News Releases
Delegation, Governor Announce Plan to Move Forward on Devils Lake Rail LIne Project
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Kent Conrad, Congressman Rick Berg and Governor Jack Dalrymple today announced they have a plan in place to move forward on upgrading the Amtrak-BNSF Railway near Devils Lake. Rising floodwaters in the Devils Lake basin have threatened the rail lines and bridges near Churchs Ferry, forcing Amtrak to suspend service on its Empire Builder line earlier this year. Hoeven spoke Monday with BNSF Railway CEO Matt Rose, who said construction could begin this sprin… Continue Reading
12.22.11
Hoeven: Today's Signing Important Step Toward Permanent Fargo-Moorhead Flood Protection
FARGO, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today said the approval of the Army Corps of Engineers' Chiefs Report this week is an important step in moving the Fargo-Moorhead flood protection project forward. Acting Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Major General Merdith W.B. Temple approved the report Tuesday and a ceremony marking its signing was held today at Fargo City Hall. "We clearly need permanent flood protection for the Fargo-Moorhead area, rather than an almost annual flood fight," Hoe… Continue Reading
12.22.11
Hoeven Statement on the Need to Move Forward on the Payroll Tax Cut, Unemployment Insurance, Keystone XL
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement on the need to move forward with legislation that would extend the payroll tax cuts and unemployment insurance, as well as expedite a decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline: "Like most Americans I believe Congress needs to do the people's work and pass legislation to extend both the temporary payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance, as well as expedite a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline project. That is why I voted for … Continue Reading
12.22.11
Delegation Presses U.S. Housing Secretary on the Need for Additional Federal Support for Minot
Washington - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Congressman Rick Berg again today pressed U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan for additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for those families and business owners impacted by this year's flood disaster in Minot. "The people of Minot need our help, and they need it now. The CDBG program is badly needed in Minot to ensure an effective and efficient disaster recovery," the Delegation said in a … Continue Reading
12.22.11
Hoeven: Defense Legislation Advances C-27J Mission for North Dakota Air Guard
FARGO, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today met with local, state and North Dakota National Guard leaders to outline key legislative provisions in authorization and funding bills that advance the Guard and keep plans on track for its new C-27J mission. These initiatives include: $480 million in funding for the C-27J Spartan procurement program Report language urging the Department of Defense to continue the C-27J Spartan program in FY 2013 and future budgets, and A seat for the National Guard … Continue Reading
12.21.11
Hoeven: Federal Funding for Missouri River Will Help State, Local Flood Protection Efforts
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today told a group of city, state and county leaders Congress has passed a special disaster appropriations bill that provides $1.7 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers. That includes an additional $700 million he worked to provide for management and flood mitigation efforts on the Missouri River. Hoeven said the bulk of the $700 million will be devoted to general operations, maintenance and flood control to protect against another damaging flood on the M… Continue Reading
12.21.11
Hoeven: State's Record Population Growth Affirms North Dakota's Pro-Jobs Strategy
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today said the U.S. Census Bureau's 2011 state population estimate affirms the effectiveness of North Dakota's pro-jobs strategy to build the state. The estimate shows that North Dakota has grown by 50,000 people since 2003, to a record 683,932 residents, exceeding the last population record set in 1930 when the state had 680,845 residents. "Over the past decade, we have worked on every level to build the kind of legal, tax and regulatory enviro… Continue Reading
12.20.11
Hoeven: Corps Needs To Take Into Account Wet, Dry Cycles
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven said that the Missouri River Independent Expert Review Panel report released today affirms that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers needs to change its operating procedures to recognize and accommodate wet and dry cycles - a change which Hoeven has been pressing for the Corps to make. "In wet cycles, they need to let more water out, and in dry cycles, they need to retain more water. If they had taken this commonsense approach this year, in the fourth year of a … Continue Reading
12.20.11
Hoeven: Corps' Plan Approval Important Step Forward
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today said that the ratification of the Army Corps of Engineers' Chiefs Report is an important step in moving the Fargo-Moorhead flood protection project forward. Acting Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Major General Merdith W.B. Temple signed the report this morning. "The Army Corps of Engineers and the cities of Fargo-Moorhead have put a tremendous amount of work into creating a comprehensive plan that will provide much needed flood protection for… Continue Reading
12.20.11
Hoeven: New Funding Will Help Devils Lake Transportation, Farmers
DEVILS LAKE, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today outlined a series of federal funding measures to help the Devils Lake community mitigate flooding. That includes more than $550 million in statewide transportation funding, a grant to help raise the Amtrak line near Devils Lake, as well as conservation program funding to assist farmers with inundated lands. Hoeven also reviewed efforts to secure reliable air service to the Devils Lake region. · Federal Road Funding. North Dakota will … Continue Reading
12.20.11
Hoeven: Key Steps Advance Grand Forks UAS Center
GRAND FORKS, N.D. -Senator John Hoeven today outlined three key steps that will help establish Grand Forks as a regional center for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). These include: Language in the Department of Defense Authorization Bill requiring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish UAS National Airspace integration pilot projects Passage of a funding measure supporting Global Hawk programs, and Recent coordination between the FAA and the North Dakota UAS Integration Team… Continue Reading
12.20.11
Hoeven Tours Cankdeska Cikana Community College
FORT TOTTEN, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today told members of the Cankdeska Cikana Community College community that he appreciates the work they're doing to educate and support their students, and their efforts to connect the community with important resources. "Cankdeska Cikana community leaders have really taken a visionary approach to the future of this school. They've looked at the needs of their students and the ways the school can serve the community, and they've worked to meet them. The… Continue Reading
12.19.11
Statement of Sen. John Hoeven on the Death of North Korean Leader Kim Jong-il
BISMARCK - Senator Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to news of the death of Kim Jong-il, the late ruler of North Korea: "The 17-year reign of Kim Jong-il was marked by brutality, oppression and persecution of the people of North Korea, and his death now opens a period of uncertainty for the world community, especially South Korea. Although it is too soon to know yet what kind of leader Kim Jong-il's son and designated successor will be, it is to be hoped that the people o… Continue Reading
12.19.11
Senator Hoeven's Tuesday Public Events For Grand Forks, Devils Lake
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven will hold public events in North Dakota on Tuesday, Dec. 20 in Grand Forks and Devils Lake. Tuesday, Dec. 20 Hoeven will meet with local and Air Force officials at the Grand Forks Air Force Base to plan for the future of the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in the region. Following the meeting, Hoeven will hold a news conference to discuss recently passed legislation that supports UAS growth. To be admitted on base, media must RSVP to the 319th Air Base Wi… Continue Reading
12.17.11
Hoeven: Congress Passes 2012 Appropriations Legislation
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today said the U.S. Senate has passed major appropriations and disaster aid legislation for Fiscal Year 2012, which ends September 30. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 is a $1.043 trillion funding bill that marks the second year in a row Congress has scaled back expenditures, reducing discretionary spending by almost $100 billion compared to the FY 2010 budget. At the same time, the appropriations measures maintain funding for North Dakota priorities… Continue Reading
12.17.11
Hoeven: Keystone Measure Will Help Get America Back to Work, Reduce Reliance on Overseas Oil
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven said a measure he introduced in the payroll-tax cut extension Congress passed today to expedite the approval process for the Keystone XL Pipeline will help create jobs and also help to reduce the nation's dependence for oil from the Middle East. "It's an important part of a bill that's designed to create jobs," Hoeven said. "That's exactly what the Keystone project is all about, as well as creating greater energy independence for our country. That's why I'm very… Continue Reading
12.15.11
Hoeven: Congress Passes 2012 Defense Authorization Bill With Priorities Important to North Dakota and the Nation
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today said the U.S. Senate has passed, 86 to 13, the FY 2012 Defense Authorization bill, which includes measures to strengthen the nation's Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) force, B-52 fleet, Global Hawk unmanned aerial systems program and C-27J air fleet. The authorizations will directly benefit both Minot and Grand Forks Air Force Bases. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Defense Authorization bill Wednesday, and it now goes to the Presiden… Continue Reading
12.15.11
Delegation Announces Nearly $30 Million in FEMA Public Assistance for Minot Schools
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Kent Conrad, and Congressman Rick Berg today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the City of Minot nearly $30 million to rebuild two schools that were destroyed in this year's severe flooding. The grant awards $24.5 million for Eric Ramstad Middle School and $5 million for Lincoln Elementary School. The grants do not address the cost of relocating the two schools to north Minot, as Minot School Superintendent Mark Voll… Continue Reading
12.14.11
Delegation: EPA Administrator Jackson to Respond in 30 Days on State Implementation Plan and Study for Regional Haze
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Kent Conrad and Congressman Rick Berg today met with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson to reach agreement on a plan to reduce regional haze in Class I areas of North Dakota. Jackson said she will give the delegation an answer in 30 days on whether or not the EPA will continue with a State Implementation Plan proposed by North Dakota and commit to a study designed to test the effectiveness of a technology proposed by the federal agenc… Continue Reading
12.14.11
Hoeven Statement on Death of Capt. Anne Rockeman Montgomery
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today made the following statement upon learning that Capt. Anne Rockeman Montgomery, a 25-year-old native of North Dakota, was killed Monday in a helicopter accident during a training exercise at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State. Three other soldiers were also killed in the accident: Chief Warrant Officer Frank Buoniconti of Colorado, Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Satterfield of Alaska, and Chief Warrant Officer Lucas Daniel Sigfrid of Alabama. "Mike… Continue Reading
