News Releases
Delegation Announces Federal Grant for North Dakota Emergency Response Infrastructure
Washington - Senators John Hoeven and Kent Conrad and Representative Rick Berg announced today that the North Dakota State Department of Health received an approximately $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to fund the state's public health emergency preparedness. "This grant will help ensure that North Dakota's health care providers have a planned, comprehensive response when faced with a public health threat. This year's statewide flood devastation illustrat… Continue Reading
08.09.11
Conrad, Hoeven Inspect Flooded Homes, Schools
Minot - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven were joined by Minot community leaders today to hear from residents, thank volunteers and inspect the community's flood recovery efforts, including stops in affected neighborhoods and at the Eric Ramstad Middle School. "The severe flooding in Minot, Burlington and other communities has weighed heavily on each of us. The frustration here is evident - and understandable," Senator Conrad said. "The recovery will be long, and it will be difficult. And i… Continue Reading
08.09.11
Senators, USDA leader Inspect Flood Damaged Farmland
Minot - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven were joined today by Michael Scuse, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, to inspect farmland damaged by this spring's heavy rainfall and flood conditions. The officials visited the farm of Jon and Eleanor Erickson in Minot and, after inspecting weather related crop damage, spoke with area producers about the numerous disaster assistance programs available to help them recover. "We … Continue Reading
08.09.11
Delegation Announces Over $1 Million For Grand Forks International Airport
Washington - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Congressman Rick Berg today announced that Federal Aviation Administration will issue a grant of $1,081,671 to Grand Forks International Airport. This grant will provide federal funding for additional construction, paving, fencing, and reimbursement for engineering costs for the new terminal. The delegation noted that federal investment in Grand Forks has been substantial lately. In addition to the airport, Grand Forks Air Force Base and t… Continue Reading
08.09.11
Conrad and Hoeven Meet With Bismarck-Mandan Area Homeowners Impacted By Flooding
Bismarck - Senator Kent Conrad and Senator John Hoeven visited with homeowners in the Bismarck-Mandan region today that have been impacted by Missouri River flooding. The Senators were joined by local leaders and officials from FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers to survey damaged homes and discuss how to avoid massive flooding in the future. "I have been impressed with the coordinated relief effort by state, local and federal officials. Most encouraging are the efforts of neighbors helping … Continue Reading
08.08.11
President Approves 90 Percent-10 Percent Cost Share for North Dakota Flooding
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that President Barack Obama has approved North Dakota's request for a 90 percent federal -10 percent state and local cost share for all Public Assistance for recovery from severe flooding this year in North Dakota. Approval means the federal government will assume 90 percent of the cost to repair and rebuild public infrastructure, rather than the usual 75 percent federal - 25 percent state and local split. "The president's approval is … Continue Reading
08.08.11
Hoeven Works on Missouri River Flood Recovery
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven worked with mayors and county commissioners in Bismarck, Mandan, Burleigh and Morton County today to address outstanding issues relating to the flood response effort and begin developing a strategy for recovery for the region, which has been severely impacted by three months of severe Missouri River flooding. Hoeven met with a broad group of local, state and federal officials including Rep. Rick Berg, Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Maj. Gen. Dave Sprynczynatyk, Bismar… Continue Reading
08.06.11
Hoeven Statement on the Loss of American Service Members Killed in Afghan Copter Crash
FARGO, N.D. -Senator John Hoeven released the following statement today following a NATO helicopter crash in Afghanistan that killed 31 Americans and seven Afghan soldiers: "The loss of so many of our service members in one incident is a stark reminder to all Americans of the true cost of our freedoms. These brave Americans, many of them part of the U.S. Navy SEALs unit responsible for bringing Osama bin Laden to justice, served our nation with honor and courage. We extend our sincere gratitud… Continue Reading
08.06.11
Hoeven: New Veterans Home Honors Residents Who Served
LISBON, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today said the new North Dakota Veterans Home honors the military men and women who have served our country. He spoke at the Veterans Home's grand opening and dedication ceremony this morning in Lisbon. The State of North Dakota funded $11 million of the $25.6 million project in 2009 during Hoeven's term as governor. The balance was funded with a grant awarded from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "Our nation's veterans have given so much to their co… Continue Reading
08.06.11
Hoeven Honors Air Guard on 14th Outstanding Unit Award
FARGO, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven honored members of the North Dakota National Air Guard 119th Wing today with the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. This is the 14th time the Wing has received this award, which recognizes excellence and perfection in military work. "This unit is an example to everyone in our military of the way long-term commitment to excellence can become engrained in an organization," Hoeven said. "What a tradition the 119th has created. They are a real asset to our nation a… Continue Reading
08.05.11
Bipartisan Missouri River Working Group Calls on Corps to Outline Preparations for Possible Flooding Next Year
WASHINGTON - Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), along with the delegations of the Missouri River Basin states, called on the Army Corps of Engineers today to apply lessons from this year's flooding as it prepares next year's operating plan for the Missouri River. The Missouri River Working Group is a bipartisan, cooperative coalition of lawmakers organized last month by Sens. Hoeven, Conrad, Blunt and McCaskill to improve flood contr… Continue Reading
08.05.11
Hoeven Events Schedule
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven plans to hold events throughout North Dakota in August while the U.S. Congress is in recess. Some events are scheduled and others are still being planned. Advisories will be issued as additional events are scheduled. His agenda for public events tomorrow and the first part of next week is as follows: Saturday, Aug. 6 Tomorrow, Hoeven will be attending both the North Dakota Veterans Home grand opening and dedication in Lisbon at 10 a.m. and the Outstanding… Continue Reading
08.04.11
Hoeven, Gillibrand Working to Protect Consumers, U.S. Honey Industry From Mislabeled Products
Washington, D.C. - With deceptive manufacturing practices by foreign companies threatening domestic honey producers, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and John Hoeven called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement a national standard of identity for honey. While North Dakota and New York's honey producers generated $53.4 million in sales in 2009, producers have been strained as cheap, adulterated honey from abroad has inundated the U.S. market."New York has some of the nation's fin… Continue Reading
08.04.11
Hoeven Announces Key EPA Approval for Fort Berthold Refinery
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced the Environmental Protection Agency has approved a key permit for the proposed petroleum refinery on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation near Makoti, N.D. The Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara (MHA) Nation Clean Fuels Refinery is expected to be one of the few oil refineries to be constructed in the United States in the last 30 years, and be capable of refining 15,000 barrels of oil per day. "This permit represents an important milestone and a tremendous… Continue Reading
08.03.11
Hoeven Call For 'National Day of the Deployed' To Recognize Soldiers' Sacrifices
WASHINGTON - Building on his resolution as North Dakota's governor, Senator John Hoeven yesterday introduced a resolution in the U.S. Senate to designate Oct. 26, 2011, as "Day of the Deployed" in recognition of the sacrifices of U.S. servicemen and women currently deployed around the world. "Our men and women in uniform work tirelessly to serve our country and protect our freedoms, and we cannot do enough to thank them and their families for the sacrifices they willingly make. A national 'Day … Continue Reading
08.02.11
Hoeven Statement on Passage Of An Agreement to Find Savings and Address the Debt Ceiling
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement in response to today's passage in the U.S. Senate of the agreement to find savings and address the debt ceiling: "Today, the U.S. Senate approved legislation to reduce the federal government's spending and address the nation's debt limit without a tax increase. The President signed the bill this afternoon. The $2.4 trillion spending reduction plan will apply a 10-year cap to discretionary spending immediately, saving an initial $91… Continue Reading
08.02.11
Hoeven: Proposed Ag-Transport Regulations Don't Work
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, along with a bipartisan group of 21 other senators, called today for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to reconsider some of its proposals currently under review and open to public comment. In a letter to FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro, the senators expressed concern that the agriculture transportation-related proposals misinterpret guidance already established by government agencies, and, if made into rules, are likely to encumber our nation's … Continue Reading
07.29.11
Hoeven: USDA Approves Request for Emergency Haying and Grazing for Five Flood-Impacted Counties
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has approved emergency haying and grazing for the following counties: Burke, Bottineau, McHenry, Stutsman and Ward. Hoeven earlier this month requested that the national Farm Service Agency (FSA) permit emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land for North Dakota counties affected by severe flooding. "Considering the hardship endured by our farmers and rancher… Continue Reading
07.29.11
Klobuchar, Durbin, Lugar, Hoeven, Kyl Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Attacks in Norway Passes Senate Unanimously
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Richard Lugar (R-IN), John Hoeven (R-ND) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) announced today that their bipartisan resolution condemning the horrific acts of violence in Norway has passed the Senate unanimously. The resolution denounced the acts of terror and expressed deep sympathy and unwavering support for the Norwegian people as they recover from the tragedy. All 95 other senators co-sponsored the resolution. "As the state with t… Continue Reading
07.29.11
Hoeven: We Need to Move Forward With Boehner Approach
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate to underscore the differences between the debt ceiling plan proposed by Speaker of the House John Boehner and that proposed by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Just prior to the Senator's speech the independent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) announced that, excluding the effects of the caps on funding for Iraq and Afghanistan and similar activities - and therefore the interest on the war debt - the total red… Continue Reading
