News Releases
Hoeven Announces Nearly $1.8 Million for Williston Airport
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded an almost $1.8 million grant to rehabilitate the taxiway at Williston's Sloulin Field International Airport. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven has been working to invest in infrastructure and other services to meet the needs of North Dakota's growing population. "Our state is now the fastest growing state in the nation, and while that growth brings tremendous … Continue Reading
06.05.14
Hoeven: Committee Approves FY15 Transportation Appropriation Bill with Important UAS Test Site Provisions
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the committee has passed funding legislation that includes important provisions to support unmanned aerial systems (UAS) integration at Grand Forks and test sites across the nation. In addition to funding, the bill includes Hoeven-introduced language to spur activities at the Grand Forks test site. "Integrating UAS into our national airspace is a tremendous opportunity for our nation… Continue Reading
06.05.14
Hoeven Supports Legislation to Reauthorize BLM Permitting Program
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, today announced that he is cosponsoring the Bureau of Land (BLM) Management Permit Processing Improvement Act. The legislation, introduced by Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), will continue the support of BLM Pilot Offices located in oil and gas producing states to expedite permitting for oil wells on public land. The senators' bill also provides the Secretary of the Interior with flexibility… Continue Reading
06.05.14
Hoeven Announces Continuous Conservation Reserve Program, Transition Incentives Program Sign-Up Starting June 9
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the sign-up periods for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Transition Incentives Program (TIP) will begin on Monday, June 9. Continuous CRP, a voluntary conservation program, operates through a number of initiatives, including the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program, which allows producers to create habitat that is beneficial for wildlife, and is targeted to hig… Continue Reading
06.04.14
Hoeven Working to Improve Rail Safety for Crude Oil Shipments
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, said he is working with colleagues on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee (T-HUD) to improve the safety of transporting crude oil by rail. The senator said the T-HUD appropriations bill includes a number of measures to reduce the risk of accidents and to mitigate the impact of fire and explosion when they do occur. It also includes a provision requiring a date certain for new rul… Continue Reading
06.04.14
Hoeven Cosponsoring Legislation to Address Problems at Veterans Administration
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven is cosponsoring two key pieces of legislation to address problems at the U.S. Veterans Administration (VA). The first measure, led by Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), is the Veterans Choice Act, which will give veterans more choice and flexibility while reforming the Veterans Health Care system with greater accountability and transparency. The legislation will help to address long wait times or long drives for veterans who need health care services by enabling them… Continue Reading
06.02.14
Hoeven Statement on the EPA's New Rules for Existing Power Plants
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) release of new proposed carbon dioxide regulations for existing coal-based power plants. "The EPA's new rules for existing power plants will do little to reduce carbon emissions, but will reduce jobs, hinder our economy and increase the cost of everything, from food to heat and consumer products for American families and businesses. In the first quarter of this year, the… Continue Reading
05.30.14
Hoeven Hosts Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell for Grazing Associations Roundtable
DICKINSON, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today hosted a meeting for grazing association leaders and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell to press for third party mediation to resolve disputes and more consideration of current research, including research conducted by state universities, in deciding management practices for ranchers on the Little Missouri National Grasslands. Also joining Hoeven at the meeting were Senator Heidi Heitkamp, Congressman Kevin Cramer, N.D. Agr… Continue Reading
05.29.14
Hoeven Holds Forum on Veterans Health Care, Gets Briefing on Fargo VA System Report
FARGO, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today held a forum in Fargo to review the results of a recent evaluation of the Fargo Veterans Medical Center. The event featured a presentation by Veterans Affairs Health Care System Director Lavonne Liversage on a recent evaluation of the facility's electronic wait list and wait times. Today's event was widely attended by regional veterans' organizations, county service officers from across North Dakota and state veterans officials. The senator said four ar… Continue Reading
05.29.14
Hoeven: Air Force Secretary Announces Move to Strengthen ICBM Force
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today commended a move by Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III to continue efforts to improve the Air Force's nuclear mission and increase support to the men and women who operate, maintain and support the nation's intercontinental ballistic missile force, including those at Minot Air Force Base. Secretary James has also recommended to the secretary of defense elevating the Global Strike Command leadership to a four-sta… Continue Reading
05.28.14
Hoeven Announces Additional Flood Protection Infrastructure Funding
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a more than $1.5 million grant to fund improvements to Cass County's Lake Shure Bridge to reduce flood-related damages. "We have been working to develop a comprehensive approach to flood protection for the entire Red River Valley, including flood protection infrastructure," Hoeven said. "This new FEMA grant to improve Cass County's Lake Sh… Continue Reading
05.27.14
Hoeven: USDA Designates Prairie Grasslands, Including Red River Valley, A Critical Conservation Area
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated the Prairie Grasslands, which includes the Red River Valley, a critical conservation area under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Hoeven worked as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and conferee on the 2014 farm bill conference committee to create the RCPP program. The designation will make resources available for upstream flood protection efforts in the Red R… Continue Reading
05.23.14
Senator Hoeven Observes Memorial Day in Fargo this Monday
FARGO, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today issued his public schedule for Monday, May 26, as well as the following statement in observance of Memorial Day: "It is fitting and right that our country sets aside a special day to remember and honor all of the brave military men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. In ceremonies held each Memorial Day in small towns and big cities across North Dakota and across the country we show our respect and admiration by lay… Continue Reading
05.22.14
Hoeven: Congress Passes WRRDA, Includes Fargo-Moorhead Flood Protection, Hoeven Language Blocking Fees for Missouri River Water
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that Congress has passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). The measure includes two top priorities for North Dakota that Hoeven worked to include: authorization for permanent flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead and legislation Hoeven authored blocking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from charging residents, tribes, farmers, ranchers and businesses for Missouri River reservoir water. The measure passed the Senate 91 to 7 and … Continue Reading
05.20.14
Hoeven: Appropriations Committee Supports Acre-for-Acre Mitigation, Water Management, Strong Ag Research
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the committee has approved the Fiscal Year 15 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The senator also served on the Senate-House Conference Committee that negotiated the final version of the new five-year farm bill. "We have worked hard on the committee to include strong water management and flood protection measures like t… Continue Reading
05.20.14
Hoeven: Senate Expected to Take Up WRRDA Bill on Thursday
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today commended the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Water Resources Reform Development Act (WRRDA), which includes two top priorities for North Dakota: authorization for permanent flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead and legislation Hoeven authored barring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from charging residents, tribes, farmers and businesses for Missouri River reservoir water. Hoeven said the Senate is now expected to take up the WRRDA bill on Thur… Continue Reading
05.20.14
Hoeven Works Through Appropriations Committee to Address Veterans' Health Care Concerns
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, on which he serves, has worked to address serious concerns at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the Fiscal Year 2015 appropriation bill. That includes measures to allow veterans to access health-care services in their local communities and investigating the ongoing backlog in VA health-care claims. The bill was approved today by the subcommittee and now goes to the full c… Continue Reading
05.20.14
Hoeven Works Through Appropriations Committee to Secure $10.8 Million in Funding for Regional ND National Guard Facility
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, on which he serves, has approved $10.8 million in the Fiscal Year 2015 appropriation bill to replace an outdated North Dakota National Guard regional facility in Valley City. The bill was approved today by the subcommittee and now goes to the full committee and then the full Senate for final approval. "This new facility is an important piece of infrastructure for ou… Continue Reading
05.19.14
Hoeven, Hess Corp. Officials Celebrate Completion of Tioga Gas Plant Expansion
TIOGA, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven and a host of industry and government officials today gathered to celebrate the Hess Corporation's recently completed expansion of its Tioga Gas Plant, which more than doubles the operational capacity of the facility. The senator pressed the U.S. State Department last year to grant a cross-border permit for the Vantage Pipeline, which will carry ethane from Hess's Tioga Gas Plant to a petrochemical complex in Alberta, Canada, about 430 miles away. The $300 mill… Continue Reading
05.16.14
Hoeven Again Meets with Canadian Foreign Minister, Ambassador to Continue Effort to Approve Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven this week met with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird and Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer to continue the effort to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. The Canadian leaders were in Washington this week to muster the votes necessary to approve the project congressionally. Hoeven this week rallied all 45 Republicans and 12 Democrats to support his legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline project congressionally, which leaves the measure three votes shy of t… Continue Reading
