News Releases
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
03.16.11
Delegation and Grand Forks Leaders Meet with Top Air Force Officials at the Pentagon
Washington - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Congressman Rick Berg today led a delegation of Grand Forks community leaders to the Pentagon for meetings with Air Force leaders to press for increased investment in Grand Forks Air Force Base, including an expanded unmanned aerial systems (UAS) mission and the potential basing for the new KC-46A tankers. The delegation met with Terry Yonkers, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics, and Dr. Jamie … Continue Reading
03.15.11
Hoeven Calls For Comprehensive National Energy Policy – More Domestic Production, Less Dependence on Foreign Oil
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, Senator John Hoeven today called for a comprehensive national energy plan that pushes for increased domestic energy production to reduce the country's dependency on oil from unstable parts of the world. "In recent weeks we have seen political turmoil in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia and other North African nations. "Only time will tell what the outcome of these historic events will be. What is clear, however, is that once again there is a disruption in … Continue Reading
03.07.11
Hoeven speaks to Rural Water Association
Senator Hoeven discussed rural water issues with North Dakota's Rural Water representatives at their convention.… Continue Reading
03.07.11
HOEVEN PRESSES FEDERAL TASK FORCE TO HELP WITH DEVILS LAKE FLOOD PROTECTION PLANS
BISMARCK, N.D. - Sen. John Hoeven today met with Brigadier General Michael Walsh of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and representatives from the federal and state agencies responsible for flood preparations and resources to ensure Devils Lake flood protection plans are moving forward. "We're working to make sure we're meeting our flood protection goals," said Hoeven. "We need the federal Devils Lake Task Force to assist the state of North Dakota and local officials to protect lives and proper… Continue Reading
03.03.11
Hoeven Calls on Forest Service Chief to Work With Local Ranchers To Resolve Federal Grassland Disputes
WASHINGTON - At a hearing of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator John Hoeven today urged U.S. Agriculture Department's Forestry Chief Tom Tidwell to use more equitable means of resolving disputes over grassland management in western North Dakota. To further understanding, the Senator also invited the chief to North Dakota to work with ranchers on ways to best manage rangelands. Hoeven urged the agency chief to use North Dakota Ag Mediation Services and the USDA's ow… Continue Reading
03.02.11
Hoeven Enlists Interior Secretary's Support for Updated USGS Williston Basin Reserve Estimate
WASHINGTON - At a hearing of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator John Hoeven today enlisted the support of U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to launch a new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study to update estimates of recoverable oil reserves in the Williston Basin. The USGS is an agency of the Interior Department. Hoeven has been working with Brenda Pierce, Coordinator for the Energy Resources Program at the USGS, and the North Dakota Geological Survey office to br… Continue Reading
03.01.11
HOEVEN MEETS WITH TOP U.S. AIR FORCE COMMANDER
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Hoeven today met with General Raymond Johns, Commander of Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, regarding issues affecting Air Mobility Command and North Dakota military base missions. During the course of the meeting, Hoeven expressed his support for the Air Mobility Command global mission, which provides support for both military and humanitarian operations throughout the world. The Senator also advocated for basing new air refueling tankers at the Grand… Continue Reading
02.28.11
SENATORS DISCUSS GRASSLANDS MANAGEMENT WITH ND AG COMMISSIONER
Washington -Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven today met with North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring to discuss several issues of importance to North Dakota ranchers, including new U.S. Forest Service (USFS) proposed rules governing access to the Little Missouri National Grasslands. "For North Dakota's family ranchers, the grasslands represent their livelihood. They know how important it is to care for the land," Senator Conrad said. "The Forest Service controls the federal land … Continue Reading
02.28.11
DELEGATION, GOVERNOR PRESS EPA FOR REGULATORY CERTAINTY AND REASONABLE RULES FOR ND ENERGY INDUSTRY
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Kent Conrad, and Governor Jack Dalrymple today called on EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe and Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator Janet McCabe to defer to state regulators on key rules regarding the energy industry, specifically rules governing regional haze and decisions regarding the best available technology to control emissions. Representative Berg was represented at the meeting by Jonathan Caspar. The Congressional Delegation and Governor … Continue Reading
02.25.11
Congressional Delegation Calls on President to Support Disaster Declaration Request
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Kent Conrad and Congressman Rick Berg today wrote to President Barack Obama calling on him to expeditiously approve a request from Governor Jack Dalrymple for a federaldeclaration for the state of North Dakota under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance (Stafford) Act. The request comes as a consequence of weather conditions and forecasts indicating a strong potential for severe spring flooding, especially in the Devils Lake, James River, Missouri R… Continue Reading
