url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
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 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants that Heitkamp fought to include in the spending bill are available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Since the derailment near Casselton in December 2013, Heitkamp has focused on finding ways to provide first responders  in North Dakota and throughout the country  with tools, training, grants, and other resources to make sure theyre well equipped to do their jobs. In February, Heitkamp reintroduced her Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE) Act, aimed at prioritizing support for first responders to make sure they have tools and skills to protect communities when responding to hazmat incidents on the rails, like crude oil derailments. Heitkamp first introduced her RESPONSE Act in June 2014 to address concerns about first responders safety and preparedness that were raised following the Casselton derailment in December 2013.
After specifically pressing a top FEMA official, Heitkamphelped secure $5 million in federal funding in 2014 to support a one-of-a-kind federal training facilityin Pueblo, Colorado that prepares first responders to handle to hazmat incidents on the rails. Nearly 90 North Dakota first responders participated in training at the Pueblo facility in 2014 and 2015.
In March, Heitkamp brought U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to North Dakota, and led a discussion in Larimore with North Dakota volunteer firefighters and Mayorkas so that the second in command at DHS could hear volunteer first responders concerns about equipment, training, and resources. In North Dakota, 96 percent of firefighters are volunteers.
Heitkamp also launched her Strong & Safe Communities Initiative following the derailment, bringing together North Dakota leaders to address the states emerging challenges  from rail safety to human trafficking  in the wake of the oil and gas boom. In October, more than 150 community leaders from across the state  including fire and first response officials  gathered in Fargo for her first Strong & Safe Communities Summit.",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 specific activity under investigation to parties involved in the investigation and provides specific documentation relevant to its investigation.
Expedites updates to the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Improvement Program required in the first Pilots Bill of Rights and directs the FAA to include the effective duration of temporary flight restrictions in NOTAMs. This makes sure the most relevant and important information reaches the pilot prior to a flight taking place. The legislation also mandates that the FAA certify the accuracy of posted NOTAMs.
Makes sure the accessibility of flight data, such as air traffic communication tapes and radar information produced by contract towers, and flight service stations and controller training programs, which gives certificate holders the ability to use this information to defend themselves during an enforcement action proceeding. 
 
The bill builds on Heitkamps work to cut red tape in the federal government by making federal regulations more efficient and effective. In March, Heitkamp and Republican Senator James Lankfordof Oklahoma  who are the chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate subcommittee that oversees the management of federal regulations  launched their#CutRedTape Initiativeto gather stories about how federal regulations are impacting Americans across the country every day, and help make federal regulations work better for families and businesses by reducing waste, stopping backlogs, and cutting red tape.
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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.
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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 Congress passed requires at least one of the new starts to be a project which uses this model. Continuing to work together, well keep pushing for those lasting protections to become a reality.
In September, Heitkamp met with Lieutenant General Thomas P. Bostick, the head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Authority to discuss the need for permanent, comprehensive flood protections, as well as to push for a new construction start. Later that month, Heitkamp spoke with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shaun Donovan to stress the need for budgetary support for efforts to advance permanent flood protection in North Dakota communities. 
Heitkamp has been consistently working to press for permanent, lasting flood protection and mitigation efforts in the Fargo region:
 
Bringing local and federal officials together to support the Fargo-Moorhead diversion project. In May 2015, Heitkamp met with city officials from Fargo and Moorhead to discuss mutual efforts to push top officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and OMB on using public-private partnerships to advance the project. Soon after, Heitkamp spoke with OMB Director Donovan to urge him to take action so the diversion project could continue to move forward. This fall, Heitkamp and Lieutenant General Bostick met with the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Authority to discuss permanent, comprehensive flood protections during his first-ever visit to Fargo.
 

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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 North Dakota servicemembers.
In August,Heitkamp concluded her series of 15 speecheshonoring the sacrifice of North Dakotans who gave their lives during the Vietnam War. Over the course of six months, Heitkamp shared the stories of the more than 160 North Dakotans who did not return home from Vietnam.Visit Senator Heitkampswebsitefor more information about the project.",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.
Heitkamp has pushed for increased care options for veterans since long before she joined Congress. In March, she successfully pressed VA to use the driving distance  rather than the straight-line distance  between a veterans residence and the nearest VA medical facility in its Choice Program eligibility criteria.
Last July, Heitkamp met with then-VA Secretary Nominee McDonald and reinforced the need for the VA to make sure all veterans, including Native Americans and rural veterans, get access to quality resources and benefits in a timely manner. Later that month, Heitkamp voted to confirm McDonald to help bring about these needed reforms.
Heitkamp helped pass bipartisan reforms to the VA last August that provide eligible veterans with increased access to health care through the Veterans Choice Program.
Click here to read the letter.",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) across the state, and worked to change the perception of domestic violence as a public health issue, so it would be treated and viewed as what it is  a criminal act. As a result, Heitkamp saw firsthand the dramatic changes in the number of incidents that followed after domestic violence was criminalized. Largely due to VAWA, according to the Justice Department, the annual incidences of domestic violence have fallen more than 60 percent since 1993.
Since joining the Senate, Heitkamp has built on her work as Attorney General to combat domestic violence and stop those who seek to harm adults and children:
 
Successfully fighting for greater protections for tribal communities in Violence Against Women Act reauthorization. The first bill Heitkamp cosponsored in the U.S. Senate was the reauthorization of VAWA which she then played a key role in pushing through Congress. Heitkamp worked to include a key provision in VAWA to address the continuing crisis of violence against women in tribal communities. The provision strengthens the existing programs and provides tribal governments the force they need to prosecute non-Indian perpetrators who commit these crimes on tribal land.
 
 
Securing greater legal protections and services for domestic and sexual violence victims. In November, Heitkamps bipartisan Pro bono Work to Empower and Represent or POWER Act (POWER Act) to help combat domestic abuse and sexual violence by increasing access and promoting pro-bono legal services for victims of domestic violence unanimously passed in the U.S. Senate.
 
 
Raising awareness of domestic violence awareness and resources available in North Dakota communities. In October 2014, Heitkamp met with community leaders, advocates, and victims services inFargoandMinotto highlight the urgent need to address domestic violence as a public health crisis in North Dakota. Heitkamp also toured the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) both in Grand Forks this past January and in Minot this past March to see the programs its implemented to support victims and combat domestic violence in the region.
 
 
Addressing emerging challenges in North Dakota to better combat domestic violence. Last fall, Heitkamp convened a task force of experts, law enforcement and leaders across the state in launching her Strong & Safe Communities Initiative to address emerging challenges  including a rise in domestic violence  in the wake of the oil and gas boom. In October, Heitkamp hosted her Strong & Safe Communities Summit with about 150 community leaders to discuss solutions on domestic violence and a host of other issues facing the state.
 
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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 ban is good for consumers, our economy, national security, and energy security. We have made swift progress to get to this point, and I always believed that it both sides were willing to come to the table, changing this policy this year was possible. Im hopeful this type of true legislating paves the way for more bipartisanship in Congress which is long overdue.
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.
A key piece of Heitkamps legislation to lift the oil export ban  which passed out of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs in July  was included in the final deal. Heitkamps language would give the President the ability to impose restrictions on oil exports, like licensing requirements, for up to one year under certain special circumstances  and if necessary, the ability to extend those requirements or restrictions annually. Some of these special circumstances include: national security threats, national emergencies, sustained crude oil shortages, and when supply shortages or price increase are likely to negatively impact employment.
The final 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.
Heitkamp has also long advocated to extend the Production Tax Credit (PTC) to support the development of wind power, which was included in the deal. The PTC is a tool that has proven successful in driving up wind and alternative energy output nationwide, providing much needed certainty for wind energy workers across the country. In North Dakota alone, up to 3,000 jobs were supported by the wind production industry in 2014.
Background
Click here to view a timeline of Heitkamps efforts to lift the ban over the past year and a half. She has been an early and vocal leader in Congress to lift the oil export ban by:
Speaking out early about the need to lift the ban. In August 2014, Heitkamp spoke about the need to end this antiquated policy during the national energy strategy meeting the U.S. Department of Energy held in Bismarck at her request. Then in September 2014, Heitkamp and John Hess, the CEO of Hess Corporation, appeared together on CNBCs Squawk Box where they talked about the need to lift the ban.

Introducing bipartisan legislation with Murkowski to end the ban on exporting oil. The two senators crafted and introduced bipartisan, complementary bills expressly intended to merge which went through the senators respective committees  Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs and Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Their bills passed out of both committees. Prior to introducing their legislation, Heitkamp and Murkowski first pushed together for an amendment to lift the ban to legislation that would give Congress the ability to review any nuclear deal with Iran. They then worked together on two similar amendments to the National Defense Reauthorization Act in June.
Meeting with senators and educating them about why lifting the ban makes sense. For about a year, Heitkamp has been taking the time to meet with Democratic senators to explain the economic, national security, and energy arguments for lifting the ban. As a result of her efforts, over the past several months, many Democratic senators publicly expressed a willingness to discuss lifting the oil export ban. In June, Heitkamp posted on Medium explaining the reasons for lifting the oil export ban.
Advocating for strong bipartisan support for lifting the ban. Though in favor of standalone legislation to lift the ban -- as her legislation would do -- Heitkamp has long said that to actually get bipartisan support to lift the ban, there needs to be a deal with Democrats  and thats what shes been working to do for months. Heitkamp publicly made the case for such action during a National Journal event in September about lifting the oil export ban where she said she believed Congress could lift the ban by the end of the year if senators come together, negotiate, and agree to pair such a policy with other provisions perhaps dealing with renewable energies to build more support from Democrats.
Helping pave the way for and participated in negotiations over several months the led to a bipartisan deal. Over several months, Heitkamp met with congressional Democrats and Republicans, including Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) who has legislation in the House to lift the ban, as well as top leaders at the White House -- including the President and chief of staff  and top leaders and diplomats from the European Union to discuss how to reach a deal to lift the ban on exporting oil. Such discussions framed the efforts this fall for Heitkamp and Heinrich who, working with Senate Democratic leadership, led efforts to determine how a package to lift the ban paired with Democratic priorities might work. Heitkamp then worked closely with Senate leadership over the past several weeks as they negotiated a final bipartisan deal that included key pieces from her standalone legislation.
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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 projects, like those around Minot and Fargo. The bill provides $690 million more in federal funding for construction of flood projects than the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed. Heitkamp urged Congress to authorize new starts, and to make Fargo and Minots flood protections priorities. 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 and Army Corps of Engineers. Heitkamp has been a vocal advocate of lasting protections and has been working closely with local, state and federal officials to make sure North Dakota has the protection it needs.
 
 
Workers and families: To protect and strengthen the middle class, the bill gives North Dakota families permanent tax breaks. In the congressional spending bill, Heitkamp fought for and helped make permanent both the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the enhanced Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to support hardworking families so they can earn a living above the poverty line.
 
 
Farmers and ranchers: The deal permanently cuts taxes on North Dakota farmers and ranchers by extending Section 179 with a $500,000 limitation. Section 179 is a provision in the tax code that allows farmers, ranchers, and small business owners to expense equipment purchased to run their operations. Permanently extending Section 179, which Heitkamp has pushed for, will provide certainty for North Dakota producers and ease small businesses tax burden.
 
 
Military personnel: North Dakota military personnel will benefit from $7.3 million in funding for the Fargo Air National Guards targeting facility, as well as crucial supports for Minot and Grand Forks Air Force Bases. Heitkamp specifically pushed to include funding for the North Dakota Air National Guard to build a new facility in Fargo for its intelligence targeting mission. The bill fully funds the Global Hawk at Grand Forks Air Force Base.It also provides $145 million for communications upgrades for the B-52, $74 million for B-52 squadrons, $142 million for intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) modernization, and $212 million for nuclear weapons modernization  all of which benefit the Minot Air Force Base.
 

 
Tribal education: Heitkamp successfully pushed for greater certainty for the United Tribes Technical College  which, together with the Navajo Technical College in New Mexico  will receive $5 million in advance funding that will allow the colleges to plan vital education programming and construction projects.
 
 
Wind and solar: Long a proponent of an all-of-the-above energy strategy, Heitkamp secured a five-year extension of wind Production Tax Credit (PTC) and the Solar Investment Tax Credit, to promote renewable sources like wind for years to come. The PTC has proven successful in driving up wind and alternative energy output nationwide. In North Dakota alone,up to 3,000 jobswere supported by the wind production industry in 2014.
 
 
Outdoors and recreation. Heitkamp has long supported expanded access to public lands in North Dakota. In the spending bill, she helped secure a three-year extension of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has supported every North Dakota county with more than $35 million for community and public park, river and landscape access projects over the last five decades.",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.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), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
Click here to read the letter. Last fall, Heitkamp brought together national experts and policymakers, as well as federal agency representatives and experts for a trauma discussion to identify ways to reduce the effects of traumatic stress Native American children experience.
Heitkamp, a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, has long worked to directly address the complex challenges faced by Native communities, and to improve outcomes for Native children  including through the successful Senate passage of her bipartisan bill with Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska to create a Commission on Native Children  Heitkamps first legislation introduced as a U.S. Senator. The Commission would work to identify the complex challenges faced by Native children in North Dakota and across the United States by conducting an comprehensive study on these issues  including high rates of poverty, staggering unemployment, child abuse, domestic violence, crime, substance abuse, and dire economic opportunities  and making recommendations on how to make sure Native children get the protections, as well as economic and educational tools they need to thrive.
Todays call is part of Heitkamps long fought efforts to promote the immediate need for proactive measures to improve and protect the mental health of Native children. After working closely for the past year with the U.S. Department of Justice Attorney Generals Task Force on American Indian/Alaskan Native Children Exposed to Violence, including testifying at the Task Forces first hearing in Bismarck, the Task Force last fall issued sweeping recommendations  many of which Heitkamp has pushed for  to improve the lives of children living in Indian Country.
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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 Fargo-Moorhead region and has been working closely with local, state and federal officials to make sure North Dakota has the protection it needs.
 
 
Restore Confidence in Working Families. Heitkamp has long advocated a better balance for working families dealing with the high cost of raising children, as well as middle-to-low income workers in high-demand jobs whose wages often dont make ends meet. In the congressional spending bill, Heitkamp fought for and helped make permanent both the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the enhanced Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to help strengthen the middle class by making sure the hardworking families are able to live above the poverty line.
 
 
Permanently extend Section 179 with a $500,000 limitation to help farmers, ranchers, and small business owners. Section 179 is a provision in the tax code that allows farmers, ranchers, and small business owners to expense equipment purchased to run their operations. Permanently extending Section 179, which Heitkamp has pushed for, will provide certainty for North Dakota producers and ease small businesses tax burden.
 
 
Provide $7.3 million in funding for the Fargo Air National Guards targeting facility. Heitkamp specifically pushed to include funding for the North Dakota Air National Guard to build a new facility in Fargo for its intelligence targeting mission. The current facility is outdated and ill-suited to handle the extensive volume of classified information required by the mission.
 
 
Build Certainty for North Dakota Tribal Colleges. Heitkamp successfully pushed for greater certainty for the United Tribes Technical College  which, together with the Navajo Technical College in New Mexico  will receive $5 million in advance funding that will allow the colleges to plan vital education programming and construction projects.
 
 
Promote certainty for wind and solar energy workers. Long a proponent of an all-of-the-above energy strategy, Heitkamp  who worked to provide a five-year extension to the Production Tax Credit (PTC), which supports wind energy, in the Senate bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline  secured a five-year extension of PTC as well as the Solar Investment Tax Credit to promote renewable fuels like wind energy for years to come.
 
 
Improve Support for North Dakota Outdoor and Recreation Projects. Heitkamp has long supported expanded access to public lands in North Dakota, and in the congressional spending bill helped secure three-year, long-term extension of the Land and Water Conservation Fund  which has supported every North Dakota county with more than $35 million for local community and public park, river and landscape access as well as preservation projects over the last five decades.",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 deal to lift the 40-year old ban on exporting oil is a huge win for North Dakota and it reinforces the importance of good-faith, bipartisan negotiations and legislating, said Heitkamp. This policy didnt happen overnight. Senator Murkowski and I have been meeting with and educating other senators about the need to lift the ban on exporting oil for about a year and a half  well before oil prices dropped. Ive always been supportive of standalone legislation to lift the ban as my bill would have done, but Ive long said that to actually build strong bipartisan support to end this outdated ban, we needed to reach a deal to bring along enough of my fellow Democrats on items like long-term extensions for renewable energy and conservation measures. Thats what Ive been working to do for months so that both sides put politics aside, remain pragmatic, and look at whats best for the country. A year ago, most people couldnt fathom such rapid progress to overturn the ban on exporting oil, but I continued to say that if both sides are willing to negotiate, we can make this commonsense policy change happen  and thats exactly what made this announcement that supports American economic growth and national security possible. Now Congress needs to keep working together and pass this bill.
A key piece of Heitkamps legislation to lift the oil export ban  which passed out of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs in July  is a provision addressing presidential authority. This provision was included in the negotiated deal and was critical to reaching an agreement with Democrats. Heitkamps language would give the President the ability to impose restrictions on oil exports, like licensing requirements, for up to one year under certain special circumstances  and if necessary, the ability to extend those requirements or restrictions annually. Some of these special circumstances include: national security threats, national emergencies, sustained crude oil shortages, and when supply shortages or price increase are likely to negatively impact employment.
Heitkamp has also long advocated to extend the Production Tax Credit (PTC) to support the development of wind power, which was included in the deal. The PTC is a tool that has proven successful in driving up wind and alternative energy output nationwide, providing much needed certainty for wind energy workers across the country. In North Dakota alone, up to 3,000 jobs were supported by the wind production industry in 2014.
Background
Click here to view a timeline of Heitkamps efforts to lift the ban over the past year and a half. She has been an early and vocal leader in Congress to lift the oil export ban by:
 
Speaking out early about the need to lift the ban. In August 2014, Heitkamp spoke about the need to end this antiquated policy during the national energy strategy meeting the U.S. Department of Energy held in Bismarck at her request. Then in September 2014, Heitkamp and John Hess, the CEO of Hess Corporation, appeared together on CNBCs Squawk Box where they talked about the need to lift the ban.
Introducing bipartisan legislation with Murkowski to end the ban on exporting oil. The two senators crafted and introduced bipartisan, complementary bills expressly intended to merge which went through the senators respective committees  Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs and Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Their bills passed out of both committees. Prior to introducing their legislation, Heitkamp and Murkowski first pushed together for an amendment to lift the ban to legislation that would give Congress the ability to review any nuclear deal with Iran. They then worked together on two similar amendments to the National Defense Reauthorization Act in June.
Meeting with senators and educating them about why lifting the ban makes sense. For about a year, Heitkamp has been taking the time to meet with Democratic senators to explain the economic, national security, and energy arguments for lifting the ban. As a result of her efforts, over the past several months, many Democratic senators publicly expressed a willingness to discuss lifting the oil export ban. In June, Heitkamp posted on Medium explaining the reasons for lifting the oil export ban.
Advocating for strong bipartisan support for lifting the ban. Though in favor of standalone legislation to lift the ban -- as her legislation would do -- Heitkamp has long said that to actually get bipartisan support to lift the ban, there needs to be a deal with Democrats  and thats what shes been working to do for months. Heitkamp publicly made the case for such action during a National Journal event in September about lifting the oil export ban where she said she believed Congress could lift the ban by the end of the year if senators come together, negotiate, and agree to pair such a policy with other provisions perhaps dealing with renewable energies to build more support from Democrats.
Helping pave the way for and participated in negotiations over several months the led to a bipartisan deal. Over several months, Heitkamp met with congressional Democrats and Republicans, including Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) who has legislation in the House to lift the ban, as well as top leaders at the White House -- including the President and chief of staff  and top leaders and diplomats from the European Union to discuss how to reach a deal to lift the ban on exporting oil. Such discussions framed the efforts this fall for Heitkamp and Heinrich who, working with Senate Democratic leadership, led efforts to determine how a package to lift the ban paired with Democratic priorities might work. Heitkamp then worked closely with Senate leadership over the past several weeks as they negotiated a final bipartisan deal that included key pieces from her standalone legislation.
 
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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 regulations, they need greater access to critical assistance and training programs. I am pleased that Sen. Heitkamp, Rep. Harper, and I were able to work together on a bill that helps guarantee that the nations rural areas will be able to provide safe, clean water for their citizens.
Senator Heitkamp has been steadfast in her work to advocate for the vital resources 50,000 small and rural communities nationwide need every day, said Eric Volk, Executive Director of the North Dakota Rural Water Association. As a result of her efforts to provide safe, clean drinking water to rural citizens, President Obama signed her bipartisan legislation into law today to bring Americans in rural towns and communities across our state and the country  comprising more than 90 percent of this countrys water supplies  an environmentally beneficial solution so that they can access the latest technology and expertise needed to consistently bring clean drinking water into their homes and businesses. Heitkamp has long worked to encourage increased resources and assistance for rural areas. In November 2014, Heitkamp met with Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Acting Administrator Jasper Schneider to discuss the need for targeted investments, like water infrastructure, in rural communities across the nation. On the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Heitkamp serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy  which oversees RUS.
The 2014 Farm Bill  which Heitkampplayed a leading role in writing, negotiating, and passing  places a strong emphasis on supporting rural development projects. The law authorizes programs that help upgrade and improve rural water systems, invest in expanding rural high-speed Internet, provide loans to consumers to improve energy efficiency through the new Rural Energy Savings Program, and reauthorize several other existing programs that are critical to supporting economic and community development in rural America.
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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.
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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 fought for and helped pass. Instead of being tied to overly burdensome federal regulations, North Dakota schools will be able to determine the education methods that work for students in the communities they know best. Schools will also be better equipped to help protect their students from suicide and from falling prey to fast-spreading crimes like human trafficking. By continuing to invest in trauma-informed, culturally focused, safe learning environments like the solutions I worked to include and maintain in todays final bill, we can prioritize individualized learning that fosters healthy minds, hearts, and academic excellence for years to come.
Just last month, Heitkamp urged Republican and Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives and the Senate negotiating the final version of the ESSA to protect the provisions she fought for and successfully included in the Senate bill that passed in July. Her work promoted equal access to educational opportunities for all students, including those living in tribal and rural communities, as well as support programs that prepare educators to help their students fight the unique challenges they face. Specifically, Heitkamps provisions that she worked to include in the final bill would:
 
Address and prevent human trafficking in schools. Heitkamps provision would help improve school climates and make sure teachers have the training they need to provide trauma-informed teaching as well as prevent violence and suicide, and raise awareness to prevent human trafficking of children in schools. Without Heitkamps work to include anti-trafficking provisions, such resources would not have been specifically addressed in the education bill.
Improve Native student academic achievement. Heitkamp pushed to support programs aimed at strengthening the role of tribes and tribal organizations to better reflect the needs of Native students. She also supported a policy to strengthen coordination among tribes and states as well as help retain good educators serving in schools on tribal lands, so they can boost academic success among Native youth.
 
 
Protect and strengthen Native languages and cultures. Building on her work to reauthorize legislation to help preserve often endangered Native languages, Heitkamp encouraged Congressional leaders to protect the measures cultural language enrichment and immersion programs that boost pride and morale in Native communities as well as improve students academic performance and attendance.
 
 
Support learning opportunities for the youngest, disadvantaged, and at-risk youth. Heitkamp supported and achieved more access to federal funding in todays legislation for quality early education programs. She also successfully pushed to boost after-school programming for children, including vulnerable and at-risk youth, through programs that support North Dakotas 21st Century Learning Centers.
Provide Flexibility and Improved Access to Education Resources for Students in Rural, Tribal and Military Communities: Heitkamp has called for resources and successfully pushed to ease access to federal funding to school districts, such as updates to the Impact Aid program  which is used to help fund school construction as well as provide basic education support to children in schools on or near federal land like the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation or military bases in Grand Forks and Minot. Heitkamp also worked with her colleagues to make sure North Dakota and other states have more control as well as the flexibility to streamline testing in the communities they know best  something that has been a priority for many North Dakota educators.
 
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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 investments in our area from technological giants like Northrop Grumman and General Atomics. Its absolutely critical that we build on this momentum, which is why Ive successfully pushed the FAA to help open up greater UAS testing that will get the technology up and running for farmers and energy utilities across the country, and its why Ill keep working with the Air Force to provide the support Grand Forks needs to lead the country in UAS development.
Long an advocate for public-private partnerships such as the Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) that paved the way for Grand Sky opening as the first UAS business park of its kind in the nation, Heitkamp met with Assistant Secretary Ballentine in January about the importance of Grand Sky for both the Air Force and North Dakota.
Heitkamp also helped secure the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) approval of additional authority for North Dakota to provide airspace and flexibility for the Northern Plains UAS Test Site by personally calling on the head of the FAA to do so. Just two months later, the FAA heeded her request, helping North Dakota draw more private industry partnerships. A cofounder of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus, Heitkamp continues to work to encourage the safe commercial use of UAS, introducing bipartisan legislation in February to remove undue red-tape for UAS research, open the door to more private investments, and save taxpayers money.
Heitkamp has consistently worked to clear the way for UAS technology development, investment, and partnerships in North Dakota by:
 
Successfully removing barriers to UAS technology development and investments. Heitkamp successfully pressed FAA Administrator Michael Huerta for results on his agencys efforts to improve the integration of UAS into the nations airspace, urging his agency last November to avoid delays that could hinder the growth of the industry. Just three months later, the FAA heeded her call  announcing the UAS rule proposals she had asked for.
 
 
Advancing in-state UAS technology development through FAA partnerships. After announcing in December 2013 the FAAs selection of Grand Forks as a one of six official UAS Test Sites, Heitkamp brought FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to North Dakota in April 2014 to see firsthand the states unmanned aerial potential, and he announced the Northern Plains Test Site was the first UAS test site to be officially up-and-running.
 
 
Delivering results to strengthen public-private partnerships on UAS test sites. In November 2014, Heitkamp discussed efforts to finalize the Grand Sky project during a meeting with Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) representatives. Heitkamp also pushed Air Force and Northrop Grumman leaders in several meetings on the positive impact that a fully-functioning Grand Sky business park would have for the Air Force and the private sector. In a July 2014 meeting, Heitkamp and then-Commander Colonel Paul Baumandiscussed the best strategies for completing the EUL approval process and creating a plan for its successful management. In October, Heitkamp met with current Commander Colonel Rodney Lewis and discussed ways to support development at Grand Sky. That same month, Heitkamp highlighted the need for the continued encouragement of public-private partnerships at Northrop Grummans groundbreaking at Grand Sky that made the company the first official tenant of the business and aviation park.
 
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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 North Dakota can continue providing families and businesses with affordable, reliable electricity using coal, which provides about 80 percent of North Dakotas electricity. Her efforts include pushing back against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules impacting coal-fired power plants.
A steadfast proponent of a national all-of-the-above energy strategy for North Dakota and the U.S., Heitkamp has long been a champion of North Dakotas diverse energy sector. Her work to find a realistic path forward for coal builds on her more than a decade of experience on the board of directors of Dakota Gasification, the one-of-a-kind synfuels plant in Beulah, N.D. During her service on North Dakotas Tax Commissioner, on the North Dakota Industrial Commission, and as the states Attorney General, Heitkamp was able to work on viable solutions to make sure coal remains a strong part of the North Dakotas energy mix.
Since joining the Senate, Heitkamp has been committed to finding a realistic avenue for clean coal by:

 
Introducing major legislation in 2013 and again this year to put coal on a viable path forward.Heitkampsbill which she introduced in 2013 and again this Congress -- would incentivize companies to invest in technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of coal-fired power. This is done through federal funding programs, federal support for private investment, and recommendations to Congress that provide insight on how best to support future CCS projects in the U.S. Then in May, Heitkamp and Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia introduced a series of billsto make sure coal remains a key part of Americas energy mix, which incorporated Heitkamps initial legislation.
 
 
Bringing EPA Administrator to North Dakota to talk about coal.Heitkamp has made it clear to the Administration and EPA that she disagrees with the agencys policies regarding coal-fired power. After pressing EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Heitkampbrought McCarthyto North Dakota in February of 2014 so she could hear about the impacts of EPA regulations directly from North Dakotans.Heitkamp has alsobrought U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Monizto North Dakota in March 2014 to push the U.S. Department of Energy for more investment in clean coal technology.
 
 
Working closely with U.S. Energy Department (DOE) officials on finding a path forward for coal.Heitkamp has met with numerous top officials from DOE about the need to find a path forward for coal, includingEnergy Secretary MonizandJulio Friedmann, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Clean Coal at the DOE. They both participated in clean coal symposiums at Heitkamps request, and she will continue to press both of them on the issue.
 
 
Convening industry, lawmakers, and academics to discuss a viable path forward for coal.Heitkamp co-hosted a Coal Technology Symposiumon Capitol Hill last year that brought together industry, lawmakers, experts and academics  including the Energy and Environmental Research Center from Grand Forks  to discuss the importance of finding a viable path forward for coal. To a crowded room, Heitkamp laid out why it is so important for our nation to put in place realistic energy policies and discussed the vital role coal plays in providing affordable energy in North Dakota and around the country.",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 February 2013, Heitkamp helped lead a bipartisan group of Senators incalling on USTR and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make sure updated COOL rules still enabled consumers to know the origin of their food.",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 Representatives to mark up and pass the Senate-passed bipartisan Transnational Drug Trafficking Act of 2015  which she helped introduce  so that it can be sent to the House floor for approval. The bill is designed to help the U.S. Department of Justice successfully prosecute foreign drug traffickers who concoct or transport substances they believe will be used to sell illegal narcotics in the United States.
Click here to read the letter urging the House to vote on the Transnational Drug Trafficking Act. In addition to Heitkamp, the letter was signed by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tom Udall (D-NM), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH).
Currently, traffickers from East Asia  and South and Central America  frequently use Mexican drug trafficking organizations as intermediaries to transport illegal narcotics into the United States  leaving the point of origin drug traffickers several steps removed from the direct importation of either their precursor chemicals or the drugs produced from those chemicals. Heitkamps Transnational Drug Trafficking Act  which unanimously passed in the Senate in October and in December 2014, but was not brought up for a vote in the House before the end of the last session of Congress  seeks to change that by:
 
Making sure that international drug traffickers can be prosecuted when there is reasonable cause to believe that drugs will be trafficked into the United States.
 
 
Imposing penalties on individuals who manufacture or distribute precursor chemicals, including pseudoephedrine, knowing that the chemicals will be used to make drugs or other controlled substances destined for the United States.
 
Since serving as North Dakotas Attorney General, Heitkamp has played a leading role in supporting and protecting North Dakota communities, by:


 
Engaging statewide community in collective fight against drug crime and abuse: This fall, Heitkamp hosted a Strong & Safe Communities Summit with 150 statewide leaders where they discussed ways to combat growing instances of drug crime, particularly in western North Dakota. In September 2014, Heitkamp launched Strong & Safe Communities Initiative, which aims to raise awareness about and find long-term solutions to emerging challenges facing North Dakota, like the increase in drug crime, to make sure North Dakota communities are strong and families are safe in their homes.
 
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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 business my father started 60 years ago would not have grown into the international farm equipment manufacturing success that it is today  and without Senator Heitkamps steadfast work to reauthorize the Bank today, 60 percent of our employees here at home could have been out of work. Its my hope that Congress will continue to promote certainty for small businesses like mine so we can keep growing local economies across the country. Heitkamp has been at the helm of bipartisan efforts to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank since she and Republican Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois introduced their bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank in March. In North Dakota alone, the agency has boosted small businesses like Amity Technology in Fargo and WCCO Belting in Wahpeton  and since 2007 has helped support $108 million in exports, as well as 633 jobs across the state.
This past summer, 64 Republican and Democratic Senators voted to include the Kirk-Heitkamp bill to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank as an amendment to the long-term transportation legislation which passed in the Senate at the end of July. Unfortunately the House of Representatives did not bring the Senate highway bill up for a vote  but Heitkamp continued to push for a path forward for her bill. As a result, the House showed its overwhelming bipartisan support for her legislation by using a rare parliamentary move to force a vote  and passed her bill shortly afterward, reinforcing the clear bipartisan consensus in both chambers of Congress to pass Heitkamps legislation to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. Her bill was then included in the long-term transportation bill Congress negotiated which passed in both chambers.",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 and other maintenance in 2015.
Heitkamp has pushed for long-term solutions to promote sustained funding for transportation projects to support North Dakotas rapidly growing population, and enable construction to expand and upgrade roads and bridges. This summer, Heitkamp helped pass a bipartisan long-term transportation bill in the Senate, from which todays bill included several provisions, but the House never brought it up for a vote. And in May, Heitkamp held a discussion in Bismarck where she spoke with community leaders about the importance of building and expanding roads and bridges to improve safety and keep up with the increase of traffic on the roads.
Transportation Infrastructure Provisions
In the long-term transportation bill passed today by the Senate and the House, Heitkamp successfully pushed for provisions which will support North Dakota by:
 
Keeping North Dakotas Transportation Infrastructure Strong. The bill would authorize steady increases in federal funding to make sure the state can plan for its rapidly expanding communities as the states population grows, repair deficient bridges, and upgrade and expand roads  with about $252 million in funding for 2016 and a projected $275 million in 2020. 
Protecting Crop Insurance Program for Farmers, Families Across Rural America. The bill reverses severe cuts to the crop insurance program from the budget deal. Crop insurance is a critical safety-net program for farmers, which Heitkamp worked to protect and strengthen in the 2014 Farm Bill, and the program has already received $12 billion in cuts since 2008. Heitkamp promised to work to protect cuts to the program in October, and helped fix it in todays bill.
 
 
Increasing Support from Tribal Transit. The bill includes $30 million in automatic funding for the Tribal Transit Program  a U.S. Department of Transportation program which helps support the operation and planning of public transportation on tribal lands  an increase over past years which Heitkamp advocated for.
 
 
Providing Critical Certainty for North Dakota Small Businesses. The bill includes Heitkamps bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, an 81-year-old federal agency that provides loan guarantees to businesses in North Dakota and across the country. Since May, Heitkamp has been leading the charge in Congress to reauthorize the Bank, which received overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers.
Maintaining Support for Critical Research at NDSU. The bill would include authorization for steady increasesfrom $72.5 million to $77.5 million  federal funding to continue needed education and research being done at university transportation centers like NDSUs Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute.
 
 
Cutting Unnecessary Red-Tape for Farmers, Custom Harvesters & Communities. The bill includes Heitkamps bipartisan Fuel Transport Act to make sure farmers and custom harvesters in North Dakota and across the country are not burdened by a financially restrictive and time-consuming requirement of obtaining hazardous material endorsements to transport 1,000 gallons of diesel or less that they need to do their jobs. The bill also includes the bipartisan Federal Permitting Improvement Act, which Heitkamp helped draft and pass, would streamline the approval process for major infrastructure projects and provide a roadmap for making smaller federal projects  like roads, bridges, and buildings across North Dakota  shovel ready faster.
Replacing Unnecessary Burdens on Farmers, Small Banks with Commonsense Rules. By passing Heitkamps bipartisan Privacy Notice Modernization Act to eliminate redundant, costly and often ignored annual banking notifications and instead require banks to alert customers only when privacy changes actually occur, the Senate approved an improved practice to save small banks critical mailing resources, and better inform consumers. In addition, the Senate passed a portion of Heitkamps bipartisan Risk Hedging Protection Act which would increase global cooperation and data-sharing among market regulators.",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 of supporting good jobs, promoting healthy food, and expanding to new markets.
A staunch advocate for rural America, Heitkamp has also fought tirelessly to support producers in North Dakota  as well as for increased exports of North Dakota crops to Cuba and other countries around the world.
In May, Heitkamp brought USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden to North Dakota, and  joined by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota  reinforced the need to encourage women to take on leadership roles in the agricultural industry and to work proactively in addressing roadblocks to their success. Heitkamp and Klobuchar spoke with USDA Deputy Secretary Harden, as well as female leaders from North Dakota and across the region, about ways to improve outreach and address challenges head on to promote more female leadership in the agriculture sector.
Recent data shows women make upone-tenthof principal farm operators in North Dakota, compared to30 percentnationwide. Heitkamp is working to make sure that women, who help generate more than $136 million in annual agricultural sales across North Dakota, remain a strong force in the nations agricultural industry.",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., Southern Research Institute, and Tusaar, Inc.
These federal funds are authorized by the DOEs National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Additional support for the project is being provided by the North American Coal Company, Great River Energy, the North Dakota Industrial Commission Lignite Energy Council and the North Dakota Geological Survey.
###",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 Visa Waiver Program Security Enhancement Act would improve the security of the Visa Waiver Program by:
 
Requiring individuals who have traveled to Syria or Iraq in the past five years to acquire a traditional tourist visa instead of traveling without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. This process requires an in-person interview with an American consular official and the submission of the travelers biometric information.
Requiring travelers using the Visa Waiver Program to submit biometric information, in the form of fingerprints and a photograph, before they travel to the United States.
Requiring all visa waiver travelers to use an electronic passport, which are more secure and harder to tamper with.
Requiring increased intelligence-sharing between Visa Waiver Program countries and the United States.
Paying for security enhancements in the bill by increasing the Visa Waiver traveler fee, which is currently $14. Only $4 supports Visa Waiver Program security. In comparison, the fee for a traditional tourist visa is $160.
 
Other senators who also helped introduce the bill included U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Dan Coats (R-IN), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jon Tester (D-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
Background
Applicants seeking visas to enter the U.S. must first undergo a background check before being cleared for entry. But certain countries have agreements with the U.S. allowing their citizens to freely travel to the U.S. with a passport, but no visa  bypassing the traditional visa process  which is known as the Visa Waiver Program. The U.S. has a rigorous vetting program before Americans can get passports that enable them to travel to other countries. Countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program, have various agreements with the U.S. that result in a non-uniform system and varying levels of information sharing between countries.
The bipartisan bill would strengthen the Visa Waiver Program in the following ways:
1. Preventing foreign fighters from using the Visa Waiver Program: An estimated 5,000 European citizens have traveled to Syria and Iraq to fight. More than 1,500 of them are from France. If they return to their home countries, these individuals may be able travel to the United States without a visa.
 
Legislative solution: Require individuals who have traveled to Syria and Iraq in the past five years to go through the traditional visa process, which includes an in-person interview, to come to the United States.
 
2. Requiring additional biometric information: In cases where the foreign national has never been to the United States before, U.S. law enforcement cannot run biometric information from that Visa Waiver Program traveler against key databases in advance of the persons first arrival in the United States.
 
Legislative solution: Require biometric data to be provided by a foreign national prior to travel to the United States using the Visa Waiver Program.
 
3. Requiring electronic passports for participation in the Visa Waiver Program: Although electronic passports with built-in chips carrying biometric data are now required to be issued by Visa Waiver Program countries, some existing designated countries are effectively allowed to phase-in this requirement over several years because older passports can remain valid.
 
Legislative solution: Require all Visa Waiver Program travelers have electronic passports within 90 days of enactment. Only individuals with machine-readable passports may travel using the Visa Waiver Program.
 
4. Requiring additional information sharing between countries:Information-sharing with the United States is a means of protecting national security while allowing individuals to travel without a visa. Information-sharing must be improved to help make sure threats are detected.
 
Legislative solution: Improve information sharing by participating countries in the following ways:
Require participation in the Visa Waiver Program be contingent on countries full implementation of information-sharing agreements, including agreements on foreign terrorists and those who have committed crimes.
Increase contribution to, and screening against, INTERPOLs lost and stolen documents database.
Require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to consider a countrys ability to collect, analyze and share passenger data concerning dangerous individuals.
Improve biometric information sharing about, and screening of, refugees and asylum seekers.
Require DHS to consider a countrys ability to share information about foreign fighters with multiple countries and multilateral organizations, like INTERPOL.
 
5. Increasing security in the air: All Visa Waiver Program countries should have signed federal air marshal agreements, which provide legal protection to air marshals in situations where they need to take action.
 
Legislative solution: Require completion of a federal air marshal agreement.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4dab8464-7148-479d-8ebc-c5b8a9726090,Heitkamp Encourages Eligible North Dakota Fire Departments to Apply for Federal Grants,2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp encouraged eligible North Dakota fire departments and first responders to apply for available federal grant funding to help provide critically needed equipment and make upgrades to improve community safety and increase the readiness of first responders.
The funding in the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), enables fire departments throughout North Dakota to receive support for continuing and improving their operations and effectively protect the states communities. The AFG application period will open on Monday, December 7, 2015 and will run through January 15, 2016 and fire departments throughout the state are encouraged to apply. In North Dakota, 96 percent of first responders are volunteers and this funding supports their safety as well as the safety of the communities they protect.
First responders are often the first on the scene of life-or-death situations, putting their lives on the line to keep our communities safe, said Heitkamp. Our state is known for stepping-up to get the job done, and that is so clear with our first responders where 96 percent are volunteers. As the daughter of a volunteer firefighter, I understand the invaluable sacrifice these brave individuals provide our communities. We must make sure they are provided with the training, equipment, and support they need to get the job done and safely return home to their families each night. In the Senate, I have made it a priority to pass legislation to provide our firefighters, first responders, and law enforcement with the resources they need to protect our towns and families, and these federal funds are an important step in that effort. I hope fire departments across the state apply for these federal funds.
The AFG application period will open on Monday, December 7, 2015 and will run through January 15, 2016, and eligible fire departments throughout the state are encouraged to apply. For more information on how to apply for AFG funds, click here. Fire departments, non-affiliated emergency medical services organizations (EMS), and state fire training academies are eligible for the federal funding. For more details about the grant program, visit www.grants.gov. A Get Ready Guide, is also available to provide answers to questions and to help prepare grant applications.
Since the derailment of a train carrying crude oil near Casselton in December 2013, Heitkamp has worked to make sure first responders have the tools and resources to do their jobs and handle new emerging hazards, like the transportation of crude on the rails.In February, she reintroduced her RESPONSE Actto establish a federal panel of agencies, emergency responders, and experts to make sure first responders get quality training and have the access to the proper resources and effective communications.
Last April, Heitkamp brought U.S. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to North Dakota to discuss training and recruitment for volunteer firefighters and how the federal government can better respond to the needs of rural first responders. As part of Heitkamps Strong & Safe Communities Initiative which she launched in September 2014, Heitkamp  a subcommittee ranking member on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs -- has worked to address the emerging challenges throughout North Dakota in the wake of the states energy boom, including the increased transportation by crude oil on the rails. Specifically, Heitkamp is leading the Strong & Safe Communities Task Force, which is comprised of experts, advocates, and officials throughout the state, including first responders. Recently, on October 15, Heitkamp hosted her Strong & Safe Communities Summit in Fargo which brought together more than 150 community leaders from across the state to discuss solutions to build a strong future for the state.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6ac4caf4-4a4d-4edc-b7ed-45c1c659467c,Heitkamp Announces Federal Funding for Mountain-Plains Consortium at NDSU,2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced more than $860,000 in federal funds to support programs at North Dakota State Universitys (NDSU) Mountain-Plains Consortium (MPC) aimed to promote transportation infrastructure, energy development and safety.
During negotiations on the bipartisan, long-term bill to fund the federal highway programs, Heitkamp has been an advocate for making sure critical funding to support the MPC and Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute at NDSU continues.
Reliable and safe transportation infrastructure is critical to local economies, communities and families, said Heitkamp. These federal funds will support invaluable programs at NDSUs Mountain-Plains Consortium to address high-risk rural roads, the movement of hazardous materials, infrastructure longevity and other unique transportation challenges of the region.
In addition to NDSU, MPC includes collaboration with Colorado State University, South Dakota State University, University of Colorado Denver, University of Denver, University of Utah, University of Wyoming and Utah State University.
These federal funds are authorized by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6d63bc39-6ab1-4b88-9755-ee38e0f8682d,Heitkamp Announces more than $47 Million in Energy Production Disbursements,2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced more than $47 million in federal disbursements for North Dakota  the states share of revenues collected from oil, gas, and mineral production on federal lands this past year.
Each year, coal companies, renewable energy producers, and oil and gas companies drilling and producing on federal or tribal lands are required to pay royalties on revenue to the federal government. Distributed by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), the state of North Dakota received $47,164,777 for energy sales in 2015.
In North Dakota, our lands are rich with natural resources, said Heitkamp, And the energy produced on our federal lands is often a major lifeline for the communities and the small towns who count on the revenue to make long-term investments in their local schools, economies, and infrastructure. This major distribution of federal funding continues an important partnership with the Department of the Interior, and will help North Dakotas statewide communities continue to plan and build for the future.
This funding is distributed by the DOIs Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR).
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7d4f66ab-ef8e-4820-b326-b51df6b637e5,Heitkamp Announces Significant Federal Funding for TGU School District Head Start and Early Head Start Programs,2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp announced $1,075,793 in federal funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs for Early Explorers at the Towner, Granville, and Upham (TGU) School District #60.
These federal funds will be used to support families and children through early childhood education.
Every dollar we invest in Head Start and Early Head Start programs are an investment in our kids future, said Heitkamp. Early childhood education gives our children the knowledge and skills to set them on a strong path forward and build solid futures. Head Start programs have been assets to North Dakotas families and communities over the years, and Im excited these federal funds will continue to support these organizations and the children they teach.
These funds are authorized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=9fc60b37-f9ff-49ec-a4d0-9492183778eb,"Heitkamps Bipartisan Bill to Reduce Waste, Promote Better Federal Management Passes Senate",2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced that the Senate passed her bipartisan bill to cut red tape in the federal government by reducing waste, and promoting more responsible, effective management of federal programs to better support North Dakotas businesses and workers.
Fostering an effective, helpful relationship between federal government agencies and our businesses, farming, and energy communities means making sure that the federal programs these communities count on are well-managed, said Heitkamp. The federal government should be a support for our businesses and workers, not a burden. Our bipartisan, commonsense bill, which the Senate passed, aims to accomplish that goal by cutting federal waste, and boosting the critical work of our farmers, energy producers, and small businesses.
Working with Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, Heitkamp  the ranking member on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee overseeing the federal workforce  introduced the bipartisan Program Management Improvement Accountability Act this spring to help make sure the federal managers that run the programs and agencies that North Dakotans depend on  such as offices that approve energy development, help farmers, or provide safe roads and bridges for businesses and families  have the framework to improve their performance. By increasing oversight of government agencies, providing a better review process for best practices, and improving training and standards for federal managers, Heitkamp and Ernst worked together to set a template that raises the bar for the management of the federal programs communities need  and that taxpayers are counting on to run efficiently and effectively. Less than two weeks after Heitkamp and Ernst introduced their bill, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs passed their bipartisan legislation. Striving to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the federal government, Heitkamp consistently works across the aisle to support and protect consumers and small business in North Dakota and across the country. In March, Heitkamp and Republican Senator James Lankfordof Oklahoma  who chairs the subcommittee in the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs she helps lead  launched their #CutRedTape Initiativeto gather stories about how federal regulations are impacting Americans across the country every day, and work to improve these regulations by reducing waste, stopping backlogs, and cutting red tape.
Heitkamp has long been leading efforts to make the federal government and workforce more effective and efficient in North Dakota and across the country. In May, Heitkamp helped lead a Senate Subcommittee hearing on issues in the federal workforce, highlighting the challenges of attracting and keeping a young, talented workforce and discussing ways to encourage millennials to choose a career in public service. In September 2014, Heitkamp brought U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta to Minot Air Force Base and New Town to hear firsthand the challenges federal employees face and what steps can be taken to improve federal workforce retention and recruitment efforts. Since Archuletas visit, Heitkamp has announced pay rate increases for nearly 500 federal employees in North Dakota.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0635a6f7-6361-4f41-8e5e-54d68a8aedfd,Heitkamp Announces Federal Funding for Housing Assistance Program,2015-11-30,2015,2015-11,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 Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, announced $255,502 in federal funding to provide housing assistance for families in need.
These federal funds will support efforts to help families in public housing obtain the education, skills, and job training necessary to find long term solutions to lower reliance on welfare assistance.
Everyone deserves the chance to live up to their potential and lead fulling lives, said Heitkamp. Support for education and job training is critical to obtain the skills necessary to find employment in our 21st century economy and these federal funds will help families find employment to meet their needs and contribute to their communities.
These federal funds are provided through the Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) Family Self-Sufficiency program and these funds are distributed as follows:
 
Fargo Housing and Redevelopment Authority - $107,505
Grand Forks Housing Authority - $104,385
Minot Housing Authority - $43,612",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=eb62cbba-8fe8-4ec1-a7ce-676a9db8fa5f,Heitkamp Statement on Final Renewable Fuel Standard,2015-11-30,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MANDAN, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). EPA is required by law to set fuel blending levels annually so biodiesel and ethanol producers can plan for the future, but the agency had failed to do so for years.
After years of delays, the EPA has finally lived up to its obligation to set biofuels blend levels and give producers and biofuels workers the certainty they need to go to work, said Heitkamp. This rule still doesnt give us the ambitious targets we need or that Congress intended, but at least there is some progress as  after I pressed EPA to set bolder targets  the agency increased its targets from those proposed in May. Unfortunately, these levels still fall far short of what Congress set out. Theyre below what we need to guarantee the thriving biofuels industry that North Dakota famers and workers deserve, and that would support energy from a clean, reliable fuel. Biofuels are just one component of the all-of-the-above energy strategy we pursue in North Dakota. But if EPA doesnt get serious about encouraging biofuels  as the law requires  the agencys inaction and unambitious targets will hamper North Dakota job growth and reduce energy security.
Earlier in November Heitkamp organized a call with Howard Shelanski, the Administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, to push for a strong Renewable Fuel Standard.
Heitkamp led the charge in the Senate to successfully push the EPA to live up to its obligation to set timely RVOs. But those proposed RVOs, issued in May, were lower than levels needed to comply with the law and promote the ethanol and biodiesel industries. In July, Heitkamp led a bipartisan group of 36 Senators to call on the EPA to increase the proposed RVOs it had set for biofuels. The Senators expressed concern that the EPAs set biodiesel levels for 2017 were well below the projected capacity of the industry.
In October, Heitkamp announced $1.2 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding to boost the number of North Dakota pumps carrying ethanol. Those federal funds will help make renewable fuels more readily available for U.S. consumers.
While USDA has provided $100 million in energy infrastructure investments to allow for more ethanol in gasoline, the EPAs RVO proposals are much lower than those set by Congress, with flawed justification for the low targets.
Heitkamp has been a leader in supporting biodiesel and ethanol  industries that, combined, support over 400,000 American jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum diesel. Since November 2012, 54 biodiesel plants in 30 states have closed or idled because of the lack of certainty from the EPA, according to the National Biodiesel Board. And in 2014,nearly 80 percent of U.S. biodiesel producers scaled back production, with almost 6 in 10 idling production altogether. 
Heitkamp has long fought for the EPA to provide certainty to farmers and biodiesel workers, and has pressed the agency to issue a strong RFS rule. As part of those efforts, she has:

 
Called for the EPA to prioritize American biodiesel. In January, Heitkamp called out the EPA for prioritizing the import of biodiesel from abroad over biodiesel from American producers  including those in North Dakota. Prioritizing foreign biodiesel hurts farmers, industry jobs, and rural communities. She reinforced that layoffs and plant closures in the biodiesel industry underscored the need for the EPA to provide certainty for biodiesel industry workers at home by setting production levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Last month, Heitkamp joined her colleagues in calling on EPA to follow Congressional intent when setting RVOs.
 
 
Brought the EPA head to ND to hear from farmers and producers. In February 2014, Heitkampbrought EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to North Dakota to hear firsthand from farmers and biofuels producersabout how the agencys 2013 proposal would reduce the effectiveness or the RFS and decrease the required amount of U.S.-produced biofuels. Heitkamp encouraged McCarthy to reverse the EPAs proposal and instead put forth a proposal that would promote investment in the next generation of biofuels, and support our economy and good jobs in rural North Dakota. Last November, theagency heeded her call, delaying the implementation of the misguided new standards.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2366cc69-4c91-4dae-9ac0-864220e52c66,Heitkamp Visits Flasher Public School to Donate U.S. Senate Computers,2015-11-25,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"FLASHER, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today visited Flasher Public School to donate 15 U.S. Senate computers for use in classrooms.
The U.S. Senate Computers for Schools Program helps public schools take advantage of the information age by channeling surplus Senate computers into classrooms countrywide. All registered public schools in the United States and territories are eligible.
Heitkamp selected Flasher Public School to receive the 15 gently-used computers so the school can meet students technology needs without having to buy all new equipment. She also recommended Ed Clapp Elementary School in Fargo, which she visited Tuesday to donate 10 computers.
Computers are a critical education tool in every classroom, which is why Im so excited to provide computers that will enrich Flasher students learning, said Heitkamp. The community is excited about them, the school is excited about them, and the kids are certainly excited about how these computers will improve their classrooms. Education is the key to success, so Ill keep looking for opportunities to bring new technology to help kids learn in our states schools  particularly in rural communities like Flasher.
Heitkamp has long fought to improve educational opportunities for all students  whether by expanding access to technology, calling for increased funding resources, or by improving school breakfast and lunch.
In January, Heitkamp held a roundtable discussion with North Dakota teachersto hear about the challenges rural schools face, and to assess how she can address their concerns in the Senate. During the discussion, educators laid out their priorities and spoke about solutions to better meet the needs of North Dakotas education system and students, including a plan to address Native American educational issues, expand early childhood education, and increase preparation for and access to college.
Earlier this year, Heitkampre-introduced her bipartisan bill with Republican Senator Susan Collins from Maine to give schools greater access to the tools and resources they need to offer healthy food options for students, reduce waste, and make resources stretch further. HerSchool Food ModernizationAct would authorize grants and loan assistance to help schools purchase and upgrade equipment, as well as strengthen training to help school food personnel meet updated nutrition standards  all at no additional cost to taxpayers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=72c0587b-a8ba-463a-9199-0ffc871c199f,Heitkamp Visits Ed Clapp Elementary School in Fargo to Donate U.S. Senate Computers,2015-11-24,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"FARGO, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today visited Ed Clapp Elementary School in Fargo to donate 10 U.S. Senate computers for use in classrooms.
The U.S. Senate Computers for Schools Program helps public schools take advantage of the information age by channeling surplus Senate computers into classrooms countrywide. All registered public schools in the United States and territories are eligible.
Heitkamp selected Ed Clapp Elementary School, which opened in fall 2015, to receive the gently used computers so the school can meet students technology needs without having to buy new equipment.
Technology is revolutionizing how our kids learn, and these computers will help students at Ed Clapp get the best education they can, enabling them to connect to resources and find tools that can help them achieve, said Heitkamp. Our states public schools do a great job putting North Dakotas children on the path to success. These computers will help one of Fargos newest schools as it educates our next generation of leaders.
The ten HP computers with 21-inch flat-screen monitors arrived at the school in November, and were re-imaged for student learning by Fargo Public Schools. Two computers were distributed to each of the schools four kindergarten classrooms, and two computers went to the schools special education classroom. The computers will be used to enhance individualized learning through online math and reading programs.
On Wednesday, Heitkamp will visit Flasher Public School, which received 15 gently used computers through the program.
Heitkamp has long fought to improve educational opportunities for all students  whether by expanding access to technology, calling for increased funding resources, or by improving school breakfast and lunch.
In January, Heitkamp held a roundtable discussion with North Dakota teachersto hear about the challenges schools in North Dakota face, and to assess how she can address their concerns in the Senate. During the discussion, educators laid out their priorities and spoke about solutions to better meet the needs of North Dakotas education system and students, including a plan to address Native American educational issues, expand early childhood education, and increase preparation for higher education.
Earlier this year, Heitkampre-introduced her bipartisan bill with Republican Senator Susan Collins from Maine to give schools greater access to the tools and resources they need to offer healthy food options for students, reduce waste, and make resources stretch further. HerSchool Food ModernizationAct would authorize grants and loan assistance to help schools purchase and upgrade equipment, as well as strengthen training to help school food personnel meet updated nutrition standards  all at no additional cost to taxpayers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=b2088f6f-87da-49bb-a3ae-b0938921e166,"Heitkamp Highlights Need to Reauthorize Export-Import Bank during Visit to WCCO Belting, Inc.",2015-11-24,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kirk-Heitkamp Bill to Reauthorize Export-Import Bank & Support U.S. Job, Businesses Has Overwhelming Bipartisan Support in House & Senate
WAHPETON, N.D.  During her visit to WCCO Belting, Inc. in Wahpeton, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today underscored the need to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, which for decades has helped invigorate small businesses across North Dakota. WCCO is a 60-year-old manufacturing company that doubled its workforce and revenue with the help of the Export-Import Bank.
Heitkamp discussed with WCCOs workers and managers how, with the help of the Export-Import Bank, the near 60-year-old family-owned rubber supply company went 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. And without the help of the Export-Import Bank 12 years ago, which made sure WCCO was paid for what it sells in a timely manner  WCCO wouldnt have been able to pursue export opportunities it had been ignoring  doubling its total revenue and workforce.
Heitkamp has been leading the charge in the fight to save the Export-Import Bank in Congress, which has helped support $108 million in exports since 2007 from North Dakota alone, as well as 633 jobs and 23 businesses across the state. Heitkamp introduced a bipartisan bill with Republican Senator Mark Kirk from Illinois that has overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate and House of Representatives. Their bill passed in both chambers in separate legislation and they are working to include it in the compromise transportation bill Congress is negotiating.
For decades, the Export-Import Bank has bolstered homegrown success stories in North Dakota like Tom Shormas, who tells how his dad started this company, in the 1950s, and with the help of the Export-Import Bank 12 years ago, doubled WCCOs revenue and workforce, said Heitkamp. The Export-Import Bank helps make sure companies like Toms can compete internationally without risking going under  all at no cost to taxpayers. Without the help of the Bank, WCCO and many other local businesses will lose out. To prevent that from happening, we have strong, bipartisan momentum in Congress to pass my bipartisan bill to reauthorize this federal agency that supports American jobs, workers, and competitiveness. Now its time for Congress to do the right thing, take our bill across the finish line, and give businesses the certainty they need to thrive.
For the past 60 years, WCCO Belting, Inc. has been a strong North Dakota-based family business, said Thomas D. Shorma, CEO/President of WCCO Belting, Inc. in Wahpeton. With the help of the Export-Import Bank over the past 12 years, we have been able to expand exponentially  doubling our sales as well as our workforce to 200 employees, and shipping quality rubber belting products to some of the top agricultural manufacturers all over the world. For over a decade, the Export-Import Bank has protected WCCO Belting and small businesses like ours here at home by making sure we can get paid on time without going under  and without it we stand to lose 60 percent of our team. Senator Heitkamps bipartisan efforts to stand up for small businesses like ours have been critical to continuing to level the playing field for businesses so we can compete in the global market.
The Export-Import Bank is an independent federal government agency and the official export credit agency of the United States. For the past 81 years, the Export-Import Bank has helped North Dakota small businesses grow, expand, and hire more American workers, supporting $27 million in exports from North Dakota since 2012 by providing loans, loan guarantees, and insurance to facilitate overseas sales by U.S. firms. This is particularly helpful for small businesses like WCCO Belting, Inc. that wish to expand abroad, but would risk going under if they were not paid for their products in a timely fashion. Since 2012 alone, the Bank supported $27 million in sales from North Dakota companies. Heitkamps visit to WCCOs facilities continues her ongoing efforts to press to reauthorize the agency, and to hear directly from the companies in North Dakota that need to Export-Import Bank to grow. In June, Heitkamp took to the Senate floor to highlight the success of small businesses like WCCO Belting, Inc. and emphasize the direct impact on jobs and local economies of a robust Export-Import Bank.
At the end of June, Congress let the Export-Import Bank expire for the first time in its 81 year history, even though it had previously authorized the agency 16 times. Just last month, the bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives forced a vote on the House floor, and passed the Kirk-Heitkamp bipartisan bill to reauthorize the agency. The move follows 64 Senators voting to include Heitkamp and Republican Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois bill to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank as an amendment to the long-term transportation legislation which passed in the Senate at the end of July. Congress is currently negotiating a compromise long-term transportation bill, and Heitkamp is working to include her bill in the legislation. 
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https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=a711aba8-bf7a-43f8-9750-6bbea89fb667,"Heitkamp: Long Range Strike Bombers, like those at Minot AFB, Critical for National Security",2015-11-20,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  At an event hosted by the Air Force Association, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp underscored the importance of the conventional and nuclear capabilities of long range strike bombers, like those at Minot Air Force Base, and called for sufficient federal funding to support the mission.
Heitkamp spoke at the launch of a Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies report confirming what Heitkamp has long said  that its critical to our national security that the U.S. procure a strong, adequate fleet of long range bombers.
Maintaining long-range strike bombers isnt just important to make sure were ready for combat situations  it also sends a signal that America is committed to our allies and to deterring aggression around the world, said Heitkamp. Minot Air Force Bases bombers are essential to our national security, providing the military with flexibility and strength to deter threats, reassure allies abroad, and perform a range of combat missions. The bipartisan defense bill Congress passed this month has many provisions I fought for to bolster North Dakota military missions. We have to work to guarantee our states armed forces continue to have the support they need to keep us safe.
Earlier this month, the Senate passed a bipartisan defense authorization bill that included a provision supporting the B-52 mission at Minot Air Force Base and the President is expected to sign the bill into law soon. That language builds off legislation Heitkamp and Republican Senator Mike Rounds from South Dakota introduced in May to support long-range bomber missions, including those carried out at Minot Air Force Base.
Heitkamp and Rounds Long Range Bomber Sustainment Act was designed to make sure the U.S. military doesnt retire B-1, B-2, or B-52 bomber aircraft prematurely by requiring the U.S. Secretary of Defense to make certain that doing so would not hurt the militarys capability to execute any long-range bomber missions.
Heitkamp is a tireless supporter of the nuclear missions at Minot Air Force Base, including the 5th Bomb Wings B-52 bombers and the 91st Missile Wings Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). As co-founder of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus, Heitkamp has been a vocal advocate for servicemembers and their families, and has led efforts to make sure they get the resources they need to defend our country and help build strong military communities.
In May, Heitkamp joined the civic leaders of Minots Task Force 21 at the Pentagon to reinforce the importance of the nuclear mission at Minot Air Force Base in a meeting with General Mark Welsh, the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff. In January, Heitkamp highlighted the importance of bolstering the missions at Minot Air Force Base to protect our national security in a meeting with Miranda Ballentine, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Energy. Last summer, Heitkamp also urged top U.S. Air Force officials to protect the long-term viability of B-52 and ICBM missions at Minot Air Force Base and stressed the need to invest in and modernize the bases B-52 bomber force to help deter potential enemies from action.
Last fall, Heitkampjoined Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and then-U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel at Minot Air Force Base, where Hagel committed to investing billions of dollars to maintain and modernize our nations nuclear forces. He also noted the need for additional investments to improve and sustain infrastructure and equipment, boost troop morale, and increase oversight.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=b0ac6dba-1a75-44d1-9b47-734a16f27dc6,Heitkamp & Senate Sportsmens Caucus Hail Bipartisan Passage of Sportsmens Act,2015-11-20,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Members of the Senate Congressional Sportsmens Caucus, including U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, today hailed the bipartisan passage of the Sportsmens Act of 2015 by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Heitkamp helped introduce the bill, which passed in the committee by a voice vote. The Sportsmens Act of 2015 builds on last years bipartisan legislation, which had 46 cosponsors and more than 40 groups supporting. The bill strengthens all of last years provisions plus some additional provisions that increase access to federal lands for the benefit of sportsmen and women.
The bill contains several provisions important to North Dakotas hunters, anglers, and recreational shooters, which would:
 
Reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)  The bill permanently reauthorizes and fully funds the LWCF, which has been critical for Federal land management as well as for development of local outdoor recreational facilities. Since it was established in 1965, the LWCF has funded 1,190 projects in North Dakota, with an investment of over $35 million. The bill modifies LWCF to ensure greater public access to LWCF-funded Federal lands.
 
 
Allow bows to be transported through national parks This provision would enable bows to be transported across U.S. National Parks. Currently, firearms can be carried across national parks but bows cannot be transported, presenting issues for hunters who want to cross these lands.
 
 
Provide better access on public lands This bill would require federal land management agencies to identify public lands without public access routes, and create a plan to provide access routes to lands that have significant potential for recreational use. It also allows for public shooting ranges on federal land. The bill would also help counties and states better manage primary access routes on public lands.
 
""Hunting and fishing are at the heart of what makes North Dakota's outdoor spaces so special. Our bipartisan bill would expand opportunities for North Dakota hunters and anglers, while also preserving our vast and beautiful outdoor spaces for generations of sportsmen to come. Millions across our country enjoy outdoor recreation in North Dakota and beyond every year, and I'll keep working to make sure the outdoors are accessible and well taken care of into the future.""  Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., vice-chair of the Congressional Sportsmens Caucus.
Whether you hunt or fish to put food on the table, to pass down a tradition to your family, or for game management purposes, there is something in this bill for you. With more than a half-a-million sportsmen and women in Idaho alone, this legislation will ensure they can continue to access their favorite hunting or fishing spot. I commend Senators Murkowski and Heinrich for their work to get this bill through the committee today and urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the bill on the Senate floor.  Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmens Caucus.
The Sportsmans Act celebrates some of our nations longest-standing traditions and will benefit millions of Americans who love fishing, hunting, recreational shooting, and a wide range of other outdoor activities. It will ensure that our public lands are open unless closed, provide new opportunities for more Americans to enjoy those lands, and require federal agencies to expand and enhance access in accordance with their missions. As a sportswoman, I am proud of the work we have done today to advance this important bipartisan effort. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
The Sportsmens Act has been a long time in the making, and Im proud to lead this bipartisan effort with Senator Murkowski. Hunting and fishing are an integral part of our American heritage, but without our public lands, that tradition will be lost. This bill will make sure our kids and grandkids will be catching trout and chasing mule deer on our public lands for many years to come. Hunters and anglers alone spend more than $613 million per year in New Mexico, and outdoor recreation as a whole is directly responsible for 68,000 jobs in our state. The Sportsmens Act will enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation, reauthorize key conservation programs, improve access to our public lands, and boost our economy.""  Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.
As a lifelong and avid sportsman, I know firsthand that our hunting, fishing and outdoor heritage is so important to who we are as West Virginians and as Americans. I believe that we should protect our American traditions like fishing and hunting that define who we are as a nation. This bipartisan bill will boost West Virginias economy while expanding hunting and fishing rights and allowing people a greater ability to enjoy the outdoors.  Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmens Caucus.
Outdoor recreation is part of the Nebraska way of life. Today was an important step forward for bipartisan legislation that will promote our country's hunting, fishing, and conservation heritage. I hope the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will swiftly consider this bill so that a final proposal can advance to the Senate floor.  Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., vice-chair of the Congressional Sportsmens Caucus.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=42159f71-5b5a-484d-a1f4-048cbe8c333d,Heitkamp Pushes for Stronger Protections to Prevent Human Trafficking on Websites like Backpage.com during Senate Hearing,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Heitkamp has Called to Eliminate Online Anonymity for Traffickers by Strengthening Internet Protections and Assisting Law Enforcement EffortsWASHINGTON, D.C.  During a Senate hearing, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today pressed key experts and advocates on the need for anti-trafficking measures for websites like Backpage.com  which has become an online hub for human trafficking, including in North Dakota  to prevent the criminal exploitation of women and children through sex trafficking.
To date, Backpage.com has refused to fully cooperate with Committee-issued subpoenas regarding a U.S. Senate investigation into human trafficking, and Heitkamp and other Committee members plan to hold the company accountable for its actions. During a hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Heitkamp, who serves as a member of the subcommittee, slammed Backpage.com CEO Carl Ferrer for refusing to testify on his companys continued lack of transparency in failing to disclose and discuss the safeguards the website uses to prevent traffickers from using the site as a medium to perpetuate crimes.Because of the rampant use of Backpage.com by perpetrators of human trafficking looking to buy or sell victims, often who are minors, law enforcement in North Dakota has used the site to find and arrest those committing such crimes.
Long an advocate against human trafficking, Heitkamp led an initial hearing in September 2013 to sound the alarm on the prevalence of human trafficking right in our own backyard, including in North Dakota. Since then, Heitkamp has continued to look at how we can provide better protections for victims, including discussions about liability in civil and criminal cases for companies like Backpage.com, which provide platforms for the trafficking of women and children.
Websites like Backpage.com exist in these shadows  helping criminals traffic women and children by offering them complete invisibility. On Wednesday, Backpage.com posted 69 new ads for escorts in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot  thats in just one day, said Heitkamp. There have been too many stings in North Dakota where perpetrators used Backpage.com to buy and sell victims and that cannot be allowed. The refusal of Backpage.com CEO Carl Ferrer to testify on the safeguards he claims are in place to prevent online exploitation of our countrys most vulnerable  when his company is notorious for acting as an online hub for sex trafficking  is deeply disturbing. As I have long said, we must hold Backpage.com liable for actions, like human trafficking, that take place through its site, and Ive spoken with federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, about accomplishing that goal.
Heitkamp has consistently has worked to engage, educate, and unite North Dakotas communities and federal officials in the fight against human trafficking. Just last month, Heitkamp brought DHS Blue Campaign Chair Maria Odom  a program within DHS whose agency dedicated solely to eradicating fighting human trafficking across the country  across North Dakota to work with advocates, and law enforcement, and tribal officials to develop potential areas of partnerships to help the state fight these crimes. Later that month, Heitkamp collaborated with Truckers Against Trafficking to encourage North Dakota truckers  who are often in locations, where human trafficking is more likely to occur, like rest stops  to engage in the national effort to combat these crimes by reaching out to law enforcement when they see potential instances of trafficking.
Over the past year, Heitkamp has also teamed up with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials to hold multiple trainings for North Dakotans,statewide women leaders, andlaw enforcement and victims service providerson how to identify, report, and investigate incidents of human trafficking.
Background:
Heitkamp has been leading the charge to combat human trafficking in North Dakota and across the nation by:

 
Passing Strong Bipartisan Legislation to Fight Against Human Trafficking: Heitkamp helped introduce, and played an integral role in passing in the Senates bipartisan Justice for Victims of Human Trafficking Act which the President signed into law in April. Working with Republican Senator Susan Collins, Heitkamp helped reignite the politically stalled legislation by offering a bipartisan, compromise path forward. The final bill provides greater assistance to victims of human trafficking, increased resources to law enforcement and victims services organizations, and secures greater punishments for perpetrators of these horrific crimes. The package also contains provisions Heitkamp fought for and won  including stricter punishments against traffickers who transport victims across state lines, and legal protections from her Safe Harbor bill with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to make sure victims are not treated as criminals.
 
 
Working on Bipartisan Solutions to Engage Health Care Providers: This spring, Heitkamp and Collins introduced bipartisan legislation to give health care providers  including doctors, nurses, and social workers  training to help identify and protect victims of human trafficking. Heitkamp and Collins Stop, Observe, Ask and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Act would build on Williston and New Town pilot programs to give health providers nationwide needed training on how to recognize, report, and potentially intervene when they see patients who are possible human trafficking victims. Recent studies suggest that nearly one-third of women trafficked in America saw a health care professional while they were still captive to these crimes. 
Advocating for Protections for Young People at Risk: Heitkamp has been a strong advocate and cosponsor of the bipartisan Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking and Prevention Act  which would help protect some of the most susceptible targets of human traffickers. She is continuing to push the Senate to pass the bill. In July, Heitkamp successfully secured landmark anti-human trafficking protections for children in schools in the No Child Left Behind reform legislation.
 
 
Addressing Human Trafficking as a Community Issue in North Dakota: Last fall, Heitkamp launched herStrong & Safe Communities Initiativeto address emerging challenges throughout North Dakota in the wake of the states energy boom, including human and sex trafficking. Last summer, Heitkamp brought international anti-human trafficking leader Cindy McCain to Bismarck for a Strong & Safe Communities roundtable on the challenges and next steps in North Dakotas fight against human trafficking.
 
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https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=86f66a27-d8e1-4820-8447-92da4991da6e,"Heitkamp Brings Together Minot Officials and OMB, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Officials to Press for Lasting Souris Flood Protection Solutions",2015-11-18,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Meetings Build on Conversations Heitkamp Already had with Army Corps and OMB who want to Discuss Flood Protection for Minot 
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Continuing her efforts to press for permanent flood protection solutions in the Minot area, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp announced that Minots Mayor and City Manager today concluded a series of meetings she arranged between top Minot and federal officials to emphasize the importance of a new study start of the Souris River Basin.
Heitkamp arranged meetings this week for Minot City Mayor Chuck Barney and City Manager Lee Staab with top officials at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as key Minority Appropriations Committee staff in the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Today, Heitkamp met with Barney and Staab to discuss the next steps in securing long-lasting flood protections for Minot. Following the 2011 flood, Heitkamp has been a vocal advocate for permanent flood protection for Minot and the surrounding region, and the meetings follow up on discussions she previously had with the heads of the Army Corps and OMB earlier this year.
Yesterday, Heitkamp brought OMB Associate Director for Natural Resources, Energy and Science Ali Zaidi whose agency approves funding for new starts  to her office to help him gain a better understanding from Barney and Staab of the magnitude of the 2011 floods devastation on the Minot area, and to allow the Minot officials to discuss the need for a study start to identify solutions. Later that day, Heitkamp spoke with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy, the top official at the Army Corps overseeing flood control issues.The Army Corps recommendations are taken directly taken to OMB. Immediately following their conversation, Barney and Staab met at the Pentagon with Darcy, which Heitamp arranged, where the two Minot officials were able to make the case for increased flood protections in their area.
Often I consider the 2011 flood in Minot and the surrounding area the forgotten flood  but we can change that and bring permanent flood protection to the area, said Heitkamp. Yesterday top-level federal officials came face-to-face with Minot leaders where they truly heard and felt the heartbreaking impact the 2011 flood had on the Minot community. During meetings I arranged with top OMB officials, and top official at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mayor Barney and Lee Staab were able to personally explain how the destruction of 4,100 homes, and the displacement of 11,000 community members just a few short years ago demonstrates the urgency of a new study start of the Souris River Basin Region to shine a light on existing risks, and to find permanent flood control options for the future.
Since 2013, Heitkamp has been reaching out to and meeting with U.S. Army Corps officials and calling for a study of the Basin to determine what flood protection is most needed. In September, Heitkamp invited Minot officials to Fargo to meet with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commanding General Thomas Bostick to discuss flood protection in the Minot area. Minot Mayor Chuck Barney and General Michael Wehr  the top regional U.S. Army Corps official  attended the meeting.
The historic 2011 flood in Minot, Ward County, and the Souris River Basin damaged more than 4,100 homes. Flood waters lingered for weeks, displacing more than 11,000 North Dakotans. As the city and region recover and develop strategies to mitigate future disasters, Heitkamp continues to urge the U.S. Army Corps to collaborate with the Minot area on long-term flood protection for the region.
In July, Heitkamp brought General Wehr, commander of the U.S. Army Corps regional division overseeing North Dakota, to Minot for the first time to see the impact of the 2011 flood. Heitkamp, General Wehr and local and regional officials discussed the steps the city has taken to better protect residents and the community from future floods and the importance of partnering with the U.S. Army Corps for a successful recovery and permanent protection.
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https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=87127e1c-dbdc-4198-94e7-412caa8fdef2,Heitkamp Announces Federal Loans for North Dakota Rural & Tribal Communities,2015-11-18,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, announced a total of nearly $18 million in federal direct loans and $10 million in federal loan guarantees to support rural and tribal education, housing, and healthcare development.
Investments in North Dakotas rural and tribal communities help our state stay economically vibrant, said Heitkamp. The predominantly rural landscape in North Dakota makes rural and tribal communities important to countless families. From the Red River Valley to the rugged western landscape, these communities must have the facilities they need to support the first stages of education as well as make sure our senior citizens are cared for, and thats what these federal loans will help do.""
 
Hill Top Home of Comfort, Killdeer  A $3.5 million federal direct loan will be made to build a new assisted living facility.
 
 
Hazen Memorial Hospital Association, Hazen  A more than $11 million federal direct loan as well as a $10.3 million guaranteed federal loan will be made to build a new Critical Access Hospital and clinic.
 
 
Cankdeska Cikana Community College, Fort Totten  A $3.1 million federal direct loan will be made to build a better Head Start facility.
 
These federal funds are made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan Program.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=68255c5d-342b-48df-b040-d067dc54f00c,"U.S. Senate Passes Heitkamp, Capito Bipartisan Resolution to Stop EPA Rule on Existing Power Plants",2015-11-17,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. A bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) to stop the Environmental Protection Agencys Clean Power Plan regulations for existing power sources passed today in the U.S. Senate.
Heitkamp also voted with a bipartisan majority of the Senate to pass a resolution disapproving of the Clean Power Plan regulations for new power plants.
Heitkamp continues to have concerns about the Clean Power Plans impact on coal-fired power plants, which generate about one-third of the countrys electricity and about 80 percent of North Dakotas electricity. Coal supports 13,000 jobs in North Dakota, and mining has an economic impact of $3.5 billion.
The final Clean Power Plan rule requires an emissions reduction of 45 percent from North Dakota  a dramatic jump from the original proposal of an 11 percent emissions reduction. Heitkamp has been negotiating with EPA for several months to make the rule realistic for North Dakota, working on her legislation to find a viable path forward for coal, and encouraging states challenges to the rule in court.
North Dakota power plants need workable rules if theyre going to continue generating affordable and reliable electricity for families and small businesses, said Heitkamp. EPAs rules on existing power plants are not realistic for our state and many others, and this resolution makes it clear that a bipartisan majority of the Senate agrees. To make sure overly burdensome EPA regulations dont hurt our state, Ill keep pushing for viable solutions through legislation, negotiation, and legal challenges to make sure coal remains a key energy sources for decades to come.
American jobs and economic growth are being held hostage as the administration proposes regulations that harm energy-producing states, said Capito. Todays passage of a bipartisan resolution of disapproval makes clear that enough is enough  the president cannot move forward with policies at expense of our families, communities and economy. The administration needs to understand coals role in our energy landscape, and I will continue my efforts to ensure that our state has access to affordable, reliable energy.
In September, Heitkamp secured a commitment from Janet McCabe, assistant administrator of the EPA, for her agency to send technical staff to North Dakota to work with utilities on challenges in meeting EPAs emissions reduction targets.During a meeting with the North Dakota congressional delegation the next day, McCabe again agreed to Heitkamps request that EPA technical staff visit North Dakota to address the states challenges on the ground.
Heitkamps work to find a realistic path forward for coal builds on more than a decade of experience on the board of directors of Dakota Gasification, the one-of-a-kind synfuels plant in Beulah, N.D. During her service as North Dakotas Tax Commissioner, on the North Dakota Industrial Commission, and as North Dakota Attorney General, Heitkamp worked on viable solutions to make sure coal remains a strong part of the North Dakotas energy mix.
Since joining the Senate, Heitkamp has been committed to finding a realistic avenue for clean coal by:
 
Introducing major legislation in 2013 and again this year to put coal on a viable path forward.Heitkampsbill which she introduced in 2013 and again this Congress  would incentivize companies to invest in technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of coal-fired power. This is done through federal funding programs, federal support for private investment, and recommendations to Congress that provide insight on how best to support future CCS projects in the U.S. Then in May, Heitkamp and Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia introduced a series of billsto make sure coal remains a key part of Americas energy mix, which incorporated Heitkamps initial legislation.
 
 
Bringing EPA Administrator to North Dakota to talk about coal.Heitkamp has made it clear to the Administration and EPA that she disagrees with the agencys policies regarding coal-fired power. After pressing EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Heitkampbrought McCarthyto North Dakota in February 2014 so she could hear about the impacts of EPA regulations directly from North Dakotans.Heitkamp has alsobrought U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Monizto North Dakota in August 2014 to push the U.S. Department of Energy for more investment in clean coal technology.
 
 
Working closely with U.S. Energy Department (DOE) officials on finding a path forward for coal.Heitkamp has met with numerous top officials from DOE about the need to find a path forward for coal, includingEnergy Secretary MonizandJulio Friedmann, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Clean Coal at the DOE. They both participated in clean coal symposiums at Heitkamps request, and she will continue to press both of them on the issue.
 
 
Convening industry, lawmakers, and academics to discuss a viable path forward for coal.Heitkamp co-hosted a Coal Technology Symposiumon Capitol Hill last year that brought together industry, lawmakers, experts and academics  including the Energy and Environmental Research Center from Grand Forks  to discuss the importance of finding a viable path forward for coal. To a crowded room, Heitkamp laid out why it is so important for our nation to put in place realistic energy policies and discussed the vital role coal plays in providing affordable energy in North Dakota and around the country.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1d60abcb-1f1c-465e-a52b-c7298e76e9ee,Heitkamp Reinforces Need to Support ND Foster Care Families,2015-11-14,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today reinforced the need to encourage and support foster families who open their homes to young people in need, helping them grow and thrive.
Heitkamp spoke with a group of 220 North Dakota advocates, leaders, and foster family community members during the annual conference for PATH Inc. PATH is a service-focused organization built on offering foster families a responsive and ongoing network of support to make sure they have skills, training, and understanding to provide children with a safe and nurturing place to call home. Heitkamp underscored the importance of a healthy family environment, and spoke about the critical role the federal government can play in aiding foster families.
Nurturing all of North Dakotas children is key to our states future  but in some cases, our children lack the safety and comfort that a healthy family unit brings, said Heitkamp. Fortunately, the dedicated families and leaders at PATH are working to change that. PATH is connecting North Dakota foster families with the training and services necessary to create family environments that will help North Dakotas youngest grow up healthy and thrive. Its crucial that Congress supports this work and protects our nations children. Thats why Ill continue to push for greater investments in our nations foster families to support this selfless work, and encourage more families to answer the call of caring for our children.
Heitkamp has long promoted the work of North Dakotas foster families, and has encouraged more families to care for young people in need. In March, Heitkamp reintroduced legislation to support the well-being of foster children by providing additional tax relief for current foster families, encouraging more Americans to consider offering safe homes to foster children across the country. The bill would also direct the federal government to do a better job reaching out to and educating current foster families about the financial benefits already available to them.
Later in March of this year, Heitkamp helped reintroduce the bipartisan Tribal Adoption Parity Act with Republican Senator James Inhofe from Oklahoma. Introduced last year with retired Senator Tim Johnson from South Dakota, Heitkamps bill would allow tribal governments to designate children as having special needs  just as states can  enabling adoptive parents to claim the full adoption tax credit.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=87f9e4aa-8eae-4f3d-8cf2-f6e6fa6ae578,Heitkamps Bipartisan Bill to Combat Domestic Violence Unanimously Passes Senate,2015-11-12,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced that the Senate unanimously passed her bipartisan bill to help combat domestic abuse and sexual violence by increasing access and promoting pro-bono legal services for victims of domestic violence.
Making sure domestic violence victims everywhere, including in Indian Country, have access to affordable legal services could change many lives, and thats what the bipartisan bill Senator Sullivan and I introduced aims to do, said Heitkamp. In tribal communities, rates of victimization are staggering, but far too often, victims arent able to pay for legal services to help make changes. In this bill, we require states like North Dakota to focus on support for Indian Country as part of these efforts, as well as all victims of these terrible crimes. As North Dakotas Attorney General, I was proud to implement the original Violence Against Women Act across the state in the 1990s, and to reauthorize it as a U.S. Senator. No victim should live in the shadows of fear  and with strong action, we can help many victims of domestic violence end their nightmares of abuse.
Heitkamps Pro bono Work to Empower and Represent or POWER Act (POWER Act), introduced with Republican Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, would require U.S. Attorneys in each judicial district across the country to work with domestic violence service providers or coalitions and an area volunteer lawyer project to hold at least one event promoting pro-bono legal services. The purpose is to reinforce a critical way to empower survivors of domestic violence, engage citizens, and help lift victims out of the cycle of abuse. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, cosponsored the bill.
Across Native populations in North Dakota and Alaska, rates of domestic and sexual violence are staggering. To address these crimes specifically in Indian Country and among Native communities, Heitkamp and Sullivan included a provision in the bill mandating U.S. Attorneys offices work with the Native populations in their judicial district in planning and holding an event every few years with a focus on addressing these crimes in Indian Country and among Native populations.
Senators Sullivan and Heitkamp are both former attorneys general of their states and understand how the legal system can help prevent the probability that victims will again be abused.
Heitkamp has long 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) across the state, and worked to change the perception of domestic violence as a public health issue, so it would be treated and viewed as what it is  a criminal act. As a result, Heitkamp saw firsthand the dramatic changes in the number of incidents that followed after domestic violence was criminalized. Largely due to VAWA, according to the Justice Department, the annual incidences of domestic violence have fallen more than 60 percent since 1993.
Since joining the Senate, Heitkamp has built on her work as Attorney General to combat domestic violence and stop those who seek to harm adults and children:
 
Successfully fighting for greater protections for tribal communities in Violence Against Women Act reauthorization: The first bill Heitkamp cosponsored in the U.S. Senate was the reauthorization of VAWA which she then played a key role in pushing through Congress. Heitkamp worked to include a key provision in VAWA to address the continuing crisis of violence against women in tribal communities. The provision strengthens the existing programs and provides tribal governments the force they need to prosecute non-Indian perpetrators who commit these crimes on tribal land.
 
 
Raising awareness of domestic violence awareness and resources available in North Dakota communities: In October 2014, Heitkamp met with community leaders, advocates, and victims services inFargoandMinotto highlight the urgent need to address domestic violence as a public health crisis in North Dakota. Heitkamp also toured the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) both in Grand Forks this past January and in Minot this past March to see the programs its implemented to support victims and combat domestic violence in the region.
 
 
Addressing emerging challenges in North Dakota to better combat domestic violence: Last fall, Heitkamp convened a task force of experts, law enforcement and leaders across the state in launching her Strong & Safe Communities Initiative to address emerging challenges  including a rise in domestic violence  in the wake of the oil and gas boom. Earlier this month, Heitkamp hosted her Strong & Safe Communities Summit with about 150 community leaders to discuss solutions on domestic violence and a host of other issues facing the state.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ec18fe9b-bec1-4016-a7eb-39eb25e3ba8f,Heitkamp Nominates Four Students from North Dakota to Military Service Academies,2015-11-12,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced that she nominated four outstanding students from North Dakota for admission to the nations military service academies.
Heitkamp nominated Abram Budge from Fargo, Caroline Huber from Minot, and Jacob Pikarski and Zane Rosenkrance both from Bismarck.
Serving in our nations military takes determination, dedication and ambition, all of which I see in Abram, Caroline, Jacob and Zane, said Heitkamp. Its a privilege to nominate this group of outstanding students to our nations military service academies and Im proud to have them represent North Dakota.
Members of Congress are able to nominate students to attend the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York; the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York; and the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
Below are more details about the students Heitkamp nominated:
Caroline Huber from Minot  Principal Nomination to the United States Naval Academy
Huber, who grew up in a military family and has lived abroad during her fathers military service, is currently a senior at Minot High School. She is very involved in the school, including the German Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, Model UN, and the student newspaper. Huber also plays soccer and cross country, and volunteers at the Minot Air Force Base library, Middle School Cross Country, ICAN Bike, and 705th MUNS.
Zane Rosenkrance from Bismarck  Principal Nomination to the United States Military Academy
Rosenkrance is a senior at Bismarck Century High School and is involved in National Honor Society, is an Eagle Scout, and has earned two Academies letters. He is also involved in diving, soccer, and wrestling and has participated in Air Force Academy dive camps and the Coast Guard AIM Academy.
Abram Budge from Fargo  Nominated to the United States Merchant MarineAcademy
Budge is currently a senior at Fargo South High School. He is involved in the U.S. Air Force Junior ROTC, drill competition, and Varsity Color Guard. He also serves as Commander of Summer Leadership Schools. Budge is also active in track and field, swimming, tennis and weightlifting, in addition to volunteering at Camp Wilderness.
Jacob Pikarski from Bismarck - Nominated to the United States Merchant MarineAcademy
Pikarski is a senior at Bismarck Century High School and is involved in Student Congress and History Bowl, and is a SADD Chapter Board Member. In addition, Pikarski plays varsity football and track and field, and participates in summer weight lifting. Pikarski volunteers at the Buddy Walk and New Song Church, and is a Student Leader at Arise Youth Church.
North Dakota students interested in applying to one of the military service academies for the 2017-2018 school year, should send in their applications by October 2016. For more information, visit Heitkamps website byclicking here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=c1d289a9-01f1-4c02-81b5-3cbb6037bbb8,Heitkamp Calls for Standing up for Veterans on Veterans Day & Every Day,2015-11-11,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D.  In observance of Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today spoke with North Dakota veterans, their families, and community leaders to honor the sacrifice and service of those who courageously served our country.
Heitkamp gave the keynote address at the Veterans Day Event at the Heritage Center in Bismarck to honor all of our veterans. She also spoke at the AMVETS Veterans Day Ceremony and helped honor living North Dakota Vietnam veterans. During both events, she spoke about how over the course of six months, she told the stories of more than 160 North Dakota servicemembers who never made it home from the Vietnam War. She has been collaborating with students and teachers from Bismarck High School  a project which culminated on Sunday when she joined some of the students and teachers to lay artifacts the students created at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Heitkamp also launched a new, interactive webpage to enable North Dakotans to easily learn about these servicemembers who lost their lives in the Vietnam War by easily viewing the servicemembers photos and information, and watching Heitkamps speeches on the floor of the U.S. Senate to honor them. Click here to view the new webpage.
We should know more than how many servicemembers and veterans we have lost  rather, we must know who the veterans were that bravely put their lives on the line to protect our nation, said Heitkamp. Telling the stories of the North Dakota servicemembers who never made it home from the Vietnam War has been one of the most meaningful projects Ive worked on in the Senate. Because of the efforts of students and teachers from Bismarck High School, these servicemembers stories will live on and continue to be part of history. Our veterans saved the world time and time again. And for those who made it home, they then built a country  supporting communities and constructing schools, businesses, and community centers. For so many of them, their service never ends, and we must continue to make sure they have the support and resources they earned.
This past Sunday, Heitkamp met with Bismarck High school students and teachers at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. to conclude an almost yearlong project to honor North Dakotans who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. Heitkamp collaborated with more than 150 eleventh-graders from Bismarck High School to gather information on these fallen North Dakotans and incorporated their research into a series of 15 speeches she gave on the floor on the U.S. Senate from March through August to share stories about these servicemembers lives. On Sunday, Heitkamp met with some of the students to help lay more than 30 artifacts the students made to honor North Dakotans who died in Vietnam beneath the servicemembers names on the wall of the Memorial.
A staunch advocate for veterans, Heitkamp regularly attends public events with veterans to answer questions and connect them with resources. In 2013, she conducted a six-city tour of the state, holding roundtables with veterans to discuss obstacles they encounter to critical services. Heitkamps efforts to help veterans include:
 
Connecting New Veterans to Resources  This year, Heitkamp reintroduced her Connect with Veterans Act which would better connect new veterans with job opportunities in their communities, other veterans, and additional resources and benefits.
 
 
Supporting Native American Veterans  In October, Heitkamp hosted her second Native American Veterans Summit on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indian reservation. The Summit brought together Native veterans, officials from the VA and Indian Health Service, and other advocates to help Native veterans learn more about ongoing initiatives to connect them with services and benefits. Her first Native Veterans Summit took place in June 2014 at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck.
 
 
Responding to Problems at the VA  Heitkamp took immediate action to respond to disgraceful scheduling misconduct at VA facilities nationwide. Heitkamp worked with North Dakota officials to confirm that state VA facilities were not delaying services to veterans, and then worked to pass bipartisan legislation addressing the situation. The bill improves access to services, which Heitkamp pushed for in order to help veterans living in rural areas as well as Native American veterans access care more easily.
 
 
Leading Efforts to Raise Awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress  Heitkamp called on the VA and U.S. Department of Defense to raise awareness about challenges veterans encounter with post-traumatic stress. Understanding the need to provide support for mental health and traumatic stress, Heitkamp worked to reduce the stigmas associated with post-traumatic stress as well as encourage private partnerships so employers hire more veterans.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=bbf22b19-7df9-403b-959c-9e71f9ed39c4,Heitkamp Statement on Senate Passage of Bipartisan Defense Bill,2015-11-10,2015,2015-11,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 Senate to pass the National Defense Authorization Act, which sets policy and authorizes funding levels for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
The legislation is a compromise, bipartisan bill negotiated between the Senate and House.
This bipartisan bill will help keep our country safe, and includes provisions I fought for to bolster North Dakota military missions that are critical to our national security, said Heitkamp. Its good news that both sides of the aisle have worked together to finally reach a compromise on the budget that  though far from perfect  balances military spending with domestic spending. Striking such a balance guarantees that our military will stay strong, but not at the expense of programs that educate our kids, fix our highways, and help Native families. Now we need to shift our attention to domestic priorities, like Head Start and crop insurance, that keep North Dakota communities and families strong and safe.
The National Defense Authorization Act includes several provisions that Heitkamp pushed for to benefit North Dakota, including:
 
A Heitkamp amendment to improve the militarys Arctic strategy. The bill requires DOD to submit a report on the strategy to protect national security interests in the Arctic region. Heitkamps amendment, which was included in the final bill, would strengthen this report and better position Grand Forks Air Force Base to play a significant role in future Arctic missions. Her amendment makes sure DODs Arctic strategy will focus on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) as well as inter-service, interagency, and international partnerships such as those leveraging the facilities at Grand Forks Air Force Base.
 
 
Language Heitkamp introduced to support the B-52 mission at Minot Air Force Base. The bill includes a provision Heitkamp pushed for restricting the retirement of B-1, B-2, or B-52 bomber aircraft, including the B-52s at Minot Air Force Base. The provision is based on the Long Range Bomber Sustainment Act, bipartisan legislation Heitkamp introduced with Republican Senator Mike Rounds from South Dakota in May to help support our nations nuclear deterrence posture.
 
 
A provision to improve support for the North Dakota Air National Guards mission. The bill authorizes $7.3 million in funding  which Heitkamp specifically pressed to include  for the North Dakota Air National Guard to build a new facility in Fargo for its intelligence targeting mission. The current facility is outdated and ill-suited to handle the extensive volume of classified information required by the mission.
 
 
Provisions to bolster support for unmanned aircraft mission. The bill strongly supports ISR conducted by the military by authorizing funding for unmanned aircraft missions, including those performed at Grand Forks Air Force Base and those performed by the North Dakota Air National Guard. The bill also authorizes significant increases in the procurement of MQ-9 Reaper aircraft, which will help improve operational capability, as well as capability improvements and a faster procurement schedule.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=d1213a9d-c85a-495b-ba0d-05f75503e9c9,Heitkamp Announces Federal Funding for Medical Research at University of North Dakota,2015-11-10,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced more than $300,000 in federal funding for medical research at the University of North Dakota.
Supporting scientific research at our universities across North Dakota is crucial to the educational development of college students and the growth of our communities, said Heitkamp. These federal funds will help make sure we continue to remain competitive and can address regional and community issues with new and innovative ideas. In addition, the funds will help provide students with the resources they need to conduct cutting edge medical research and build a workforce for the future.
These federal funds are authorized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and will support allergy, immunology, and transplantation research.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=f3c8f51e-fc75-4580-9de6-4ad24020cd3f,"Heitkamp Announces Federal Funding for Rural Development in Cass, Bottineau Counties",2015-11-10,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate on Agriculture Subcommittee on rural Development and Energy, today announced a total of nearly $125,000 in federal funds to support rural development projects at Golden Growers Cooperative in West Fargo, Aspen Aquaponics, and Meadowlark Granary both in Bottineau.
Agriculture is a way of life for so many folks in North Dakota, said Heitkamp. It is critical that we invest in rural communities so that North Dakota can continue to thrive economically. These federal funds will expand value-added opportunities for our producers and help create jobs in North Dakota. Through my role to lead the Senate subcommittee that oversees rural development, Ill continue to push for strong investments and needed resources and support that will strengthen rural communities in North Dakota and across the country. 
These federal funds come after Heitkamp successfully urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture in July to made needed federal investments in North Dakotas rural development and her support of federal funding to help support Golden Growers Cooperative. 
The following federal funds are authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and are distributed as follows:
 
Golden Growers Cooperative in West Fargo - $75,000. These federal funds will be used to conduct a feasibility study of value-added products from processing corn grain, including food-grade gluten-free flour, specialty food additives from corn including colorants, low calorie sweeteners, higher-value animal feed products and biochemical feedstocks.
 
 
Aspen Aquaponics in Bottineau - $25,182. These federal funds will be used to support the retail and wholesale packaged vegetables and herbs.
 
 
Meadowlark Granary in Bottineau- $24,000. These federal funds will be used to support the expand baking and milling capacity and the marketing of local food products, including bread products made from hard red spring wheat.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2445b6c5-48e2-40da-8e81-620e528f8743,Heitkamp Successfully Presses USDA to Adjust ARC-CO Payments to Producers with Farms across Counties,2015-11-09,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today successfully pressed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow farmers whose land is across multiple counties have their Agriculture Risk Coverage  County Level (ARC-CO) payments recalculated so their payments reflect whats owed to them in the physical counties where their farms are located.
Before the payment recalculation fix Heitkamp pushed for, payments owed to producers would have been based solely on the single county the producer used for administrative purposes, rather than making payments reflect what is owed to producers in the counties where they farmed. 
This fix will help farmers who produce in more than one county get the payments they deserve, said Heitkamp. Whether you grow corn, wheat, or any other crop that helps feed the world, your Title I payments should be based on where you farmed  not just on the county used for administrative purposes, which may have triggered no payment or a smaller payment than acres farmers planted in another county. To make sure the Farm Bill is working for North Dakota, Ill keep fighting to improve and protect programs that strengthen our states rural and farming communities.
The Title I ARC-CO program in the 2014 Farm Bill makes payments to producers when their countys actual crop revenue is less than the ARC-CO revenue guaranteed in their county. But for the 5 to 10 percent of U.S. and North Dakota farmers who farm land across county lines, its possible that their single administrative county may not have triggered a payment  even if they also farm in a county that did trigger a payment, or that triggered a payment at an increased level. Producers will need to file a claim requesting a recalculation at their local USDA Farm Service Agency office by February for their payments to potentially be adjusted.
Heitkamp, who helped write, negotiate and pass the 2014 Farm Bill, has worked tirelessly to represent farmers and producer across North Dakota and the country. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the ranking member on Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, Heitkamp has fought to protect and bolster programs and policies that are critical to North Dakota families and farmers  from crop insurance to increased export opportunities.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6daf5add-5b1b-4f26-8314-3ab862ac05e4,Heitkamp Announces Emergency Federal Funding for Fort Totten School District,2015-11-09,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced more than $3.6 million in emergency federal funding for the Fort Totten School District to build a new facility for its alternative high school program and Career and Technical Education programs.
Students and faculty were forced to evacuate the old facility due to mold and dust levels that were three times higher than is considered healthy. Programs are temporarily located at Tate Topa Tribal School. These federal funds, awarded through the United States Department of Education Impact Aid Program, will restore the classrooms, labs, administrative areas, restrooms and counseling areas that were lost. The new facility will accommodate six teachers and 55-75 students in a total of 9,560 square feet of new space.
Native American youth often have the cards stacked against them from a young age, and its our trust and treaty responsibility to make sure we provide the support and resources they need to succeed, said Heitkamp. These emergency federal funds through Impact Aid will play a critical role in not only making sure Native American students have a safe place to learn and grow, but to show them that they matter and that education is important.
Since her time as North Dakotas Attorney General in the 1990s, Heitkamp has worked with tribes to stand up for Native families. Her bipartisan bill to create a Commission on Native Children unanimously passed in the U.S. Senate in June 2015, and just days later it was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Heitkamp also continues to push for legislation to improve the juvenile justice system for Native youth as well as addressing the suicide epidemic among Native youth.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ff7ada3c-7a4e-491a-bfd8-e25ff0d210f5,Heitkamp: General Atomics Grand Sky Groundbreaking Further Demonstrates ND Leadership in UAS,2015-11-09,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"GRAND FORKS, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today reinforced the importance of generating public-private partnerships that have made Grand Forks a global hub of cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems (UAS) innovations, including by companies like General Atomics, which today broke ground on its new Flight Training Academy at the Grand Sky Business & Aviation Park.
Heitkamp emphasized the need to capitalize on the momentum for private investment atGrand Sky by working to build out UAS aircraft technology for commercial use, so Grand Forks can solidify its place as a global hub of UAS innovation.
North Dakota is solidifying its position as the go-to state for UAS technology partnerships  and General Atomics breaking ground today on its future training academy for UAS operators is clear evidence of that, said Heitkamp. With General Atomics joining Northrop Grumman as tenants at Grand Sky, Grand Forks will undoubtedly be the premier place to train UAS operators to fly. We now need to springboard into greater efforts to apply the technological capabilities of these aircraft for public and commercial uses such as those that help farmers and energy utilities run their businesses, while making sure the airspace is safe and open to innovation  but we have to keep communicating to get there. Thats why Ive been in consistent contact with FAA leaders for over a year, successfully pushing the agency to provide the guidance necessary to open up UAS testing in Grand Forks that will draw the investments this area needs to continue to lead UAS development.
Long an advocate for public-private partnerships such as the Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) that paved the way for Grand Sky opening as the first UAS business park of its kind in the nation, Heitkamp also helped secure the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) approval of additional authority for North Dakota to provide airspace and flexibility for the Northern Plains UAS Test Site by personally calling on the head of the FAA to do so. Just two months later, the FAA heeded her request, helping North Dakota draw more private industry partnerships. A cofounder of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus, Heitkamp continues to work to encourage the safe commercial use of UAS, introducing bipartisan legislation in February to remove undue red-tape for UAS research, open the door to more private investments, and save taxpayers money.
General Atomics follows Northrop Grumman in officially breaking ground  formally becoming the second official tenant at Grand Skys business and technology park which offers the company and other future tenants state-of-the-art facilities, added security, access to the bases runway, and the ability to closely collaborate with the Air Force.
Heitkamp has consistently worked to clear the way for UAS technology development, investment, and partnerships in North Dakota by:
 
Successfully removing barriers to UAS technology development and investments: Heitkamp successfully pressed FAA Administrator Michael Huerta for results on his agencys efforts to improve the integration of UAS into the nations airspace, urging his agency last November to avoid delays that could hinder the growth of the industry. Just three months later, the FAA heeded her call  announcing the UAS rule proposals she had asked for.
 
 
Advancing in-state UAS technology development through FAA partnerships: After announcing in December 2013 the FAAs selection of Grand Forks as a one of six official UAS Test Sites, Heitkamp brought FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to North Dakota in April 2014 to see firsthand the states unmanned aerial potential, and he announced the Northern Plains Test Site was the first UAS test site to be officially up-and-running.
 
 
Delivering results to strengthen public-private partnerships on UAS test sites: In November 2014, Heitkamp discussed efforts to finalize the Grand Sky project during a meeting with Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) representatives. Heitkamp also pushed Air Force and Northrop Grumman leaders in several meetings on the positive impact that a fully-functioning Grand Sky business park would have for the Air Force and the private sector. In a July 2014 meeting, Heitkamp and then-Commander Colonel Paul Baumandiscussed the best strategies for completing the EUL approval process and creating a plan for its successful management. Last month, Heitkamp met with current Commander Colonel Rodney Lewis and discussed ways to support development at Grand Sky. That same month, Heitkamp highlighted the need for the continued encouragement of public-private partnerships at Northrop Grummans groundbreaking at Grand Sky  making the company the first official tenant of the business and aviation park.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=68a49abc-345a-473b-b3ed-926318922cdc,"Heitkamp, Bismarck High School Students Honor Fallen N.D. Servicemembers at Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington",2015-11-08,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"At the Memorial, Heitkamp Joined Students as they Placed their Artifacts Honoring Servicemembers by the Names on the Wall
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Ahead of Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today joined a group of Bismarck High School (BHS) students at the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. to pay tribute to North Dakota servicemembers lost in Vietnam.
Heitkamp worked with 150 BHS students for months as they researched the lives of North Dakotans lost in Vietnam around the 50th anniversary of the war, and incorporated that information into a series of 15 speeches honoring those servicemembers on the U.S. Senate floor. Last spring, as a part of that project, the students created 34 artifacts representing North Dakota servicemembers killed in the war. Today, Heitkamp joined the students as they placed those artifacts at the memorial in front of each servicemembers name on the wall.
One of those artifacts represents John Lundin, who wanted to be a farmer after completing his Army service in Vietnam. To remember him, students painted a farm scene on the scoop of a hand shovel, and on the handle wrote Johns dates of birth and death in purple to represent his Purple Heart. They also painted the handle with a Bronze Star and Silver Star  medals John earned as well. Johns family mailed the students soil from the Kansas land where John had intended to farm, and a small John Deere tractor. The students placed the Kansas soil in a jar with North Dakota soil and put the tractor on the lid.
Five Bismarck students who worked on the project  including one student who worked on the artifact honoring John Lundin  were in Washington today, along with four other students and two BHS teachers who led the project.
Telling the stories of the North Dakota servicemembers who never made it home from the Vietnam War has been one of the most meaningful projects Ive worked on in the Senate. And working with these students to pay tribute to fallen North Dakotans has been a true privilege, said Heitkamp. Its fitting that our work to honor North Dakota servicemembers has culminated with these students visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. just before Veterans Day. These BHS students have learned about history in such a personal way by getting to know the family and friends of those who never made it home. As they conclude their project today, I know their work will live on and that it has impacted not just them, but so many others across North Dakota who have been so moved by their efforts.
In September, Heitkamp and the BHS students celebrated the opening of an exhibit featuring the artifacts at the Heritage Center in Bismarck, before sending them to Washington to place at the national memorial. Artifacts included a personalized BHS high school football jersey, personalized model planes, and a family tree made by a student related to one of the servicemembers. The exhibit also included a poster Heitkamp created with the photos of all 198 North Dakota servicemembers who lost their lives in Vietnam.
To mark the 50thanniversary of the war, Heitkampbegan a series of speechesin March honoring service members from North Dakota who lost their lives in Vietnam, which included research from more than 150 eleventh-graders from BHS. In March, Heitkampmet with these students in Bismarckand discussed the importance of their joint effort to honor the sacrifice and service of the North Dakotans lost in the war.
In August, Heitkamp concluded her series of 15 speeches honoring the sacrifice of North Dakotans who gave their lives during the Vietnam War. Over the course of six months, Heitkamp shared the stories of the more than 160 North Dakotans who did not return home from Vietnam.
Visit Senator Heitkamps website for more information about the project.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=e706cc1e-84c6-4bf8-9909-eb562a1d11c7,Heitkamp Statement on the Presidents Decision to Deny Permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline,2015-11-06,2015,2015-11,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 the President denied the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline  essentially blocking the project.
After about seven years of exhaustive studies and delays, the Administration finally made a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline  unfortunately, it made a decision purely driven by politics that ignored the facts, said Heitkamp. This commonsense project is just one small piece of a much larger energy strategy, but it has grown into a symbol for whether our country will support needed energy infrastructure. If we truly believe that realizing North American energy security and independence is a worthy objective for our nation, implementing a diverse energy strategy with our North American neighbors is necessary, and Ill continue to work with our Canadian partners as Ive done in the past. Yet, political ideologies on both sides of the aisle amplified the Keystone XL pipeline into something well beyond its actual reality. As I have said time and time again  its a pipeline. For years, Ive been calling on the President to support this energy infrastructure project  or at least just finally make a decision  and building support among Senate Democrats for the project. Now Congress needs to find a path forward to reverse todays decision. We need to work together to rise above partisan rhetoric, deal in real facts, achieve the all-of-the-above energy strategy this county needs, and see the Keystone pipeline for what it really is  just one more building block in making our nation more energy secure.
Long before her time in the Senate, Heitkamp has strongly supported projects to diversify North Americas energy infrastructure, including through the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Over the past two and a half years, Heitkamp has provided critical leverage to move the project forward in the Senate building essential Democratic support for a bipartisan bill to approve the Keystone pipeline. In addition to calling for bipartisan support for the bill last November, Heitkamp recruited 10 other Democratic Senators in April 2014  key support that was vital for the bills passage in the Senate  to join her efforts to put pressure on the President to make a decision on the pipeline.
Heitkamp has repeatedly taken action to move the Keystone XL pipeline forward, including: 

 
January 22, 2015  Introduced five common-sense, workable energy solutions as amendments to the bill to approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline that would have strengthened the nations commitment to a path forward for coal energy, increased certainty for wind energy workers, cut bureaucratic red-tape for Native tribes seeking to drill oil on their reservations, and improved rail and pipeline oil transportation safety as well as resources and tools for first responders.
 














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https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=8ef62675-686f-45db-9e57-471e484a902c,Heitkamp Leads Bipartisan Group of 19 Senators in Urging the Protection of Resources Supporting Native Student Academic Success,2015-11-05,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today, in partnership with Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, led a bipartisan group of 19 Senators in urging congressional leaders to protect critical resources and reforms for Native American students as part of the final agreement to reauthorize the nations elementary and secondary education reform law.
The senators pressed Republican and Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives and Senate to protect provisions Heitkamp fought for in the Every Child Achieves Act (ECAA)  the Senates legislation to reform K-12 education that would update the outdated No Child Left Behind Act. Senate and House leaders are currently negotiating a final version of the bill. In the bill, which the Senate passed this summer, Heitkamp helped include crucial provisions promoting equal access to educational opportunities for students living on tribal lands. Specifically, her legislation would make sure public school systems have access to programs, activities and support services to help prevent human trafficking, suicide and discrimination, as well as resources to fight bullying and provide trauma-informed teaching.
Every child should have the opportunity to thrive, but too often our Native children are forgotten, said Heitkamp. Today, were asking our colleagues in Congress, who are working on a final deal on the education bill I helped pass this summer, to make sure this country lives up to its trust responsibility to Native youth. By maintaining key protections and resources to help combat suicide, human trafficking, and trauma that children in tribal communities often face and which I fought for in this bill, as well as boosting Native language programs and tribal self-determination, which must be maintained so we can to make sure every Native student has the chance to achieve.
I am proud to again help lead a bipartisan effort to strengthen how our schools, tribes, and tribal organizations work together to advance Alaska Native and Native American students preparation for adulthood, said Murkowski.I was proud to help craft provisions in the Every Child Achieves Act that will benefit Native students, educators, and communities.This letter, which brings together Senators from across the country and from both sides of the aisle, further demonstrates how important these provisions are.
Click here to read Heitkamps bipartisan letter to Republican and Democratic Congressional leaders on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Joining Heitkamp in her bipartisan letter include the following 18 U.S. Senators: Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Al Franken (D-MN), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jon Tester (D-MT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tom Udall (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), John Hoeven (R-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK).
In her bipartisan letter, Heitkamp and the other senators urged Congressional leaders to preserve provisions in the bill she worked to include that would:
 
Address and prevent human trafficking in schools. Heitkamps provision would help improve school climates and make sure teachers have the training they need to provide trauma-informed teaching as well as prevent violence, suicide, and to raise awareness and prevent trafficking in schools. Without Heitkamps work to include anti-trafficking provisions, such resources would not have been addressed in the education bill. 
Improve Native student academic achievement. Heitkamp pushed to support programs aimed at strengthening the role of tribes and tribal organizations to better reflect the needs of Native students. She also supported policy to help retain educators maintaining good educator retention on tribal lands by improving partnerships between public schools and tribes, so they can boost academic success among Native youth
 
 
Protect and strengthen Native languages and cultures. Building on her work to reauthorize legislation to help preserve often endangered Native languages in ESEA, Heitkamp encouraged Congressional leaders to protect the measures cultural language enrichment and immersion programs that boost pride and morale in Native communities and improve students academic performance and attendance.
 
Heitkamp has continually advocated to make sure students living in Indian Country have access to quality educational opportunities and resources so they can thrive, including:
 
Improving educational resources for disadvantaged and at-risk Native youth. Heitkamp promoted 21st Century Community Learning Centers in the ESEA to make sure all children, including vulnerable and at-risk youth in Indian Country, are supported by safe after-school programs. In April, Heitkamp recommended several ESEA provisions including reinstating dedicated resources for after-school learning programs for disadvantaged and low-performing schools on tribal lands.
 
 
Providing equal academic opportunities for Native students. In October, Heitkamp worked to incorporate a new grant program in the ESEA to support schools that use Native languages as a primary language of instruction to help make sure Native languages survive as well as boost academic performance among students. Heitkamps bipartisan bill to address comprehensive challenges Native children face  including lacking educational opportunities  by creating a Commission on Native Children recently unanimously passed in the U.S. Senate and introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
 
 
Providing students in Native and rural communities better access to education. Heitkamp convened educators across North Dakota in January to discuss the challenges the states rural schools face and how to address their concerns through improvements to ESEA that help make sure all of North Dakota students receive access to a top-notch and comprehensive education  regardless of where they live. In April 2014, Heitkamp met with then-U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Administrator John Padalino to find ways to increase connectivity for the states Native and rural populations to make sure students in remote areas have access to needed technology education and economic opportunities.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=982bfd99-9e5e-4147-b079-0089d54bcfaf,"Heitkamp Announces Federal Funding for Research at Fort Berthold Community College, UTTC",2015-11-05,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  During Native American Heritage Month, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced at total of $285,000 in federal funding for Fort Berthold Community College in New Town and United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) in Bismarck to support research projects aimed to address community, reservation or regional programs.
These federal funds are authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program and were made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. Heitkamp played a key role in writing, negotiating and passing the Farm Bill in the U.S. Senate and fought hard to make sure there were continued investments in the future of our agriculture industry through research and innovation.
Agriculture remains one of North Dakotas top industries and is a way of life for the countless farmers and ranchers who work hard to help feed the world, said Heitkamp. These federal funds will help make sure we continue to stay on the cutting edge of agriculture strategies and practices and address regional and community problems in new and innovative ways. In addition, these federal funds will provide UTTC and Fort Berthold Community College with the support they need to provide critical learning opportunities and hands on education for Native American students.
These federal funds are distributed as follows:
 
Fort Berthold Community College in New Town - $220,000.
 
 
United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck - $65,000.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7835cd98-9611-48a6-b4a3-14c73bd67a45,Heitkamp Helps Pass U.S. Senate Resolution to Do Away with Waters of the U.S. Rule,2015-11-04,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today helped pass a Senate resolution to do away with the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) overbroad Waters of the U.S. States rule. Heitkamp today voted for a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to immediately do away with the Waters of the U.S. rule. The president will likely veto the bill should it reach his desk.
Heitkamp is also working with Republican and Democratic senators to reach a compromise about how to fix the rule, build support for her bipartisan legislation to accomplish that goal, and offer farmers and ranchers lasting certainty. She and Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana  with whom she helped write and introduce a bipartisan bill to redo the Waters of the U.S. rule  are working to reach a deal to resolve the unworkable rule, better support farmers and ranchers, and move their bill forward. Heitkamp introduced the bipartisan bill in April  which she had been working on for several months  with U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly (D-IN), James Inhofe (R-OK), and John Barrasso (R-WY).   Today the Senate passed a resolution I supported to do away with the overbroad Waters of the U.S. rule, a rule that been a primary cause of confusion and unease for farmers, said Heitkamp. Unfortunately, the President has already said he will veto it. We must work to deliver comprehensive, bipartisan solutions that bring about lasting confidence and certainty across farm country. Yesterday my bipartisan bill to provide that long-term clarity almost passed, and working with Senator Joe Donnelly, we are trying to working out a compromise across party lines on a path forward for instilling the certainty our agricultural communities depend on.
Heitkamp is strongly committed to achieving solutions that will provide lasting relief to the communities in North Dakotas farm country. After months of working to construct a solution that would give farmers and ranchers lasting relief from the overreaching Waters of the U.S. rule, Heitkamp helped introduced the bipartisan, pragmatic Federal Water Quality Protection Act in April to make sure the EPA addresses the concerns of the farmers, ranchers, and small businesses impacted by the rule. Just two months after its introduction, the bill passed in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Although their bill fell just three votes short of moving forward, Heitkamp is working with Donnelly to reach a deal to fix the Waters of the U.S. rule. Continuing her efforts to make sure the concerns of agricultural and small business workers are heard, Heitkamp brought Senator Donnelly to North Dakota in September to talk with agriculture, civic, and business leaders about the challenges they face as a result of the Waters of the U.S. rule.
Heitkamp will also continue to closely monitor the legal proceedings of court cases pending to reject the rule  and has already praised the injunction issued by the U.S. District Court of North Dakotas court in August to block the rule for 13 states, as well as the national suspension of the rule by U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit last month. As she continues to monitor these judicial proceedings, Heitkamp will continue working to gain support for her bipartisan solution to provide North Dakotas agricultural community with the lasting certainty they need.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=b32202ad-00fb-4d63-907a-cd7007d248c0,Heitkamp Calls for VA to Provide Greater Mental Health Support for Returning Veterans through Grand Forks Vet Center,2015-11-04,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) today pressed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald for more support to better address the mental and physical health challenges many newly returning veterans experience during their readjustment to civilian life.
Heitkamp requested a full-time Vet Center in Grand Forks to help increase access for the areas combat veterans. Homelessness among North Dakotas veterans has ballooned by 10 percent  from nine to 19 percent from 2006 to 2013 alone. These statistics are particularly shocking when compared to the rate of homeless veterans across the country, which decreased by 33 percent over part of the same period, from 2009 to 2014. Heitkamp also pointed out that North Dakota has lost more post-9/11 servicemembers to suicide than combat since the beginning of the Global War on Terror.
As transitioning servicemembers are likely to cluster around military bases after concluding their military service, this issue is particularly pronounced in North Dakota  which has a post-9/11 veteran population of more than 7,000  with the majority of these new veterans settling near U.S. Air Force Bases in Minot and Grand Forks. Vet Centers can help vulnerable veterans who served in combat zones readjust to civilian life by providing free counseling, screening, and referral services while removing the stigma of seeking mental health care. The VA currently maintains three Vet Centers in North Dakota, located in Fargo, Bismarck, and Minot.
In North Dakota, we take care of one another  from our neighbors to extended communities, so no one gets left behind  and our veterans returning from combat zones particularly need our support, said Heitkamp. Answering the call of duty is a life-altering experience that can leave many veterans with both the visible and invisible wounds of war, and many also feel isolated when they return to their communities. Today I urged VA Secretary McDonald to provide our veterans in the Grand Forks area with the resources they need close to home, so we can better address the devastating health impact of war on our sons and daughters, and make sure that no North Dakota service member gets left behind. Vet Centers are crucial in guiding veterans and their familys lifestyle adjustment, often occurring when veterans return home from battle, said Grand Forks Mayor Michael Brown. War zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, combined with current military operations around the world, have placed a severe strain on our combat veterans and their families. Returning combat veterans will find this service beneficial in easing their transition back into our local community.
Veterans who have returned from fighting our nation's wars are plagued by an array of injuries, said Walsh County Veterans Service Officer Chris Kratochvil. Some of these injuries can be observed such as burns or wounds from battle, but others are not so easily recognized such as adjustment disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress. Mental health is a top priority for our nations veterans and ensuring that we as a nation are doing everything in our power to see these heroes are given the care that they deserve is our duty and obligation.
Read Heitkamps letter to VA Secretary McDonald here, and read letters of endorsement for a Vet Center in Grand Forks here. 
Heitkamp has long pressed for policies that better connect our nations new veterans with the services they need to help them transition and readjust to civilian life. This summer, Heitkamp reintroduced her bipartisan Connect with Veterans Act, which aims to address the challenges newly returning veterans in North Dakota face in obtaining needed services and benefits, including employment opportunities, education assistance, and health care like mental health services. Heitkamp first introduced the bill last Congress.
Background
As co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Defense Communities Caucus, Heitkamp has long stood up for veterans and servicemembers in North Dakota and throughout the country. Shortly after joining the Senate, sheconducted a statewide listening tour, meeting with veterans across the state and discussing their concerns to better understand the challenges many of them face. Since then, she has worked to:
 
Improve Veterans Access to Readjustment Resources: In July, Heitkamp reintroduced her bipartisan Connect with Veterans Act to help newly returning veterans readjust to civilian life by allowing them to decide the resources and services  like employment and educational opportunities and health services  they receive information on in their area. Specifically, her bill would create a voluntary, locally based directory of information to allow agencies and organization to contact interested veterans with information on the resources they need. Her bill is endorsed by community leaders and organizations working to assist veterans across North Dakota. 
Connect Native American Veterans with Benefits and Services: Last month, Heitkamp hosted her second Native American Veterans Summit in Belcourt. Building on the success of her first Native American Veterans Summit in June 2014 in Bismarck, she brought together Native veterans from across the state, officials from the VA, and other advocates to give veterans a chance to be heard. It was also an opportunity for Native veterans to learn more about ongoing initiatives to connect them with services and benefits. In August 2014, she fought for and helped pass legislation to help veterans living in rural and areas and Native American veterans more easily get care. Also last summer, following her initial Native Veterans Summit, Heitkamp launched a new one-stop-shop webpage for Native American veterans, aiming to more easily connect these veterans with information about benefits and services available to them.
 
 
Honor North Dakota Vietnam War Veterans: As our nation remembers the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, Heitkamp gave 15 speeches on the floor of the U.S. Senate to recognize North Dakotas KIA and MIA Vietnam veterans. In working to honor these veterans, Heitkamp collaborated with 150 Bismarck High Schools students who researched the lives of North Dakotans lost in the war.
 
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https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=10a62620-0eb7-4665-841d-ee262f91a0a4,Heitkamps Bipartisan Bill to Redo Waters of the U.S. Rule Gets Vote in Senate,2015-11-03,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today voted for her bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate to do away with the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Waters of the United States rule, which has caused North Dakotas farmers, ranchers, and small businesses immense confusion and uncertainty.
Heitkamps bipartisan, pragmatic bill  which she introduced in April with U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly (D-IN), James Inhofe (R-OK), and John Barrasso (R-WY)  would send the unworkable Waters of the U.S. rule back to the EPA to redo. Their bill would make sure the EPA addresses the concerns of the farmers, ranchers and small businesses impacted by the rule. While Heitkamps long-term solutions bill gained bipartisan backing, it ultimately fell just three votes short of the 60-votes needed. Heitkamp will continue to push for her bill by educating senators about the impact of the rule and build support so North Dakotas small business and agricultural communities are heard.
Anytime I show someone from outside North Dakota around our state, I point out the Prairie Potholes which reinforce how there is water everywhere in North Dakota. The EPAs Waters of the U.S. rule compromises the work of farmers and ranchers by implementing sweeping rules that fail to distinguish between navigable bodies of water and Prairie Potholes. Thats just plain sloppy and potentially devastating for North Dakotas producers, said Heitkamp. Clean water is one of our most precious resources, and no one understands that more than farmers. Even if the Waters of the U.S. rule stays in limbo in the court system for some time or is ultimately struck down, that still isnt giving farmers certainty. Its disappointing my bipartisan bill didnt move forward today, but Im going to keep educating senators about the need for our bill and explaining why the concerns of farmers and ranchers must be incorporated into any rule. North Dakotans and all Americans expect Congress to make the final decision about this rule and provide much needed guidance on the issue, and thats what Im working to do.
Heitkamp has long been fighting to do away with the current unworkable Waters of the U.S. rule to send it back to the EPA, and mandating that the agency revise it. For several months, Heitkamp worked on a legislative solution to this regulatory uncertainty, unveiling a long-term bipartisan legislative fix in April. Heitkamps Federal Water Quality Protection Act would require the EPA to revise the Waters of the U.S. rule by taking into consideration the concerns of farmers, ranchers, and small business owners the rule would impact. Just two months after its introduction, her bill passed in the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Continuing her efforts to make sure the concerns of agricultural and small business workers are heard, Heitkamp brought Senator Donnelly to North Dakota in September to talk with agriculture, civic, and business leaders about the challenges they face as a result of the Waters of the U.S. rule.
Heitkamp will also continue to closely monitor the legal proceedings of court cases pending to reject the rule  and has already praised the injunction issued by the U.S. District Court of North Dakota in August to block the rule for 13 states, as well as the national suspension of the rule by U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit last month. As she continues to monitor these judicial proceedings, Heitkamp will continue working to gain support for her bipartisan bill to provide North Dakotas agricultural community with the lasting certainty they need.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=48d26c7a-a271-40f7-a8ba-850ac04a5b70,"Heitkamp Visits Central America to Learn about Impact of Human Trafficking, Gangs, Drug Trafficking on U.S.",2015-11-02,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp traveled to Guatemala and Honduras with a congressional delegation over the weekend to learn about how human trafficking, gang violence, and other challenges there impact the United States, and to develop solutions that will help both Central America and the United States.
Our world is so connected today that what happens outside our borders can have a huge impact on us right here in the United States. Thats why I traveled to Central America with fellow members of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee  to learn about challenges there that affect our country and how we can work with those nations to develop solutions, said Heitkamp. Human trafficking, drugs, and gangs in Central America can all cause families to want to leave those nations, so its important that we understand those root causes to make sense of migration within the Americas. It was particularly moving to meet with girls at a shelter for victims of human trafficking  their resilience reminded me why its critical that we fight this horrible crime in North Dakota and around the world.
Heitkamp traveled with a bipartisan group of Members of Congress, including Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson from Wisconsin, Ranking Member Tom Carper from Delaware, Senator Gary Peters from Michigan, and Representative Reid Ribble from Wisconsin. Heitkamp helps lead the Homeland Security Committees Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management.
On her trip, Heitkamp met with a variety of law enforcement and other officials to discuss how Central American nations are working to tackle gang violence, drug trafficking, and corruption. Heitkamp met directly with the President of Honduras and the President-Elect of Guatemala to make sure those nations understand the importance of working with the United States to reduce violence and improve public safety.
Heitkamp also visited a shelter for victims of human trafficking, and has long been a leader in fighting human trafficking  both in the U.S. and abroad. In the spring of 2014, shevisited Mexico with Cindy McCain  a global leader in combating human trafficking  and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN),where they met with local officials and advocates to learn about the actions Mexico is taking to stop human trafficking and what help they could provide as the U.S. looks to develop an institutional resistance to trafficking.
Heitkamp launched herStrong & Safe Communities Initiativeto address emerging challenges throughout North Dakota in the wake of the states energy boom, including human and sex trafficking.To help the state combat the issue, Heitkamp has led three training sessions in North Dakota with U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials totrain North Dakotans,women leadersin the state, andlaw enforcement and victims service providerson how to identify, report, and investigate incidents of human trafficking.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=bcb7973f-7a76-4658-bb21-89e5699eda18,Heitkamp Statement on TransCanada Suspending its Permit Application to Construct the Keystone XL Pipeline,2015-11-02,2015,2015-11,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 TransCanada suspended its permit to construct the Keystone XL pipeline.
Year after year we have waited on this Administration to make a decision on the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, and in that time have witnessed the conflation of a basic infrastructure expansion project into the foremost emotional and overly politicized issue as it relates to our countrys energy policy, said Heitkamp. After just three years shy of a decade of delay, TransCanada suspended its application seeking a permit for the project, relaying a terrible message about the state of our ability to move forward on an all-of-the-above energy policy to which nearly every legislator in the United States Congress  and the Administration  claims to ascribe. Halting a basic infrastructure expansion project will not make this country more energy efficient or independent, but it does set a foreboding precedent about our ability to achieve those goals. If we are serious about reducing our dependence on foreign oil and one day achieving our goal of energy independence, it is absolutely crucial that we immediately cease from legislating on emotion alone and finally get to work. 
Long before her time in the Senate, Heitkamp has strongly supported projects to diversify North Americas energy infrastructure, including through the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Over the past two and a half years, Heitkamp has provided critical leverage to move the project forward in the Senate building essential Democratic support for a bipartisan bill to approve the Keystone pipeline. In addition to calling for bipartisan support for the bill last November, Heitkamp recruited 10 other Democratic Senators last April  key support that was vital for the bills passage in the Senate  to join her efforts to put pressure on the President to make a decision on the pipeline.
Heitkamp has repeatedly taken action to move the Keystone XL pipeline forward, including: 
 
March 4, 2015  Heitkamp expressed disappointment following the failure of the Senate to gather a sufficient number of votes to override President Obamas veto of the Senate and House-passed bill to approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.
 
 
February 24, 2015  Expressed disappointment in President Obamas veto of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives-passed bill to prove the Keystone XL pipeline.
February 11, 2015  Welcomed the approval of the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline in the U.S. House of Representatives.
January 29, 2015  Voted to approve the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline in the U.S. Senate.
January 26, 2015  Voted to move Keystone XL pipeline approval forward.
January 22, 2015  Introduced five common-sense, workable energy solutions as amendments to the bill to approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline that would have strengthened the nations commitment to a path forward for coal energy, increased certainty for wind energy workers, cut bureaucratic red-tape for Native tribes seeking to drill oil on their reservations, and improved rail and pipeline oil transportation safety as well as resources and tools for first responders.
January 7, 2015  Spoke on the Senate floor and urged her colleagues to support legislation that would approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.
November 18, 2014  Voted for legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, but the legislation did not receive enough votes in the Senate.
May 1, 2014  Helped introduce legislation to fully approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.
 











###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ea2cdff8-dd1a-4f33-ad9d-8f5a96e027e3,Heitkamp Bill to Improve Disaster Relief for Small Businesses Unanimously Passes U.S. Senate,2015-11-02,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bill Would Help Small Businesses Impacted by Flooding & other Natural Disasters Recover
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced that her bill to provide better protections to small businesses impacted by natural disasters, such as flooding or drought, passed unanimously in the Senate.
After hearing from small businesses in North Dakota about the challenges with recovering from flooding or severe storms, Heitkamp drafted legislation to help them access federal disaster funds quicker, so they can get their businesses back up and running while also helping local economies recuperate. Heitkamps bill passed as part of a larger package of disaster relief legislation.
Starting a small business is no small feat, and if disaster strikes, small business owners should have access to needed and quick federal support to help them get back up and running, said Heitkamp. Flooding is no stranger to North Dakota, but even with warnings it can devastate communities, as we saw during the historic 2011 flood in Minot. Many of these small business owners put everything into starting and running their businesses which also create jobs and grow the local economy. By passing my legislation to help businesses like those in Minot, the Senate showed it supports commonsense solutions for entrepreneurs to weather storms and natural disasters so they are able to continue operating and support their communities as they recover.
Heitkamps Small Business Disaster Reform Act would specifically help small businesses apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for assistance in the aftermath of natural disasters, so they are not forced to use their personal homes as collateral on disaster loans under $200,000. Instead, her legislation would allow the SBA to accept the borrowers other business assets as collateral, if available. Additionally, Heitkamps bill would provide the flexibility needed to allow out-of-state Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) to assist small businesses, in neighboring states struck by a natural disaster, providing for a quicker response time when most needed. Last Congress, Heitkamp joined a bipartisan coalition of Senators in supporting the bill.
Heitkamp has been a strong advocate for small businesses in North Dakota  which include 96 percent of employers in the state  and sought to help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters by:
 
Pushing for federal funds to help communities impacted by flooding recover. In 2013, Heitkamp helped secure tens of millions of dollars through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to help Minot rebuild and secure housing and service opportunities for working families, as well as to expand economic opportunities. As a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Heitkamp helps oversee HUD and the CDBG and works to make sure the program expands and supports North Dakotas housing needs. Heitkamp has worked to secure federal funds and pushed for permanent flood protections throughout the state to protect communities affected by the 2011 flooding, including Minot and Fargo.
 
 
Making sure small businesses that fall on hard times due to disasters, like flooding, get resources to bounce back. In 2014, Congress passed legislation, which included bipartisan legislation Heitkamp pushed for, to make flood insurance affordable and protect North Dakota homeowners. Also in 2014, the President signed into law legislation, backed by Heitkamp, to support water infrastructure projects in North Dakota, includingpermanent flood protection for more than 200,000 residentsin Fargo and surrounding areas.
 
 
Bringing the head of the SBA to North Dakota to hear firsthand from local small businesses. Senator Heitkamp brought SBA Administer Maria Contreras-Sweet to Fargo to host the first Senate Small Business Committee field hearing in the state. Heitkamp brought together entrepreneurial leaders from the Fargo area to discuss the strong growth of startups in North Dakota and to highlight the importance of investing both private and public funds -- in rural areas like North Dakota. Heitkamp and Contreras-Sweet also met with successful female small business owners and tribal and business leaders.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=d5de65b8-8fb5-400c-b9fb-ff6e1d4e0ca6,Heitkamp Statement on Senate Passage of Budget Deal,2015-10-30,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today voted for the bipartisan budget deal, which the Senate passed, that will enable the federal government to pay its bills, avoid default, and allow Congress to make needed investments in education, infrastructure, veterans, and the military.

Heitkamp, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry, received confirmation that leaders in the House and Senate reached an agreement to fix cuts to the crop insurance program in the budget deal after the deal passes. Heitkamp will work to make sure that happens so the dire cuts to crop insurance dont take place and the 2014 Farm Bill is not reopened. Heitkamp helped write, negotiate, and pass the Farm Bill which strengthens crop insurance to give producers certainty and reduces the deficit by $23 billion.
To set our country on a strong fiscal path, address the deficit, and enable American workers and businesses to do their jobs, Congress needs to work together on long-term, bipartisan solutions, said Heitkamp. But for far too long, it has jumped from one week or months-long deadline to another, putting our economy at risk and harming businesses along the way, said Heitkamp. With this bipartisan budget deal, Congress is taking an important step forward. It isnt a perfect deal, but this compromise protects our economy and gives some needed certainty to American families and businesses over the next two years.
We also received assurances from Senate and House leadership that they will work to reverse harsh cuts to crop insurance in this deal so the critical safety net program continues to support farmers and keep intact the 2014 Farm Bill -- which many of us diligently worked on for over a year. This deal is a step forward, but we still have a long way to go, and Ill keep working with Republicans and Democrats on a long-term budget that is fair, sets the country on a road to success, and doesnt target rural America.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6ecffc59-0105-441c-8f9a-ebcc63198e0c,Heitkamp Announces Federal Funding to Support Low-income Households,2015-10-29,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp announced a total of $50,000 in federal grants to support housing for low-income households.
North Dakotans understand the importance of giving our neighbors a helping hand when they are most in need, said Heitkamp. This federal support will make sure some of the most vulnerable among us have a secure place to call home. And when all families have safe, affordable homes, our communities thrive.
These federal funds are awarded to Red River Regional Council to help make repairs and renovations to 15 low-income homes in Pembina County. The Red River Regional Council works with local governments, businesses, and non-profits to develop comprehensive plans that help communities solve issues that may otherwise be overlooked.
The federal funds come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development through its Housing Preservation Grant program.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ae4aa890-162e-4247-a3ec-0120fe95128f,Heitkamp Presses U.S. Housing Secretary for Stronger Public-Private Partnerships to Improve Housing in Indian Country,2015-10-29,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp pressed the U.S. housing secretary for sustained solutions to improve dire housing conditions across Indian Country, including strengthening public-private partnerships.   
During a conversation with U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julin Castro, Heitkamp emphasized the need for broader solutions to promote long-term housing strategies on Indian lands. Specifically, Heitkamp and Castro discussed potential areas of collaboration to improve public-private partnerships to develop housing in Indian Country. Heitkamp has long worked with Castro and his agency to strengthen federal support for improving Native housing conditions. Earlier this month, Heitkamp spoke with a group of HUD officials about the importance of building public-private partnerships to encourage investment and support the need for affordable housing.
Too many Native families live in impoverished communities lacking federal support, forcing them to live in overcrowded, dilapidated homes that pose severe health and safety hazards, said Heitkamp. Outside of Indian Country, many of these homes would be condemned. For too long, this crisis has proliferated in the shadows of our federal government and in the peripheries of public awareness  but we can and we must do more to change it. Secretary Castro and I spoke about the need to broaden public-private investments across Indian Country so we can open up access to resources. Since I brought him to visit Turtle Mountain last fall to see these dire conditions in person, North Dakota tribes have seen a renewed federal focus on Native housing, and Ill keep pushing to strengthen these partnerships to provide solutions that last.
After speaking with Castro last month about how Native families in North Dakota too often live in overcrowded, dilapidated, and substandard homes that cannot withstand the states severe weather conditions, Heitkamp secured $800,000 for the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribes mold remediation efforts. The federal funds are part of the $6 million for mold remediation in Indian Country nationwide that Heitkamphelped secure and announced with Castro last fall when shebrought him to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indian reservationin Belcourt. During that visit, Heitkamp showed Castro the unacceptable housing conditions in which so many Native families live.
According to a U.S. Census 2007-2011 survey, nine percent of Native households are overcrowded at arate of almost three timesthat of the rest of the country. Heitkamp has long worked to address North Dakotas housing crisis in Indian Country and provide safe, affordable housing to families. As North Dakotas Attorney General, Heitkamp served on the board of directors of the states Housing Finance Agency and worked to promote better housing solutions on tribal lands. Since joining the Senate, Heitkamp has been steadfast in her work to improve housing conditions for families across Indian Country, by:
 
Pushing for needed upgrades to tribal housing: As a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Heitkamp has advocated for increased infrastructure and financial solutions to reduce barriers in Indian housing development. In March, Heitkamp helped the Committee pass bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA), which supports efforts to provide safe and affordable housing to American Indians. Heitkamp has been pushing for the reauthorization of NAHASDA since July 2013.
 
 
Engaging the Administration on unsafe conditions in Indian Country: Heitkamp has consistently engaged the President, U.S. housing secretary, and other federal leaders on addressing mold issues across tribal lands. After the President and First Lady visited Standing Rock in June 2014, Heitkamp encouraged President Obama to improve educational conditions for children at Cannon Ball Elementary  a learning facility battling mold, rodent infestation and a leaky roof. Shortly after, the school was awarded technological assistance in every classroom, and President Obama cited his visit as the impetus for his Generation Indigenous Initiative to help Native students overcome barriers to success.
 
 
Securing investments in housing improvements: Last October, Heitkamp brought HUD Secretary Castro to Belcourt to view the dire housing conditions on the Turtle Mountain reservation. During the visit, Castro and Heitkamp announced the approval of $6 million in mold remediation funding. As part of that funding, Heitkamp helped secure $800,000 in mold remediation for the Spirit Lake tribe last month. In February, Heitkamp announced more than $20 million in federal funding to promote safe and affordable housing on tribal lands in North Dakota.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1bcfe2d7-60d4-479e-8819-4f3bf2b44240,Heitkamp Announces Federal Funding for STEM Education,2015-10-28,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp announced $66,479 in federal funding to strengthen science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for North Dakota students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
STEM education is critical in preparing students to enter a competitive 21st Century workforce, said Heitkamp. UND has proven to be a top research facility and I know that by supporting teacher training it will equip our states teachers with the tools they need to keep North Dakota and our country leading a global economy.
These federal funds will be used to support the development of STEM education through a program at the University of North Dakota (UND). This program aims to help teachers expand upon their knowledge of the most up-to-date education techniques to better educate students in these increasingly important courses. The information this NDSU program collects will be used to support the professional development of teachers to make sure todays students are prepared for the careers of tomorrow.
These funds are authorized by the National Science Foundation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1c3a0e23-6498-49b9-bcc1-483cf1476a48,Heitkamp Statement on Short-term Extension of Transportation Bill,2015-10-28,2015,2015-10,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 the Senate passed a short-term bill authorizing U.S. transportation policy. The 22-day extension, which also passed in the House of Representatives, will give Congress more time to pass a long-term bill.
Waiting until the last minute and then punting to a new deadline isnt how North Dakota road construction projects are planned, and it shouldnt be how Congress legislates on our essential infrastructure, said Heitkamp. Theres no good reason to lurch from deadline to deadline like this when almost three months ago the Senate already passed a long-term transportation bill  a bill that has broad, bipartisan support. Im hopeful that this short-term patch will push the House and Senate to finally reach consensus on long-term policies to help our economy grow, give businesses certainty, and enable key construction projects in North Dakota and across the country to get done.
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 will need improvements like resurfacing, widening, reconstruction and other maintenance in 2015.
In July, the Senate passed a bipartisan, long-term bill to authorize and fund federal highway programs that support critical infrastructure projects in North Dakota. The bill also included Heitkamps legislation reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank, but the House did not take up the Senates bill.
The long-term transportation bill passed by the Senate in July included several provisions Heitkamp successfully pushed for, which would help provide a long-term path forward for North Dakotas transportation infrastructure growth. The bill would:
 
Keep North Dakotas Transportation Infrastructure Strong:The bill would provide steady increases in federal funding to make sure the state can plan for its rapidly expanding communities as the states population grows  with about $254 million in funding for 2016 and a projected $288.5 million in 2021.
 
 
Increase Support from Tribal Transit:The bill includes $30 million in automatic funding for theTribal Transit Program a U.S. Department of Transportation program which helps support the operation and planning of public transportation on tribal lands  which Heitkamp advocated for.
 
 
Maintain Support for Critical Research at NDSU:The bill included $72 million in federal funding to continue needed education and research being done at university transportation centers like NDSUsUpper Great Plains Transportation Institute.
 
 
Cut Unnecessary Red-Tape for Farmers & Custom Harvesters:Heitkampintroduced bipartisan legislationthis spring to make sure farmers and custom harvesters in North Dakota and across the country are not burdened by a financially restrictive and time-consuming requirement of obtaining licenses to transport 1,000 gallons of diesel or less that they need to do their jobs. The Senate-passed bill in July included herFuel Transport Actwhich would cut this unnecessary red-tape.
 
In May, Heitkamp held adiscussion in Bismarck with community leaders about the importance of federal investments to help build and expand roads and bridges in North Dakota, improve safety, and keep up with the increase of traffic on the roads.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=48533c81-e8b4-4c1d-b12c-2bafa256f1b5,Heitkamp Statement on Short-term Extension of Transportation Bill,2015-10-28,2015,2015-10,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 the Senate passed a short-term bill authorizing U.S. transportation policy. The 22-day extension, which also passed in the House of Representatives, will give Congress more time to pass a long-term bill.
Waiting until the last minute and then punting to a new deadline isnt how North Dakota road construction projects are planned, and it shouldnt be how Congress legislates on our essential infrastructure, said Heitkamp. Theres no good reason to lurch from deadline to deadline like this when almost three months ago the Senate already passed a long-term transportation bill  a bill that has broad, bipartisan support. Im hopeful that this short-term patch will push the House and Senate to finally reach consensus on long-term policies to help our economy grow, give businesses certainty, and enable key construction projects in North Dakota and across the country to get done.
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 will need improvements like resurfacing, widening, reconstruction and other maintenance in 2015.
In July, the Senate passed a bipartisan, long-term bill to authorize and fund federal highway programs that support critical infrastructure projects in North Dakota. The bill also included Heitkamps legislation reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank, but the House did not take up the Senates bill.
The long-term transportation bill passed by the Senate in July included several provisions Heitkamp successfully pushed for, which would help provide a long-term path forward for North Dakotas transportation infrastructure growth. The bill would:
 
Keep North Dakotas Transportation Infrastructure Strong:The bill would provide steady increases in federal funding to make sure the state can plan for its rapidly expanding communities as the states population grows  with about $254 million in funding for 2016 and a projected $288.5 million in 2021.
Increase Support from Tribal Transit:The bill includes $30 million in automatic funding for theTribal Transit Program a U.S. Department of Transportation program which helps support the operation and planning of public transportation on tribal lands  which Heitkamp advocated for.
 
 
Maintain Support for Critical Research at NDSU:The bill included $72 million in federal funding to continue needed education and research being done at university transportation centers like NDSUsUpper Great Plains Transportation Institute.
 
 
Cut Unnecessary Red-Tape for Farmers & Custom Harvesters:Heitkampintroduced bipartisan legislationthis spring to make sure farmers and custom harvesters in North Dakota and across the country are not burdened by a financially restrictive and time-consuming requirement of obtaining licenses to transport 1,000 gallons of diesel or less that they need to do their jobs. The Senate-passed bill in July included herFuel Transport Actwhich would cut this unnecessary red-tape.
 
In May, Heitkamp held adiscussion in Bismarck with community leaders about the importance of federal investments to help build and expand roads and bridges in North Dakota, improve safety, and keep up with the increase of traffic on the roads.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=bab06695-9a84-4c05-98d6-fa99799e06f7,Heitkamp Announces Significant Federal Funding for Storm Restoration Costs,2015-10-28,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator Worked with Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative to Successfully Push for Federal Funds
WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, announced more than $1.4 million in federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative to reimburse it for costs incurred to repair damages from the 2010 winter storm.
It has been over five years and FEMA has finally made good on its promise to support our local power cooperative, as they worked to restore power for the areas hit the hardest, said Heitkamp. We must know that when disasters hit, the federal government will be a partner in helping our local communities recover and not stand in the way with unnecessary red tape. Im glad to see this funding come through, but we must make sure resources are available on a timely basis for our communities to come back stronger and safer than they were before a disaster hits.
The 2010 winter storm left more than 8,400 North Dakotans without power and since this time, Mor-Gran-Sou has been working with FEMA to receive reimbursement for the costs incurred in fixing downed power-lines, poles, and to restore power. Heitkamp worked side-by-side with Mor-Gran-Sou to push FEMA to meet its obligations. She specifically pressed FEMA Deputy Administrator Nimmich to make sure Mor-Gran-Sou was treated fairly and received the reimbursement for the work completed.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=d0aa1706-445a-4859-9b1b-c5d8ec8c385c,Heitkamp Announces $1.2 Million in Federal Funds to Boost the Number of North Dakota Pumps Carrying Biofuels,2015-10-28,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced $1.2 million in federal funds to expand the number of gas pumps with higher blends of ethanol in North Dakota, making renewable fuels more readily available to American consumers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide a total of $100 million in grants through the program nationwide. Those funds will be matched by states and private companies investments to fund nearly 5,000 pumps at 1,400 fueling stations across 21 states. USDA announced the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) in May, with the goal of doubling the number of higher blend renewable fuel pumps throughout the country.
North Dakota leads the pack in pursuing all-of-the-above energy policies, and Ill keep fighting to make sure biofuels are a part of that energy mix, said Heitkamp. These funds will strengthen our states already-thriving biofuels industry, putting more pumps at more stations so you and I can fill up our tanks with North Dakota biofuels more easily than ever. Biofuels not only support our states farmers, rural communities, and the biodiesel industry  they also provide clean, reliable fuel and give us more choice at the pump. Now we need the EPA to step up and put out stronger policies that boost biofuels and accurately reflect the industrys growth. Ill keep pushing federal agencies to support biofuels, and will keep leading my colleagues to back policies benefiting biofuels and the all-of-the-above energy strategy our nation needs.
Heitkamp has long been a leader in supporting North Dakotas biofuels industry, and shes gotten results.In May, Heitkamp led a group of Senate Democrats in calling on the EPA to end its delays on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), to put biodiesel workers back to work and provide long-overdue certainty to industry producers. Just weeks later, the EPAheeded her call, setting Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for 2014 through 2016 for ethanol and through 2017 for biodiesel. In February, Heitkampled a bipartisan group of 32 Senatorsin calling on the EPA to set biodiesel production levels through 2017 to provide certainty to the biodiesel industry and the thousands of workers it employs.
Nationwide,62,000 American jobs depend on the biodiesel industry  an industry that reduces greenhouse emissions by more than 50 percent compared to petroleum diesel. But according to the National Biodiesel Board, 54 biodiesel plants in 30 states have closed or idled since November 2012 because of the lack of certainty from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 2014,nearly 80 percent of U.S. biodiesel producers scaled back production, and almost 6 in 10 idled production altogether. 
Heitkamp has a long history of fighting for EPA to provide certainty to farmers and biodiesel workers. Since joining the U.S. Senate, she has:
 
Called for the EPA to prioritize American-produced biodiesel.In January, Heitkampcalled out the EPA for prioritizing the import of biodiesel from abroadover biodiesel from American  and North Dakotan  producers, hurting farmers, industry jobs, and rural communities. She reinforced that recent layoffs and plant closures in the biodiesel industry underscore the need for the EPA to provide certainty for biodiesel workers at home by setting production levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
 
 
Gathered Senate Democrats to call for the EPA to set a strong RFS.In March 2014, Heitkamp brought together five other Senators and a farmer from Mantador to call on the EPA to support policies that stand up for biodiesel jobs and production. A year later, the EPA still hasnt issued its rule and they are continuing to press on the agency.
 
 
Brought the EPA head to North Dakota to hear from farmers and renewable fuels producers.In February 2014, Heitkampbrought EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to North Dakotato hear firsthand from farmers and renewable fuels producersabout how the agencys proposal would reduce the effectiveness or the RFS and decrease the required amount of U.S.-produced biofuels. Heitkamp encouraged McCarthy to reverse the EPAs proposaland instead put forth a proposal that would promote investment in the next generation of biofuels, and support our economy and good jobs in rural North Dakota. Last November, theagency heeded her call, delaying the implementation of the misguided new standards.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=e5af9118-0840-4212-a4c7-8b8690a0cc71,Heitkamp Statement on House Passage of her Bill to Save the Export-Import Bank,2015-10-28,2015,2015-10,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. House of Representatives passed her bill to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. The vote came after House members signed a discharge petition  a rare parliamentary move requiring 218 members of the House to force a vote  to save the Export-Import Bank.
American workers and small businesses deserve a clear consensus of support from Congress  and thats exactly what they got as the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, said Heitkamp. By passing my bipartisan bill to reauthorize an agency that for over 80 years has supported American jobs and economic growth at no cost to taxpayers, Congress showed that an overwhelming majority of both the Senate and House support growing jobs, boosting our economy, and leveling the playing field for American entrepreneurs, including many businesses and workers in North Dakota. Its my hope that the Senate will quickly take up the mantle of delivering the certainty businesses and workers deserve  as it did back in July when it first passed this bill  reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank to keep jobs growing and thriving on American soil.
This summer, 64 Senators voted to include Heitkamp and Republican Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois bill to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank as an amendment to the long-term transportation legislation which passed in the Senate at the end of July. Unfortunately the House of Representatives did not bring the highway bill up for a vote  but Heitkamp has continued to push for a path forward for her bill. The House vote showed overwhelming bipartisan support for her legislation reinforcing the clear bipartisan consensus that exists in both houses of Congress to pass Heitkamps legislation to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=67ac0520-4aac-4e82-8672-0666b9e78a2c,"Heitkamp Statement on Passage of Bill to Improve Cybersecurity, Including Heitkamp Amendment Helping Emergency Responders",2015-10-27,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today voted for comprehensive legislation the Senate passed to improve cybersecurity, better protecting national security and American businesses. The bill includes an amendment Heitkamp wrote to make sure states that want assistance securing their emergency response networks from cyberattacks will receive help from the federal government.
Heitkamp also launched a new webpage featuring 10 Smart Ways to Protect Yourself From Cyber Threats to help North Dakotans improve their cybersecurity at home and at their businesses.
Our lives are more connected online than ever before. Just as families and businesses face the threat of cyberattacks, such intrusions also pose a serious national security risk for our financial systems, electric grid, and first responder networks, said Heitkamp. Emergency responders and 911 call centers work hard day in and day out to keep our communities safe. With growing cybersecurity threats to our emergency response systems, my amendment to the cybersecurity bill will make sure first responders in North Dakota and around the country are as protected as possible against cyber threats so they can effectively keep our communities safe. As a whole, this bill will make it easier for businesses and the government to share cyber threat data so that online interactions are more secure for North Dakota families and businesses.
Currently, no federal entity gathers and analyzes information from states on cyber outages of emergency service networks. Collecting that data  which Heitkamps amendment allows for  would assist the federal government and states in preventing and responding to cyber incidents involving emergency service networks. By voluntarily providing information about cyber risks or incidents, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security would provide best practices to improve cybersecurity on those critical networks.
Top national security experts, including former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, have said cyber threats are the biggest national security threats we face  both to financial systems as well as our electric grid. To help prevent such attacks, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) will help protect businesses from cyber threats and boost national security by:
 
Enabling companies to share information about cyber threats with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Working with DHS will help the private sector secure private data networks from hackers.
 
 
Encouraging the government to share classified and unclassified information about cyber threats with the private sector. Information sharing about possible threats will help the government and the private sector shore up their security, and protect Americans private information from malicious hacks.
 
 
Providing a valuable step toward improving U.S. cybersecurity. After several high profile hacks have put Americans personal information on the line in recent years, this bill is an important step toward improving U.S. cybersecurity.
 
Improving cybersecurity is a key piece of Heitkamps Strong and Safe Communities Initiative, which she launched last year to guarantee that North Dakota remains a vibrant, safe place to live in the face of emerging challenges related to population and economic growth. In June, Heitkamp led a cybersecurity discussion in Grand Forks among members of her Strong & Safe Communities Task Force, leaders from local credit unions and Microsoft, tribal representatives, cybersecurity experts, and other connectivity officials. The group examined ways to address growing online security threats across North Dakota.
Heitkamp is working to make sure that the increasing number of businesses, individuals, and families who do much of their work online are effectively protected from cyber threats. Cyber-attacks have already impacted thousands of North Dakotans and North Dakota businesses, like Anthem, Inc. and the North Dakota University System. 
During a meeting Heitkamp held in April in Bismarck when she brought the head of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Board to speak with credit union officials, one of the biggest issues local credit unions discussed was their concerns with cybersecurity as many of them have faced losses from cyber fraud.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=917a0bb2-cf3b-4e0d-a59c-5e0067d9fa16,"Capito, Heitkamp, 47 Other Senators Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Block EPA Regulations for Existing Power Sources",2015-10-27,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), along with 47 Senate co-sponsors, have introduced a resolution disapproving of the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan regulations for existing power sources.
With this resolution, members of Congress will have an opportunity to voice their opinion about whether the administrations far-reaching Clean Power Plan should go into effect, said Senator Capito. There is a reason that 25 states have already filed lawsuits against the Clean Power Plan - this impractical rule fails to consider the costs to American families, communities and jobs. It is time to send a clear signal that across the board regulations from Washington are not the best way forward.
This is just one piece of our efforts to push back against EPAs final rule for existing power plants  a rule that is totally unworkable aswritten for North Dakotas utilities and regulators without causing severe reliability issues and massive rate increases, said Senator Heitkamp. Our bipartisan legislation enables senators to express their frustration with the rule. Beyond this resolution, Ive already successfully pressed EPA to meet directly with our utilities and regulators. As a result, EPA has agreed to send technical staff to North Dakota to see firsthand how unique our situation is and to work directly with our utilities and regulators on how  or if  we can resolve the many obstacles to meeting these goals. We need workable solutions for North Dakota utilities, as well as for a viable path forward for coal  which provides almost 80 percent of North Dakotas electricity  to guarantee our states families and small businesses have affordable and reliable power. 
The resolution introduced by Senators Capito and Heitkamp is co-sponsored by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.); Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee; Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee; Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.); John Barrasso (R-Wyo.); Roy Blunt (R-Mo.); John Boozman (R-Ark.); Bill Cassidy (R-La.); Dan Coats (R-Ind.); Thad Cochran (R-Miss.); Bob Corker (R-Tenn.); John Cornyn (R-Texas); Tom Cotton (R-Ark.); Mike Crapo (R-Idaho); Ted Cruz (R-Texas); Steve Daines (R-Mont.); Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.); Joni Ernst (R-Iowa); Deb Fischer (R-Neb.); Jeff Flake (R-Fla.); Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.); Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa); Orrin Hatch (R-Utah); John Hoeven (R-N.D.); Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.); Ron Johnson (R-Wis.); James Lankford (R-Okla.); Mike Lee (R-Utah); Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.); John McCain (R-Ariz.); Jerry Moran (R-Kan.); Rand Paul (R-Ky.); David Perdue (R-Ga.); Jim Risch (R-Idaho); Pat Roberts (R-Kan.); Mike Rounds (R-S.D.); Marco Rubio (R-Fla.); Ben Sasse (R-Neb.); Tim Scott (R-S.C.); Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.); Richard Shelby (R-Ala.); Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska); John Thune (R-S.D.); Thom Tillis (R-N.C.); Pat Toomey (R-Pa.); David Vitter (R-La.); and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).
View the bipartisan Capito-Heitkamp resolution here.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell(R-Ky.) introduced a related resolution of disapproval regarding the proposed Clean Power Plan regulations for new power sources.
Heitkamp continues to have concerns about the Clean Power Plans impact on coal-fired power plants, which generate about one-third of the countrys electricity, and about 80 percent of North Dakotas electricity.Coal supports 13,000 jobs in North Dakota, and mining has an economic impact of $3.5 billion.
Heitkamps work to find a realistic path forward for coal builds on her more than a decade of experience on the board of directors of Dakota Gasification, the one-of-a-kind synfuels plant in Beulah, N.D. During her service as North Dakotas Tax Commissioner, on the North Dakota Industrial Commission, and as the states Attorney General, Heitkamp was able to work on viable solutions to make sure coal remains a strong part of the North Dakotas energy mix.
Since joining the Senate, Heitkamp has been committed to finding a realistic avenue for clean coal by:
 
Securing a commitment in September from Janet McCabe, assistant administrator of the EPA, for her agency to send technical staff to North Dakota to work with utilities on the challenges in meeting EPAs emissions reduction targets.During a meeting with the North Dakota congressional delegation the next day, McCabe again agreed to Heitkamps request that EPA technical staff visit North Dakota.
 
 
Introducing major legislation in 2013 and again this year to put coal on a viable path forward.Heitkampsbill which she introduced in 2013 and again this Congress  would incentivize companies to invest in technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of coal-fired power. This is done through federal funding programs, federal support for private investment, and recommendations to Congress that provide insight on how best to support future CCS projects in the U.S. Then in May, Heitkamp and Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia introduced a series of billsto make sure coal remains a key part of Americas energy mix, which incorporated Heitkamps initial legislation.
 
 
Bringing EPA Administrator to North Dakota to talk about coal.Heitkamp has made it clear to the Administration and EPA that she disagrees with the agencys policies regarding coal-fired power. After pressing EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Heitkampbrought McCarthyto North Dakota in February of 2014 so she could hear about the impacts of EPA regulations directly from North Dakotans.Heitkamp has alsobrought U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Monizto North Dakota in March 2014 to push the U.S. Department of Energy for more investment in clean coal technology.
 
 
Working closely with U.S. Energy Department (DOE) officials on finding a path forward for coal.Heitkamp has met with numerous top officials from DOE about the need to find a path forward for coal, includingEnergy Secretary MonizandJulio Friedmann, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Clean Coal at the DOE. They both participated in clean coal symposiums at Heitkamps request, and she will continue to press both of them on the issue.
 
 
Convening industry, lawmakers, and academics to discuss a viable path forward for coal.Heitkamp co-hosted a Coal Technology Symposiumon Capitol Hill last year that brought together industry, lawmakers, experts and academics  including the Energy and Environmental Research Center from Grand Forks  to discuss the importance of finding a viable path forward for coal. To a crowded room, Heitkamp laid out why it is so important for our nation to put in place realistic energy policies and discussed the vital role coal plays in providing affordable energy in North Dakota and around the country.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=b4a8c9ff-fe39-473d-b31b-761dc46d29cf,Heitkamp Working with Senate Agriculture Committee Leaders to Address Cuts to Crop Insurance in Budget Deal,2015-10-27,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry, today issued the following statement on the budget deal which proposes dire cuts to crop insurance and reopens the 2014 Farm Bill. Heitkamp helped write, negotiate, and pass the Farm Bill which strengthened crop insurance to give producers certainty.
We need long-term solutions to set the country on a strong fiscal path forward and give workers and business owners the certainty they need to do their jobs and support their families, said Heitkamp. But those solutions cannot come at the expense of our farmers or result in reopening the bipartisan 2014 Farm Bill  an all too rare comprehensive bill that passed last Congress. During the negotiations of the Farm Bill, I made clear that crop insurance  a critical program that supports farmers who feed the country and the world  must not be harmed. In the final bill, we strengthened this cornerstone of the farm safety net while reducing the deficit by $23 billion and providing five years of certainty for farmers. Or so we thought.
But now, this budget deal throws that bipartisan legislation that was negotiated in good faith to the wind with no input from members of the Agriculture Committees. We cannot undermine a program that brings needed support to jobs and families in rural America and which has already seen $12 billion in cuts since 2008. That isnt fair, especially at a time when our producers face low prices and economic uncertainty. Working with leaders on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Im looking for a path forward to prevent these devastating cuts to crop insurance.
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https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=c0da368e-c832-4e1f-9938-ce72aa840049,Heitkamp Announces Federal Funding to Support Health Services for Women & Children,2015-10-26,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heitkamp announced $339,866 in federal funds for the North Dakota State Department of Health to promote the health and wellness of women, children, and infants.
These federal funds will be used to support low-income women to make sure they have the care they need both during and after pregnancy. This federal support will also provide access to preventive and follow-up care for children.
No matter where you live or what your economic background, every woman deserves to have access to high quality prenatal health care, said Heitkamp. Providing this critical support for mothers during pregnancy and follow-up care for children will guard against preventable illnesses and help these children grow into strong adults.
These federal funds are authorized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration through the Maternal and Child Health grant program.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=d7be1808-18d0-4581-92ec-7182c566e93e,Heitkamp Announces Federal Funding for Rural Energy Efficiency,2015-10-26,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. - U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp announced over $400,000 for rural businesses and agriculture producers to support energy efficiency.
These federal funds, which were reauthorized in the 2014 Farm Bill that Heitkamp wrote, negotiated, and passed, will help rural North Dakota businesses as well as farmers and ranchers conserve energy through new energy efficiency improvements and installation renewable energy systems.
North American energy independence is possible with a true all-of-the-above energy strategy, which includes continuing to make investments in energy conservation through efficiency, said Heitkamp, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Rural America must not be left behind in using new energy efficiency technology, which is why I pushed for the Farm Bill that Congress passed last year to support all aspects of farming and ranching, including making sure energy is used efficiently.
These federal grants are made available through the United States Department of Agriculture-Rural Developments Rural Energy for America Program.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=45ada26d-29ec-4657-8aeb-e88b6104870b,Heitkamp Encourages ND Trucker Engagement in Fight against Human Trafficking,2015-10-24,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today reinforced the need to build a state and nationwide coalition against human trafficking, encouraging truckers across North Dakota to join the fight against these horrific crimes.
Teaming up with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), a national advocacy group which organizes and educates truckers on how to recognize and respond to instances of human trafficking, Heitkamp encouraged truckers in North Dakota to engage in the national effort to combat these crimes. Truckers are often in locations, such as rest stops, where human trafficking is more likely to occur, and as a result, could help reach out to law enforcement when they see potential instances of trafficking. Together with local law enforcement, truckers, motorist leaders, and anti-trafficking advocates at the Bismarck Police Department, Heitkamp toured the Freedom Drivers Project semi  a mobile educational exhibit TAT uses to provide truckers with the information and the tools they need to fight human trafficking and encouraged truckers in North Dakota to take part in the effort.
Truckers are often on the frontlines of coming into contact with human traffickers and their victims, said Heitkamp. Today Im proud to join Truckers Against Trafficking in its mission to educate and motivate truckers across our state to fight back against these horrific crimes, which have infiltrated far too many of our communities  particularly in the wake of North Dakotas energy boom. Thats why building a network to battle against human trafficking has been among my top priorities in the U.S. Senate. To permanently eradicate these crimes, everyone in our communities needs to be active and on-alert  and that means also making sure North Dakota truckers are working to help identify potential crimes and notify law enforcement.
North Dakota is a critical player inthe fight against human trafficking. Between the energy boom and the ensuing population explosion, it is imperative that every community member understand the realities of domestic sex trafficking and how to report it, said Kylla Lanier, Deputy Director of Truckers Against Trafficking. TAT is thankful to Senator Heitkamp for her long fought work to stop human trafficking, and is proud to join her, the NDMCA, the ATA, FUSE, and law enforcement agencies throughout the state  like the Bismarck Police Department on this issue, and we are so glad our Freedom Drivers Project can do its part in helping to continue the educational outreach already occurring in this key state.
A longtime advocate and leader in the Senate against human trafficking, Heitkamp has worked to engage and educate all members of North Dakotas communities in the fight against human trafficking. Her efforts have included leading multiple training sessions across North Dakota over the past year with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials to train North Dakotans,women leadersin the state, andlaw enforcement and victims service providerson how to identify, report, and investigate incidents of human trafficking. This spring, she introduced bipartisan legislation to build on and expand on the successes of an anti-human trafficking Health and Human Services pilot program in New Town and Williston by providing health care workers across the country with the tools they need to recognize victims and survivors of these crimes to help them get the resources and services they need.
Just this month, Heitkamp brought DHS Blue Campaign Chair Maria Odom  whose agency is dedicated to eradicating human trafficking across the country  across North Dakota to identify with advocates and law enforcement potential areas of partnership to help the state fight these crimes.
Background:
Heitkamp has been leading the charge to combat and raise awareness about human trafficking in North Dakota and across the nation by:

 
Passing Strong Bipartisan Legislation to Fight Against Human Trafficking: Heitkamp helped introduce, and played an integral role in passing in the Senates bipartisan Justice for Victims of Human Trafficking Act which the President signed into law in April. Working with Republican Senator Susan Collins, Heitkamp helped reignite the politically stalled legislation by offering a bipartisan, compromise path forward. The final bill provides greater assistance to victims of human trafficking, increased resources to law enforcement and victims services organizations, and secures greater punishments for perpetrators of these horrific crimes. The package also contains provisions Heitkamp fought for and won  including stricter punishments against traffickers who transport victims across state lines, and legal protections from her Safe Harbor bill with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to make sure victims are not treated as criminals.
Working on Bipartisan Solutions to Engage Health Care Providers: This spring, Heitkamp and Collins introduced bipartisan legislation to give health care providers  including doctors, nurses, and social workers  training to help identify and protect victims of human trafficking. Heitkamp and Collins Stop, Observe, Ask and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Act would build on Williston and New Town pilot programs to give health providers nationwide needed training on how to recognize, report, and potentially intervene when they see patients who are possible human trafficking victims. Recent studies suggest that nearly one-third of women trafficked in America saw a health care professional while they were still captive to these crimes.
Advocating for Protections for Young People at Risk: Heitkamp has been a strong advocate and cosponsor of the bipartisan Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking and Prevention Act  which would help protect some of the most susceptible targets of human traffickers. She is continuing to push the Senate to pass the bill. July, Heitkamp successfully secured landmark anti-human trafficking protections for children in schools in the No Child Left Behind reform legislation.
Addressing Human Trafficking as a Community Issue in North Dakota: Last fall, Heitkamp launched herStrong & Safe Communities Initiativeto address emerging challenges throughout North Dakota in the wake of the states energy boom, including human and sex trafficking. This summer, Heitkamp brought international anti-human trafficking leader Cindy McCain to Bismarck for a Strong & Safe Communities roundtable on the challenges and next steps in North Dakotas fight against human trafficking.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=28f2217d-f899-49aa-820a-2f0963d685de,Heitkamp Meets with Garrison Diversion to Discuss Lasting Water Supply Solutions,2015-10-23,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp discussed the importance of making sure North Dakota has a reliable water infrastructure during a meeting with leaders of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District.
Heitkamp, who has long promoted long-term collaborative flood protection and water solutions across North Dakota, spoke with members of the Garrison Diversion about moving forward locally with plans to advance the Red River Valley Water Supply project that would transfer water from the Missouri River to the eastern part of the state in times of drought. Heitkamp has continually met with Garrison Diversion leaders on the project and has been steadfast in her efforts to implement lasting strategies to address the water needs in the Red River Valley.

Paving a path forward for our communities means building infrastructure that is built to last, said Heitkamp. Thats exactly the kind of long-term planning we need locally to secure eastern North Dakotas water supply, and its the kind of strategy I discussed with leaders of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District. We can protect the flow of water throughout eastern North Dakota for generations to come by making sure we have a plan that is robust enough to ensure these areas have water in the event of a drought, and Ill continue to support this effort by working with our local and partners, and against any the potential roadblocks.
Heitkamp, a ranking member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Jobs, Rural Economic Growth and Energy Innovation, has been pressing for investments for North Dakotas water supply, particularly in rural areas. In February, she helped secure $10.3 million in additional federal funding to help expand and improve water supply infrastructure in rural communities throughout the state. The funding, made possible by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), directly followed Heitkamps meeting with DOI Deputy Secretary Mike Connor on the need for such investments in North Dakota.
In June, the Senate unanimously passed her bipartisan Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act to make sure small towns and rural areas have the technical assistance and training they need to help protect and improve their water supplies. Heitkamps bill would address difficulties small and rural towns often face in complying with federal drinking water rules  as they often lack the resources for the latest technology or access to the technical assistance to do so  by providing $15 million in annual technical assistance and training to help small towns and rural areas provide their residents and businesses with safe, clean drinking water.
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https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6db48d13-ee07-49e3-a298-c184b97bf49c,"Heitkamp, Capito to Introduce Resolution to Overturn Clean Power Plan Rules for Existing Power Sources",2015-10-23,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WILLISTON, N.D. U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) announced they will introduce a resolution of disapproval under theCongressional Review Act to stopthe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from moving forward with its Clean Power Planregulations for existing power sources next week.
Todays announcement follows publication of the Clean Power Plan in the Federal Register. Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress can overturn actions by a federal agency, like EPA, after a rule is formally published and submitted to Congress. If the resolution is enacted into law, it would nullify the Clean Power Plan, including any portions of the regulations that have already gone into effect.
North Dakota needs flexible, feasible rules if were going to find a realistic path forward to reduce emissions. And, as I have long said, those rules need to acknowledge the reality that coal provides almost a third of our countrys electricity, said Heitkamp. The EPA regulations on existing power plants dont fit the bill. In fact, the final rule requires emissions reductions four times higher for North Dakota than were required by the proposed rule, even after my states utilities spent considerable time and resources working in good faith with the EPA on a viable goal. This resolution enables many senators to express their frustration legislatively, and is just one avenue  Ill keep doing everything I can to find workable solutions for North Dakota utilities and consumers through any and all available options. Last month, I got EPA to commit to sending technical staff to North Dakota to address our challenges on the ground. North Dakota families and small businesses should know they can get the affordable, reliable electricity they need.
It is my intent to pursue all available avenues for fighting back against the administrations devastating assault on West Virginias energy industry. Too many Americans, jobs, families and communities have been negatively impacted by this administrations overreaching regulations, and more pain will be felt if the Clean Power Plan is ever implemented, said Capito. Congress deserves to have an opportunity to vote on whether the administrations far-reaching energy regulations should go into effect, and I look forward to working with Leader McConnell and others to make that happen.
Heitkamp continues to have concerns about the Clean Power Plans impact on coal-fired power plants, which generate about one-third of the countrys electricity, and about 80 percent of North Dakotas electricity. Coal supports 13,000 jobs in North Dakota, and mining has an economic impact of $3.5 billion.
Heitkamps work to find a realistic path forward for coal builds on her more than a decade of experience on the board of directors of Dakota Gasification, the one-of-a-kind synfuels plant in Beulah, N.D. During her service as North Dakotas Tax Commissioner, on the North Dakota Industrial Commission, and as the states Attorney General, Heitkamp was able to work on viable solutions to make sure coal remains a strong part of the North Dakotas energy mix.
Since joining the Senate, Heitkamp has been committed to finding a realistic avenue for clean coal by:
 
Securing a commitment in September from Janet McCabe, assistant administrator of the EPA, for her agency to send technical staff to North Dakota to work with utilities on the challenges in meeting EPAs emissions reduction targets. During a meeting with the North Dakota congressional delegation the next day, McCabe again agreed to Heitkamps request that EPA technical staff visit North Dakota.
 
 
Introducing major legislation in 2013 and again this year to put coal on a viable path forward.Heitkamps bill  which she introduced in 2013 and again this Congress  would incentivize companies to invest in technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of coal-fired power. This is done through federal funding programs, federal support for private investment, and recommendations to Congress that provide insight on how best to support future CCS projects in the U.S. Then in May, Heitkamp and Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia introduced a series of bills to make sure coal remains a key part of Americas energy mix, which incorporated Heitkamps initial legislation.
 
 
Bringing EPA Administrator to North Dakota to talk about coal.Heitkamp has made it clear to the Administration and EPA that she disagrees with the agencys policies regarding coal-fired power. After pressing EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Heitkamp brought McCarthy to North Dakota in February of 2014 so she could hear about the impacts of EPA regulations directly from North Dakotans.Heitkamp has also brought U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz to North Dakota in March 2014 to push the U.S. Department of Energy for more investment in clean coal technology.
 
 
Working closely with U.S. Energy Department (DOE) officials on finding a path forward for coal. Heitkamp has met with numerous top officials from DOE about the need to find a path forward for coal, including Energy Secretary Moniz and Julio Friedmann, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Clean Coal at the DOE. They both participated in clean coal symposiums at Heitkamps request, and she will continue to press both of them on the issue.
 
 
Convening industry, lawmakers, and academics to discuss a viable path forward for coal.Heitkamp co-hosted a Coal Technology Symposium on Capitol Hill last year that brought together industry, lawmakers, experts and academics  including the Energy and Environmental Research Center from Grand Forks  to discuss the importance of finding a viable path forward for coal. To a crowded room, Heitkamp laid out why it is so important for our nation to put in place realistic energy policies and discussed the vital role coal plays in providing affordable energy in North Dakota and around the country.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=99ddc1bc-e6d9-4e7a-ac24-fbde5bf93c89,Heitkamp Announces a Significant Federal Loan for Electric Cooperative,2015-10-23,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Williston, N.D. - U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp announced a $10 million federal loan to Goldenwest Electric Cooperative to improve to electrical infrastructure in their service areas. This federal loans will be used to improve efficiency, upgrade and maintain distribution lines, and make investments into more reliable technology. Additionally, $270,000 of the loan is dedicated to make investments in smart grid technology.
Supporting our electric co-ops in North Dakota is critical to communities across our state, especially our rural areas, said Heitkamp. The confidence we have in our power grid to light out homes and power our businesses stems from the trust we place in our co-ops and these federal loans will make sure they can make the needed upgrades for their infrastructure to support North Dakotas growing economy.
These federal loans are made available through the United States Department of Agriculture-Rural Development Electric Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee Program.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=b77d23b9-c2a8-4590-a3b1-991248082642,"Heitkamp Announces over $22 Million in Federal Funding to Help ND Seniors, Families & Tribes Heat their Homes",2015-10-23,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WILLISTON, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp announced more than $22 million in federal assistance to help low-income North Dakota families, seniors, and Native American tribes heat their homes this winter season.
North Dakotans know all too well the frigid temperatures our state will face this winter and we need to make sure our seniors, low-income families, and tribes have the resources they need to stay warm. No one should have to make the decision to either heat their homes or put food on the table. These federal funds will make sure those who are most in need do not have to make that decision, said Heitkamp. In North Dakota we know how to come together as a community to keep our friends and family strong and safe, whether its pitching in to help your neighbor shovel their driveway or plowing the streets to get our kids to school, we know how to make it through the harsh winters together. And we are counting on our federal partners to come through to keep our seniors, families, and tribes safe this winter.
Specifically, North Dakota families and seniors living in low-income households will receive more than $17 million in federal assistance to help offset heat and energy costs during the states coldest months. Additionally, more than $5 million in federal funds is available for North Dakotas Native American tribes. Funding for our tribal nations is distributed as follows:
 
Spirit Lake Tribe: $1,144,373
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe: $1,588,876
Three Affiliated Tribes: $915,498
Turtle Mountain Chippewa Band: $2,059,871
 
This federal support follows Heitkamps request she made earlier this month to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services pressing it to release these critical funds North Dakotans will need.
The funding is made available through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Eligible families outside Indian reservations must apply directly to the State of North Dakota to receive LIHEAP funding. For eligible families living on Indian reservations, their tribes need to directly apply to the State of North Dakota to receive LIHEAP funding, which is then distributed to those on the reservation who qualify.
North Dakotans can learn more about home heating assistance eligibility and apply for assistance byclicking here.To ask questions or to receive help filling out an application, individuals not living on Indian reservations can contact theirlocal County Social Service Office. Individuals living on Indian reservations can contact their local tribal offices.
LIHEAP is a block grant program under which the federal government gives annual grants to states, territories, and Indian tribal organizations to operate home energy assistance programs for needy households. The program receives funding from two sources: contingency funds and regular funds. Contingency funds are allocated to states at the discretion of the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. These funds may be released at any point in the fiscal year to provide additional home energy assistance. Regular funds are allocated in the annual appropriations bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=e0440ddb-fb2f-407c-a989-0402bbe9ff71,Heitkamp Announces Significant Federal Loans to Support Electric Power Infrastructure,2015-10-23,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp announced $57 million in federal loans to two North Dakota electrical cooperatives for improvements to electrical infrastructure in their service areas. These federal loans will be used to improve efficiency, upgrade and maintain distribution lines, and make investments into more reliable technology.
In North Dakota, we have confidence that when we flip the switch or turn the thermostat that the lights will turn on and the heat or air conditioning will kick-in. That confidence stems from the great trust we have in our rural electric co-ops and the job that they do every day to make sure we dont have to worry about the reliability of our electricity, said Heitkamp. And we must continue to make sure that we invest in the continued maintenance, expansion, and modernization of our transmission lines and electrical grid in North Dakota which is what these funds will help do.
These federal loans are made available through the United States Department of Agriculture-Rural Development Rural Utilities Service and will be distributed as follows:
 
North Central Electric Co-op - $30 million in federal loans will be made available with over $800,000 reserved for smart grid technology.
 
 
Burke-Divide Electric Co-op - $27 million in federals loans will be made available with over $2 million reserved for smart grid technology.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=3e608db9-25ea-41de-aad1-d79caa89d418,"Heitkamp Leads Senate Hearing to Develop Solutions for Recruiting & Retaining Federal Workers in Bakken, at Northern Border",2015-10-22,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today led a U.S. Senate hearing to develop solutions on how best to recruit and retain quality federal workers, particularly in regions such as the Bakken and the Northern Border where high cost of living and remote locations pose unique challenges.
Heitkamp is the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, which held the hearing.
Heitkamp pressed witnesses on how to improve the federal governments flexibility regarding hiring, recruitment, and retention to respond to unique challenges, such as the dramatic cost of living increase in the Bakken or the need to attract people to the remote areas of the Northern Border. The Senate hearing specifically follows up on feedback Heitkamp has heard in North Dakota about challenges with recruiting and retaining federal workers to do critical energy, agriculture, and civilian military jobs, as salaries dont keep pace with the high cost of living in the state because of the energy and population booms. Heitkamp has also heard from border security officers about problems hiring workers in remote areas of the state, and is continuing her work to address these issues in the Senate.
Anyone whos been to the Bakken or to the Northern Border can tell you that we have real roadblocks in recruiting and retaining federal workers there, said Heitkamp. That results in a less efficient and effective federal government and hurts our families, business, and communities. To change that, Ive fought to make federal wages competitive at Minot Air Force Base and throughout western North Dakota so we can keep workers in these needed jobs, support other workers and industries, and help keep our communities safe. But we have more work to do and my subcommittee will continue to look at how to enable federal employees to get the help they have earned more quickly in the future.
Heitkamps hearing investigated ways to make the federal employee pay system more flexible to meet future workforce challenges. Energy development in the Bakken has resulted in tremendous job creation and economic growth in the last several years, but it has also led to dramatic increases in private sector wages and the cost of living in North Dakota. Many federal agencies have struggled to retain employees amid the economic boom, including civilian employees at Minot Air Force Base, scientists, engineers and park rangers. While Heitkamp has successfully pushed for pay raises for over 480 federal employees in recent years to help them afford to stay in their jobs, todays hearing also looked at what policy changes are needed to make pay adjustments faster, fairer, and more flexible.
The hearing also examined issues with recruiting and retaining border security officers along the Northern Border, many of which must serve in remote locations. North Dakota has 17 border crossings, many of which are small and in rural areas.
Witnesses who testified at the hearing included key officials and federal employee union leadership capable of speaking to North Dakotas unique federal workforce challenges in the Bakken and at the border, such as:
 
Brenda Roberts, Deputy Associate Director for Pay and Leave, U.S. Office of Personnel Management 
Debra Warner, Director of Civilian Force Management, U.S. Air Force
Linda Jacksta, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Human Resources Management, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Anthony M. Reardon, National President, National Treasury Employees Union
William R. Dougan, National President, National Federation of Federal Employees
 
Heitkamp has long fought to recruit and retain an effective and efficient federal workforce throughout North Dakota, including at Minot and Grand Forks Air Force Base, and DHS facilities along the Northern Border.
In September 2014, Heitkamp brought U.S. Office of Personal Management Director Katherine Archuleta to North Dakota to hear firsthand about the challenges federal agencies face in maintaining an efficient and effective federal workforce in the face of North Dakotas economic growth and increased cost of living. Since Director Archuletas visit, three pay rate increases have been approved, improving pay for about 480 federal employees working across western North Dakota, including civilian workers at Minot Air Force Base.
Heitkamp also brought the number two official at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to North Dakotas Northern Border in April to meet with local officials and hear firsthand about the challenges faced with recruiting and retaining federal employees in remote communities. Nationwide, the Northern Border is more than twice as long as our southern land border with Mexico. Approximately 300,000 people and $910 million in trade cross the Northern Border every day, representing the largest bilateral flows of goods and people in the world. In July, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs unanimously passed her bipartisan bill to require a comprehensive examination of how to strengthen American security at the Northern Border.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=a1c006f1-1b8b-40cf-acb4-122c91ce8fa9,"In Meeting with Commander of Grand Forks Air Force Base, Heitkamp Stresses Potential of Arctic Missions",2015-10-21,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp highlighted the suitability of Grand Forks Air Force Base for future Arctic missions in a meeting today with Colonel Rodney Lewis, the 319th Air Base Wing Commander and the senior officer at the base.
As a northern tier base, Grand Forks Air Force Base should play a key role in the Arctic missions that will be increasingly critical for our military. In our meeting today, Colonel Lewis and I discussed how we can underscore Grand Forks value for those missions  and how we can make the base even more well-equipped for Arctic missions down the road, said Heitkamp. Grand Forks Air Force Base is a shining example of the kind of innovative partnerships that are the militarys future, and the base already hosts high-performing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and communications capabilities needed for challenging Arctic environments. To help bolster the Arctic missions at Grand Forks Air Force Base, Congress passed a bipartisan bill to authorize defense programs which includes my amendment focused on the importance of these partnerships and capabilities. Now, Colonel Lewis and I are working together to make Grand Forks even more attractive for these missions as the U.S. military focuses on emerging threats and opportunities in the Arctic.
Co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Defense Communities Caucus, Heitkamp voted this month with a bipartisan majority of the U.S. Senate to pass the National Defense Authorization Act, which sets policy and authorizes funding levels for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The bill also passed in the House.
Specifically, the National Defense Authorization Act includes an amendment Heitkamp introduced to improve the militarys Arctic strategy. The legislation requires DOD to develop a strategy to protect national security interests in the Arctic region. Heitkamps amendment would strengthen this strategy, and better positions Grand Forks Air Force Base to play a significant role in future Arctic missions. Her amendment requires that DODs Arctic strategy focus on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as inter-service, interagency, and international partnerships  requirements that facilities at Grand Forks Air Force Base are well-suited to meet.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1a6cac4c-5510-4ad0-adf1-a6318646175a,"Heitkamp, Ayotte Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Mint Coins in Support of Breast Cancer Research",2015-10-20,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today introduced bipartisan legislation to fight breast cancer by minting coins for one year to benefit life-saving breast cancer research.
Introduced during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Heitkamp and Ayottes Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Act would create pink, silver, and metal-alloy coins to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundations efforts to fight breast cancer. Minted at no additional cost to taxpayers, the coins would become available for purchase in 2018, and would be minted the following year using the funding from coin orders.
A breast cancer survivor, Heitkamp has long worked to build efforts and raise awareness to fight the disease which impacts 475 North Dakotans annually, and 231,840 women nationwide, who according to estimates, will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2015. Breast cancer ranked highest in 2014 among all cancer care expenditures, costing an estimated $18.1 billion.
There is nothing in your life that can prepare you for the diagnosis of breast cancer  and as a survivor of this disease that has taken too many of our nations loved ones, Im committed to battling this epidemic, said Heitkamp. Today Senator Ayotte and I introduced a bill that goes beyond politics, and seeks to build a stronger alliance with the hundreds of thousands of women each year that are diagnosed with breast cancer. By minting a commemorative coin to aid life-saving breast cancer research, and raise awareness about the need to beat this disease, we are letting the women and families who have faced breast cancer know they are not alone  that were in this fight together.
""Whether its a mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt or friend, we all personally know someone who has been impacted by breast cancer, said Ayotte.Aiding life-saving breast cancer research and raising awareness about this tragic disease are two critical components to ending it for good, which is why I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to mint a commemorative coin to help accomplish that goal.
Cosponsors of Heitkamp and Ayottes bill include Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Hoeven (R-ND), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
Earlier this month, Heitkamp participated in Fargos first Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk put on by the American Cancer Society to advocate for awareness and prevention across North Dakota.
In May, Heitkamp urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to protect access to annual breast cancer screenings by opposing United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations that would make annual breast cancer screenings more difficult for women in North Dakota and across the country. Heitkamp has also supported bipartisan legislation to protect and promote access to breast cancer screenings.
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https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=370ff787-db24-48be-8e2a-129485c4bac4,Heitkamp Statement on U.S. International Trade Commission Ruling Supporting U.S. Sugar Producers,2015-10-20,2015,2015-10,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 the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) agreed by a 6 to 0 vote that the Mexican sugar industry has harmed U.S. producers by flooding the U.S. market with subsidized sugar from Mexico.

This is great news for North Dakota sugar producers. They work tirelessly to raise crops that feed the U.S. and the world, and we cant let unfair competition from Mexico harm our hardworking sugar growers, said Heitkamp. Its critical that we enforce our trade laws to guarantee fair sugar trade between the U.S. and Mexico. And we need to take action in instances like this, when the Mexican sugar industrys trade practices hurt our countrys farmers.



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https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6f10f3fd-be30-4195-9955-749ccf1f379f,Heitkamp: Northrop Grummans Grand Sky Groundbreaking Paves the Way for Public-Private UAS Innovation in ND,2015-10-15,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"GRAND FORKS, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today highlighted the need to continue successful public-private partnerships that spur innovation across North Dakota at Northrop Grumman Corporations groundbreaking at the Grand Sky Business & Aviation Park. Todays groundbreaking makes the worldwide technology leader the first official tenant of the nations first unmanned aerial systems (UAS) business park.
Speaking to Grand Forks Air Force leaders, Northern Plains UAS Test Site staff, as well as other local North Dakota and Northrop Grumman leaders about the need to keep the UAS industry on the cutting edge of aviation and commerce, Heitkamp discussed the significance of Northrop Grumman making its mark at the Grand Forks Air Force base  as well as the need to ignite more public-private partnerships, like the UAS technology leader, at Grand Sky.
Heitkamp has long been working to expand public-private partnerships at Grand Sky to further UAS technology and development  calling on the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to approve additional authority for North Dakota to provide airspace and flexibility for the North Dakota Test Site the day after Northrop Grumman signed a Letter of Intent. Just two months later, the FAA heeded her request  helping North Dakota draw more private industry partnerships. A cofounder of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus, Heitkamp continues to work to encourage the safe commercial use of UAS, introducing bipartisan legislation in February to remove undue red-tape for UAS research, open the door to more private investments, and save taxpayers money.
In Grand Sky, were paving the way for the future of technology  and with strong private partners like Northrop Grumman officially breaking ground today, were already boosting our ability to innovate the nation, said Heitkamp. Our Grand Forks and military communities have worked together to build a spirit of ingenuity on the base that has spurred public-private investments like were seeing today  and in the Senate Ive worked to support their efforts by successfully pushing the FAA to provide the guidance the UAS industry needs to develop, and by introducing bipartisan legislation to remove unnecessary barriers hindering new partnerships. Together, we can bring about more public-private collaboration to harness the full potential of this exciting new technology.
In April, Northrop Grumman signed and completed the Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) project to formally begin the process of becoming the first official tenant at Grand Skys business and technology park which offers Northrop Grumman and other future tenants state-of-the-art facilities, added security, access to the bases runway, and the ability to closely collaborate with the Air Force.
Heitkamp has consistently worked to clear the way for UAS technology development, investment, and partnerships in North Dakota by:


 
Delivering results to strengthen public-private partnerships on UAS test sites: In November 2014, Heitkamp discussed efforts to finalize the Grand Sky project during a meeting with Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) representatives. Heitkamp also pushed Air Force and Northrop Grumman leaders in several meetings on the positive impact that a fully-functioning Grand Sky business park would have for the Air Force and the private sector. In a July 2014 meeting, Heitkamp and Colonel Paul Baumandiscussed the best strategies for completing the EUL approval process and creating a plan for its successful management.
 
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https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=b6dec47a-ac78-4e12-8336-eb66e599eafe,Heitkamp Hosts Strong & Safe Communities Summit with 150 ND Leaders from Across the State,2015-10-15,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"FARGO, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today hosted her Strong & Safe Communities Summit which brought together about 150 community leaders from across North Dakota to discuss solutions to build a strong future for the state.
Heitkamps Summit offered a productive and collaborative way for North Dakotans in various fields  including law enforcement, social workers, advocates, and government officials  to discuss challenges they face, talk about what is and is not working to combat issues in their communities, and brainstorm new ideas to address these challenges. The Summit specifically brought together leaders who have been working to address emerging issues in the state like the increase of oil trains going through communities, crime, human trafficking, economic development issues, and others.
Heitkamp also explained her work over the past three years in the U.S. Senate to support North Dakotas communities now and in the future, discuss her continuing efforts, and facilitate discussion with local leaders to come up with solutions to these new challenges. Through her Strong & Safe Communities Initiative, Heitkamp has introduced and supported strong legislation to combat human and drug trafficking, prepare first responders, and assess threats at the Northern Border. She has also held multiple calls with her Strong & Safe Communities Task Force over the past year to discuss the issues communities face and meet with leaders throughout North Dakota about them.
North Dakota is leading the way with good jobs, innovation, and research, in large part due to the energy and population booms that have put our state front and center, said Heitkamp. Such drastic growth also brought new challenges. We need to make sure North Dakota isnt just living in today, but is also working to build a strong future for the state by addressing these emerging issues head on. I want our kids and grandkids to know that our communities are safe places to grow up without the fear of human trafficking, drugs, or crime. I want them to have a strong, diverse economy to find good jobs to support their families. Through my Strong & Safe Communities Initiative and todays Summit, we can work together to build a plan to help prepare North Dakota towns to handle and address these challenges well into the future so our communities remain strong and safe.

The Summit is a key piece of Heitkamps Strong & Safe Communities Initiative, which she launched in September 2014 to help address some of the new challenges facing the state by bringing a greater focus to keeping North Dakotas communities strong and families safe in their homes. As part of the Initiative, Heitkamp also launched a task force comprised of North Dakotans who have solid understandings of many of the new challenges the state faces. Heitkamps Strong & Safe Communities Initiative and Summit aims to address the increase of:
 
Transportation of crude oil on the rails
Human trafficking and domestic violence
Crime and drug crime
Indian Country challenges
Economic development and community impact issues
Border security issues
21st century security challenges
 
North Dakota has reaped major rewards from the states energy boom.The state has the lowest unemployment rate in the country, thousands of open jobs, and innovation, research, and development taking place. With the states unprecedented population and economic growth, it also faces some new law enforcement, infrastructure, and safety challenges. Heitkamp has already been working to address these issues, and through her Strong & Safe Communities Initiative she is raising more awareness about them and providing a tangible plan to tackle them moving forward so we are building a strong future for North Dakota.
Even before the derailment of a train carrying crude oil in Casselton in 2013, Heitkamp has been fighting to increase safety for North Dakota families. She has been a leader in working to combat human trafficking, improve rail safety, reduce drug crime, support challenges in Indian Country, boost economic development in rural communities, and expand the states infrastructure to support the population growth. Through her Strong & Safe Communities Initiative, she aims to draw a stronger focus to each of these areas and, with her Task Force, offer reforms to better serve North Dakotans. Click here for more details about the extensive work Heitkamp has already done to address each of these challenges (also below).
To view more details about Heitkamps Strong & Safe Communities Initiative, visit Heitkamps webpage by clicking here.

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Senator Heitkamps Work to Keep North Dakotas Communities Strong & Safe
Transportation of Crude Oil by Rail
Since the derailment of a crude oil train in Casselton in December 2013, Heitkamp has pushed for improvements to rail safety to protect North Dakotas communities. Largely due to the energy boom in North Dakota and the heavy reliance on rail as a mode of transportation, as of mid-2014, the number of railcars carrying crude oil grew by more than 4,000 percent between 2008 and 2013. To improve safety for North Dakotas communities, Heitkamp introduced her RESPONSE Act to make sure first responders have the training and resources they need to handle potential hazardous incidents, such as derailments of trains carrying crude oil. The bill passed unanimously in a Senate committee. She helped secure federal funds for a one-of-a-kind rail safety training facility in Colorado which many North Dakota first responders have visited for training sessions. She also brought the fire chief from Casselton to Washington, D.C. where he testified at a hearing that Heitkamp chaired in the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security to discuss his teams experience responding to the Casselton derailment. Heitkamp also brought the second in command at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to North Dakota to meet with volunteer firefighters about finding solutions for training and recruitment issues related to volunteer firefighters, which make up 96 percent of the states first responders. Heitkamp also pressed federal agencies to release updated rules to help prevent future derailments, many of which were recently finalized.
Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence
Since the fall of 2013, Heitkamp has been a leader in Congress working to combat human trafficking  a growing problem in North Dakota  by holding Senate hearings, introducing legislation, setting up training sessions for North Dakotans on identifying human trafficking, and coordinating with lead advocacy organizations to raise awareness about this problem. She played a key role in passing bipartisan legislation through Congress which included her safe harbor bill with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar to make sure human trafficking victims who are minors arent treated as criminals. She is continuing to push for bipartisan legislation to prevent runaway and homeless youth from getting caught in human trafficking rings. Heitkamp also introduced a bipartisan bill to give health care providers  including doctors, nurses, and social workers  training to help identify and protect victims of human trafficking. Heitkamp recently brought Cindy McCain  a national and global leader in the fight against human trafficking  on a three-day tour of western North Dakota to discuss with leaders best practices to help eradicate human trafficking from the state. Heitkamps efforts to stop human trafficking build on her work as North Dakotas Attorney General to combat domestic violence as she implemented the initial Violence Against Women Act at a state level, and helped pass the reauthorization of the law right when she joined the Senate.
Crime and Drug Crime
Heitkamp has pushed for strong action to help reduce the rise of crime and drug crime in North Dakota, particularly in the oil patch. She brought the previous White House Drug Czar to the state in 2013 during which he pledged to dedicate federal resources to address drug crime in western North Dakota. He followed up with more support for the area  including making Williams County eligible for more federal funds to help rein in drug abuse and crime.Heitkamp then brought the current Drug Czar to North Dakota where he committed to continuing to address the growing drug problems in the state, with a particular focus on stopping drug crime in the Bakken. Bipartisan legislation Heitkamp pushed for to combat transnational drug trafficking  a growing problem in North Dakota  recently passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate. Heitkamp also sought to expand access to drug take-back sites to stop the growing problem of prescription drug abuse in North Dakota. She also pushed for the FBI to open a permanent office in Williston which is now taking place.
Indian Country Challenges
With the tremendous growth throughout North Dakota, many of the states Indian reservations  particularly MHA Nation which sits over part of the oil patch  have faced unique issues and Heitkamp has been working to improve safety on them. She has pushed for a permanent federal law enforcement presence in Indian Country to combat the increase of drugs, crime, and human trafficking  including pressing the head of the FBI on the issue during a recent U.S. Senate hearing, and through multiple conversations with the current and former U.S. Attorneys General. These efforts continued her efforts since she was North Dakotas Attorney General. Heitkamp is also focused on the problem of Native American women and children getting caught in human trafficking rings and has sought more resources to help them get out of these terrible situations. In September 2013, she brought witnesses to a U.S. Senate hearing she called for, during which they testified specifically about these problems.
Economic Development and Community Impact
As North Dakotas population rapidly grows, the state has experienced serious strains on much of its transportation, housing, and infrastructure which Heitkamp is working to address so communities remain strong. She is continuing to push for Congress to pass a long-term transportation bill to help North Dakota build and expand roads and bridges across the state to improve safety and keep up with the increase of traffic on the roads. She has also sought more access to mental health services across the state and helped introduce legislation to address the increase in mental health challenges in North Dakota by bolstering state and local programs. She has also fought to expand water systems to provide clean water and pushed for more affordable housing to help alleviate the states housing crisis.
Border Security As a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Heitkamp is working to improve conditions and security at the Northern Border as border crossings have been impacted by the states population boom. North Dakota has 17 border crossings, many of which are in small and rural areas. Earlier this year, Heitkamp brought the number two in command at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to North Dakotas Northern Border to see firsthand the challenges border security personnel there face and discuss ways to improve the safety of North Dakota communities. She introduced a bipartisan to make sure the federal government correctly assesses threats along the Northern Border, which passed in a U.S. Senate committee. Heitkamp also helped the White House Drug Czar announce his new national strategy to fight drug crimes in the Bakken and at the Northern Border which she specifically pushed for. And Heitkamp held discussions with law enforcement in Grand Forks and Minot about challenges at the border.
21st Century Security Challenges
Heitkamp is also working to address increases in online security threats that the states growing number of families and businesses face. Cyber-attacks have already impacted businesses and universities in the state, and Heitkamp wants to make sure the increasing number of businesses, individuals, and families who do much of their work online are effectively protected from cyber threats. As more North Dakotans have come to rely on the Internet for daily tasks, the need for increased connectivity and speeds are also evident. While 98 percent of rural North Dakotans have access to updated high-speed Internet, nearly 40 percent of rural residents lack access to the newer standard for high-speed Internet  a figure that doubles on tribal lands in the state, where almost 80 percent of North Dakotans lack access. Heitkamp has pressed top federal agency officials about the need to improve access to high-speed Internet, particularly in Indian Country.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0fedd9f4-d101-46e0-b7b4-e9353d8f56aa,"Heitkamp Announces Federal Funding to Create Jobs, Expand Businesses through Rural Cooperatives",2015-10-14,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WISHEK, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, the ranking member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, today announced a total of $400,000 in federal funds to provide technical assistance to start, expand or improve rural cooperatives across North Dakota.
North Dakota communities thrive when we have comprehensive and strategic business models that support our local economies and create jobs, said Heitkamp. Rural cooperatives play a crucial role in connecting local businesses and communities with the resources and tools they need to plan long-term and meet the growing needs of their communities, and these federal funds will help support that. Through my rural development leadership role on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Ive been working to reinforce the great work being done across the state to invest in rural economic development, including rural cooperatives, and Ill continue to fight for needed resources to make our communities stronger and sustain the economic growth of North Dakota.
The following federal funds are managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and are distributed as follows:
 
Common Enterprise Development Corporation - $200,000. These federal funds will provide technical assistance to Native American businesses in North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
 
 
North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives - $200,000. These federal funds will be used to develop cooperatives in the state.
 
Earlier this month, Heitkamp brought U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary Lisa Mensah, who oversees federal rural development programs, to Spirit Lake Indian reservation to announce $973,000 in federal funding to improve and support business development on the reservation. In May 2014, Heitkamp led a Senate subcommittee hearing highlighting challenges and proven tactics for economic development in rural America. Heitkamp brought Dawn Keeley of Grafton to testify at the hearing about how good regional strategies can help solve local issues while also preparing communities for growth. Heitkamp has long championed investing in rural development  including housing and business development  in North Dakotas rural and Native communities.
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https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=634897f9-3a86-48cd-99c7-2882e5b09d14,Heitkamp Participates in Citizenship Class with New Americans in Grand Forks,2015-10-14,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"GRAND FORKS, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today joined about a dozen New Americans during their class on the U.S. government as they prepare to take the U.S. citizenship test.
New Americans have brought a diversity of culture and traditions to North Dakota and they play a crucial role in the growth of our states thriving economy. Its important that we provide them with the support and outreach they need as they settle in our communities, said Heitkamp. Its not easy to leave your home  especially under the dire circumstances many of these refugees have fled from -- and acclimate to a new country, culture, and language, but the Global Friends Coalition is working hard to support refugees and their families and give them the tools and education they need to not only feel at home in North Dakota, but to truly become a part of our communities. It was evident in todays class with New Americans that Global Friends is making a difference in the lives of those who have been resettled  or have otherwise moved  to the Grand Forks region, and it was wonderful to see the valuable impacts these volunteers are having in the community.
The Global Friends Coalition also provided classes for New Americans during the summer focusing on available services in Grand Forks, such as bank loans, fire and police protection, and social services. The Global Friends Coalition works closely with the city of Grand Forks, Grand Forks Public Health, and several other agencies to provide a safety net for New Americans. Global Friends also arranges youth activities and programs to teach New Americans everyday skills.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=3b5b82f9-45dc-4d8e-8882-dc727801f3e1,"Heitkamp Hosts Second Summit to Connect Native Veterans with Top Officials, Resources, Support",2015-10-13,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"BELCOURT, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today hosted her second Native American Veterans Summit on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indian Reservation to connect Native veterans from across the state with top officials, guaranteeing veterans access to resources and support they deserve.
Heitkamps Summit at Turtle Mountain Community College provided a venue for Native veterans and local Veterans Service Officers to speak with officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) about persisting challenges. Attendees also visited more than a dozen booths to learn about housing programs, ongoing health care initiatives, and other benefits available to veterans.
So many Native Americans in our state have proudly served in the military, and its our responsibility to get them the services they deserve  especially after they risked their lives protecting our freedom, said Heitkamp. Too often, available support systems are not reaching our Native veterans, which is why bringing top officials into Native communities is so critical. Following last years inaugural Native Veterans Summit in Bismarck, I took what I heard and launched a one-stop-shop webpage with resources and assistance to help Native veterans access services and wrote legislation to help new veterans, especially those living in rural areas. But our work is not done. Meeting brave Native veterans is always a powerful reminder that its my duty to make sure they receive access to the resources and support they selflessly have earned fighting to keep us safe.
In June 2014, Heitkamp held her first Native American Veterans Summit at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, bringing together more than 140 Native veterans with officials from the VA, Indian Health Service (IHS), Interior Department, and White House, as well as other advocates who provided resources and guidance. Heitkamp led a full-day discussion with Native veterans on the challenges they encounter and potential solutions. After the Summit, Heitkamp quickly responded to concerns she heard from Native veterans by:
 
Gathering Resources Online to Help Native Veterans  After her Summit in Bismarck last year, Heitkamp launched a one-stop-shop webpage to connect Native veterans with information on available benefits and services. The website includes frequently asked questions about benefits and services, online resources and helpful information, as well as contact information for local, regional, and federal services and resources.
 
 
Introducing Legislation to Support New Veterans  Taking what she heard from veterans at the first Summit and from subsequent conversations around the state, Heitkamp introduced a bill to connect new veterans with resources in their communities. The Connect with Veterans Act would make it easier for veterans to find job opportunities, support programs, and opportunities to connect with fellow veterans.
 
Heitkamp has fought to support and pay tribute to Native veterans and their families through her work in the U.S. Senate. To honor the brave North Dakotans who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam, Heitkamp spent six months this year delivering a series of 15 speeches on the U.S. Senate floor, paying tribute to more than 160 North Dakotans who gave their lives in the conflict, including 10 Native Americans.
Heitkamp regularly attends public events with veterans to answer questions and connect them with resources. In 2013, she conducted a six-city tour of the state, holding roundtables with veterans to discuss obstacles they encounter to critical services. Heitkamps efforts to help Native veterans include:
 
Responding to Problems at the VA  Heitkamp took immediate action to respond to disgraceful scheduling misconduct at VA facilities nationwide. Heitkamp worked with North Dakota officials to confirm that state VA facilities were not delaying services to veterans, and then worked with Senate colleagues to pass bipartisan legislation addressing the situation. The bill improves access to services, which Heitkamp pushed for in order to help veterans living in rural areas as well as Native American veterans access care more easily.
 
 
Leading Efforts to Raise Awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress  Heitkamp called on the VA and U.S. Department of Defense to raise awareness about challenges veterans encounter with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Understanding the need to provide support for mental health and traumatic stress, Heitkamp worked to reduce stigmas associated with PTSD as well as encourage private partnerships so employers hire more veterans.
 
 
Honoring North Dakota Servicemembers who died in Vietnam  To honor North Dakotans who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam, Heitkamp delivered 15 speeches over six months on the U.S. Senate floor, paying tribute to more than 160 North Dakotans who gave their lives in the conflict, including 10 Native Americans. To engage younger generations with our states proud history of military service, she collaborated with Bismarck High School students to gather stories about the fallen heroes. Heitkamp arranged for artifacts the students created honoring fallen Vietnam servicemembers to be displayed in the North Dakota Heritage Centers Native American Hall of Honors. The art display includes artifacts created by Native American students in honor of Native American servicemembers.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=3c098cfe-0777-4bea-9ea1-148fb61e55c1,Heitkamp: ND is Leading the Nation with All-of-the-Above Energy Innovation,2015-10-13,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today highlighted the importance of North Dakotas diverse and innovative energy plan, and how the nation can look to the state as a model for all-of-the-above energy strategy by implementing policy that provides a viable path forward for coal, and lifts the nations ban on crude oil exports.
During a speech and panel discussion at the ninth annual Great Plains & EmPower ND Energy Conference, Heitkamp spoke with top policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs and energy industry leaders about how to keep North Dakota on the cutting edge of energy development in the wake of North Dakotas oil and gas boom. Heitkamp has long been working to support these efforts by crafting and introducing bipartisan, complementary bills to lift the nations 40-year ban on oil exports which has quickly gained momentum in the Senate and passed in the U.S. House of Representatives just last week, and by introducing commonsense proposals to make sure clean coal  which North Dakota depends on for 80 percent of its electricity  remains a reliable and affordable part of the nations energy mix.
Propelling our nation forward means adopting a robust energy strategy like North Dakotas that is creative, diverse, and plans for the future, said Heitkamp. Thats exactly what Ive been working to do in the Senate, and North Dakota common sense is catching on. Just last week the House of Representatives built on the momentum Senator Murkowksi and I gained after our bills to lift the nations outdated ban on crude oil exports passed in both of our Committees. But we cant stop there  we need to keep coal affordable and viable for years to come, and Ill keep fighting my bills to solidify coals place in our national energy mix, and to make sure the EPA hears from our utilities when it comes to reasonable coal emissions. Were getting our nation closer to thinking all-of-the-above when it comes to energy, but we need to stay active and innovative  just like our states energy sector.
Heitkamp has long supported lasting solutions that will keep North Dakota innovating and producing the nations top energy commodities for years to come by supporting practical and viable solutions for coal well into the nations future, as well as spearheading the effort in Congress to lift the ban on crude oil exports. Heitkamp has been gaining momentum on clean coal strategies and on support for lifting the ban on oil exports by:
 
Building momentum to lift the U.S. ban on crude oil exports: Since Heitkamp first publicly called for lifting the ban on crude oil exports when she brought Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz to hold his agencys Quadrennial Energy Review in Bismarck in August 2014, she has been working to gain support from her Senate Democratic colleagues, educating them on the facts agreed on by nonpartisan experts from the Government Accountability Office to the U.S. Energy Information Administration  that lifting the ban will lower or stabilize the price of gasoline, strengthen our nations diplomatic options, and grow jobs and boost our economy. In May, Heitkamp and Sen. Lisa Murkowskis (R-AK) introduced bipartisan, complementary bills to lift the ban which were merged in July when elements of Heitkamps bill passed with Murkowskis in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, while Heitkamps bill also passed in the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Just last week, the House of Representatives built on this momentum and voted to lift the ban. 
Leading the charge to provide a viable path forward for coal: From reintroducing her Advanced Clean Coal Technology Investment in Our Nation Act encouraging coal plants to lower their carbon pollution through advanced clean coal technologies by making capital more accessible and ultimately the technology more affordable, to putting forward a package of bills supporting the development of clean coal energy and making sure coal remains a key part of Americas energy mix well into the future, Heitkamp has been on the forefront of propelling clean coal energy policy forward. She has also been successful in encouraging the U.S. Secretary of Energy to make coal a priority, and in pushing the EPA to provide more time to review its carbon dioxide emissions rules from existing power plants. Calling the EPAs final Clean Power Plan a slap in the face, Heitkamp successfully gained a commitment late last month from EPA Assistant Administrator Janet McCabe for her agency to work directly with utilities on viable emissions solutions.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0129243a-c9ab-4818-98d2-a82801573b8b,Heitkamps Anti-Drug Trafficking Legislation Unanimously Passes in Senate,2015-10-12,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced bipartisan legislation she pushed for to combat transnational drug trafficking  a growing problem in North Dakota  unanimously passed in the U.S. Senate.
Currently, the U.S. Department of Justice has difficulty putting together successful extradition cases against foreign drug traffickers. Traffickers from East Asia  and South and Central America  frequently use Mexican drug trafficking organizations as intermediaries to transport illegal narcotics into the United States  leaving the point of origin drug traffickers several steps removed from the direct importation of either their precursor chemicals or the drugs produced from those chemicals.
Heitkamps bill would fix this problem by providing the department with new legal tools to prosecute foreign drug traffickers  many of which have come to North Dakota. It would also establish penalties for criminals who traffic precursor chemicals for drugs like meth, knowing that the drugs will be imported into the United States for the production and sale of illegal narcotics.
Law enforcement in North Dakota has been working hard to address the states growing drug crime challenges and to make sure North Dakotans are safe in their homes and communities, said Heitkamp. North Dakota is no longer a remote stop on a long drug trafficking chain  we are now directly impacted by international trafficking and the challenges we now face related to drug crime are complex and require a comprehensive approach to find long-lasting solution. Through my Strong & Safe Communities Initiative and by bringing top officials from the Administration who oversee drug crime to North Dakota to see our challenges firsthand, were making progress to bolster resources and better support law enforcement. This bill builds on those efforts. As North Dakotas former Attorney General, Im all too familiar with the challenges law enforcement face to combat drug crime and how drug abuse can tear apart families and communities. The passage of this bipartisan bill is an important step forward but theres still much work left to do.
This was the second time Heitkamps bipartisan bill unanimously passed in the Senate. In December 2014, Heitkamps Transnational Drug Trafficking Act passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate but was not brought up for a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives before the end of the last session of Congress.
The Transnational Drug Trafficking Act of 2015 would:
 
Ensure that international drug traffickers can be prosecuted when there is reasonable cause to believe that drugs will be trafficked into the United States.
 
 
Impose penalties on individuals who manufacture or distribute precursor chemicals, including pseudoephedrine, knowing that the chemicals will be used to make drugs or other controlled substances destined for the United States.
 
Since serving as North Dakotas Attorney General, Heitkamp has played a leading role in supporting and protecting North Dakota communities. In August 2014, Heitkamp joined the White House Office of National Drug Control Policys (ONDCP) Acting Director Michael Botticelli in Minot toannounce a new national strategyto combat drug crime and trafficking across the country, with a particular focus on addressing growing drug problems in North Dakota. This announcement was made after Heitkamp broughtformer ONDCP Director R. Gil Kerlikowsketo North Dakota in July 2013 to meet with local law enforcement and tribal officials about the major increase in drug crimes in the oil patch which is spreading to other areas. Just four months after that visit, ONDCP announced aseries of steps to help reduce drug crime and abuse in the Bakken, including naming Williams County as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, making it eligible for more federal funds.
In January 2013, Heitkampwelcomed news that a special prosecutor will be placed in western North Dakotato help fight drug-related crimes in the states oil patch. To help address the unique law enforcement challenges in Indian Country, Heitkamp alsobrought together leaders from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewain March 2013, focusing specifically on drug abuse and trafficking on the reservation.
Additionally, combating the growing instances of drug crime in North Dakota is a key focus of Heitkamps Strong & Safe Communities Initiative. Heitkamps Strong & Safe Communities Initiative aims to raise awareness about and find long-term solutions to emerging challenges facing North Dakota, like the increase in drug crime, to make sure North Dakota communities are strong and families are safe in their homes.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1750b1c0-2227-4276-b075-6d1bd8500076,"Heitkamp Calls on Administration to Release Federal Funds to Help ND Families, Tribes, Seniors Heat Homes during Winter",2015-10-10,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp joined a bipartisan group of Senators in pressing the Administration to release critical federal funds for home heating assistance as soon as possible to help low-income families, Native American tribes, and seniors keep their homes heated during the coming winter months.
Its important that North Dakotas seniors, low-income families, and Native American tribes know that there are federal funds available to keep their homes heated and their families safe from the harsh winter weather that is right around the corner in North Dakota, said Heitkamp. Thats why I joined a bipartisan group of Senators to urge the Administration to release this federal heating assistance early so folks have time to plan ahead and arent forced to choose between heating their homes  or taking care of other necessities like buying medicine, filling the car with gas, or putting food on the table. As winter approaches, low-income families, seniors, and tribes should know they are safe and protected during the long, cold winter months.
Heitkamp and 38 other senators sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell to urge for an early release of federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
LIHEAP is a block grant program under which the federal government gives annual grants to states, territories, and Indian tribal organizations to operate home energy assistance programs for needy households. The program receives funding from two sources: contingency funds and regular funds. Contingency funds are allocated to states at the discretion of the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. These funds may be released at any point in the fiscal year to provide additional home energy assistance. Regular funds are allocated in the annual appropriations bill.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0c379a6e-c384-45f7-8e35-96dd8ddb828c,Heitkamp Highlights NDs Farmers & Ranchers at the North Dakota Bankers Association Ag Credit Conference,2015-10-09,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D.  During a speech to the North Dakota Bankers Association Annual Ag Credit Conference, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp highlighted the important role community banks play in supporting our states farmers and ranchers.
As a member of the Senate Committee on Banking and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Heitkamp has been a strong advocate for farmers and ranchers, from being actively involved in crafting the 2014 Farm Bill to opening the door to new markets for our states agricultural products. Starting with her first year in office, Heitkamp has taken a commonsense approach providing needed regulatory relief for community banks and credits unions that play a crucial role in making sure rural communities have access to lending. The states financial industry understands the needs of farmers and ranchers and Heitkamp believes we must have a regulatory framework to help them meet their goals.
North Dakota has experienced over a decade of solid growth for our agriculture industry  as farmers and ranchers have lifted up our state, said Heitkamp. We must make sure we continue to promote and provide the opportunities for our agriculture producers to thrive now and into the future. For most of North Dakotas history, farmers and ranchers had to work hand in hand with their local bankers to help finance supplies and equipment and to make sure the finished product got to market. Today is no different, as we now need to make sure overburdensome regulations dont hold back our communities from investing in agriculture and continuing to open up new markets for our goods.
The 2015 North Dakota Bankers Association holds its annual Agricultural Credit Conference each fall in Bismarck. This conference provides an opportunity for bankers to gain information and to build relationships in the agricultural industry.
Heitkamp has long been a vocal advocate for North Dakotas farmers and ranchers. She helped write, negotiate, and pass the 2014 Farm Bill to stand up for the states agriculture community. In April, she helped introduce bipartisan legislation with Senators Joe Donnelly (D-IN), James Inhofe (R-OK), and John Barrasso (R-WY)  which she had been working on for months -- to send the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) overly broad Waters of the U.S. rule back to the agency. Her bill would require the EPA to revise the rule by taking into consideration the concerns of farmers, ranchers, and small business owners who have faced serious confusion as a result of unclear and sweeping regulations in the rule that could impact the way they are allowed to use their land.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=28e19562-ab11-4fea-9218-6f94dd2be4f1,Heitkamp Statement on Bipartisan Majority of House Moving to Save the Export-Import Bank,2015-10-09,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today issued the following statement after members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed a discharge petition  a rare parliamentary move requiring 218 members of the House to force a vote  to save the Export-Import Bank.
Today the House of Representatives came together in overwhelming bipartisan support of saving the Export-Import Bank  an institution that has worked for decades to level the playing field for small businesses, helping them to grow jobs and our economy, said Heitkamp. Its now unmistakably clear that Congress is united across party lines to reauthorize the Bank, and we have the votes to do it. This summer, the vast majority of the Senate passed the bipartisan Kirk-Heitkamp bipartisan bill to keep this federal agency running. We need to build on this momentum to reauthorize an agency that for 81 years has boosted American competitiveness at no cost to taxpayers. Lets bring this non-controversial bill up for a vote in the Senate again so the Export-Import Bank can continue its valuable work of growing and maintaining jobs here at home.
This summer, 64 Senators voted to include Heitkamp and Republican Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois bill to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank as an amendment to the long-term transportation legislation which passed in the Senate at the end of July. Unfortunately the House of Representatives did not bring it up for a vote  but Heitkamp has continued to push for a vote. Todays overwhelming bipartisan push in the House for her legislation shows the clear bipartisan consensus that exists in both houses of Congress to pass Heitkamps legislation to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2f3e6951-b019-4a55-8bda-73e3ac456bf0,Heitkamp Presses FBI Director for Permanent Solutions and Resources to Combat Crime in Indian Country,2015-10-09,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp pressed U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James B. Comey on the need for more permanent federal action and involvement in Indian Country to help combat increases in crime and substance abuse that afflict Native American communities in North Dakota and across the country at particularly high rates.
During a U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs hearing, on which Heitkamp helps lead a subcommittee, Heitkamp said the challenges faced by tribal communities who lack the resources necessary to combat the epidemic of crime, addiction, and exploitation are exacerbated by recent population increases. The population increase has similarly increased human and drug trafficking in the state. Permanent FBI offices on tribal reservations  which Heitkamp has long championed  would aide these communities in combating these crimes.
Watch Heitkamps exchange with FBI Director James B. Comey here:

There is no place in the United States where you have more responsibility than in Indian Country  where too often traffickers can go invisible and undetected, without fear of prosecution because jurisdictionally its no mans land  and there is no cop on the beat, said Heitkamp. In my part of the world, the FBI is failing to meet the challenge of protecting Native American people. When I brought former White House Drug Czar to North Dakota to hear firsthand from Native American leaders about the challenges they face in dealing with the devastation of drug cartels, a Native American woman said to him, we are an endangered species. So I am begging for help from the FBI to support Native communities.
As North Dakotas former Attorney General, Heitkamp has worked to bring broader attention to the need for a permanent law enforcement presence across Indian Country. Since joining the Senate, she has continued to call for a permanent FBI office in western North Dakota and Indian Country. She pressed the head of the FBI to open an FBI office in Williston, which it did earlier this year, and then reinforced the need for permanent FBI officers in Indian Country. In April, she joined U.S. Marshals in North Dakota as they did sex offender compliance checks on MHA Nation to reinforce the importance of federal law enforcement in Indian Country. And she brought the current and former drug czars to North Dakota to discuss drug crime and trafficking throughout the state, including in Indian Country.
Additionally, in multiple conversations and meetings with former Attorney General Eric Holder and now-Attorney General Loretta Lynch prior to her confirmation, Heitkamp worked to reinforce the need for permanent FBI officers in Indian Country and spoke about the ways to promote this lasting partnership on the ground.
Through her Strong & Safe Communities Initiative, which she launched in September 2014, Heitkamp has worked to address the emerging challenges in North Dakota as a result of the states population boom, including crime and trafficking issues in Indian Country.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=53c0f73e-0bb6-4243-827f-0d13e5c45b17,"Heitkamp Brings DHS Blue Campaign Leader to ND to Raise Awareness, Build Resources for Statewide Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts",2015-10-09,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator Builds on Her Efforts to Advocate for and Protect Runaway and Homeless Youth from Falling Victim to Human Traffickers 
BISMARCK, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today brought Maria Odom -- who chairs the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)s Blue Campaign, the agencys nationwide effort to combat human trafficking  to North Dakota to learn more about the challenges the state faces in fighting back against these crimes and discuss how to protect runaway and homeless youth from trafficking rings. 
During a visit to Youthworks, a Bismarck resource center dedicated to helping homeless and runaway youth, Heitkamp and Odom met with law enforcement officials local advocates, experts, and civic leaders who have partnered with Youthworks to combat human trafficking. Together, they discussed ways to work with the Blue Campaign in their continuing efforts to address the growing human trafficking issue in the state and protect North Dakotas most vulnerable young people from falling victims to these crimes  which quickly proliferated in the wake of the states oil and gas boom. They also talked about what tools and resources DHS has to help boost current efforts on the ground by working with groups and agencies in the state.
After Heitkamp first raised awareness for Odom last year about the problems with human trafficking in North Dakota, Heitkamp encouraged her to visit the state and meet with advocates and law enforcement firsthand. Heitkamp and her staff coordinated Odoms trip throughout the state this week, during which Odom visited Fargo, Dickinson, and MHA Nation, as well as Bismarck. Heitkamps staff participated in each meeting throughout the week. 
Building a coalition with our federal partners to tackle one of the most hideous crimes afflicting our state  and our nation  is key to helping us to unmask perpetrators, rescue victims, and prevent future victimization, said Heitkamp. Thats exactly why I have worked with DHS to combat these crimes in our state, through training community sessions and by bringing to North Dakota the top official at DHS dedicated to stopping human trafficking. Her week-long trip throughout North Dakota has been eye-opening, and today, Maria and I visited Youthworks to reinforce the importance of supporting runaway and homeless youth who are often targeted by traffickers. As she and I continue working together to embolden and expand our local anti-human trafficking efforts, Ill also keep pushing legislation that provides resources and protections for our runaway and homeless youth  because it is our duty to take care of all of our children and prevent them from falling prey to these crimes.
The Department of Homeland Security, through the Blue Campaign, is committed to fighting the terrible crime of human trafficking, said Odom. The unfortunate reality is that human trafficking occurs all around us. Working with federal, state, and local entities  like Senator Heitkamp here in North Dakota  the Blue Campaign will continue to spread awareness of human trafficking in order to assist victims and bring their traffickers to justice.
Heitkamp has worked closely with DHS to raise awareness about human trafficking across North Dakota and the nation. In the past year, Heitkamp has led multiple training sessions in North Dakota with DHS officials totrain North Dakotans,women leadersin the state, andlaw enforcement and victims service providerson how to identify, report, and investigate incidents of human trafficking. In April, Heitkamp joined the DHS Blue Campaign to address 150 students, teachers, and advocates about the need to empower students and educators to recognize and help report instances of human trafficking.
Yesterday, DHS and Heitkamp announced a new federal effort to create an alliance between DHS Blue Campaign and the North Dakota Public Health Association that will provide the North Dakota Health Association with the resources it needs to raise awareness and build up training efforts in health facilities throughout the state to better recognize, report, and intervene in cases of human trafficking to support potential victims of these crimes.
Background: 
Heitkamp has been leading the charge to combat and raise awareness about human trafficking in North Dakota and across the nation by:

 
Building Progress in the Fight Against Human Trafficking From the Middle Out: Heitkamp helped introduce, and played an integral role in passing in the Senates bipartisan Justice for Victims of Human Trafficking Act which the President signed into law in April. Working across the aisle with Republican Senator Susan Collins, Heitkamp helped reignite the politically stalled legislation by offering a bipartisan, compromise path forward. The final bill provides greater assistance to victims of human trafficking, increased resources to law enforcement and victims services organizations, and secures greater punishments for perpetrators of these horrific crimes. The package also contains provisions Heitkamp fought for and won  including stricter punishments against traffickers who transport victims across state lines, and legal protections from her Safe Harbor bill to make sure victims are not treated as criminals.
Working Across the Aisle on Bipartisan Solutions: This spring, Heitkamp and Collins introduced bipartisan legislation to give health care providers  including doctors, nurses, and social workers  training to help identify and protect victims of human trafficking. Heitkamp and Collins Stop, Observe, Ask and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Act would build on Williston and New Town pilot programs to give health providers nationwide needed training on how to recognize, report, and potentially intervene when they see patients who are possible human trafficking victims. Recent studies suggest that nearly one-third of women trafficked in America saw a health care professional while they were still captive to these crimes. 
Advocating for Protections for Young People at Risk: Long a vocal proponent of the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking and Prevention Act  which would help protect some of the most susceptible targets of human traffickers  Heitkamp helped introduce an amendment to add the measure to the Justice for Victims of Human Trafficking Act and took to the Senate floor to encourage other senators to support the measure  which unfortunately was not included, gaining 56 of the 60 votes needed to be adopted. Heitkamp is continuing to advocate passing the legislation. In July, Heitkamp successfully secured landmark anti-human trafficking protections for children in schools in the No Child Left Behind reform legislation.
Addressing Human Trafficking as a Community Issue in North Dakota: Last fall, Heitkamp launched herStrong & Safe Communities Initiativeto address emerging challenges throughout North Dakota in the wake of the states energy boom, including human and sex trafficking. Specifically, Heitkamp is leading the Strong & Safe Communities Task Force which is comprised of experts, advocates, and officials across the state. Heitkamp will lead the group in providing recommendations for policies addressing these safety issues to keep our communities strong and families safe in their homes. This summer, Heitkamp brought international anti-human trafficking leader Cindy McCain to Bismarck for a Strong & Safe Communities roundtable on the challenges and next steps in North Dakotas fight against human trafficking.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=5d43ea29-818c-4230-86d7-57008991ef34,"Heitkamp, Murkowski Statement on House Passing Bipartisan Bill to Lift the Ban on U.S. Oil Exports",2015-10-09,2015,2015-10,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,www.heitkamp.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) applauded action today taken by the U.S. House of Representatives to approve legislation that would lift the current ban on U.S. crude oil exports.
The Houses bipartisan approval of this legislation builds on momentum driven over the past year in the Senate by Heitkamp and Murkowski to end this outdated energy policy. In May, Heitkamp and Murkowski introduced bipartisan, complementary legislation which was approved by their respective committees  the Committee on the Energy & Natural Resources and Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs. During each committee markup, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents expressed that lifting the ban on domestic crude oil exports is a discussion Congress needs to have.
Locking up one of our nations top commodities by maintaining a ban on exporting oil simply weakens our ability to strengthen our economy, blocks our producers from competing equally in the global market  keeping our ability to control of gas prices out of reach  and withholds a key diplomatic tool that can help our allies and boost our soft power options abroad, Heitkamp said. Over the past year in the Senate, Senator Murkowski and I have been building momentum to lift the ban, and today the House of Representatives added to that effort. Bipartisan support will help move our legislation forward, and over the past year, we have been meeting with senators to explain why lifting the ban makes so much sense. Its encouraging that others  especially Democratic senators  have recently expressed an interest and a willingness to craft a deal to address this outdated policy. The arguments for lifting the ban make the case for themselves, and today we are one step closer.
House approval of legislation to lift the ban on crude oil exports is great news. It sends a strong signal that Congress will lead where the administration has failed. It is unfortunate that the White House wants to ignore broad bipartisan support for increasing exports of American energy to our friends and allies, Murkowski said. It defies logic that this administration wants to lift sanctions on Iran while keeping de facto sanctions in place on the United States. I will continue pursuing all available options for ending the oil export ban in close partnership with Senator Heitkamp and our colleagues.
Todays bipartisan bill (H.R. 702) approved by the House to lift the ban on domestic crude oil exports was introduced by Reps. Joe Barton (R-TX), Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and is cosponsored by 135 other Democratic and Republican members of the House.

According to numerous studies, including from the non-partisan Government Accountability Office to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, lifting the U.S. ban would provide an opportunity to stabilize oil and gasoline prices as well as the oil market. By lifting the ban on America exporting crude oil, American producers would be able to compete on an equal footing with their counterparts from around the world, create and maintain American jobs, and contribute to increased energy security and independence.
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