News Releases
Hoeven and Heitkamp Call on Defense Dept to Follow Law, Halt Environmental Study of ICBM Silos
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp today called on the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to follow federal law and halt any move to conduct an environmental study of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos at Minot Air Force Base and nationwide, which could potentially lead to the removal of the missiles and closure of the silos. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven authored the provision in the Department of Defense appropriations bill… Continue Reading
02.19.14
Hoeven, Google Lead Internet Safety Program at Wachter Middle School
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today joined Wachter Middle School students and school officials, North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and Google representatives to lead a program designed to educate students, educators and parents on ways to stay safe and secure when using the Internet. Today's Google-sponsored Online Safety Roadshow is part of the company's national online Good to Know initiative created specifically to better educate middle school … Continue Reading
02.19.14
Hoeven Statement on Today's Nebraska Court Decision Regarding Gov. Heineman's Approval of Revised Keystone XL Route
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after a Nebraska judge's ruling that the state Public Service Commission, rather than Governor Dave Heineman, has the authority to approve an alternative route through Nebraska for the Keystone XL pipeline project. "We have not yet reviewed today's court ruling, but we recognize that Nebraska has to work through its process on this very important energy project for America. We believe, however, that the environmental concer… Continue Reading
02.18.14
Hoeven Stresses States' Water Rights at Annual Rural Water Expo
FARGO, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today stressed the need to pass the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and protect states' water rights at the 28th Annual Rural Water Expo. The North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association (NDRWSA) hosted the annual event in Fargo. "Clean and abundant water for both residential and business uses is fundamental to any community, which is why the work you do across North Dakota to improve the quality of our rural water supply is so important," Hoeven said. "… Continue Reading
02.18.14
Hoeven Brings Together Local, State, Federal Officials to Build Grafton Flood Protection Plan
GRAFTON, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today led a meeting in Grafton to help advance a flood protection plan for the city. In attendance were city leaders, including Mayor Chris West and city council members, North Dakota state officials from the State Water Commission and the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, federal officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as representatives from Kadrmas, Lee and Jackson (KLJ), Moore … Continue Reading
02.18.14
Hoeven, Google Lead Internet Safety Program for Fargo Middle Schoolers
FARGO, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today joined Ben Franklin Middle School students and school officials, North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and Google representatives to lead a program designed to educate students, educators and parents on ways to stay safe and secure when using the Internet. Today's Google-sponsored Online Safety Roadshow is part of the company's national online Good to Know initiative created specifically to better educate middle schoo… Continue Reading
02.12.14
Hoeven: Senate Votes to Restore Military Retiree COLA
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today spoke on the Senate floor to rally bipartisan support to restore the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for military retirees, which was reduced in the budget agreement passed by Congress on December 18, 2013. The budget agreement reduced the retiree COLA by 1 percent until veterans reach the age of 62, at which time the adjustment would be restored. The policy was scheduled to take effect in December of 2015. The senator's speech came just ahead of the bipa… Continue Reading
02.12.14
Hoeven Statement on the Debt Ceiling
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the Senate vote to raise the U.S. debt ceiling: "I voted against the legislation to increase our debt ceiling today because it did not include savings or reforms to address the deficit and debt. The national debt has grown to $17.2 trillion, and we need to reduce it for the sake of our country today and for the well-being of future generations. "Under the Budget Control Act that Congress passed in 2011, we req… Continue Reading
02.11.14
Hoeven, Corker, GOP Senators to President: After Six Years, It's Time to Approve Keystone XL
WASHINGTON - In light of the fifth and final environmental impact statement (EIS) that cleared the way for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, Senators John Hoeven of North Dakota and Bob Corker of Tennessee today led all 45 Republican senators in writing to the President to again call for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. On January 31, the State Department released its final EIS on the Keystone XL pipeline that found the project would have no significant impact on the environment and … Continue Reading
02.11.14
Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer Work to Resolve Agriculture Shipping Delays
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp and Congressman Kevin Cramer today brought together BNSF Railway Executive Director Matt Rose and senior officials of American Crystal Sugar and Farmers Union to help resolve shipping delays for agriculture products and sugar that have occurred this winter. North Dakota agricultural producers have expressed concern that growers aren't getting timely service from the railroads serving the state to ship their products. They say under normal c… Continue Reading
02.10.14
Hoeven Arranges Meeting to Resolve Agriculture Rail Shipping Delays, Amtrak Service in N.D.
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that he will bring together senior officials of BNSF Railway, American Crystal Sugar and Farmers Union to help resolve agriculture shipping delays this winter. Hoeven also plans to address delays in AMTRAK service in North Dakota. "BNSF and our producers need to find a solution that moves sugar and other agricultural products to market in a timely fashion," Hoeven said. "We're bringing all the principals to the table to discuss measures that ca… Continue Reading
02.10.14
Hoeven Working to Advance Permanent Flood Protection for Red River Valley
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven met with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations Maj. Gen. John Peabody last week to secure funding for permanent flood protection project for the Red River Valley. The meeting today was in follow up to his recent discussions with both General Thomas Bostick, Chief of the Corps of Engineers, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Direct Sylvia Burwell regarding project funding. The senator believes the project… Continue Reading
02.07.14
Hoeven, Boozman, Pryor, Franken Lead Letter Urging President to Provide Relief During Propane Shortage
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) are leading a bipartisan coalition of senators in pushing the Obama administration to provide relief for families, farmers, and businesses who are suffering from a significant spike in propane prices this winter. The senators wrote to urge the President to provide continued regulatory relief for and assistance to those impacted by the propane shortage. "Homes, businesses, and farms de… Continue Reading
02.07.14
Hoeven: Farm Bill Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the House/Senate farm bill conference committee and the Senate Agriculture Committee, today said that the farm bill signed into law this afternoon provides North Dakota farmers and ranchers with a long-term plan and good options to manage risk with enhanced crop insurance. "The farm bill that was signed into law today is important not only for our farmers and ranchers, but for every American who benefits from the highest quality, lowest cost food su… Continue Reading
02.05.14
Hoeven Cosponsors Bipartisan Senate Sportsmen's Act to Support North Dakota Hunting, Fishing, Outdoor Recreation
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven this week joined Senators Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in introducing the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014, a comprehensive Senate sportsmen's bill that enhances opportunities for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation; improves access to federal lands and helps to boost the outdoor recreation economy. "As an avid sportsman, I understand and share my fellow North Dakotans love for traditions like hunting and fishing," said Hoeven. "Throu… Continue Reading
02.04.14
Hoeven: Congress Passes Long-Term Farm Bill
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Senate has approved the farm bill conference report, meaning Congress has passed a new five-year farm bill that will benefit producers, consumers and the nation. Now that both chambers have passed the legislation, it goes to the president's desk for signature. Hoeven serves on the Agriculture Committee and was selected by leadership to serve on the Senate-House conference committee that negotiated a final agreement on the bill, pavin… Continue Reading
02.04.14
Hoeven, Landrieu, Bipartisan, Bicameral Group of Legislators, Labor, Business, National Security Leaders Call for Approval of Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON - Following the release of the State Department's fifth and final environmental impact statement (EIS) that again determined the Keystone XL pipeline poses no significant environmental risks, Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), David Vitter (R-La.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Representatives Lee Terry (R-NE 02) and John Barrow (D-G… Continue Reading
01.31.14
Hoeven Statement on Release of the State Department's Final Environmental Review for the Keystone XL Pipeline Project
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. State Department's fifth and final Keystone XL environmental impact statement (EIS). "The U.S. State Department's final EIS released today is a step forward in that it poses no reason for President Obama to deny approval of the Keystone XL pipeline project. Although not explicit, this finding is consistent with four previous findings that affirm the need to begin construction without delay. "On th… Continue Reading
01.31.14
Hoeven, Hamm Talk Energy Independence, Crude Transportation Safety, Energy Infrastructure
WASHINGTON - At a Senate Energy Committee hearing this week, Senator John Hoeven questioned Continental Resources CEO Harold Hamm on the best ways for the federal government to help industry produce the energy necessary for our nation to become energy independent. Hamm was testifying before the committee on behalf of the oil industry. Hoeven also stressed the importance of ensuring crude oil is transported safely, and the need to build energy infrastructure, including pipelines, rails and refine… Continue Reading
01.31.14
Hoeven Holds Roundtable with North Dakota Ag Groups to Discuss Farm Bill Progress
FARGO, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today convened a roundtable with North Dakota agriculture groups to outline highlights of the five-year farm bill recently approved by the House-Senate conference committee, and passed by the House of Representatives. As a member of the conference committee, Hoeven worked to hammer out a bipartisan farm bill agreement that could attract support from both Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate. The House approved the measure on Wednesday by a vot… Continue Reading