News Releases
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: 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: 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 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
12.20.11
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
12.19.11
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
12.19.11
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
12.17.11
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
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
12.15.11
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
12.14.11
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
12.13.11
Delegation Announces $10 Million To Help Raise Rail Line Near Devils Lake
Washington - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Congressman Rick Berg announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $10 million in federal resources to help upgrade the rail line near Devils Lake. These federal resources will be added to additional funding the congressional delegation worked to secure from Amtrak and Burlington Northern to help cover the cost for the project, which many deem critical to regional commerce. "This grant comes in addition to funding … Continue Reading
12.13.11
North Dakota Leaders: Devils Lake Air Service to Begin This Week
Washington - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven, Congressman Rick Berg and Governor Jack Dalrymple received word today that Great Lakes Aviation will begin service into Devils Lake this Saturday, December 17, much earlier than the previous target date of January 1, 2012. "This is great news for Devils Lake and the surrounding communities. The expedited service from Great Lakes will help ensure that North Dakotans' holiday travel plans stay on track," the North Dakota leaders said in a joint … Continue Reading
12.13.11
Hoeven Congratulates National Guard on 375 Years
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement honoring the National Guard on the occasion of its 375th birthday. "As our nation's oldest military organization, the National Guard has been serving America since before we claimed our independence and united as a country. In North Dakota, our citizen-soldiers and citizen-airmen have selflessly and skillfully responded to the needs of our state and nation, both on our soil and overseas. I am convinced that our state has the … Continue Reading
12.13.11
Hoeven Statement on Today's U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing on the MF Global Bankruptcy
WASHINGTON - Senator Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to testimony at the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee hearing on MF Global, a brokerage firm that declared bankruptcy in October. Bankruptcy trustees currently estimate the company has a shortfall of $1.2 billion in customer accounts. "Clearly, MF Global needs to be held accountable for any customer segregated funds that were lost when the company declared bankruptcy this fall. So far, about 72… Continue Reading
12.12.11
Delta, Devils Lake Reach Plan on Air Service
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Kent Conrad, Congressman Rick Berg and Governor Jack Dalrymple today said that Delta Air Lines and Devils Lake have arrived at a plan that would include Great Lakes Airlines starting regular air service to the city on or before January 1. Delta officials say they hope to be able to finalize an agreement with Great Lakes Airlines by next Tuesday. The North Dakota leaders continue to work toward a long-term solution. The delegation and governor say Delta has… Continue Reading
12.12.11
Hoeven Urges Nearly 1,400 ND Students to Pursue Leadership, Public Service
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today encouraged students attending the North Dakota Association of Student Councils annual fall conference to dedicate their lives to leadership and service in their future colleges, workplaces and communities. He spoke before a crowd of nearly 1,400 student delegates from 95 schools that filled a Ramkota Hotel ballroom in Bismarck. "Already, you've stepped up to be leaders in your school, and now you must carry that leadership into your college… Continue Reading
12.09.11
Delegation Announces More Than $5.6 Million to Offset Cost of Flood Prevention Clean Up in Bismarck-Mandan
Washington - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Congressman Rick Berg announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $5.6 million in federal resources to help Bismarck-Mandan clean up temporary levees and sandbags that protected neighborhoods from record flooding along the Missouri river this year. "Preparing for the flood waters was really only half the battle in Bismarck-Mandan this year. The tools we used to fight it were temporary and need t… Continue Reading