press: releases: 1,926 rows where state = "ND" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending

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1,926 rows where state = "ND" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending

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url	title	date ▲	year	month	party	chamber	state	member_name	bioguide_id	domain	date_source	text	has_text	collected_at	updated_at
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	legacy	12.30.15 Hoeven Reviews December Legislative Accomplishments, North Dakota Priorities Senator Holds Year-End Roundtable with Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce 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. We 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. Senator Hoeven helped to successfully pass the following measures through Congress this December: Lifting the Ban on Crude Oil Exports Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy Committee, repeatedly called for the repeal of the outdated crude oil export ban and cosponsored bipartisan legislation earlier this year to do just that. Allowing 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. Tax Relief for Small Business and Farmers Approved tax relief totaling $680 billion over ten years. Included 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…	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	legacy	Event December 30 2016 11:00 AM On 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: Lifting the ban on crude oil exports Providing tax relief for small businesses and farmers Providing regulatory relief for farmers and ranchers through stopping the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Waters of the U.S. regulation Ensuring education funding and local control Providing school meal flexibility in sodium and grain requirements Passing 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 Year-End Roundtable with Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce WHEN: Wednesday, December 30 11:00 a.m. CT WHERE: Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce 1640 Burnt Boat Drive Bismarck	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=c7c25813-0535-40ab-96c7-743b1852ccb8	On Two-Year Anniversary of Casselton Derailment, Heitkamp Honors North Dakota First Responders	2015-12-30	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	CASSELTON, N.D. Two years after the derailment of a crude oil train near Casselton, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp toured the Casselton Volunteer Ambulance Service today to thank volunteer first responders and underscore the need to provide federal support for volunteer ambulance services, fire departments, and other emergency responders. To make sure firefighters and ambulance workers have the training and equipment they need, Heitkamp fought to increase federal funding to support first responders in the year-end spending bill Congress passed earlier this month. Today she encouraged North Dakota fire departments and first responders to apply for the increased federal funding. Heitkamp also presented Ken Habiger, president of the Casselton Volunteer Ambulance Service, with an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in recognition of Habigers commitment to the safety and wellbeing of his community. From local fire departments to volunteer ambulance services, we need to do everything we can to make sure our first responders are prepared and safe as they work to protect us, said Heitkamp. The derailment in Casselton two years ago was a blunt reminder that we have a duty to support first responders like Ken, who work hard every day to make their communities stronger and safer. Congress needs to do its part to give first responders knowledge and training to protect our communities. Thats what I pushed for in the spending bill, and what Im also trying to do with my RESPONSE Act. Community service is a way of life here in Casselton and throughout our state, and we need to do everything we can to protect and prepare those who answer that call to serve. The spending bill Congress passed provides $690 million for first responder grants for equipment and staffing in 2016, which is a $10 million increase from 2015. Eight North Dakota fire departments including Fargo, Buffalo, Cavalier, and Bismarck benefited from Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) funding totaling nearly $1 million in 2014. The AFG and Sta…	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	legacy	12.30.15 Hoeven Reviews December Legislative Accomplishments, North Dakota Priorities Senator Holds Year-End Roundtable with Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce 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. We 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. Senator Hoeven helped to successfully pass the following measures through Congress this December: Lifting the Ban on Crude Oil Exports Hoeven, 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. Allowing 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. Tax Relief for Small Business and Farmers Approved tax relief totaling $680 billion over ten years. Included 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 flexibil…	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	legacy	12.29.15 Hoeven: Senate Passes Measure to Update FAA Medical Certification, Protect Pilots' Due Process Rights Bill Supports General Aviation, Allows More Qualified Pilots to Continue Flying 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. General 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. The Pilots Bill of Rights II: Expands 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. Maintains 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 he…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ff74e7e0-7a59-4403-9bfd-ed9c339494cf	Heitkamp Announces Senate Passed Pilots Bill of Rights 2 Supporting General Aviation in ND	2015-12-29	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a member of the Senate General Aviation Caucus, today announced the Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation she cosponsored which will support general aviation in North Dakota by making sure pilots are treated fairly and reducing burdensome requirements currently in place. The Pilots Bill of Rights 2 will decrease unnecessary bureaucracy pilots currently face, cut costs, improve protections for pilots, and reform certain medical requirements. The bill had 70 cosponsors in the Senate. The House of Representatives needs to pass the bill before it goes to the President for his signature. General aviation pilots in North Dakota understand the importance of safety while in flight, said Heitkamp. Yet for too long, pilots have faced onerous and costly rules, preventing them the fair treatment they deserve. This overwhelmingly bipartisan bill will reform many of these outdated regulations so they work better for pilots while still making sure safety is the top priority. Details about the Pilots Bill of Rights 2: Reforms the FAAs overly burdensome medical certification process by expanding an existing FAA medical standard to include more qualified, trained, general aviation pilots. Outlines specific requirements that pilots need to meet to qualify for the expanded medical standard, including completion of a medical education course every two years, self-certification by the pilot that they are being treated by their physician for any medical diagnosis that could impact their ability to fly, and the use of a checklist to guide the discussion between pilots and their physicians during a health examination, which must occur once every four years. Enhances the due process rights established in the first Pilots Bill of Rights by making sure airman have the right to appeal an FAA decision through a new, merit-based trial in Federal Court. Increases transparency for airman subject to an investigation or enforcement action by requiring the FAA to articulate the spe…	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	legacy	12.29.15 Hoeven: Senate Passes Measure to Update FAA Medical Certification, Protect Pilots' Due Process Rights Bill Supports General Aviation, Allows More Qualified Pilots to Continue Flying 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. General 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. The Pilot's Bill of Rights II: Expands 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. Maintains 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 me…	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	legacy	12.23.15 Hoeven Holds Meeting with Minot Leaders to Plan Next Steps for Comprehensive Flood Protection Year-End Funding Bill Provides Provisions for Flood Protection, Minot Air Force Base, Tax Relief 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. In 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. Permanent 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 w…	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	legacy	Event December 23 2015 11:00 AM On 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. WHEN: Wednesday, December 23 11:00 a.m. CT WHERE: Minot City Hall 515 2nd Avenue SW Minot	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=a319b85f-03f5-465a-a1ad-7670b5e9fbae	Heitkamp Announces Federal Funding for Rural Water in St. John	2015-12-23	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced more than $50,000 in federal funding for emergency water assistance for the city of St. John to make sure community members have critical access to water. The $50,430 in federal support will be used to bolster rural connectivity to better, more reliable water sources by helping the St. John community find new water sources, drill a new well, and to connect to an existing water main to provide the families and neighborhoods in St. John with the water resources they need. Towns and communities in rural areas across North Dakota make up the heart of our state, and its absolutely critical that we make sure they can rely on the same level of access offered in bigger cities, said Heitkamp. One of those crucial resources rural North Dakotans need to depend on is readily available water for their homes, farms and ranches year-round. Thats why todays federal investment in St. John is so critical by continuing to build up our federal partnerships, we can work to make sure all of North Dakotas communities no matter how rural or remote are connected to the critical resources, like water, they need every day. These funds are authorized by the United States Department of Agricultures Rural Development agency. ###	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	legacy	12.23.15 Hoeven Holds Meeting with Minot Leaders to Plan Next Steps for Comprehensive Flood Protection Year-End Funding Bill Provides Provisions for Flood Protection, Minot Air Force Base, Tax Relief 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. In 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. Permanent 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 legislatio…	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	legacy	12.22.15 Hoeven Leads Meeting to Plan Next Steps to Advance Permanent Flood Protection for the Red River Valley Senator Outlines Flood Protection Construction Authorization and Funding 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. Securing 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. The 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 …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=61a4256a-3f50-4429-9b1f-a1a355a97ebd	Heitkamp Emphasizes Need to Secure Support for Lasting Flood Protection in Fargo-Moorhead Region	2015-12-22	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	FARGO, N.D. On the heels of significant new construction resources secured for 2016 in the end of the year spending bill Congress passed last week, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today met with local leaders from the Fargo-Moorhead region to discuss the need to secure a new construction start for the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion. During the meeting, Heitkamp spoke with Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney, Moorhead Mayor Del Rae Williams, Fargo Diversion Authority Chairman Darrell Vanyo, as well as the rest of the congressional delegation, about the year-end spending bill which included $1.8 billion in construction resources for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers nationwide $690 million more than initially proposed in the initial budget and new construction starts. Heitkamp who has consistently urged Congress to construction starts for the flood project in Fargo will continue to work closely with officials at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which will make decisions about projects that get the new construction starts, as well as local, state, and federal officials to make sure North Dakota has the lasting protections it needs to avoid flood devastation. To help keep our communities strong, we have to make sure they are effectively protected from natural disasters that have devastated North Dakota towns in the past and that requires the kind of strong investment in flood mitigation projects Congress passed last week, said Heitkamp. For years, Ive been working with folks leading communities like Fargo who have seen the wreckage from flooding firsthand, and have held the hands of families still reeling in the aftermath. Thats why Ive pressed to make sure their voices are heard directly by leaders at OMB and the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as by my colleagues in Congress who passed a spending bill that makes the strong investments our communities need. Todays meeting with Fargo and Moorhead leaders is another step toward building a strong public-private partnership and the bill C…	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	legacy	12.22.15 Hoeven Leads Meeting to Plan Next Steps to Advance Permanent Flood Protection for the Red River Valley Senator Outlines Flood Protection Construction Authorization and Funding 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. Securing 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. The 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…	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	legacy	12.21.15 Hoeven Announces $1.5 Million DHS Grant to Fund Flood Protection for Fargo Waste Water Treatment Plant WASHINGTON 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. Infrastructure 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. As 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. In 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. -###- …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0c4cb0ca-f0ab-479b-85e4-d226a81cee70	Heitkamp Presents Purple Heart Medal to Family of Fallen World War II Servicemember	2015-12-21	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	BISMARCK, N.D. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today presented a posthumous Purple Heart medal to the family of a North Dakota servicemember killed in action during World War II. Leonard Larson, born in Colgan, N.D. in 1925, was killed and laid to rest in France in November 1944. Larsons sister, Mabel Hysjulien, received the Purple Heart on behalf of the family. Heitkamp worked with Burleigh County Veterans Service Officer Chris Berglund to secure the Purple Heart for Larson. A Bronze Star medal and other awards were previously issued in recognition of Larsons service and sacrifice. The Purple Heart issued to Leonard Larsons family today honors his sacrifice and service for our country. More than anything else, I hope this medal gives his family solace and pride to know Leonards bravery is remembered, said Heitkamp. His commanding officer, Major General W. S. Paul, wrote to Leonards family saying that Leonard did his duty splendidly and was loved and admired by all who knew him. More than 50 years later, his familys love and devotion prove he is loved and admired to this day. Heitkamp has made it a priority to honor North Dakota veterans, wounded warriors, and brave servicemembers killed or missing in action. In June, Heitkamp presented veteran and former prisoner of war Corporal Andrew Shaw a member of Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe with a Purple Heart Medal at a ceremony in St. Michael, N.D. To mark the 50thanniversary of the Vietnam War, Heitkampbegan a series of speechesin March honoring servicemembers from North Dakota who lost their lives in Vietnam. Heitkamp collaborated on the project with more than 150 eleventh-graders from Bismarck High School (BHS), who researched the lives of those servicemembers. In March, Heitkampmet with the students in Bismarckand discussed the importance of their joint effort to honor the sacrifice and service of the North Dakotans lost in the war. Heitkamp joined a group of those BHS students in November at the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. to pay tribute to…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=43929ef8-1f86-49f8-b99b-41b6f4e0b6fd	Heitkamp Announces $1.5 Million in Federal Funding for Fargo Flood Protection	2015-12-21	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	BISMARCK, N.D. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp announced $1.5 million in federal funding for the waste water treatment plant in Fargo. These federal funds are made available through the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and will provide needed infrastructure support for mitigation efforts to help protect against the disastrous effects of flooding. We must continue to provide support to Fargo and surrounding areas affected by flooding, said Heitkamp. North Dakotans understand that flooding is a real threat and by implementing basic safeguards to better protect the citys infrastructure, it will make sure basic water treatment systems are in operation when most needed. Heitkamp is a longtime advocate for increased and permanent flood protections in North Dakota. Recently, Heitkamp supported the year-end spending bill Congress passed last week that will authorize and fund new study and construction starts for flood protection projects, like those around Fargo.This grant announcement is in addition to the $2 million in federal investments made to Fargos waste water treatment facility earlier this year.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=b0b6350b-cba7-4abf-b4ff-e868cd41976b	Heitkamp Calls on VA Secretary to Visit North Dakota, Improve Care in Rural Areas	2015-12-21	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	BISMARCK, N.D. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today formally invited U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald to visit North Dakota to see firsthand the challenges rural veterans encounter in accessing quality, affordable health care close to home. Unless you grew up in a rural community, its hard to grasp the challenges many North Dakota veterans face trying to get the care they deserve, said Heitkamp. Today Im calling on Secretary McDonald to visit North Dakota so he understands the obligation the VA has to provide quality care to veterans in rural areas who often live long distances from VA hospitals and clinics. Not a day goes by that I dont hear from veterans in our state who are struggling to get the cancer treatments, X-rays, physical therapy, and other services they deserve. The VA has fallen short in meeting that obligation, and Secretary McDonald needs to hear our veterans concerns himself so his department can fix this program for rural America. Last year, Congress passed a bipartisan bill to reform the VA and improve access to care, and since then Heitkamp has pushed to make sure the bill is implemented properly especially as it relates to North Dakota veterans who live far from VA medical facilities. The reforms included a Veterans Choice Card program to allow veterans who cant get a timely appointment with the VA or live more than 40 miles from a VA health care facility to seek care from local providers. However, countless North Dakotans have reached out to Heitkamp to share serious and unacceptable challenges they have encountered in the new program. Thats why, in addition to calling on Secretary McDonald to visit North Dakota, Heitkamp asked him how third party administrators like Health Net, which schedules appointments for North Dakota veterans in their communities, will fit into VAs plan to consolidate the Choice Program with other care in the community. She also pressed him about what steps the VA will take to improve the efficiency of the referral and authorization process. Heitk…	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	legacy	12.21.15 Hoeven Announces $1.5 Million DHS Grant to Fund Flood Protection for Fargo Waste Water Treatment Plant WASHINGTON 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. Infrastructure 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. As 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. In 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. -###- …	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	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer released his schedule of public events for Dec. 19 Dec. 27.(All times are local). Tuesday, Dec. 22 Fargo Assembly 40th Anniversary Presentation 10:45 AM 3300 7th Ave N Fargo Fargo Moorhead Diversion Authority Meeting with Senator Hoeven, Senator Heitkamp and Local Officials 11:30 AM Fargo City Hall City Commission Room 200 3rd St. N Fargo Upstream Coalition Meeting with Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN) 12:30 PM Knickerbocker 412 Main Ave Hickson Fargo Forum Editorial Board Meeting 2:30 PM Fargo Forum 101 5th Street North Fargo ###	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	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. On 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. He 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. The 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 p…	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	legacy	12.18.15 Hoeven: Year-End Funding Bill Lifts Crude Oil Export Ban, Advances Other N.D. Priorities Measure Supports ND Flood Projects, Permanently Extends Sec. 179, Reforms Visa Waiver Program 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: Lifts the decades-long ban on crude oil exports Advances flood protection projects for the Fargo-Moorhead and Minot regions Provides tax relief for small businesses and farmers by permanently extending the Section 179 expensing limit Prevents the implementation of Obamacare tax on medical devices and health care plans for two years Supports our military and veterans Supports UAS research and Centers of Excellence Strengthens the visa waiver program Extends flexibility to school meals programs Boosts ag research, Water Bank Program and defunds WOTUS Interpretive Rule for farmers and ranchers Supports Native American education and law enforcement Supports continued health care for 9/11 first responders (Zadroga) Lifting 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 Mi…	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	legacy	12.18.15 Hoeven Thanks North Dakota Interns for Their Service in His Washington, Bismarck & Fargo Offices WASHINGTON 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. Internships 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. Emily 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. Mary 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. Sarah 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). Samuel 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. Quinn Harmon, daughter of Kevin and Leisa Harmon, is a junior at the University of Mary where sh…	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	legacy	12.18.15 Hoeven Announces $50K NSF Grant for Aerospace Technology Development at UND WASHINGTON 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. Our 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. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0ea88905-6d40-4dc6-b661-207b0f5d952d	Heitkamp: Investments in End of Year Spending Bill will Help Fight Violence Against Women	2015-12-18	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced the year-end spending deal Congress voted on today includes a significant increase federal funding for support and services for victims of domestic violence, which Heitkamp has long championed. The $480 million in federal support from the Office on Violence Against Women is a $50 million increase from last year, and will be used for victims services, legal, training and technical assistance, as well as research and analysis on violence against Native women. The funding also includes $30 million for transitional housing for survivors of domestic violence seeking protection from their abusers as well as a new start in life, which Heitkamp who has worked since her time as North Dakotas Attorney General to secure the necessary safety and recovery resources for victims of domestic violence will continue working to strengthen. It is imperative that strong investments are made in organizations providing victims with a clear path out of this vicious cycle of abuse, said Heitkamp. The significant increase in Violence Against Women Act federal funding included in the end of the year spending bill Congress passed is a needed step in the path toward improving safety, but we cant stop there. To truly protect victims, we need to simultaneously strengthen support dedicated to the transitional housing programs that help victims escape and more importantly survive. When I first helped implement VAWA across the state as North Dakotas Attorney General, I saw firsthand the deep impact this funding makes in the lives of victims, and Ill keep pushing to strengthen historically underfunded, yet critical programs like transitional housing that open the door to freedom from abuse helping victims get the support they need to escape, recover, and rebuild their lives. For decades, Heitkamp has worked to combat domestic violence in North Dakota and across the country. As North Dakota Attorney General in the 1990s, she implemented the original Violence Against Women Act (VAWA…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=3670c389-9b8d-427e-8077-5e628aff41de	Heitkamp Statement on Congress Passing Bipartisan Deal to Lift 40-Year Old Ban on Exporting Oil	2015-12-18	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	On Wednesday, White House Encouraged Congress to Pass Bill which includes Lifting Oil Export Ban WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today issued the following statement after Congress passed landmark bipartisan legislation to lift the 40-year old ban on exporting oil. Heitkamps efforts since the summer of 2014 paved the way for this deal and she was closely involved with negotiations as they took place. Over the past year and a half, Heitkamp has been working to educate other senators -- especially Democrats -- about the need to lift the ban, meeting with top White House officials, building support for the policy change, and negotiating a bipartisan deal that brought Senate Democrats on board so the policy had enough votes to pass in the Senate. Over the past several months, she has been working with U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Senate Democratic leadership to discuss what a deal to lift the ban could look like, and negotiate such a deal in the end of the year spending bill. The deal also includes part of Heitkamps initial legislation to lift the ban to address presidential authority, which was a key piece to bringing Democrats on board. In a statement on Wednesday, the White House urged Congress to pass the bill. This bipartisan deal is a win-win for North Dakota, said Heitkamp. It lifts the oil export ban which Ive been advocating for a year and a half and helped negotiate, provides needed certainty for our states wind producers, and renews some faith in Congress by showing that when Republicans and Democrats work together, we can get things done. Lifting the oil export ban has been my top priority in Congress but you cant pass legislation by yourself. It was through many months and hours of educating other senators, especially Democrats, about the merits of changing this policy, and working through good-faith efforts to reach a bipartisan deal that brought enough Democrats on board so we had the votes to overturn this outdated ban on exporting oil. The facts are clear lifting the ba…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=975219b5-be26-4eaf-8ddc-c080ee19003e	Heitkamp Votes with Bipartisan Majority of Senate to Pass Year-End Spending Deal, Tax Extensions	2015-12-18	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today voted with a bipartisan majority of the U.S. Senate to pass a year-end spending deal and tax extensions, packages that include several provisions Heitkamp fought for that benefit North Dakota. The package, which also passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday, will now go to the president to be signed into law. No deal is perfect, but this bill is a strong bipartisan compromise and it includes priorities I fought for to give North Dakota families and small businesses a leg up, said Heitkamp. The deal will bolster our energy sector and create jobs by letting oil producers export crude for the first time in 40 years. Thats a victory for North Dakota, and a priority Ive been leading on for a year and a half. The deal will permanently lower tax burdens on farmers, let working families keep more of their hard-earned wages, and fund a new $7.3 million Air National Guard intelligence facility in Fargo. To protect women and families, the bill increases funding to tackle domestic violence by $50 million. And to give communities like Fargo and Minot a better shot at lasting flood protection, the deal will fund new U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood protection projects. The bill includes provisions Heitkamp fought for to strengthen North Dakota in key ways: Lifting ban on exporting U.S. oil: Heitkamp has led the push to lift 1970s-era ban on exporting U.S. oil, and helped negotiate the deal in the spending bill allowing for U.S. oil exports for the first time in 40 years. Heitkamps efforts since the summer of 2014 paved the way for lifting the ban so North Dakota oil can reach global markets. For more than a year and a half, Heitkamp has been meeting with members of Congress especially Senate Democrats and top White House officials to explain why lifting the ban makes sense and to build bipartisan support for the policy. Flooding protections: The spending bill will authorize and fund new study and construction starts for flood protection projec…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=e26e6ea4-06ac-4907-9ce2-479d1699bbb6	Heitkamp Announces Federal Funding for Research at UND	2015-12-18	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp announced $50,000 in federal funding for scientific research at the University of North Dakota (UND) to study and develop new technologies for aircraft and spacecraft. The I-Corps: Commercialization for the Autonomous Attitude Determination and Control Technology project at UND will study and develop new technology that will provide aircraft and spacecraft with new adaptive functions to allow them to better respond to changes in their environment that may otherwise debilitate the craft. The University of North Dakota and the city of Grand Forks are the hub of aerial and space craft development, said Heitkamp. The expansion of the air and space industry will allow our state to become the regional leader that will drive economic, educational, and national defense development well into the future. This continued federal support will allow UND to maintain its innovative edge as it advances new technology that will protect these craft and the individuals aboard them. These funds are authorized by the National Science Foundation.	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	legacy	12.18.15 Hoeven Announces $50K NSF Grant for Aerospace Technology Development at UND WASHINGTON 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. Our 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. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous 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	legacy	12.18.15 Hoeven Thanks North Dakota Interns for Their Service in His Washington, Bismarck & Fargo Offices WASHINGTON 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. Internships 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. Emily 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. Mary 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. Sarah 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). Samuel 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. Quinn Harmon, daughter of Kevin and Leisa Harmon, is a junior at the University of Mary where…	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	legacy	12.18.15 Hoeven: Year-End Funding Bill Lifts Crude Oil Export Ban, Advances Other N.D. Priorities Measure Supports ND Flood Projects, Permanently Extends Sec. 179, Reforms Visa Waiver Program 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: Lifts the decades-long ban on crude oil exports Advances flood protection projects for the Fargo-Moorhead and Minot regions Provides tax relief for small businesses and farmers by permanently extending the Section 179 expensing limit Prevents the implementation of Obamacare tax on medical devices and health care plans for two years Supports our military and veterans Supports UAS research and Centers of Excellence Strengthens the visa waiver program Extends flexibility to school meals programs Boosts ag research, Water Bank Program and defunds WOTUS Interpretive Rule for farmers and ranchers Supports Native American education and law enforcement Supports continued health care for 9/11 first responders (Zadroga) Lifting 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 M…	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	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. A 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. This 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. Cramer 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. The 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. Any 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 …	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	legacy	12.17.15 Hoeven: Time to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban Senator Worked to Include Provision in Year-End Funding Bill, Continues Building Support for Passage 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. I 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. The 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. Hoeven 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. Hoeven 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 a…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=75a4f9db-9381-416a-9005-57e358c12599	Heitkamp Leads Bipartisan Group of 12 U.S. Senators in Calling for Comprehensive Support to Combat Trauma Impacting Native Children	2015-12-17	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) today urged the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement a comprehensive policy for addressing complex and historic trauma impacting Native communities in North Dakota and across the country. Pointing to findings in recent hearings in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs that addressed substance abuse, crime victim services, as well as crisis levels of suicide among American Indians and Alaska Natives where suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 34 Heitkamp pressed HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell on the need for a robust and coordinated approach to reducing the impact of trauma that often hinders generations of Native communities. In North Dakota alone, five young people on the Standing Rock reservation in Fort Yates took their own lives in a two month period in 2005. And nationwide, 22 percent of Native children suffer from post-traumatic stress the same rate as newly returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. In too many forgotten corners of our country, our federal government is failing Native young people who often suffer from trauma and post-traumatic stress at levels typical of veterans returning from battle in Iraq and Afghanistan, said Heitkamp. Thats unacceptable. Today I led a bipartisan group of 12 senators in calling on HHS and the federal government to live up to its trust responsibility to tribes and our Native children. It needs to implement a comprehensive policy to get to the root of the complex issues caused by the cycle of trauma impacting so many generations of Native young people. With a robust, coordinated federal strategy, we can begin to address trauma and its resulting problems, such as substance abuse and suicide that have eclipsed too many young lives. Joining Heitkamp in her letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell included Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Al Franken (D-MN), Jon Tester (D-MT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), T…	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	legacy	12.17.15 Hoeven: Time to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban Senator Worked to Include Provision in Year-End Funding Bill, Continues Building Support for Passage 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. I 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. The 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. Hoeven 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. Hoeven 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 a…	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	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. The 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. Incremental 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. Cramer 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. Members 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: Public 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 …	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	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. The 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. The 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. H.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: An evaluation of what role social media plays in radicalization in the United States and elsewhere; An analysis of how terrorists and terrorist organizations are using social media, including trends; A summary of the Federal Governments efforts to disrupt and counter the use of social media …	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	legacy	12.16.15 Hoeven: Year-End Legislation Includes Funding for NDNG Targeting Facility WASHINGTON 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. The 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. Hoeven 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. The 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. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous 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	legacy	12.16.15 Hoeven: Year-End Funding Legislation Permanently Extends Sec. 179 Expensing for Farmers, Ranchers, Small Businesses Legislation Extends Bonus Depreciation for Five Years 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. 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 be preferable to depreciating the items over time. Section 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. Hoeven 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. 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,…	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	legacy	12.16.15 Hoeven: Year-End Funding Bill Provides Authorization, Funding for New Starts and Construction of Flood Protection Projects Measure Will Help Addresses North Dakota Flood Protection Priorities in Fargo-Moorhead, Minot Regions 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. 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. Congress is expected to pass the measure later this week.Specifically, the legislation will: Help 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. Provide permission for the Corps to begin studies of new permanent flood protection projects, which is vital for communities like Minot and the Souris River. Increase the Corps funding for water development infrastructure over FY 2015. This increase will help communities like LaMoure with funding to replace sanitary sewer systems. Increase the Corps funding for FEMA flood-mapping activities to better coordinate with flood insurance and keep premiums more affordable. The 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 t…	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	legacy	12.16.15 Hoeven Worked to Include Provision to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban in Year-End Funding Bill Set to Pass this Week Action Will Create Jobs, Boost Economic Growth, Bolster National Security 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. Hoeven 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. Lifting 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. Hoeven 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. The senator has cited multiple reasons to lift the antiquated ban, which was enacted in 1975: Crude 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. Crude oil exports will benefit American c…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ce1bac64-7a42-4e70-98da-f45523bcdb78	Heitkamp Statement on Bipartisan Year-End Spending Deal, Tax Extensions	2015-12-16	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today issued the following statement on the year-end spending deal and tax extensions, which include several provisions Heitkamp fought for that benefit North Dakota families, small businesses, farmers, and military personnel. North Dakota families, farmers, and energy workers can celebrate about much of todays spending bill, said Heitkamp. This bipartisan compromise deal will keep the federal government running and allow North Dakota communities to plan for the future. For years, Ive been pushing Congress to stop kicking the can down the road and to get things done. Todays deal is an important step down that path, with commonsense policies giving long-term certainty to wind and solar workers, opening our oil to global markets, and extending tax breaks for our family farmers. Working families will also benefit from permanent tax extensions, so hardworking parents can keep more of the middle-class wages they earn. To make sure North Dakota communities are confident and prepared for the future, Ill keep working to advance all-of-the-above energy, economic, and family strategies that will strengthen our state. The bill includes provisions Heitkamp fought for to strengthen North Dakota. For example, the spending bill and tax extensions will: Authorize and fund new study and construction starts for flood protection projects, like those around Minot and Fargo. The bill authorizes and provides $690 million more in federal funding for construction of flood projects than the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed. Heitkamp has urged Congress to authorize new starts, and to make sure Fargo and Minots flood protections are priorities for the U.S. Army Corps. Last month Heitkamp worked with Minot officials to push for lasting flood protections at meetings she arranged in Washington with top officials at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Army Corps of Engineers, and Congressional appropriators. Heitkamp has been a vocal advocate of permanent flood protections for the …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=e0ee020b-8c74-4111-8d28-d8bcdd3213a8	Heitkamp Statement on Bipartisan Deal to Lift 40-Year Old Ban on Exporting Oil	2015-12-16	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	Though Supportive of Standalone Bill to Lift the Ban, Heitkamp has Long said that to get Strong Bipartisan Support for Policy, Must Negotiate & Reach Deal with Democrats WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) today announced Democratic and Republican negotiators reached a deal to lift the decades-old ban on exporting oil, which came about in large part due to Heitkamps efforts to lift the ban over the past year and a half. The bipartisan deal which Heitkamp helped negotiate lifts the oil export ban as well as includes a five year retroactive extension of the Production Tax Credit through 2019, which supports wind energy, and a five year extension of the Solar Investment Tax Credit, which supports solar energy. The bill also includes a three year extension of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which supports the development of outdoor recreation areas. The policies are included in an end of the year spending bill on which Congress will soon vote. Heitkamps efforts since the summer of 2014 paved the way for todays deal and she was closely involved with negotiations as they took place. For more than a year and a half, Heitkamp has been meeting with members of Congress especially Senate Democrats and top White House officials to explain why lifting the ban makes sense and build support for the policy. Over the past several months, she has been working with U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Senate Democratic leadership to discuss what a deal to lift the ban could look like, and negotiate such a deal in the spending bill. Though supportive of standalone legislation to lift the oil export ban as her bipartisan legislation with U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) would do -- Heitkamp has long said that to actually gain strong bipartisan support to lift the ban, there needed to be a deal to bring along enough Democrats and thats what she has been working to do for months. She spoke publicly about negotiating a deal to end the ban during an event on the oil export ban in September. This…	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	legacy	12.16.15 Hoeven Worked to Include Provision to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban in Year-End Funding Bill Set to Pass this Week Action Will Create Jobs, Boost Economic Growth, Bolster National Security 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. Hoeven 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. Lifting 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. Hoeven 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. The senator has cited multiple reasons to lift the antiquated ban, which was enacted in 1975: Crude 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. Crude oil exports will benefit American c…	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	legacy	12.16.15 Hoeven: Year-End Funding Bill Provides Authorization, Funding for New Starts and Construction of Flood Protection Projects Measure Will Help Addresses North Dakota Flood Protection Priorities in Fargo-Moorhead, Minot Regions 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. 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. Congress is expected to pass the measure later this week.Specifically, the legislation will: Help 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. Provide permission for the Corps to begin studies of new permanent flood protection projects, which is vital for communities like Minot and the Souris River. Increase the Corps funding for water development infrastructure over FY 2015. This increase will help communities like LaMoure with funding to replace sanitary sewer systems. Increase the Corps' funding for FEMA flood-mapping activities to better coordinate with flood insurance and keep premiums more affordable. The 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 resident…	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	legacy	12.16.15 Hoeven: Year-End Funding Legislation Permanently Extends Sec. 179 Expensing for Farmers, Ranchers, Small Businesses Legislation Extends Bonus Depreciation for Five Years 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. 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 be preferable to depreciating the items over time. Section 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. Hoeven 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. 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 part…	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	legacy	12.16.15 Hoeven: Year-End Legislation Includes Funding for NDNG Targeting Facility WASHINGTON 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. The 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. Hoeven 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. The 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. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous 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	legacy	12.14.15 Hoeven Statement on Major General Sprynczynatyk's Retirement from Adjutant General of North Dakota WASHINGTON 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. Major 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. Prior 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. Dave 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. Over 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 a…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=93330e82-7819-42b4-a82a-8a1445f7a54d	Heitkamps Bipartisan Legislation to Promote & Protect Rural Water Supplies is Signed into Law	2015-12-14	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced the President signed into law her bipartisan legislation to help make sure small and rural towns across the country have access to clean drinking water. Heitkamp introduced her Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act with Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi in March to make sure small towns and rural areas have the necessary technical assistance and training to protect and improve their water supplies. Now that the bill is law, small and rural towns often lacking the resources to the latest technology or access to proper technological assistance to comply with federal drinking water rules will have access to federal assistance to help them offset the cost of complying. Specifically, Heitkamp and Wickers bill will provide $15 million in annual support for technical assistance and training to make sure residents and business in small and rural towns can access clean drinking water. The Presidents signature of Heitkamps bill follows its passage in the U.S. House of Representatives last month, and the Senates unanimous approval of the legislation in June. Having grown up in a small town like Mantador, I know how important linking rural communities across North Dakota to vital lifelines like safe, reliable drinking water is, said Heitkamp. Today we are helping make that goal feasible, as the President signed the bipartisan bill I introduced with Senator Wicker to make sure families and businesses in small and rural communities have the latest technology and the training to access clean drinking water. Every farming and rural town across our state needed access to essential resources like clean drinking water to keep our statewide community connected and safe. More than 90 percent of the drinking water supplied in our country comes from small and rural communities, many of which lack the resources to meet revised EPA safe drinking water standards, said Wicker. In order for these areas to comply with federal regulati…	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	legacy	12.14.15 Hoeven Statement on Major General Sprynczynatyk's Retirement from Adjutant General of North Dakota WASHINGTON 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. Major 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. Prior 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. Dave 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. Over 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 …	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	legacy	12.13.15 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 WASHINGTON 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: Brigadier 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. Throughout 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. Brigadier 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 Dak…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=72c8cefe-6787-41ef-aeae-6413284e09bd	Heitkamp Statement on ND National Guard Change of Command Ceremony	2015-12-13	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today issued the following statement regarding the North Dakota National Guard Adjutant General Change of Command from Major General David Sprynczynatyk to Brigadier General Alan Dohrmann. The North Dakota National Guard has a reputation for its incredible dedication to serving the people of North Dakota, working hard to keep families and communities safe, and stepping up to take on missions critical to protect our national security, said Heitkamp. The strong commitment to service is a testament to General Sprynczynatyks great leadership as the Adjutant General of North Dakota and throughout his more than 40 years of service. Thank you to General Sprynczynatyk for his outstanding tenure leading the North Dakota National Guard and I wish him well in retirement. In addition, General Dohrmanns eight years of experience alongside General Sprynczynatyk has prepared him well for the responsibilities hell take on and equipped him with the necessary skills to lead and command the National Guard. I look forward to working with General Dohrmann as he works to build on General Sprynczynatyks legacy. ###	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	legacy	12.13.15 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 WASHINGTON 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: Brigadier 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. Throughout 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. Brigadier 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 Da…	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	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. I 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. If 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. This 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. This export ban was put in place forty-two years ago as a result of unrest in the Middle East. It occurred afte…	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	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. This 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. The legislation prevents a government shutdown, as the current spending authorization was due to expire at midnight on Dec. 11. ###	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	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. Free 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. The 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. Summary of H.R. 644Conference Report to the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 The 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. The 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. The bill strengthens the United States ability to fight human trafficking by enhancing incentives f…	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	legacy	12.11.15 Hoeven Congratulates North Dakota Army National Guard on New Cyber Defense Mission WASHINGTON 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. Our 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. Hoeven 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. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous 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	legacy	12.11.15 Hoeven Advocates for Lifting Oil Export Ban at Hearing Experts Testify Lifting Ban Will Strengthen U.S., Allied Security 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. Hoeven has repeatedly called for repealing the ban and is working hard to get the repeal included in the year-end legislation. Lifting 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. Expert 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. Jamie 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. Print Email Tweet Next Arti…	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	legacy	12.11.15 Hoeven Advocates for Lifting Oil Export Ban at Hearing Experts Testify Lifting Ban Will Strengthen U.S., Allied Security 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. Hoeven has repeatedly called for repealing the ban and is working hard to get the repeal included in the year-end legislation. Lifting 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. Expert 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. Jamie 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. Print Email Tweet Next A…	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	legacy	12.11.15 Hoeven Congratulates North Dakota Army National Guard on New Cyber Defense Mission WASHINGTON 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. Our 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. Hoeven 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. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous 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	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. North 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. The 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: Agribusiness Council of Indiana Agricultural Retailers Association Agriculture Transportation Coalition Alabama Crop Management Association Alliance for Rail Competition Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers American Chemistry Council American Farm Bureau Federation American Forest & Paper Association American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Association American Iron and Steel Institute American Malting Barley Association, Inc. American Public Power Association American Soybean Association Auto Care Association Chemical Industry Council of Delaware Chemical Industry Council of Illinois Chemistry Council of Missouri Chemistry Council of New Jersey Colorado Association of Wheat Growers Connecticut Business & Industry Association Corn Refiners Association Edison Electric Institute The Fertilizer Institute Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association Foundry Association of Michigan Freight Rail Customer Alliance Georgia Agribusiness Council Georgia Chemistry Council Glass Packaging Ins…	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	legacy	12.10.15 Hoeven: IRS, Treasury Agree to Increase Expensing Threshold on Purchase of Tangible Property From $500 to $2,500 Senator Pressed IRS to Ease Tax Burden on Small Businesses, Family Farms 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. The 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. Hoeven 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, w…	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	legacy	12.10.15 Hoeven's Veterans Access to Long-Term Care Legislation Passes Veterans Affairs Committee Senators Bill Empowers Veterans to Use Local Long-Term Care Providers Close to Their Homes, Families 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. Family, 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. Specifically, 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. Currently, 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 no…	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	legacy	12.10.15 Hoeven: IRS, Treasury Agree to Increase Expensing Threshold on Purchase of Tangible Property From $500 to $2,500 Senator Pressed IRS to Ease Tax Burden on Small Businesses, Family Farms 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. The 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. Hoeven 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, …	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	legacy	12.10.15 Hoeven's Veterans Access to Long-Term Care Legislation Passes Veterans Affairs Committee Senator's Bill Empowers Veterans to Use Local Long-Term Care Providers Close to Their Homes, Families 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. Family, 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. Specifically, 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. Currently, 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 n…	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	legacy	12.09.15 Hoeven Continues Work on Grand Forks AFB Priorities Air Force to Start Process Next Year to Select Next Base for the KC-46 Mission, Grand Forks in the Running 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. Hoeven 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. This 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. KC-46 Aerial Refueling Tanker Hoeven 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. Arctic Initiative The Arctic initiative Hoeven started with BRIC last year …	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	legacy	12.09.15 Hoeven Announces Nearly $1.1 Million Grant for Head Start, Early Head Start at Cankdeska Cikana Community College WASHINGTON 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. The 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. Todays 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. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous 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	legacy	12.09.15 Hoeven: Congress Passes Education Bill Restoring Local Control, Bolstering STEM Education WASHINGTON 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. The 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. The 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. Additionally, 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. The Every Student Succeeds Act includes initiatives important for North D…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=46790a23-e224-401f-af6e-d1206ea16237	Heitkamp Helps Pass Key Bipartisan Education Reforms Supporting Academic Success for ND Students	2015-12-09	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today helped pass key reforms she fought to include in the bipartisan federal education bill, which will help children across the country access the support, resources, and protections they need to thrive academically. The education bill that passed in the House last week and Senate today, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), is a bipartisan, compromise that will make critical reforms to the fundamentally flawed No Child Left Behind Act. Once enacted, the bill will roll back burdensome federal requirements in the law, instead providing states and school districts in North Dakota and across the country with the flexibility and control local education leaders need to determine the best education methods for the communities they know best. The bill will continue to protect the nations most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, including Native students. Heitkamp successfully pushed to include crucial reforms that were maintained in the final legislation and are now headed to the presidents desk for his signature including her landmark language to give educators the tools they need to combat human trafficking in schools, prevent suicide, and provide trauma-informed learning environments. She also fought to make sure students in rural and disadvantaged areas have better access to comprehensive learning like after school and early education programming, and successfully protected Native students abilities to access educational opportunities administered by their tribes. Heitkamp also defended tribal language immersion programs that have been proven to boost academic performance and school attendance, as well as local community pride. Children in tribal communities and rural towns across North Dakota have limitless potential they simply need the right tools, resources, and protections to achieve, said Heitkamp. Thats exactly the kind of legislation Congress passed today finally reforming the deeply flawed No Child Left Behind Act, while protecting key resources I fo…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=58ae396a-7960-4588-b251-8f84c058dea0	Heitkamp Meets with Top Air Force Officials at Pentagon, Emphasizes Grand Forks as Base of the Future	2015-12-09	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today underscored the importance of continued and strengthened partnerships that support the growth of Grand Forks Air Force Base as a nationwide leader in critical national security missions, as well as a model for local and private partnerships during a meeting with top U.S. Air Force officials. During a meeting at the Pentagon, Heitkamp met with Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) representatives, as well as Miranda Ballentine, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Energy, and Jennifer Miller, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, and U.S. Senator John Hoeven. Heitkamp, a co-founder of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus, discussed the need to continue momentum at Grand Forks Air Force Base for community partnership initiatives collaborations which have resulted in Grand Forks County and the base successfully sharing services from training to fire control and have been highly cost effective.Heitkamp also thanked the U.S. Air Force for its collaboration with the Grand Forks community and private companies that has helped make Grand Forks a global hub of cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems (UAS) innovation. In addition to todays meeting, Heitkamp also met yesterday with the Grand Forks BRIC officials in her office. Today I had the opportunity to discuss with top Air Force officials how Grand Forks is quickly paving the way for the rest of the country as an innovator in the thriving UAS sector, as well as a model for community and private investment in our critical defense communities, said Heitkamp. Through exemplary cost-saving measures that have allowed the Grand Forks community to benefit from sharing services and resources with the base from emergency response to pest control the Air Force Base continues to be a treasured and integral part of the Grand Forks community. In addition, the first-of-its-kind UAS business being developed at Grand Sky has attracted long-term investm…	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	legacy	12.09.15 Hoeven Continues Work on Grand Forks AFB Priorities Air Force to Start Process Next Year to Select Next Base for the KC-46 Mission, Grand Forks in the Running 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. Hoeven 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. This 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. KC-46 Aerial Refueling Tanker Hoeven 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. Arctic Initiative The Arctic initiative Hoeven started with BRIC last ye…	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	legacy	12.09.15 Hoeven Announces Nearly $1.1 Million Grant for Head Start, Early Head Start at Cankdeska Cikana Community College WASHINGTON 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. The 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. Today'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. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous 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	legacy	12.09.15 Hoeven: Congress Passes Education Bill Restoring Local Control, Bolstering STEM Education WASHINGTON 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. The 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. The 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. Additionally, 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. The Every Student Succeeds Act includes initiatives important for North …	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	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. Established 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. Passage 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 count…	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	legacy	12.08.15 Hoeven: Howard Dahl Honored by Kazakhstan for 25 Years of Service to the Country Senator Highlights ND Trade Opportunities at Kazakhstan-U.S. Convention 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. Howard 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. Hoeven 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. Hoeven 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. With oil and other natural resources, Hoeven …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=e316559b-2fcc-45ca-9a2e-062d89566b76	Heitkamp, Whitehouse Urge U.S. Negotiators in Paris to Include Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage in Climate Negotiations	2015-12-08	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today pressed U.S. negotiators to include carbon capture and utilization in any final agreement reached at the United Nations climate talks in Paris, which will conclude this week. The Senators called on Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, American negotiators at the conference, to work with global partners and commit to proving out carbon capture utilization and storage technology. The technology could help the U.S. and world maintain a diverse energy mix that includes traditional energy sources, while still reducing national and global carbon emissions. We absolutely need coal a reliable and redundant fuel in our energy mix. But without research and development, its less likely that clean coal technology will take off. This technology promises to reduce carbon emissions without leaving behind reliable, affordable fuels like coal and natural gas, said Heitkamp. While Ill keep pushing for my legislation supporting the development of clean coal technology, we are now asking Secretaries Kerry and Moniz to commit to include carbon capture utilization and storage at the Paris talks. Support for this vital emerging technology should be included in any global climate agreement. Click here to read the letter Heitkamp and Whitehouse sent pressing Kerry and Moniz. Coal and natural gas are reliable and redundant sources of baseload power. Carbon capture utilization and storage has the potential to make those traditional fuels cleaner sources of power, by keeping their carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere. However, the technology will not become viable without a commitment to the concept and technology, as well as robust funding in research and development in the U.S. and around the world.Prominent energy experts have identified the importance of carbon capture utilization and storage. Heitkamp has led efforts in the U.S. Senate to maintain a diverse energy mix in the U.S. and to make sure Nor…	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	legacy	12.08.15 Hoeven: Howard Dahl Honored by Kazakhstan for 25 Years of Service to the Country Senator Highlights ND Trade Opportunities at Kazakhstan-U.S. Convention 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. Howard 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. Hoeven 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. Hoeven 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. With oil and other natural resources, Hoeven …	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	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. "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." The bill passed by the House in June repeals existing requirements for retailers of beef, pork, and chicken, at the final point of sale. ###	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0896e745-07f3-48e6-817b-198ec6de9899	Heitkamp Statement on World Trade Organization Country of Origin Labeling Decision	2015-12-07	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today issued the following statement after a World Trade Organization (WTO) arbitration panel found that the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law warrants $1.01 billion in retaliatory tariffs from Canada and Mexico. When families across the country sit down at the dinner table each night, they want to know where the meat theyre eating comes from, said Heitkamp. WTOs ruling today signals that we need a compromise one that maintains country of origin labels, while still complying with trade obligations. Labeling is critical for U.S. consumers and ranchers. Thats why Ill keep pushing for a voluntary solution, like the bipartisan compromise bill I helped introduce in July, to allow labeling and protect the integrity of product of the U.S. labels. In May, the WTO Appellate Body found that COOL does not comply with U.S. international trade commitments. To find a path forward for COOL, Heitkamp worked with Senators John Hoeven (R-ND), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Thune (R-SD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Mike Enzi (R-WY) to introduce bipartisan, compromise legislation in July to make sure families across North Dakota know where the food on their table comes from. The Voluntary Country of Origin Labeling Act of 2015 would enable American consumers to know where the meat they buy was born, raised, and processed. It also protects the integrity of the product of the U.S. label by requiring meat products with the label to adhere to the highest standard of being born, raised, and processed within the United States. A member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Heitkamp has been vocal in supporting COOL. Heitkamp beat back efforts to repeal COOL when she helped write, negotiate, and pass into law the 2014 Farm Bill. Last October, Heitkamp joined a group of bipartisan Senatorsurging the Senate Appropriations Committee to reject efforts to weaken or suspend COOLin any future appropriations bills or continuing resolutions. In F…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4c1a2091-c077-4504-ab6a-d0f21251accc	Heitkamp & Bipartisan Group of Senators Press House to Vote on & Pass Bill to Combat Drug Trafficking	2015-12-07	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	Bipartisan Bill Unanimously Passed the Senate in October the Third Time the Bill has Passed in the Senate FARGO, N.D. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp pressed leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives to quickly vote on and pass bipartisan legislation to combat drug trafficking an increasingly dangerous challenge in North Dakotas communities as drug use and abuse have reached crisis levels. The legislation aims to prosecute foreign drug traffickers whose products have often ended up in North Dakota who attempt to hide behind loopholes in our drug crime laws. Through this effort, Heitkamp is continuing her long fight to stymie the flow of illegal drugs smuggled from foreign countries, an issue that has ballooned in the Minot region with heroin and methamphetamine use growing by 400 and 438 percent over the past year and across North Dakota with a significant increase of these two drugs moving into the state from Mexico and other countries. The Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan bill in October with Heitkamps strong support, marking the third time the Senate passed the bill without action in the House. All of us want our kids to grow up in safe communities without fear of drug crime or abuse, said Heitkamp. But in Minot, as well as communities across North Dakota, heroin and methamphetamine use have grown to epidemic levels in large part because of drug trafficking, ballooning by 400 percent or more this past year. Our bipartisan bill to crack down on drug trafficking and traffickers has passed three times in the Senate in each of the last three Congresses, but the House has yet to bring it up for a vote. Its past time for responsible action in the House to vote on this bill so we can give law enforcement more tools to prosecute and punish foreign traffickers seeking to bring illegal substances into our communities, and target criminals before they reach our borders. Together with nine Republican and Democratic senators, Heitkamp urged leaders of the Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Represe…	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	legacy	12.04.15 Hoeven: Congress Passes Five-Year Highway Bill; Measure Includes More Than $1.3 Billion for N.D. Infrastructure Measure Also Restores $3 Billion Cut in Crop Insurance Made in Budget Agreement 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. The 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. These 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. The 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…	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	legacy	12.04.15 Hoeven Statement on the Senate Repealing Obamacare, Defunding Planned Parenthood Budget Reconciliation Bill Takes Step toward Repealing, Replacing Obamacare 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. The 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. This 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. In 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. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous 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	legacy	12.04.15 Senate Passes National Bison Legacy Act Making Bison National Mammal; Hoeven Challenges Daines to Wager on Bison, Grizzlies Game WASHINGTON 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. The 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. The 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. More 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. In 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. Bison vs. Grizzlies Wager Hoeven said the strong, noble character of the bis…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=35d447fe-8645-46b4-9eee-273890655d48	Heitkamp Statement on the Senate & House Passing her Bipartisan Bill to Reauthorize Export-Import Bank, Support North Dakota Businesses & Workers	2015-12-04	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives passed her bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank as part of a long-term transportation bill. For the past 81 years, the Export-Import Bank has helped level the playing field for American entrepreneurs and manufacturers across the country, enabling them to export top-notch American products all over the world and grow jobs here at home, said Heitkamp. But for reckless, political reasons, some in Congress let this critical agency expire even though is supports American workers and has overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress. For the past several months, Ive been fighting to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank and stand up to petty politics that have held hundreds of businesses nationwide hostage. This vote was an important step to show that Congress can work together across the aisle to stand up for American businesses and workers including in Fargo, Garrison, and throughout North Dakota and give them the certainty they need to create, invent and thrive. The Export-Import Bank has become crucial to businesses like Wahpetons near 60-year-old family-owned rubber supply company WCCO Belting, Inc., which CEO Thomas Shorma credits with helping take his company from repairing shoes to repairing tarps for farm trucks, then to new seats for tractors, canvas belting, and wooden slats to providing rubber products used in farm equipment like belts for harvesting grain or producing round bailers, or tube conveyers to move seed and grain that is supplied to major farm equipment companies around the world today. For years, the Export-Import Bank has been critical to helping North Dakota businesses compete internationally and keep jobs here at home thats why its fantastic news that Congress passed Senator Heitkamps bipartisan bill to reauthorize the agency today, said Thomas D. Shorma, CEO/President of WCCO Belting, Inc. in Wahpeton. Without the Export-Import Bank, the…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=45b98241-edd9-464a-ac3d-b00af7cc7f51	Heitkamp Votes for Long-Term Transportation Bill to Repair, Upgrade NDs Roads & Bridges	2015-12-04	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today issued the following statement after both the Senate and House of Representatives passed a bipartisan, long-term transportation bill that will support repairs and improvements to rails, roads, and bridges in North Dakota and across the country for five years. Heitkamp also helped pass a key fix that will reverse harsh cuts to the federal crop insurance program. As part of the legislation, the Senate and House also included several bipartisan bills Heitkamp introduced and helped pass to cut red tape for farmers, custom harvesters and small banks, as well reauthorize the Export-Import Bank to help promote the continued success of North Dakota small businesses. This long-term bipartisan bill makes needed investments to repair and expand North Dakotas roads and bridges so families can get their kids to school safely and workers can securely travel to and do their jobs, said Heitkamp. Just as our communities need to map out roadway projects for coming construction seasons, I made clear that our farmers deserve the same certainty as they look ahead to the next harvest, and helped successfully reverse deep cuts to their federal crop insurance program in this legislation. Congress must also prioritize the ability of small business, small banks, and agricultural communities to succeed over the long term this legislation includes my commonsense bills to cut red tape for farmers, custom harvesters, community banks and credit unions, and helps small businesses grow by reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank. A North Dakota that is built to last is a North Dakota that plans for the future of all of our communities and families, and we can do that by providing certainty in long-term, bipartisan solutions like we did today. In 2013, 16.4 percent of bridges in North Dakota were structurally deficient. According to an NDSU-Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute study, 54 percent of roads in western North Dakota needed improvements like resurfacing, widening, reconstruction…	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	legacy	12.04.15 Hoeven: Congress Passes Five-Year Highway Bill; Measure Includes More Than $1.3 Billion for N.D. Infrastructure Measure Also Restores $3 Billion Cut in Crop Insurance Made in Budget Agreement 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. The 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. These 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. The 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 …	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	legacy	12.04.15 Hoeven Statement on the Senate Repealing Obamacare, Defunding Planned Parenthood Budget Reconciliation Bill Takes Step toward Repealing, Replacing Obamacare 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. The 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. This 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. In 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. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous 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	legacy	12.04.15 Senate Passes National Bison Legacy Act Making Bison National Mammal; Hoeven Challenges Daines to Wager on Bison, Grizzlies Game WASHINGTON 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. The 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. The 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. More 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. In 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. Bison vs. Grizzlies Wager Hoeven said the strong, noble character of the bis…	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	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Kevin Cramer released his schedule of public events for Dec. 4 - 6. Friday, Dec. 4 Address Lorentzsen Center for Faith and Work Luncheon Values and Political Leadership 11:30 AM 1:00 PM Concordia College Barry Auditorium Moorhead, MN North Dakota Petroleum Council Board of Directors 3:30 PM 4:00 PM Energy & Environmental Research Center 15 North 23rd Street Grand Forks UND Mens Hockey Game vs University of Denver 7:30 PM Ralph Engelstad Arena Grand Forks Saturday, Dec 5 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Presentation 9:00 AM North Dakota Air National Guard Aircraft Hanger, Building 217 1400 32nd Ave. North Fargo Promotion Ceremony of Colonel Robert Becklund to Brigadier General 9:00 AM (Immediately following Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ceremony) North Dakota Air National Guard Aircraft Hanger, Building 217 1400 32nd Ave. North Fargo ###	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	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. The 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. After 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. Included 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. I 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. The conference report now heads to the Senate for consideration. ###	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	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. North 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. The 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. A 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. Included 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. It is very…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1220fd5c-b4be-4b19-812e-774dad8fb754	At U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing, Heitkamp Stresses Value of Smallholder Farmers Worldwide	2015-12-03	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. During a U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture hearing, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp spoke about how supporting agriculture in the U.S. and abroad can ease hunger around the world. As a member of the Committee and a leader of the Committees Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, Heitkamp traveled to several African countries in August 2014 for an official Senate trip with a group of female senators. During the trip, they assessed how the U.S. can better support economic growth and food security in developing countries, and emphasized the need to empower women to play a key role in supporting agriculture growth in these communities. Well never end global hunger unless women and smallholder farmers play a central role and thats true not just abroad, but also right here at home, said Heitkamp. From small farms in Ethiopia to wheat fields and ranches in North Dakota, women and family farms are helping lead the way in combating hunger. Our countrys food aid and our research to fight environmental and disease pressures that farmers face globally keep us engaged in the world, supporting economic growth and human rights in emerging democracies. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the North America Millers Association, the World Food Program, and the Global Child Nutrition Foundation testified at the hearing. Authorized by the Farm Bill, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the USDA fund several food aid and development programs to support developing countries. North Dakota crops like beans, peas, and lentils are often used in U.S. programs that help feed the world, as are North Dakota wheat, corn-soy blend, and vegetable oil. USDA also plays a major role in research to help combat environmental and disease pressure in developing countries. During her two-week Senate trip to Africa in 2014, Heitkamp visited agricultural research and training centers in Senegal, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, and was briefed by agriculture officials about the importance…	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	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. Cramer 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. I 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. Cramer 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. The House is expected to pass the FAST Act conference report on Thursday. ###	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	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. A 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. He 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. Cramer 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. Summary of S. 1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act Places new and unprecedented restrictions on the authority of the Secretary of Education. The agreement ends…	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	legacy	12.02.15 Hoeven Honored at Boy Scouts of America's Award Luncheon as 2015 Energy 'Good Scout' WASHINGTON 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. Our 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. Hoeven, 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. NCAC 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. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous 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	legacy	12.02.15 Hoeven: Highway Bill to Restore $3 Billion Cut in Crop Insurance Made in Budget Agreement WASHINGTON 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. This 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. As 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. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous 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	legacy	12.02.15 Hoeven Announces Nearly $750K in Federal Funding to Support Research at University of North Dakota WASHINGTON 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. North 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. Todays 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. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=02d90221-4703-4136-880c-439120edb6f4	Heitkamp Statement on Crop Insurance Fix	2015-12-02	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, today issued the following statement regarding a fix to reverse harsh cuts to the federal crop insurance program. The fix was included in the compromise highway bill Congress released on Tuesday. The bill which still has to pass in the Senate and the House reverses cuts to crop insurance in the recent budget deal and leaves other agricultural programs unharmed. In October, Heitkamp pledged to look for a path forward that would protect crop insurance from the budget acts cuts. Crop insurance is a cornerstone of farmers and our countrys agricultural success, which is why Ive fought hard to maintain the integrity of this program both in the 2014 Farm Bill, which many of us spent more than a year negotiating, and again now, said Heitkamp. When the recent budget deal threatened crop insurance, I made clear that I would do everything in my power and work with leaders on the Senate Committee on Agriculture to find a path forward to prevent those devastating cuts, provide certainty for farmers, and maintain this critical safety net. Crop insurance is a lifeline for jobs and families across rural America, and has already received $12 billion in cuts since 2008. It was unfair to try forcing even deeper cuts on hardworking farmers, and Im hopeful Congress will pass this needed fix to protect producers and this vital program. Heitkamp helped write, negotiate, and pass the2014 Farm Bill, and has worked tirelessly to represent farmers and producers across North Dakota and the country. The 2014 Farm Bill strengthened crop insurance a key component of the farm safety net while reducing the deficit by $23 billion and providing five years of certainty for farmers. Since then, Heitkamp has worked to protect crop insurance and make sure the Farm Bill is implemented properly.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=d741dd6d-74ca-45f8-9a56-5b2070cbae05	Heitkamp Announces Selection of UND to Receive Significant Support for Coal Research & Development	2015-12-02	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced that the University of North Dakotas (UND) College of Engineering-Institute for Energy Studies has been selected as one of 10 nationwide projects to receive federal support to bolster the universitys cutting edge coal energy development research. Working in tandem with UNDs Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) and with the Barr Engineering and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the universitys College of Engineering-Institute for Energy Studies will receive nearly $750,000 in federal funding to boost the schools efforts to recover rare earth elements from coal that are essential and in high demand across electronic, computer, transportation, health care, and national defense industries nationwide. For years, the University of North Dakota has been leading the nation in innovative research and development of clean coal technologies, said Heitkamp. Today UND was selected by the Department of Energy to join a small group of elite research institutions that will receive funding from the agency to support the universitys expanded efforts on recovering of rare earth elements from coal which have become high-demand commodities for a broad span of industries from computers and electronics to health care and national defense. Such investments will help boost UNDs proven track record of stellar clean coal development and research. Heitkamp has consistently worked with UNDs EERC which endorsed Heitkamps legislation to provide a viable path forward for coal as an energy source on ways to promote clean coal technologies. Todays selection of UND by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will provide critical support for the universitys efforts to innovate and develop coal technologies. In addition to UND, the DOE also selected the University of Wyoming, Drake University, the West Virginia University Research Center, Neumann Systems Group, Inc., Battelle Memorial Institute, the University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Physical Sciences, Inc., …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=dd750dd9-90fa-4529-810f-a2e885af17ea	Heitkamp Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Visa Waiver Program	2015-12-02	2015	2015-12	Democrat	House	ND	Heidi Heitkamp	H001069	www.heitkamp.senate.gov	legacy	As many as 20 Million Visitors from 38 Countries come into the U.S. each Year through the Visa Waiver Program WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced that she helped introduce bipartisan legislation to strengthen the security of the Visa Waiver Program and improve efforts to prevent terrorists from entering the United States. The legislation follows a two and a half hour U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security hearing Heitkamp participated in on November 19 which reinforced that the countrys biggest threat is not refugees, but some visa programs. Those testifying at the hearing included officials in charge of conducting the extensive required background checks on potential refugees as well as experts from top national security organizations and think tanks those leaning both Republican and Democratic. Heitkamps legislation aims to address the most serious security concerns with visas by improving information sharing between countries and making the process for getting visas more secure. As many as 20 million visitors from 38 countries come into the United States each year through the Visa Waiver Program. Over the past few weeks, Ive been doing my due diligence to understand the vetting process for refugees and others wishing to travel to the U.S., and not jump to conclusions, said Heitkamp. After hearing from national security experts and top officials, its clear our country faces a significant threat from those who could use the Visa Waiver Program to enter the U.S. and harm Americans. To truly focus on American security, our bipartisan bill would help prevent terrorists including those affiliated with ISIL from slipping into the U.S. through this program. Over 20 million visitors came into the U.S. last year alonethrough the Visa Waiver Program from countries friendly to the U.S. By strengthening this program and closing gaps, our bill would help prevent the Visa Waiver Program from being exploited by those with ties to terrorism and better enable us to keep Americans safe. The V…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z

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Press releases

1,926 rows where state = "ND" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending

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