News Releases
Hoeven Highlights Ukraine, North Dakota Connection with ND Trade, Business Leaders
FARGO, N.D. - Following his recent visit to Ukraine, Senator John Hoeven today led a group of North Dakota trade and business officials in highlighting the current situation in Ukraine and its impact on North Dakota trade relations. Hoeven traveled to Ukraine last weekend to see firsthand the security situation following Russia's occupation of the Ukrainian province of Crimea and to meet with North Dakota trade and business representatives working in the nation. While in Kiev, Hoeven met with A… Continue Reading
03.18.14
Hoeven: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Approves $3.6 Million in Financial Assistance for Farmers and Ranchers
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide $3.6 million to farmers and ranchers in North Dakota to compensate farmers and landowners for flooded land using short-term conservation leases. The program will be available in three states: North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota. The agency will accept applications from March 17 until April 18. The USDA financial assistance for… Continue Reading
03.18.14
Hoeven Tours NISC, Reviews Innovative Smart Grid Projects
MANDAN, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today toured the National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), a leading electrical industry software provider based in Mandan. Hoeven said the cutting-edge work NISC is doing in the field of conservation and "Smart Grid" technology helps to advance his efforts to forge an all-of-the-above comprehensive national energy plan that includes a conservation program. The senator, for example, has introduced legislation to encourage the use of energy managemen… Continue Reading
03.18.14
Hoeven, Warner Push to Expedite Approval of U.S. Natural Gas Export Applications
WASHINGTON - In response to the crisis in Ukraine, U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today announced bipartisan proposals to expedite the U.S. Department of Energy's review of applications to export U.S. natural gas. Hoeven and Warner say that the Obama Administration should move quickly to evaluate more than 20 pending natural gas export applications as a way to counteract Russian President Vladimir Putin's influence over Ukraine and Europe, which depends on Russia fo… Continue Reading
03.17.14
Hoeven Statement on UND Women's Basketball Conference Win, Advancement to NCAA Tournament
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement upon the University of North Dakota (UND) women's basketball team winning the Big Sky Conference Tournament and advancing to the NCAA Basketball Tournament. "The UND women's basketball team has continued a remarkable season by winning the Big Sky Conference and progressing to the NCAA Basketball Tournament for the first time in the school's history," said Hoeven. "North Dakotans are incredibly proud and excited for UND, a… Continue Reading
03.14.14
Hoeven, Klobuchar Bipartisan Legislation to Help Communities Impacted by Propane Shortage Passes Congress
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Al Franken (D-MN), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) today announced that their legislation to make it easier to transport propane to communities impacted by the ongoing propane shortage has passed the Senate and now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. The bipartisan bill will extend the hours-of-service exemption until May 31st, allowing truck drivers to work more hours to help safely transport propane to regions impa… Continue Reading
03.14.14
Hoeven Statement on Freedom Salute Ceremony Held Today for North Dakota Servicemembers
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement to honor members of the North Dakota National Guard's Detachment 42 (Det. 42) Operational Support Airlift. The senator was unable to attend today's ceremony because he is on a Senate mission to Ukraine. "Today is an important and proud day for the State of North Dakota as we welcome home Det. 42. This unit is comprised of highly skilled, disciplined airmen, and we are grateful to these individuals, as well as their fa… Continue Reading
03.13.14
Hoeven: $13 Million in Grants Will Help Support Much-Needed Indian Housing
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven announced today that North Dakota will receive three awards from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) totaling more than $13 million for Indian housing. The funds will come from HUD's Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Program. "Developing safe, affordable housing in Indian country is absolutely necessary to ensure the wellbeing of our tribes," said Hoeven. "These HUD funds will help build stronger communities as good housing options help fo… Continue Reading
03.13.14
Hoeven: Congress Passes Flood Insurance Legislation: Measure Gives Relief to Homeowners, Businesses
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Senate has passed a bill that will hold the line on flood insurance premium costs for homeowners and businesses. The measure also includes the Hoeven-Heitkamp-Cramer basement exception, which enables homeowners to receive credit for flood proofed basements when determining flood insurance rates. The legislation now goes to the president's desk. The bill prevents the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from steeply raising rat… Continue Reading
03.13.14
Hoeven Backs Bipartisan Legislation to Help Families Access Quality, Affordable Child Care
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today voted for and the Senate passed the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act, bipartisan legislation that will improve access to affordable, quality child care for families in North Dakota and across the country. The legislation reauthorizes and improves the CCDBG program, a state block grant program that provides vouchers to help working parents obtain child care. "Accessing quality, affordable child care is a concern for many families across No… Continue Reading
03.12.14
Hoeven Statement on NDSU Bison's Summit League Championship, Advancement to NCAA Tournament
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the North Dakota State University Bison men's basketball team win over Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne at the Summit League Tournament. The win earns the Bison an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. "The NDSU Bison men's basketball team continues its incredible season, becoming the Summit League Men's Basketball Champions following an exciting and hard-earned win," Hoeven said. "As they now advancing to the NCAA Tournament,… Continue Reading
03.12.14
Hoeven, Missouri River Delegations Call on Corps of Engineers to Prepare for Potential Flooding
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) today joined Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and John Walsh (D-Mont.), along with Representatives Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) in sending a letter to Brig. Gen. John Kem of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers calling on the Corps to provide members with information about Missouri River flood prevention plans for the spring thaw and actions the Corps h… Continue Reading
03.12.14
Hoeven, Senators Introduce Bill to Reduce Natural Gas Flaring
WASHINGTON - Today, Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) introduced the Natural Gas Gathering Enhancement Act. The legislation expedites the permitting of natural gas gathering lines located on federal and Indian lands. Natural gas gathering lines are pipelines that ship unprocessed natural gas from oil and gas wells to natural gas processing plants which separate the gases (e.g., methane, ethane, propane) from one another. Once processed, the various gas… Continue Reading
03.11.14
Hoeven Issues Call to Action: "Let's Build a Comprehensive, All-of-the-Above, National Energy Plan"
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today delivered a powerful call for action on the floor of the U.S. Senate to build a comprehensive, all-of-the-above national energy plan. He cited legislation he and other members have offered that empowers states to leverage their strengths and make America a true energy powerhouse. To seal the case, Hoeven cited recent events in Ukraine that underscore the important role energy plays in national security, at home and abroad. "Instead of talking about energy … Continue Reading
03.11.14
Hoeven: BNSF CEO Carl Ice Updates Senator on Efforts to Enhance Rail Safety, Catch up on Agriculture Backlogs
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today met with BNSF Railway CEO Carl Ice to follow up on a range of concerns the senator expressed to railroad officials over the past year. Hoeven urged the new company CEO to follow through on previous commitments and to work with shippers, regulators and other stakeholders to advance comprehensive rail safety reforms. That includes steps to prevent rail accidents, mitigate the risk of explosions and fires and have a robust response procedure in place when acci… Continue Reading
03.11.14
Hoeven Updates Grand Forks Mayor on Rail Safety Issues, Grafton Mayor on Flood Insurance Legislation
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today met in Washington with Grand Forks Mayor Mike Brown, Grafton Mayor Chris West and other Grand Forks and Grafton officials to discuss the cities' and region's priorities. Hoeven and Brown discussed a wide range of topics, with a focus on rail safety. Hoeven updated Brown on his efforts to encourage improved and timely rules for tank car construction from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and also his work to bring Department … Continue Reading
03.10.14
Hoeven: Senate Passes Strong Measure to Help Protect Victims of Sexual Assault in the Military
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today voted to pass the Victims Protection Act introduced by Senators Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) to address sexual assault in the military. The measure passed with a large bipartisan majority, 97 to 0. "The bill we passed today strengthens the procedures used to report and prosecute sexual assault in the military," Hoeven said. "It includes new measures to protect victims and gives them a greater voice in whether t… Continue Reading
03.07.14
Hoeven, Klobuchar, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Legislation to Help Communities Impacted by Propane Shortage
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Al Franken (D-MN), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced legislation to make it easier to transport propane to communities impacted by the ongoing propane shortage. The bipartisan bill would extend the hours-of-service exemption until May 31st, allowing truck drivers to work longer hours to help transport propane to regions impacted by the shortage. More importantly, the legislation would deliver much-needed certainty t… Continue Reading
03.06.14
Hoeven Supports Legislation to Help Protect Victims of Sexual Assault in the Military
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today supported the Victims Protection Act introduced by Senators Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) to address sexual assault in the military. "Sexual assault is a heinous crime and needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, in the military as in civilian life," Hoeven said. "The legislation crafted by Senators McCaskill, Ayotte and Fischer gets to the heart of the problem, which is making it easier for victims… Continue Reading
03.06.14
Hoeven Presses for Increased Rail Safety, Timely Action at Senate Commerce Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today pressed rail industry officials and regulators for a comprehensive and timely plan to enhance safety measures for transporting petroleum products by rail. The hearing examined the current state of rail safety on the nation's passenger and freight rail networks, including a discussion of recent rail accidents, positive train control implementation and other measure to improve rail safety. "Producing more oil and gas is creating jobs, helping to grow our e… Continue Reading
