News Releases
Hoeven Statement on Dedication of New Dakota Spirit AgEnergy Biorefinery
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to today's dedication of the Dakota Spirit AgEnergy biorefinery: "The Dakota Spirit AgEnergy biorefinery is a triple win. It's a win for jobs, a win for energy independence and a win for the environment. This innovative plant will use steam from Great River Energy's Spiritwood Station and corn from local farmers to produce ethanol, distillers grains and fuel-grade corn oil. "Back in 2007, I witnessed the beginnin… Continue Reading
07.24.15
Hoeven: Agriculture Appropriations Bill Provides Support for Expanded Ag Research
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. The annual funding bill includes expanded support for agriculture research, including at North Dakota State University. "American agriculture has managed to provide our country and the world with the highest quality, most affordable food supply in history," Hoeven said. "That is in large measure due to the remarkable research being don… Continue Reading
07.24.15
Hoeven: Department of Education Awards $200,000 to Pathfinder Services of North Dakota
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded $200,000 to Pathfinder Services of North Dakota in Minot. The award is the first portion of a five-year grant and was made through the department's Training and Information Program, which seeks to support evidence-based advising services for parents of children with disabilities. "Education is a key part of empowering our young people to unl… Continue Reading
07.23.15
Hoeven, Stabenow Introduce Voluntary COOL Legislation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today introduced the Voluntary Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) and Trade Enhancement Act of 2015. The measure is designed to prevent retaliatory trade sanctions by Canada and Mexico, yet still allow voluntary labeling of beef, pork and chicken that is produced in the United States. The Hoeven-Stabenow measure positions the U.S. to avoid retaliatory tariffs by repealing t… Continue Reading
07.22.15
Hoeven: FEMA Awards More than $330,000 to Enhance Fire Safety in North Dakota
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $337,826 to the Inkster Rural Fire Protection District and the North Dakota Firefighter's Association in Bismarck. The funding is made available through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. "As North Dakota's population continues to grow, it's important for us to ensure that… Continue Reading
07.22.15
Hoeven Announces $97,000 in Economic Development Grants for North Dakota Tribes
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and the Committee on Indian Affairs, today announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded two grants of $48,500, a total of $97,000, to help support economic development for the Spirit Lake Tribe and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. The grants will be used to implement comprehensive economic development plans bringing together the public and private sectors to stre… Continue Reading
07.22.15
Hoeven Announces More than $287,000 HUD Grant for Bismarck
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a $287,795 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to the City of Bismarck. The funds will be used to develop Bismarck by providing good housing and expanding economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals. "These grants are highly flexible, providing resources for housing, economic development, neighborhood revitalization and other community development… Continue Reading
07.21.15
Hoeven: Energy & Environmental Research Center Wins $25,000 Award in GE and Statoil Joint Competition
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, today announced that University of North Dakota's (UND) Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) has won a $25,000 award in the General Electric (GE) and Statoil joint competition for unconventional energy innovations. The EERC was one of five winners in the companies' inaugural Open Innovations Challenge focused on addressing the use of sand in unconventional operations. "Once again, the innovative work … Continue Reading
07.20.15
Hoeven Celebrates Groundbreaking for UND's New Collaborative Energy Complex
GRAND FORKS, N.D. -Senator John Hoeven today lauded the University of North Dakota's (UND) Department of Petroleum Engineering and the Institute for Energy Studies. He congratulated officials and thanked donors on the groundbreaking for the school's new 30,000 square-foot Collaborative Energy Complex (CEC), which will house the growing program. The engineering program has grown from four students in 2010 to more than 200 students enrolled this fall. The new facility will provide cutting-edge la… Continue Reading
07.17.15
Hoeven, Manchin Introduce Updated Coal Ash Recycling Legislation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today introduced bipartisan legislation that will create a states-first approach to regulating coal ash that provides both certainty for the safe and efficient recycling of coal ash and an enforceable state permit program for the disposal of coal ash. This legislation, which is companion legislation to Congressmen Shimkus and McKinley's bill in the House, builds on the senators' past efforts to find a bicameral, bipartisa… Continue Reading
07.17.15
Hoeven: Agriculture Appropriations Bill Provides Flexibility for School Meals in Sodium, Grain Requirements
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. The annual funding bill includes a provision Hoeven authored that provides schools flexibility in meeting the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) sodium and whole grain requirements under the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs. The measure still retains requirements for calories and fruits and vegetables. "The full Approp… Continue Reading
07.16.15
Hoeven Statement on Department of Interior Stream Buffer Rule
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the proposed Stream Buffer Rule, which the Department of Interior issued today: "Mining and reclamation procedures vary throughout the country. The coal and the geography are not the same in North Dakota as they are in Appalachia. That's why we continue to be concerned with the department's one-size-fits-all approach to revising the Stream Buffer Rule and believe Interior should instead work with the states. Th… Continue Reading
07.16.15
Hoeven: Senate Passes Every Child Achieves Act
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Senate has passed the Every Child Achieves Act, legislation to replace the No Child Left Behind law and rein in federal involvement in local schools. The bipartisan measure, which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, allows states to develop their own educational accountability plans. The legislation restores state control over education standards and prevents the federal government from mandating or incentivizing aca… Continue Reading
07.15.15
Hoeven Statement on Iran Nuclear Deal
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the announcement that the administration has reached a nuclear deal with Iran: "While we are still reviewing the details of the agreement, Iran's history of state sponsored terrorism and belligerence toward the United States and our allies means Congress must approach this deal with the utmost caution. Any deal with Iran has to be verifiable, enforceable and, above all, prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear wea… Continue Reading
07.15.15
Hoeven: HHS Awards North Dakota Department of Human Services Nearly $3 Million
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $2,966,492 to the North Dakota Department of Human Services to support its Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration Program. The program helps states rebalance Medicaid long-term care systems while also working to increase the use of home and community-based services, cut through red tape so people can get long-term … Continue Reading
07.14.15
Hoeven: Department of Education Awards Nearly $2.5 Million to North Dakota Universities
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded a total of $2,490,090 to Cankdeska Cikana Community College, Dakota College at Bottineau, Dickinson State University, Lake Region State College, Minot State University, North Dakota State University, the University of Mary and the University of North Dakota. This funding is part of the Department of Education's TRIO Student Support Services … Continue Reading
07.13.15
Hoeven Works to Protect Small Business Employees From Healthcare Premium Increases
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today cosponsored bipartisan legislation to protect small businesses from potential health care premium increases under the Affordable Care Act. The Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act allows states to maintain the current definition of a small group market as 1-50 employees to prevent premium increases and disruptions for small and mid-size businesses. Hoeven joins prime sponsor Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina on the legislation. "Small … Continue Reading
07.13.15
Hoeven: DOT Awards More than $355,000 to Enhance Safety at Kenmare Municipal Airport
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $355,997 to the Kenmare Municipal Airport Authority to enhance airport safety. "North Dakota's airports play a key role in our continued growth and economic development," Hoeven said. "This funding will go towards rehabilitating the Kenmare Municipal Airport's runway lighting system, replacing the airport's rotating beacon and rep… Continue Reading
07.13.15
Hoeven Congratulates North Dakota Teachers for Receiving National Award
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today congratulated Scott Johnson of Century High School and Cynthia Nelson of Grand Forks Central High School for receiving the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Training. The annual award is given to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the nation. Winners receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation and are invited to Washington for an awards ceremony. Johnson has been an educator for… Continue Reading
07.13.15
Hoeven Cosponsors Medical Liability Reform Legislation
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that he is supporting legislation to extend federal liability protections to on-call and emergency room physicians who are required to provide care under federal law. The Health Care Safety Net Enhancement Act reduces emergency health care providers' liability exposure, which would attract additional emergency room physicians and help lower health care costs. "We're working to find ways to make health care more affordable and to make meaningful m… Continue Reading
