News Releases
Hoeven: EPA Administrator Pruitt to Visit North Dakota Next Week
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the Senate Energy Committee and Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Committee, will host Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt in North Dakota next week at roundtable discussions on the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) regulation in Fargo and energy in Grand Forks next Wednesday. "EPA actions carry significant weight over the operations of our state's main two industries, agriculture and energy, not to mention construct… Continue Reading
08.02.17
Hoeven, Daines Reintroduce Legislation to Encourage CO2 Sequestration, Support Clean Coal Technology
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) today announced that they have reintroduced their legislation to encourage carbon sequestration. The CO2 Regulatory Certainty Act aligns tax guidelines with existing federal regulations to ensure taxpayers are better able to utilize the Section 45Q carbon sequestration tax credit. By accelerating work on carbon sequestration projects, this bill is helping to provide one of the energy technologies needed to utilize America's ab… Continue Reading
08.02.17
Hoeven: Senate Approves More Than $2 Billion for Veterans Choice
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the Senate passed legislation providing an additional $2.1 billion for the Veterans Choice program. The legislation now goes to the president to be signed into law. "Veterans Choice opens up convenient, quality health care services to our veterans closer to home," Hoeven said. "We have worked hard to address the issues of third party contractors under the program, ensuring better care for veterans and more reliable reim… Continue Reading
08.01.17
Hoeven Cosponsors Legislation to Help Prevent Online Sex Trafficking, Ensure Justice for Victims
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today cosponsored the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) to ensure justice for victims of sex trafficking and close loopholes that websites like Backpage.com are exploiting in order to knowingly facilitate sex trafficking. "It is unacceptable that human traffickers can continue to exploit legal loopholes," Hoeven said. "If you profit from this terrible crime and … Continue Reading
08.01.17
Hoeven: Senate Confirms Christopher Wray as FBI Director
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Christopher Wray as the director for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): "The position of FBI Director carries tremendous power and responsibility, especially in light of the continued threat from extremist groups around the world and the ongoing investigations into Russian interference during the 2016 election," Hoeven said. "Christopher Wray has received many bipartisan endorsements … Continue Reading
08.01.17
Hoeven Announces More Than $83,000 for Pembina Airport
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $83,309 to the Pembina Municipal Airport Authority. The funds will be used to rebuild the airport's apron and access road. "The Pembina Airport provides a valuable economic benefit to the community which is an important gateway between the U.S. and Canada," Hoeven said. "Today's funding will help ensure continued safe a… Continue Reading
07.31.17
Hoeven: MHA Nation, Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Eligible for Cobell Land Buy-Back Program
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, today announced that the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, Standing Rock and Spirit Lake tribes are eligible for the Cobell Land Buy-Back Program following the Department of the Interior's competitive review of the program. The program makes funding available from the Cobell settlement for tribes to consolidate fractional land ownership, helping ensure the lands stay in tribal trust and are open to beneficial… Continue Reading
07.31.17
Hoeven Announces $100,000 Grant for NDSU Research & Technology Park to Promote Economic Development
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Economic Development Administration has awarded $100,000 to the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Research and Technology Park. The investment funds half of the total cost for the fifth year of a five-year economic development program at the park. "For the past four years, the NDSU Research and Technology Park's economic development program has been providing research and development r… Continue Reading
07.28.17
Heoven Statement on Japanese Tariff Increase for U.S. Frozen Beef
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and a member of the Agriculture Committee, today issued the following statement after Japan increased its tariff for frozen beef from the U.S. and other countries from 38.5 percent to 50 percent. "Japan's action underscores the need for fair and strongly enforced trade agreements with other nations. Such an agreement would protect our producers' access to the Japanese market, providing stronger and mor… Continue Reading
07.28.17
Hoeven Working to Increase Limits for FSA Loans, Loan Guarantees to Help Farmers Facing Drought, Low Commodity Prices
WASHINGTON - At a hearing of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee this week, Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, outlined his legislation, the Capital for Farmers and Ranchers Act, which would increase the limits for loans and loan guarantees under the Farm Service Agency (FSA). This would help ensure farmers and ranchers have access to enough capital to continue their operations when revenue is limited, for instance, when facing… Continue Reading
07.28.17
Hoeven Secures Truck Weight Limit Increase for North Dakota, Reduces Transportation Costs for the Region
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies, this week secured a provision in the Senate's Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 funding legislation to increase truck weight limits in North Dakota. This effort, which allows a limit of up to 129,000 pounds on the two federal interstates and several state highways, dovetails with legislation passed by the state legislature this year and harmonizes the state… Continue Reading
07.28.17
Hoeven Statement on Health Care Reform Debate
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate ended debate on health care reform legislation: "Obamacare is harming individuals and families in North Dakota and across the nation who are seeing fewer health insurance options and rising costs. Since 2013, premiums have more than doubled in the U.S. and continue to rise with some areas of the country left with one or no insurers. In fact, North Dakota will see large premium increases this fall because of O… Continue Reading
07.27.17
Hoeven: Senate Approves New Sanctions for Iran, Russia & North Korea
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today voted with a bipartisan majority to pass legislation placing additional sanctions on Iran, Russia and North Korea. The bill was amended and approved by the House of Representatives earlier this week, following its initial passage by the Senate. "These additional sanctions are important tools to help push back against the aggressions of Iran, North Korea and Russia," said Hoeven. "The sanctions against North Korea are a good first step, and I will continue … Continue Reading
07.27.17
Hoeven: DOT Provides Regulatory Relief for Ranchers & Motor Carriers to Help Move Hay, Livestock During Drought
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a Regional Declaration of Emergency and waived regulations in North Dakota to allow agriculture producers and motor carriers to more easily transport hay, feed, supplies and livestock in response to drought. Hoeven worked with DOT to secure the waiver for North Dakota. "Emergency support services are needed for our ranchers throu… Continue Reading
07.27.17
Hoeven Announces $150,000 Research Grant for NDSU
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $150,000 to North Dakota State University (NDSU). The funds will be used to research the impact of the amino acid leucine on the growth and health of calves for both dairy and beef production. "The researchers at NDSU do a great… Continue Reading
07.27.17
Hoeven: CJS Funding Bill Supports New Detention Facility for Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Senate's Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 includes funding to help the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe replace its current detention center, which is beyond repair. The funding that the tribe currently receives from the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) does not allow for new construction. Hoeven's provision ensures that the tribal j… Continue Reading
07.25.17
Hoeven: BLM Proposes to Rescind Hydraulic Fracturing Rule
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, today issued the following statement after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a proposal to rescind its hydraulic fracturing rule. "BLM's rule creates duplicative and unnecessary layers of regulation for our energy producers," Hoeven said. "Our state and local governments have the greatest stake in protecting our land and water, and by rescinding this rule, we are respecting their vital r… Continue Reading
07.25.17
Hoeven Statement on Debating Health Care Legislation
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the Senate voted to debate health care reform legislation: "Obamacare has raised costs and limited choices for individuals and families in North Dakota and across the nation. Premiums have more than doubled in the U.S. since 2013 and are continuing to rise with some areas of the country left with one or no insurers. In fact, North Dakota is expected to see additional premium increases again this fall because of Obamaca… Continue Reading
07.25.17
Hoeven: Judge Ralph Erickson Exceptionally Qualified to Serve on the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today introduced United States District Judge Ralph Erickson, who has been nominated to serve on the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, at a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Hoeven said that throughout Judge Erickson's 23-year judicial career he has shown a deep respect for the Constitution and upheld the rule of law. Hoeven urged the committee to approve Judge Erickson's nomination and move it to the full Senate for confirmation. "A longtime North Dakotan, … Continue Reading
07.25.17
Hoeven, Cramer Secure $250,000 in FY2018 Agriculture Appropriations Legislation to Prevent Blackbird Damage to Crops
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, and Congressman Kevin Cramer today announced that both the Senate and House Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Agriculture Appropriations bills make $250,000 available to help prevent blackbird damage to crops in the Northern Great Plains. Specifically, the funding will support the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) use of fixed-wing aircraft to reduce blackbird da… Continue Reading
