks and other food service employees. Hoeven has been pushing OPM to address cost-of-living challenges faced by federal workers at the base and in western North Dakota owing to e… Continue Reading
12.02.14
Hoeven, Heitkamp Call on FEMA to Approve Fargo Basement Exception
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp today called on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate to approve the City of Fargo's application for the basement exception in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The city has been granted the basement exception since 1975. FEMA, however, has redrawn the floodplain following recent flood fights, and the new map will go into effect on January 15, 2015. Consequently, the city must reapply for the excep… Continue Reading
11.26.14
Hoeven Donates 165 Books to New Liberty Elementary School in Bismarck
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today visited Liberty Elementary School in Bismarck to donate 165 books for the new school's library. The senator presented the books, which include both new and classic titles in a range of reading levels, and read to the students at an assembly. Hoeven's office secured the books through the Surplus Books Program of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. "We hope these books help fill the shelves of Liberty Elementary School's library and instill a l… Continue Reading
11.25.14
Hoeven Presents Military Medals to North Dakota WWII, Gulf War Veterans
MINOT, N.D. - At a medal presentation ceremony in Minot today, Senator John Hoeven presented military service medals to Gulf War veteran James J. Capps, World War II veteran Loren G. Fenner and the family of World War II veteran Herbert A. Skeldum. Hoeven's office has been working to secure the medals earned by the veterans during their military service. "At this time of Thanksgiving, we are especially grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and the men and women who have sacrificed so much to pre… Continue Reading
11.25.14
Hoeven Honors Ward County Couple for Adoption Work
MINOT, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today recognized Rod and Tracey Belzer as Angels in Adoption at a ceremony held in Minot to honor their outstanding commitment to adoption. Hoeven selected the Belzers to receive the national Angels in Adoption award after considering a pool of inspiring candidates. "Rod and Tracey Belzer exemplify the powerful and positive impact individuals can have on the lives of North Dakota foster children," said Hoeven. "During their 26-year marriage, the Belzer family… Continue Reading
11.25.14
Hoeven Celebrates Manvel Elementary School's Designation as National Blue Ribbon School
MANVEL, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today congratulated the students, educators and families of Manvel Elementary School on their designation as a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School Award Winner. "The designation as a National Blue Ribbon School is a high honor that is only given to the nation's best schools," said Hoeven. "The Manvel School community should be extremely proud of their work to receive this designation, which comes as a result of dedicated efforts from students, educators and fam… Continue Reading
11.25.14
Hoeven Calls on FAA to Expedite UAS Test Flight Approvals
BISMARCK, N.D. - In a letter sent last week to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) head Michael Huerta, Senator John Hoeven said the nation's six designated Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) test sites could be doing more to integrate UAS into the National Air Space. The senator called on the administrator to expedite approvals to test UAS flights in concurrent air space and take other steps to more fully utilize the sites' specialized capabilities. Hoeven also asked Huerta to meet with him to … Continue Reading
