News Releases
Hoeven: Federal Emergency Assistance By FEMA En Route
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Continuing his push for a Presidential Disaster Declaration, Senator John Hoeven today was told by Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 8 Administrator Robin Finegan that an agency Incident Management Team (IMAT) is on its way to Fargo and that federal resources are ready to go pending a decision by the White House on the state's request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Finegan said a 26-member team is currently en route and should arrive in Fargo within 24 hou… Continue Reading
04.06.11
Hoeven Again Presses White House, FEMA for Presidential Disaster Declaration
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Hoeven today again pressed the White House and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate for a prompt Presidential Disaster Declaration to assure residents that federal aid will be on site when it is needed. "As the Red River approaches flood stage, it is critical that we have all the necessary federal resources in place to work with local and state responders," Hoeven said. "I made that point clear in a call to the White House this… Continue Reading
04.05.11
Hoeven: Congress Passes Final Measure to Repeal 1099 Reporting Requirement for Businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Hoeven today said the U.S. Senate has reconciled and passed separate U.S. Senate and House bills designed to eliminate the burdensome 1099 reporting requirement in last year's health care law, now clearing the way for the President's signature. Hoeven is a cosponsor of the Senate measure, which passed the chamber in February. "America's 17 million small businesses have created the vast majority of jobs in America over the past 15 years, and passage of this measu… Continue Reading
04.05.11
Hoeven Asks for FEMA Rule Change to Allow Permanent Levees on Bought-Out Land, Will Introduce Legislation to Modify Current Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. John Hoeven in a meeting today asked Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate to work with him to change a current FEMA rule that disallows the construction of permanent levees on flooded lands bought out by the agency. Because FEMA says it may not be able to alter the rule administratively, Hoeven said he will offer legislation in the U.S. Senate that would give FEMA the statutory authority to approve the construction of permanent dikes under… Continue Reading
04.04.11
Hoeven to Host US Geological Williston Basin Survey Meeting
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Hoeven will host a meeting on April 28 in Bismarck to meet with leaders of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to urge the agency to launch a new study updating estimates of recoverable oil reserves in the Williston Basin. The meeting is the result of a hearing of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, at which Hoeven enlisted the support of U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to launch a new study. The USGS is an agency of the Interior Department… Continue Reading
03.31.11
Hoeven Cosponsors New Balanced Budget Amendment Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Hoeven today participated in a news conference to unveil a new bill that would create a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution. The new legislation is built on an earlier bill that Hoeven and 17 other U.S. Senators cosponsored in January, and has now garnered 47 Republican supporters in the Senate. "This is a sensible approach to balancing the nation's budget, similar to the requirements of most states," Hoeven said. "It allows an appropria… Continue Reading
03.31.11
Hoeven Invites Veterans Affairs Secretary Shinseki to Visit Fargo VA Hospital, Thanks Him for Veterans Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In the Appropriations Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, Senator John Hoeven today expressed appreciation to U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki for the work the agency does to serve veterans and asked how Congress can help. "Thank you for your service on behalf of our veterans," Hoeven told the secretary. "It's tremendously important work. The VA facility in Fargo, North Dakota is outstanding. I have toured it on a number of oc… Continue Reading
03.31.11
Hoeven Meets with ND Vice Principal of the Year
Senator Hoeven visits with North Dakota's Assistant Principal of the Year, Jennifer Fremstad of Fargo South High School. Assistant Principal Fermstad was visitng Washington, DC for the national conference.… Continue Reading
03.29.11
Hoeven Honors North Dakota Sheriff
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator John Hoeven will present a national award today to Cass County Sheriff Paul Laney for his recognition as a 9-1-1 Government Leader. Sherriff Laney earned this honor for his work to promote emergency response efforts and to demonstrate the importance of 9-1-1. "Sheriff Laney is a dedicated local leader and well deserving of this national honor," said Senator John Hoeven. "He and the members of his staff have acted with courage and confidence in the face of major… Continue Reading
03.29.11
Hoeven Meets with Mississippi River Division Head Maj. Gen. Walsh on Fargo Diversion Plan, Devils Lake, MRAP Study
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today asked Maj. General Michael J. Walsh, head of the Army Corps of Engineers' Mississippi Valley Division, to advance a number of projects important to North Dakota, including a permanent flood protection project for the Red River Valley, a control structure on the Tolna Coulee at Devils Lake, and a study of the Missouri River that would reexamine the authorized purposes of the waterway in light of increased commerce in the upper basin. Hoeven met this morning … Continue Reading
03.28.11
Hoeven, Berg, Cass County Officials Review Flood Preparation Efforts
FARGO, N.D. - U.S. Senator John Hoeven, Representative Rick Berg, and Cass County officials today reviewed flood preparation and prevention efforts in the Cass County area in anticipation of a possible spring flood. The National Weather Service's (NWS) latest forecast predicts a 50 percent chance that the Red River will exceed 40.5 feet, and a 30 percent chance it will exceed 41.8 feet. Hoeven also told local officials that his office contacted the White House last week to press for approval of… Continue Reading
03.23.11
Hoeven: Measure to Eliminate 1099 Paperwork Mandate About to Become Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Hoeven today said he believes a measure he is cosponsoring in the U.S. Senate to eliminate the 1099 reporting mandate for small businesses in the federal health care act is about to become law. Similar bills eliminating this provision have already passed both houses of Congress. Hoeven cosponsored the Senate bill, the Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act, and is now cosponsoring an amendment to the Senate's Small Business Innovation Research and Smal… Continue Reading
03.21.11
Hoeven, Berg, Grazing Associations Call on Forest Service Chief to Amend National Grassland Policies
DICKINSON, N.D. -Senator John Hoeven today sponsored meetings in Watford City and Medora for grazing association leaders and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell to press for third party mediation and more state university involvement in deciding management practices for ranchers on the Little Missouri National Grasslands. Tidwell is in North Dakota meeting with ranchers at Hoeven's request. Rep. Rick Berg participated in the Medora meeting, and N.D. Agriculture Commis… Continue Reading
03.21.11
Hoeven Statement on the Death of Former Secretary of State and North Dakota Native Warren Christopher
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the death of former Secretary of State and North Dakota native Warren Christopher, who was born in Scranton, North Dakota: "Warren Christopher was a North Dakotan who made an impact not only on our nation, but also the world. His work to free the American hostages held in Iran, to broker peace between Israel and Lebanon, and to end the brutal conflict in Bosnia garnered the respect of Americans and the… Continue Reading
03.18.11
North Dakota, Minnesota Delegations Meet on Retention Plan for Red River Valley FloodControl
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, along with members of the North Dakota and Minnesota delegations and farm and conservation group leaders, met this week for an update on water retention strategies as part of the Red River Valley flood control effort. Hoeven and the delegations are also working to secure federal support for a flood diversion project to address costly annual flood protection efforts in the Valley. As part of the larger flood effort, the delegation members are seeking to develop… Continue Reading
03.18.11
Hoeven, Senators Send Bipartisan Letter to the President Urging Leadership on Comprehensive Deficit Reduction
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Hoeven and a bipartisan group of 64 senators - 32 Republicans and 32 Democrats -today sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to show leadership in the effort to achieve comprehensive deficit reduction. "As the Administration continues to work with Congressional leadership regarding our current budget situation, we write to inform you that we believe comprehensive deficit reduction measures are imperative and ask you to support a broad approach to sol… Continue Reading
03.17.11
Hoeven Congratulates ND Air National Guard Unit Named Tops in the Nation
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement congratulating the North Dakota Air National Guard's 219th Security Forces Squadron based at Minot Air Force Base for being named tops in the nation by the National Guard Bureau: "This recognition confirms what we have known for a long time: The North Dakota Air National Guard is a top-flight team of professionals. Their outstanding performance and dedication in association with the 91st Missile Wing at the Minot Air Force Bas… Continue Reading
03.17.11
Delegation, Task Force 21 Meet With Air Force to Plot Future for Minot Air Base
Washington - With significant base construction scheduled to support the continued stand-up of the second bomber squadron, Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Congressman Rick Berg met today with members of Minot's Task Force 21 and Pentagon leadership to consider ways to amplify the bright future of Minot Air Force Base. The delegation said that significant investments in the base are the single best indicator of the base's positive future. The Administration's budget proposal targeted $… Continue Reading
03.16.11
Conrad, Hoeven Push for Missouri River Study
Washington - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven pressed Senate leadership today to reject a proposal approved by the House of Representatives that would prevent funding for a critical Army Corps of Engineers study examining the best uses of the Missouri River. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senators Conrad and Hoeven said the work of the study is well underway and they urged leadership to oppose language in the Continuing R… Continue Reading
03.16.11
Hoeven: U.S. DOT to Obligate Funding For Minot Overpass Project
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Hoeven today announced that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has reviewed the necessary regulatory documents and will obligate $14.13 million in funding for Minot's northeast bypass and 55th Street overpass project. The action means the city will receive the funding and be able to begin construction this spring. The project is funded through a competitive TIGER II infrastructure grant program, which was awarded to the state in October. The project is currently… Continue Reading
