News Releases
Hoeven: Ensure Military Members Pay If Government Shuts Down
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Hoeven is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to ensure our men and women in uniform, both at home and abroad, continue to receive military pay and allowances in the event of a government shutdown. S.724, the Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act of 2011, a bipartisan bill, would make the necessary funds available to prevent any interruption in pay for active duty members of the military, as well as Coast Guard and Reserve Components, if there is a funding gap. "… Continue Reading
04.07.11
Hoeven Again Urges FEMA to Move Quickly on Presidential Disaster Declaration
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Hoeven today again called Federal Emergency Management Administrator Craig Fugate to urge quick approval of the state's request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Although Fugate said he couldn't say exactly when the request would be signed, he did say it is moving through the process. Hoeven asked Fugate about the impact of a federal government shutdown on FEMA's response capabilities, and Fugate said it shouldn't be affected. FEMA's disaster response is … Continue Reading
04.07.11
Hoeven: FEMA Needs Flexibility to Provide Common Sense Flood Protections in Red River Valley
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate this afternoon, Senator John Hoeven highlighted legislation he has authored to provide the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the flexibility to better protect lives and property from flooding. The FEMA Common Sense and Cost Effectiveness Act of 2011 will give the agency the flexibility it needs to make "common sense" decisions regarding such situations. Hoeven's remarks are as follows: For example, for some time now… Continue Reading
04.07.11
Hoeven Offers Three-Part Strategy to Create Jobs and Build the National Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. John Hoeven today offered a three-part strategy to get America working again. He cited North Dakota's proactive approach to job creation, and called for the application of common sense to the nation's fiscal challenges. In a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate, he said: "We can create jobs and lift our nation out of the financial quandary we're in - if we have a will to act and if we focus tirelessly on the kinds of things that create jobs and opportunities for our p… Continue Reading
04.07.11
Hoeven Meets With Top U.S. Air Force General
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Hoeven today met with General William Fraser, Commander, Air Combat Command with headquarters at Langley Air Force Base, regarding issues affecting the Combat Command and Grand Forks Air Force Base. During the course of the meeting, Hoeven expressed his support for the Air Combat Command's global mission, which organizes, trains, equips and maintains combat-ready aircraft for rapid deployment throughout the world. The Senator also discussed the emerging oppor… Continue Reading
04.06.11
Hoeven Cosponsors Amendment to Curb EPA Regulation of Greenhouse Gases and to Promote Domestic Energy Production
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Hoeven today voted to pass an amendment that will add a new section to the Clean Air Act making certain that it is up to Congress, rather than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to determine policy regarding greenhouse gases. The legislation, which Hoeven cosponsored, received 50 votes, a near majority of the Senate, but failed to garner the 60 votes needed to pass. A competing bill sponsored by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) failed to muster support with… Continue Reading
04.06.11
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
