News Releases
Hoeven to Host U.S. Forestry Chief Tidwell in N.D.
WASHINGTON- Senator John Hoeven today announced that U.S. Forestry Chief Tom Tidwell will visit North Dakota at the senator's invitation to meet with North Dakota's grazing associations and individual ranchers to discuss management practices for grazing and ranching on the Little Missouri National Grasslands, and specifically, using third party mediation when deciding management practices for grazing. The senator invited Tidwell to address controlled burns on grasslands, the North Billings Allo… Continue Reading
05.13.14
Hoeven: Committee Reaches Deal on WRDA Bill, Includes Authorization for Fargo-Moorhead Flood Protection
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Senate-House joint conference committee has come to an agreement on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), and the measure includes two top priorities for North Dakota: authorization for permanent flood protection in the Red River Valley and legislation Hoeven authored barring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from charging residents and businesses for Missouri River reservoir water. Hoeven said the final version of the bill is … Continue Reading
05.13.14
Hoeven Announces United Airlines to Add New Air Service Between Williston and Houston
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that United Airlines will add daily United Express service from Williston to Houston beginning August 19 with one daily roundtrip on a 50-seat regional jet. United's passenger boardings have increased sharply owing to western North Dakota's rapidly growing economy and population. United began Williston service to Denver in November 2012 with three daily roundtrip flights and added a fourth roundtrip flight in November 2013. "We've worked closely… Continue Reading
05.12.14
Hoeven Announces USDA Funding for Central Power
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has allocated more than $29 million in a loan guarantee to Central Power Electric Cooperative, Inc. to improve rural electric service for North Dakotans. "As North Dakota's economy and population continue to grow, it has become increasingly important to continue developing the state's electrical infrastructure to ensure that our citizens, especially those living in more rural areas, have the electric… Continue Reading
05.12.14
Hoeven Statement on Senator Reid's Procedural Vote This Evening on the Energy Efficiency Bill
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after Senator Harry Reid's procedural vote this evening to block amendments to the energy efficiency bill: "The vote Senator Harry Reid held evening was not a vote for energy efficiency, but a procedural vote to block any and all amendments to the Senate energy efficiency bill. That includes the Keystone XL approval measure I introduced with bipartisan support from 55 cosponsors. "Also blocked was an amendment I cosponso… Continue Reading
05.09.14
Hoeven: FEMA to Bill Flood Insurance Premiums at Pre-Biggert-Waters Rates
WASHINGTON - Following a meeting this week with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Associate Manager Dave Miller, Senator John Hoeven said the agency will bill flood insurance premiums this year at pre-Biggert-Waters rates until it can fully implement the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014, which Hoeven cosponsored and pushed to pass. The new legislation, which passed in March, was required to prevent FEMA from imposing steep rate hikes it said were necessary to meet … Continue Reading
05.09.14
Hoeven, Western Caucuses Urge EPA to Halt "Waters of the U.S." Rule
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven has joined Senate Western Caucus Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), House Western Caucus co-chairs Steve Pearce (R-N.M.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and 43 additional Western Caucus Members in sending a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy urging the EPA to stop moving forward with their controversial "Waters of the U.S." (WOTUS) rule. The controversial WOTUS rule would significantly expand federal regulatory authority under … Continue Reading
05.08.14
Hoeven Working to Ensure Nation's Nuclear Deterrent, Support MAFB Missions
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven this week met with Maj. Gen. Jack Weinstein, Commander, 20th Air Force, Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) to discuss the future of America's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force. Hoeven asked the general for an update on ICBM modernization efforts, the implementation of New START and the new structure of the nation's nuclear force, as well as specific issues facing Minot Air Force Base (MAFB). "The men and women at Minot Air Force Base are per… Continue Reading
05.07.14
Hoeven Invites U.S. Agriculture Secretary to North Dakota to Gather Input on Farm Bill Implementation
WASHINGTON - At an Agriculture Committee meeting today Senator John Hoeven invited U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to North Dakota to gather input from farmers and ranchers on implementation of the new farm bill and other agriculture issues important to North Dakota producers. "The secretary needs to hear firsthand from farmers and ranchers during the new farm bill's implementation process to get their input," Hoeven said. "He also needs to hear their concerns about conservation compli… Continue Reading
05.07.14
Hoeven Meets with Statoil CEO Helge Lund
WASHINGTON - In his ongoing effort to build energy infrastructure and reduce natural gas flaring, Senator John Hoeven Tuesday met in Washington with Statoil CEO Helge Lund and other senior executives. The senator said Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) exports from the United States' growing production could help to reduce flaring and be marketed to Europe to help our allies reduce their reliance on Russian LNG. Statoil is making major investments in North America, including North Dakota, Alaska and th… Continue Reading
05.06.14
Hoeven Statement on NDNG's 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Returning Home to North Dakota
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement as the North Dakota Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery regiment returns home to North Dakota following a yearlong deployment to Washington, D.C. in support of Operation Noble Eagle. The Grand Forks based unit served as part of the integrated air defense system designed to protect the airspace around the National Capitol Region, focusing on Avenger Air Defense System, Sentinel radar, National Advan… Continue Reading
05.05.14
Hoeven: USDA Accepting Applications to Help Rural Businesses, Farmers and Ranchers Cut Energy Costs
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to help rural small businesses and producers to make energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy systems. USDA plans to award up to $12.3 million in grants and $57.8 million in loan guarantees. "REAP grants and loans help rural communities and agriculture producers cut their energy costs while impr… Continue Reading
05.02.14
Hoeven Presses Indian Affairs Secretary on Child Safety
WASHINGTON - At a hearing of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee this week, Senator John Hoeven pressed Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn to do everything in the agency's power to get to the bottom the recent death of an infant on Spirit Lake reservation. Senator Hoeven asked Washburn about a recently reported infant death at the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation currently being investigated by the FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Washburn told Hoeven that the BIA is work… Continue Reading
05.02.14
Hoeven Presses Moniz to Support ND Fertilizer Plant
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today met with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Ernest Moniz to seek support in securing a more than $1 billion Advanced Fossil Energy loan guarantee for Cenex Harvest States' (CHS') innovative, new fertilizer plant in Spiritwood, North Dakota. Hoeven met with Moniz at his Washington office. "This is an innovative project that benefits our farmers, our environment and our economy," said Hoeven. "The plant will convert natural gas into anhydrous ammonia,… Continue Reading
05.01.14
Hoeven Files Updated Version of His Bipartisan Legislation to Approve Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) today filed an updated version of his legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline project under Congress's authority enumerated in the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8. Hoeven secured an opinion from the non-partisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) confirming Congress's constitutional authority to approve the project. The measure is backed by 56 Senators and Hoeven is working with Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.) … Continue Reading
05.01.14
Hoeven Cosponsors Legislation Providing Strategic U.S. Response to Russian Aggression in Europe
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today cosponsored the Russian Aggression Act, legislation introduced by ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) that would deter further Russian aggression in Ukraine and the region by providing a comprehensive strategy for the United States to address the deteriorating situation in a clear and decisive manner. Hoeven met with officials in Norway, the Baltic states and Moldova this month and met with Ukrainian officials … Continue Reading
04.25.14
Hoeven Joins Students at TGU Granville for Lunch
GRANVILLE, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today jointed students, teachers and school officials at TGU Granville to learn about the school's community garden and lunch program firsthand. The senator spoke with students about permanent changes that have been made to the school lunch program to provide schools with greater flexibility to meet individual schools' and students' needs. TGU employee Kimi Ofsthun wrote Hoeven to invite him to speak and dine with the school's students. Hoeven sponsored the… Continue Reading
04.25.14
Hoeven Honors Service of Four North Dakota Veterans
MINOT, N.D. - At a ceremony in Minot today, Senator John Hoeven honored the military service of four North Dakota veterans. The senator presented military awards to Ernest Hoelscher of Berthold, Roger Sundsbak of Velva and to the families of Minot veterans William Garrison and Clarence "Kelly" Eliason. "North Dakotans have a strong tradition of dedicated military service," said Hoeven. "These veterans and their families have made tremendous sacrifices serving our nation. Today we honor their se… Continue Reading
04.24.14
Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer Host Transportation Secretary Foxx in Casselton and West Fargo
CASSELTON, WEST FARGO, N.D. - Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp and Congressman Kevin Cramer today hosted U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx in Casselton at a community meeting with local, state and federal officials to review work on a comprehensive plan for improving rail safety. The leaders also convened a roundtable meeting in West Fargo to review North Dakota's transportation infrastructure needs. Foxx is visiting North Dakota at the delegation's request. … Continue Reading
04.23.14
Hoeven Calls on EPA to Withdraw Proposed Regulations Under "Waters of the United States"
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today again pressed his opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed "Waters of the United States" rule, which was published in the federal register Monday. Hoeven is working to get the EPA to withdraw the proposed rule that would expand the agency's authority to regulate non-navigable bodies of water under the Clean Water Act. Hoeven said he is circulating a letter in the Senate and drafting legislation to overturn the proposed rule, wh… Continue Reading