News Releases
Hoeven: Xcel Energy Wind Project Example of All-of-the-Above Energy Policy
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today welcomed Xcel Energy's announcement that they will build a total of seven wind farms in the Upper Midwest, including in Dickey, Morton and Mercer Counties in North Dakota. In late 2015, the senator successfully worked to build support for a compromise proposal to extend the wind production tax credit (PTC) for five years with a phase down to a market based rate. The Senate passed this compromise approach after a previous proposal to extend the credit … Continue Reading
03.16.17
Hoeven: Budget Proposal Does Not Work for Agriculture
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, today issued the following statement in response to the president's proposed budget: "The president's proposed budget reduction for agriculture does not work. Given the challenging times in the farm patch - from low commodity prices to natural disasters - we need to prioritize and maintain our agriculture budget. While we support more funding for our military and defense, we must maintain support for our … Continue Reading
03.15.17
Hoeven Statement on Confirmation of Dan Coats to be Director of National Intelligence
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after the Senate confirmed former Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.) to be Director of National Intelligence: "During his time in the Senate, Dan Coats served on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Armed Services Committee, which has prepared him well to head our national intelligence community. He understands the threats facing our nation and has a strong understanding of foreign policy having served as U.S. ambassador. Di… Continue Reading
03.13.17
Hoeven: Move America Act Gives States Flexibility, Lowers Infrastructure Costs Through Public-Private Partnerships
WASHINGTON - At a recent hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Senator John Hoeven outlined the Move America Act, legislation he plans to reintroduce with Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). The committee panel expressed support for the measure, which expands tax-exempt bonds for public-private partnerships and creates a new infrastructure tax credit. These are important tools that will help advance infrastructure projects around the country, including highways, airports, bro… Continue Reading
03.10.17
Hoeven Joins Senator Lankford in Introducing Small Business Regulatory Relief Bill
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that he has joined Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) in introducing the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, legislation that requires federal agencies to analyze the full impact of proposed regulations on small businesses during the rulemaking process. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the real job creators in our country," said Hoeven. "For too long, we've burdened our businesses with unnecessary regulation… Continue Reading
03.07.17
Hoeven: Congress Protects Multiple Use on Federal Lands, Repeals BLM Planning Rule
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today voted to repeal the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) "Planning 2.0" rule under the Congressional Review Act. Hoeven cosponsored the Senate's companion resolution and spoke on the Senate floor today to urge the Senate to pass the measure and send it to the president to be signed into law. "Access to federal lands is vital to many state and local economies, especially in western states," Hoeven said. "This BLM rule pulled decision-making away from local off… Continue Reading
03.06.17
Hoeven Statement on Administration's Revised Executive Order on Refugee Vetting
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the Administration's revised executive order on screening of foreign nationals: "Keeping Americans safe is our top priority. Given the very real threat of terrorism, at home and abroad, it is reasonable to take a temporary pause to lawfully review our refugee program and ensure that we have a strong screening process in place to make America safer." -###-… Continue Reading
03.02.17
Hoeven Statement on Confirmation of Rick Perry as U.S. Secretary of Energy
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, who serves as a member of the Senate Energy Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after Senate confirmation of former Texas Governor Rick Perry to serve as U.S. Secretary of Energy: "As the former governor of Texas, Rick Perry understands that we need an all-of-the-above, states-first approach to developing our energy resources. He also recognizes North Dakota's prominent role in providing our nation with affordable ener… Continue Reading
03.02.17
Hoeven Statement on Confirmation of Dr. Ben Carson as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Ben Carson as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): "Safe and affordable housing is a cornerstone of security for all families. Through his personal and professional experience, from his early life to his time as a director at Johns Hopkins and his work to improve education opportunities, Dr. Carson has developed and demonstrated his passion to help those in need find greater st… Continue Reading
03.01.17
Hoeven Urges Interior Secretary to Balance Multiple Uses on Federal Lands, Avoid One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Energy Development
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the Senate confirmed Congressman Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) to be U.S. Secretary of the Interior: "Having served Montana, Secretary Zinke understands the need for a balanced approach to land management. Throughout the confirmation process, I encouraged him to work with us to advance a range of land management priorities for North Dakota and the nation. These include taking a sensible approach to stewarding our national parks … Continue Reading
03.01.17
Hoeven Announces $80 Million in USDA Rural Development Loans for Kem and Roughrider Electric Cooperatives
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, today announced that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has awarded a total of $80 million in loans to Roughrider Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Dickinson and Hazen and Kem Electric Cooperative in Linton. The loans, which are awarded through the USDA Rural Utilities Service's Electric Program, will fund the construction and improvement of more than 580 miles of power lines as well… Continue Reading
02.28.17
Hoeven Statement on President's Joint Address to Congress
WASHINGTON -- Senator John Hoeven today released the following statement after the president's joint address to Congress: "In his first address to the Congress, the President outlined his commitment to growing our economy and keeping our nation safe. We appreciate the president's focus on the fundamentals including rolling back the regulatory burden on our job creators and reforming the tax code to get our economy going and growing. "Economic growth will enable us to reduce our debt and defici… Continue Reading
02.28.17
Hoeven Statement on Executive Order to Eliminate the Obama Administration's Waters of the U.S. Rule
WASHINGTON -- Senator John Hoeven today released the following statement after the president signed an executive order to eliminate the Obama Administration's Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. The president's order begins the process of undoing the regulation. Hoeven worked to defund the rule in 2016 and 2017, and it was put on hold by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. "The Obama Administration's Waters of the U.S. rule was a regulatory overreach that would have placed unnecessary… Continue Reading
02.28.17
Hoeven Invites ND Stockmen's Julie Ellingson as Guest for President's Joint Congressional Address
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that Julie Schaff Ellingson, Executive Vice President of the North Dakota Stockmen's Association will be his guest at President Donald Trump's Joint Congressional Address tonight. "Agriculture is North Dakota's largest industry and a central part of our nation's economy," said Hoeven. "Our farmers and ranchers do a tremendous job providing food, fuel and fiber to meet our needs and Julie is a great representative of this good work. I look forwar… Continue Reading
02.28.17
Hoeven Statement on the Confirmation of Wilbur Ross as Commerce Secretary
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the Senate confirmed Wilbur Ross as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce: "Secretary Ross has extensive knowledge of our economy and the needs of businesses, which makes him well-equipped to lead the Department of Commerce. He has clearly stated his commitment to expanding U.S. exports, which is vital to our agriculture producers and manufacturers, while also pushing back against unfair trade practices and helping to make our… Continue Reading
02.27.17
Hoeven Urges VA Secretary to Expand Extended-Care for Veterans, Allow Provider Agreements
WASHINGTON - In a letter sent recently, Senator John Hoeven urged Dr. David Shulkin, the newly-confirmed Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), to expand veteran access to extended care services through the regulatory process. The senator's goal is to allow the VA to enter into provider agreements with non-VA long-term care providers, rather than the current burdensome federal contracting requirements, similar to his legislation, the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act. The fu… Continue Reading
02.24.17
Hoeven Gathers Input for 2018 Farm Bill, Reviews Research at USDA Facility in Mandan
MANDAN, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today reviewed agriculture research being conducted at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Northern Great Plains Research Lab in Mandan and gathered input from the customer focus group, which is comprised of local producers, about research and priorities as work begins to craft the 2018 Farm Bill. "Our farmers and ranchers do a tremendous job pr… Continue Reading
02.23.17
Hoeven Touts North Dakota Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Grand Opening for Grand Forks Collaborative Business Center
GRAND FORKS, N.D. -Senator John Hoeven today spoke at the grand opening for Evolve Grand Forks' 701 Coworking Space. The 701 Coworking Space will help entrepreneurs start their own business by reducing overhead and providing access to a creative and collaborative space to help spur innovation. "We've worked hard to create in North Dakota the right legal, tax and regulatory environment to empower entrepreneurs and help create startups and innovative new businesses," Hoeven said. "Our communities… Continue Reading
02.23.17
Hoeven Leads Tour, Meeting to Review Flood Risk, Coordinate Mitigation Efforts in Northeastern North Dakota
DRAYTON, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today led a tour and meeting in Drayton with federal, state and local officials to help communities in northeastern North Dakota and the Devils Lake Basin prepare for potential spring flooding. Senator Heidi Heitkamp also joined the group for the flood review and tour. During the tour, the group reviewed Drayton's earthen levee, which is built on land acquired through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Under current Federal Emergency Management Agen… Continue Reading
02.23.17
Hoeven Participates in Roundtable Discussion to Hear from Health Care Leaders on Repealing and Replacing Obamacare
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today participated in a health care reform meeting along with Congressman Kevin Cramer, Governor Doug Burgum, North Dakota health care officials and Congressman Michael Burgess (R-Texas). The roundtable provided an opportunity to bring together health care professionals, advocates and other stakeholders in order to receive their input on how best to ensure a smooth transition away from Obamacare. Burgess is the chairman of the Health Subcommittee of the House's … Continue Reading
