News Releases
Delegation Presses President to Approve North Dakota Governor's Disaster Declaration Request
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp, and Representative Kevin Cramer today pressed President Barack Obama to approve Governor Jack Dalrymple request for a major disaster declaration for 16 counties and the Spirit Lake Nation due to spring flooding. "The combination of a heavy snowpack, very late snowmelt and other factors led to overflowing rivers and extensive overland flooding," the delegation wrote. "Rapidly rising temperatures accelerated the pace of the late snowmelt, whic… Continue Reading
05.23.13
Senator Hoeven Presses for a States-First Approach to Energy Regulation
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today called for a states-first approach to the regulation of hydraulic fracturing and energy production. Hoeven made the statements during a roundtable of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources comprised of representatives from the energy industry and environmental groups. He also called on Congress, industry and various interest groups to work together to address the nation's energy needs using all of the nation's energy resources. "I really… Continue Reading
05.22.13
ND, Minnesota Delegations, ND Governor: WRDA Legislation Key for Permanent Flood Control in Red River Valley
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven, Heidi Heitkamp and Amy Klobuchar and Congressmen Kevin Cramer, Collin Peterson and Governor Jack Dalrymple met with Fargo and Cass County leaders to strategize efforts to secure permanent flood control in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Also, attending the meeting were Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker, chairman of the Flood Diversion Authority Board Darrel Vanyo, Fargo City Administrator Pat Zavoral, Cass County Commissioner Grant Weyland, Cass County Administrator Keith Be… Continue Reading
05.22.13
Delegation and Governor Pledge Continued Support for Tanker Mission at Grand Forks
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp, Congressman Kevin Cramer and Governor Jack Dalrymple today said they will continue to work to obtain a tanker mission at the Grand Forks Air Force Base, notwithstanding today's Air Force announcement that Grand Forks was not selected as the first main operating base for the new KC-46 Tanker mission. In a statement released late this morning, the Air Force announced that the first KC-46 active duty unit will be located at McConnell Air Force … Continue Reading
05.22.13
Hoeven: U.S. Senate Defeats Anti-Sugar Amendment to Farm Bill
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Senate has defeated an amendment that would have undermined the sugar program in the Farm Bill. The amendment proposed to eliminate provisions in the Commodity Title of the bill that level the playing field for American producers. Hoeven said the U.S. sugar industry today supports 142,000 jobs in 22 states, which compete successfully with foreign industries around the world that are heavily subsidized by their governments. "Retaini… Continue Reading
05.22.13
Senators Hoeven, Manchin Introduce Legislation to Implement All-of-the-Above Approach for Energy Efficiency in Federal Buildings
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) today introduced The All-Of-The-Above Federal Building Energy Conservation Act of 2013, legislation that would improve the energy efficiency of federal buildings. "Our legislation takes a common-sense, all-of-the-above approach to the issue of federal energy efficiency," Hoeven said. "Instead of prohibiting the use of fossil fuels in new federal buildings, we should rely on all of our available energy resources. By encouraging the … Continue Reading
05.21.13
Hoeven: No-Cost Sugar Program Cost-Effective and Fair, Serves the American People
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today spoke on the Senate floor in support of the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013, stressing the importance of continuing the no-cost sugar program, which the senator said is cost-effective and fair, and should be retained in the Commodity Title of the Farm Bill. The Sugar Program is cost-effective and fair The senator's remarks on sugar were prompted by recent suggestions that the sugar program be removed from the Commodity Title, despite the fa… Continue Reading
05.20.13
Hoeven Honors Soldiers, Families at Freedom Salute Ceremony
WILLISTON, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today joined the community to honor members of the North Dakota Army National Guard's 818th Engineering Company (Sapper) who recently returned home following an almost year-long deployment to Afghanistan. Hoeven paid tribute to the soldiers and their families for their service and honored Sgt. 1st Class Darren Linde and Spc. Tyler Orgaard who were killed in action and Spc. Ian Placek who was wounded in the same attack. "The 818th Engineering Company has sho… Continue Reading
05.16.13
Hoeven: Senate Confirms Moniz as Energy Secretary
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the United States Senate confirmed Ernest Moniz to be U.S. Secretary of Energy. Hoeven, who is a member of the Senate Energy Committee, has pressed Moniz to support a states-first approach to hydraulic fracturing and to work with him to develop a comprehensive energy plan for the nation similar to Empower ND. As governor for ten years, Senator Hoeven worked to develop Empower ND, the state's first comprehensive energy plan, which continues to… Continue Reading
05.16.13
Hoeven Statement in Response to the Interior Department's New Draft Rule on Energy Development on Federal and Tribal Lands
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the new draft federal rule on hydraulic fracturing published by the U.S. Department of the Interior: "America needs a practical, forward-looking, all-of-the-above energy plan that will help us to develop more energy with better environmental stewardship and lead us to the long-elusive goal of North American energy security. The way to achieve that goal, however, is not to add a new layer of regulation and bur… Continue Reading
05.15.13
Hoeven Statement on Peace Officers Memorial Day
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in commemoration of Peace Officers Memorial Day: "Today, I wish to join the many Americans from across our country who are pausing to observe Peace Officers Memorial Day and remember the fallen officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while upholding justice and protecting our communities. These brave men and women represent the very best of our nation, and it is fitting and right that we should set aside a day to rememb… Continue Reading
05.15.13
Senators' Bipartisan Amendment to Block Proposed Corps Missouri River Surplus Water Fees Passes Senate
WASHINGTON - The States' Water Rights Act, an amendment sponsored by Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.), and cosponsored by Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.), today passed in the U.S. Senate. The measure blocks the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from charging residents and businesses a surplus water fee for access to Missouri River reservoirs. The legislation was adopted into the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which passed i… Continue Reading
05.15.13
Hoeven: Full Senate Passes WRDA Bill with Authorization for Fargo-Moorhead Permanent Flood Protection
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Senate has passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which includes authorization for permanent flood protection in the Red River Valley and legislation barring the Army Corps of Engineers from charging residents and businesses for Missouri River reservoir water. "The WRDA bill successfully addresses two important priorities for North Dakota, one in the east and one in the west," Hoeven said. "With authorization for permane… Continue Reading
05.14.13
Hoeven: U.S. Senate Ag Committee Passes Farm Bill
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee has passed the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013, which saves more than $24 billion for deficit reduction, streamlines farm programs and ensures that farmers and ranchers continue to have strong support through enhanced crop insurance. The measure will now go to the floor for consideration by the full Senate. "While we clearly have more work to do, today's committee vote takes us a large ste… Continue Reading
05.13.13
Hoeven: Bobcat's $20 Million Expansion in Bismarck Will Spur Innovation and Job Growth for North Dakota
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today marked the continued expansion of North Dakota's economy while helping to break ground on the new $20 million Bobcat Company Acceleration Center located at the company's existing Bismarck-based Northern Plains Commerce Centre (NPCC) facility. The expansion of the NPCC site, coupled with additional renovation projects, will boost Bobcat's product design and testing capabilities, while initially enabling 135 salaried employees to work from the facility. … Continue Reading
05.10.13
Hoeven To USDA Secretary: Support Sensible School Lunch Act
WASHINGTON - At a hearing this week of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator John Hoeven pressed U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to support the Sensible School Lunch Act, legislation he introduced to provide schools with permanent flexibility to meet students' nutritional needs. "We'd like to work with you to ensure that our school lunch programs are working for our schools and our students," Hoeven told Vilsack. "Senator Pryor and I introduced the Sensible School… Continue Reading
05.10.13
Hoeven Presses USDA Secretary for Enhanced Crop Insurance, Workable Prevented Plant Rules
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven this week pressed U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack for strong crop insurance programs and a commitment to make the prevented plant program work for producers. Hoeven questioned Vilsack at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Related Agencies. "Agriculture is stepping up and providing budget savings, so it will be very important that crop insurance is there for our producers in… Continue Reading
05.09.13
Delegation: FAA Agrees to Maintain Midnight Shift for Fargo Air Traffic Control Tower
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp and Congressman Kevin Cramer today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will continue 24-hour operation of the air traffic control tower (ATC) at Hector International Airport. The Fargo facility was on a national list of airports scheduled for a possible reduction in hours of service. Following calls to the FAA, the delegation yesterday followed up with a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta telling him that the legi… Continue Reading
05.09.13
Hoeven Pushes Authorization for Flood Protection Project on Senate Floor
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven Wednesday spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate to push support for the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which includes congressional authorization of the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion project. The senator made a strong case that the cost of building permanent flood protection for the Red River Valley is far more cost-effective than mounting an annual flood fight, and especially, losing a flood fight. He noted that the 2009 flood fight in Fargo - a successful … Continue Reading
05.09.13
Hoeven Expresses Support for Corn Growers New Venture
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today expressed his support for a new $1.5 billion fertilizer plant being planned by the North Dakota Corn Growers and their partners. He said the planned new facility, Northern Plains Hydrogen, will convert natural gas into anhydrous ammonia, which he said is particularly beneficial because it will provide two important benefits to North Dakota. "This new facility would provide farmers throughout the region with supplies of nitrogen fertilizer, and at the same … Continue Reading
