{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"ND\" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=1f75cd94-3d62-4be9-8515-616901dfce81", "Hoeven Reviews December Legislative Accomplishments, North Dakota Priorities", "2015-12-30", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.30.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Reviews December Legislative Accomplishments, North Dakota Priorities  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Holds Year-End Roundtable with Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t BISMARCK, N.D.  Senator John Hoeven today held a roundtable in Bismarck with local officials and business leaders to outline key legislative accomplishments that he worked to advance throughout the year and that Congress included in legislation passed this month. Hoeven worked with his congressional colleagues to address North Dakotas priorities and meet the needs of the states families, schools, businesses and farmers across a wide variety of areas, including energy, tax, education, transportation and regulatory policy.\r\nWe secured important priorities for our state and nation, Hoeven said. We lifted the ban on crude oil exports, provided tax relief, restored local control over education standards and ensured stronger funding for long-term infrastructure projects. These accomplishments will provide considerable benefits for our businesses and our families by promoting greater economic growth and local autonomy.\r\nSenator Hoeven helped to successfully pass the following measures through Congress this December:\r\nLifting the Ban on Crude Oil Exports\r\n \r\nHoeven, a member of the Senate Energy Committee, repeatedly called for the repeal of the outdated crude oil export ban and cosponsored bipartisan legislation earlier this year to do just that.\r\nAllowing crude oil exports will support domestic energy production, grow the nations economy, provide good jobs for workers, reduce fuel costs for consumers and enhance the security of the U.S. and our allies.\r\n \r\nTax Relief for Small Business and Farmers\r\n \r\nApproved tax relief totaling $680 billion over ten years.\r\nIncluded a permanent extension of Section 179 with the $500,000 limitation and a five-year extension of bonus deprecation, important provisions that provide small businesses certainty and flexibility in planning their long-term finances.\r\nExtended permanently the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for private investments made in affordable housing. The credits are used by the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency alongside state programs to ensure an adequate housing supply is available for the states workers and their families.\r\nProvided relief from Obamacares costly and burdensome mandates, including a two-year delay of the tax on businesses that pay their employees health care plans and a two-year delay of the Medical Device Tax.   \r\n \r\nRegulatory Relief for Farmers and Ranchers\r\n \r\nBlocked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from reinstating the Waters of the U.S. Interpretive Rule, preserving the general agriculture exemption under the Clean Water Act for farmers and ranchers.\r\n \r\nRestoring Local Control over Education\r\n \r\nPassed the Every Student Succeeds Act, education authorization legislation that repeals No Child Left Behind, restores local control over education standards, replaces one-size-fits-all accountability requirements with state-designed systems and ends the Common Core mandate.\r\nStrengthened Impact Aid for schools affected by the loss of property taxes due to nearby military bases and other federal land.\r\nIncluded a provision based on legislation offered by Senators Hoeven and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to bolster Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.\r\n \r\nProviding Flexibility in School Nutrition Requirements\r\n \r\nApproved Hoevens school nutrition reform amendment, which gives flexibility to schools struggling to comply with the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) whole-grain and sodium standards during the 2016-2017 school year.\r\nAllows schools to retain the original USDA whole-grain requirement of 50 percent, rather than requiring that 100 percent of all grains served be whole-grain rich.\r\nPrevents the Administration from requiring further reductions in sodium, which have already been brought down to the Target 1 level. Further reductions in sodium are not currently supported by scientific evidence and would be difficult for schools to achieve due to increased costs and limited available food products that children would actually eat.\r\n \r\nPassing a Five-Year Highway Bill\r\n \r\nPassed the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, a five-year highway bill that is fully paid for.\r\nProvides North Dakota with more than $1.3 billion, increases annual funding for the state by $23 million per year, up to $263 million, provides $76 million over five years for transit projects in the state and enables more than 100 projects in the state to move forward.\r\nIncludes Hoevens Driver Privacy Act, legislation that establishes in law that the owner of a vehicle is also the owner of any information collected by an Event Data Recorder (EDR).\r\nRestores the $3 billion that was cut from crop insurance earlier this year.\r\n \r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=6df9171c-2fd6-430b-8453-abbbf6dd55f3", "Year-End Roundtable with Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce", "2015-12-30", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Event \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tDecember 30 2016 11:00 AM\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tOn Wednesday, December 30, Senator Hoeven will host a roundtable with the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce to review North Dakota legislative priorities that he worked to advance this year and that passed Congress in December, including:\r\n \r\nLifting the ban on crude oil exports\r\nProviding tax relief for small businesses and farmers\r\nProviding regulatory relief for farmers and ranchers through stopping the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Waters of the U.S. regulation\r\nEnsuring education funding and local control\r\nProviding school meal flexibility in sodium and grain requirements\r\nPassing the five-year highway bill, which will provide North Dakota with more than $1.3 billion and enable more than 100 N.D. transportation projects to advance                                                 \r\n \r\nYear-End Roundtable with Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce\r\nWHEN: Wednesday, December 30\r\n11:00 a.m. CT\r\nWHERE: Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce\r\n 1640 Burnt Boat Drive  Bismarck", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-reviews-december-legislative-accomplishments-north-dakota-priorities", "Hoeven Reviews December Legislative Accomplishments, North Dakota Priorities", "2015-12-30", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.30.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Reviews December Legislative Accomplishments, North Dakota Priorities  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Holds Year-End Roundtable with Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t BISMARCK, N.D.  Senator John Hoeven today held a roundtable in Bismarck with local officials and business leaders to outline key legislative accomplishments that he worked to advance throughout the year and that Congress included in legislation passed this month. Hoeven worked with his congressional colleagues to address North Dakota's priorities and meet the needs of the state's families, schools, businesses and farmers across a wide variety of areas, including energy, tax, education, transportation and regulatory policy.\r\nWe secured important priorities for our state and nation, Hoeven said. We lifted the ban on crude oil exports, provided tax relief, restored local control over education standards and ensured stronger funding for long-term infrastructure projects. These accomplishments will provide considerable benefits for our businesses and our families by promoting greater economic growth and local autonomy.\r\nSenator Hoeven helped to successfully pass the following measures through Congress this December:\r\nLifting the Ban on Crude Oil Exports\r\n \r\nHoeven, a member of the Senate Energy Committee, repeatedly called for the repeal of the outdated crude oil export ban and cosponsored bipartisan legislation earlier this year to do just that.\r\nAllowing crude oil exports will support domestic energy production, grow the nation's economy, provide good jobs for workers, reduce fuel costs for consumers and enhance the security of the U.S. and our allies.\r\n \r\nTax Relief for Small Business and Farmers\r\n \r\nApproved tax relief totaling $680 billion over ten years.\r\nIncluded a permanent extension of Section 179 with the $500,000 limitation and a five-year extension of bonus deprecation, important provisions that provide small businesses certainty and flexibility in planning their long-term finances.\r\nExtended permanently the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for private investments made in affordable housing. The credits are used by the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency alongside state programs to ensure an adequate housing supply is available for the state's workers and their families.\r\nProvided relief from Obamacare's costly and burdensome mandates, including a two-year delay of the tax on businesses that pay their employees' health care plans and a two-year delay of the Medical Device Tax.   \r\n \r\nRegulatory Relief for Farmers and Ranchers\r\n \r\nBlocked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from reinstating the Waters of the U.S. Interpretive Rule, preserving the general agriculture exemption under the Clean Water Act for farmers and ranchers.\r\n \r\nRestoring Local Control over Education\r\n \r\nPassed the Every Student Succeeds Act, education authorization legislation that repeals No Child Left Behind, restores local control over education standards, replaces one-size-fits-all accountability requirements with state-designed systems and ends the Common Core mandate.\r\nStrengthened Impact Aid for schools affected by the loss of property taxes due to nearby military bases and other federal land.\r\nIncluded a provision based on legislation offered by Senators Hoeven and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to bolster Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.\r\n \r\nProviding Flexibility in School Nutrition Requirements\r\n \r\nApproved Hoeven's school nutrition reform amendment, which gives flexibility to schools struggling to comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) whole-grain and sodium standards during the 2016-2017 school year.\r\nAllows schools to retain the original USDA whole-grain requirement of 50 percent, rather than requiring that 100 percent of all grains served be whole-grain rich.\r\nPrevents the Administration from requiring further reductions in sodium, which have already been brought down to the Target 1 level. Further reductions in sodium are not currently supported by scientific evidence and would be difficult for schools to achieve due to increased costs and limited available food products that children would actually eat.\r\n \r\nPassing a Five-Year Highway Bill\r\n \r\nPassed the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, a five-year highway bill that is fully paid for.\r\nProvides North Dakota with more than $1.3 billion, increases annual funding for the state by $23 million per year, up to $263 million, provides $76 million over five years for transit projects in the state and enables more than 100 projects in the state to move forward.\r\nIncludes Hoeven's Driver Privacy Act, legislation that establishes in law that the owner of a vehicle is also the owner of any information collected by an Event Data Recorder (EDR).\r\nRestores the $3 billion that was cut from crop insurance earlier this year.\r\n \r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=c1fa06b7-4190-45e9-bdd6-527bf391b571", "Hoeven: Senate Passes Measure to Update FAA Medical Certification, Protect Pilots' Due Process Rights", "2015-12-29", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.29.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Senate Passes Measure to Update FAA Medical Certification, Protect Pilots' Due Process Rights  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bill Supports General Aviation, Allows More Qualified Pilots to Continue Flying\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Senate has passed the Pilots Bill of Rights II, a measure he cosponsored that updates the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) medical certification for most general aviation pilots, providing a safe and transparent process to help ensure more healthy, qualified and trained pilots can fly. The bill expands the 3rd class medical exemption for recreational pilots flying light sport aircraft and broadens the protections provided in the original Pilots Bill of Rights signed into law in 2012, which Hoeven also cosponsored.\r\nGeneral aviation is an important part of North Dakotas transportation infrastructure and economy, providing vital services across industries, Hoeven said. The FAAs current medical standards are outdated, costly to comply with, prevent healthy and skilled pilots from flying and do little to ensure the safe operation of general aviation aircraft. Our bill updates the FAAs medical exemption process to reflect real-world health care needs and risks, which will better serve our pilots, empower them to seek treatment for their medical conditions and enhance public safety.\r\nThe Pilots Bill of Rights II:\r\n \r\nExpands the existing FAA exemption for a 3rd class medical certificate to include general aviation aircraft up to 6,000 pounds and raises altitude up to 18,000 feet.\r\nMaintains safe aircraft operations by requiring an individual to take an online medical education course, complete the FAA medical evaluation process one time and maintain ongoing medical care, while also providing a checklist to guide discussion between pilots and their physicians during health examinations and maintaining the special issuance process for pilots diagnosed with mental health disorders, neurological disorders or cardiovascular conditions.\r\nExpands the original Pilots Bill of Rights by explicitly stating that pilots facing investigation by the FAA may appeal to a district court and clarifies who bears the burden of proof.\r\nExpedites updates to the FAAs Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) program to ensure pilots receive and can access important flight safety information in a timely and relevant manner.\r\n \r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-senate-passes-measure-to-update-faa-medical-certification-protect-pilots-due-process-rights", "Hoeven: Senate Passes Measure to Update FAA Medical Certification, Protect Pilots' Due Process Rights", "2015-12-29", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.29.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Senate Passes Measure to Update FAA Medical Certification, Protect Pilots' Due Process Rights  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bill Supports General Aviation, Allows More Qualified Pilots to Continue Flying\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Senate has passed the Pilot's Bill of Rights II, a measure he cosponsored that updates the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) medical certification for most general aviation pilots, providing a safe and transparent process to help ensure more healthy, qualified and trained pilots can fly. The bill expands the 3rd class medical exemption for recreational pilots flying light sport aircraft and broadens the protections provided in the original Pilot's Bill of Rights signed into law in 2012, which Hoeven also cosponsored.\r\nGeneral aviation is an important part of North Dakota's transportation infrastructure and economy, providing vital services across industries, Hoeven said. The FAA's current medical standards are outdated, costly to comply with, prevent healthy and skilled pilots from flying and do little to ensure the safe operation of general aviation aircraft. Our bill updates the FAA's medical exemption process to reflect real-world health care needs and risks, which will better serve our pilots, empower them to seek treatment for their medical conditions and enhance public safety.\r\nThe Pilot's Bill of Rights II:\r\n \r\nExpands the existing FAA exemption for a 3rd class medical certificate to include general aviation aircraft up to 6,000 pounds and raises altitude up to 18,000 feet.\r\nMaintains safe aircraft operations by requiring an individual to take an online medical education course, complete the FAA medical evaluation process one time and maintain ongoing medical care, while also providing a checklist to guide discussion between pilots and their physicians during health examinations and maintaining the special issuance process for pilots diagnosed with mental health disorders, neurological disorders or cardiovascular conditions.\r\nExpands the original Pilot's Bill of Rights by explicitly stating that pilots facing investigation by the FAA may appeal to a district court and clarifies who bears the burden of proof.\r\nExpedites updates to the FAA's Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) program to ensure pilots receive and can access important flight safety information in a timely and relevant manner.\r\n \r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=e9274571-c7e2-47c5-afbb-8c23e8915779", "Hoeven Holds Meeting with Minot Leaders to Plan Next Steps for Comprehensive Flood Protection", "2015-12-23", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.23.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Holds Meeting with Minot Leaders to Plan Next Steps for Comprehensive Flood Protection  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Year-End Funding Bill Provides Provisions for Flood Protection, Minot Air Force Base, Tax Relief\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t MINOT, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today hosted a meeting with state and local officials to plan the steps going forward for building comprehensive flood protection for Minot and the region. The senator outlined key provisions in the year-end funding legislation Congress passed last week that will support their efforts. In addition, he outlined provisions in the measure to support Minot Air Force Base and provide tax relief for farmers, ranchers and small businesses.\r\nIn the year-end funding legislation we passed last week, we secured authorization and funding for new project studies, which are essential for communities like Minot that are working to advance a comprehensive flood protection project, Hoeven said. The legislation also includes priorities that will strengthen national security, including provisions for Minot Air Force Base, which hosts two legs of the nations nuclear triad. The measure also provides real tax relief for farmers, ranchers and small businesses, who will now be able to expense equipment and repairs at the current limit because weve worked to make Section 179 permanent.\r\n \r\nPermanent Flood Protection  As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven worked to include critical authorization and funding for new project starts and construction in the FY 2016 budget. The measure provides nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineers proposed budget for new studies and construction activity that will help to advance the permanent flood protection project in the Minot region. Hoeven worked on the Appropriations Committee to include language in the FY 2016 Energy and Water funding bill, which has now been included in the year-end legislation. Specifically, the legislation will:\r\n \r\n \r\nProvide permission for the Corps to begin studies of new permanent flood protection projects, which is vital for communities like Minot, as well as the Souris River basin, to build comprehensive flood protection.\r\nHelp communities in N.D. build permanent flood protection projects with an emphasis on public private partnerships (P3).\r\nInclude additional funding for FEMAs flood mapping activities. It directs FEMA to take local communities flood protection projects into consideration when mapping flood hazards and to coordinate the mapping process with the phases of large projects.\r\nThe measure provides an additional $165 million above the FY 2015 level for flood mitigation programs and boosts the Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program by $66 million, from $124 million to $190 million and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program to $100 million.\r\n \r\n \r\nSupport for Minot Air Force Base  The year-end appropriations measure prioritizes the need for a strong military strengthening the nations nuclear triad of bombers, land-based and submarine-based missiles.\r\n \r\n \r\nCruise Missile Warhead  Includes full funding, $195 million, to refurbish the warhead that will go on the new Air Force long range standoff (LRSO) cruise missile.\r\nNuclear Force Structure  Includes language Hoeven authored that directs the Department of Defense (DoD) to maintain U.S. nuclear forces at the levels agreed to in the New START Treaty, rather than reduce them, as the administration has proposed.\r\nMinuteman III Replacement  $75 million for the next generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which will replace the current Minuteman III.\r\nB-52 Modernization  $225.4 million to modernize the B-52, including programs to improve its communications equipment and upgrade the internal bomb bay.\r\n \r\n \r\nTax Relief  The measure provides more than $680 billion in tax relief, including permanently extending the Section 179 limitation, the number one priority for farmers, ranchers and small businesses.\r\n \r\n \r\nSection 179 and Bonus Depreciation  Permanently extends Section 179 with the $500,000 limitation, a provision of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code that allows farmers, ranchers and small businesses to expense the purchase of equipment. In addition, it extends the bonus depreciation allowance for five years.\r\nPrevents the Implementation of Obamacare Taxes  Includes regulatory relief from Obamacares costly and burdensome mandates, including a two-year delay of the tax on businesses that pay their employees health care plans, a two-year delay of the Medical Device Tax and a one-year delay of the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) paid by insurance companies. It also eliminates funding for the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). \r\nLow Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)  LIHTC is a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for private investments made for the construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing are distributed to states and developers compete for the credits. The N.D. Housing Finance Agency uses the credits with state programs to address North Dakotas housing challenges.\r\n \r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=f82d6e14-722a-47c2-8df3-127831553205", "Minot Flood Protection Public Meeting", "2015-12-23", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Event \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tDecember 23 2015 11:00 AM\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tOn Wednesday, Hoeven will hold a meeting at Minot City Hall to outline the year-end funding bill that passed the Senate earlier today. The legislation includes nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineers proposed budget for construction and authorizes new studies and construction activity that will help to advance flood protection projects in both the Fargo-Moorhead and the Minot regions.\r\nWHEN: Wednesday, December 23\r\n11:00 a.m. CT\r\nWHERE: Minot City Hall\r\n 515 2nd Avenue SW  Minot", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-holds-meeting-with-minot-leaders-to-plan-next-steps-for-comprehensive-flood-protection", "Hoeven Holds Meeting with Minot Leaders to Plan Next Steps for Comprehensive Flood Protection", "2015-12-23", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.23.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Holds Meeting with Minot Leaders to Plan Next Steps for Comprehensive Flood Protection  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Year-End Funding Bill Provides Provisions for Flood Protection, Minot Air Force Base, Tax Relief\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t MINOT, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today hosted a meeting with state and local officials to plan the steps going forward for building comprehensive flood protection for Minot and the region. The senator outlined key provisions in the year-end funding legislation Congress passed last week that will support their efforts. In addition, he outlined provisions in the measure to support Minot Air Force Base and provide tax relief for farmers, ranchers and small businesses.\r\nIn the year-end funding legislation we passed last week, we secured authorization and funding for new project studies, which are essential for communities like Minot that are working to advance a comprehensive flood protection project, Hoeven said. The legislation also includes priorities that will strengthen national security, including provisions for Minot Air Force Base, which hosts two legs of the nation's nuclear triad. The measure also provides real tax relief for farmers, ranchers and small businesses, who will now be able to expense equipment and repairs at the current limit because we've worked to make Section 179 permanent.\r\n \r\nPermanent Flood Protection  As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven worked to include critical authorization and funding for new project starts and construction in the FY 2016 budget. The measure provides nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineer's proposed budget for new studies and construction activity that will help to advance the permanent flood protection project in the Minot region. Hoeven worked on the Appropriations Committee to include language in the FY 2016 Energy and Water funding bill, which has now been included in the year-end legislation. Specifically, the legislation will:\r\n \r\n \r\nProvide permission for the Corps to begin studies of new permanent flood protection projects, which is vital for communities like Minot, as well as the Souris River basin, to build comprehensive flood protection.\r\nHelp communities in N.D. build permanent flood protection projects with an emphasis on public private partnerships (P3).\r\nInclude additional funding for FEMA's flood mapping activities. It directs FEMA to take local communities' flood protection projects into consideration when mapping flood hazards and to coordinate the mapping process with the phases of large projects.\r\nThe measure provides an additional $165 million above the FY 2015 level for flood mitigation programs and boosts the Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program by $66 million, from $124 million to $190 million and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program to $100 million.\r\n \r\n \r\nSupport for Minot Air Force Base  The year-end appropriations measure prioritizes the need for a strong military strengthening the nation's nuclear triad of bombers, land-based and submarine-based missiles.\r\n \r\n \r\nCruise Missile Warhead  Includes full funding, $195 million, to refurbish the warhead that will go on the new Air Force long range standoff (LRSO) cruise missile.\r\nNuclear Force Structure  Includes language Hoeven authored that directs the Department of Defense (DoD) to maintain U.S. nuclear forces at the levels agreed to in the New START Treaty, rather than reduce them, as the administration has proposed.\r\nMinuteman III Replacement  $75 million for the next generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which will replace the current Minuteman III.\r\nB-52 Modernization  $225.4 million to modernize the B-52, including programs to improve its communications equipment and upgrade the internal bomb bay.\r\n \r\n \r\nTax Relief  The measure provides more than $680 billion in tax relief, including permanently extending the Section 179 limitation, the number one priority for farmers, ranchers and small businesses.\r\n \r\n \r\nSection 179 and Bonus Depreciation  Permanently extends Section 179 with the $500,000 limitation, a provision of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code that allows farmers, ranchers and small businesses to expense the purchase of equipment. In addition, it extends the bonus depreciation allowance for five years.\r\nPrevents the Implementation of Obamacare Taxes  Includes regulatory relief from Obamacare's costly and burdensome mandates, including a two-year delay of the tax on businesses that pay their employees' health care plans, a two-year delay of the Medical Device Tax and a one-year delay of the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) paid by insurance companies. It also eliminates funding for the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). \r\nLow Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)  LIHTC is a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for private investments made for the construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing are distributed to states and developers compete for the credits. The N.D. Housing Finance Agency uses the credits with state programs to address North Dakota's housing challenges.\r\n \r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=436dd6e0-bc38-4a8e-a593-ad65c608c742", "Hoeven Leads Meeting to Plan Next Steps to Advance Permanent Flood Protection for the Red River Valley", "2015-12-22", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.22.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Leads Meeting to Plan Next Steps to Advance Permanent Flood Protection for the Red River Valley  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Outlines Flood Protection Construction Authorization and Funding\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t FARGO, N.D.  Senator John Hoeven today led a roundtable in Fargo with local leaders to plan the path forward for Fargo-Moorheads permanent flood protection project. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven wrote and secured language in the year-end funding bill authorizing and funding new construction activity that will help to advance flood protection in the Red River Valley. The legislation includes nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineers proposed budget for construction and directs the Corps to utilize projects organized as public-private partnerships (P3), like the permanent flood project for the Fargo region.\r\nSecuring authorization and funding for the Army Corps to start new construction projects is a vital milestone in advancing Fargos flood protection project, Hoeven said. We worked through the Appropriations Committee, specifically the subcommittee on Energy and Water, to authorize and fund these new projects starts, which will enable this project to move to construction. Now, we need to continue our momentum by working not only with the Corps and federal officials, but also with all local groups from both sides of the river to address communities flood concerns throughout the valley and move this permanent flood protection project forward.\r\nThe new construction starts authorized in the year-end funding bill are the latest of Hoevens efforts to advance flood protection for the region. Earlier this year, the senator included similar language in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill. Further, Hoeven secured support for the project in meetings with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy, Army Corps Chief of Engineers Lieutenant General Thomas P. Bostick and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shaun Donovan, including a meeting in Fargo where Hoeven hosted Lt. Gen. Bostick to show him firsthand the importance of permanent flood control for the Red River Valley.\r\nHoeven also successfully included measures in the year-end bill to meet other water management needs in the Red River Valley and across North Dakota. The bill contains additional funding for the Federal Emergency Management Administrations (FEMA) flood mapping and flood mitigation activities. Specifically, the measure provides an additional $165 million above the FY 2015 level for flood mitigation programs and boosts the Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program by $66 million, from $124 million to $190 million, and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program by $75 million, from $25 million to $100 million. At the same time, it directs FEMA to take local communities flood protection projects into consideration when mapping flood hazards and to coordinate the mapping process with the phases of large projects.\r\nBoth as Governor of North Dakota and as a U.S. Senator, Hoeven has worked to advance a four-part approach to comprehensive flood protection for the Red River Valley, including regional flood protection infrastructure, upstream flood protection through rural water management, permanent flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead and affordable flood insurance for homes and businesses.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-leads-meeting-to-plan-next-steps-to-advance-permanent-flood-protection-for-the-red-river-valley", "Hoeven Leads Meeting to Plan Next Steps to Advance Permanent Flood Protection for the Red River Valley", "2015-12-22", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.22.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Leads Meeting to Plan Next Steps to Advance Permanent Flood Protection for the Red River Valley  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Outlines Flood Protection Construction Authorization and Funding\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t FARGO, N.D.  Senator John Hoeven today led a roundtable in Fargo with local leaders to plan the path forward for Fargo-Moorhead's permanent flood protection project. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven wrote and secured language in the year-end funding bill authorizing and funding new construction activity that will help to advance flood protection in the Red River Valley. The legislation includes nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineer's proposed budget for construction and directs the Corps to utilize projects organized as public-private partnerships (P3), like the permanent flood project for the Fargo region.\r\nSecuring authorization and funding for the Army Corps to start new construction projects is a vital milestone in advancing Fargo's flood protection project, Hoeven said. We worked through the Appropriations Committee, specifically the subcommittee on Energy and Water, to authorize and fund these new projects starts, which will enable this project to move to construction. Now, we need to continue our momentum by working not only with the Corps and federal officials, but also with all local groups from both sides of the river to address communities' flood concerns throughout the valley and move this permanent flood protection project forward.\r\nThe new construction starts authorized in the year-end funding bill are the latest of Hoeven's efforts to advance flood protection for the region. Earlier this year, the senator included similar language in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill. Further, Hoeven secured support for the project in meetings with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy, Army Corps Chief of Engineers Lieutenant General Thomas P. Bostick and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shaun Donovan, including a meeting in Fargo where Hoeven hosted Lt. Gen. Bostick to show him firsthand the importance of permanent flood control for the Red River Valley.\r\nHoeven also successfully included measures in the year-end bill to meet other water management needs in the Red River Valley and across North Dakota. The bill contains additional funding for the Federal Emergency Management Administration's (FEMA) flood mapping and flood mitigation activities. Specifically, the measure provides an additional $165 million above the FY 2015 level for flood mitigation programs and boosts the Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program by $66 million, from $124 million to $190 million, and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program by $75 million, from $25 million to $100 million. At the same time, it directs FEMA to take local communities' flood protection projects into consideration when mapping flood hazards and to coordinate the mapping process with the phases of large projects.\r\nBoth as Governor of North Dakota and as a U.S. Senator, Hoeven has worked to advance a four-part approach to comprehensive flood protection for the Red River Valley, including regional flood protection infrastructure, upstream flood protection through rural water management, permanent flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead and affordable flood insurance for homes and businesses.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=bca050ae-744b-46ba-9202-149744adbaf7", "Hoeven Announces $1.5 Million DHS Grant to Fund Flood Protection for Fargo Waste Water Treatment Plant", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.21.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces $1.5 Million DHS Grant to Fund Flood Protection for Fargo Waste Water Treatment Plant \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $1.5 million to the City of Fargo from its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Homeland Security, Hoeven oversees the departments annual budget and has worked to secure funding to protect the region from flooding. Todays grant will support flood protection for the City of Fargos waste water treatment plant.\r\nInfrastructure priorities like flood protection for North Dakotans homes and businesses are matters of public safety, Hoeven said. Todays FEMA grant will support critical improvements to the City of Fargos wastewater system to minimize the risk of sewer backup into public and private property during flooding, and is part of our larger effort to create a comprehensive flood protection plan for the entire region.\r\nAs a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven worked to include language in the FY 2016 Energy and Water funding bill to support flood projects in Fargo, Minot and LaMoure. Similar language was also included in the year-end funding bill, which recently passed the Senate. The year-end funding bill also includes nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineers proposed budget for construction and authorizes new studies and construction activity that will help to advance flood protection projects in the Fargo-Moorhead and Minot regions.\r\nIn August, Hoeven announced that FEMA awarded a $2 million grant to the City of Fargo to fund improvements to its wastewater treatment plant. Todays funding illustrates a phased approach to mitigating the impacts of flooding to Fargos wastewater treatment plant, and is part of a comprehensive flood protection plan for the Red River Valley that Hoeven has worked to advance.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-15-million-dhs-grant-to-fund-flood-protection-for-fargo-waste-water-treatment-plant", "Hoeven Announces $1.5 Million DHS Grant to Fund Flood Protection for Fargo Waste Water Treatment Plant", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.21.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces $1.5 Million DHS Grant to Fund Flood Protection for Fargo Waste Water Treatment Plant \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $1.5 million to the City of Fargo from its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Homeland Security, Hoeven oversees the department's annual budget and has worked to secure funding to protect the region from flooding. Today's grant will support flood protection for the City of Fargo's waste water treatment plant.\r\nInfrastructure priorities like flood protection for North Dakotans' homes and businesses are matters of public safety, Hoeven said. Today's FEMA grant will support critical improvements to the City of Fargo's wastewater system to minimize the risk of sewer backup into public and private property during flooding, and is part of our larger effort to create a comprehensive flood protection plan for the entire region.\r\nAs a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven worked to include language in the FY 2016 Energy and Water funding bill to support flood projects in Fargo, Minot and LaMoure. Similar language was also included in the year-end funding bill, which recently passed the Senate. The year-end funding bill also includes nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineers' proposed budget for construction and authorizes new studies and construction activity that will help to advance flood protection projects in the Fargo-Moorhead and Minot regions.\r\nIn August, Hoeven announced that FEMA awarded a $2 million grant to the City of Fargo to fund improvements to its wastewater treatment plant. Today's funding illustrates a phased approach to mitigating the impacts of flooding to Fargo's wastewater treatment plant, and is part of a comprehensive flood protection plan for the Red River Valley that Hoeven has worked to advance.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cramer-announces-schedule-of-public-events-for-dec-19-dec-27", "Congressman Cramer Announces Schedule of Public Events for Dec. 19  Dec. 27", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer released his schedule of public events for Dec. 19  Dec. 27.(All times are local).\n\nTuesday, Dec. 22\nFargo Assembly 40th Anniversary Presentation\n10:45 AM\n3300 7th Ave N\nFargo\n\nFargo Moorhead Diversion Authority Meeting with Senator Hoeven, Senator Heitkamp and Local Officials\n11:30 AM\nFargo City Hall  City Commission Room\n200 3rd St. N\nFargo\n\nUpstream Coalition Meeting with Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN) \n12:30 PM\nKnickerbocker\n412 Main Ave\nHickson\n\nFargo Forum Editorial Board Meeting\n2:30 PM\nFargo Forum\n101 5th Street North\nFargo\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-approves-2016-omnibus-spending-bill", "Cramer: House Approves 2016 Omnibus Spending Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer announced today the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 2029, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016. The bill provides $1.149 trillion to fund the federal government through September 30, 2016. This includes $548 billion in defense spending, $73.7 billion in the Overseas Contingency Operations Fund, and $518 billion in non-defense spending. It complies with the budget caps established byH.R. 1314, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, which was enacted on Nov. 11.\nOn balance, this Omnibus spending bill is really quite a victory for Republican principles and certainly for North Dakota and American values, beginning with the repeal of the antiquated oil export ban, said Cramer. Repealing this ban will help bring stability to the global marketplace. It will decrease the cost of gasoline, create a million jobs over the course of the next several years. And make us a much more secure world as we now compete with Vladimir Putin and Russia, with the Saudis and the other despots and dictators in the Middle East.\nHe said another major victory is how the bill strengthens the Visa Waver Program. Currently the program is vulnerable to terrorists who want to travel to the United States and this legislation tightens up the visa application process considerably. The House already passed the Visa Waiver Reform Bill with 407 votes, said Cramer. Unfortunately, the Senate has not acted on the bill. Thankfully, we were able to include these reforms in must pass legislation.\nThe legislation also protects many Americans from the disastrous effects of Obamacare. It prohibits new funding for Obamacare, said Cramer. In addition to no new funding for Obamacare, we actually halt three major Obamacare taxes - the medical device tax, which has been a job killer from the day it was implemented; the Cadillac tax, which is the tax on employer and union based purchased healthcare plans; and the health insurance premium tax, which never made sense because we were going to force people to buy a product and then tax it so we can have universal healthcare. Those three taxes have been put on hold for a couple of years in this bill.\nThe omnibus bill includes limitations on the use of private email accounts and servers by limiting federal employees from using private emails for official business, said Cramer. The use of private email servers may inhibit the preservation of all records and electronic communications which may be needed for Congressional, civil or criminal investigations, said Cramer.\nLimiting the use of private email use for official purposes is at the heart of legislation introduced earlier this year by Cramer. The Securing Every Relevant and Vital Record or SERVER Act of 2015 ensures no Department Secretary may use a private server for emails and storage of electronic data.  These provisions help ensure government employees and officials do not use their private email for work, said Cramer.\n\nSummaries of the 12 Appropriations bill within the Omnibus\nAgricultureThe Agriculture portion of the omnibus provides $21.8 billion in funding, $925 million above the FY2015 funding level. Among other things, the bill delays FDA menu labeling regulations for one year for grocery stores and food retailers, amends an FDA policy relating to the regulatory treatment of partially hydrogenated oils to prevent frivolous lawsuits, and provides local schools increased relief from whole grain and sodium nutritional standards in school lunches.\nCommerce/Justice/ScienceThe Commerce/Justice/Science portion of the omnibus provides $55.7 billion in funding, $5.6 billion above the FY2015 funding level. Among other things, the bill provides for an increase in funding for law enforcement by $2 billion to support FBI counterterrorism, cybersecurity, prosecution, and immigration courts. The House passedH.R. 2578, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016, by a vote of242 to 183on June 3, 2015.\nDefenseThe Defense portion of the omnibus provides $514.1 billion in base defense discretionary spending, $23.9 billion above the FY 2015 funding level. This includes $58.6 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) Fund. Among other things, the bill provides for a 1.3 percent pay raise for our troops, provides for important research on traumatic brain injury and psychological health, and ensures the military has the resources it needs to combat ISIS. The House passedH.R. 2685, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2016, by a vote of278 to 149on June 11, 2015.\nEnergy and WaterThe Energy and Water portion of the omnibus provides $37.2 billion in funding, an increase of $3 billion over FY 2015. Among other things, the bill provides $1.1 billion increase for the National Nuclear Security Administration to maintain the safety, security, and readiness of the nations nuclear weapons stockpile, restricts the application of the Clean Water Act in certain agricultural areas, including farm ponds and irrigation ditches, prohibits funding for the light bulb standard regulations, and continues prior-year funding for Yucca Mountain to maintain its viability for future use. The House passed H.R. 2028, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016, by a vote of240 to 177on May 1, 2015.\nFinancial ServicesThe Financial Services portion of the omnibus provides $23.2 billion in funding, $1.7 billion above the FY2015 level. Among other things, the bill freezes funding for the IRS at the FY 2015 level ($10.9 billion), provides certain protections to ensure the IRS treats all individuals and entities fairly, requires a pay freeze for the Vice President and senior political appointees, includes a prohibition on the DC government from using federal and local funds to further legalize recreational marijuana, provides $15 million for scholarships to low-income students in DC to attend private schools, as part of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP),and prohibits funds for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to relinquish its responsibility over the Internets domain name system functions.\nHomeland SecurityThe Homeland Security portion of the omnibus provides $41 billion in discretionary funding for DHS funding, $1.3 billion above FY2015. Among other things, the bill provides $5.8 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to strengthen enforcement of immigration and customs laws, and to hire an additional 1,080 ICE agents and support personnel, fully funds E-Verify, a program that helps companies check if their employees may legally work in the United States, and does not fund the Presidents climate change initiatives within Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Protection Programs Directorate (NPPD) within DHS.\nInterior and EnvironmentThe Interior and Environment portion of the omnibus provides $32.2 billion in funding, $1.7 billion above the FY2015 enacted level. Among other things, the bill provides an increase of $670 million for wildfire fighting and prevention programs, funds the EPA at a lower level than FY 2010 ($8.1 billion), and prohibits the EPA from implementing greenhouse gas regulations for livestock producers, creating new wilderness areas, and regulating lead content in ammo and fishing tackle.\nLabor/Health and Human Services/EducationThe Labor/Health and Human Services/Education portion of this legislation provides $162.1 billion in funding, $5.4 billion above the FY 2015 enacted level. Among other things, the bill places restrictions on the Prevention and Public Health Fund (the Obamacare slush fund) to govern the allowable use of its funds, restricts the Department from lobbying for the ACA, provides a ban on creating embryos for research purposes or funding research in which embryos are destroyed, and rolls back Department of Labor (DOL) regulations that make it harder for employers to use the H-2B visa program.\nLegislative BranchThe Legislative Branch portion of this legislation provides $4.4 billion in funding, $63 million above the FY 2015 level. Among other things, the bill maintains funding for House Operations and provides increased funding for the Capitol Police, the Architect of the Capitol, the Library of Congress, the Government Accountability Office, and the Government Publishing Office. The House passedH.R. 2250, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2016, by a vote of357 to 67on May 19, 2015 (this bill was then used as a vehicle for aContinuing Resolution, which funded the federal government from December 11, 2015 through December 16, 2015).\nMilitary Construction/Veterans AffairsThe Military Construction/Veterans Administration portion of the omnibus provides $79.9 billion in funding, $7.8 billion above the FY 2015 enacted level. Among other things, the bill creates safeguards for VA construction project overruns, improves VA health recordkeeping, and expands whistleblower protections to assure that VA medical staff have the same protection as other VA employees. The House passedH.R. 2029, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016, by a vote of255 to 163on April 30, 2015. The Senate passed the bill, with an amendment by a vote of93 to 0on November 10, 2015.\nState/Foreign OperationsThe State/Foreign Operations portion of the omnibus provides $53 billion in funding, $3.4 billion above/below the FY 2015 enacted level, including $15 billion in the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) Fund. Among other things, the bill reduces funding by $2.5 million (7 percent) for the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA) and restricts those funds from being used if UNFPA operates in China, prohibits funding for debt relief for foreign countries, prohibits aid to Libya until the Secretary of State confirms Libyan cooperation in the Benghazi investigation, and prohibits funding to implement the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty.\nTransportation/Housing and Urban DevelopmentThe Transportation/Housing and Urban Development portion of the omnibus provides $57.6 billion in funding, $3.8 billion above the FY 2015 enacted level. Among other things, the bill provides no funding for high-speed rail, no funding for any new, unauthorized sustainable, livable, or green community development programs, prohibits funding for the Federal Housing Administration to finance mortgages seized by eminent domain, and includes provisions to ensure Amtrak is responsibly managing tax dollars. The House passedH.R. 2577, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016, by a vote of216 to 210on June 9, 2015.\nGeneral Provisions\n9/11 Victim Compensation Funds ReauthorizationThe bill provides for a five year extension of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Shortly after the attacks in New York City on 9/11, Congress established the September 11thVictim Compensation Fund to compensate families of those who died in the attacks, and survivors who suffered disabling injury during or in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. Under current law, the Fund is authorized to accept claims through October 3, 2016. The bill provides for a 5 year extension.\nJames Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Fund ExtensionThe bill extends the authorization for the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act through FY 2090. After the attacked of 9/11 it became apparent that some people who worked at the WTC site, or who lived or worked near it, had become ill, possibly as a result of exposure to toxins and other hazards in the aftermath of the attack. In 2011, Congress passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which created the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) to fund health services for survivors. The authority for the Act expired at the end of FY2015; however, annual funding caps were not met, so unexpended funds have been carried into FY2016.[13] The bill extends authorization for the fund through fiscal year 2090.\nRepeal of the Crude Oil Export BanThe bill includes a provision that repeals the export ban on crude oil in the United States. This provision is similar toH.R. 702, a bill to adapt to changing crude oil market conditions, which passed the House by a vote of261 to 159on October 9, 2015.\nVisa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Prevention Act of 2015The bill includes a provision to strengthen the security of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to better ensure that individuals entering the United States through the program are not security risks, while maintaining the programs ability to facilitate legitimate foreign business travel and tourism to the U.S. This provision is identical toH.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Prevention Act of 2015, which passed the House by a vote of407 to 19on December 8, 2015.\nCountry of Origin Labeling(COOL) Repeal the bill amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to repeal existing final point of sale country-of-origin labeling requirements for retailers of beef, pork, and chicken. Country of origin labeling requirements required by the 2008 Farm Bill for beef and pork were challenged by Canada and Mexico through the World Trade Organization (WTO) adjudication process. These countries argued that such labeling requirements had a trade-distorting impact by discriminating against imported livestock, in violation of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).\nThe WTO ruled in favor of Mexico and Canada and has begun the process of determining the level of retaliatory tariffs those countries would be permitted to impose if the U.S. does not comply with the ruling. The bill repeals existing country-of-origin labeling requirements for retailers of beef, pork, and chicken to avoid these retaliatory tariffs. This provision is similar toH.R. 2393, the Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act of 2015, which passed House by a vote of300 to 131on June 10, 2015.\nGuantanamo Detainees The bill prohibits closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison facility and prevents transfer of detainees into the United States. The bill also prohibits the construction or acquisition of facilities in the U.S. for the detention or imprisonment of Guantanamo detainees. The bill also includes a requirement that the State Department report to Congress on agreements with other countries to accept detainees from Guantanamo Bay.\nSecond Amendment ProvisionsThe bill prohibits funding for federal law enforcement to transfer firearms to drug cartels without specific monitoring and control of the firearm (also known as gunwalking); prohibits funding to require a license to export to Canada certain gun parts valued at less than $500; prohibits the Department of Justice (DOJ) from denying a permit to import curios or relics related to firearms, parts or ammunition of U.S. origin; prohibits DOJ from denying permits for the importation of certain types of shotguns; and prohibits funds to implement the United NationsArms Trade Treaty.\nCybersecurity ProvisionsThe bill includes provisions to create a voluntary cybersecurity information sharing process that will encourage public and private sector entities to share cyber threat information, without legal barriers and the threat of unfounded litigationwhile protecting private information.[15] The bill also includes provisions to improve federal network and information system security, provide assessments on the federal cybersecurity workforce, and provide reporting and strategies on cybersecurity industry-related and criminal-related matters.[16] These provisions are similar to those included inH.R. 1731,theNational Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015, which passed the House by a vote of355 to 63on April 23, 2015, andH.R. 1560,the Protecting Cyber Networks Act, which passed the House by a vote of307 to 116on April 22, 2015, and S. 754, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015, which the Senate passed by a vote of74 to 21on October 27, 2015.\nPro-Life ProvisionsThe bill maintains existing protections that prohibit the use of federal funding for abortion, except in cases rape, incest, or endangerment of the life of the mother, and continues an annual provision to prevent the Department of Health and Human Services from discriminating against health care providers that refuse to provide, pay for, or refer for abortions. The bill also includes a ban on creating embryos for research purposes, or federal funding of research in which embryos are destroyed. The bill also includes restrictions on the use of funds by Legal Services Corporation grantees to participate in abortion-related litigation. The bill also includes a prohibition on the DC government using federal or local fund for abortion or abortion-related services.\nIntelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016The bill authorizes appropriations for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the U.S. government. This provision is nearly identical toH.R. 4127, Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016, which passed the House by a vote of364 to 58on December 1, 2015.\nPrivate Email Servers- A prohibition on funding for the State Department for private email accounts or servers. The legislation also requires the Secretary of State to submit a report to Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) within 30 days detailing its policies regarding the use or the establishment of email accounts or email servers created outside the .gov domain.\n\nBudgetary Provisions\nPAYGO ExemptionsThe bill provides that the budgetary effects of Division P (tax-related provisions) of the bill shall not be entered on the PAYGO scorecards under the Statutory Pay As You Go Act, and gives the Chairman of the Budget Committee the authority to adjust the allocations, aggregates, and levels of the Budget Resolution to be consistent with the Bipartisan budget Act of 2015.\nFinancial Services Provisions\nDisclosure of Political ActivitiesThe bill prohibits the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from requiring certain companies to disclose political contributions, contributions to tax exempt organizations, or dues to trade associations.\nFannie Mae and Freddie Mac Preferred Stock SalesThe bill limits the sale of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock by the Secretary of the Treasury until 2018. On September 6, 2008, the Federal Housing Administration exercised this authority and placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorships. At the same time, the U.S. Department of the Treasury entered into Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (PSPAs) with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to provide liquidity and stability to the mortgage market by purchasing shares of each company. In part, as a result of these actions, the U.S. Government owns a combined $187.5 billion of PSPAs of the GSEs and the rights to purchase up to 80 percent of their common shares.\nHardest Hit Housing Fund and Making Home Affordable InitiativeThe bill extends the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) authority through 2017 and would terminate the Making Home Affordable initiative beginning in 2017. On February 19, 2010, the Obama Administration announced that it would make up to a total of $1.5 billion available to the housing finance agencies (HFAs) of five states that had experienced the greatest declines in home prices, known as HHF. Funding for the program comes from the Targeted Asset Relief Program funds. The Making Home Affordable program is an initiative designed to make it easier for certain homeowners with little or no equity in their homes to refinance their mortgages and to help certain troubled borrowers obtain affordable loans.\nIraq Loan AuthorityThe bill authorizes up to $2.7 billion in direct loans to Iraq using the assistance provided to it through the Foreign Military Financing program.\nCommodity End-User Relief The bill exempts certain swaps and securities-based swaps executed by a central treasury unit (CTU) from the clearing requirements required for financial entities when that CTU is hedging or mitigating the risk of an affiliated commercial end-user; thereby, enabling such businesses to more efficiently hedge certain risks. This provision is similar toH.R. 1317, which passed the House by voice vote on November 16, 2015.\nMiscellaneous Financial Services ProvisionsThe bill includes similar provisions to those included in the following House bills that passed in the 114th Congress:H.R. 3032- the Securities and Exchange Commission Reporting Modernization Act of 2015;H.R. 2643 the State Licensing Efficiency Act of 2015; and,H.R. 1478 the Policyholder Protection Act of 2015.\nHealth Care Provisions\nReinsurance Risk CorridorsThe bill continues the prohibition on fund transfers to the reinsurance risk corridors in the ACA. The ACA requires certain insurance companies to pay into a reinsurance risk pool to subsidize health insurance companies that incur deep losses. Under the ACAs original framework, if the amount paid to these pools is surpassed by the amount paid out, the federal government is required to make up the difference. In 2015 the shortfall was approximately $2.5 billion.\nIndependent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) CutsThe bill cuts funding for IPAB by $15 million. IPAB was created by the ACA and is charged with developing proposals to \"reduce the percapita rate of growth in Medicare spending.\nPuerto Rico Medicare Reimbursement RatesThe bill would modify Medicare inpatient hospital rates for Puerto Rico hospitals to create Medicare rate reimbursement parity in Puerto Rico. This provision would also allow its participation in the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program that is available to Hospitals in the 50 states. The bill does not include access to Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy for Puerto Rico.\nTax Provisions\nSolar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) ExtensionThe bill extends the 30 percent Solar ITC for solar residential energy-efficient properties from 2017 to 2019, reduces the rate to 26 percent for 2020, and 22 percent for 2021.\nWind and Renewable Resources Credit ExtensionThe bill extends the wind production tax credit (PTC) for wind and certain other certain renewable sources of electricity. The bill phases down the credit to 80 percent in 2017, 60 percent in 2018, and 40 percent in 2019. The renewable electricity PTC is a per-kilowatt-hour tax (kWh) credit for electricity generated using qualified energy resources.\nTwo-year delay on High Cost Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage Excise Tax Provisions Cadillac TaxThe bill provides for a two-year moratorium on the excise tax on high cost health plans (Cadillac Tax), provided under the ACA. Under current law, the tax 40 percent tax is set to take effect in 2018 and is imposed on plans that cost more than $10,200 for single health plans and $27,500 for family plans.\nOne-year delay of the Health Insurance Tax (HIT)The bill provides for a one-year moratorium on the annual excise tax imposed on health insurers for calendar year 2017. The Health Insurance Tax is an annual fee charged to health insurance providers. Rather than a charging a fixed amount per health care provider, consumer, or a percentage of the price of insurance, the fee is set statutorily as a fixed amount each year and is split proportionally among most health insurers based upon their market share. Under current law, that amount will be $11.3 billion in 2015 and 2016, $13.9 billion in 2017, and $14.3 billion in 2018.\nPermanent Internet Tax Freedom ActThe bill provides a one-year extension of the Internet Tax Freedom Act, which bans states and localities from taxing Internet access or placing multiple and discriminatory taxes on Internet commerce, but allows grandfathered states and localities through June 2020 to phase-out existing taxes. The House passed H.R. 235, the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act, by voice vote on June 9, 2015.\nIndependent Refiners Transportation Cost Tax Deduction The bill temporarily exempts 75 percent of qualified transportation costs of certain independent refiners from calculating their domestic production activities. The provision would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015, and expire December 31, 2021.\nNatural Resources Provisions\nReauthorization of Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)The bill includes a three year reauthorization of the LWCF, which was created to help preserve, develop, and ensure access to outdoor recreation resources and is funded primarily by revenues from oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The authority to transfer certain revenues into the Fund lapsed on September 30, 2015.\nNational Oceans and Coastal Security Actthe bill includes the National Oceans and Coastal Security Act, which establishes a new National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund that will provide grants to strengthen coastal roads, bridges, and other infrastructure that are critical to coastal economies. It will also support work by state and local governments, universities, and non-profit organizations to restore habitat, manage fisheries, plan for sustainable coastal development, enhance ocean monitoring and research, and acquire coastal properties for preservation.[27] This provision is nearly identical toS. 2025, the NationalOceansandCoastalSecurityAct.\nProhibits listing the Sage Grouse on the Endangered Species ListThe bill prohibits the Sage Grouse from being listed on the Endangered Species List. If the bird were put on the list, it could have resulted in the closure of public lands that that have been used for decades for cattle grazing in Western states. The Obama Administration announced on September 22, 2015, that it would not include the bird on the list.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=22be9ecc-5a7c-49bd-9dd9-594b31b49a09", "Hoeven: Year-End Funding Bill Lifts Crude Oil Export Ban, Advances Other N.D. Priorities", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Year-End Funding Bill Lifts Crude Oil Export Ban, Advances Other N.D. Priorities  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Measure Supports ND Flood Projects, Permanently Extends Sec. 179, Reforms Visa Waiver Program\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the year-end omnibus appropriations bill that Congress passed today includes a provision to lift the decades-long ban on U.S. crude oil exports, as well as other key priorities for North Dakota. In addition, the measure reduces spending from $1.5 trillion in 2009, when it peaked, to $1.15 trillion in 2016, a reduction of $350 billion. Specifically, the measure:\r\n \r\nLifts the decades-long ban on crude oil exports\r\nAdvances flood protection projects for the Fargo-Moorhead and Minot regions\r\nProvides tax relief for small businesses and farmers by permanently extending the Section 179 expensing limit\r\nPrevents the implementation of Obamacare tax on medical devices and health care plans for two years\r\nSupports our military and veterans\r\nSupports UAS research and Centers of Excellence\r\nStrengthens the visa waiver program \r\nExtends flexibility to school meals programs\r\nBoosts ag research, Water Bank Program and defunds WOTUS Interpretive Rule for farmers and ranchers\r\nSupports Native American education and law enforcement\r\nSupports continued health care for 9/11 first responders (Zadroga)\r\n \r\nLifting the ban on exporting crude oil is a win across the board because it will help to grow our economy and create jobs, hold the price of gasoline at the pump lower for consumers, and make our nation more secure, Hoeven said. While the year-end funding legislation didnt produce as much savings as I would have liked, it still reduces spending from $1.5 trillion in 2009 to about $1.15 trillion in 2016, a reduction of $350 billion. Moreover, the legislation includes North Dakota priorities, such as flood protection for the Fargo and Minot areas, tax relief for farmers, ranchers and small businesses and keeping our military strong. It also provides unprecedented support for our nations veterans.\r\nSUMMARY OF PRIORITIES\r\nLifts the Ban on Oil Exports  Hoeven has repeatedly called for repealing the ban and worked persistently to get it included in the year-end legislation. The senator, who serves on the Energy Committee, cosponsored bipartisan legislation lifting the ban that passed the committee this summer. More information can be found here.\r\nProvides funding and authorization for new construction and study starts  Includes nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineers proposed budget for construction and authorizes new studies and construction activity that will help to advance flood protection projects in the Fargo-Moorhead and Minot regions. Hoeven worked on the Appropriations Committee to include language in the FY 2016 Energy and Water funding bill, which has now been included in the year-end legislation.\r\n \r\nHelp communities in North Dakota build permanent flood protection projects with an emphasis on public private partnerships like the permanent flood protection project for Fargo and the Red River Valley.\r\nProvide permission for the Corps to begin studies of new permanent flood protection projects, which is vital for communities like Minot and the Souris River.\r\nIncrease the Corps funding for water development infrastructure over FY 2015. This increase will help communities like LaMoure with funding to replace sanitary sewer systems.\r\nIncrease the Corps funding for FEMA flood-mapping activities to better coordinate with flood insurance and keep premiums more affordable.\r\n \r\nThe legislation also directs FEMA to take local communities flood protection projects into account when mapping flood hazards and to coordinate the mapping process with the phases of large projects. The measure also provides an additional $165 million above the fiscal year 2015 level for flood mitigation programs and boosts the Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program to $190 million, a 53 percent increase, and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program to $100 million, a 300 percent increase.\r\nProvides More Than $680 billion in Tax Relief, including permanently extending the Sec. 179 limitation, the number one priority for farmers, ranchers and small businesses.\r\n \r\nSection 179 and Bonus Depreciation  Permanently extends Section 179 with the $500,000 limitation, a provision of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code that allows farmers, ranchers and other small businesses to expense the purchase of equipment they need to run their operations. In addition, the measure extends the bonus depreciation allowance for five years. Section 179 allows small businesses the option of expensing the costs of qualified equipment and other property up-front, which may reduce the businesses administrative burden and would be preferable to depreciating the items over time.\r\nObamacare Tax Relief  Includes several provisions that offer regulatory relief from Obamacares costly and burdensome mandates, including a two-year delay of the tax on businesses that pay their employees health care plans, a two-year delay of the Medical Device Tax and a one-year delay of the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) paid by insurance companies. It also eliminates funding for the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). \r\nCharitable Distribution from IRAs  Allows individuals over the age of 70 to donate directly to a qualified charity from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA). The amount donated is excluded from their gross income for tax purposes and satisfies any minimum distribution requirement for the IRA.\r\nLow Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)  LIHTC is a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for private investments made for the construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing. The credits are distributed to the states on a per capita basis and developers compete for an allocation of credits. The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency manages the credits and uses them alongside state programs to address North Dakotas housing challenges and ensure an adequate housing supply is available for the states workers and their families.\r\nDeduction for Educator Expenses  Allows teachers to deduct the cost of unreimbursed expenses up to $250 per educator, for education supplies, such as books, computer equipment and other materials.\r\n \r\nSupports Our Military and Veterans Ensures a strong nuclear triad and UAS force for the future.\r\n \r\nCruise missile warhead: Includes full funding, $195 million, to refurbish the warhead that will go on the new Air Force long range standoff (LRSO) cruise missile.\r\nGlobal Hawk  The bill provides $268 million in support of the Global Hawk mission and includes language to ensure the Air Force does not retire or divest the Global Hawk fleet in Fiscal Year 2016. The measure ensures that the Air Force will continue the Global Hawk Block 40 program at Grand Forks Air Force Base.\r\nNuclear Force Structure  Includes language Hoeven authored that directs the Department of Defense (DoD) to maintain U.S. nuclear forces at the levels agreed to in the New START Treaty, rather than reduce them, as the administration has proposed.\r\nMinuteman III Replacement  Full funding for the next generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which will replace the current Minuteman III.\r\nB-52 Modernization  $225.4 million to modernize the B-52, including programs to improve its communications equipment and upgrade the internal bomb bay.\r\nUAS Research  $7.8 million to support DoD research and development efforts for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This funding helps DoD ensure its UAS aircraft will be consistent with the FAAs efforts to integrate UAS into the national airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected the ASSURE team, led by the University of North Dakota and Mississippi State University, as the Center of Excellence for researching the safe integration of UAS into the National Airspace.\r\nND National Guard Intelligence Targeting Mission  The bill includes $7.3 million for a new facility to support the North Dakota Air National Guards Intelligence Targeting Mission at Hector Field in Fargo.\r\n \r\nUAS Integration and Research  The bill provides $17.6 million for the FAA for general UAS research and integration priorities and directs that at least $5.5 million go to the UAS Center of Excellence in coordination with the six national UAS test sites.\r\nSupports Our Nations Veterans  Funds Veterans Administration programs at $71.4 billion, more than has ever been appropriated to the VA. The bill makes an additional $2.5 billion in FY2016 available to improve patient access to care, and to support additional health care services including hepatitis C treatments, veterans' caregiver services, and homeless veterans assistance. Additionally, the bill includes a provision that requires the Department of Veteran Affairs to submit a comprehensive cost analysis of the Veterans Choice Programs 40 mile rule criteria. The report must provide potential legislative and non-legislative solutions that offer veterans access to non-VA care when they live more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility incapable of providing medical services a veteran requires.\r\nEarlier this year the Senate passed the Access to Community Care for Veterans Act, legislation cosponsored by Hoeven. This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (Choice Act) of 2014 to allow veterans to obtain health care services in their local community if a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center or CBOC within 40 miles cant provide the necessary care.\r\nHelps Make America Safer\r\n \r\nReforms the Visa Waiver Program  The legislation increases information sharing between the United States and the 38 countries whose passport-holders are allowed to visit the country without getting a visa, while also attempting to weed out travelers who have visitedcertain countries and may require additional scrutiny.\r\nStrengthens Homeland Security  provides $47.8 billion for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including key increases for border security, immigration enforcement, and cybersecurity, among other critical missions.Specifically, the bill includes $11.1 billion for Customs and Border Protection, $359 million above the FY 2015 enacted level. The funding will be used for significant border security enhancements, such as a new unmanned aircraft; an Integrated Fixed Tower system for the Arizona border; and relocatable surveillance towers for the Southwest border. It also fully funds necessary immigration enforcement and vetting activities above the fiscal year 2015 level, including intelligence and targeting systems; Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigations, overstay enforcement, and Mobile Criminal Alien Teams to identify and apprehend criminal aliens; and a modernization of the agencys biometric system. E-Verify is funded at $120 million, and DHS is required to submit a report on the steps necessary to move to a mandatory system.\r\nHelps First Responders, States and Local Communities Counter Terrorism  In addition to $1.5 billion to support state and local planning, training, exercises, and equipment purchases, the bill includes $50 million in additional funding for a new initiative to counter violent extremism and complex, coordinated terrorist attacks. The funds will be available as grants to help states and local communities prepare for, prevent, and respond to such threats. The funding will benefit first responders like police, firemen, and ambulance services should a violent incident occur.\r\nStrengthen Cybersecurity  The measure includes $819 million for protection of government networks and information technology systems and DHS efforts with states, local communities, and the private sector to increase cybersecurity.Further, an additional $100 million is provided to enhance security of the Departments internal systems.\r\n \r\nGives School Meals Programs Needed FlexibilityIncludes Hoevens school nutrition reform amendment, whichpassed the Agriculture Appropriations Committee, earlier this year. The measure gives schools struggling to comply with the whole grain standard the flexibility they need during the 2016-2017 school year to allow for 50 percent of whole grains, rather than requiring 100 percent of whole grains in the school meal. It also prevents the Administration from requiring further reductions in sodium, which have already been reduced, making it difficult for schools to serve healthy foods with naturally occurring sodium. Hoeven has pressed to make these provisions permanent through theHealthy School Meals Flexibility Act (S.1146),which he sponsored with Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).\r\nBoosts Ag Research and Water Bank, Prevents the WOTUS Interpretive Rule for Farmers and Ranchers.\r\n \r\nWater Bank  Continues the Hoeven Water Bank initiative at the FY15 level of $4 million, providing compensation for farmers and landowners for flooded land through 10-year, voluntary conservation agreements, which is especially helpful for Devils Lake producers.\r\nBoosts Ag Research Agriculture research programs, including the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and National Institutes for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) received increased funding.ARS which received an increase over FY15 levels to $1.4 billion is USDAs in-house research arm, which partners with facilities like Fargos Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center. NIFA is provided funding of $1.3 billion, a $37 million increase over FY15 levels. This is critical for the cutting edge research done at Americas land grant universities, such as NDSU.\r\nRural Water  Rural communities manage their water systems through programs like the Grassroots Source Water Protection Program and the Circuit Rider Program, which received increases of $974,000 and $478,000 over FY15 levels respectively.\r\nWOTUS  Prevents the EPA from reinstating the Waters of the U.S. Interpretive Rule, which preserves the general ag exemption from the Clean Water Act for farmers and ranchersHoeven continues to work on several fronts to stop the full WOTUS regulation, including blocking funding for implementing the rule and eliminating the rule through standalone legislation and under the Congressional Review Act (CRA).\r\nAnhydrous Ammonia  The bill includes a provision that prevents the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from imposing new enforcement regimes that threatened to limit the supply of anhydrous ammonia, a nitrogen fertilizer that is critically important to our nations farmers.\r\n \r\nSupports Native American Education and Law Enforcement\r\n \r\nTribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions  Includes anadditional $5.1 million to fund the, which includes United Tribes Technical College. Thisfunding will come up front rather than at the end of the year, which will support a thriving educational system for Native American students throughout the state.\r\nBIA Criminal Investigations and Police Services  Provides $198 million, a $3 million increase from FY15 for BIA assumed child social services on the Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota in October of 2012. Further, increased population growth has resulted in additional economic activity on the Fort Berthold Reservation, straining the police and investigative services on both reservations.\r\nIncludes $4.5 million for the BIA to create a new Indian Energy Service Center to expedite leasing, permitting, and reporting of energy development on tribal lands, which could benefit Fort Berthold.\r\n \r\nSupports Continued Health Care for 9/11 First Responders  Permanently extends the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program and provides a five-year extension of the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund (VCF). Together, these programs provide specialized health care services, such as chronic disease treatment, and compensation to the first responders and victims of the 9/11 terrorists attacks. To date, more than 33,000 program participants are suffering from illnesses or injuries as a result of the 9/11 attacks.\r\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=b327efb3-378a-488a-aca0-f8e42fcd19da", "Hoeven Thanks North Dakota Interns for Their Service in His Washington, Bismarck & Fargo Offices", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Thanks North Dakota Interns for Their Service in His Washington, Bismarck & Fargo Offices  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today thanked the young people who interned in his offices during the fall semester. Mary Silverthorn of Beulah, Sarah Strube of Dickinson, Samuel Swanson of Bismarck and Emily Kovacs of St. Paul interned in Hoevens Washington, D.C. office. Quinn Harmon of Minot interned in Hoevens Bismarck office and Aaron Weber of Wishek was based in Hoevens Fargo office. The interns have worked with the senator and his staff on legislative, communications and administrative projects.\r\nInternships are a great opportunity to gain professional experience while also getting a first-hand look at the legislative process, Hoeven said. We hope the skills these young people have learned will help them achieve their educational and career goals. My staff and I thank this group of interns for all of their hard work during the past few months, and appreciate their enthusiasm and willingness to become involved in public service.\r\nEmily Kovacs, daughter of James and Julie Kallestad, is in her last year of pharmacy school at North Dakota State University (NDSU). Emily is planning to graduate in May.\r\nMary Silverthorn, daughter of Roger and Sue Silverthorn, is a junior at the University of Minnesota. She is pursuing a degree in political science and business management.\r\nSarah Strube, daughter of Beth Ehlis of Dickinson and Ernie Strube of Mayville, is studying business economics and political science at the University of North Dakota (UND).\r\nSamuel Swanson is the son of Thomas and Karen Swanson, and is a recent graduate of Concordia College, where he triple majored in political science, global studies with a concentration in Latin American studies and Spanish. After the internship, Samuel hopes to stay in Washington and work in the Capitol where he can learn more about the legislative process.\r\nQuinn Harmon, daughter of Kevin and Leisa Harmon, is a junior at the University of Mary where she is majoring in public policy. At the University of Mary, Quinn serves as a Student Senator on the student government and is a member of the Pre-Law Club. She also competed for the Track and Field team for the past two years. Quinn plans to attend law school after she graduates in 2016.\r\nAaron Weber, son of Jim and Mary Ann Weber, is a 2013 graduate of Wishek High School and is in his junior year at NDSU. There he studies agriculture communications with hopes of attending law school or graduate school. While at NDSU, Aaron has been involved with Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, Student Government, North Dakota Student Association, and North Dakota College Republicans, where he serves as President.\r\nSenator Hoeven offers internship opportunities in his Washington, D.C. and state offices. North Dakotans interested in applying to intern in the senators office should submit an application online. Questions can be directed to (202) 224-2551.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=f46e7a3a-9952-4d3e-a6f8-acb9605f3c3e", "Hoeven Announces $50K NSF Grant for Aerospace Technology Development at UND", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces $50K NSF Grant for Aerospace Technology Development at UND \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $50,000 to researchers at the University of North Dakota (UND) to support the development of aerospace technology. UNDs researchers will prepare an orientation determination and control system for spacecraft, aircraft and other vehicles for commercial development and use, which will allow the crafts to take intelligent, corrective action after unanticipated events or hardware failures. The funds are made available through NSFs Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program.\r\nOur states research institutions are drivers of innovation and economic growth, Hoeven said. Todays award supports UNDs continued efforts to conduct cutting-edge research across the field of aerospace, developing technologies that make flying safer, whether it is within our atmosphere or out in space.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-50k-nsf-grant-for-aerospace-technology-development-at-und", "Hoeven Announces $50K NSF Grant for Aerospace Technology Development at UND", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces $50K NSF Grant for Aerospace Technology Development at UND \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $50,000 to researchers at the University of North Dakota (UND) to support the development of aerospace technology. UND's researchers will prepare an orientation determination and control system for spacecraft, aircraft and other vehicles for commercial development and use, which will allow the crafts to take intelligent, corrective action after unanticipated events or hardware failures. The funds are made available through NSF's Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program.\r\nOur state's research institutions are drivers of innovation and economic growth, Hoeven said. Today's award supports UND's continued efforts to conduct cutting-edge research across the field of aerospace, developing technologies that make flying safer, whether it is within our atmosphere or out in space.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-thanks-north-dakota-interns-for-their-service-in-his-washington-bismarck-and-fargo-offices", "Hoeven Thanks North Dakota Interns for Their Service in His Washington, Bismarck & Fargo Offices", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Thanks North Dakota Interns for Their Service in His Washington, Bismarck & Fargo Offices  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today thanked the young people who interned in his offices during the fall semester. Mary Silverthorn of Beulah, Sarah Strube of Dickinson, Samuel Swanson of Bismarck and Emily Kovacs of St. Paul interned in Hoeven's Washington, D.C. office. Quinn Harmon of Minot interned in Hoeven's Bismarck office and Aaron Weber of Wishek was based in Hoeven's Fargo office. The interns have worked with the senator and his staff on legislative, communications and administrative projects.\r\nInternships are a great opportunity to gain professional experience while also getting a first-hand look at the legislative process, Hoeven said. We hope the skills these young people have learned will help them achieve their educational and career goals. My staff and I thank this group of interns for all of their hard work during the past few months, and appreciate their enthusiasm and willingness to become involved in public service.\r\nEmily Kovacs, daughter of James and Julie Kallestad, is in her last year of pharmacy school at North Dakota State University (NDSU). Emily is planning to graduate in May.\r\nMary Silverthorn, daughter of Roger and Sue Silverthorn, is a junior at the University of Minnesota. She is pursuing a degree in political science and business management.\r\nSarah Strube, daughter of Beth Ehlis of Dickinson and Ernie Strube of Mayville, is studying business economics and political science at the University of North Dakota (UND).\r\nSamuel Swanson is the son of Thomas and Karen Swanson, and is a recent graduate of Concordia College, where he triple majored in political science, global studies with a concentration in Latin American studies and Spanish. After the internship, Samuel hopes to stay in Washington and work in the Capitol where he can learn more about the legislative process.\r\nQuinn Harmon, daughter of Kevin and Leisa Harmon, is a junior at the University of Mary where she is majoring in public policy. At the University of Mary, Quinn serves as a Student Senator on the student government and is a member of the Pre-Law Club. She also competed for the Track and Field team for the past two years. Quinn plans to attend law school after she graduates in 2016.\r\nAaron Weber, son of Jim and Mary Ann Weber, is a 2013 graduate of Wishek High School and is in his junior year at NDSU. There he studies agriculture communications with hopes of attending law school or graduate school. While at NDSU, Aaron has been involved with Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, Student Government, North Dakota Student Association, and North Dakota College Republicans, where he serves as President.\r\nSenator Hoeven offers internship opportunities in his Washington, D.C. and state offices. North Dakotans interested in applying to intern in the senator's office should submit an application online. Questions can be directed to (202) 224-2551.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-year-end-funding-bill-lifts-crude-oil-export-ban-advances-other-nd-priorities", "Hoeven: Year-End Funding Bill Lifts Crude Oil Export Ban, Advances Other N.D. Priorities", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Year-End Funding Bill Lifts Crude Oil Export Ban, Advances Other N.D. Priorities  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Measure Supports ND Flood Projects, Permanently Extends Sec. 179, Reforms Visa Waiver Program\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the year-end omnibus appropriations bill that Congress passed today includes a provision to lift the decades-long ban on U.S. crude oil exports, as well as other key priorities for North Dakota. In addition, the measure reduces spending from $1.5 trillion in 2009, when it peaked, to $1.15 trillion in 2016, a reduction of $350 billion. Specifically, the measure:\r\n \r\nLifts the decades-long ban on crude oil exports\r\nAdvances flood protection projects for the Fargo-Moorhead and Minot regions\r\nProvides tax relief for small businesses and farmers by permanently extending the Section 179 expensing limit\r\nPrevents the implementation of Obamacare tax on medical devices and health care plans for two years\r\nSupports our military and veterans\r\nSupports UAS research and Centers of Excellence\r\nStrengthens the visa waiver program \r\nExtends flexibility to school meals programs\r\nBoosts ag research, Water Bank Program and defunds WOTUS Interpretive Rule for farmers and ranchers\r\nSupports Native American education and law enforcement\r\nSupports continued health care for 9/11 first responders (Zadroga)\r\n \r\nLifting the ban on exporting crude oil is a win across the board because it will help to grow our economy and create jobs, hold the price of gasoline at the pump lower for consumers, and make our nation more secure, Hoeven said. While the year-end funding legislation didn't produce as much savings as I would have liked, it still reduces spending from $1.5 trillion in 2009 to about $1.15 trillion in 2016, a reduction of $350 billion. Moreover, the legislation includes North Dakota priorities, such as flood protection for the Fargo and Minot areas, tax relief for farmers, ranchers and small businesses and keeping our military strong. It also provides unprecedented support for our nation's veterans.\r\nSUMMARY OF PRIORITIES\r\nLifts the Ban on Oil Exports  Hoeven has repeatedly called for repealing the ban and worked persistently to get it included in the year-end legislation. The senator, who serves on the Energy Committee, cosponsored bipartisan legislation lifting the ban that passed the committee this summer. More information can be found here.\r\nProvides funding and authorization for new construction and study starts  Includes nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineer's proposed budget for construction and authorizes new studies and construction activity that will help to advance flood protection projects in the Fargo-Moorhead and Minot regions. Hoeven worked on the Appropriations Committee to include language in the FY 2016 Energy and Water funding bill, which has now been included in the year-end legislation.\r\n \r\nHelp communities in North Dakota build permanent flood protection projects with an emphasis on public private partnerships like the permanent flood protection project for Fargo and the Red River Valley.\r\nProvide permission for the Corps to begin studies of new permanent flood protection projects, which is vital for communities like Minot and the Souris River.\r\nIncrease the Corps funding for water development infrastructure over FY 2015. This increase will help communities like LaMoure with funding to replace sanitary sewer systems.\r\nIncrease the Corps' funding for FEMA flood-mapping activities to better coordinate with flood insurance and keep premiums more affordable.\r\n \r\nThe legislation also directs FEMA to take local communities' flood protection projects into account when mapping flood hazards and to coordinate the mapping process with the phases of large projects. The measure also provides an additional $165 million above the fiscal year 2015 level for flood mitigation programs and boosts the Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program to $190 million, a 53 percent increase, and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program to $100 million, a 300 percent increase.\r\nProvides More Than $680 billion in Tax Relief, including permanently extending the Sec. 179 limitation, the number one priority for farmers, ranchers and small businesses.\r\n \r\nSection 179 and Bonus Depreciation  Permanently extends Section 179 with the $500,000 limitation, a provision of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code that allows farmers, ranchers and other small businesses to expense the purchase of equipment they need to run their operations. In addition, the measure extends the bonus depreciation allowance for five years. Section 179 allows small businesses the option of expensing the costs of qualified equipment and other property up-front, which may reduce the businesses' administrative burden and would be preferable to depreciating the items over time.\r\nObamacare Tax Relief  Includes several provisions that offer regulatory relief from Obamacare's costly and burdensome mandates, including a two-year delay of the tax on businesses that pay their employees' health care plans, a two-year delay of the Medical Device Tax and a one-year delay of the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) paid by insurance companies. It also eliminates funding for the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). \r\nCharitable Distribution from IRAs  Allows individuals over the age of 70 to donate directly to a qualified charity from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA). The amount donated is excluded from their gross income for tax purposes and satisfies any minimum distribution requirement for the IRA.\r\nLow Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)  LIHTC is a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for private investments made for the construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing. The credits are distributed to the states on a per capita basis and developers compete for an allocation of credits. The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency manages the credits and uses them alongside state programs to address North Dakota's housing challenges and ensure an adequate housing supply is available for the state's workers and their families.\r\nDeduction for Educator Expenses  Allows teachers to deduct the cost of unreimbursed expenses up to $250 per educator, for education supplies, such as books, computer equipment and other materials.\r\n \r\nSupports Our Military and Veterans Ensures a strong nuclear triad and UAS force for the future.\r\n \r\nCruise missile warhead: Includes full funding, $195 million, to refurbish the warhead that will go on the new Air Force long range standoff (LRSO) cruise missile.\r\nGlobal Hawk  The bill provides $268 million in support of the Global Hawk mission and includes language to ensure the Air Force does not retire or divest the Global Hawk fleet in Fiscal Year 2016. The measure ensures that the Air Force will continue the Global Hawk Block 40 program at Grand Forks Air Force Base.\r\nNuclear Force Structure  Includes language Hoeven authored that directs the Department of Defense (DoD) to maintain U.S. nuclear forces at the levels agreed to in the New START Treaty, rather than reduce them, as the administration has proposed.\r\nMinuteman III Replacement  Full funding for the next generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which will replace the current Minuteman III.\r\nB-52 Modernization  $225.4 million to modernize the B-52, including programs to improve its communications equipment and upgrade the internal bomb bay.\r\nUAS Research  $7.8 million to support DoD research and development efforts for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This funding helps DoD ensure its UAS aircraft will be consistent with the FAA's efforts to integrate UAS into the national airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected the ASSURE team, led by the University of North Dakota and Mississippi State University, as the Center of Excellence for researching the safe integration of UAS into the National Airspace.\r\nND National Guard Intelligence Targeting Mission  The bill includes $7.3 million for a new facility to support the North Dakota Air National Guard's Intelligence Targeting Mission at Hector Field in Fargo.\r\n \r\nUAS Integration and Research  The bill provides $17.6 million for the FAA for general UAS research and integration priorities and directs that at least $5.5 million go to the UAS Center of Excellence in coordination with the six national UAS test sites.\r\nSupports Our Nation's Veterans  Funds Veterans Administration programs at $71.4 billion, more than has ever been appropriated to the VA. The bill makes an additional $2.5 billion in FY2016 available to improve patient access to care, and to support additional health care services including hepatitis C treatments, veterans' caregiver services, and homeless veterans' assistance. Additionally, the bill includes a provision that requires the Department of Veteran Affairs to submit a comprehensive cost analysis of the Veterans Choice Program's 40 mile rule criteria. The report must provide potential legislative and non-legislative solutions that offer veterans access to non-VA care when they live more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility incapable of providing medical services a veteran requires.\r\nEarlier this year the Senate passed the Access to Community Care for Veterans Act, legislation cosponsored by Hoeven. This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (Choice Act) of 2014 to allow veterans to obtain health care services in their local community if a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center or CBOC within 40 miles can't provide the necessary care.\r\nHelps Make America Safer\r\n \r\nReforms the Visa Waiver Program  The legislation increases information sharing between the United States and the 38 countries whose passport-holders are allowed to visit the country without getting a visa, while also attempting to weed out travelers who have visitedcertain countries and may require additional scrutiny.\r\nStrengthens Homeland Security  provides $47.8 billion for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including key increases for border security, immigration enforcement, and cybersecurity, among other critical missions.Specifically, the bill includes $11.1 billion for Customs and Border Protection, $359 million above the FY 2015 enacted level. The funding will be used for significant border security enhancements, such as a new unmanned aircraft; an Integrated Fixed Tower system for the Arizona border; and relocatable surveillance towers for the Southwest border. It also fully funds necessary immigration enforcement and vetting activities above the fiscal year 2015 level, including intelligence and targeting systems; Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigations, overstay enforcement, and Mobile Criminal Alien Teams to identify and apprehend criminal aliens; and a modernization of the agency's biometric system. E-Verify is funded at $120 million, and DHS is required to submit a report on the steps necessary to move to a mandatory system.\r\nHelps First Responders, States and Local Communities Counter Terrorism  In addition to $1.5 billion to support state and local planning, training, exercises, and equipment purchases, the bill includes $50 million in additional funding for a new initiative to counter violent extremism and complex, coordinated terrorist attacks. The funds will be available as grants to help states and local communities prepare for, prevent, and respond to such threats. The funding will benefit first responders like police, firemen, and ambulance services should a violent incident occur.\r\nStrengthen Cybersecurity  The measure includes $819 million for protection of government networks and information technology systems and DHS efforts with states, local communities, and the private sector to increase cybersecurity.Further, an additional $100 million is provided to enhance security of the Department's internal systems.\r\n \r\nGives School Meals Programs Needed FlexibilityIncludes Hoeven's school nutrition reform amendment, whichpassed the Agriculture Appropriations Committee, earlier this year. The measure gives schools struggling to comply with the whole grain standard the flexibility they need during the 2016-2017 school year to allow for 50 percent of whole grains, rather than requiring 100 percent of whole grains in the school meal. It also prevents the Administration from requiring further reductions in sodium, which have already been reduced, making it difficult for schools to serve healthy foods with naturally occurring sodium. Hoeven has pressed to make these provisions permanent through theHealthy School Meals Flexibility Act (S.1146),which he sponsored with Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).\r\nBoosts Ag Research and Water Bank, Prevents the WOTUS Interpretive Rule for Farmers and Ranchers.\r\n \r\nWater Bank  Continues the Hoeven Water Bank initiative at the FY15 level of $4 million, providing compensation for farmers and landowners for flooded land through 10-year, voluntary conservation agreements, which is especially helpful for Devils Lake producers.\r\nBoosts Ag Research Agriculture research programs, including the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and National Institutes for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) received increased funding.ARS which received an increase over FY15 levels to $1.4 billion is USDA's in-house research arm, which partners with facilities like Fargo's Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center. NIFA is provided funding of $1.3 billion, a $37 million increase over FY15 levels. This is critical for the cutting edge research done at America's land grant universities, such as NDSU.\r\nRural Water  Rural communities manage their water systems through programs like the Grassroots Source Water Protection Program and the Circuit Rider Program, which received increases of $974,000 and $478,000 over FY15 levels respectively.\r\nWOTUS  Prevents the EPA from reinstating the Waters of the U.S. Interpretive Rule, which preserves the general ag exemption from the Clean Water Act for farmers and ranchersHoeven continues to work on several fronts to stop the full WOTUS regulation, including blocking funding for implementing the rule and eliminating the rule through standalone legislation and under the Congressional Review Act (CRA).\r\nAnhydrous Ammonia  The bill includes a provision that prevents the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from imposing new enforcement regimes that threatened to limit the supply of anhydrous ammonia, a nitrogen fertilizer that is critically important to our nation's farmers.\r\n \r\nSupports Native American Education and Law Enforcement\r\n \r\nTribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions  Includes anadditional $5.1 million to fund the, which includes United Tribes Technical College. Thisfunding will come up front rather than at the end of the year, which will support a thriving educational system for Native American students throughout the state.\r\nBIA Criminal Investigations and Police Services  Provides $198 million, a $3 million increase from FY15 for BIA assumed child social services on the Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota in October of 2012. Further, increased population growth has resulted in additional economic activity on the Fort Berthold Reservation, straining the police and investigative services on both reservations.\r\nIncludes $4.5 million for the BIA to create a new Indian Energy Service Center to expedite leasing, permitting, and reporting of energy development on tribal lands, which could benefit Fort Berthold.\r\n \r\nSupports Continued Health Care for 9/11 First Responders  Permanently extends the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program and provides a five-year extension of the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund (VCF). Together, these programs provide specialized health care services, such as chronic disease treatment, and compensation to the first responders and victims of the 9/11 terrorists attacks. To date, more than 33,000 program participants are suffering from illnesses or injuries as a result of the 9/11 attacks.\r\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-passes-629-billion-in-tax-relief", "Cramer: House Passes $629 Billion in Tax Relief", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer announced today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015. In addition to providing $629 billion in tax relief for American taxpayers and businesses, it reins in the Internal Revenue Service, provides certainty for families and taxpayers as they plan for the future and offers incentives for charitable activities.\nA number of temporary tax provisions in the Internal Revenue Code expired at the end of 2014, and had these tax provisions not extended retroactively, taxpayers would have been unable to use these credits and deductions when filing their 2015 tax returns.The PATH Act makes permanent nearly two dozen of these provisions and extends many the others, preventing tax increases on families and businesses that will begin filing their 2015 tax returns early next year.\nThis bill is a major step toward reforming our complicated and punitive tax code, said Cramer. It provides families and small businesses with an improved tax regulatory environment to prosper which will result in higher paying jobs throughout the country.\nCramer said a highlight of the bill is making Section 179 expensing permanent. I hear from North Dakota farmers and other small business owners about this nearly every day. Making this deduction permanent gives them the certainty to make long-term capital purchase decisions which will help create good paying jobs.\nThe Section 179 equipment tax deduction allows small businesses the ability to deduct those costs immediately, instead of over the useful life of the property. From 2010 through 2014, the expensing limitation was raised repeatedly on a short-term basis to $500,000. This legislation makes the deduction permanent.\nAny tax reform package needed to include Section 179 expensing. The bill also makes Individual Retirement Account charitable rollovers permanent, said Cramer. Allowing individuals the opportunity to donate their retirement accounts to their church or charity enhances and rewards their community. Charities deliver important services with compassion which is uncommon for government programs.\nCramer has long advocated for making Section 179 expensing permanent. On Feb 13, he spoke about its impact on farmers and small business owners in North Dakota. View the speech by clicking on the image below.\nCramer spoke on the House floor on Feb. 12 about the importance of making charitable donations a permanent part of the tax code. View the speech by clicking on the image below.\n\nSummary of Section 179 Expensing and Bonus Deprecation\nSection 179\nPermanent extension, retroactive to 2015\nThe provision permanently extends small business expensing up to $500,000 of investments in new equipment and property per year, with the deduction phased out for investments exceeding $2 million. These amounts currently are $25,000 and $200,000, respectively. The special rules that allow expensing for computer software and qualified real property (qualified leasehold improvement property, qualified restaurant property, and qualified retail improvement property) also are permanently extended. The provision modifies the expensing limitation by indexing both the $500,000 and $2 million limits for inflation beginning in 2016 and by treating air conditioning and heating units placed in service in tax years beginning after 2015 as eligible for expensing. The provision further modifies the expensing limitation with respect to qualified real property by eliminating the $250,000 cap beginning in 2016.\nBonus Depreciation\n5-year extension, retroactive to 2015\nThe provision extends bonus depreciation for property acquired and placed in service during 2015 through 2019 (with an additional year for certain property with a longer production period). The bonus depreciation percentage is 50 percent for property placed in service during 2015, 2016 and 2017 and phases down, with 40 percent in 2018, and 30 percent in 2019. The provision continues to allow taxpayers to elect to accelerate the use of AMT credits in lieu of bonus depreciation under special rules for property placed in service during 2015. The provision modifies the AMT rules beginning in 2016 by increasing the amount of unused AMT credits that may be claimed in lieu of bonus depreciation. The provision also modifies bonus depreciation to include qualified improvement property and to permit certain trees, vines, and plants bearing fruit or nuts to be eligible for bonus depreciation when planted or grafted, rather than when placed in service.\n\nSummary of H.R. 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 as amended\nIndividual Tax Extenders\nEnhanced Child Tax Credit Made PermanentThe bill makes permanent the enhanced child tax credit. To the extent the CTC exceeds the taxpayers tax liability, the taxpayer is eligible for a refundable credit (the additional child tax credit) equal to 15 percent of earned income in excess of a threshold dollar amount (the earned income formula). The provision permanently sets the threshold amount at an unindexed $3,000.\nAmerican Opportunity Tax Credit Made PermanentThe bill makes permanent the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which allows taxpayers generally to claim a tax credit up to $2,500 for qualified tuition and related postsecondary education expenses. The full credit is available to individuals, whose modified adjusted gross income is $80,000 or less, or $160,000 or less for married couples filing a joint return. The credit is phased out for taxpayers with incomes above these levels.\nEnhanced Earned Income Tax Credit Made PermanentThe bill makes permanent enhanced provisions of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is available to low- and moderate-income workers. Under current law, the EITC amount has been temporarily increased for individuals with three or more children and the EITC marriage penalty has been reduced by increasing the income phase-out range by $5,000 (indexed for inflation) for those who are married and filing jointly. The bill makes these provisions permanent.\nK-12 Teacher Classroom Expenses Deduction Made PermanentThe bill makes permanent the above-the-line deduction[3] (currently capped at $250) for the eligible classroom expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers. The provision also modifies the deduction to index the $250 cap to inflation and include professional development expenses. This provision was first enacted on a temporary basis in 2002 and has regularly been included in tax extender packages\nState and Local Sales Taxes DeductionThe bill permanently extends the option to take an itemized deduction for State and local general sales taxes in lieu of an itemized deduction for State and local income taxes. An itemized sales tax deduction allows taxpayers to deduct State and local sales tax they have paid from their federal taxes. Since 2004, there has been a temporary provision allowing for itemized deductions of State and local sales tax when determining taxable income; however, this deduction expired on January 1, 2015. Allowing for an itemized deduction for State and local income taxes, but not for State and local sales taxes, creates a tax liability disparity for residents of States that impose a sales tax rather than an income tax. On April 16, 2015, the House passedH.R. 622,theState and Local Sales Tax Deduction Fairness Act of 2015,by a vote of272 to 152. H.R. 622made permanent an itemized deduction for State and local general sales taxes. The Senate has not acted on the House-passed bill.\nTuition and Related Expenses for Higher Education DeductionThe bill extends through 2016 the above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses for higher education. The deduction is capped at $4,000 for an individual whose adjusted gross income (AGI) does not exceed $65,000 ($130,000 for joint filers) or $2,000 for an individual whose AGI does not exceed $80,000 ($160,000 for joint filers). The tuition and fees deduction was originally enacted in 2001 and went into effect in 2002.\nIRA Charitable Donations ExclusionThe bill permanently extends the ability of individuals at least 70 years of age to exclude from gross income qualified charitable distributions (capped at $100,000 per year) from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). This exclusion was originally enacted in 2006.\nHomeowner Related DeductionsThe bill generally extends through 2016 the treatment of qualified mortgage insurance premiums as interest for purposes of the mortgage interest deduction and extends the exclusion from gross income of discharge of qualified principal residence indebtedness. The discharge of qualified principal residence indebtedness includes any debt incurred in acquiring, constructing, or substantially improving a principal residence or any debtsecured by the principal residence resulting from the refinancing of debtfor the residence. A principal residence is generally the home where the taxpayer lives most of the time. A taxpayer can have only one principal residence at a time.\nEmployee Parking Benefit ExclusionThe bill permanently extends certain parking benefits from being counted toward an employees wages for payroll tax purposes, and from gross income for income tax purposes.\nBusiness Tax Provisions\nTwo-year Moratorium on the Medical Device Excise TaxThe bill provides for a two-year moratorium on the 2.3-percent excise tax imposed on the sale of medical devices, established by the ACA. The tax will not apply to sales during calendar years 2016 and 2017.\nResearch and Development (R&D) Tax Credit Extension and Modification Made Permanent The bill makes permanent the research and development (R&D) tax credit and the alternative simplified credit (ASC) at 14 percent. The provision also modifies the R&D credit to expand benefits for small businesses. On May 20, 2015, the House passedH.R. 880,the American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2015, by a vote of274 to 145. H.R. 880 is similar to the R&D provision in this bill, as it, among other things, restructures the ASC tax credit.\nLow-income Housing Tax Credit Made PermanentThe bill makes permanent the temporary 9 percent minimum credit rate for the low income housing tax credit for non-Federally subsidized new buildings to allocations made before 2017. The low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program is one of the federal government's primary policy tools for encouraging the development and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing. These non-refundable federal housing tax credits are awarded to developers of qualified rental projects via a competitive application process administered by state housing finance authorities.\nNew Markets Tax Credit ExtensionThe bill extends the new markets tax credits (NMTC) through 2019 with an annual allocation of $3.5 billion. The NMTC is a non-refundable tax credit intended to encourage private capital investment in eligible, impoverished, low-income communities.\nModification of Work Opportunity Tax Credit ExtensionThe bill extends through 2019 the work opportunity tax credit (WOTC). The provision also modifies the credit to apply to employers who hire qualified long-term unemployed individuals (i.e., those who have been unemployed for 27 weeks or more) and increases the credit with respect to such long-term unemployed individuals to 40 percent of the first $6,000 of wages. The WOTC allows employers that hire individuals with certain characteristics to claim a tax credit equal to a portion of the wages paid to those individuals. WOTC-eligible populations include recipients of certain public benefits (such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), qualified veterans, ex-felons, and other specified populations.\nDepreciation of Leasehold ImprovementsThe bill permanently extends the 15-year recovery period for qualified leasehold improvements, qualified restaurant property, and qualified retail improvement property to property placed in service to encourage businesses to make investments in their businesses and to hire new employees.\nBonus Depreciation Extension and ModificationsThe bill extends 50-percent bonus depreciation for property acquired and placed in service through 2019 and makes certain modifications to the use of AMT tax credits. The bonus depreciation allowance enables taxpayers to expense a portion of the cost of qualified assets bought and placed in service.\nSection 179 Expensing Made Permanent and ModifiedThe bill makes permanent the Section 179 small business expensing on certain business assets. Under Section 179,taxpayers may expense up to $500,000 in business assets per year, and the benefit is reduced if the taxpayer places in service more than $2 million in qualified business property during the year. These limits are indexed to inflation starting beginning in 2016.\nSmall Business Long-term Stock ExclusionsThe bill extends the temporary exclusion of 100 percent of the gain on certain small business stock for non-corporate taxpayers to stock acquired before January 1, 2017, and held for more than five years.\nEnergy Related Provisions\nBiodiesel and Renewable Diesel Incentives Extension The bill extends through 2016 the existing $1.00 per gallon tax credit for biodiesel and biodiesel mixtures, and the small agri-biodiesel producer credit of 10 cents per gallon.\nFuel Cell Motor Vehicles Credit ExtensionThe bill extends through 2016 the credit for purchases of new qualified fuel cell motor vehicles. The provision allows a tax credit of between $4,000 and $40,000 depending on the weight of the vehicle for the purchase of such vehicles.\nNew Homes Energy-Efficient Credit ExtensionThe bill extends through 2016 the tax credit for manufacturers of energy-efficient residential homes. An eligible contractor may claim a tax credit of $1,000 or $2,000 for the construction or manufacture of a new energy efficient home that meets qualifying criteria.\n  Other Provisions\nProgram Integrity Improvements for Refundable Tax CreditsThe bill includes a dozen provision to improve compliance and reduce fraud with respect to the earned income tax credit (EITC), the child tax credit (CTC), and the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), including:\nTaxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) ReformsThe bill requires individuals who were issued ITINs before 2013 to renew their ITINs on a staggered schedule between 2017 and 2020. The provision also provides that an ITIN will expire if an individual fails to file a tax return for three consecutive years. ITINs are generally issued by the IRS to individuals, like undocumented workers, who are not eligible for Social Security Numbers, but are liable for certain taxes.\nLimit on Retroactive Claims for Credits without Social Security number or Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) ReformsThe bill prevents retroactive claims of the EITC, the CTC, and the AOTC after issuance of new SSNs or ITINs.\nW-2 Reporting and Verification ReformsThe bill provides the IRS with information on employee wages faster and allows additional time for tax authorities to verify that W-2 information matches credit eligibility, while also improving the IRS ability to stop identity thieves.\nSafe Harbor from Certain FeesThe bill establishes a safe harbor from penalties for the failure to file correct information (de minimis errors) on tax returns if the error is generally $100 or less.\nInternal Revenue Service (IRS) ReformsThe bill makes various changes to current law to increase accountability at the IRS. The bill includes provisions contained within the following bills that were previously passed in the 114th Congress:H.R. 1058- Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 2015;H.R. 1152- IRS Email Transparency Act;H.R. 1026- Taxpayer Knowledge of IRS Investigations Act;H.R. 1314- Ensuring Tax Exempt Organizations the Right to Appeal Act;H.R. 1295- IRS Bureaucracy Reduction and Judicial Review Act;H.R. 709- Prevent Targeting at the IRS Act; andH.R. 1104- Fair Treatment for All Gifts Act.\nRollovers from Other Retirement Plans into Simple Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)The provision allows a taxpayer to roll over amounts from employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans, to SIMPLE IRAs.\nReal Estate Investment Trust (REITs) ProvisionsThe bill makes various improvements to the existing laws governing REITs. A REIT is a type of security that invests in real estate through property or mortgages and often trades on major exchanges like a stock. REITs provide investors with an extremely liquid stake in real estate. They receive special tax considerations and typically offer high dividend yields. REITs, an investment vehicle for real estate that is comparable to a mutual fund, allow both small and large investors to acquire ownership in real estate ventures, own and in some cases operate commercial properties such as apartment complexes, hospitals, office buildings, timber land, warehouses, hotels and shopping malls.\nU.S. Capitol Police and Supreme Court Police Retirement AccountsThe bill expands the provision allowing public safety officers to make withdrawals from retirement accounts, beginning at age 50, without incurring the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty to include U.S. Capitol Police offers, Supreme Court Police officers, and diplomatic security special agents.H.R. 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, which was enacted on June 29, 2015, previously expanded the provision to cover Federal law enforcement officials but inadvertently omitted the other categories of public safety officers.\nSection 529 CollegeSavings Plan Accounts ImprovementsThe bill expands the definition of qualified higher education expenses for which tax-preferred distributions from 529 accounts are eligible to include computer equipment and technology. The bill also modifies 529-account rules to treat any distribution from a 529 account as coming only from that account, even if the individual making the distribution has more than one account. The provision treats a refund of tuition paid with amounts distributed from a 529 account as a qualified expense if such amounts are re-contributed to a 529 account within 60 days.\nU.S. Tax Court AdministrationThe bill makes certain changes to the authorization and function of the U.S. Tax Court to improve efficiency and accountability.\nRevenue ProvisionsThe bill makes several changes that will increase revenues including: modifying the deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings; changing tax treatment of certain motion picture employees; modifying tax credits for liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas; and making certain changes to the tax liability of clean coal power plants.\nPay-As-You-GO (PAYGO)The bill also provides that the budgetary effects of the Act shall not be entered on either PAYGO scorecard maintained pursuant to section 4(d) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 or certain Senate Rules. The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act provides a budget enforcement mechanism that generally requires that direct spending and revenue legislation enacted into law not increase the deficit.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=1277acd3-f50b-44f2-b6e5-2e77730334a5", "Hoeven: Time to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Time to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Worked to Include Provision in Year-End Funding Bill, Continues Building Support for Passage\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven continues working to build support for legislation lifting the ban on crude oil exports. The senator spoke on the Senate floor and called for Congress to pass legislation repealing the decades-long ban on U.S. crude oil exports.\r\nI rise today to make the case for lifting the 40-year-old ban on exporting crude oil based on its merits. It will benefit not only my home state of North Dakota, but our nation and our allies in a host of different ways, said Hoeven. We worked hard to include legislation repealing the ban in the year-end legislation Congress now has under consideration. Importantly, this is must-pass legislation, meaning that it will be very hard for the president to veto the bill lifting the oil export ban.\r\nThe reasons for lifting the oil export ban are very powerful. Doing so would encourage more domestic production. It would increase the global supply of crude oil, reducing the cost at the pump for our consumers, particularly over the long term. It will help grow our economy and create good-paying jobs for our citizens. The last reason is vitally important as well, and that is making our nation more secure. We can build national security through energy security and help keep our people safer.\r\nHoeven has repeatedly called for repealing the ban and worked persistently to get it included in year-end legislation. The senator, who serves on the Energy Committee, is a cosponsor of bipartisan legislation lifting the ban that passed the committee this summer.\r\nHoeven said lifting the ban is supported by studies at the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the non-partisan Brookings Institute and the Harvard Business School. According to a study by IHS, a global provider of data and analysis, lifting the ban will attract an estimated $750 billion in new investments and create nearly 400,000 additional jobs in the U.S. between 2016 and 2030.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-time-to-lift-crude-oil-export-ban", "Hoeven: Time to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Time to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Worked to Include Provision in Year-End Funding Bill, Continues Building Support for Passage\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven continues working to build support for legislation lifting the ban on crude oil exports. The senator spoke on the Senate floor and called for Congress to pass legislation repealing the decades-long ban on U.S. crude oil exports.\r\nI rise today to make the case for lifting the 40-year-old ban on exporting crude oil based on its merits. It will benefit not only my home state of North Dakota, but our nation and our allies in a host of different ways, said Hoeven. We worked hard to include legislation repealing the ban in the year-end legislation Congress now has under consideration. Importantly, this is must-pass legislation, meaning that it will be very hard for the president to veto the bill lifting the oil export ban.\r\nThe reasons for lifting the oil export ban are very powerful. Doing so would encourage more domestic production. It would increase the global supply of crude oil, reducing the cost at the pump for our consumers, particularly over the long term. It will help grow our economy and create good-paying jobs for our citizens. The last reason is vitally important as well, and that is making our nation more secure. We can build national security through energy security and help keep our people safer.\r\nHoeven has repeatedly called for repealing the ban and worked persistently to get it included in year-end legislation. The senator, who serves on the Energy Committee, is a cosponsor of bipartisan legislation lifting the ban that passed the committee this summer.\r\nHoeven said lifting the ban is supported by studies at the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the non-partisan Brookings Institute and the Harvard Business School. According to a study by IHS, a global provider of data and analysis, lifting the ban will attract an estimated $750 billion in new investments and create nearly 400,000 additional jobs in the U.S. between 2016 and 2030.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-members-launch-bi-partisan-cuba-working-group", "Cramer: House Members Launch Bi-Partisan Cuba Working Group", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer signed a letter to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi with fellow members of the U.S. House of Representatives to announce the formation of a Bi-Partisan Cuba Working Group.View a copy of the letter here.\nThe group seeks to advance policy proposals to promote the rapidly changing status in the U.S.-Cuba relationship. Joining Cramer are Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL), Congressman Rick Crawford (R- AR), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Congressman Tom Emmer (R-MN), Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congressman Jim P. McGovern (D-MA), Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX), and Congressman Reid Ribble (R-WI). The formation of this working group comes on the one-year anniversary of President Obama announcing plans to move forward on normalizing relations between the United States and Cuba.\nIncremental steps to increase trade, travel and investment in Cuba will improve economic conditions in Cuba as well as promote change in the country, said Cramer. Change in Cuba will not happen overnight, but increased interaction with America will spread liberty and democracy in Cuba.\nCramer said improved trading opportunities in Cuba will benefit North Dakotas Ag producers. It allows farmers in North Dakota and across the country to do what farmers do naturally - feed hungry people. Trade is central to Americas foreign policy, and Cubaslong road to democracy will be shortened by improved communication and trade with the United States.\nMembers of the Cuba Working Group are supporters of one or more key pieces of legislation introduced in 2015, with Republicans as the lead sponsors. Taken together, these bills repeal economic and travel restrictions and effectively eliminate the U.S. embargo on Cuba:\nPublic opinion polls over the past year have shown an increasing support to end the Cuban trade embargo and change course on U.S.-Cuba relations. The most recent Pew poll showed 73 percent of the American people, including 59 percent of Republicans favor ending the trade embargo.\nIn December 2014, Cramer expressed his support for improving relations with Cuba. He was part of a group of five Representatives and Senators who helped launch the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba, which includes more than 25 prominent U.S. food and agriculture companies and associations who seek to advance trade relations between the U.S. and Cuba. On January 8, Cramer gave the keynote speech at the launch of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba.View his speech at the event by clicking on the image below.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-protecting-the-homeland-house-passes-hr-3654-combat-terrorist-use", "Cramer: Protecting the Homeland: House Passes H.R. 3654 Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act of 2015", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer announced today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3654, the Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act of 2015. The bill requires the President to report to Congress on how terrorists and terrorist organizations currently use social media as well as provide a detailed summary of the governments efforts to disrupt and counter terrorists use of social media.\nThe use of social media by terrorists and terrorist organizations to encourage and inspire individuals to commit acts of terrorism has dramatically increased in recent years. A 2015 Brookings Institution report found at least 46,000 Twitter accounts were used by ISIS supporters between October and November of last year, and nearly 20 percent of those accounts designated English as their primary language. In 2011, the Administration acknowledgedthe Internet has become an increasingly potent element in radicalization to violence, enabling violent extremists abroad to directly communicate to target audiences in the United States.\nThe recent terrorist attack in San Bernardino highlights how terrorists and terrorist organizations utilize social media to communicate and to radicalize individuals, said Cramer. Americans are at risk because this Administration has failed to follow through on its 2011 plan to address the social media battlefield against terrorists. This legislation requires the Administration to confront this threat head-onand ensure our government is doing everything it can to protect us from future attacks.\nH.R. 3654 requires the President, within 90 days of enactment, to report to Congress on the U.S. strategy to combat the use of social media by terrorists and terrorist organizations. The report must include:\n An evaluation of what role social media plays in radicalization in the United States and elsewhere;\n\tAn analysis of how terrorists and terrorist organizations are using social media, including trends;\n\tA summary of the Federal Governments efforts to disrupt and counter the use of social media by terrorists and terrorist organizations, an evaluation of the success of such efforts, and recommendations for improvement;\n\tAn analysis of how social media is being used for counter-radicalization and counter-propaganda purposes, irrespective of whether or not such efforts are made by the Federal Government;\n\tAn assessment of the value of social media posts by terrorists and terrorist organizations to law enforcement; and,\n\tAn overview of social media training available to law enforcement and intelligence personnel that enables such personnel to understand and combat the use of social media by terrorists and terrorist organizations, as well as recommendations for improving or expanding existing training opportunities.\n The bill also requires the President, within 180 days of enactment, to submit to Congress a comprehensive strategy to counter terrorist use of social media, as referenced in the Presidents 2011 Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=08ded770-293f-4c6d-8ad6-6469d0b57456", "Hoeven: Year-End Legislation Includes Funding for NDNG Targeting Facility", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Year-End Legislation Includes Funding for NDNG Targeting Facility  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Military Construction Appropriations Committee, today announced that the year-end funding bill for Fiscal Year 2016 includes $7.3 million in funding for the North Dakota National Guards Intelligence Targeting Facility at Hector Field in Fargo. The 119th Air Wings intelligence targeting group is tasked with assisting military commanders in identifying and eliminating enemy threats, but the mission is already outgrowing its facilities.\r\nThe year-end funding bill includes $7.3 million so we can begin construction on this facility at Hector for their new intelligence targeting group, said Hoeven. Were working to complete this facility by 2017 and this funding will help keep us on track to meet that goal.\r\nHoeven worked to include the facility in the 2016 budget and to secure funding for the project as a member of the Senate Military Construction Appropriations Committee.\r\nThe NDANG worked to modify existing facilities at Hector to ensure they could begin the mission on time in 2015, but as newly trained staff are assigned to the base, the wing will need a facility with the capacity to accommodate more than 200 personnel. The facility will include a Sensitive Compartmentalized Information Facility (SCIF), where sensitive data can be securely stored, discussed or electronically processed. The intelligence mission will also serve to provide targeting training after technical school for all Air National Guard intelligence personnel.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=4ce06ebf-1995-4b98-b6f2-ff609b246a15", "Hoeven: Year-End Funding Legislation Permanently Extends Sec. 179 Expensing for Farmers, Ranchers, Small Businesses", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Year-End Funding Legislation Permanently Extends Sec. 179 Expensing for Farmers, Ranchers, Small Businesses  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation Extends Bonus Depreciation for Five Years\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the year-end funding bill for Fiscal Year 2016 permanently extends Section 179 with the $500,000 limitation, a provision of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code that allows farmers, ranchers and other small businesses to expense the purchase of equipment they need to run their operations. In addition, the measure extends the bonus depreciation allowance for five years.\r\nSection 179 allows small businesses the option of expensing the costs of qualified equipment and other property up-front, which may reduce the businesses administrative burden and be preferable to depreciating the items over time.\r\nSection 179 and bonus depreciation are important provisions that encourage our states small businesses, farmers and ranchers to invest in their operations and acquire the equipment they need, Hoeven said. Further, these sections of the tax code help ensure our small businesses have cash on hand, both for future investments and as reserves to get them through tough times. By making Section 179 permanent, we are providing greater flexibility and certainty for our businesses as they make their long-term plans.\r\nHoeven has also been working to get the IRS to revise its tangible property expensing regulations. Last week, he announced that the IRS has agreed to raise the safe harbor threshold for expensing the purchase, acquisition or improvement of tangible property from $500 to $2,500 for many small businesses and family-owned farms and ranches.\r\nThe change will ease the compliance burden for taxpayers who do not maintain applicable financial statements and would have otherwise faced complex capitalization rules for many basic, common purchases, such as machinery and equipment parts, computers and smart phones. The senator has been pressing the IRS inlettersand conversations since January of 2014 to revise the unfair and onerous expensing regulations. The revised threshold takes effect on January 1st, 2016.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=ca28579e-f7eb-4087-a28d-575fcf1e1fcb", "Hoeven: Year-End Funding Bill Provides Authorization, Funding for New Starts and Construction of Flood Protection Projects", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Year-End Funding Bill Provides Authorization, Funding for New Starts and Construction of Flood Protection Projects  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Measure Will Help Addresses North Dakota Flood Protection Priorities in Fargo-Moorhead, Minot Regions\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the year-end funding bill for Fiscal Year 2016 includes authorization and funding for new starts and construction of flood protection projects. The senator said the measure includes nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineers proposed budget for construction and authorizes new studies and construction activity that will help to advance flood protection projects in the Fargo-Moorhead and Minot regions.\r\nHoeven worked on the Appropriations Committee to include language in the FY 2016 Energy and Water funding bill, which has now been included in the year-end legislation. Congress is expected to pass the measure later this week.Specifically, the legislation will:\r\n \r\nHelp communities in North Dakota build permanent flood protection projects with an emphasis on public private partnerships like the permanent flood protection project for Fargo and the Red River Valley.\r\nProvide permission for the Corps to begin studies of new permanent flood protection projects, which is vital for communities like Minot and the Souris River.\r\nIncrease the Corps funding for water development infrastructure over FY 2015. This increase will help communities like LaMoure with funding to replace sanitary sewer systems.\r\nIncrease the Corps funding for FEMA flood-mapping activities to better coordinate with flood insurance and keep premiums more affordable.\r\n \r\nThe new year-end funding bill takes a big step to help communities like Fargo-Moorhead and Minot advance vital flood protection projects by authorizing new starts and studies, as well as by increased funding for construction, said Hoeven. Weve secured relief for many of our residents through infrastructure investments, water retention and affordable flood insurance. The bill were on track to pass this week continues that progress for major flood infrastructure for the Red River Valley and the Souris River region.\r\nHoeven also worked to include additional funding for FEMAs flood mapping activities. Theyear-end legislation directs FEMA to take local communities flood protection projects into consideration when mapping flood hazards and to coordinate the mapping process with the phases of large projects. The measure provides an additional $165 million above the FY 2015 level for flood mitigation programs and boosts the Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program to $190 million and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program to $100 million.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=f3151e9a-1e2f-46b2-b1f8-02788883fdfa", "Hoeven Worked to Include Provision to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban in Year-End Funding Bill Set to Pass this Week", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Worked to Include Provision to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban in Year-End Funding Bill Set to Pass this Week \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Action Will Create Jobs, Boost Economic Growth, Bolster National Security\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the new year-end 2016 funding bill that is on track to pass Congress this week includes a provision he worked to include that repeals the decades-long ban on U.S. crude oil exports.\r\nHoeven has repeatedly called for repealing the ban and worked persistently to get it included in year-end legislation. The senator, who serves on the Energy Committee, is a cosponsor of bipartisan legislation lifting the ban that passed the committee this summer.\r\nLifting the ban on crude oil exports is a triple win  it will create jobs and grow our economy. It will keep the price of gasoline lower at the pump for consumers because of more supply, and it will bolster national security through energy security, said Hoeven, who has been working to get the ban lifted.\r\nHoeven said lifting the ban is supported by studies at the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the non-partisan Brookings Institute and the Harvard Business School. According to a study by IHS, a global provider of data and analysis, lifting the ban will attract an estimated $750 billion in new investments and create nearly 400,000 additional jobs in the U.S. between 2016 and 2030.\r\nThe senator has cited multiple reasons to lift the antiquated ban, which was enacted in 1975:\r\n \r\nCrude oil exports will benefit the American economy.Crude oil exports will increase revenues and boost overall economic growth. It will help increase wages, create jobs and improve our balance of trade. Local economies also benefit. Service industries, retail and other businesses in communities centered on oil development would see more economic activity and growth if this antiquated ban is lifted.\r\nCrude oil exports will benefit American consumers.The price of oil is based on supply and demand  the more oil on the market, the lower the price to consumers. More global supply means lower prices for gasoline and other fuels and more money in consumers pockets. Those facts are backed up by studies at both the EIA and the non-partisan Brookings Institute.\r\n \r\n \r\nCrude oil exports will help to bring our energy policy into the 21stCentury.The crude oil export ban is an economic strategy implemented in the 1970s, and the world has changed dramatically since then. Back then, the conventional wisdom was that there is a finite quantity of oil in the world, and we pretty much knew where it was. Nobody envisioned the kind of energy revolution were seeing in North Dakota, Texas and elsewhere in the country.\r\n \r\n \r\nCrude oil exports will benefit the U.S. energy industry.The latest study by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) concluded that lifting the ban will reduce the discount for light sweet crude oil produced in states like North Dakota and Texas and encourage investment in domestic energy production. The drop in the price of oil this year has slowed domestic production, but the dedicated workers and companies in the Bakken continue to produce oil because they are resilient and innovative; they are developing new technologies and techniques to become more cost-effective and efficient all the time.\r\n \r\n \r\nLast, but not least, crude oil exports will strengthen national security.U.S. crude oil will provide our allies with alternative sources of oil and free them from their reliance on energy from unstable parts of the world. We finally have an opportunity to curb the disproportionate influence OPEC has had on the world oil market for five decades, and we should take it. The Presidents deal with Iran lifts sanctions against Iranian oil  bringing 1 million barrels a day of their product on the global market, sending jobs, revenues and economic growth to Iran while blocking the same benefits for American citizens. We need to lift the ban.\r\n \r\nAs a member of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, Hoeven has worked extensively to further the energy industry in North Dakota and the nation. That includes working to reduce the regulatory burdens that drive up the costs of energy production. The senator has introduced the Empower States Act, which ensures a states-first approach to regulating hydraulic fracturing. He is also working to repeal rules like the BLM Hydraulic Fracturing rule, the onerous Waters of the U.S. rule and other regulations that are hampering domestic energy development and driving up the cost of energy for consumers.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-worked-to-include-provision-to-lift-crude-oil-export-ban-in-year-end-funding-bill-set-to-pass-this-week", "Hoeven Worked to Include Provision to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban in Year-End Funding Bill Set to Pass this Week", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Worked to Include Provision to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban in Year-End Funding Bill Set to Pass this Week \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Action Will Create Jobs, Boost Economic Growth, Bolster National Security\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the new year-end 2016 funding bill that is on track to pass Congress this week includes a provision he worked to include that repeals the decades-long ban on U.S. crude oil exports.\r\nHoeven has repeatedly called for repealing the ban and worked persistently to get it included in year-end legislation. The senator, who serves on the Energy Committee, is a cosponsor of bipartisan legislation lifting the ban that passed the committee this summer.\r\nLifting the ban on crude oil exports is a triple win  it will create jobs and grow our economy. It will keep the price of gasoline lower at the pump for consumers because of more supply, and it will bolster national security through energy security, said Hoeven, who has been working to get the ban lifted.\r\nHoeven said lifting the ban is supported by studies at the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the non-partisan Brookings Institute and the Harvard Business School. According to a study by IHS, a global provider of data and analysis, lifting the ban will attract an estimated $750 billion in new investments and create nearly 400,000 additional jobs in the U.S. between 2016 and 2030.\r\nThe senator has cited multiple reasons to lift the antiquated ban, which was enacted in 1975:\r\n \r\nCrude oil exports will benefit the American economy.Crude oil exports will increase revenues and boost overall economic growth. It will help increase wages, create jobs and improve our balance of trade. Local economies also benefit. Service industries, retail and other businesses in communities centered on oil development would see more economic activity and growth if this antiquated ban is lifted.\r\nCrude oil exports will benefit American consumers.The price of oil is based on supply and demand  the more oil on the market, the lower the price to consumers. More global supply means lower prices for gasoline and other fuels and more money in consumers' pockets. Those facts are backed up by studies at both the EIA and the non-partisan Brookings Institute.\r\n \r\n \r\nCrude oil exports will help to bring our energy policy into the 21stCentury.The crude oil export ban is an economic strategy implemented in the 1970's, and the world has changed dramatically since then. Back then, the conventional wisdom was that there is a finite quantity of oil in the world, and we pretty much knew where it was. Nobody envisioned the kind of energy revolution we're seeing in North Dakota, Texas and elsewhere in the country.\r\n \r\n \r\nCrude oil exports will benefit the U.S. energy industry.The latest study by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) concluded that lifting the ban will reduce the discount for light sweet crude oil produced in states like North Dakota and Texas and encourage investment in domestic energy production. The drop in the price of oil this year has slowed domestic production, but the dedicated workers and companies in the Bakken continue to produce oil because they are resilient and innovative; they are developing new technologies and techniques to become more cost-effective and efficient all the time.\r\n \r\n \r\nLast, but not least, crude oil exports will strengthen national security.U.S. crude oil will provide our allies with alternative sources of oil and free them from their reliance on energy from unstable parts of the world. We finally have an opportunity to curb the disproportionate influence OPEC has had on the world oil market for five decades, and we should take it. The President's deal with Iran lifts sanctions against Iranian oil  bringing 1 million barrels a day of their product on the global market, sending jobs, revenues and economic growth to Iran while blocking the same benefits for American citizens. We need to lift the ban.\r\n \r\nAs a member of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, Hoeven has worked extensively to further the energy industry in North Dakota and the nation. That includes working to reduce the regulatory burdens that drive up the costs of energy production. The senator has introduced the Empower States Act, which ensures a states-first approach to regulating hydraulic fracturing. He is also working to repeal rules like the BLM Hydraulic Fracturing rule, the onerous Waters of the U.S. rule and other regulations that are hampering domestic energy development and driving up the cost of energy for consumers.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-year-end-funding-bill-provides-authorization-funding-for-new-starts-and-construction-of-flood-protection-projects", "Hoeven: Year-End Funding Bill Provides Authorization, Funding for New Starts and Construction of Flood Protection Projects", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Year-End Funding Bill Provides Authorization, Funding for New Starts and Construction of Flood Protection Projects  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Measure Will Help Addresses North Dakota Flood Protection Priorities in Fargo-Moorhead, Minot Regions\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the year-end funding bill for Fiscal Year 2016 includes authorization and funding for new starts and construction of flood protection projects. The senator said the measure includes nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineer's proposed budget for construction and authorizes new studies and construction activity that will help to advance flood protection projects in the Fargo-Moorhead and Minot regions.\r\nHoeven worked on the Appropriations Committee to include language in the FY 2016 Energy and Water funding bill, which has now been included in the year-end legislation. Congress is expected to pass the measure later this week.Specifically, the legislation will:\r\n \r\nHelp communities in North Dakota build permanent flood protection projects with an emphasis on public private partnerships like the permanent flood protection project for Fargo and the Red River Valley.\r\nProvide permission for the Corps to begin studies of new permanent flood protection projects, which is vital for communities like Minot and the Souris River.\r\nIncrease the Corps funding for water development infrastructure over FY 2015. This increase will help communities like LaMoure with funding to replace sanitary sewer systems.\r\nIncrease the Corps' funding for FEMA flood-mapping activities to better coordinate with flood insurance and keep premiums more affordable.\r\n \r\nThe new year-end funding bill takes a big step to help communities like Fargo-Moorhead and Minot advance vital flood protection projects by authorizing new starts and studies, as well as by increased funding for construction, said Hoeven. We've secured relief for many of our residents through infrastructure investments, water retention and affordable flood insurance. The bill we're on track to pass this week continues that progress for major flood infrastructure for the Red River Valley and the Souris River region.\r\nHoeven also worked to include additional funding for FEMA's flood mapping activities. Theyear-end legislation directs FEMA to take local communities' flood protection projects into consideration when mapping flood hazards and to coordinate the mapping process with the phases of large projects. The measure provides an additional $165 million above the FY 2015 level for flood mitigation programs and boosts the Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program to $190 million and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program to $100 million.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-year-end-funding-legislation-permanently-extends-sec-179-expensing-for-farmers-ranchers-small-businesses", "Hoeven: Year-End Funding Legislation Permanently Extends Sec. 179 Expensing for Farmers, Ranchers, Small Businesses", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Year-End Funding Legislation Permanently Extends Sec. 179 Expensing for Farmers, Ranchers, Small Businesses  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation Extends Bonus Depreciation for Five Years\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the year-end funding bill for Fiscal Year 2016 permanently extends Section 179 with the $500,000 limitation, a provision of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code that allows farmers, ranchers and other small businesses to expense the purchase of equipment they need to run their operations. In addition, the measure extends the bonus depreciation allowance for five years.\r\nSection 179 allows small businesses the option of expensing the costs of qualified equipment and other property up-front, which may reduce the businesses' administrative burden and be preferable to depreciating the items over time.\r\nSection 179 and bonus depreciation are important provisions that encourage our state's small businesses, farmers and ranchers to invest in their operations and acquire the equipment they need, Hoeven said. Further, these sections of the tax code help ensure our small businesses have cash on hand, both for future investments and as reserves to get them through tough times. By making Section 179 permanent, we are providing greater flexibility and certainty for our businesses as they make their long-term plans.\r\nHoeven has also been working to get the IRS to revise its tangible property expensing regulations. Last week, he announced that the IRS has agreed to raise the safe harbor threshold for expensing the purchase, acquisition or improvement of tangible property from $500 to $2,500 for many small businesses and family-owned farms and ranches.\r\nThe change will ease the compliance burden for taxpayers who do not maintain applicable financial statements and would have otherwise faced complex capitalization rules for many basic, common purchases, such as machinery and equipment parts, computers and smart phones. The senator has been pressing the IRS inlettersand conversations since January of 2014 to revise the unfair and onerous expensing regulations. The revised threshold takes effect on January 1st, 2016.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-year-end-legislation-includes-funding-for-ndng-targeting-facility", "Hoeven: Year-End Legislation Includes Funding for NDNG Targeting Facility", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Year-End Legislation Includes Funding for NDNG Targeting Facility  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Military Construction Appropriations Committee, today announced that the year-end funding bill for Fiscal Year 2016 includes $7.3 million in funding for the North Dakota National Guard's Intelligence Targeting Facility at Hector Field in Fargo. The 119th Air Wing's intelligence targeting group is tasked with assisting military commanders in identifying and eliminating enemy threats, but the mission is already outgrowing its facilities.\r\nThe year-end funding bill includes $7.3 million so we can begin construction on this facility at Hector for their new intelligence targeting group, said Hoeven. We're working to complete this facility by 2017 and this funding will help keep us on track to meet that goal.\r\nHoeven worked to include the facility in the 2016 budget and to secure funding for the project as a member of the Senate Military Construction Appropriations Committee.\r\nThe NDANG worked to modify existing facilities at Hector to ensure they could begin the mission on time in 2015, but as newly trained staff are assigned to the base, the wing will need a facility with the capacity to accommodate more than 200 personnel. The facility will include a Sensitive Compartmentalized Information Facility (SCIF), where sensitive data can be securely stored, discussed or electronically processed. The intelligence mission will also serve to provide targeting training after technical school for all Air National Guard intelligence personnel.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=1b7e8536-9b15-410a-95bf-91bd55b87d61", "Hoeven Statement on Major General Sprynczynatyk's Retirement from Adjutant General of North Dakota", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.14.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Statement on Major General Sprynczynatyk's Retirement from Adjutant General of North Dakota  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement congratulating Major General David Sprynczynatyk upon his retirement as Adjutant General of the North Dakota National Guard.\r\nMajor General Sprynczynatyk has done an outstanding job serving the state of North Dakota for more than 40 years in two of the most important roles in state government. As governor in 2006, I had the honor of appointing him adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard, where he led the finest Guard in the country. We worked together for a decade through multiple overseas deployments of our men and women in the Guard to fight the War on Terror in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, as well as through major wildfires, flooding and other natural disasters at home in North Dakota.\r\nPrior to his serving as adjutant general, I had the honor of appointing him director of the North Dakota Department of Transportation, where he did an outstanding job, as well. One of the first major infrastructure projects we undertook was four-laning Highway 2 between Minot and Williston, which was completed in 2008. The project proved to be a tremendous benefit as oil development in western North Dakota grew tremendously in the subsequent years.\r\nDave began his career more than 40 years ago at the State Water Commission shortly before he joined the National Guard. The experience he gained there, as well as at the Transportation Department where he managed major projects, prepared him well for his various duties as adjutant general and head of the state Department of Emergency Services, which is under his administration.\r\nOver the years, it has been a pleasure to see Major General Sprynczynatyks dedication recognized through various awards and honors for his work. I join the State of North Dakota in thanking Major General Sprynczynatyk for his tireless commitment to service, and I wish him and his wife Connie the best for any future endeavors.\r\nMajor General Al Dohrmann has been appointed by Governor Dalrymple to replace Sprynczynatyk to serve as Adjutant General. Maj. Gen. Dohrmann began his military career in 1983, when he accepted his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. In 1991, he left active duty and joined the North Dakota Army Guard where he was transferred to the Engineer branch. He has served as operations officer for the 164th RTI, Operations Officer and Executive Officer for the 141 Engineer Battalion, Staff Judge Advocate for the North Dakota National Guard, J1 and Chief of Staff for the North Dakota Joint Force Headquarters and Land Component Commander of the North Dakota Army National Guard.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-statement-on-major-general-sprynczynatyks-retirement-from-adjutant-general-of-north-dakota", "Hoeven Statement on Major General Sprynczynatyk's Retirement from Adjutant General of North Dakota", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.14.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Statement on Major General Sprynczynatyk's Retirement from Adjutant General of North Dakota  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement congratulating Major General David Sprynczynatyk upon his retirement as Adjutant General of the North Dakota National Guard.\r\nMajor General Sprynczynatyk has done an outstanding job serving the state of North Dakota for more than 40 years in two of the most important roles in state government. As governor in 2006, I had the honor of appointing him adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard, where he led the finest Guard in the country. We worked together for a decade through multiple overseas deployments of our men and women in the Guard to fight the War on Terror in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, as well as through major wildfires, flooding and other natural disasters at home in North Dakota.\r\nPrior to his serving as adjutant general, I had the honor of appointing him director of the North Dakota Department of Transportation, where he did an outstanding job, as well. One of the first major infrastructure projects we undertook was four-laning Highway 2 between Minot and Williston, which was completed in 2008. The project proved to be a tremendous benefit as oil development in western North Dakota grew tremendously in the subsequent years.\r\nDave began his career more than 40 years ago at the State Water Commission shortly before he joined the National Guard. The experience he gained there, as well as at the Transportation Department where he managed major projects, prepared him well for his various duties as adjutant general and head of the state Department of Emergency Services, which is under his administration.\r\nOver the years, it has been a pleasure to see Major General Sprynczynatyk's dedication recognized through various awards and honors for his work. I join the State of North Dakota in thanking Major General Sprynczynatyk for his tireless commitment to service, and I wish him and his wife Connie the best for any future endeavors.\r\nMajor General Al Dohrmann has been appointed by Governor Dalrymple to replace Sprynczynatyk to serve as Adjutant General. Maj. Gen. Dohrmann began his military career in 1983, when he accepted his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. In 1991, he left active duty and joined the North Dakota Army Guard where he was transferred to the Engineer branch. He has served as operations officer for the 164th RTI, Operations Officer and Executive Officer for the 141 Engineer Battalion, Staff Judge Advocate for the North Dakota National Guard, J1 and Chief of Staff for the North Dakota Joint Force Headquarters and Land Component Commander of the North Dakota Army National Guard.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=21994f83-464b-47e8-8b20-6c40caeb6603", "Hoeven Congratulates Brig. Gen. Dohrmann on Being Named Adjutant General of the North Dakota National Guard and Director of the ND Department of Emergency Services", "2015-12-13", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Congratulates Brig. Gen. Dohrmann on Being Named Adjutant General of the North Dakota National Guard and Director of the ND Department of Emergency Services  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today issued this statement following Brigadier General Al Dohrmann being named adjunct general of the North Dakota National Guard and director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services:\r\nBrigadier General Dohrmann has long served our state and our nation with great dedication, and this appointment recognizes his strong leadership, team building and strategic planning skills. The guidance he demonstrated through his coordination of the 2011 flood response for Bismarck and Mandan was outstanding, and I am confident that he will display that same level of leadership and preparedness as he leads our National Guard and Department of Emergency Service in the years to come.\r\nThroughout his career, Al has served with a high level of dedication, which has earned him many awards and honors, including the Legion of Merit, the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. Through his service as a board member of the North Dakota Veterans Home Governing Board and the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery Foundation, he has worked hard to ensure that our veterans receive the services and support they need. Als rich experience and commitment to our country make him a perfect fit for this position, I look forward to continuing to work with Al in the future.\r\nBrigadier General Al Dohrmann began his military career in 1983, when he accepted his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. In 1991, he left active duty and joined the North Dakota Army Guard where he was transferred to the Engineer branch. He has served as operations officer for the 164th RTI, Operations Officer and Executive Officer for the 141 Engineer Battalion, Staff Judge Advocate for the North Dakota National Guard, J1 and Chief of Staff for the North Dakota Joint Force Headquarters and Land Component Commander of the North Dakota Army National Guard.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-congratulates-brig-gen-dohrmann-on-being-named-adjutant-general-of-the-north-dakota-national-guard-and-director-of-the-nd-department-of-emergency-services", "Hoeven Congratulates Brig. Gen. Dohrmann on Being Named Adjutant General of the North Dakota National Guard and Director of the ND Department of Emergency Services", "2015-12-13", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Congratulates Brig. Gen. Dohrmann on Being Named Adjutant General of the North Dakota National Guard and Director of the ND Department of Emergency Services  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today issued this statement following Brigadier General Al Dohrmann being named adjunct general of the North Dakota National Guard and director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services:\r\nBrigadier General Dohrmann has long served our state and our nation with great dedication, and this appointment recognizes his strong leadership, team building and strategic planning skills. The guidance he demonstrated through his coordination of the 2011 flood response for Bismarck and Mandan was outstanding, and I am confident that he will display that same level of leadership and preparedness as he leads our National Guard and Department of Emergency Service in the years to come.\r\nThroughout his career, Al has served with a high level of dedication, which has earned him many awards and honors, including the Legion of Merit, the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. Through his service as a board member of the North Dakota Veterans Home Governing Board and the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery Foundation, he has worked hard to ensure that our veterans receive the services and support they need. Al's rich experience and commitment to our country make him a perfect fit for this position, I look forward to continuing to work with Al in the future.\r\nBrigadier General Al Dohrmann began his military career in 1983, when he accepted his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. In 1991, he left active duty and joined the North Dakota Army Guard where he was transferred to the Engineer branch. He has served as operations officer for the 164th RTI, Operations Officer and Executive Officer for the 141 Engineer Battalion, Staff Judge Advocate for the North Dakota National Guard, J1 and Chief of Staff for the North Dakota Joint Force Headquarters and Land Component Commander of the North Dakota Army National Guard.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-democrats-stalling-on-repeal-of-crude-oil-export-ban-jeopardizes", "Cramer - Democrats Stalling on Repeal of Crude Oil Export Ban Jeopardizes America's Energy Security and Threatens our Allies", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Kevin Cramer released the following statement in response to Democrat opposition to lifting the crude oil export ban in the Omnibus Spending Bill negotiations currently being conducted between the House and the Senate.\n\nI am confused by the Democrats demands for more and more sweeteners to be included in the omnibus spending bill. Their requests for additional green energy tax credits seem to be driven not by what is in the long-term best interests of our nations economic and national security interests but rather a short-term political agenda to reward environmental activists and large donors.\n\nIf the Democrats want to see the benefits of the crude oil energy renaissance our nation has enjoyed during the past decade, they need to look no further than North Dakota. Thousands of middle and low income individuals now have high-paying jobs in the energy sector. New businesses are being created every day by entrepreneurs who are willing to take a risk to make their dreams a reality. The impact of the shale oil revolution is now being felt far beyond the homes and coffee shops of America. Our nations inability to export crude oil threatens our national security as well the safety and security of our allies. Israel and our European allies depend upon unstable and unfriendly sources like Russia and the OPEC Oil Cartel for their energy needs. This dependence allows them to intimidate our allies.\n\nThis situation would not be occurring if the United States was able to sell crude oil internationally.Trading oil on the open free markets is a tool of peace and liberty. Black gold in the wrong hands is a tool of tyranny. The best way to hold Putin and OPEC in check is with the peaceful tools of energy developmentnot the weapons of war. It is time for Congress and the American people to understand our nations and our allies safety and security depends on our ability to export crude oil. \n\nThis export ban was put in place forty-two years ago as a result of unrest in the Middle East. It occurred after Syria, backed by then the Soviet Union, attacked our friend Israel in the Yom Kippur War. The United States, in those days, was a reliable partner with Israel and we defended them. Today, Israel and our allies fear OPEC and Vladimir Putin more than they believe they are able to count on their friend the United States. Lifting the ban should not be about rewarding political allies, but rather an honest discussion about the way to promote Americas economic and national security goals while providing our allies with a safe and reliable source of energy.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-approves-short-term-spending-authorization", "Cramer: House Approves Short-Term Spending Authorization", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer released the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 2250, the Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2016. The U.S. Senate approved the legislation on Thursday. It funds the government through Dec. 16.\nThis is a short-term solution which gives the House and the Senate time to complete negotiations on the omnibus spending bill for 2016, said Cramer. Although far from Ideal, I am confident this extra time will result in legislation which all sides can agree upon and repeals the ban on exporting crude oil. It is unfortunate Congress must resort to using one large omnibus spending bill to fund our government. I look forward to both the House and the Senate returning to regular order in 2016 and passing the 12 separate spending bills. Regular order allows for greater oversight of spending by each department and agency.\nThe legislation prevents a government shutdown, as the current spending authorization was due to expire at midnight on Dec. 11.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-passes-hr-644-conference-report-to-the-trade-facilitation", "Cramer: House Passes H.R. 644 Conference Report to the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer announced today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 644Conference Report to the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. The legislation authorizes U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which has been operating without authorization; provides tools to facilitate legitimate trade; improves trade enforcement; measures progress within CBP; strengthens Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation by prohibiting a trade agreement from changing U.S. immigration policy, or altering U.S. law with respect to greenhouse gases; and bolsters U.S.-Israel trade and commercial ties.\nFree trade is important to North Dakota. 108,340 jobs in our state are dependent upon trade and exports have grown from $1 billion in 2004 to $5.29 billion in 2014, said Cramer. This legislation strengthens our ability to monitor and to enforce our current free trade agreements which ensure our producers and businesses are able to compete on a level playing field in countries across the globe.\nThe conference report includes provisions to protect North Dakotas honey industry from unfair Chinese trading practices. Chinas shipment of honey through other countries to evade duties harms North Dakotas honey producers, said Cramer. I am glad this legislation cracks down on this process and ensures our producers compete on a fair playing field.\nSummary of H.R. 644Conference Report to the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015\nThe bill fosters economic competitiveness and helps create American jobs by stepping up enforcement of our trade agreements, reducing barriers to legitimate trade, making our exports more competitive, and facilitating small business competition in the global marketplace.\nThe bill increases congressional oversight over executive branch nominees and trade negotiations to ensure the U.S. gets the best deal possible for hardworking families and small businesses.\nThe bill strengthens the United States ability to fight human trafficking by enhancing incentives for our trade agreement partners to address this form of modern-day slavery.\nThe bill builds on provisions included in Trade Promotion Authority earlier this year, this conference report will prevent the administration from using TPA procedures to address immigration and climate change, and it will combat efforts to boycott and delegitimize Israel.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=14d9a9c9-efb4-4ec6-8b45-a77e510df7c5", "Hoeven Congratulates North Dakota Army National Guard on New Cyber Defense Mission", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Congratulates North Dakota Army National Guard on New Cyber Defense Mission \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today congratulated Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk and the North Dakota Army National Guard on its selection as part of the regional Army National Guard Cyber Protection Team (CPT). Starting in 2018, seven soldiers in North Dakota and 32 soldiers from Colorado, South Dakota and Utah will form a shared CPT and join the Department of Defenses cyberforces in defense of critical military and civilian government computer network infrastructure. Including North Dakota, National Guard specialists will operate in CPTs across 24 states and will be aligned to assist in domestic emergency responses.\r\nOur North Dakota National Guard members have served our nation honorably across a wide variety of missions, both here at home and abroad, Hoeven said. Not only have our soldiers worked to defend our state and nation in traditional roles, they continue expanding and adapting to meet the defense needs of the future. This new mission will help ensure our local infrastructure, whether military or civilian, is secured against cyber attacks. We are very proud of our guard members, and we will continue our efforts to support them in their vital missions.\r\nHoeven said the new cyber defense mission will complement the work of the 119th Air Wings intelligence targeting mission in Fargo. Earlier this year, Hoeven helped secure $7.3 million for a new facility for the targeting mission in the Military Construction Appropriations bill, which the Senate passed last month. The senator continues working to secure support for the facility in the year-end funding legislation.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=71735d81-d60b-459f-ad83-95080154070d", "Hoeven Advocates for Lifting Oil Export Ban at Hearing", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Advocates for Lifting Oil Export Ban at Hearing \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Experts Testify Lifting Ban Will Strengthen U.S., Allied Security\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  At a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Terrorism and Global Oil Markets today, Senator John Hoeven advocated for lifting the crude oil export ban, saying it will make the nation and our allies safer as we confront global terrorism. That view was supported by expert witnesses from leading think tanks who testified at the hearing.\r\nHoeven has repeatedly called for repealing the ban and is working hard to get the repeal included in the year-end legislation.\r\nLifting the ban on oil exports is important for our country and will help improve our national security by achieving energy security, Hoeven said. By helping to grow our oil and gas industry in this country, we create a stronger economy and more jobs, but we also produce more energy here at home and were able to help supply our allies with oil and gas, as well.\r\nExpert witnesses from the Atlantic Council, Rand Corporation, Center for a New American Security, and IHS, a global research company, affirmed that lifting the oil export ban would enhance national security. Representative of the general opinion was testimony by Dr. Sara Vakhshouri, Nonresident Senior Fellow Atlantic Council, who said that with the Middle East in turmoil and confronting terrorist attacks and threats, its important to have alternative resources, especially from the U.S.\r\nJamie Webster, senior director at IHS, said We have put out a couple of studies on crude export issue and our finding is that this is a clear win for the U.S. economy and also for energy security. Its difficult to find a case where this is not a positive.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-advocates-for-lifting-oil-export-ban-at-hearing", "Hoeven Advocates for Lifting Oil Export Ban at Hearing", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Advocates for Lifting Oil Export Ban at Hearing \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Experts Testify Lifting Ban Will Strengthen U.S., Allied Security\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  At a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Terrorism and Global Oil Markets today, Senator John Hoeven advocated for lifting the crude oil export ban, saying it will make the nation and our allies safer as we confront global terrorism. That view was supported by expert witnesses from leading think tanks who testified at the hearing.\r\nHoeven has repeatedly called for repealing the ban and is working hard to get the repeal included in the year-end legislation.\r\nLifting the ban on oil exports is important for our country and will help improve our national security by achieving energy security, Hoeven said. By helping to grow our oil and gas industry in this country, we create a stronger economy and more jobs, but we also produce more energy here at home and we're able to help supply our allies with oil and gas, as well.\r\nExpert witnesses from the Atlantic Council, Rand Corporation, Center for a New American Security, and IHS, a global research company, affirmed that lifting the oil export ban would enhance national security. Representative of the general opinion was testimony by Dr. Sara Vakhshouri, Nonresident Senior Fellow Atlantic Council, who said that with the Middle East in turmoil and confronting terrorist attacks and threats, it's important to have alternative resources, especially from the U.S.\r\nJamie Webster, senior director at IHS, said We have put out a couple of studies on crude export issue and our finding is that this is a clear win for the U.S. economy and also for energy security. It's difficult to find a case where this is not a positive.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-congratulates-north-dakota-army-national-guard-on-new-cyber-defense-mission", "Hoeven Congratulates North Dakota Army National Guard on New Cyber Defense Mission", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Congratulates North Dakota Army National Guard on New Cyber Defense Mission \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today congratulated Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk and the North Dakota Army National Guard on its selection as part of the regional Army National Guard Cyber Protection Team (CPT). Starting in 2018, seven soldiers in North Dakota and 32 soldiers from Colorado, South Dakota and Utah will form a shared CPT and join the Department of Defense's cyberforces in defense of critical military and civilian government computer network infrastructure. Including North Dakota, National Guard specialists will operate in CPTs across 24 states and will be aligned to assist in domestic emergency responses.\r\nOur North Dakota National Guard members have served our nation honorably across a wide variety of missions, both here at home and abroad, Hoeven said. Not only have our soldiers worked to defend our state and nation in traditional roles, they continue expanding and adapting to meet the defense needs of the future. This new mission will help ensure our local infrastructure, whether military or civilian, is secured against cyber attacks. We are very proud of our guard members, and we will continue our efforts to support them in their vital missions.\r\nHoeven said the new cyber defense mission will complement the work of the 119th Air Wing's intelligence targeting mission in Fargo. Earlier this year, Hoeven helped secure $7.3 million for a new facility for the targeting mission in the Military Construction Appropriations bill, which the Senate passed last month. The senator continues working to secure support for the facility in the year-end funding legislation.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-reauthorizes-and-reforms-surface-transportation-board", "House Reauthorizes and Reforms Surface Transportation Board", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Kevin Cramer announced today the U. S. House of Representatives passed S. 808, the Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2015. The legislation reauthorizes and reforms the Surface Transportation Board (STB), the nations rail economic regulator, by granting the STB more investigative powers, increasing funding, and also increasing the board membership from the current three to five. The bill unanimously passed the U.S. Senate on June 18.\nNorth Dakotas rail customers have endured delays in shipping their products to market, said Cramer. This legislation brings transparency and certainty to those who have been negatively impacted by these delays. It will also boost competition in the rail industry as well as increasing efficiency in the shipping of their products.\nThe reforms to the STB are supported by many agriculture and business groups. Below is a complete listing of the groups publicly supporting of S. 808 in a Rail Customer Coalition letter:\n Agribusiness Council of Indiana\n Agricultural Retailers Association\n Agriculture Transportation Coalition\n Alabama Crop Management Association\n Alliance for Rail Competition\n Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers\n American Chemistry Council\n American Farm Bureau Federation\n American Forest & Paper Association\n American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Association\n American Iron and Steel Institute\n American Malting Barley Association, Inc.\n American Public Power Association\n American Soybean Association\n Auto Care Association\n Chemical Industry Council of Delaware\n Chemical Industry Council of Illinois\n Chemistry Council of Missouri\n Chemistry Council of New Jersey\n Colorado Association of Wheat Growers\n Connecticut Business & Industry Association\n Corn Refiners Association\n Edison Electric Institute\n The Fertilizer Institute\n Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association\n Foundry Association of Michigan\n Freight Rail Customer Alliance\n Georgia Agribusiness Council\n Georgia Chemistry Council\n Glass Packaging Institute\n Green Coffee Association\n Grocery Manufacturers Association\n Growth Energy\n Idaho Barley Commission\n Idaho Grain Producers Association\n Idaho Wheat Commission\n Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association\n Indiana Corn Growers Association\n Indiana Farm Bureau\n Indiana Soybean Alliance\n Institute of Makers of Explosives\n Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc.\n International Liquid Terminals Association\n International Warehouse Logistics Association\n Louisiana Chemical Association\n Manufacture Alabama\n Manufacturers Association of Florida\n Massachusetts Chemistry & Technology Alliance\n Michigan Agri-Business Association\n Michigan Bean Shippers\n Michigan Chemistry Council\n Minnesota AgriGrowth Council\n Minnesota Crop Production Retailers\n Mississippi Manufacturers Association\n Missouri Agribusiness Association\n Montana Agricultural Business Association\n Montana Farmers Union\n Montana Grain Elevators Association\n Motorcycle Industry Council\n National Association of Chemical Distributors\n National Association of State Departments of Agriculture\n National Association of Wheat Growers\n National Barley Growers Association\n National Corn Growers Association\n National Cotton Council of America\n National Council of Farmer Cooperatives\n National Farmers Union\n The National Industrial Transportation League\n National Onion Association\n National Retail Federation\n National Rural Electric Cooperative Association\n National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council\n National Sunflower Association\n Nebraska Agri-Business Association, Inc.\n Nebraska Wheat Board\n New York State Agribusiness Association\n New York State Chemistry Council\n North Carolina Manufacturers Alliance\n North Dakota Grain Dealers Association\n Ohio Agribusiness Association\n Ohio Chemistry Technology Council\n Oklahoma Agribusiness Retailers Association\n Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association\n Oregon Wheat Growers League\n Outdoor Power Equipment Association, Inc.\n Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council\n Plastics Pipe and Fittings Association\n Promotional Products Association International\n PVC Pipe Association\n Rail Customer Coalition\n Renewable Fuels Association\n Rocky Mountain Agribusiness Association\n Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates\n South Carolina Fertilizer and Agrichemicals Association\n South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance\n South Dakota Wheat Inc.\n SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association\n Steel Manufacturers Association\n The Sulphur Institute\n Texas Ag Industries Association\n Texas Chemical Council\n Texas Wheat Producers Association\n United States Fashion Industry Association\n US Dry Bean Council\n US Dry Pea & Lentil Council\n Vinyl Building Council\n The Vinyl Institute\n Vinyl Siding Institute, Inc.\n Washington Association of Wheat Growers\n Washington Grain Commission\n West Virginia Manufacturers Association\n Western Fuels Association\n Western Plant Health Association\n Wisconsin Agri-Business Association\n Wyoming Ag Business Association\n Wyoming Wheat Marketing Commission\n\nCongressman Kevin Cramer also announced BNSF Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) publicly filed weekly grain backlog status updates as required by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. A summary of the reporting data specific to North Dakota for the last 10 weeks is below.\nGrain Car Backlog Status Report\n\n\t\t\t\tBNSF\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNumber of outstanding cars\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAverage number of days late\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNumber of new car orders\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNumber of car orders filled\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNumber of orders canceled by shipper\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNumber of orders canceled by railroad\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t11/29/2015  12/05/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t30\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1.2 days\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t85\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t745\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t101\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t11/22/2015  11/28/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t173\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t4.3 days\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t22\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t623\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t11/15/2015  11/21/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t50\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1.6 days\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t158\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t910\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t7\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t11/08/2015  11/14/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t223\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t3.4 days\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t19\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t986\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t12\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t11/01/2015  11/07/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t125\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t3.0 days\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t110\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t871\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t11\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t10/25/2015  10/31/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t164\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t3.0 days\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t71\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1154\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t2\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t10/18/2015  10/24/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t150\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t3.8 days\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t161\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t947\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t10/11/2017  10/17/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t297\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t5.0 days\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t129\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t859\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t24\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t10/04/2015  10/10/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t158\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t3.0 days\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t237\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1122\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t09/27/2015  10/03/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t371\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1.7 days\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t200\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t701\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t09/20/2015  09/26/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t24\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1.0 days\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t54\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t15\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t09/13/2015  09/19/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t6\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t2.0 days\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t6\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1161\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t12\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t09/06/2015  09/12/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t10\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1.2 Days\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t18\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1188\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCP\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNumber of outstanding cars\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAverage number of days late\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNumber of new car orders\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNumber of car orders filled\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNumber of orders canceled by shipper\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNumber of orders canceled by railroad\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t11/30/2015  12/06/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t519\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1347\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t11/22/2015  11/28/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t93\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t642\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t75\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t11/16/2015  11/22/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t219\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t684\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t60\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t11/08/2015  11/14/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t397\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1362\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t44\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t11/01/2015  11/07/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t454\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1305\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t19\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t10/25/2015  10/31/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t65\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t642\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1054\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t27\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t10/18/2015  10/24/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t360\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1538\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t2\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t10/12/2015  10/18/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t895\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1223\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t2\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t10/04/2015  10/10/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t638\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1035\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t72\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t09/27/2015  10/03/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t672\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1322\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t102\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t09/20/2015  09/26/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t462\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t981\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t09/14/2015  09/20/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t317\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1120\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t25\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t09/07/2015  09/13/2015\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t448\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t757\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\nView the full reports: BNSF | CP\n  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=7b698e64-0eb9-4091-adb7-49248636f677", "Hoeven: IRS, Treasury Agree to Increase Expensing Threshold on Purchase of Tangible Property From $500 to $2,500", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.10.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: IRS, Treasury Agree to Increase Expensing Threshold on Purchase of Tangible Property From $500 to $2,500 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Pressed IRS to Ease Tax Burden on Small Businesses, Family Farms\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has agreed to raise the safe harbor threshold for expensing the purchase, acquisition or improvement of tangible property from $500 to $2,500 for many small businesses and family-owned farms and ranches. The change will ease the compliance burden for taxpayers who do not maintain applicable financial statements and would have otherwise faced complex capitalization rules for many basic, common purchases, such as machinery and equipment parts, computers and smart phones. The senator has been pressing the IRS in letters and conversations since January of 2014 to revise the unfair and onerous expensing regulations. The revised threshold takes effect on January 1st, 2016.\r\nThe IRS new regulations would have adversely affected small businesses, farmers and ranchers in North Dakota and across the country, Hoeven said. This revision is welcome relief for our small businesses, who account for about two-thirds of new jobs and represent about 55 percent of private employment in the U.S. We continue working to ensure that IRS regulations are workable in the real world, protecting our small businesses from burdensome costs, both in terms of time and money.\r\nHoeven heard from many tax professionals and constituents in North Dakota about the serious, negative consequences the new rule would have for small businesses in the state. The senator continues his efforts to ensure this and other IRS rules reflect the real-world costs and challenges faced by farmers, ranchers and small business owners. Accordingly, Hoeven is working to extend the $500,000 limitation for Section 179 expensing before year-end while also pressing for a permanent solution, which will provide greater certainty for a wide variety of small businesses as they plan their taxes and equipment purchases.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=e4071c4e-5703-413b-9f24-eff34f0ba83b", "Hoeven's Veterans Access to Long-Term Care Legislation Passes Veterans Affairs Committee", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.10.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven's Veterans Access to Long-Term Care Legislation Passes Veterans Affairs Committee \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senators Bill Empowers Veterans to Use Local Long-Term Care Providers Close to Their Homes, Families\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Veterans Affairs Committee has included provisions from two Hoeven bills that will allow veterans greater access to long term care (LTC) services near loved ones and friends in their home communities: the Veterans Access to Extended Care Act and the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act. Extended care providers include such facilities as nursing centers, geriatric evaluation, domiciliary services, adult day health care, respite care, palliative care, hospice care and home health care. Congress is expected to take the bill up at the beginning of the new year.\r\nFamily, friends and community serve as a vital support network throughout our lives, and our veterans should not be forced to choose between being near their loved ones and accessing the care they need, said Hoeven. Our legislation will make more options available to our former service members who need long-term care services. That means better access to the benefits they have earned and a higher quality of life in their later years.\r\nSpecifically, the legislation means the VA can enter into provider agreements with long-term-care facilities subject to the same rules and regulations as Medicare and Medicaid providers. This will enable veterans to stay in local nursing homes by allowing those facilities to receive Veterans Administration reimbursement on the same basis as Medicare and Medicaid providers.\r\nCurrently, duplicative reporting requirements and regulations administered by the Office of Federal Contracting Compliance Programs (OFCCP) have discouraged long-term-care facilities from admitting VA patients, thus depriving veterans of an opportunity to secure long term care at non-VA facilities. As a result, only 15 out of 80 nursing homes in North Dakota currently contract with the VA.\r\nBy contrast, the same LTC facilities contracting with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are not subject to OFCCP regulations. The Hoeven legislation would make the VA requirements for providers the same as they are for CMS, giving our former servicemen and women more options to access long-term-care services closer to their homes, families and friends.\r\nHoeven originally introduced the Veterans Access to Extended Care Act as a stand-alone bill in March with Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act in September, also with Manchin.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-irs-treasury-agree-to-increase-expensing-threshold-on-purchase-of-tangible-property-from-500-to-2-500", "Hoeven: IRS, Treasury Agree to Increase Expensing Threshold on Purchase of Tangible Property From $500 to $2,500", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.10.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: IRS, Treasury Agree to Increase Expensing Threshold on Purchase of Tangible Property From $500 to $2,500 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Pressed IRS to Ease Tax Burden on Small Businesses, Family Farms\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has agreed to raise the safe harbor threshold for expensing the purchase, acquisition or improvement of tangible property from $500 to $2,500 for many small businesses and family-owned farms and ranches. The change will ease the compliance burden for taxpayers who do not maintain applicable financial statements and would have otherwise faced complex capitalization rules for many basic, common purchases, such as machinery and equipment parts, computers and smart phones. The senator has been pressing the IRS in letters and conversations since January of 2014 to revise the unfair and onerous expensing regulations. The revised threshold takes effect on January 1st, 2016.\r\nThe IRS' new regulations would have adversely affected small businesses, farmers and ranchers in North Dakota and across the country, Hoeven said. This revision is welcome relief for our small businesses, who account for about two-thirds of new jobs and represent about 55 percent of private employment in the U.S. We continue working to ensure that IRS regulations are workable in the real world, protecting our small businesses from burdensome costs, both in terms of time and money.\r\nHoeven heard from many tax professionals and constituents in North Dakota about the serious, negative consequences the new rule would have for small businesses in the state. The senator continues his efforts to ensure this and other IRS rules reflect the real-world costs and challenges faced by farmers, ranchers and small business owners. Accordingly, Hoeven is working to extend the $500,000 limitation for Section 179 expensing before year-end while also pressing for a permanent solution, which will provide greater certainty for a wide variety of small businesses as they plan their taxes and equipment purchases.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoevens-veterans-access-to-long-term-care-legislation-passes-veterans-affairs-committee", "Hoeven's Veterans Access to Long-Term Care Legislation Passes Veterans Affairs Committee", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.10.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven's Veterans Access to Long-Term Care Legislation Passes Veterans Affairs Committee \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator's Bill Empowers Veterans to Use Local Long-Term Care Providers Close to Their Homes, Families\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Veterans Affairs Committee has included provisions from two Hoeven bills that will allow veterans greater access to long term care (LTC) services near loved ones and friends in their home communities: the Veterans Access to Extended Care Act and the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act. Extended care providers include such facilities as nursing centers, geriatric evaluation, domiciliary services, adult day health care, respite care, palliative care, hospice care and home health care. Congress is expected to take the bill up at the beginning of the new year.\r\nFamily, friends and community serve as a vital support network throughout our lives, and our veterans should not be forced to choose between being near their loved ones and accessing the care they need, said Hoeven. Our legislation will make more options available to our former service members who need long-term care services. That means better access to the benefits they have earned and a higher quality of life in their later years.\r\nSpecifically, the legislation means the VA can enter into provider agreements with long-term-care facilities subject to the same rules and regulations as Medicare and Medicaid providers. This will enable veterans to stay in local nursing homes by allowing those facilities to receive Veterans Administration reimbursement on the same basis as Medicare and Medicaid providers.\r\nCurrently, duplicative reporting requirements and regulations administered by the Office of Federal Contracting Compliance Programs (OFCCP) have discouraged long-term-care facilities from admitting VA patients, thus depriving veterans of an opportunity to secure long term care at non-VA facilities. As a result, only 15 out of 80 nursing homes in North Dakota currently contract with the VA.\r\nBy contrast, the same LTC facilities contracting with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are not subject to OFCCP regulations. The Hoeven legislation would make the VA requirements for providers the same as they are for CMS, giving our former servicemen and women more options to access long-term-care services closer to their homes, families and friends.\r\nHoeven originally introduced the Veterans Access to Extended Care Act as a stand-alone bill in March with Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act in September, also with Manchin.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=6a3b6842-531c-44fe-a825-885131aa063b", "Hoeven Continues Work on Grand Forks AFB Priorities", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Continues Work on Grand Forks AFB Priorities \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Air Force to Start Process Next Year to Select Next Base for the KC-46 Mission, Grand Forks in the Running\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven and members of the Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) today met with top Air Force officials to further advance the regions leadership as a premier hub for unmanned aerial system (UAS) and to further initiatives important to Grand Forks Air Force Base. Specifically, Hoeven said the Air Force will start the process in 2016 for selecting a base the KC-46 Aerial Refueling Tanker; Grand Forks is in the running for the mission. The group also pushed for a lead role for Grand Forks Air Force Base in supporting the Arctic mission.\r\nHoeven and the BRIC members met at the Pentagon with Miranda Ballentine, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy, and Jennifer Miller, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations, and Senator Heidi Heitkamp.\r\nThis is an era of innovation and growth for Grand Forks Air Force Base and the entire region, Hoeven said. The BRIC team has done an outstanding job of supporting the base and the community. Now with Northrop Grumman and General Atomics at Grand Sky, we are advancing our states leadership in unmanned aerial systems. We continue working to strengthen and expand the base and its missions.\r\nKC-46 Aerial Refueling Tanker\r\nHoeven and the BRIC again cited GFAFBs strategic northern location as an advantage in a possible future tanker mission at Grand Forks. Following Hoeven's efforts to promote GFAFB in 2012, the Air Force identified the base as a finalist for a new tanker mission and indicated it would receive strong consideration in future base selections for the new KC-46 aerial refueling tanker. Hoeven said that the tanker would be a big win for the base.\r\nArctic Initiative\r\nThe Arctic initiative Hoeven started with BRIC last year now is in front of Air Force officials. In October 2014, Hoeven and BRIC members visited Northern Command in Colorado to understand the U.S. militarys development of its strategy to secure and defend American interests in the Arctic. The need for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in that region strongly underscores the needs for capabilities like the Global Hawk. The position of Grand Forks as a northern tier base reinforces the bases relevance to emerging Arctic missions. BRIC highlighted the Arctic with Miller as a first step in working with the Air Force to position the base to meet future Arctic requirements.\r\nGrand Sky Technology Park\r\nBRIC reviewed with Ballentine and Miller the current status of Grand Sky technology park, including updates on the Joint Use Agreement that allows the park to access the base runway. They also highlighted prospects for new tenants at the park and progress made to accommodate Northrop Grumman and General Atomics that have already committed to be at Grand Sky.\r\nHoeven has led the effort to help Grand Forks County secure an enhanced use lease (EUL) with the U.S. Air Force for the development of Grand Sky, a cutting-edge UAS technology and business park the county is building on approximately 217 acres at Grand Forks Air Force Base.\r\nSecuring an anchor tenant for the park was key to the project. In 2012, Hoeven brought senior Northrop Grumman officials, including Tom Vice, Northrop Grummans Corporate VP and President of Aerospace Systems, to Grand Forks to see firsthand the tremendous synergies that are developing between BRIC, UND, the UND Aerospace Foundation and Northland Aerospace Foundation. As a result, Northrop Grumman, one of the worlds premier aerospace and defense technology companies, committed to be the parks first tenant. Northrop Grumman makes the RQ-4 Global Hawk, which is operated by the Air Combat Command unit at GFAFB.\r\nIn September, following several meetings with key company leaders, Hoeven announced that General Atomics, which manufactures the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper, would come to Grand Sky to construct a training academy for UAS pilots. Hoeven continues to work with the Air Force to allow U.S. Air Force pilots to receive training via General Atomics as a way of filling the existing shortfall of qualified pilots needed to meet the demands of U.S. commanders overseas for unmanned aircraft capabilities.\r\n-###-\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=8400cdfc-230e-4c7b-bfa5-c3a3144a7279", "Hoeven Announces Nearly $1.1 Million Grant for Head Start, Early Head Start at Cankdeska Cikana Community College", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces Nearly $1.1 Million Grant for Head Start, Early Head Start at Cankdeska Cikana Community College \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded nearly $1.1 million to Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC) to support its Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Todays award is a continuation of CCCCs five-year project, which began in 2014 and serves the Spirit Lake Tribe.\r\nThe well-being of children is a vital component of healthy and successful communities, said Hoeven. Todays award will support continued education, health and nutrition services for children and families in the Spirit Lake community and will lay a strong foundation for their future success.\r\nTodays funds come in addition to a $3.1 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which Hoeven announced last month. The loan supports the construction of a new, centrally-located Head start facility at CCCC, which will serve up to 184 children in the Spirit Lake community, ages 0 to 5.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=8aff506c-15ee-429d-a608-2e87c507f6ba", "Hoeven: Congress Passes Education Bill Restoring Local Control, Bolstering STEM Education", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Congress Passes Education Bill Restoring Local Control, Bolstering STEM Education \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that Congress has passed the Every Student Succeeds Act, education authorization legislation to replace the No Child Left Behind Act. The bill restores state and local control over education standards and makes important reforms to replace one-size-fits-all accountability requirements with state-designed systems. The legislation also prevents federal mandates, including Common Core. The bill was approved in the Senate by a strong, bipartisan vote of 85-12.\r\nThe Every Student Succeeds Act makes important reforms and helps to put parents, teachers, principals and local school districts back in control of our education system. This legislation takes the right approach in that it pushes both control and funding down to the state and local level rather than a federal one-size-fits-all approach and it ends the Common Core mandate, said Hoeven. Additionally, the bill includes support for STEM education, which we pushed for, and other initiatives to ensure that our students have the skills and education they need to be competitive today and into the future.\r\nThe Every Student Succeeds Act reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and allows states and school districts to develop their own educational accountability plans. The legislation restores state control over education standards and prevents the federal government from mandating or incentivizing academic standards, including Common Core.\r\nAdditionally, the bill includes a provision based on legislation offered by Senators Hoeven and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to bolster Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. Specifically, the measure improves students access to STEM education by allowing states to award funding to create or enhance a STEM-focused specialty school or a STEM program within a school.\r\nThe Every Student Succeeds Act includes initiatives important for North Dakota students and schools including:\r\n Provides school districts greater flexibility to develop their own education plans and transfer program funds based upon each schools needs.   Includes new provisions to allow multiple rural school districts to consolidate the applications submitted to states for federal grant funding and ensures that rural school districts are able to compete for funding at the same level as more populated school districts that have more staff.   Continues rural education programs to support high-poverty rural school districts and schools that have traditionally received a smaller portion of federal funding for education programs.   Strengthens Impact Aid program to better support school districts located near, or serving students from, military bases, federal lands, and Indian reservations, for the loss of local property taxes due to the presence of the federal government.   Streamlines Native American education grant programs and continues support for native language restoration programs, culturally related activities, early childhood and family programs, as well as services to increase student achievement and parental involvement.   Consolidates a total of 49 federal education programs and requires the Education Department to identify full-time equivalent positions who worked on those consolidated programs and reduce the workforce by that amount.   Outlines specific procedures the U.S. Education Secretary must follow when issuing federal regulations and requires greater transparency and accountability over the development of new rules affecting K-12 schools.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/2015/12/09/hoeven-continues-work-on-grand-forks-afb-priorities", "Hoeven Continues Work on Grand Forks AFB Priorities", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Continues Work on Grand Forks AFB Priorities \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Air Force to Start Process Next Year to Select Next Base for the KC-46 Mission, Grand Forks in the Running\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven and members of the Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) today met with top Air Force officials to further advance the region's leadership as a premier hub for unmanned aerial system (UAS) and to further initiatives important to Grand Forks Air Force Base. Specifically, Hoeven said the Air Force will start the process in 2016 for selecting a base the KC-46 Aerial Refueling Tanker; Grand Forks is in the running for the mission. The group also pushed for a lead role for Grand Forks Air Force Base in supporting the Arctic mission.\r\nHoeven and the BRIC members met at the Pentagon with Miranda Ballentine, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy, and Jennifer Miller, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations, and Senator Heidi Heitkamp.\r\nThis is an era of innovation and growth for Grand Forks Air Force Base and the entire region, Hoeven said. The BRIC team has done an outstanding job of supporting the base and the community. Now with Northrop Grumman and General Atomics at Grand Sky, we are advancing our state's leadership in unmanned aerial systems. We continue working to strengthen and expand the base and its missions.\r\nKC-46 Aerial Refueling Tanker\r\nHoeven and the BRIC again cited GFAFB's strategic northern location as an advantage in a possible future tanker mission at Grand Forks. Following Hoeven's efforts to promote GFAFB in 2012, the Air Force identified the base as a finalist for a new tanker mission and indicated it would receive strong consideration in future base selections for the new KC-46 aerial refueling tanker. Hoeven said that the tanker would be a big win for the base.\r\nArctic Initiative\r\nThe Arctic initiative Hoeven started with BRIC last year now is in front of Air Force officials. In October 2014, Hoeven and BRIC members visited Northern Command in Colorado to understand the U.S. military's development of its strategy to secure and defend American interests in the Arctic. The need for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in that region strongly underscores the needs for capabilities like the Global Hawk. The position of Grand Forks as a northern tier base reinforces the base's relevance to emerging Arctic missions. BRIC highlighted the Arctic with Miller as a first step in working with the Air Force to position the base to meet future Arctic requirements.\r\nGrand Sky Technology Park\r\nBRIC reviewed with Ballentine and Miller the current status of Grand Sky technology park, including updates on the Joint Use Agreement that allows the park to access the base runway. They also highlighted prospects for new tenants at the park and progress made to accommodate Northrop Grumman and General Atomics that have already committed to be at Grand Sky.\r\nHoeven has led the effort to help Grand Forks County secure an enhanced use lease (EUL) with the U.S. Air Force for the development of Grand Sky, a cutting-edge UAS technology and business park the county is building on approximately 217 acres at Grand Forks Air Force Base.\r\nSecuring an anchor tenant for the park was key to the project. In 2012, Hoeven brought senior Northrop Grumman officials, including Tom Vice, Northrop Grumman's Corporate VP and President of Aerospace Systems, to Grand Forks to see firsthand the tremendous synergies that are developing between BRIC, UND, the UND Aerospace Foundation and Northland Aerospace Foundation. As a result, Northrop Grumman, one of the world's premier aerospace and defense technology companies, committed to be the park's first tenant. Northrop Grumman makes the RQ-4 Global Hawk, which is operated by the Air Combat Command unit at GFAFB.\r\nIn September, following several meetings with key company leaders, Hoeven announced that General Atomics, which manufactures the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper, would come to Grand Sky to construct a training academy for UAS pilots. Hoeven continues to work with the Air Force to allow U.S. Air Force pilots to receive training via General Atomics as a way of filling the existing shortfall of qualified pilots needed to meet the demands of U.S. commanders overseas for unmanned aircraft capabilities.\r\n-###-\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-nearly-11-million-grant-for-head-start-early-head-start-at-cankdeska-cikana-community-college", "Hoeven Announces Nearly $1.1 Million Grant for Head Start, Early Head Start at Cankdeska Cikana Community College", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces Nearly $1.1 Million Grant for Head Start, Early Head Start at Cankdeska Cikana Community College \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded nearly $1.1 million to Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC) to support its Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Today's award is a continuation of CCCC's five-year project, which began in 2014 and serves the Spirit Lake Tribe.\r\nThe well-being of children is a vital component of healthy and successful communities, said Hoeven. Today's award will support continued education, health and nutrition services for children and families in the Spirit Lake community and will lay a strong foundation for their future success.\r\nToday's funds come in addition to a $3.1 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which Hoeven announced last month. The loan supports the construction of a new, centrally-located Head start facility at CCCC, which will serve up to 184 children in the Spirit Lake community, ages 0 to 5.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-congress-passes-education-bill-restoring-local-control-bolstering-stem-education", "Hoeven: Congress Passes Education Bill Restoring Local Control, Bolstering STEM Education", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Congress Passes Education Bill Restoring Local Control, Bolstering STEM Education \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that Congress has passed the Every Student Succeeds Act, education authorization legislation to replace the No Child Left Behind Act. The bill restores state and local control over education standards and makes important reforms to replace one-size-fits-all accountability requirements with state-designed systems. The legislation also prevents federal mandates, including Common Core. The bill was approved in the Senate by a strong, bipartisan vote of 85-12.\r\nThe Every Student Succeeds Act makes important reforms and helps to put parents, teachers, principals and local school districts back in control of our education system. This legislation takes the right approach in that it pushes both control and funding down to the state and local level rather than a federal one-size-fits-all approach and it ends the Common Core mandate, said Hoeven. Additionally, the bill includes support for STEM education, which we pushed for, and other initiatives to ensure that our students have the skills and education they need to be competitive today and into the future.\r\nThe Every Student Succeeds Act reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and allows states and school districts to develop their own educational accountability plans. The legislation restores state control over education standards and prevents the federal government from mandating or incentivizing academic standards, including Common Core.\r\nAdditionally, the bill includes a provision based on legislation offered by Senators Hoeven and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to bolster Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. Specifically, the measure improves students' access to STEM education by allowing states to award funding to create or enhance a STEM-focused specialty school or a STEM program within a school.\r\nThe Every Student Succeeds Act includes initiatives important for North Dakota students and schools including:\r\n Provides school districts greater flexibility to develop their own education plans and transfer program funds based upon each school's needs.   Includes new provisions to allow multiple rural school districts to consolidate the applications submitted to states for federal grant funding and ensures that rural school districts are able to compete for funding at the same level as more populated school districts that have more staff.   Continues rural education programs to support high-poverty rural school districts and schools that have traditionally received a smaller portion of federal funding for education programs.   Strengthens Impact Aid program to better support school districts located near, or serving students from, military bases, federal lands, and Indian reservations, for the loss of local property taxes due to the presence of the federal government.   Streamlines Native American education grant programs and continues support for native language restoration programs, culturally related activities, early childhood and family programs, as well as services to increase student achievement and parental involvement.   Consolidates a total of 49 federal education programs and requires the Education Department to identify full-time equivalent positions who worked on those consolidated programs and reduce the workforce by that amount.   Outlines specific procedures the U.S. Education Secretary must follow when issuing federal regulations and requires greater transparency and accountability over the development of new rules affecting K-12 schools.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-approves-hr-158-visa-waiver-improvement-and-terrorist", "Cramer - House Approves H.R. 158 Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Kevin Cramer announced the House of Representatives passed H.R. 158 Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015. The bill addresses the vulnerabilities in the Visa Waiver Program by requiring participating countries to provide counterterrorism information and other critical intelligence, identifying and allowing for the suspension of high-risk countries, and denying Visa Waiver Program (VWP) status for those who have traveled to terrorist hotspots, like Iraq and Syria, since 2011. Congressman Cramer is a co-sponsor of the legislation.\nEstablished in 1986, the VWP allows more than 20 million people annually from 38 participating countries to more easily travel to the United States for a period of up to 90 days. Instead of going to a U.S. consulate or embassy, citizens of participating countries must provide detailed background information which is then screened against U.S. security databases. (Below is a list and map of the 38 nations participating in the VWP program). The Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 fixes vulnerabilities in the visa program by giving the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to suspend a countrys participation in the program if it fails to share counterterrorism information with the U.S.; denies Visa Waiver Program status to those citizens from participating countries that have traveled to certain terrorist hotspots since 2011; requires all Visa Waiver Program countries use fraud resistant e-passports; and allows for the suspension of high-risk countries.\nPassage of this bill is a good start, but more needs to be done to ensure our nation is safe from terrorist attack, said Cramer. Reform of the Visa Waiver Program is essential to securing our nations borders. We have learned thousands of terrorists have left Europe and gone to fight for ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The estimated number is 5,000 and most of them come from Visa Waver Program countries where they get a 90-day pass to go to another country in Europe or enter the United States and possibly commit terrorist acts. This is an unacceptable risk for the safety and security of the United States.\nSummary of H.R. 158 Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015\nDenying VWP status to individuals who have connections to terrorist hotspots\n VWP country citizens with ties to terrorist hotspots such as Iraq and Syria pose an increased risk if allowed to enter the United States. H.R. 158 denies VWP travel to travelers who are nationals ofor have visited during the past five yearsIraq, Syria, and other countries with significant terrorist activity. Instead, these travelers are required to seek a visa for entry into the United States through a more stringent process.\n Demanding strong intelligence and law enforcement information sharing\n When VWP countries fail to share counterterrorism information with the United States, it puts our security at risk. H.R. 158 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to terminate a country from the program if the country does not share such dataand doesnt allow the country back into the VWP until it complies with the program requirements. Such authority will improve information sharing and help the U.S. better identify potential terrorists and foreign fighters.\n Enhancing screening of all travelers in VWP countries\n Ensures all travelers are thoroughly screened well before they attempt to travel the U.S. H.R. 158 requires all VWP countries to check travelers against INTERPOL databases, in order to determine whether the traveler is wanted by law enforcement agencies based on ties to terrorism or criminal activity. Better screening against INTERPOL databases will close a glaring gap in the global travel system.\n Preventing extremists from using fraudulent documents to evade detection\n Secure documents make it harder for extremists to falsify their identities. H.R. 158 requires all VWP countries to issue to their citizens fraud-resistant e-passports, containing biometric information and requires countries to be able to confirm that such documents are legitimate when they are scanned.\n\tTerrorists have used lost and stolen travel documents to cross international borders. H.R. 158 forces all VWP countries to submit lost and stolen passport information to INTERPOLs stolen and lost travel document database and to notify INTERPOL within 24 hours when their citizens passports go missing.\n Increasing threat monitoring of VWP countries \n The threat environment can change quickly, which is why we need regular reviews of security in VWP countries. H.R. 158 requires top U.S. security agencies to conduct more frequent intelligence and threat assessments of VWP countries to determine whether they pose a high risk to the national security of United States. If a VWP country is designated as high risk, they can be suspended from the program.\n Taking steps to ensure VWP travelers do not falsify their background information\n Background checks on VWP travelers must be accurate. H.R. 158 requires DHS to take steps to better detect false information, improve the validation of data supplied by travelers, and add new data fields to enhance checks on each traveler.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=bd1d6730-eb4f-4313-a898-d1dc3c08a214", "Hoeven: Howard Dahl Honored by Kazakhstan for 25 Years of Service to the Country", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.08.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Howard Dahl Honored by Kazakhstan for 25 Years of Service to the Country \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Highlights ND Trade Opportunities at Kazakhstan-U.S. Convention\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today congratulated Howard Dahl, who was honored by the country of Kazakhstan for doing business in the nation for 25 years. Dahl, the President and CEO of Amity Technology and Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in North Dakota, was presented with the medal during the 3rd Annual Kazakhstan-U.S. Convention in Washington, D.C. Hoeven spoke at the event to honor Dahl and highlight the important trade relationship between North Dakota and Kazakhstan.\r\nHoward Dahl has been a tremendous ambassador for North Dakota and this award is a fitting recognition of his work over the past 25 years to bring much needed products and services to the people of Kazakhstan, said Hoeven. The people of North Dakota and Kazakhstan have benefited greatly from our partnerships. Together, we have tremendous opportunities for trade that will grow both our economies.\r\nHoeven highlighted trade opportunities between North Dakota and Kazakhstan. As governor of North Dakota, Hoeven worked with state and government leaders to establish the North Dakota Trade Office in 2004 in an effort to promote global trade relationships. In the years since, Kazakhstan has become a valuable trade partner.\r\nHoeven cited the flying anguses as one example of the opportunities from this partnership. In 2010, two North Dakota cattle producers loaded a Boeing 747 with livestock bound for Kazakhstan to improve the genetics of Kazakh herds. About 170 pregnant cows and heifers weighing more than 80 tons were loaded in metal crates at the Fargo airport and shipped by air freighter to Astana, Kazakhstan. The Angus and Hereford cattle were bred to withstand a North Dakota winter, which made them well-suited for the climate in Kazakhstan.\r\nWith oil and other natural resources, Hoeven said that Kazakhstan has great potential for foreign investment not only in agriculture, but also in energy, minerals, transportation and communication infrastructure.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-howard-dahl-honored-by-kazakhstan-for-25-years-of-service-to-the-country", "Hoeven: Howard Dahl Honored by Kazakhstan for 25 Years of Service to the Country", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.08.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Howard Dahl Honored by Kazakhstan for 25 Years of Service to the Country \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Highlights ND Trade Opportunities at Kazakhstan-U.S. Convention\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today congratulated Howard Dahl, who was honored by the country of Kazakhstan for doing business in the nation for 25 years. Dahl, the President and CEO of Amity Technology and Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in North Dakota, was presented with the medal during the 3rd Annual Kazakhstan-U.S. Convention in Washington, D.C. Hoeven spoke at the event to honor Dahl and highlight the important trade relationship between North Dakota and Kazakhstan.\r\nHoward Dahl has been a tremendous ambassador for North Dakota and this award is a fitting recognition of his work over the past 25 years to bring much needed products and services to the people of Kazakhstan, said Hoeven. The people of North Dakota and Kazakhstan have benefited greatly from our partnerships. Together, we have tremendous opportunities for trade that will grow both our economies.\r\nHoeven highlighted trade opportunities between North Dakota and Kazakhstan. As governor of North Dakota, Hoeven worked with state and government leaders to establish the North Dakota Trade Office in 2004 in an effort to promote global trade relationships. In the years since, Kazakhstan has become a valuable trade partner.\r\nHoeven cited the flying anguses as one example of the opportunities from this partnership. In 2010, two North Dakota cattle producers loaded a Boeing 747 with livestock bound for Kazakhstan to improve the genetics of Kazakh herds. About 170 pregnant cows and heifers weighing more than 80 tons were loaded in metal crates at the Fargo airport and shipped by air freighter to Astana, Kazakhstan. The Angus and Hereford cattle were bred to withstand a North Dakota winter, which made them well-suited for the climate in Kazakhstan.\r\nWith oil and other natural resources, Hoeven said that Kazakhstan has great potential for foreign investment not only in agriculture, but also in energy, minerals, transportation and communication infrastructure.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-statement-on-wtos-ruling-of-1-billion-retaliatory-tariffs-to-us", "Cramer Statement on WTO's Ruling of $1 Billion Retaliatory Tariffs to US COOL Law", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Kevin Cramer released the following statement today after the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled Canada and Mexico may impose retaliatory tariffs of up to $782 million and $227.76 million respectively on imported U.S. products to recoup damages caused by U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL)rules for meat. The imposition of the tariffs comes after the WTO ruled for the fourth time earlier this year the COOL law violates international trade obligations.\n\"If it wasn't already obvious, this decision by the WTO to allow Canada and Mexico to levy $1 billion of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. producers and small businesses should serve as the ultimate reality check, said Cramer. I hope the U.S. Senate acts quickly to pass H.R. 2393, the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Amendments Act and help prevent these and future tariffs from being imposed.\"\nThe bill passed by the House in June repeals existing requirements for retailers of beef, pork, and chicken, at the final point of sale. \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=1798173e-806e-470a-9fe7-4b850c552564", "Hoeven: Congress Passes Five-Year Highway Bill; Measure Includes More Than $1.3 Billion for N.D. Infrastructure", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.04.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Congress Passes Five-Year Highway Bill; Measure Includes More Than $1.3 Billion for N.D. Infrastructure  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Measure Also Restores $3 Billion Cut in Crop Insurance Made in Budget Agreement\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the new five-year highway bill that Congress approved today will provide North Dakota with more than $1.3 billion and enable more than 100 North Dakota transportation projects to advance. The formula is favorable to North Dakota and increases annual highway funding for the state to $263 million, about $23 million a year more than it currently receives. The bill also provides a total of $76 million over five years for transit projects in North Dakota.\r\nThe Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act (FAST) Act reauthorizes the nations transportation programs for five years.The bill provides $305 billion in contract authority for the 2015 to 2020 period. The measure is fully paid for and makes up for a lack of highway trust fund revenues by adding about $70 billion in offsets.\r\nThese investments will create new jobs, provide a sustained boost to our nations economy and help keep America and North Dakota competitive in the global marketplace, Hoeven said. The total highway formula funding for North Dakota over five years would be more than $1.3 billion, excluding additional transit and transportation safety funding. It will make possible more than a hundred transportation projects across North Dakota that were formerly at risk, and importantly, it does so without raising taxes or increasing the deficit.\r\nThe bill also includes Hoevens Driver Privacy Act, legislation that establishes in law that the owner of a vehicle is also the owner of any information collected by an Event Data Recorder (EDR). Hoeven was joined on the legislation by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Hoeven also teamed with Klobuchar to pass theDistracted Driving Act, bipartisan legislation that will help more states access a federal distracted driving grant program.\r\nImportantly for farmers and ranchers in North Dakota and across the nation, the bill restores $3 billion that was cut from crop insurance in the budget agreement forged in October. Hoeven worked as a member of the Agriculture Committee to reverse efforts to further cut crop insurance funding, which has already been reduced by $12 billion since 2008.\r\nFAST Act Highlights for North Dakota:\r\n \r\nIncreases Transportation Funding for North Dakota by maintaining the federal aid highway formula structure and increasing the amount each state will receive every year:\r\n\r\nNorth Dakota will receive an average of $263 million a year in highway formula funding over five years, an average of $23 million more than the state receives today.\r\n\r\nMakes completing transportation projects easier by making National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) reforms, cutting red tape.\r\nProvides five years of increased funding, giving state and local governments the certainty and stability they need to improve and develop our nations transportation infrastructure.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIncreases Transit Funding to North Dakota by approximately $1 million a year, from more than $14 million in the first year to more than $17 million by the fifth year. Overall, the bill increases public transportation funding nearly $1.3 billion over MAP-21 levels.\r\nImproves Safety: The bills safety and regulatory title makes important enhancements for safer highways as well as freight and passenger rail service through effective implementation of new technologies, new tools for federal safety watchdog agencies, reforming grant programs for states and transparency that promotes accountability.\r\nFreight Program: Establishes a Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects program that includes a rural set-aside within this $4.5 billion discretionary grant program designed to improve safety and efficiency of the movement of freight and people, reduce highway congestion and bottlenecks, and generate economic growth.\r\n \r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=b6b6f9da-7e03-4001-b7c8-b8ab6e71a4cb", "Hoeven Statement on the Senate Repealing Obamacare, Defunding Planned Parenthood", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.04.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Statement on the Senate Repealing Obamacare, Defunding Planned Parenthood  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Budget Reconciliation Bill Takes Step toward Repealing, Replacing Obamacare\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to Senate passage of a budget reconciliation bill that repeals Obamacare and defunds Planned Parenthood.\r\nThe Senate today repealed Obamacare and eliminated more than a trillion dollars in taxes created by the law, including taxes on some benefit plans and the tax on medical devices. The bill also reduces the deficit by almost $400 billion over the next ten years.\r\nThis is the first step in replacing Obamacare with a step-by-step approach that restores choice and competition to the health insurance market. That step-by-step approach includes combining high deductible policies with health savings accounts, allowing businesses to pool their employees to get discounted premium rates, allowing insurers to compete across state lines and maintaining state high risk pools for people who have difficulty accessing affordable insurance. The measure also extends the Medicaid expansion under Obamacare for a two-year period so that people do not lose their health care insurance until a suitable replacement can be put into place for them.   \r\nIn addition, the measure defunds Planned Parenthood, the nations largest abortion provider, and transfers responsibility for womens health care services to local community health centers. There is no Planned Parenthood facility in North Dakota, but there are 16 community health centers located across the state, which means women will have broader access to quality care.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=d924e024-1635-4bc7-abf3-3908f77af4a3", "Senate Passes National Bison Legacy Act Making Bison National Mammal; Hoeven Challenges Daines to Wager on Bison, Grizzlies Game", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.04.15\n\t\t\t Senate Passes National Bison Legacy Act Making Bison National Mammal; Hoeven Challenges Daines to Wager on Bison, Grizzlies Game  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the United States Senate unanimously passed the National Bison Legacy Act, legislation he introduced with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) that designates the American bison as the national mammal of the United States.\r\nThe National Bison Legacy Act recognizes the historical, cultural and economic significance of the bison, which is the largest land mammal in America. Many Native American tribes revere the bison as a sacred and spiritual symbol of their heritage.\r\nThe bison, like the bald eagle, has for many years been a symbol of America for its strength, endurance and dignity, reflecting the pioneer spirit of America, Hoeven said. It makes sense for this noble animal to serve as our national mammal. The National Bison Legacy Act recognizes the important cultural and economic role the bison has played in our history, in North Dakota and across our nation.\r\nMore than 40 million bison once roamed across most of North America. But by the late 1800s, fewer than one thousand bison remained. The species is acknowledged as the first American conservation success story, having been brought back from the brink of extinction by a concerted effort of ranchers, conservationists and politicians to save the species in the early 20th century.\r\nIn 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt and the American Bison Society led an effort to save bison from extinction by establishing a captive breeding program at the Bronx Zoo. Within a few years, the program and others like it were successfully establishing bison back into its native habitat. Bison now live in all 50 states in public and private herds, providing recreation opportunities for wildlife viewers in zoos, refuges and parks, and sustaining the multimillion dollar bison ranching and production business.\r\nBison vs. Grizzlies Wager\r\nHoeven said the strong, noble character of the bison make it a perfect team name for NDSU, especially its celebrated football team. For Saturdays game, Hoeven offered Dakota Growers pasta made from the best durum wheat in the world, while Daines has offered up a six pack of Moose Drool Beer from Montanas Big Sky Brewing Co.\r\nThe Bison won a historic fourth straight national title last year, and theyre looking to make it five-in-a-row, Hoeven said. Im looking forward to enjoying some authentic Moose Drool Beer from Senator Daines when the Thundering Herd rolls over the Grizzlies on Saturday. Go Bison!\r\nEvery Montanan knows that a bison is no match for a grizzly bear  Im confident that Saturdays game will be no exception,Daines stated.I look forward to cheering on the Griz to victory this weekend and enjoying a nice celebration dinner of Dakota Growers pasta following the game.\r\nThe game will take place at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome in Fargo on Saturday, December 5 at 2:30 p.m. CDT and will be broadcast on ESPN 3.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-congress-passes-five-year-highway-bill-measure-includes-more-than-13-billion-for-nd-infrastructure", "Hoeven: Congress Passes Five-Year Highway Bill; Measure Includes More Than $1.3 Billion for N.D. Infrastructure", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.04.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Congress Passes Five-Year Highway Bill; Measure Includes More Than $1.3 Billion for N.D. Infrastructure  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Measure Also Restores $3 Billion Cut in Crop Insurance Made in Budget Agreement\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the new five-year highway bill that Congress approved today will provide North Dakota with more than $1.3 billion and enable more than 100 North Dakota transportation projects to advance. The formula is favorable to North Dakota and increases annual highway funding for the state to $263 million, about $23 million a year more than it currently receives. The bill also provides a total of $76 million over five years for transit projects in North Dakota.\r\nThe Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST) Act reauthorizes the nation's transportation programs for five years.The bill provides $305 billion in contract authority for the 2015 to 2020 period. The measure is fully paid for and makes up for a lack of highway trust fund revenues by adding about $70 billion in offsets.\r\nThese investments will create new jobs, provide a sustained boost to our nation's economy and help keep America and North Dakota competitive in the global marketplace, Hoeven said. The total highway formula funding for North Dakota over five years would be more than $1.3 billion, excluding additional transit and transportation safety funding. It will make possible more than a hundred transportation projects across North Dakota that were formerly at risk, and importantly, it does so without raising taxes or increasing the deficit.\r\nThe bill also includes Hoeven's Driver Privacy Act, legislation that establishes in law that the owner of a vehicle is also the owner of any information collected by an Event Data Recorder (EDR). Hoeven was joined on the legislation by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Hoeven also teamed with Klobuchar to pass theDistracted Driving Act, bipartisan legislation that will help more states access a federal distracted driving grant program.\r\nImportantly for farmers and ranchers in North Dakota and across the nation, the bill restores $3 billion that was cut from crop insurance in the budget agreement forged in October. Hoeven worked as a member of the Agriculture Committee to reverse efforts to further cut crop insurance funding, which has already been reduced by $12 billion since 2008.\r\nFAST Act Highlights for North Dakota:\r\n \r\nIncreases Transportation Funding for North Dakota by maintaining the federal aid highway formula structure and increasing the amount each state will receive every year:\r\n\r\nNorth Dakota will receive an average of $263 million a year in highway formula funding over five years, an average of $23 million more than the state receives today.\r\n\r\nMakes completing transportation projects easier by making National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) reforms, cutting red tape.\r\nProvides five years of increased funding, giving state and local governments the certainty and stability they need to improve and develop our nation's transportation infrastructure.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIncreases Transit Funding to North Dakota by approximately $1 million a year, from more than $14 million in the first year to more than $17 million by the fifth year. Overall, the bill increases public transportation funding nearly $1.3 billion over MAP-21 levels.\r\nImproves Safety: The bill's safety and regulatory title makes important enhancements for safer highways as well as freight and passenger rail service through effective implementation of new technologies, new tools for federal safety watchdog agencies, reforming grant programs for states and transparency that promotes accountability.\r\nFreight Program: Establishes a Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects program that includes a rural set-aside within this $4.5 billion discretionary grant program designed to improve safety and efficiency of the movement of freight and people, reduce highway congestion and bottlenecks, and generate economic growth.\r\n \r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-statement-on-the-senate-repealing-obamacare-defunding-planned-parenthood", "Hoeven Statement on the Senate Repealing Obamacare, Defunding Planned Parenthood", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.04.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Statement on the Senate Repealing Obamacare, Defunding Planned Parenthood  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Budget Reconciliation Bill Takes Step toward Repealing, Replacing Obamacare\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to Senate passage of a budget reconciliation bill that repeals Obamacare and defunds Planned Parenthood.\r\nThe Senate today repealed Obamacare and eliminated more than a trillion dollars in taxes created by the law, including taxes on some benefit plans and the tax on medical devices. The bill also reduces the deficit by almost $400 billion over the next ten years.\r\nThis is the first step in replacing Obamacare with a step-by-step approach that restores choice and competition to the health insurance market. That step-by-step approach includes combining high deductible policies with health savings accounts, allowing businesses to pool their employees to get discounted premium rates, allowing insurers to compete across state lines and maintaining state high risk pools for people who have difficulty accessing affordable insurance. The measure also extends the Medicaid expansion under Obamacare for a two-year period so that people do not lose their health care insurance until a suitable replacement can be put into place for them.   \r\nIn addition, the measure defunds Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider, and transfers responsibility for women's health care services to local community health centers. There is no Planned Parenthood facility in North Dakota, but there are 16 community health centers located across the state, which means women will have broader access to quality care.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-passes-national-bison-legacy-act-making-bison-national-mammal-hoeven-challenges-daines-to-wager-on-bison-grizzlies-game", "Senate Passes National Bison Legacy Act Making Bison National Mammal; Hoeven Challenges Daines to Wager on Bison, Grizzlies Game", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.04.15\n\t\t\t Senate Passes National Bison Legacy Act Making Bison National Mammal; Hoeven Challenges Daines to Wager on Bison, Grizzlies Game  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the United States Senate unanimously passed the National Bison Legacy Act, legislation he introduced with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) that designates the American bison as the national mammal of the United States.\r\nThe National Bison Legacy Act recognizes the historical, cultural and economic significance of the bison, which is the largest land mammal in America. Many Native American tribes revere the bison as a sacred and spiritual symbol of their heritage.\r\nThe bison, like the bald eagle, has for many years been a symbol of America for its strength, endurance and dignity, reflecting the pioneer spirit of America, Hoeven said. It makes sense for this noble animal to serve as our national mammal. The National Bison Legacy Act recognizes the important cultural and economic role the bison has played in our history, in North Dakota and across our nation.\r\nMore than 40 million bison once roamed across most of North America. But by the late 1800s, fewer than one thousand bison remained. The species is acknowledged as the first American conservation success story, having been brought back from the brink of extinction by a concerted effort of ranchers, conservationists and politicians to save the species in the early 20th century.\r\nIn 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt and the American Bison Society led an effort to save bison from extinction by establishing a captive breeding program at the Bronx Zoo. Within a few years, the program and others like it were successfully establishing bison back into its native habitat. Bison now live in all 50 states in public and private herds, providing recreation opportunities for wildlife viewers in zoos, refuges and parks, and sustaining the multimillion dollar bison ranching and production business.\r\nBison vs. Grizzlies Wager\r\nHoeven said the strong, noble character of the bison make it a perfect team name for NDSU, especially its celebrated football team. For Saturday's game, Hoeven offered Dakota Growers pasta made from the best durum wheat in the world, while Daines has offered up a six pack of Moose Drool Beer from Montana's Big Sky Brewing Co.\r\nThe Bison won a historic fourth straight national title last year, and they're looking to make it five-in-a-row, Hoeven said. I'm looking forward to enjoying some authentic Moose Drool Beer from Senator Daines when the Thundering Herd rolls over the Grizzlies on Saturday. Go Bison!\r\nEvery Montanan knows that a bison is no match for a grizzly bear  I'm confident that Saturday's game will be no exception,Daines stated.I look forward to cheering on the Griz to victory this weekend and enjoying a nice celebration dinner of Dakota Growers pasta following the game.\r\nThe game will take place at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome in Fargo on Saturday, December 5 at 2:30 p.m. CDT and will be broadcast on ESPN 3.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cramer-announces-schedule-of-public-events-for-dec-4-6", "Congressman Cramer Announces Schedule of Public Events for Dec. 4 - 6", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer released his schedule of public events for Dec. 4 - 6.\n\nFriday, Dec. 4\nAddress Lorentzsen Center for Faith and Work Luncheon\nValues and Political Leadership\n11:30 AM  1:00 PM\nConcordia College\nBarry Auditorium\nMoorhead, MN\n\nNorth Dakota Petroleum Council Board of Directors\n3:30 PM  4:00 PM\nEnergy & Environmental Research Center\n15 North 23rd Street\nGrand Forks\n\nUND Mens Hockey Game vs University of Denver\n7:30 PM\nRalph Engelstad Arena\nGrand Forks\n\nSaturday, Dec 5\n119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Presentation\n9:00 AM\nNorth Dakota Air National Guard Aircraft Hanger, Building 217\n1400 32nd Ave. North\nFargo\n\nPromotion Ceremony of Colonel Robert Becklund to Brigadier General\n9:00 AM (Immediately following Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ceremony)\nNorth Dakota Air National Guard Aircraft Hanger, Building 217\n1400 32nd Ave. North\nFargo\n\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-passes-long-term-highway-funding-bill-0", "Cramer: House Passes Long-Term Highway Funding Bill", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer announcedtodaythe U.S. House of Representatives passed the conference report forHR 22, theFixing Americas Surface Transportation or FAST Act. This fully -funded five-year legislation is designed to improve the nations roads, bridges, transit systems, and rail transportation network, providing long-term certainty and more flexibility for states and local governments in their transportation construction planning. It also streamlines the approval process which has resulted in needless delays on important transportation projects. View the conference reporthere.\nThe bill raises more than $70 billion in offsets, which in combination with interest accrued on the balance within the Highway Trust Fund, is enough to keep the Fund solvent through the end of Fiscal Year 2020.\nAfter a decade of short-term extensions, Congress finally passed a fully-funded long-termhighway bill, said Cramer. This legislation providesstate and local highway departments certainty as they design their long-range highway and mass transit plans. This certainty is especially important for cold-weather states like North Dakota with short construction seasons.\nIncluded in the FAST Act is aHouse led provision repealing the $3 billion in cuts to crop insurance which were part of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015. The restoration of the cuts in crop insurance is fulfillment of an agreement made by Speaker Paul Ryan and House Leadership prior to passage of the budget deal.\nI am grateful to Speaker Paul Ryan and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy for fulfilling their commitment to reverse the cut in crop insurance, said Cramer.The 2014 Farm Bill was passed only after lengthy and complex negotiations between Congress, the President and producers. These cuts should never have been part of any agreement as it reopened the Farm Bill and went back on promises made to producers during the negotiations.\nThe conference report now heads to the Senate for consideration.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-votes-to-modernize-americas-energy-infrastructure", "Cramer: House Votes to Modernize America's Energy Infrastructure", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer announced today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act. The bill updates and modernizes outdated energy policies to reflect the era of energy abundance America now enjoys. In addition, the bill increases the resiliency of the countrys energy infrastructure. \n\nNorth Dakota has been at the epicenter of Americas energy renaissance and our nations laws and energy priorities need to change to reflect this changed environment, said Cramer As a former Public Service Commissioner, I saw firsthand the importance of modernizing government regulations to keep pace with the rapidly changing energy sector to capitalize on the opportunities provided by our newfound role as the worlds largest producer of energy. \n\nThe bill includes an amendment sponsored by Cramer which gives utilities the option under the approval of the Secretary of the Interior or Secretary of Agriculture to selectively manage vegetation within 150 feet of their right-of-way near power poles. This will reduce direct impacts to electric infrastructure and the amount of fuel for possible forest fires. View the debate on this amendment from the House floor by clicking on the image below.\n\n\nA reliable supply of electricity is important to public safety and economic vitality of a community, said Cramer.  One of the most significant reasons for outages involves trees hitting power lines. My amendment ensures utilities are able to conduct the necessary right-of-way maintenance to ensure the reliability of electricity to homes and business. \n\nIncluded in the legislation is language to repeal the nations current ban on the export of crude oil. The ban was put in place as a response to the oil embargo resulting from the Yom Kippur War in 1973. In the wake of the embargo, which resulted in dramatic increases in oil prices and massive gasoline shortages in the U.S., the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) was enacted to address shortages.\nIt is very important to remember the national security impact the crude oil export ban has had on our nation, said Cramer. For too long the worlds energy markets have been controlled by despots and dictators.It is time to use the peaceful tools of energy development to replace the weapons of war in Europe and the Middle East.\nIn October, Cramer gave an extended speech on the House floor during Special Orders on the importance of repealing the current crude oil export ban. View the speech by clicking on the image below. \n\n\nSummary ofH.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act\n\nModernizing Energy InfrastructureThe United States has undergone an energy renaissance driven by newly discovered resources, technological innovation and a skilled workforce. The U.S. is now the worlds leading energy producer, but its pipelines and electric grid havent kept pace with the rapid transition. The private sector is eager to invest in new projects to put people to work, but government red tape is slowing down the siting and permitting process. Likewise, the electricity sector is constantly evolving in the light of new challenges, such as changing markets, costly environmental regulations, and increasing grid security threats. H.R. 8 focuses on the transmission, distribution, and storage of energy to ensure the nation has the necessary infrastructure to meet todays modern energy challenges.\n\nProtecting the Electricity System\nEnsuring the electric grid is secure, resilient, and reliable is another top priority of H.R. 8. Changing market dynamics, a barrage of regulations, and external threats have created new energy security and reliability challenges. Disruptions in the delivery of electricity have far-reaching economic and public health impacts. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that power outages cost Americans at least $150 billion annually. The legislation seeks to meet todays energy reliability and security challenges through enhanced emergency preparedness and utilization of advanced technologies to address threats to the electricity system, including physical and cyber-attacks, electromagnetic pulse, geomagnetic disturbances, severe weather, and seismic events.\n\nStrengthening Energy Security and DiplomacyAs the worlds leading producer of petroleum and natural gas, the U.S. is a world energy superpower. With this position comes new opportunities and diplomatic responsibilities. Americas energy abundance should be used to strengthen energy security while also supporting allies in their quest for affordable and reliable energy. H.R. 8 takes important steps by strengthening partnerships with allies and reforming the approval process for energy exports.\n\nImproving Energy Efficiency and Government Accountability\nNew technologies have the potential to save money and reduce energy use, yet government roadblocks stand in the way. H.R. 8 promotes simple and affordable methods to address energy demand and lower electric bills. It also seeks to reduce government waste and prioritize budget dollars in existing programs, as well as provide important regulatory relief for U.S. manufacturers from burdensome federal efficiency mandates.\n\n\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-led-coalition-prevails-on-repealing-crop-insurance-cuts", "Cramer: House Led Coalition Prevails on Repealing Crop Insurance Cuts", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer announced today a House led coalition prevailed on repealing the $3 billion in cuts to crop insurance which were part of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015. The repeal is part of the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation or FAST Act conference report. The restoration of the cuts in crop insurance is fulfillment of an agreement made by Speaker Paul Ryan and House Leadership prior to passage of the budget deal.\nCramer was part of a bipartisan group of Ag state representatives, led by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN), who expressed their opposition to a section of the bill which re-opened the 2014 Farm Bill and cut $3 billion from the crop insurance program.Only after receiving personal assurances from leadership and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan the crop insurance issue would be corrected in separate legislation was Cramer able to vote for the budget deal.\nI am grateful to Speaker Paul Ryan and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy for fulfilling their commitment to reverse the cut in crop insurance, said Cramer. The 2014 Farm Bill was passed only after lengthy and complex negotiations between Congress, the President and producers. These cuts should never have been part of any agreement as it reopened the Farm Bill and went back on promises made to producers during the negotiations.\nCramer confirms the conference report restores the $3 billion in cuts by eliminating the 8.9 percent cap on the rate of return for crop insurers and an repealing a requirement the Agriculture Department renegotiate the agreement it has with private insurers which get government backing by the end of 2016.\nThe House is expected to pass the FAST Act conference report on Thursday.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-overhauls-no-child-left-behind", "Cramer: House Overhauls No Child Left Behind", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer announced today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the conference report for S. 1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). It replaces the nations current education law commonly called No Child Left Behind(NCLB) and overhauls it with an education initiative designed to empower parents and to restore local control of education. One important aspect of the legislation is specific language prohibiting any federal bureaucrat, including the Secretary of Education, from coercing states into adopting Common Core.\nA quality education ensures our children are equipped to succeed and become active and productive members of our society. Unfortunately, our nations current education system is failing too many students and sentencing them to a lifetime of mediocrity and failure, said Cramer.\nHe cited statistics showing approximately one out of every five students drops out of high school and many students who graduate lack the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a postsecondary education and compete in the workforce. Only 38 percent of high school seniors can read at grade level, and 26 percent are proficient in math, said Cramer. ESSA returns control of education to where it belongs, in the hands of parents and local school districts. Our goal should be consolidating and eliminating unnecessary or duplicate federal programs. Local flexibility and local control allows parents and school districts to address local challenges and more effectively use education resources.\nCramer praised the language in the bill allowing states to set education standards and preventing the federal government from forcing Common Core on local communities. States, not the federal government, should determine their own education standards. ESSA allows states to become Common Core Free Zones without being punished by the federal government.\nSummary of S. 1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act\n Places new and unprecedented restrictions on the authority of the Secretary of Education. The agreement ends the Secretarys ability to impose requirements on states and schools through executive fiat and ends the era of conditional waivers.\n\tProhibits the Secretary of Education from forcing or coercing states into adopting Common Core. No agent of the federal government  including the Secretary  can interfere with the right of states to develop or change its own set of standards.\n\tEnds the era of federally-mandated high-stakes testing. The agreement empowers parents by continuing annual assessments in reading and math, but it also eliminates the federally-mandated high-stakes strings attached to these assessments.\n\tEliminates the federally-mandated one-size-fits-all accountability system. The agreement repeals the overly punitive federal accountability system  known as Adequate Yearly Progress or AYP  and restores to state and local leaders the responsibility for holding schools accountable.\n\tRepeals 49 ineffective and duplicative federal programs. The agreement helps clean up a confusing maze of K-12 education programs and requires the Secretary to reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy accordingly.\n\tProvides states and schools new funding flexibility. The agreement establishes a block grant with existing federal dollars that states and school districts can use to fund priorities set at the local level.\n\tHolds the line on no new pre-k programs. Instead of creating a new pre-k program, the agreement relocates to the Department of Health and Human Services an existing program using existing resources to promote better coordination and alignment across state and federal pre-k initiatives.\n\tProhibits the use of federal education dollars to fund abortions. This is the first time federal education law will include a clear prohibition on the use of education dollars to fund abortion services.\n\tOffers parents more school choice. The agreement supports the replication of high-quality charter schools and improves the magnet school program. The agreement also empowers eligible states to let funds follow students to the schools they attend, rewarding excellent schools that enroll students who are harder to serve.\n\tProvides a four year authorization of the law. A top priority for leading conservatives, a more limited reauthorization will ensure the next President has an opportunity to continue this effort to reduce the federal role and restore local control in k-12 education.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=7733e431-7539-458c-81b6-53bea7032606", "Hoeven Honored at Boy Scouts of America's Award Luncheon as 2015 Energy 'Good Scout'", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Honored at Boy Scouts of America's Award Luncheon as 2015 Energy 'Good Scout' \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven was today honored as the 2015Energy Good Scout by the Boy Scouts of Americas National Capital Area Council (NCAC) at their 5th annual Energy Awards Luncheon.\r\nOur young people are our future, and the values and work ethic that Boy Scouts instill into young men help them build the character and skills they need to become the leaders of tomorrow, Hoeven said. The Energy Merit Badge is a way to encourage Boy Scouts to learn about our nations energy industry and recognize just how much it enhances our quality of life. This award is a great honor, and its a pleasure to thank the folks at the Boy Scouts of Americas National Capital Area Council for this distinction.\r\nHoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, has worked extensively to advance the right kind of energy plan for America, which includes building the energy infrastructure the nation needs, like the Keystone XL pipeline project, and lifting the oil export ban to enhance energy security and reduce fuel costs at the pump for consumers. Hoeven has also worked to reduce the regulatory burdens that drive up the costs of energy for developers and consumers, including efforts to repeal rules like the BLM Hydraulic Fracturing rule, the onerous Waters of the U.S. rule and other regulations that are hampering domestic energy development and increasing the cost of energy for American families and businesses.\r\nNCAC boy scouts provided more than 400,000 hours of community service in 2014, collected more than 730,000 pounds of food for local food banks and produced more than 1,000 new Eagle Scouts.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=906f2c4a-32bc-4dbc-8817-d9ef1c340198", "Hoeven: Highway Bill to Restore $3 Billion Cut in Crop Insurance Made in Budget Agreement", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Highway Bill to Restore $3 Billion Cut in Crop Insurance Made in Budget Agreement  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven announced that the new five-year highway bill Congress is on track to pass this week restores $3 billion that was cut from crop insurance in the budget agreement completed in October. Hoeven worked as a member of the Agriculture Committee to reverse efforts to further cut crop insurance funding, which has already been reduced by $12 billion since 2008.\r\nThis is an important provision for our farmers and ranchers in North Dakota and across the country, Hoeven said. We worked very hard to get a long-term farm bill that provides our producers with good options for managing risk with strengthened crop insurance. At the same time, we saved $23 billion dollars to help reduce the deficit. Farmers and ranchers need the certainty of knowing there is a safety net in place when they make the large investments necessary to continue producing quality, affordable food for the nation and the world.\r\nAs a member of both the Agriculture Committee and the joint Senate-House committee that negotiated the final version of the 2014 farm bill, Hoeven worked hard to include enhanced crop insurance. The farm legislation not only retains current individual crop insurance, but enhances crop insurance by helping farmers improve their yield history under the current program and by creating a new Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO). The SCO enables producers to purchase a supplemental policy beyond their individual farm-based policy.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=957275ae-94e7-4e9d-b449-dc9585eecb2a", "Hoeven Announces Nearly $750K in Federal Funding to Support Research at University of North Dakota", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces Nearly $750K in Federal Funding to Support Research at University of North Dakota \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Energy and Appropriations Committees, today announced that the University of North Dakota (UND) has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energys (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) to receive $748,847 in federal funding to support research that aims to extract rare earth elements from coal. Rare earth elements contain unique chemical properties which have made them essential in many technologies including electronics, computer systems, health care, defense and transportation. In recent years, the demand for rare earth elements has grown significantly.\r\nNorth Dakotas vibrant energy industry is supported by innovative research at our universities that help our businesses produce more energy with better environmental stewardship, Hoeven said. Todays award will help continue the important work of researchers at UND to recover rare earth elements from lignite coal, coal sediments and coal drying refuse materials in North Dakota.\r\nTodays funding will cover Phase 1 of UNDs research, which will include sampling and classification of coal-related materials along with a proposed method of recovering the rare earth elements. North Dakota has the worlds second largest reserves oflignite and sold nearly 29 million tons of coal last year, up nearly 4 percent from 2013, according to the Lignite Energy Council.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-nearly-750k-in-federal-funding-to-support-research-at-university-of-north-dakota", "Hoeven Announces Nearly $750K in Federal Funding to Support Research at University of North Dakota", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces Nearly $750K in Federal Funding to Support Research at University of North Dakota \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Energy and Appropriations Committees, today announced that the University of North Dakota (UND) has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) to receive $748,847 in federal funding to support research that aims to extract rare earth elements from coal. Rare earth elements contain unique chemical properties which have made them essential in many technologies including electronics, computer systems, health care, defense and transportation. In recent years, the demand for rare earth elements has grown significantly.\r\nNorth Dakota's vibrant energy industry is supported by innovative research at our universities that help our businesses produce more energy with better environmental stewardship, Hoeven said. Today's award will help continue the important work of researchers at UND to recover rare earth elements from lignite coal, coal sediments and coal drying refuse materials in North Dakota.\r\nToday's funding will cover Phase 1 of UND's research, which will include sampling and classification of coal-related materials along with a proposed method of recovering the rare earth elements. North Dakota has the world's second largest reserves oflignite and sold nearly 29 million tons of coal last year, up nearly 4 percent from 2013, according to the Lignite Energy Council.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-highway-bill-to-restore-3-billion-cut-in-crop-insurance-made-in-budget-agreement", "Hoeven: Highway Bill to Restore $3 Billion Cut in Crop Insurance Made in Budget Agreement", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Highway Bill to Restore $3 Billion Cut in Crop Insurance Made in Budget Agreement  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven announced that the new five-year highway bill Congress is on track to pass this week restores $3 billion that was cut from crop insurance in the budget agreement completed in October. Hoeven worked as a member of the Agriculture Committee to reverse efforts to further cut crop insurance funding, which has already been reduced by $12 billion since 2008.\r\nThis is an important provision for our farmers and ranchers in North Dakota and across the country, Hoeven said. We worked very hard to get a long-term farm bill that provides our producers with good options for managing risk with strengthened crop insurance. At the same time, we saved $23 billion dollars to help reduce the deficit. Farmers and ranchers need the certainty of knowing there is a safety net in place when they make the large investments necessary to continue producing quality, affordable food for the nation and the world.\r\nAs a member of both the Agriculture Committee and the joint Senate-House committee that negotiated the final version of the 2014 farm bill, Hoeven worked hard to include enhanced crop insurance. The farm legislation not only retains current individual crop insurance, but enhances crop insurance by helping farmers improve their yield history under the current program and by creating a new Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO). The SCO enables producers to purchase a supplemental policy beyond their individual farm-based policy.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-honored-at-boy-scouts-of-americas-award-luncheon-as-2015-energy-good-scout", "Hoeven Honored at Boy Scouts of America's Award Luncheon as 2015 Energy 'Good Scout'", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Honored at Boy Scouts of America's Award Luncheon as 2015 Energy 'Good Scout' \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven was today honored as the 2015Energy Good Scout' by the Boy Scouts of America's National Capital Area Council (NCAC) at their 5th annual Energy Awards Luncheon.\r\nOur young people are our future, and the values and work ethic that Boy Scouts instill into young men help them build the character and skills they need to become the leaders of tomorrow, Hoeven said. The Energy Merit Badge is a way to encourage Boy Scouts to learn about our nation's energy industry and recognize just how much it enhances our quality of life. This award is a great honor, and it's a pleasure to thank the folks at the Boy Scouts of America's National Capital Area Council for this distinction.\r\nHoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, has worked extensively to advance the right kind of energy plan for America, which includes building the energy infrastructure the nation needs, like the Keystone XL pipeline project, and lifting the oil export ban to enhance energy security and reduce fuel costs at the pump for consumers. Hoeven has also worked to reduce the regulatory burdens that drive up the costs of energy for developers and consumers, including efforts to repeal rules like the BLM Hydraulic Fracturing rule, the onerous Waters of the U.S. rule and other regulations that are hampering domestic energy development and increasing the cost of energy for American families and businesses.\r\nNCAC boy scouts provided more than 400,000 hours of community service in 2014, collected more than 730,000 pounds of food for local food banks and produced more than 1,000 new Eagle Scouts.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-resolutions-of-disapproval-on-epa-power-plant-rules", "House Passes Resolutions of Disapproval on EPA Power Plant Rules", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer announced today the U.S. House of Representatives passed two resolutions of disapproval relating to the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) carbon dioxide rules. S.J. Res 23, is a resolution of disapproval for the final 111(b) rule for new electric power plants and S.J. Res. 24, is a resolution of disapproval for the final 111(d) rule for existing electric power plants. Under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), Congress may introduce and pass resolutions of disapproval to overturn certain agency actions. The resolutions are subject to Presidential veto.\nCramer is a co-sponsor of H. J. Res. 71 and H. J. Res. 72, similar resolutions of disapproval in the House. Both of them were approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Nov. 18. Cramer is a member of the committee.\nThe administrations extreme environmental positions are surprising when one considers North Dakota already has some of the nations cleanest air, while producing some of the nations most affordable electricity from coal, said Cramer. The EPAs regulations will cost thousands of North Dakotans their jobs and devastate our states economy as well as undermining the ability of the electric grid to meet our energy needs. The EPAs regulations require North Dakota reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an impractical 45 percent. This is dramatically higher than the 11 percent reduction proposed in the initial rule.\nCramer spoke in favor of the resolutions on the floor of the House of Representatives. View his comments by clicking on the image below.\n\nOn Oct. 23, 26 states filed legal challenges in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia challenging the final rule for existing power plants. North Dakota has filed its own separate lawsuits attempting to overturn the final rules for new and existing power plants.\nIn separate legislation on June 24, the House passed theRatepayer Protection Act(H.R. 2042) which would ensure that states do not have to comply with the Presidents national energy tax until it is proven that it is legal. The House has also taken additional steps to curb the Administrations excessive red tape and protect small businesses and manufacturers, including theREINS Act(H.R. 427) and theRegulatory Accountability Act(H.R. 185). These bills are still awaiting action by the U.S. Senate.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=061ca39b-efda-4e56-827f-7c634cf5c403", "Hoeven Congratulates Northern Plains Test Site Director Bob Becklund on Promotion to Brigadier General", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Congratulates Northern Plains Test Site Director Bob Becklund on Promotion to Brigadier General  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today issued this statement following the U.S. Senates confirmation of Colonel Robert Becklund, director of the Northern Plains Unmanned Aerial Systems test site in Grand Forks, as brigadier general:\r\nGeneral Bob Becklunds career has been an upward trajectory since he entered military service in the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1982, and now he has deservedly been promoted to brigadier general. Whether its flying an F-16 or overseeing the integration of our unmanned aerial systems fleet into the National Airspace, his skill across a range of military aviation assignments qualifies him well for both his mission and his new rank.\r\nBob has all the qualities of a good general. He is decisive, poised and a team builder. Importantly, as his current work with UAS demonstrates, he is also a visionary. The work he is doing right now in Grand Forks is not only bolstering our national defense, but also paving the way for beneficial applications for UAS in fields as varied as border security, agriculture, energy and emergency response. In the coming months and years, I look forward to working with him to advance the rich potential of UAS technology in North Dakota.\r\nGeneral Becklund is currently the Chief of Staff for Air, Joint Force Headquarters, North Dakota National Guard, following an assignment as Commander of 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard. Additionally, General Becklund has recently returned from an assignment with the USAF Remotely Piloted Aircraft Task Force at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. In his civilian capacity he serves as the Director of North Dakotas Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Test Site.\r\nHe enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard prior to being selected for commissioning and pilot training. He has held a range of positions at both the wing and state levels. Notable achievements include Distinguished Graduate honors from USAF Basic Military Training, the ANG Academy of Military Science and graduating first in his class from the USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=1b1b65bc-a2d0-4b1e-af5b-30621d2f2633", "Hoeven Announces $306 Million in Available Funding to Improve Fire Safety, Encourages Local Fire Districts to Apply", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces $306 Million in Available Funding to Improve Fire Safety, Encourages Local Fire Districts to Apply  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t As Chairman of DHS Appropriations Committee, Senator Oversees Annual Funding for the FEMA Program\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on Homeland Security, today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is making $306 million in funding available through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. This program seeks to provide fire departments and nonaffiliated ambulance and emergency medical service organizations with the tools and resources they need to more effectively protect the health and safety of emergency response personnel. The funds may be used for equipment, training, facility improvements and other needs. As chairman, Hoeven oversees the annual funding for the AFG Program and all other programs at FEMA and throughout the Department of Homeland Security.\r\nOur firefighters and emergency responders are on the front lines in protecting the health and safety of our communities, Hoeven said. We support their important work both by striving to prevent accidents and by ensuring they have the tools they need to adequately respond to emergencies. Whether our first responders are looking to expand services for a growing population, access more robust training or replace aging equipment and facilities, this competitive grant program is an opportunity to enhance their safety and the safety of our families and businesses.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=49804e04-87ed-4612-812f-a9e3be6a41ca", "Hoeven Announces More Than $860K in Federal Funding for North Dakota State University", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces More Than $860K in Federal Funding for North Dakota State University  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a University Transportation Centers (UTC) grant totaling $861,000 to North Dakota State University (NDSU). The funds will support NDSUs Mountain-Plains Consortium (MPC), which focuses on safe, mobile and sustainable passenger and freight transportation. The MPC has conducted projects on transportation operations, low-cost safety enhancements, high-risk rural roads and work zone safety, which are related to the DOTs safety and security objective.                                                \r\nWhile North Dakotas population continues to grow, there are still very many rural parts of our state, Hoeven said. The researchers at NDSUs Mountain-Plains Consortium are working to tackle issues that affect transportation, which is especially important in our rural areas because they can carry their own unique risks and hazards. Todays grant will allow the folks at MPC to continue the important work they are doing to ensure the safety of North Dakotans.\r\nThe Mountain-Plains Consortium, led by NDSU, is the Region 8 Transportation Center and is made up by Colorado State University, South Dakota State University, University of Colorado, Denver, University of Denver (Colorado), University of Utah, University of Wyoming and Utah State University.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=582bb6b7-6d0b-420a-95f6-b43cf76370d0", "Hoeven Announces More Than $1 Million in Head Start Grants for TGU School District", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces More Than $1 Million in Head Start Grants for TGU School District  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $1,075,793 for the Head Start and Early Head Start programs operated by Early Explorers, a grantee of Towner, Granville and Upham (TGU) School District #60. The Head Start program serves children aged three to five through providing them with a safe, nurturing and engaging learning environment that will help them to gain the confidence and awareness they need to succeed. Their Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers while also providing a home visitor to assist in childrens growth and development.\r\nTodays award is an investment in the health, education and general well-being of children and families in north-central North Dakota, Hoeven said. The impact of such support can be felt now and will carry into our future, helping to ensure the continued success of our communities and our people.\r\nThe funds are made available through HHS Head Start program, which seeks to promote school readiness for low-income children through comprehensive health, educational, nutritional, social and other services. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven works to support programs that supplement state and local efforts to improve student achievement in primary and secondary education, especially for the disadvantaged and those in rural communities.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-306-million-in-available-funding-to-improve-fire-safety-encourages-local-fire-districts-to-apply", "Hoeven Announces $306 Million in Available Funding to Improve Fire Safety, Encourages Local Fire Districts to Apply", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces $306 Million in Available Funding to Improve Fire Safety, Encourages Local Fire Districts to Apply  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t As Chairman of DHS Appropriations Committee, Senator Oversees Annual Funding for the FEMA Program\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on Homeland Security, today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is making $306 million in funding available through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. This program seeks to provide fire departments and nonaffiliated ambulance and emergency medical service organizations with the tools and resources they need to more effectively protect the health and safety of emergency response personnel. The funds may be used for equipment, training, facility improvements and other needs. As chairman, Hoeven oversees the annual funding for the AFG Program and all other programs at FEMA and throughout the Department of Homeland Security.\r\nOur firefighters and emergency responders are on the front lines in protecting the health and safety of our communities, Hoeven said. We support their important work both by striving to prevent accidents and by ensuring they have the tools they need to adequately respond to emergencies. Whether our first responders are looking to expand services for a growing population, access more robust training or replace aging equipment and facilities, this competitive grant program is an opportunity to enhance their safety and the safety of our families and businesses.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-more-than-1-million-in-head-start-grants-for-tgu-school-district", "Hoeven Announces More Than $1 Million in Head Start Grants for TGU School District", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces More Than $1 Million in Head Start Grants for TGU School District  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $1,075,793 for the Head Start and Early Head Start programs operated by Early Explorers, a grantee of Towner, Granville and Upham (TGU) School District #60. The Head Start program serves children aged three to five through providing them with a safe, nurturing and engaging learning environment that will help them to gain the confidence and awareness they need to succeed. Their Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers while also providing a home visitor to assist in children's growth and development.\r\nToday's award is an investment in the health, education and general well-being of children and families in north-central North Dakota, Hoeven said. The impact of such support can be felt now and will carry into our future, helping to ensure the continued success of our communities and our people.\r\nThe funds are made available through HHS' Head Start program, which seeks to promote school readiness for low-income children through comprehensive health, educational, nutritional, social and other services. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven works to support programs that supplement state and local efforts to improve student achievement in primary and secondary education, especially for the disadvantaged and those in rural communities.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-more-than-860k-in-federal-funding-for-north-dakota-state-university", "Hoeven Announces More Than $860K in Federal Funding for North Dakota State University", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces More Than $860K in Federal Funding for North Dakota State University  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a University Transportation Centers (UTC) grant totaling $861,000 to North Dakota State University (NDSU). The funds will support NDSU's Mountain-Plains Consortium (MPC), which focuses on safe, mobile and sustainable passenger and freight transportation. The MPC has conducted projects on transportation operations, low-cost safety enhancements, high-risk rural roads and work zone safety, which are related to the DOT's safety and security objective.                                                \r\nWhile North Dakota's population continues to grow, there are still very many rural parts of our state, Hoeven said. The researchers at NDSU's Mountain-Plains Consortium are working to tackle issues that affect transportation, which is especially important in our rural areas because they can carry their own unique risks and hazards. Today's grant will allow the folks at MPC to continue the important work they are doing to ensure the safety of North Dakotans.\r\nThe Mountain-Plains Consortium, led by NDSU, is the Region 8 Transportation Center and is made up by Colorado State University, South Dakota State University, University of Colorado, Denver, University of Denver (Colorado), University of Utah, University of Wyoming and Utah State University.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-congratulates-northern-plains-test-site-director-bob-becklund-on-promotion-to-brigadier-general", "Hoeven Congratulates Northern Plains Test Site Director Bob Becklund on Promotion to Brigadier General", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Congratulates Northern Plains Test Site Director Bob Becklund on Promotion to Brigadier General  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today issued this statement following the U.S. Senate's confirmation of Colonel Robert Becklund, director of the Northern Plains Unmanned Aerial Systems test site in Grand Forks, as brigadier general:\r\nGeneral Bob Becklund's career has been an upward trajectory since he entered military service in the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1982, and now he has deservedly been promoted to brigadier general. Whether it's flying an F-16 or overseeing the integration of our unmanned aerial systems fleet into the National Airspace, his skill across a range of military aviation assignments qualifies him well for both his mission and his new rank.\r\nBob has all the qualities of a good general. He is decisive, poised and a team builder. Importantly, as his current work with UAS demonstrates, he is also a visionary. The work he is doing right now in Grand Forks is not only bolstering our national defense, but also paving the way for beneficial applications for UAS in fields as varied as border security, agriculture, energy and emergency response. In the coming months and years, I look forward to working with him to advance the rich potential of UAS technology in North Dakota.\r\nGeneral Becklund is currently the Chief of Staff for Air, Joint Force Headquarters, North Dakota National Guard, following an assignment as Commander of 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard. Additionally, General Becklund has recently returned from an assignment with the USAF Remotely Piloted Aircraft Task Force at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. In his civilian capacity he serves as the Director of North Dakota's Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Test Site.\r\nHe enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard prior to being selected for commissioning and pilot training. He has held a range of positions at both the wing and state levels. Notable achievements include Distinguished Graduate honors from USAF Basic Military Training, the ANG Academy of Military Science and graduating first in his class from the USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-announces-mobile-office-hours-in-valley-city-and-jamestown", "Cramer Announces Mobile Office Hours in Valley City and Jamestown", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Kevin Cramer will be holding Mobile Office Hours in Valley City and Jamestown on Friday, Dec. 11. Mobile Office Hours allow constituents to receive assistance with casework from the Congressmans staff without having to visit his district offices.\nI realize it's not always easy or even possible for people to get to my offices in Bismarck or Fargo, said Cramer. The use of mobile office hours is an effort to bring services to constituents.\nFor help regarding issues with the VA, Social Security benefits or disabilities, Medicare billing problems, immigration issues, military records or medals, or for assistance with any federal agency, constituents can stop by one of the following Mobile Office Hours:\n\nFriday, December 11\nValley City Public Library\n10:00 AM  11:30 AM\n410 Central Ave N\nValley City\nAlfred Dickey Public Library\n1:00 PM  2:30 PM\n105 3rd St SE\nJamestown\nContact Congressman Cramers District Representative Randy Richards with any questions. His email is randy.richards@mail.house.gov and his phone is 701-738-4880.\n\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-passes-s-611-the-grassroots-rural-and-small-community-water", "Cramer: House Passes S. 611, the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Act", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer announced today the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 611, the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Act. The bill reauthorizes the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) program, which provides technical assistance to small public water systems through 2020. In addition, it will maintain the current annual authorization of $15 million including three percent for technical assistance to public water systems owned or operated by Indian Tribes.\nRural communities across North Dakota work tirelessly to ensure their citizens have access to safe and reliable drinking water, said Cramer. Unfortunately, complying with the EPAs regulations is beyond the capacity of many small rural water districts. This bill ensures small rural water systems have access to the resources and support they need to maintain and manage our nations rural water systems. \nThe Senate unanimously passed the bill on June 9. It now goes to the President for his signature.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-minot-awarded-31-million-fema-flood-protection-grant", "Cramer: Minot Awarded $3.1 Million FEMA Flood Protection Grant", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer announced today the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded the City of Minot a grant in the amount of $3,163,341. This grant will help fund the construction of a floodwall and improvements to infrastructure to protect Minots Water Treatment Plant from flooding of the Mouse River as well as to maintain the plant's ability to provide potable water to residents during high water events. The total project cost is $4,217,788. \nAs Minot continues to deal with the effects of the 2011 flood, these funds will ensure the city and its citizens will have a safe, secure source of fresh drinking water during future high water conditions, said Cramer. \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=7b27b621-0ff2-46dc-a97c-77adcc4e7335", "Hoeven: FEMA Awards More Than $3.1 Million to City of Minot Water Treatment Plant for Flood Protection", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.30.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: FEMA Awards More Than $3.1 Million to City of Minot Water Treatment Plant for Flood Protection  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $3.1 million to the City of Minot through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Hoeven serves as the chairman for the Senate Appropriations Committee on Homeland Security, where he oversees the departments annual budget.\r\nThe funds will be used to support the construction of a floodwall and to update infrastructure to protect Minots water treatment plant from the Mouse River and maintain the plants ability to provide potable water to residents during high water events.\r\nSince the flood of 2011, we have worked hard to ensure that the City of Minot receives the support it needs to rebuild and also to protect itself against future flooding, Hoeven said. This grant will play an important role in Minots ongoing efforts to recover, and I will continue working on the federal level for disaster aid that will help the city secure protective infrastructure so that we can mitigate the impact of flooding in the future.\r\nThrough his role on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven has worked extensively to ensure the grant funding for the City of Minot was authorized and appropriated.   \r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=e505bfb8-8ca6-4813-b1b9-1040e4cb1470", "Hoeven Announces More Than $250K to North Dakota Housing Authorities to Promote Family Self-Sufficiency", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.30.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces More Than $250K to North Dakota Housing Authorities to Promote Family Self-Sufficiency  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded three grants totaling $255,502 to housing authorities in North Dakota to help families increase their earned income and reduce their need for rental subsidies and other assistance. The funds are made available through HUDs Family Self-Sufficiency program, which provides families with opportunities for education, job training, counseling and other services. The details of the awards are as follows:\r\n \r\nFargo Housing and Redevelopment Authority - $107,505\r\nGrand Forks Housing Authority - $104,385\r\nMinot Housing Authority - $43,612\r\n \r\nNorth Dakotas economy continues to grow and employees are in high demand, Hoeven said. That means good job opportunities for our residents. Todays award will help families and individuals who receive housing assistance to develop the skills and knowledge they need to secure better jobs and achieve economic independence.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-more-than-250k-to-north-dakota-housing-authorities-to-promote-family-self-sufficiency", "Hoeven Announces More Than $250K to North Dakota Housing Authorities to Promote Family Self-Sufficiency", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.30.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces More Than $250K to North Dakota Housing Authorities to Promote Family Self-Sufficiency  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded three grants totaling $255,502 to housing authorities in North Dakota to help families increase their earned income and reduce their need for rental subsidies and other assistance. The funds are made available through HUD's Family Self-Sufficiency program, which provides families with opportunities for education, job training, counseling and other services. The details of the awards are as follows:\r\n \r\nFargo Housing and Redevelopment Authority - $107,505\r\nGrand Forks Housing Authority - $104,385\r\nMinot Housing Authority - $43,612\r\n \r\nNorth Dakota's economy continues to grow and employees are in high demand, Hoeven said. That means good job opportunities for our residents. Today's award will help families and individuals who receive housing assistance to develop the skills and knowledge they need to secure better jobs and achieve economic independence.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-fema-awards-more-than-31-million-to-city-of-minot-water-treatment-plant-for-flood-protection", "Hoeven: FEMA Awards More Than $3.1 Million to City of Minot Water Treatment Plant for Flood Protection", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.30.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: FEMA Awards More Than $3.1 Million to City of Minot Water Treatment Plant for Flood Protection  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $3.1 million to the City of Minot through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Hoeven serves as the chairman for the Senate Appropriations Committee on Homeland Security, where he oversees the department's annual budget.\r\nThe funds will be used to support the construction of a floodwall and to update infrastructure to protect Minot's water treatment plant from the Mouse River and maintain the plant's ability to provide potable water to residents during high water events.\r\nSince the flood of 2011, we have worked hard to ensure that the City of Minot receives the support it needs to rebuild and also to protect itself against future flooding, Hoeven said. This grant will play an important role in Minot's ongoing efforts to recover, and I will continue working on the federal level for disaster aid that will help the city secure protective infrastructure so that we can mitigate the impact of flooding in the future.\r\nThrough his role on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven has worked extensively to ensure the grant funding for the City of Minot was authorized and appropriated.   \r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-sponsors-legislation-to-close-obamacare-loophole-preventing", "Cramer Sponsors Legislation to Close Obamacare Loophole Preventing Charities and Churches from Paying for People's Health Care Costs", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer today announced he introducedHR 3742,the Access to Marketplace Insurance Act.The bi-partisan bill specifically allowsnon-profits, civic groups, and churches to help pay health insurance premiums for individuals and families. Under Obamacare, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) released an interim final rule which gave authority to insurers offering plans on the Exchanges to deny non-profit charities from providing premium assistance. The Affordable Care Actprovides federal subsidies to purchase health care policies, but the CMS rule prevents other groups from doing the same for individuals and families in need. Because many patients with rare diseases and catastrophic illnesses usethis program to pay for their health insurance premiums, the rule puts in jeopardy the policies they purchased. The legislation is co-sponsored by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX),Congressman Alan Grayson (D-FL), Congressman Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA),CongressmanRob Wittman (R-VA),CongressmanSteve Stivers (R-OH),CongressmanMarcy Kaptur (D-OH), andCongressmanAnn Kirkpatrick (D-AZ).View the billhere.\nObamacare uses tax dollars to provide subsides to low-income citizens to purchase health care insurance but it allows states to ban non-profits, civic groups and churches from doing the same. That is wrong, and this bill removes the handcuffs from private charities, allowing them to assist insured patients who need help paying their premiums without fear of breaking the law, said Cramer. The law already compels insurance companies to accept premium assistance from the Affordable Care Act, Indian Tribes, and State or federal programs. Individual Americans should also have the right to organize and do the same through their charity of choice. We need to allow charities to be charitable.\nCongressman Cramer addresses a Congressional Briefing in Support of HR 3742, the Access to Marketplace Insurance Act. At left is Eric Dolby of North Carolina, a longtime kidney dialysis patient who supports the bill.\nEarlier this week, the American Kidney Fund and Patient Services Inc. expressed their support for Cramers legislation. View a copy of their press release here. \nSince the release of the interim final rule, plans in 37 states have announced a prohibition against allowing non-profits, civic groups and churches to help pay for health insurance premiums for individuals and families. \nFollowing is a complete list of the 37 states and health care providers:\n\nAlabama\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nArizona\nAssurant Health (2015)exiting Marketplace in 2016\nUnitedHealth Care\n\nArkansas\nAssurant Health (2015)exiting Marketplace in 2016\nUnitedHealthcare (2016)\n\nCalifornia\nUnitedhealthcare\n\nColorado\nUnitedHealth Care\n\nConnecticut\nUnitedHealth Care\n\nFlorida\nAssurant Health 2015exiting market in 2016\nUnitedHealth Care\n\nGeorgia\nAssurant Health 2015exiting market in 2016\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nIdaho\nPacific Source\n\nIllinois\nAssurant Health--2015exiting market in 2016\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nIndiana\nAssurant Health--2015exiting market in 2016\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nKansas\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nKentucky\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nLouisiana\nBlue Cross & Blue Shield\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nMaryland\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nMassachusetts\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nMichigan\nAssurant Health (2015)exiting market in 2016\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nMississippi\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nMissouri\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nMontana\nAssurant Health-2015exiting market in 2016\nPacificSource\n\nNebraska\nAssurant Health--2015exiting market in 2016\nBlue Cross & Blue Shield\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nNevada\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nNew Hampshire\nAssurant Health-2015exiting market in 2016\n\nNew Jersey\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nNew York\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nNorth Carolina\nBlue Cross and Blue Shield\nUnitedHealthcare\nAetna\n\nOhio\nAssurant Health 2015exiting market in 2016\nMedical Mutual\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nOklahoma\nAssurant Health (2015)exiting Marketplace in 2016\nBlue Cross/Blue Shield (2016)\nUnitedHealthcare (2016)\n\nOregon\nModa Health\nLifewise Health\nPacificSource\n\nPennsylvania\nAssurant Health 2015exiting market in 2016\nUnitedhealthcare\n\nRhode Island\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nSouth Carolina\nAssurant Health 2015exiting market in 2016\nBlue Cross & Blue Shield\n\nTennessee\nAssurant Health 2015exiting market in 2016\n\nTexas\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nVirginia\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nWashington\nPremera Blue Cross Blue Shield\nUnitedHealthcare\n\nWisconsin\nUnitedHealthcare \n\n\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=74239d54-4a6b-44f2-8469-5d1a20b7f387", "Hoeven Receives UAS From Altavian in Recognition of His Work to Grow North Dakota's Leadership in UAS Sector", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.25.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Receives UAS From Altavian in Recognition of His Work to Grow North Dakota's Leadership in UAS Sector \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Outlines Efforts to Bolster Commercial UAS, Provide Regulatory Certainty for Emerging Industry at Drone Focus Luncheon\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t FARGO, N.D.  At the Drone Focus monthly meetup today, Senator John Hoeven received one of the first unmanned aerial systems (UAS) manufactured in North Dakota from Altavian and ComDel Innovations executives in recognition of the senators work to establish and expand the UAS industry in North Dakota. The Altavian UAS, a Nova F6500, will be displayed in Hoevens Washington, D.C., office and was manufactured at ComDels plant in Wahpeton, N.D. In May, Hoeven brought together executives from ComDel and Altavian as well as public leaders to mark the roll-out of the first UAS manufactured in the state.\r\nSenator Hoeven has been instrumental in developing North Dakota as a premiere hub for UAS technology, testing and training. He worked closely with the U.S. Air Force and local leaders establish the Grand Sky technology park at Grand Forks Air Force Base and led the effort to establish the six national test sites for UAS airspace intergration, including the Northern Plains UAS test site in North Dakota. Moreover, due to his leadership and the states success in this field, Hoeven was invited to speak at Googles UAS Seminar in Washington, D.C., earlier this month, where he pitched Grand Sky and the state as an ideal location for UAS businesses and training facilities.\r\nWe have had many exciting developments in North Dakotas UAS community over the past few years, and the industry has truly reached a critical mass, Hoeven said. Our state is not only a leader in the military applications of UAS, but companies right here in Fargo are on the forefront on commercializing this technology. Our business leaders are investing their time, money and expertise to develop their products, which have uses across a wide range of fields. We continue working to support their efforts by providing the regulatory certainty they need and pushing forward on airspace integration, which will keep us at the cutting-edge of this dynamic industry.\r\nSenator Hoeven outlined his legislation to help build the commercial UAS industry and promote innovation in this rapidly growing field. The Commercial UAS Modernization Act, introduced by Senators Hoeven and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in May, sets interim operating guidelines for small commercial UAS while providing the FAA with the flexibility to make changes before it finalizes those rules. Hoeven said his bill supports and builds on the hard work of local businesses like the members of Drone Focus, led by Botlink and Emerging Prairie, to develop new UAS technologies and applications and advance the states prominence in the industry.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=e6fabc78-5b5c-49ea-8cc2-d3d2d206e409", "Hoeven Thanksgiving Statement", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.25.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Thanksgiving Statement \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBISMARCK, N.D.  Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement to wish North Dakotans a happy Thanksgiving:\r\nThis year again, North Dakotans will gather with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day to give thanks for our many blessings. In the course of our history, North Dakota has built a dynamic state on the character and shared values of our people. Like the generations before us who have commemorated the first Thanksgiving with family and fellowship, we give thanks for the abundant blessings that God has bestowed on us. On behalf of Mikey and myself, a happy Thanksgiving to all.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=f994b11d-dde1-42a1-97fe-1d5a29f4dc16", "Hoeven: Entrepreneurs Play a Vital Role in Growing the Economy, Creating New Job Opportunities", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.25.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Entrepreneurs Play a Vital Role in Growing the Economy, Creating New Job Opportunities \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Joins 1 Million Cups Fargo Reunion to Highlight Successes of the Regions Entrepreneurs\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t FARGO, N.D.  At the first-ever 1 Million Cups (1MC) Reunion in Fargo today, Senator John Hoeven commended Emerging Prairie for their commitment to the entrepreneurial community in Fargo and across the upper Great Plains and congratulated the groups founders and stakeholders for establishing Fargo 1MC as the largest weekly gathering of entrepreneurs in the nation. The senator stressed the importance of entrepreneurs in spurring innovations to grow the economy and open good job opportunities for Americans.\r\nHoeven supports local innovators and small businesses by working to create a legal, tax and regulatory environment in America that empowers investment and helps entrepreneurs succeed. Further, through initiatives such as his annual State of Technology Conference, the senator has sought to make Fargo and the Red River Valley a hub of technology entrepreneurship for the country.\r\nOur innovators and entrepreneurs play a vital role in both our local and national economies, Hoeven said. By developing new technologies and systems, our startups can create and transform markets. That means new employment opportunities and a higher quality of life for all of us. We are working to ensure that our nation has the right kind of business environment, like the one we have created in North Dakota, which helps our new business owners realize their vision and succeed.\r\nThis years State of Technology Conference, hosted by Hoeven and the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, featured many 1MC presenters, including Terri Zimmerman and Shawn Muehler of Botlink, LLC, Jake Clark of Fargo 3D Printing, Corey Kratcha and Chad Ulven of c2renew, Cooper Bierscheid of Protosthetics and Miguel Danielson of Danielson Legal and Fargo Startup House. Past conferences have served as a catalyst for new innovation and investment in the state, including the Dakota Fiber Initiative, which originated from a challenge made by Doug Burgum in his 2013 keynote address at the conference.\r\nTodays 1MC Reunion highlighted the successes of the regional programs many entrepreneur presenters since weekly meetings first began in 2014. Fargos 1MC program is the largest and most active in the country and is operated by Emerging Prairie.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=04e5499e-29a1-4375-ba3a-335c9678afd3", "DroneFocus Meetup Lunch and Presentation of First ND Made UAS", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Event \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNovember 25 2015 11:15 AM\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tLater, Senator Hoeven will outline his legislation to advance the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry in North Dakota and the nation during a DroneFocus luncheon. DroneFocus is a monthly meetup that brings UAS leaders and innovators together to make connections and foster discussion about issues and opportunities within the industry. At the lunch, Altavian will present Hoeven with a North Dakota-made UAS in recognition of his efforts to bring ComDel and Altavian together to mark the milestone of the first North Dakota-made drone coming off the line.\r\nWHEN: Wednesday, November 25\r\nDoors Open at 11:15 a.m. CT\r\nWHERE: Prairie Den\r\n122  N Broadway\r\nFargo", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-entrepreneurs-play-a-vital-role-in-growing-the-economy-creating-new-job-opportunities", "Hoeven: Entrepreneurs Play a Vital Role in Growing the Economy, Creating New Job Opportunities", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.25.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven: Entrepreneurs Play a Vital Role in Growing the Economy, Creating New Job Opportunities \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Joins 1 Million Cups Fargo Reunion to Highlight Successes of the Region's Entrepreneurs\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t FARGO, N.D.  At the first-ever 1 Million Cups (1MC) Reunion in Fargo today, Senator John Hoeven commended Emerging Prairie for their commitment to the entrepreneurial community in Fargo and across the upper Great Plains and congratulated the group's founders and stakeholders for establishing Fargo 1MC as the largest weekly gathering of entrepreneurs in the nation. The senator stressed the importance of entrepreneurs in spurring innovations to grow the economy and open good job opportunities for Americans.\r\nHoeven supports local innovators and small businesses by working to create a legal, tax and regulatory environment in America that empowers investment and helps entrepreneurs succeed. Further, through initiatives such as his annual State of Technology Conference, the senator has sought to make Fargo and the Red River Valley a hub of technology entrepreneurship for the country.\r\nOur innovators and entrepreneurs play a vital role in both our local and national economies, Hoeven said. By developing new technologies and systems, our startups can create and transform markets. That means new employment opportunities and a higher quality of life for all of us. We are working to ensure that our nation has the right kind of business environment, like the one we have created in North Dakota, which helps our new business owners realize their vision and succeed.\r\nThis year's State of Technology Conference, hosted by Hoeven and the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, featured many 1MC presenters, including Terri Zimmerman and Shawn Muehler of Botlink, LLC, Jake Clark of Fargo 3D Printing, Corey Kratcha and Chad Ulven of c2renew, Cooper Bierscheid of Protosthetics and Miguel Danielson of Danielson Legal and Fargo Startup House. Past conferences have served as a catalyst for new innovation and investment in the state, including the Dakota Fiber Initiative, which originated from a challenge made by Doug Burgum in his 2013 keynote address at the conference.\r\nToday's 1MC Reunion highlighted the successes of the regional program's many entrepreneur presenters since weekly meetings first began in 2014. Fargo's 1MC program is the largest and most active in the country and is operated by Emerging Prairie.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-receives-uas-from-altavian-in-recognition-of-his-work-to-grow-north-dakotas-leadership-in-uas-sector", "Hoeven Receives UAS From Altavian in Recognition of His Work to Grow North Dakota's Leadership in UAS Sector", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.25.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Receives UAS From Altavian in Recognition of His Work to Grow North Dakota's Leadership in UAS Sector \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Outlines Efforts to Bolster Commercial UAS, Provide Regulatory Certainty for Emerging Industry at Drone Focus Luncheon\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t FARGO, N.D.  At the Drone Focus monthly meetup today, Senator John Hoeven received one of the first unmanned aerial systems (UAS) manufactured in North Dakota from Altavian and ComDel Innovations executives in recognition of the senator's work to establish and expand the UAS industry in North Dakota. The Altavian UAS, a Nova F6500, will be displayed in Hoeven's Washington, D.C., office and was manufactured at ComDel's plant in Wahpeton, N.D. In May, Hoeven brought together executives from ComDel and Altavian as well as public leaders to mark the roll-out of the first UAS manufactured in the state.\r\nSenator Hoeven has been instrumental in developing North Dakota as a premiere hub for UAS technology, testing and training. He worked closely with the U.S. Air Force and local leaders establish the Grand Sky technology park at Grand Forks Air Force Base and led the effort to establish the six national test sites for UAS airspace intergration, including the Northern Plains UAS test site in North Dakota. Moreover, due to his leadership and the state's success in this field, Hoeven was invited to speak at Google's UAS Seminar in Washington, D.C., earlier this month, where he pitched Grand Sky and the state as an ideal location for UAS businesses and training facilities.\r\nWe have had many exciting developments in North Dakota's UAS community over the past few years, and the industry has truly reached a critical mass, Hoeven said. Our state is not only a leader in the military applications of UAS, but companies right here in Fargo are on the forefront on commercializing this technology. Our business leaders are investing their time, money and expertise to develop their products, which have uses across a wide range of fields. We continue working to support their efforts by providing the regulatory certainty they need and pushing forward on airspace integration, which will keep us at the cutting-edge of this dynamic industry.\r\nSenator Hoeven outlined his legislation to help build the commercial UAS industry and promote innovation in this rapidly growing field. The Commercial UAS Modernization Act, introduced by Senators Hoeven and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in May, sets interim operating guidelines for small commercial UAS while providing the FAA with the flexibility to make changes before it finalizes those rules. Hoeven said his bill supports and builds on the hard work of local businesses like the members of Drone Focus, led by Botlink and Emerging Prairie, to develop new UAS technologies and applications and advance the state's prominence in the industry.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-thanksgiving-statement", "Hoeven Thanksgiving Statement", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.25.15\n\t\t\t Hoeven Thanksgiving Statement \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBISMARCK, N.D.  Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement to wish North Dakotans a happy Thanksgiving:\r\nThis year again, North Dakotans will gather with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day to give thanks for our many blessings. In the course of our history, North Dakota has built a dynamic state on the character and shared values of our people. Like the generations before us who have commemorated the first Thanksgiving with family and fellowship, we give thanks for the abundant blessings that God has bestowed on us. 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