url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressional-watchdog-group-nd-radio-managers-recognize-cramer-town,"Congressional Watchdog Group, ND Radio Managers Recognize Cramer Town Hall Record",2014-12-30,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – Today North Dakota radio managers joined national Congressional watchdog group Legistorm in recognizing Congressman Kevin Cramer for holding the most town hall events with constituents, both in person and on the airwaves. According to Legistorm, Cramer participated in more town halls than any other member of the U.S. House or Senate in 2014, with 81 events. During the past year, Rep. Cramer continued to hold “Coffee with Cramer” events around North Dakota in larger cities and smaller communities. These discussions offer a chance for constituents to ask their questions in a relaxed and informal setting. Congressman Cramer also conducts a weekly hour-long radio town hall on the What’s On Your Mind program, which can be heard statewide Wednesday mornings at 10:00am central on five North Dakota stations: KFYR 550 AM (99.7 FM) in Bismarck, AM 1100 The Flag in Fargo, KLTC 1460 AM in Dickinson, KCJB 910 AM in Minot, and KTGO 1090 AM in Tioga. “Our listeners appreciate having a weekly platform to interact with their sole Representative in the U.S. House. In addition to taking live questions during the time on the air, we also have a dedicated voice mailbox which listeners can call anytime to leave a question for the next show,” said Todd Mitchell, Operations Manager for Clear Channel Radio in Bismarck. In addition to his Wednesday radio town hall, Cramer also appears for segments each Thursday on News/Radio 1310 KNOX in Grand Forks and KHND “The Mix” in Harvey. His weekly interviews can be heard on KNOX’s The Jarrod Thomas Show at approximately 10:10am central, and KHND’s “Get It Off Your Chest” program at approximately 10:45am central. “Having Rep. Cramer as a guest on such a regular basis has generated a lot of positive reactions from our listeners. I don’t think they ever expected to have this kind of access to a member of North Dakota’s Congressional delegation,” said Jarrod Thomas, host of the Jarrod Thomas Show and operations manager at News/Radio 1310 KNOX in Grand Forks. Cramer plans to continue offering a high level of access to his constituents both in person and on the air into 2015. “The most important part of being a public servant is the public. I appreciate every opportunity I have to interact with North Dakotans because it helps me do a better job representing them in Washington,” said Cramer. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/rail-companies-issue-new-status-reports-on-grain-car-backlog-8,Rail Companies Issue New Status Reports on Grain Car Backlog,2014-12-26,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BNSF Number of outstanding cars Average number of days late Number of new car orders Number of car orders filled Number of orders canceled by shipper Number of orders canceled by railroad",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cramer-welcomes-sugar-agreement-between-us-and-mexico,Cramer Welcomes Sugar Agreement Between U.S. and Mexico,2014-12-23,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer issued the following statement concerning the settlement of the American sugar farmers' trade challenge against Mexico's dumping of heavily subsidized sugar imports onto the U.S. market: “I am pleased by the agreement, which reflects the agriculture and trade policies I have consistently advocated. Mexico has been swamping the market with heavily subsidized sugar. Clearly, the U.S. International Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce recognized this action violated the spirit and letter of the North American Free Trade Agreement. This decision is good news for the economy of the Red River Valley and other sugar producing areas.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/us-army-reverses-separation-policy-following-legislation-cosponsored-by,US Army Reverses Separation Policy Following Legislation Cosponsored by Cramer,2014-12-22,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – The Secretary of the Army John McHugh has announced a change in retirement policy which echoes a bill Congressman Kevin Cramer cosponsored. Under the new rule, prior-enlisted military officers selected for involuntary separation from the service will be allowed to remain on active duty, or retire at their current commissioned rank with full benefits. The policy reversal follows the Proudly Restoring Officers of Prior Enlistment Retirement (PROPER) Act, which was introduced on December 10 with Congressman Cramer as an original cosponsor. Under the Obama Administration’s restructuring plan, many prior-enlisted commissioned officers were being forced to involuntarily retire at their highest enlisted rank, despite years of service in commissioned status. The policy requires soldiers serve at least 20 years to be eligible for retirement, and at least eight years after receiving a commission in order to retire with officer rank. The misguided eligibility requirement caused soldiers who served over 20 years total, but less than eight years as commissioned officers, to be involuntarily retired at their highest enlisted rank instead of their commissioned rank. This equated to forced demotions and large reductions in retirement benefits. The PROPER Act, cosponsored by Cramer, would have enabled soldiers to keep their commissioned rank upon retirement by lowering the eligibility requirement from eight to four years. The decision by Secretary McHugh waives the eight year requirement entirely. “I am pleased the Army Secretary has acted to change a misguided policy for this group of dedicated military officers. While we must make every effort to fund our national defense wisely, this does not mean shortchanging those who have served their country,” said Cramer.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=5449fba4-5a9a-46c8-85da-6a36aa372e00,Hoeven: Congress Takes First Step to Eliminate Proposed Waters of the U.S. Regulation,2014-12-19,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.14 Hoeven: Congress Takes First Step to Eliminate Proposed Waters of the U.S. Regulation Year-End Omnibus Appropriations Bill Defunds Interpretive Rule WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today said he is working on a two-step process to eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Waters of the U.S. regulation, which would bring almost every acre of wet ground under federal Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction. The U.S. Congress took the first step in its recently passed omnibus appropriations bill by defunding the Waters of the U.S. Interpretive Rule, which the EPA issued to implement the Waters of the U.S. regulation for farmers and ranchers. The senator said he will continue to work in the new Congress as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee to defund and eliminate the regulation in its entirety. In effect, defunding the Interpretive Rule means farmers and ranchers can now operate, as they have for years, under the CWA’s exemption from having to get a dredge and fill permit before practicing normal farming and ranching activities such as plowing, seeding and minor drainage. However, Hoeven said Congress still needs to defund or eliminate the Waters of the U.S. regulation itself because farmers and ranchers, as well as other industries like construction, energy and commercial development, remain exposed to other burdensome and costly regulations in the Waters of the U.S. proposal. “Defunding the Interpretive Rule is the first step toward making sure our farmers and ranchers can continue to carry out the basic farming and ranching activities they’ve practiced responsibly for generations,” Hoeven said. “Now, we need to focus on eliminating the Waters of the U.S. regulation completely in the new Congress.” Along with working to defund the Waters of the U.S. regulation, Hoeven will also work to rescind the rule outright with legislation. In 2014, Hoeven cosponsored the Protecting Water and Property Rights Act of 2014, a bill that would prevent the EPA from finalizing the regulation. He said he will work with colleagues to reintroduce this legislation in the 114th Congress next year. In October, the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, an independent voice for small businesses, concluded that the EPA had used incorrect data in framing the rule, which they said imposes costs directly on small businesses and has a significant economic impact on them. Hoeven cited the SBA’s recommendation that the EPA withdraw the proposed rule as further proof that the regulation would harm job creators. The EPA released the proposed Waters of the U.S. regulation on April 21, 2014. It includes broad new definitions of the scope of “waters of the United States” that fall under the jurisdiction of the CWA. The proposed definition could apply to a countless number of small wetlands, creeks, stock ponds and ditches that are typically regulated at a state level. This expansion of the EPA’s regulatory authority would have significant economic impacts for property owners who would face new federal permits, compliance costs and threats of fines.   -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=7d9aa8b2-1325-4371-b2c8-15c1f589c12a,Hoeven Statement on President Obama's Remarks Today on the Keystone XL Pipeline,2014-12-19,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.14 Hoeven Statement on President Obama's Remarks Today on the Keystone XL Pipeline FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s remarks about the Keystone XL pipeline: “After six years of delay, President Obama’s comments about the Keystone XL pipeline today were more of the same and just not accurate. “The President said that the pipeline would move only Canadian oil and that it would all be exported. He’s wrong on both counts. The Keystone XL pipeline will also carry light sweet crude from North Dakota and Montana, and the president’s own Department of Energy produced a report that said the oil would be used in the United States. “The president also claims the Keystone XL pipeline project will create only ‘a couple thousand jobs.’ The Obama State Department reported in its fifth and most recent environmental review that the project would create more than 42,000 jobs in the construction phase of the project, and would generate about $2.05 billion in earnings. Is the president really telling the families of those union workers that these high-paying jobs are not important? “Finally, the State Department reported it would take 1,400 tanker rail cars every day to ship the same amount of oil as the pipeline. Ironically, not building the pipeline will result in more emissions from trucks, trains and oil tankers than would ever be produced by the Keystone XL pipeline. The same State Department report said the pipeline will have no significant environmental impact. “Just today, a poll was released showing that nearly 70 percent of the American people support the Keystone XL pipeline. They know it’s about energy, jobs, helping to grow our economy and increasing national security by increasing energy security. They don’t want to depend on the Middle East for oil when we can produce it at home, along with our closest ally Canada. Incoming Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated that my bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline congressionally will be the first matter we take up in the new legislative session, and I will do all I can to make sure it passes for the American people.” -###-     Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=86ab7e23-5fee-4c92-8f03-031c0ac7486a,Tour of National Guard Maintenance Facility & Readiness Center,2014-12-19,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Event December 19 2014 11:00 AM Friday morning, Hoeven will tour the North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) maintenance center in Valley City to discuss the constraints of the existing facility and review plans for the construction of a new vehicle maintenance, training and administrative facility. The project was funded in the 2015 omnibus appropriations legislation, which passed Congress Saturday. Hoeven serves as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, where he worked to include $10.8 million in the annual military construction funding bill to replace the outdated facility. 11 a.m. CT: Tour of Nat’l Guard Maintenance Facility & Readiness Center 850 Airport Road NW Valley City",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-congress-takes-first-step-to-eliminate-proposed-waters-of-the-us-regulation,Hoeven: Congress Takes First Step to Eliminate Proposed Waters of the U.S. Regulation,2014-12-19,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.14 Hoeven: Congress Takes First Step to Eliminate Proposed Waters of the U.S. Regulation Year-End Omnibus Appropriations Bill Defunds Interpretive Rule WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today said he is working on a two-step process to eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed Waters of the U.S. regulation, which would bring almost every acre of wet ground under federal Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction. The U.S. Congress took the first step in its recently passed omnibus appropriations bill by defunding the Waters of the U.S. Interpretive Rule, which the EPA issued to implement the Waters of the U.S. regulation for farmers and ranchers. The senator said he will continue to work in the new Congress as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee to defund and eliminate the regulation in its entirety. In effect, defunding the Interpretive Rule means farmers and ranchers can now operate, as they have for years, under the CWA's exemption from having to get a dredge and fill permit before practicing normal farming and ranching activities such as plowing, seeding and minor drainage. However, Hoeven said Congress still needs to defund or eliminate the Waters of the U.S. regulation itself because farmers and ranchers, as well as other industries like construction, energy and commercial development, remain exposed to other burdensome and costly regulations in the Waters of the U.S. proposal. Defunding the Interpretive Rule is the first step toward making sure our farmers and ranchers can continue to carry out the basic farming and ranching activities they've practiced responsibly for generations, Hoeven said. Now, we need to focus on eliminating the Waters of the U.S. regulation completely in the new Congress. Along with working to defund the Waters of the U.S. regulation, Hoeven will also work to rescind the rule outright with legislation. In 2014, Hoeven cosponsored the Protecting Water and Property Rights Act of 2014, a bill that would prevent the EPA from finalizing the regulation. He said he will work with colleagues to reintroduce this legislation in the 114th Congress next year. In October, the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy, an independent voice for small businesses, concluded that the EPA had used incorrect data in framing the rule, which they said imposes costs directly on small businesses and has a significant economic impact on them. Hoeven cited the SBA's recommendation that the EPA withdraw the proposed rule as further proof that the regulation would harm job creators. The EPA released the proposed Waters of the U.S. regulation on April 21, 2014. It includes broad new definitions of the scope of waters of the United States that fall under the jurisdiction of the CWA. The proposed definition could apply to a countless number of small wetlands, creeks, stock ponds and ditches that are typically regulated at a state level. This expansion of the EPA's regulatory authority would have significant economic impacts for property owners who would face new federal permits, compliance costs and threats of fines. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-statement-on-president-obamas-remarks-today-on-the-keystone-xl-pipeline,Hoeven Statement on President Obama's Remarks Today on the Keystone XL Pipeline,2014-12-19,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.14 Hoeven Statement on President Obama's Remarks Today on the Keystone XL Pipeline FARGO, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama's remarks about the Keystone XL pipeline: After six years of delay, President Obama's comments about the Keystone XL pipeline today were more of the same and just not accurate. The President said that the pipeline would move only Canadian oil and that it would all be exported. He's wrong on both counts. The Keystone XL pipeline will also carry light sweet crude from North Dakota and Montana, and the president's own Department of Energy produced a report that said the oil would be used in the United States. The president also claims the Keystone XL pipeline project will create only a couple thousand jobs.' The Obama State Department reported in its fifth and most recent environmental review that the project would create more than 42,000 jobs in the construction phase of the project, and would generate about $2.05 billion in earnings. Is the president really telling the families of those union workers that these high-paying jobs are not important? Finally, the State Department reported it would take 1,400 tanker rail cars every day to ship the same amount of oil as the pipeline. Ironically, not building the pipeline will result in more emissions from trucks, trains and oil tankers than would ever be produced by the Keystone XL pipeline. The same State Department report said the pipeline will have no significant environmental impact. Just today, a poll was released showing that nearly 70 percent of the American people support the Keystone XL pipeline. They know it's about energy, jobs, helping to grow our economy and increasing national security by increasing energy security. They don't want to depend on the Middle East for oil when we can produce it at home, along with our closest ally Canada. Incoming Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated that my bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline congressionally will be the first matter we take up in the new legislative session, and I will do all I can to make sure it passes for the American people. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=6baa2058-1485-44d1-8567-d5c219c25270,"Hoeven: Congress Supports Global Hawk, Invests in UAS Research",2014-12-18,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.18.14 Hoeven: Congress Supports Global Hawk, Invests in UAS Research Senator Updates BRIC on Provisions He Included in Omnibus Bill to Support GFAFB Mission, UAS Test Site Operations WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today met with members of the Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) to outline key provisions in the Fiscal Year 2015 omnibus funding bill that support missions at Grand Forks Air Force Base and help to further the region as a leader in unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Hoeven worked to include provisions in the bill to fund the Global Hawk in 2015 and support UAS research. “This legislation supports our efforts in the Grand Forks region, both on the base and as a test site for integrating UAS into the national airspace,” said Hoeven. “We worked to ensure that the bill supports our global hawk mission and also invests in UAS research for our test sites to further their work to safely fly both manned and unmanned aircraft together.” Hoeven worked to include the following provisions in the legislation: Full Funding for the Global Hawk: Provides funding for the RQ-4 Global Hawk in 2015.  The Air Force previously considered divesting the Global Hawk fleet but Hoeven worked to convince them to keep the Global Hawk and divest the older U-2 fleet. Grand Forks Air Force Base hosts a Global Hawk mission. Support for UAS Research: Includes an additional $7.8 million Hoeven requested for UAS research at the Department of Defense and an additional $6 million for UAS research at the FAA. This funding will support integration research projects that can be performed at the UAS test sites and the establishment of a Center of Excellence for UAS research. These provisions build on Hoeven’s work to support Grand Forks Air Force Base and to build the region into a premier center for UAS operations. Test Site Operations Hoeven continues working to bolster UAS operations at the test site in Grand Forks. Earlier this month, Hoeven pressed FAA Secretary Michael Huerta to make more aggressive use of the six national UAS test sites to safely and expeditiously integrate unmanned aircraft into the National Airspace. Hoeven asked Huerta to ensure that the FAA allows the test sites to support commercial UAS research and development activities. The FAA has since clarified that it will permit commercial related test flights, opening the door for greater activity at the Northern Plains site. Hoeven also asked Huerta to expedite the Northern Plains UAS test site’s request for a broad Certificate of Authorization (COA) that would permit a variety of UAS operations in the test site's air space. The administrator indicated the FAA is reviewing that request. Finally, Hoeven asked if the FAA could expedite approval of new UAS airframes to fly in the test site's airspace. Huerta told Senator Hoeven that the FAA is in the process of training additional Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DARs) so that new airframes can be deemed safe to fly for test purposes at the Northern Plains test site. Last month, Hoeven also pressed FAA officials to expedite approvals for testing UAS flights in concurrent air space and to take additional steps to more fully utilize the sites’ capabilities. Last December, the senator announced that the FAA had selected Grand Forks to serve as a test site for integrating UAS into the national airspace last December. To secure the designation, Hoeven introduced language in the FAA Reauthorization bill passed by Congress in February 2012 that directed the agency to establish the test sites and integrate UAS into the National Airspace System. Building Grand Sky Along with his work on the test site, Hoeven has led the effort to help Grand Forks County enter into an enhanced use lease with the Air Force for the development of Grand Sky, the region’s state-of-the-art aerospace business and technology park. In 2012, Hoeven brought Northrop Grumman leadership to Grand Forks to secure the company as an anchor tenant for the complex. Arctic Initiative In October, Hoeven also joined BRIC officials in a visit to Northern Command to help position Grand Forks as a northern tier base for conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to secure the nation’s assets in the Arctic.      -###-   Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=1e02484f-ffa1-49b4-a616-6cd4230c95f6,Minot Task Force 21 Meeting,2014-12-18,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Event December 18 2014 09:00 AM Thursday morning, Senator Hoeven will meet with members of Task Force 21 to update the group on important provisions to bolster Minot Air Force Base’s missions that were included in the Fiscal Year 2015 omnibus funding bill approved Saturday by the Senate. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven worked to include provisions in the bill that maintain the nuclear triad and fund important programs to update and upgrade nuclear equipment, develop an updated cruise missile warhead and replace the anti-skid system on the B-52 bomber. 9:30 a.m.  CT Minot Task Force 21 Meeting Grand Hotel, International Conference Room 1505 N Broadway Minot",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=c3eb4f29-a309-4604-b5ef-aa58c0b2abf9,UAS Research/Continuation of the Global Hawk program,2014-12-18,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Event December 18 2014 12:30 PM Thursday afternoon, Hoeven will meet with members of the Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) to outline key provisions in the Fiscal Year 2015 omnibus funding bill that support missions at Grand Forks Air Force Base and help to further the region as a leader in unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Hoeven worked to include provisions in the bill to fully fund the Global Hawk in 2015 and support UAS research.  3:00 p.m. CT UAS Research/Continuation of the Global Hawk program Center for Innovation Ideas Lab 4200 James Ray Drive Grand Forks",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-congress-supports-global-hawk-invests-in-uas-research,"Hoeven: Congress Supports Global Hawk, Invests in UAS Research",2014-12-18,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.18.14 Hoeven: Congress Supports Global Hawk, Invests in UAS Research Senator Updates BRIC on Provisions He Included in Omnibus Bill to Support GFAFB Mission, UAS Test Site Operations WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today met with members of the Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) to outline key provisions in the Fiscal Year 2015 omnibus funding bill that support missions at Grand Forks Air Force Base and help to further the region as a leader in unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Hoeven worked to include provisions in the bill to fund the Global Hawk in 2015 and support UAS research. This legislation supports our efforts in the Grand Forks region, both on the base and as a test site for integrating UAS into the national airspace, said Hoeven. We worked to ensure that the bill supports our global hawk mission and also invests in UAS research for our test sites to further their work to safely fly both manned and unmanned aircraft together. Hoeven worked to include the following provisions in the legislation: Full Funding for the Global Hawk: Provides funding for the RQ-4 Global Hawk in 2015. The Air Force previously considered divesting the Global Hawk fleet but Hoeven worked to convince them to keep the Global Hawk and divest the older U-2 fleet. Grand Forks Air Force Base hosts a Global Hawk mission. Support for UAS Research:Includes an additional $7.8 million Hoeven requested for UAS research at the Department of Defense and an additional $6 million for UAS research at the FAA.This funding will support integration research projects that can be performed at the UAS test sites and the establishment of a Center of Excellence for UAS research. These provisions build on Hoeven's work to support Grand Forks Air Force Base and to build the region into a premier center for UAS operations. Test Site Operations Hoeven continues working to bolster UAS operations at the test site in Grand Forks. Earlier this month, Hoeven pressed FAA Secretary Michael Huerta to make more aggressive use of the six national UAS test sites to safely and expeditiously integrate unmanned aircraft into the National Airspace. Hoeven asked Huerta to ensure that the FAA allows the test sites to support commercial UAS research and development activities. The FAA has since clarified that it will permit commercial related test flights, opening the door for greater activity at the Northern Plains site. Hoeven also asked Huerta to expedite the Northern Plains UAS test site's request for a broad Certificate of Authorization (COA) that would permit a variety of UAS operations in the test site's air space. The administrator indicated the FAA is reviewing that request. Finally, Hoeven asked if the FAA could expedite approval of new UAS airframes to fly in the test site's airspace. Huerta told Senator Hoeven that the FAA is in the process of training additional Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DARs) so that new airframes can be deemed safe to fly for test purposes at the Northern Plains test site. Last month, Hoeven also pressed FAA officials to expedite approvals for testing UAS flights in concurrent air space and to take additional steps to more fully utilize the sites' capabilities. Last December, the senator announced that the FAA had selected Grand Forks to serve as a test site for integrating UAS into the national airspace last December. To secure the designation, Hoeven introduced language in the FAA Reauthorization bill passed by Congress in February 2012 that directed the agency to establish the test sites and integrate UAS into the National Airspace System. Building Grand Sky Along with his work on the test site, Hoeven has led the effort to help Grand Forks County enter into an enhanced use lease with the Air Force for the development of Grand Sky, the region's state-of-the-art aerospace business and technology park. In 2012, Hoeven brought Northrop Grumman leadership to Grand Forks to secure the company as an anchor tenant for the complex. Arctic Initiative In October, Hoeven also joined BRIC officials in a visit to Northern Command to help position Grand Forks as a northern tier base for conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to secure the nation's assets in the Arctic. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=2296780b-c8dc-4b43-be8a-56ce3fc3bec2,Hoeven Worked to Include $4 Million in Water Bank Funding for Farmers and Ranchers in Omnibus Approps Bill,2014-12-17,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.14 Hoeven Worked to Include $4 Million in Water Bank Funding for Farmers and Ranchers in Omnibus Approps Bill WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the omnibus appropriations bill Congress approved last weekend included $4 million for 2015 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Water Bank Program (WBP), which compensates farmers and landowners for flooded land using short-term conservation leases. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven has worked to get the funding approved annually since 2012. Severe flooding of agricultural land has been a problem in North Dakota and other states, parts of which lie in the prairie pothole region. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which administers the program, provides funding to help preserve and enhance wetlands for habitat, improve water quality and compensate producers for flooded land. It allows producers and landowners to enter into ten-year agreements to voluntarily protect wetlands and flooded agricultural lands in return for annual payments. Landowners interested in the program work through WBP to apply to receive assistance. “The Water Bank Program has proven to be well suited to the needs of many North Dakota farmers, particularly those in the Devils Lake Basin and Stump Lake Basin regions who have experienced regular flooding,” Hoeven said. “The funding will provide valuable assistance to help individual farmers and ranchers to make use of flooded lands until they can be used for production again. This, in turn, serves as effective flood control and helps to sustain local economies.” Applicants should work with their local USDA Service Center to submit applications and can obtain more information through the NRSC Water Bank Program website. North Dakotans can find their local USDA Service Center here.   -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=7f31b7b0-7d79-4449-92a6-c9cf8028d690,Hoeven: Senate Passes Tax Increase Prevention Act,2014-12-17,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.14 Hoeven: Senate Passes Tax Increase Prevention Act Measure Extends Section 179 Expensing, Bonus Depreciation to Help Farmers, Ranchers, Small Businesses WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that Congress has passed the Tax Increase Prevention Act, legislation that will extend through the end of 2014, certain tax credits and deductions that expired at the end of 2013 or during 2014. Of particular importance to North Dakotans, the measure extends Section 179, a part of the tax code that allows farmers, ranchers and other small businesses to expense the purchase of equipment they need to run their operations. Passage means they can now expense purchases made in 2014. The bill also includes the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, a measure cosponsored by Hoeven that allows states to establish tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities for health care related expenses. Hoeven and other lawmakers were working to make many of the expired tax provisions permanent. President Obama, however, threatened to veto the bill, resulting in a temporary one-year extension. The senator said he will work to make the extensions permanent in the new Congress. The Tax Increase Prevention Act passed the House last week by a vote of 378-46, and the Senate 76 to 16. It will now go to the president’s desk for signature. “These extensions, and especially the Section 179 expensing and depreciation provision, will provide immediate tax relief and greater certainty to individuals, farmers, ranchers and small businesses for the current tax year,” Hoeven said. “That makes more cash available to reinvest in the business, which is good not only for small businesses, but also for the economy because it helps businesses grow and hire. Now, we need to work toward comprehensive tax reform, which would make these provisions permanent.” The Tax Increase Prevention Act includes the following provisions: The Section 179 small business expensing and depreciation limitation, which allows expensing and depreciating expenses for purchases and repairs up to $500,000 of acquired business property. The 50 percent bonus depreciation to property acquired and placed in service during 2014 or 2015 for certain property with a longer production period. Eight provisions for individuals, including the deductibility of state and local sales taxes, the deduction of certain expenses for elementary and secondary school teachers, extension of the “above the line” deduction for qualified tuition and the extension of tax-free distributions from individual retirement plans for charitable purposes. A total of 30 business-related provisions in addition to Section 179 and the bonus depreciation provisions. These include the extension of the research credit and the subpart F exception for active financing income. A research and development (R&D) tax credit that allows companies a 20 percent credit for incremental qualified research expenses or a 14 percent alternative simplified credit for R&D performed in the U.S. For example, Microsoft is on pace to spend over $12 billion on R&D this year, primarily on U.S. jobs.  Other countries are competing for the company’s R&D investments and have lower corporate income tax rates, stable R&D incentives and plentiful R&D talent.  A consistent and stable U.S. R&D tax credit gives businesses like Microsoft an incentive to invest in R&D in the U.S. Hoeven has been working hard to pass the legislation and reading letters on the Senate floor from North Dakota farmers, ranchers, CPAs, manufacturers and other small business owners documenting the harmful impact failure to pass the bill would have on them.   -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=96da6d4d-bb0f-4474-b8ef-334365a2cb82,"Hoeven Statement in Response to the President's Announcement of a Change in Cuba Policy, the Release of Alan Gross",2014-12-17,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.14 Hoeven Statement in Response to the President's Announcement of a Change in Cuba Policy, the Release of Alan Gross WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s announcement that he will change U.S. policy toward Cuba: “Like all of us, I celebrate the release of American Alan Gross after five years of captivity in Cuba and welcome his return. I can only imagine his family’s relief and joy when they were reunited with him. “With regard to Cuba policy, I am committed to expanding agricultural trade where we can. Easing trade restrictions on selling food to Cuba could have mutual benefits for us and for the Cuban people. At the same time, however, we have to acknowledge that the Cuban government has a record of terrible human rights violations and that we have yet to see any real progress in that regard. If we are going to normalize economic and diplomatic relations with Cuba, the Castro regime needs to first change its approach to human rights.” -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-senate-passes-tax-increase-prevention-act,Hoeven: Senate Passes Tax Increase Prevention Act,2014-12-17,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.14 Hoeven: Senate Passes Tax Increase Prevention Act Measure Extends Section 179 Expensing, Bonus Depreciation to Help Farmers, Ranchers, Small Businesses WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today announced that Congress has passed the Tax Increase Prevention Act, legislation that will extend through the end of 2014, certain tax credits and deductions that expired at the end of 2013 or during 2014. Of particular importance to North Dakotans, the measure extends Section 179, a part of the tax code that allows farmers, ranchers and other small businesses to expense the purchase of equipment they need to run their operations. Passage means they can now expense purchases made in 2014. The bill also includes the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, a measure cosponsored by Hoeven that allows states to establish tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities for health care related expenses. Hoeven and other lawmakers were working to make many of the expired tax provisions permanent. President Obama, however, threatened to veto the bill, resulting in a temporary one-year extension. The senator said he will work to make the extensions permanent in the new Congress. The Tax Increase Prevention Act passed the House last week by a vote of 378-46, and the Senate 76 to 16. It will now go to the president's desk for signature. These extensions, and especially the Section 179 expensing and depreciation provision, will provide immediate tax relief and greater certainty to individuals, farmers, ranchers and small businesses for the current tax year, Hoeven said. That makes more cash available to reinvest in the business, which is good not only for small businesses, but also for the economy because it helps businesses grow and hire. Now, we need to work toward comprehensive tax reform, which would make these provisions permanent. The Tax Increase Prevention Act includes the following provisions: The Section 179 small business expensing and depreciation limitation, which allows expensing and depreciating expenses for purchases and repairs up to $500,000 of acquired business property. The 50 percent bonus depreciation to property acquired and placed in service during 2014 or 2015 for certain property with a longer production period. Eight provisions for individuals, including the deductibility of state and local sales taxes, the deduction of certain expenses for elementary and secondary school teachers, extension of the above the line deduction for qualified tuition and the extension of tax-free distributions from individual retirement plans for charitable purposes. A total of 30 business-related provisions in addition to Section 179 and the bonus depreciation provisions. These include the extension of the research credit and the subpart F exception for active financing income. A research and development (R&D) tax credit that allows companies a 20 percent credit for incremental qualified research expenses or a 14 percent alternative simplified credit for R&D performed in the U.S. For example, Microsoft is on pace to spend over $12 billion on R&D this year, primarily on U.S. jobs. Other countries are competing for the company's R&D investments and have lower corporate income tax rates, stable R&D incentives and plentiful R&D talent. A consistent and stable U.S. R&D tax credit gives businesses like Microsoft an incentive to invest in R&D in the U.S. Hoeven has been working hard to pass the legislation and reading letters on the Senate floor from North Dakota farmers, ranchers, CPAs, manufacturers and other small business owners documenting the harmful impact failure to pass the bill would have on them. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-statement-in-response-to-the-presidents-announcement-of-a-change-in-cuba-policy-the-release-of-alan-gross,"Hoeven Statement in Response to the President's Announcement of a Change in Cuba Policy, the Release of Alan Gross",2014-12-17,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.14 Hoeven Statement in Response to the President's Announcement of a Change in Cuba Policy, the Release of Alan Gross WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama's announcement that he will change U.S. policy toward Cuba: Like all of us, I celebrate the release of American Alan Gross after five years of captivity in Cuba and welcome his return. I can only imagine his family's relief and joy when they were reunited with him. With regard to Cuba policy, I am committed to expanding agricultural trade where we can. Easing trade restrictions on selling food to Cuba could have mutual benefits for us and for the Cuban people. At the same time, however, we have to acknowledge that the Cuban government has a record of terrible human rights violations and that we have yet to see any real progress in that regard. If we are going to normalize economic and diplomatic relations with Cuba, the Castro regime needs to first change its approach to human rights. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-worked-to-include-4-million-in-water-bank-funding-for-farmers-and-ranchers-in-omnibus-approps-bill,Hoeven Worked to Include $4 Million in Water Bank Funding for Farmers and Ranchers in Omnibus Approps Bill,2014-12-17,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.14 Hoeven Worked to Include $4 Million in Water Bank Funding for Farmers and Ranchers in Omnibus Approps Bill WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today announced that the omnibus appropriations bill Congress approved last weekend included $4 million for 2015 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Water Bank Program (WBP), which compensates farmers and landowners for flooded land using short-term conservation leases. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven has worked to get the funding approved annually since 2012. Severe flooding of agricultural land has been a problem in North Dakota and other states, parts of which lie in the prairie pothole region. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which administers the program, provides funding to help preserve and enhance wetlands for habitat, improve water quality and compensate producers for flooded land. It allows producers and landowners to enter into ten-year agreements to voluntarily protect wetlands and flooded agricultural lands in return for annual payments. Landowners interested in the program work through WBP to apply to receive assistance. The Water Bank Program has proven to be well suited to the needs of many North Dakota farmers, particularly those in the Devils Lake Basin and Stump Lake Basin regions who have experienced regular flooding, Hoeven said. The fundingwill provide valuable assistance to help individual farmers and ranchers to make use of flooded lands until they can be used for production again. This, in turn, serves as effective flood control and helps to sustain local economies. Applicants should work with their local USDA Service Center to submit applications and can obtain more information through the NRSC Water Bank Program website. North Dakotans can find their local USDA Service Center here. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=03fb3473-54d7-498f-b780-4ebd5ce6ed57,"Hoeven Pushes on Senate Floor to Pass Tax Increase Prevention Act, Including Extension of Section 179",2014-12-16,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.14 Hoeven Pushes on Senate Floor to Pass Tax Increase Prevention Act, Including Extension of Section 179 Senator to Speak on the Floor Every day Till Tax Extension Package Passes WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven Monday spoke on the Senate floor to press for a vote on the Tax Increase Prevention Act, legislation that will extend through the end of 2014, certain tax credits and deductions that expired either at the end of calendar year 2013 or during 2014. Of particular importance to North Dakota, the measure extends Section 179, a part of the tax code that allows farmers, ranchers and other small businesses to expense the purchase of equipment they need to run their operations. Hoeven announced he will speak on the floor every day this week until the measure passes, and on Monday, he focused on the importance of extending the Section 179 rule for the current tax year so that producers and small businesses can expense purchases made in 2014. Hoeven and other lawmakers were working to make many of the expired tax provisions permanent. President Obama, however, threatened to veto the bill, resulting in a temporary one-year extension. The senator said he will work to make the extensions permanent in the new Congress. “It’s so important for our small businesses and, in fact, for our entire economy,” Hoeven said. “Section 179 allows farmers and other small businesses to expense what they’ve purchased for their operations during the first year. That’s important, so they don‘t see a tax increase, but also to keep our economy going. Without it, small businesses will buy and repair less equipment, slowing down our manufacturing base and our economy. Quite simply, that means fewer jobs. It’s not only because small businesses’ costs are increased, but also because of the uncertainty that’s created when they don't know the rules of the road. We were working on a deal until the president threatened to veto that legislation. Now we’ve got a one-year fix. But we’ve got broad support in this chamber for the one-year fix and we need to pass it, we need to pass it now, and then go back to work on a permanent fix next year.” Constituents have expressed their concerns regarding the expiration of the credits and deductions, and the senator discussed those on the floor. Without Section 179 and the bonus depreciation, Dick Hedahl, owner of Bismarck-based Hedahl’s Auto Plus, would have really felt the pinch last year when he purchased equipment he uses to service diesel powered trucks and heavy equipment. Since the growth in the Bakken, his services have been especially important because he can save clients thousands of dollars by refurbishing worn diesel engine blocks. What makes the refurbishing possible is the 100 percent American-made equipment Hedahl bought in 2012 and 2013 for $450,000. At a 34 percent tax rate, Hedahl would not have been able to make the equipment purchases, which help to sustain good jobs in a dynamic part of North Dakota’s economy and elsewhere in the country. Hedahl Auto Plus employs more than 200 people. Leann Slaubaugh of Rolette wrote: “I am concerned about Section 179 and what this is doing to the agricultural sector in North Dakota. Farm equipment is not being sold as the farmers are concerned about the amount they will have to pay taxes on. I farm with my husband and work at a small town farm supply. Farmers have quit spending, due to low commodity prices and Section 179. I am concerned with the effect on our small town economy if Section 179 is not revised. After meeting with our tax consultant, we are concerned with the possible tax liability we are facing and what this means to the future of our family farm. Please push for revision of Section 179.” Dennis Miller, who grew up in Stark County and worked for an agriculture equipment dealership for 28 years, is similarly concerned. Four years ago, he started his own business, Southwest AG Repair Inc. He sells new McCormick tractors and repairs all brands of farm equipment. He has six employees. Mr. Miller wrote to Hoeven earlier this year, anxious about the expiration of Section 179. “It is going to cut sales of farm equipment drastically if the farmers don’t get a tax incentive to purchase equipment,” Mr. Miller wrote. “The loss of sales will create backlash in the economy throughout the state and the country. There has to be better ways to create the tax revenue.” Other important provisions the Tax Increase Prevention Act extends: The 50 percent bonus depreciation to property acquired and placed in service during 2014 or 2015 for certain property with a longer production period. Eight provisions for individuals, including the deductibility of state and local sales taxes, the deduction of certain expenses for elementary and secondary school teachers, extension of the “above the line” deduction for qualified tuition and the extension of tax-free distributions from individual retirement plans for charitable purposes. A total of 30 business-related provisions in addition to Section 179 and the bonus depreciation provisions. These include the extension of the research credit and the subpart F exception for active financing income.   -###-   Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=39516c34-ded3-4729-b676-aaf94b4a24a6,Hoeven Statement on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's Plan to Make Keystone XL First Order of Business in New Congress,2014-12-16,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.14 Hoeven Statement on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's Plan to Make Keystone XL First Order of Business in New Congress WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the plan to make Hoeven's Keystone XL approval legislation the first order of business in the 114th Congress: “Leader McConnell announced today that my Keystone XL approval bill will be the first order of business in the new Congress. He has also indicated that we will take it up in regular order, with an open amendment process and debate on the floor of the U.S. Senate. By going to regular order and allowing amendments, we hope to build bipartisan support on this and other legislation to get the work of the Senate done. “Over the course of the last six years, as both a governor and a senator, I have worked to build bipartisan support for the Keystone XL pipeline. The project is in the national interest of our country and the American people. It will create good jobs for our citizens, boost economic activity in our states and generate revenues for our communities. “It is needed infrastructure to move our oil from the Bakken to refineries in the United States, as well as to move oil from Canada. We need to build infrastructure like the Keystone XL pipeline so that we can move energy safely and effectively as part of a comprehensive energy plan for the nation. It will make our country more secure and energy independent because we will be getting more oil domestically and from our closest friend and ally Canada and less oil from the Middle East and other hostile regions of the world.” -###-   Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=e676ef86-7a4f-4b1e-9103-41e7ddb1ea31,"Hoeven Announces Nearly $1.2 Million Grant for Flood Mitigation, Home Buyouts in Cass County",2014-12-16,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.14 Hoeven Announces Nearly $1.2 Million Grant for Flood Mitigation, Home Buyouts in Cass County HOEVEN ANNOUNCES NEARLY $1.2 MILLION GRANT FOR FLOOD MITIGATION, HOME BUYOUTS IN CASS COUNTY WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is awarding nearly $1.2 million dollars to North Dakota for flood mitigation in Cass County. The funds are made available through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and will be used for the acquisition and demolition of nine flood-prone residences in the county. “These FEMA funds will support the removal of structures regularly under the threat of flooding. That is important for reducing the impacts of flooding, and it is another step toward providing permanent flood protection for the Red River Valley,” Hoeven said. Senator Hoeven is working toward a four-part, comprehensive flood protection plan for the Red River Valley (RRV), including:  Regional flood protection including dikes, levees and other flood protection infrastructure. The federal government has contributed nearly $36 million toward such projects in the Fargo area since 2011, which includes over $16 million for home buyouts to prevent future losses, nearly $15 million for water and sewer system updates and nearly $5 million for new and updated infrastructure, such as bridge replacements and levees. Upstream flood protection. Hoeven worked as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and conferee on the 2014 farm bill conference committee to create programs and provide funding for rural water management and flood protection, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (ACEP). In July, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will use these programs to provide $50 million in targeted assistance to North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota to address upstream concerns. In addition, Hoeven worked to include other conservation programs in the farm bill that support additional flood protection, like the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which streamlines four previously existing conservation programs into one. In May, the USDA named the RRV as part of a critical conservation area (CCA) under RCPP, which make resources available for upstream flood protection efforts in the region. Furthermore, the Red River Retention Authority’s flood prevention plan is among the projects in the CCA that have been invited to submit full proposals. Over the next five years, RCPP will make available $1.2 billion in funds, of which 35 percent will be designated for CCAs, 40 percent will be competitive funds for regional or multi-state projects and 25 percent will be competitive funds for state-level projects. Permanent flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead. In May, Hoeven supported and Congress passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), which included authorization for permanent flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead. Previously, the senator worked to secure $35 million for project engineering and design (PED) through the annual appropriations process. With the passage of the project authorization, funding can now go to construction. Affordable flood insurance premiums for homes and businesses. Senator Hoeven worked to pass the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which prevents steep flood insurance rate increases, helping ensure that premiums are affordable for American families and businesses. The legislation also continues to allow homeowners to receive credit for flood proofed basements when determining flood insurance rates by allowing for basements to be measured at the lowest opening rather than the lowest floor.   -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-nearly-12-million-grant-for-flood-mitigation-home-buyouts-in-cass-county,"Hoeven Announces Nearly $1.2 Million Grant for Flood Mitigation, Home Buyouts in Cass County",2014-12-16,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.14 Hoeven Announces Nearly $1.2 Million Grant for Flood Mitigation, Home Buyouts in Cass County HOEVEN ANNOUNCES NEARLY $1.2 MILLION GRANT FOR FLOOD MITIGATION, HOME BUYOUTS IN CASS COUNTY WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is awarding nearly $1.2 million dollars to North Dakota for flood mitigation in Cass County. The funds are made available through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and will be used for the acquisition and demolition of nine flood-prone residences in the county. These FEMA funds will support the removal of structures regularly under the threat of flooding. That is important for reducing the impacts of flooding, and it is another step toward providing permanent flood protection for the Red River Valley, Hoeven said. Senator Hoeven is working toward a four-part, comprehensive flood protection plan for the Red River Valley (RRV), including: Regional flood protection including dikes, levees and other flood protection infrastructure. The federal government has contributed nearly $36 million toward such projects in the Fargo area since 2011, which includes over $16 million for home buyouts to prevent future losses, nearly $15 million for water and sewer system updates and nearly $5 million for new and updated infrastructure, such as bridge replacements and levees. Upstream flood protection. Hoeven worked as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and conferee on the 2014 farm bill conference committee to create programs and provide funding for rural water management and flood protection, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (ACEP). In July, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will use these programs to provide $50 million in targeted assistance to North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota to address upstream concerns. In addition, Hoeven worked to include other conservation programs in the farm bill that support additional flood protection, like the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which streamlines four previously existing conservation programs into one. In May, the USDA named the RRV as part of a critical conservation area (CCA) under RCPP, which make resources available for upstream flood protection efforts in the region. Furthermore, the Red River Retention Authority's flood prevention plan is among the projects in the CCA that have been invited to submit full proposals. Over the next five years, RCPP will make available $1.2 billion in funds, of which 35 percent will be designated for CCAs, 40 percent will be competitive funds for regional or multi-state projects and 25 percent will be competitive funds for state-level projects. Permanent flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead. In May, Hoeven supported and Congress passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), which included authorization for permanent flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead. Previously, the senator worked to secure $35 million for project engineering and design (PED) through the annual appropriations process. With the passage of the project authorization, funding can now go to construction. Affordable flood insurance premiums for homes and businesses. Senator Hoeven worked to pass the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which prevents steep flood insurance rate increases, helping ensure that premiums are affordable for American families and businesses. The legislation also continues to allow homeowners to receive credit for flood proofed basements when determining flood insurance rates by allowing for basements to be measured at the lowest opening rather than the lowest floor. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-pushes-on-senate-floor-to-pass-tax-increase-prevention-act-including-extension-of-section-179,"Hoeven Pushes on Senate Floor to Pass Tax Increase Prevention Act, Including Extension of Section 179",2014-12-16,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.14 Hoeven Pushes on Senate Floor to Pass Tax Increase Prevention Act, Including Extension of Section 179 Senator to Speak on the Floor Every day Till Tax Extension Package Passes WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven Monday spoke on the Senate floor to press for a vote on the Tax Increase Prevention Act, legislation that will extend through the end of 2014, certain tax credits and deductions that expired either at the end of calendar year 2013 or during 2014. Of particular importance to North Dakota, the measure extends Section 179, a part of the tax code that allows farmers, ranchers and other small businesses to expense the purchase of equipment they need to run their operations. Hoeven announced he will speak on the floor every day this week until the measure passes, and on Monday, he focused on the importance of extending the Section 179 rule for the current tax year so that producers and small businesses can expense purchases made in 2014. Hoeven and other lawmakers were working to make many of the expired tax provisions permanent. President Obama, however, threatened to veto the bill, resulting in a temporary one-year extension. The senator said he will work to make the extensions permanent in the new Congress. It's so important for our small businesses and, in fact, for our entire economy, Hoeven said. Section 179 allows farmers and other small businesses to expense what they've purchased for their operations during the first year. That's important, so they dont see a tax increase, but also to keep our economy going. Without it, small businesses will buy and repair less equipment, slowing down our manufacturing base and our economy. Quite simply, that means fewer jobs. It's not only because small businesses' costs are increased, but also because of the uncertainty that's created when they don't know the rules of the road. We were working on a deal until the president threatened to veto that legislation. Now we've got a one-year fix. But we've got broad support in this chamber for the one-year fix and we need to pass it, we need to pass it now, and then go back to work on a permanent fix next year. Constituents have expressed their concerns regarding the expiration of the credits and deductions, and the senator discussed those on the floor. Without Section 179 and the bonus depreciation, Dick Hedahl, owner of Bismarck-based Hedahl's Auto Plus, would have really felt the pinch last year when he purchased equipment he uses to service diesel powered trucks and heavy equipment. Since the growth in the Bakken, his services have been especially important because he can save clients thousands of dollars by refurbishing worn diesel engine blocks. What makes the refurbishing possible is the 100 percent American-made equipment Hedahl bought in 2012 and 2013 for $450,000. At a 34 percent tax rate, Hedahl would not have been able to make the equipment purchases, which help to sustain good jobs in a dynamic part of North Dakota's economy and elsewhere in the country. Hedahl Auto Plus employs more than 200 people. Leann Slaubaugh of Rolette wrote: I am concerned about Section 179 and what this is doing to the agricultural sector in North Dakota. Farm equipment is not being sold as the farmers are concerned about the amount they will have to pay taxes on. I farm with my husband and work at a small town farm supply. Farmers have quit spending, due to low commodity prices and Section 179. I am concerned with the effect on our small town economy if Section 179 is not revised. After meeting with our tax consultant, we are concerned with the possible tax liability we are facing and what this means to the future of our family farm. Please push for revision of Section 179. Dennis Miller, who grew up in Stark County and worked for an agriculture equipment dealership for 28 years, is similarly concerned. Four years ago, he started his own business, Southwest AG Repair Inc. He sells new McCormick tractors and repairs all brands of farm equipment. He has six employees. Mr. Miller wrote to Hoeven earlier this year, anxious about the expiration of Section 179. It is going to cut sales of farm equipment drastically if the farmers don't get a tax incentive to purchase equipment, Mr. Miller wrote. The loss of sales will create backlash in the economy throughout the state and the country. There has to be better ways to create the tax revenue. Other important provisions the Tax Increase Prevention Act extends: The 50 percent bonus depreciation to property acquired and placed in service during 2014 or 2015 for certain property with a longer production period. Eight provisions for individuals, including the deductibility of state and local sales taxes, the deduction of certain expenses for elementary and secondary school teachers, extension of the above the line deduction for qualified tuition and the extension of tax-free distributions from individual retirement plans for charitable purposes. A total of 30 business-related provisions in addition to Section 179 and the bonus depreciation provisions. These include the extension of the research credit and the subpart F exception for active financing income. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-statement-on-majority-leader-mitch-mcconnells-plan-to-make-keystone-xl-first-order-of-business-in-new-congress,Hoeven Statement on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's Plan to Make Keystone XL First Order of Business in New Congress,2014-12-16,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.14 Hoeven Statement on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's Plan to Make Keystone XL First Order of Business in New Congress WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the plan to make Hoeven's Keystone XL approval legislation the first order of business in the 114th Congress: Leader McConnell announced today that my Keystone XL approval bill will be the first order of business in the new Congress. He has also indicated that we will take it up in regular order, with an open amendment process and debate on the floor of the U.S. Senate. By going to regular order and allowing amendments, we hope to build bipartisan support on this and other legislation to get the work of the Senate done. Over the course of the last six years, as both a governor and a senator, I have worked to build bipartisan support for the Keystone XL pipeline. The project is in the national interest of our country and the American people. It will create good jobs for our citizens, boost economic activity in our states and generate revenues for our communities. It is needed infrastructure to move our oil from the Bakken to refineries in the United States, as well as to move oil from Canada. We need to build infrastructure like the Keystone XL pipeline so that we can move energy safely and effectively as part of a comprehensive energy plan for the nation. It will make our country more secure and energy independent because we will be getting more oil domestically and from our closest friend and ally Canada and less oil from the Middle East and other hostile regions of the world. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-cramer-announces-public-schedule-9,Congressman Cramer Announces Public Schedule,2014-12-15,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced his public schedule in North Dakota. The list of events is below: Tuesday, December 16 Tour of Dr. Susan Farkas’ Cardiology Practice 10:30AM Central  Sanford Heart Center 801 Broadway Fargo Tour of Monsanto Soybean Production Site 11:45AM Central Monsanto Soybean Seed Production 304 West Center Street West Fargo Thursday, December 18 Speaking to Mr. Carlson’s Government Class at Valley City High School 11:23AM Central Valley City High School, Room 105 460 Central Ave N. Valley City Friday, December 19 UTTC Honoring for Fall Graduates 10:00AM Central Lewis Goodhouse Wellness Center United Tribes Technical College 3315 University Drive Bismarck",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=e663bb58-39f4-4ef2-8886-730e6278674e,"Hoeven Announces $310,000 in Economic Development Grants for North Dakota",2014-12-15,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.14 Hoeven Announces $310,000 in Economic Development Grants for North Dakota WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding grants totaling $310,000 to help support economic development in North Dakota communities. The grants will be used to implement comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) plans to bring together public and private sectors to strengthen and diversify regional economies. “These grants will help to develop and diversify the economies of communities across North Dakota,” said Hoeven. “This builds on our work to create good jobs for our people and ensure our state’s economy is healthy and strong now and into the future.” The following entities received grant funding: $62,000 for the Lake Agassiz Regional Council, which serves Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill counties. $62,000 for the Roosevelt-Custer Regional Council for Development, which serves Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark counties. $62,000 for the Souris Basin Planning Council, which serves Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward counties. $62,000 for Lewis and Clark Regional Development Council, which services Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux counties. $62,000 for the North Central Planning Council, which serves Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner counties, including Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain. Hoeven is a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee.   -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-310-000-in-economic-development-grants-for-north-dakota,"Hoeven Announces $310,000 in Economic Development Grants for North Dakota",2014-12-15,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.14 Hoeven Announces $310,000 in Economic Development Grants for North Dakota WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding grants totaling $310,000 to help support economic development in North Dakota communities. The grants will be used to implement comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) plans to bring together public and private sectors to strengthen and diversify regional economies. These grants will help to develop and diversify the economies of communities across North Dakota, said Hoeven. This builds on our work to create good jobs for our people and ensure our state's economy is healthy and strong now and into the future. The following entities received grant funding: $62,000 for the Lake Agassiz Regional Council, which serves Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill counties. $62,000 for the Roosevelt-Custer Regional Council for Development, which serves Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark counties. $62,000 for the Souris Basin Planning Council, which serves Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward counties. $62,000 for Lewis and Clark Regional Development Council, which services Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux counties. $62,000 for the North Central Planning Council, which serves Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner counties, including Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain. Hoeven is a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=172bead9-1d52-4dea-bb12-e431bdb5d76d,Hoeven: Congress Passes Omnibus Appropriations Legislation for 2015,2014-12-13,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.13.14 Hoeven: Congress Passes Omnibus Appropriations Legislation for 2015 WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Senate and House have passed an omnibus appropriations bill, a bipartisan measure that will fund the U.S. federal government through September of 2015. The House of Representatives passed the measure by a vote of 219 to 206, with 162 Republicans and 57 Democrats voting for the bill. The Senate vote was 54 to 40. “It’s important that we passed this bill to keep the government funded,” Hoeven said. “It actually reduces spending, which is very important to reduce the deficit and the debt, but at the same time, funds important priorities, like agriculture and aviation, as well as defense, to keep our military strong, and law enforcement. Importantly, too, we begin to reduce regulatory overreach by directing the EPA to withdraw the interpretive rule for the Waters of the U.S., which is a step toward rescinding the entire rule.” The total discretionary spending level for Fiscal Year 2015 is consistent with the level provided in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. It reduces spending compared to FY 2014 from just over $1.1 trillion to under $1.1 trillion, and by almost $400 billion below 2009 levels, from $1.5 trillion to $1.1 trillion. The legislation funds all federal agencies for Fiscal Year 2015 except for the Department of Homeland Security, which is funded only through February 27, 2015. That will give lawmakers in the new Congress time to address President Obama’s executive action on immigration and work to strengthen border security. Priorities that Senator Hoeven pushed for North Dakota include measures to bolster America’s military strength and support veterans services; strengthen law enforcement in western North Dakota and on tribal lands; advance aviation; and support our farmers and ranchers. DEFENSE Maintaining the Nuclear Triad: Includes the Hoeven-Tester amendment that passed in committee which prohibits the administration from cutting any additional nuclear missiles or bombers in Fiscal Year 2015 and ensures all 450 ICBM silos remain in operational or “warm” status. Minot Air Force Base is home to two legs of the triad.  Nuclear Force Improvement Program: Devotes $21 million for the Air Force's Nuclear Force Improvement Program.  This money represents an initial investment to upgrade basic equipment and facilities associated with the nuclear missions at Minot Air Force Base.  Hoeven worked with the Air Force to start this program earlier in 2014. Cruise Missile Warhead: Includes $9.4 million to begin a development of an updated warhead for the air-launched cruise missile (ALCM).  Hoeven worked with the committee to include this funding to extend the viability of the ALCM, which the primary nuclear weapon carried on the B-52. B-52 Anti-Skid Replacement: Allocates $6.3 million requested by Hoeven to replace the B-52's anti-skid system.  This equipment is aging and funding in this bill will accelerate the replacement process for the full B-52 fleet. Army Guard Shop: Appropriates $10.8 million for an Army Corps Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop in Valley City, ND. Global Hawk funding: Provides full funding for the RQ-4 Global Hawk in 2015.  The Air Force previously considered divesting the Global Hawk fleet but later reconsidered and now plans to keep the Global Hawk and divest the older U-2 fleet. Grand Forks Air Force base hosts a Global Hawk mission. UAS Research: Includes an additional $7.8 million Hoeven requested for UAS research at the Department of Defense and an additional $6 million for UAS research at the FAA. This funding will support integration research projects that can be performed at the UAS test sites and the establishment of a Center of Excellence for UAS research. VETERANS Veterans Administration Claims Backlog: Provides $2.5 billion to help reduce the backlog of Veterans Administration disability claims. VA Medical Services: Includes $7.2 billion in mental health care services. Hoeven requested prioritized funding for a range of critical veterans’ needs, including $133 million in suicide prevention activities and $229 million for traumatic brain injury treatment. These mental health needs are increasingly pronounced among the Veteran community, and the senator urge enhanced efforts to comprehensively meet these needs coupled with prioritized funding. The measure also includes $7.4 billion in homeless veterans’ treatment, services, housing, and job training; and $250 million in rural health initiatives. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY State and Local Law Enforcement:  Boosts support for state and local law enforcement entities by $54.5 million to a total of $2.3 billion. Williston Community Safety and Law Enforcement Issues: Continues to support permanent FBI presence in Williston and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents in the western region of North Dakota. Additionally, it increases funding for DEA by $15.3 million. Bureau of Indian Affairs: Provides $2.6 billion for the agency, a $70 million increase. The bill also increases funding for tribal law enforcement to $193 million. The measure also includes funding to conduct background checks on foster care parents. Hoeven has authored a bipartisan bill requiring background checks for all adults living in a foster home where children have been placed by tribal courts. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA): Provides an additional $9.1 million over 2014 levels for PHMSA to make rail transport safer, including support for more pipeline inspectors, and to establish national policy, set and enforce standards, educate and conduct research to prevent incidents in transporting hazardous materials. Tanker Car Design: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to finalize DOT -111 tank car design regulations no later than January 15. REGULATORY RESTRAINT Waters of the U.S.:  Requires the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the Waters of the U.S. Interpretive Rule issued this spring that made it more difficult for farmers and ranchers to qualify for an exemption from burdensome Clean Water Act (CWA) dredge and fill regulations for normal farming and ranching activities. Hoeven will continue to work in the next Congress for withdrawal of the larger proposed EPA and Army Corps rule, which would bring almost every acre of wet ground under federal CWA jurisdiction. Ammunition Lead Content (EPA): Includes a House provision that prohibits any funds in the bill from being used to regulate the lead content of ammunition and fishing tackle. Currently, it is regulated at the state level and there have been fears that EPA might seek to regulate in this area. Preventing this regulation has bipartisan and bicameral support. FLOOD CONTROL Fargo Diversion: Includes language allowing the administration to start new construction projects in Fiscal Year 2015.  In selecting new projects for construction, the language directs the administration to prioritize projects where the local project sponsor is prepared to pay its share of the project’s total cost and where the local sponsor can implement the project by identifying alternate sources of funding to bring down the federal government's share of project costs. This will help the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion project compete for funding from the Army Corps of Engineers. AGRICULTURE Agriculture Research and Services: Provides $1.13 billion for the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), which conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of national priority. Senator Hoeven announced in August that USDA’s ARS Bioscience Research Laboratory on the campus of North Dakota State University has been selected as the site for the newly formed National Agricultural Genotyping Center. In addition, the Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory funded through ARS develops environmentally sounds practices and adds value to agricultural systems. National Institute of Food and Agriculture: Provides $787 million to support research, extension, and higher education at America’s land-grant universities and related institutions, including North Dakota State University. NRCS Water Bank Program: Provides $4 million to help preserve and enhance wetlands for habitat, improve water quality and compensate producers for flooded land. SCHOOL NUTRITION Whole Grains: Includes Hoeven’s amendment that allows states to waive new whole grain-rich requirements for school meals that took effect on July 1, 2014, provided that school food authorities establish hardship from this requirement.   Sodium: Includes Hoeven’s provision that prevents the Department of Agriculture from requiring sodium reductions in school meals below current levels of Target 1 until the latest scientific research establishes that the reduction is beneficial for children.  White Potatoes: Includes a provision that prohibits USDA from excluding white potatoes from the WIC program, until the completion of the next regularly scheduled IOM review. The results of the review would drive future decisions on the exclusion of potatoes. EDUCATION Impact Aid: Includes $1.3 billion to support school districts impacted by the presence of federal lands. EPSCoR: Supports research and development at colleges and universities in states that historically received limited National Science Foundation (NSF) research and development funding. It was established to increase the geographic distribution of federal research and development funding. Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career & Technical Education: Supports education and training of American Indian students, including programs at United Tribes Technical College. HEALTH Health Care Workforce Development and Rural Health: Appropriates $6.3 billion, an increase of $23.8 million over last year. The majority of the increases can be directed to Rural Health and Health Workforce programs, including Primary Care Medicine, Oral Health, Preventative Medicine and Nursing. $17.4 million increase for the Bureau of Health Professions. $5.1 million increase for the Office of Rural Health programs. That includes $2 million increase for Rural Outreach Grants. $1 million increase for Rural Hospital Flexibility Grants. $1.1 million increase for the Rural/Community Access to Emergency Devices $1 million increase for Telehealth. AIR SERVICE Essential Air Service (EAS): Provides $155 million to ensure that small communities are served by certified air carriers and maintain a minimum level of schedule air service. Airport Improvement Program (AIP): Includes $3.35 billion to continue awarding grants to airports for planning and development of public-use airports. This money is used to fix and improve runways, taxiways, airfield lighting, airport layout and a number of other areas of an airfield to increase safety and functionality. Communities like Minot, Dickinson, Williston and others across North Dakota are experiencing ever-increasing boardings and we need air service infrastructure to grow with our state.   -###-   Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=21d1c4d5-393f-4b3f-8fd9-1eba5e940141,Hoeven Statement on NDSU Bison's Win in Today's Quarterfinal Game,2014-12-13,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.13.14 Hoeven Statement on NDSU Bison's Win in Today's Quarterfinal Game FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the North Dakota State University Bison win over Coastal Carolina in today’s quarterfinal game of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. The final score was 39 to 32. “Once again, the Bison demonstrated their resilience and talent on the field. The Chanticleers played a lively game, leading right into the fourth quarter, but the Bison defense held them and our offense came back with a long, exciting touchdown run. “Congratulations and best wishes to Coach Chris Klieman and the Bison players, who once again performed with real skill and style. I wish I could have been there to cheer them on, but I’m going to do my best to get to next weekend’s game. Go Bison!”   -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-congress-passes-omnibus-appropriations-legislation-for-2015,Hoeven: Congress Passes Omnibus Appropriations Legislation for 2015,2014-12-13,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.13.14 Hoeven: Congress Passes Omnibus Appropriations Legislation for 2015 WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Senate and House have passed an omnibus appropriations bill, a bipartisan measure that will fund the U.S. federal government through September of 2015. The House of Representatives passed the measure by a vote of 219 to 206, with 162 Republicans and 57 Democrats voting for the bill. The Senate vote was 54 to 40. It's important that we passed this bill to keep the government funded, Hoeven said. It actually reduces spending, which is very important to reduce the deficit and the debt, but at the same time, funds important priorities, like agriculture and aviation, as well as defense, to keep our military strong, and law enforcement. Importantly, too, we begin to reduce regulatory overreach by directing the EPA to withdraw the interpretive rule for the Waters of the U.S., which is a step toward rescinding the entire rule. The total discretionary spending level for Fiscal Year 2015 is consistent with the level provided in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. It reduces spending compared to FY 2014 from just over $1.1 trillion to under $1.1 trillion, and by almost $400 billion below 2009 levels, from $1.5 trillion to $1.1 trillion. The legislation funds all federal agencies for Fiscal Year 2015 except for the Department of Homeland Security, which is funded only through February 27, 2015. That will give lawmakers in the new Congress time to address President Obama's executive action on immigration and work to strengthen border security. Priorities that Senator Hoeven pushed for North Dakota include measures to bolster America's military strength and support veterans services; strengthen law enforcement in western North Dakota and on tribal lands; advance aviation; and support our farmers and ranchers. DEFENSE Maintaining the Nuclear Triad: Includes the Hoeven-Tester amendment that passed in committee which prohibits the administration from cutting any additional nuclear missiles or bombers in Fiscal Year 2015 and ensures all 450 ICBM silos remain in operational or warm status. Minot Air Force Base is home to two legs of the triad. Nuclear Force Improvement Program: Devotes $21 million for the Air Force's Nuclear Force Improvement Program. This money represents an initial investment to upgrade basic equipment and facilities associated with the nuclear missions at Minot Air Force Base. Hoeven worked with the Air Force to start this program earlier in 2014. Cruise Missile Warhead: Includes $9.4 million to begin a development of an updated warhead for the air-launched cruise missile (ALCM). Hoeven worked with the committee to include this funding to extend the viability of the ALCM, which the primary nuclear weapon carried on the B-52. B-52 Anti-Skid Replacement: Allocates $6.3 million requested by Hoeven to replace the B-52's anti-skid system. This equipment is aging and funding in this bill will accelerate the replacement process for the full B-52 fleet. Army Guard Shop: Appropriates $10.8 million for an Army Corps Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop in Valley City, ND. Global Hawk funding: Provides full funding for the RQ-4 Global Hawk in 2015. The Air Force previously considered divesting the Global Hawk fleet but later reconsidered and now plans to keep the Global Hawk and divest the older U-2 fleet. Grand Forks Air Force base hosts a Global Hawk mission. UAS Research:Includes an additional $7.8 million Hoeven requested for UAS research at the Department of Defense and an additional $6 million for UAS research at the FAA.This funding will support integration research projects that can be performed at the UAS test sites and the establishment of a Center of Excellence for UAS research. VETERANS Veterans Administration Claims Backlog: Provides $2.5 billion to help reduce the backlog of Veterans Administration disability claims. VA Medical Services: Includes $7.2 billion in mental health care services. Hoeven requested prioritized funding for a range of critical veterans' needs, including $133 million in suicide prevention activities and $229 million for traumatic brain injury treatment. These mental health needs are increasingly pronounced among the Veteran community, and the senator urge enhanced efforts to comprehensively meet these needs coupled with prioritized funding.The measure also includes $7.4 billion in homeless veterans' treatment, services, housing, and job training; and $250 million in rural health initiatives. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY State and Local Law Enforcement: Boosts support for state and local law enforcement entities by $54.5 million to a total of $2.3 billion. Williston Community Safety and Law Enforcement Issues: Continues to support permanent FBI presence in Williston and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents in the western region of North Dakota. Additionally, it increases funding for DEA by $15.3 million. Bureau of Indian Affairs: Provides $2.6 billion for the agency, a $70 million increase. The bill also increases funding for tribal law enforcement to $193 million. The measure also includes funding to conduct background checks on foster care parents. Hoeven has authored a bipartisan bill requiring background checks for all adults living in a foster home where children have been placed by tribal courts. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA): Provides an additional $9.1 million over 2014 levels for PHMSA to make rail transport safer, including support for more pipeline inspectors, and to establish national policy, set and enforce standards, educate and conduct research to prevent incidents in transporting hazardous materials. Tanker Car Design: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to finalize DOT -111 tank car design regulations no later than January 15. REGULATORY RESTRAINT Waters of the U.S.: Requires the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the Waters of the U.S. Interpretive Rule issued this spring that made it more difficult for farmers and ranchers to qualify for an exemption from burdensome Clean Water Act (CWA) dredge and fill regulations for normal farming and ranching activities.Hoeven will continue to work in the next Congress for withdrawal of the larger proposed EPA and Army Corps rule, which would bring almost every acre of wet ground under federal CWA jurisdiction. Ammunition Lead Content (EPA): Includes a House provision that prohibits any funds in the bill from being used to regulate the lead content of ammunition and fishing tackle. Currently, it is regulated at the state level and there have been fears that EPA might seek to regulate in this area. Preventing this regulation has bipartisan and bicameral support. FLOOD CONTROL Fargo Diversion: Includes language allowing the administration to start new construction projects in Fiscal Year 2015. In selecting new projects for construction, the language directs the administration to prioritize projects where the local project sponsor is prepared to pay its share of the project's total cost and where the local sponsor can implement the project by identifying alternate sources of funding to bring down the federal government's share of project costs. This will help the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion project compete for funding from the Army Corps of Engineers. AGRICULTURE Agriculture Research and Services: Provides $1.13 billion for the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), which conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of national priority. Senator Hoeven announced in August that USDA's ARS Bioscience Research Laboratory on the campus of North Dakota State University has been selected as the site for the newly formed National Agricultural Genotyping Center. In addition, the Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory funded through ARS develops environmentally sounds practices and adds value to agricultural systems. National Institute of Food and Agriculture: Provides $787 million to support research, extension, and higher education at America's land-grant universities and related institutions, including North Dakota State University. NRCS Water Bank Program:Provides $4 million to help preserve and enhance wetlands for habitat, improve water quality and compensate producers for flooded land. SCHOOL NUTRITION Whole Grains: Includes Hoeven's amendment that allows states to waive new whole grain-rich requirements for school meals that took effect on July 1, 2014, provided that school food authorities establish hardship from this requirement. Sodium: Includes Hoeven's provision that prevents the Department of Agriculture from requiring sodium reductions in school meals below current levels of Target 1 until the latest scientific research establishes that the reduction is beneficial for children. White Potatoes: Includes a provision that prohibits USDA from excluding white potatoes from the WIC program, until the completion of the next regularly scheduled IOM review. The results of the review would drive future decisions on the exclusion of potatoes. EDUCATION Impact Aid: Includes $1.3 billion to support school districts impacted by the presence of federal lands. EPSCoR: Supports research and development at colleges and universities in states that historically received limited National Science Foundation (NSF) research and development funding. It was established to increase the geographic distribution of federal research and development funding. Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career & Technical Education: Supports education and training of American Indian students, including programs at United Tribes Technical College. HEALTH Health Care Workforce Development and Rural Health: Appropriates $6.3 billion, an increase of $23.8 million over last year. The majority of the increases can be directed to Rural Health and Health Workforce programs, including Primary Care Medicine, Oral Health, Preventative Medicine and Nursing. $17.4 million increase for the Bureau of Health Professions. $5.1 million increase for the Office of Rural Health programs. That includes $2 million increase for Rural Outreach Grants. $1 million increase for Rural Hospital Flexibility Grants. $1.1 million increase for the Rural/Community Access to Emergency Devices $1 million increase for Telehealth. AIR SERVICE Essential Air Service (EAS): Provides $155 million to ensure that small communities are served by certified air carriers and maintain a minimum level of schedule air service. Airport Improvement Program (AIP): Includes $3.35 billion to continue awarding grants to airports for planning and development of public-use airports. This money is used to fix and improve runways, taxiways, airfield lighting, airport layout and a number of other areas of an airfield to increase safety and functionality. Communities like Minot, Dickinson, Williston and others across North Dakota are experiencing ever-increasing boardings and we need air service infrastructure to grow with our state. -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-statement-on-ndsu-bisons-win-in-todays-quarterfinal-game,Hoeven Statement on NDSU Bison's Win in Today's Quarterfinal Game,2014-12-13,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.13.14 Hoeven Statement on NDSU Bison's Win in Today's Quarterfinal Game FARGO, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the North Dakota State University Bison win over Coastal Carolina in today's quarterfinal game of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. The final score was 39 to 32. Once again, the Bison demonstrated their resilience and talent on the field. The Chanticleers played a lively game, leading right into the fourth quarter, but the Bison defense held them and our offense came back with a long, exciting touchdown run. Congratulations and best wishes to Coach Chris Klieman and the Bison players, who once again performed with real skill and style. I wish I could have been there to cheer them on, but I'm going to do my best to get to next weekend's game. Go Bison! -###- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=0244d446-ecd1-4db6-a05f-b63a70d9a0f4,"Hoeven: Congress Passes Legislation to Improve Permitting Process for Energy Development, Grazing on Federal Lands",2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.12.14 Hoeven: Congress Passes Legislation to Improve Permitting Process for Energy Development, Grazing on Federal Lands WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that Congress has passed provisions to improve the federal permitting process for oil and gas wells and grazing on federal lands. The provisions approved today include the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Processing Improvement Act, legislation cosponsored by the senator that makes permanent the BLM’s pilot permitting office in Sydney, Montana. This bill builds on Hoeven’s BLM Streamlining Act, which made it possible for that BLM office to process permits for North Dakota. The second provision provides the BLM and U.S. Forest Service with greater flexibility to efficiently renew and process grazing permits and leases for ranchers. “The federal permitting process needs to be efficient and fair for our agriculture and energy industries,” said Hoeven. “The provisions approved by Congress today will help ensure that federal agencies are able to process oil and gas permits and grazing permits in a more effective manner.” Improved BLM Energy Permits The BLM Processing Improvement Act, cosponsored by Hoeven and authored by Senators Tom Udall (D- N.M.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), extends the BLM pilot program for improving the permitting process for oil and natural gas wells on federal lands. The BLM established the pilot offices in 2005 to improve permitting in the field, but the program was scheduled to expire at the end of 2015. This provision extends the program for 10 years, starting in 2016. The pilot program has helped to reduce delays and increase inspection capabilities. The Senate approved this legislation earlier this year. Today, it was approved by the full Congress as part of broader legislation. This legislation builds on Hoeven’s BLM Streamlining Act, which expanded the service area of the BLM’s Miles City, Montana office to include North Dakota. That office is now able to process permits for North Dakota and has helped to address backlogs and delays. Hoeven’s BLM Streamlining Act helped to cut red tape and made the federal permitting process more timely and efficient for North Dakota producers. Improved Federal Grazing Permits A second provision provides the U.S. Forest Service and the BLM with needed authorities to more efficiently renew and process grazing permits and leases. This will help to reduce permitting backlogs and provide America’s ranching community with greater certainty. The legislation reduces the environmental review burdens without negatively impacting land health. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=a7a54027-1e05-4034-97f4-24faf5855356,Hoeven: Congress Passes Defense Authorization Legislation,2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.12.14 Hoeven: Congress Passes Defense Authorization Legislation Legislation Maintains ICBM Silos, Sustains Global Hawk, Blocks Administration’s Proposal for Base Closings WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that Congress has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes important provisions to benefit North Dakota and bolster the nation’s defense. “We worked to ensure that the defense authorization legislation supports the nuclear missions at Minot Air Force Base, the Global Hawk missions at Grand Forks and other North Dakota priorities,” said Hoeven. “The bill provides our military with the resources and tools they need to protect and defend our country.” Hoeven worked to ensure North Dakota priorities in the legislation, including provisions to: Maintain ICBM Silos: Requires that the Administration maintain all 450 of the nation’s current intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) silos in a “warm status” through 2021. Hoeven wrote the leaders of the Armed Services Committees to keep the provision in the final version of the bill as part of his efforts to maintain a strong ICBM force at MAFB and throughout the country. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate ICBM Coalition, Hoeven authored a provision in the fiscal year Fiscal Year 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill that blocks the administration from reducing the number of active silos containing Minuteman III ICBMs. Sustain the Global Hawk Program: Authorizes the President’s request for the Global Hawk program for Fiscal Year 2015. Grand Forks Air Force Base hosts a Global Hawk mission. Promotes Military Base Partnerships: Encourages military bases to enter into agreements with local governments to develop public-private partnerships. Hoeven has worked to bring Northrop Grumman, the County of Grand Forks and the Grand Forks Air Force Base together to create Grand Sky, a cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems research park on the base. Authorize Army Guard Shop: Authorizes $10.8 million for an Army Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop in Valley City, ND. Block Base Closures: Rejects the Administration’s proposed new round of base closures. Additionally, the NDAA provides key support for national defense including: Syria Train and Equip program: Extends the Syria train and equip program (originally authorized by the continuing resolution passed in September) through 2016. Does not authorize specific funds for the Syria program. Counter ISIL Operations: The NDAA meets the President’s request to authorize $5.1 billion for US military activities to counter ISIL, to include training and equipping Iraqi forces. Cruise missile: Requires a new nuclear-tipped cruise missile by 2025 or 2026 and rejects a Pentagon proposal to delay the program until 2027. Guantanamo Bay prison: Bars the administration from closing the facility. The House of Representatives passed the bill on Dec. 4, and it will now head to the president to be signed into law. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-congress-passes-defense-authorization-legislation,Hoeven: Congress Passes Defense Authorization Legislation,2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.12.14 Hoeven: Congress Passes Defense Authorization Legislation Legislation Maintains ICBM Silos, Sustains Global Hawk, Blocks Administration's Proposal for Base Closings WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today announced that Congress has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes important provisions to benefit North Dakota and bolster the nation's defense. We worked to ensure that the defense authorization legislation supports the nuclear missions at Minot Air Force Base, the Global Hawk missions at Grand Forks and other North Dakota priorities, said Hoeven. The bill provides our military with the resources and tools they need to protect and defend our country. Hoeven worked to ensure North Dakota priorities in the legislation, including provisions to: Maintain ICBM Silos: Requires that the Administration maintain all 450 of the nation's current intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) silos in a warm status through 2021. Hoeven wrote the leaders of the Armed Services Committees to keep the provision in the final version of the bill as part of his efforts to maintain a strong ICBM force at MAFB and throughout the country. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate ICBM Coalition, Hoeven authored a provision in the fiscal year Fiscal Year 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill that blocks the administration from reducing the number of active silos containing Minuteman III ICBMs. Sustain the Global Hawk Program: Authorizes the President's request for the Global Hawk program for Fiscal Year 2015. Grand Forks Air Force Base hosts a Global Hawk mission. Promotes Military Base Partnerships: Encourages military bases to enter into agreements with local governments to develop public-private partnerships. Hoeven has worked to bring Northrop Grumman, the County of Grand Forks and the Grand Forks Air Force Base together to create Grand Sky, a cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems research park on the base. Authorize Army Guard Shop: Authorizes $10.8 million for an Army Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop in Valley City, ND. Block Base Closures: Rejects the Administration's proposed new round of base closures. Additionally, the NDAA provides key support for national defense including: Syria Train and Equip program: Extends the Syria train and equip program (originally authorized by the continuing resolution passed in September) through 2016. Does not authorize specific funds for the Syria program. Counter ISIL Operations: The NDAA meets the President's request to authorize $5.1 billion for US military activities to counter ISIL, to include training and equipping Iraqi forces. Cruise missile: Requires a new nuclear-tipped cruise missile by 2025 or 2026 and rejects a Pentagon proposal to delay the program until 2027. Guantanamo Bay prison: Bars the administration from closing the facility. The House of Representatives passed the bill on Dec. 4, and it will now head to the president to be signed into law. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-congress-passes-legislation-to-improve-permitting-process-for-energy-development-grazing-on-federal-lands,"Hoeven: Congress Passes Legislation to Improve Permitting Process for Energy Development, Grazing on Federal Lands",2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.12.14 Hoeven: Congress Passes Legislation to Improve Permitting Process for Energy Development, Grazing on Federal Lands WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today announced that Congress has passed provisions to improve the federal permitting process for oil and gas wells and grazing on federal lands. The provisions approved today include the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Processing Improvement Act, legislation cosponsored by the senator that makes permanent the BLM's pilot permitting office in Sydney, Montana. This bill builds on Hoeven's BLM Streamlining Act, which made it possible for that BLM office to process permits for North Dakota. The second provision provides the BLM and U.S. Forest Service with greater flexibility to efficiently renew and process grazing permits and leases for ranchers. The federal permitting process needs to be efficient and fair for our agriculture and energy industries, said Hoeven. The provisions approved by Congress today will help ensure that federal agencies are able to process oil and gas permits and grazing permits in a more effective manner. Improved BLM Energy Permits The BLM Processing Improvement Act, cosponsored by Hoeven and authored by Senators Tom Udall (D- N.M.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), extends the BLM pilot program for improving the permitting process for oil and natural gas wells on federal lands. The BLM established the pilot offices in 2005 to improve permitting in the field, but the program was scheduled to expire at the end of 2015. This provision extends the program for 10 years, starting in 2016. The pilot program has helped to reduce delays and increase inspection capabilities. The Senate approved this legislation earlier this year. Today, it was approved by the full Congress as part of broader legislation. This legislation builds on Hoeven's BLM Streamlining Act, which expanded the service area of the BLM's Miles City, Montana office to include North Dakota. That office is now able to process permits for North Dakota and has helped to address backlogs and delays. Hoeven's BLM Streamlining Act helped to cut red tape and made the federal permitting process more timely and efficient for North Dakota producers. Improved Federal Grazing Permits A second provision provides the U.S. Forest Service and the BLM with needed authorities to more efficiently renew and process grazing permits and leases. This will help to reduce permitting backlogs and provide America's ranching community with greater certainty. The legislation reduces the environmental review burdens without negatively impacting land health. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cramer-omnibus-spending-bill-approved-in-house-of-representatives-0,Cramer: Omnibus Spending Bill Approved in House of Representatives,2014-12-11,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer voted with a bipartisan majority in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass an omnibus spending bill to keep the government running through September 30, 2015. The bill funds 11 of the 12 annual Appropriations bills through September 30. The 12th Appropriations bill, funding the Department of Homeland Security, is given a temporary extension through February 27, 2015 to give the new Congress leverage to influence immigration policy. “While any spending bill this large will be far from perfect, I am pleased it cuts waste significantly in large federal agencies including the IRS and the EPA, in order to focus on supporting national priorities including job creation, veterans benefits, and defense. It prevents provisions of the proposed Waters of the US rule from impacting farmers and ranchers, which North Dakotans have loudly and clearly spoken out against,” Cramer said. “The bill spends $164 billion less than President Bush’s last discretionary budget in 2008, and reduces regulatory overreach affecting millions of Americans.” Click here to view a summary of the bill Agriculture          Prevents provisions of the proposed Waters of the US rule from impacting farmers and ranchers          Exempts livestock producers from greenhouse gas regulations          Provides $79 million for Range Management to continue to reduce the backlog of grazing permit applications, and does not include Administration and Senate proposals to charge $6.5 million in new grazing fees on BLM and Forest Service lands Energy and Environment          Cuts EPA spending by $61 million, continuing a downward trend in EPA funding of $2.2 billion in cuts, or 21%, since 2010          Blocks the Interior Department from making any decisions on an Endangered Species Act listing for the greater and Gunnison sage grouses          Boosts fossil energy research programs by $8.9 million to fight back against the Obama Administration’s war on coal          Blocks President Obama’s attempts to reallocate further energy research funding to green energy          Prevents new inspection fees on onshore oil and gas producers and provides a $13 million increase for the Bureau of Land Management to improve onshore energy and minerals development          Provides $2.35 billion in grants to states for local drinking water and sewer construction projects through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund          Prohibits the Department of Energy from forcing manufacturers to stop producing incandescent light bulbs Health and Safety          Ensures white potatoes are eligible for purchase through the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program, and institutes science-based requirements to determine which vegetables will be allowed for purchase in the WIC program          Provides local schools with flexibility in meeting the Obama Administration’s school lunch regulations          Boosts FBI funding by $93 million to focus on investigating human trafficking, counter-terrorism activities, and programs that combat the growing threat of cyber-intrusions    A new FBI field office is set to open in Williston          Boosts public safety grants by $65 million, including: $430 million for Violence Against Women programs, $376 million for Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, $185 million for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, $68 million for missing and exploited children programs, and $41 million for a new program to address the sexual assault kit backlog at law enforcement agencies          Contains several provisions to protect life, and continues all longstanding restrictions on abortion funding that have been included in Appropriations legislation in prior years National Defense          Increases key equipment funding for potential operations at the Grand Forks Air Force Base, including the MQ-9 Reaper and KC-46 Tanker          Supports operations at Minot Air Force base by increasing nuclear weapons activities spending to uphold the nation’s nuclear deterrence posture          Provides $10.8 million for an Army National Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop in Valley City    The project includes construction of a 30,005 square foot vehicle maintenance shop and a 15,296 square foot unheated enclosed vehicle storage facility supporting both organizational and maintenance repair requirements to combat and tactical vehicles for the ND Army National Guard Transportation          Protects small businesses from overregulation of the trucking industry including weight limitations and driver hours of service          Enhances railroad safety inspection of crude oil routes by providing $370,000 for five new safety inspectors and $3,000,000 for an automated track inspection program          Provides no funding for high speed rail Tribal Services          Funds the Indian Health Service at $4.6 billion - $208 million above the fiscal year 2014 level          Funds the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Education at $2.6 billion – $70 million above the fiscal year 2014 level Veterans          Provides $2.5 billion for processing VA disability claims to end the backlog and rescinds $41 million in performance bonuses at the VA          Funds VA medical services including: $7.2 billion in mental health care services, $133 million in suicide prevention activities, $229 million for traumatic brain injury treatment, $7.4 billion in homeless veterans treatment, services, housing, and job training, and $250 million in rural health initiatives",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cramer-applauds-elimination-of-unnecessary-daily-inspection-reports-for,Cramer Applauds Elimination of Unnecessary Daily Inspection Reports for Truck Drivers,2014-12-09,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer applauded a decision by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to eliminate daily inspection reports on trucks when no safety problems are identified. Presently, commercial truck drivers are required to conduct pre- and post- trip inspections of their vehicles, and follow each inspection by filing a report. Approximately 95 percent of these inspections find no problems with the vehicle. Under the new rule, drivers will still conduct these routine inspections, but will no longer be required to complete paperwork in cases when no equipment or safety concerns are found. “The federal government estimates truckers spend 46.7 million hours each year filling out this paperwork. This rule change will maintain all existing safety standards while creating a time savings of $1.7 billion dollars each year by eliminating unnecessary filings,” said Congressman Cramer. The change does not affect any buses carrying passengers, which are also regulated by FCMSA. It is set to take effect on December 18, when the new rule will appear in the Federal Register. Congressman Cramer has consistently advocated for a fair regulatory process for the trucking industry. He cosponsored H.R. 3095, which stopped the FMCSA from skipping a transparent rulemaking process to require truck drivers to undergo burdensome screening and testing for sleep disorders. The legislation was signed by the President on October 15, 2013.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cramer-urges-vilsack-to-withdraw-increased-agricultural-inspection-fees,Cramer Urges Vilsack to Withdraw Increased Agricultural Inspection Fees,2014-12-08,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer urged U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to withdraw a proposal to dramatically increase fees for agriculture inspections at U.S. ports of entry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) first proposed the increases to Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (AQI) fees in the Federal Register on April 24. The proposal would increase fees for commercial trucks by 52 percent, commercial trucks with transponders by 205 percent, commercial vessels by 66 percent, and commercial aircraft by 218 percent. “We are disappointed that APHIS officials did not...seek the views of many affected stakeholders before issuing the proposed rule making. Consequently, we urge APHIS to consider withdrawing the pending rule making and instead negotiate another more workable proposal with representatives of affected stakeholders,” wrote Cramer and 16 of his colleagues to Secretary Vilsack. The signed letter can be viewed here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=d410e119-3731-4d7c-b1f7-f97ceb558d59,Hoeven Welcomes Home 2-285th Aviation Regiment at Freedom Salute,2014-12-06,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.14 Hoeven Welcomes Home 2-285th Aviation Regiment at Freedom Salute BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today welcomed home the C Company, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment of the North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) at a Freedom Salute in Bismarck. The unit of 36 soldiers recently returned from a one-year deployment to Kosovo. “We have much to be thankful for during this holiday season and today we are reminded once again that the blessings we enjoy in this country are preserved by brave soldiers like those of the 2-285th,” said Hoeven. “We are grateful for their sacrifices and for their service and we welcome them home.” The C Company 2-285th Aviation Regiment is headquartered in Bismarck, with the soldiers hailing from ten North Dakota communities and three Minnesota communities. The unit served as part of the KFOR 18 Aviation Task Force, in support of the US-led Multinational Battle Group East, focusing on the tactical transport of troops, VIP transport, external sling-loads, cargo, casualty evacuation, as well as assistance and training for Kosovo security forces. This is the unit’s second deployment since the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism. They first deployed to Iraq from October 2009 to October 2010. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=189b24f5-8def-4072-861d-d5305aa4f104,NDNG 2-285th Freedom Salute,2014-12-06,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Event December 06 2014 11:30 AM Saturday afternoon Hoeven will celebrate the recent return of the 2-285th, which is comprised of 36 soldiers who deployed for a year to Kosovo. The unit served in support of the US-led Multinational Battle Group East and provided tactical transport of troops, VIP transport, external sling-loads, cargo and casualty evacuation, and assisted in training Kosovo security forces. 1:00 p.m. CT Freedom Salute, Welcome Home for NDNG 2-285th Aviation Support Facility 3410 Airway Avenue Bismarck",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-welcomes-home-2-285th-aviation-regiment-at-freedom-salute,Hoeven Welcomes Home 2-285th Aviation Regiment at Freedom Salute,2014-12-06,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.14 Hoeven Welcomes Home 2-285th Aviation Regiment at Freedom Salute BISMARCK, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today welcomed home the C Company, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment of the North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) at a Freedom Salute in Bismarck. The unit of 36 soldiers recently returned from a one-year deployment to Kosovo. We have much to be thankful for during this holiday season and today we are reminded once again that the blessings we enjoy in this country are preserved by brave soldiers like those of the 2-285th, said Hoeven. We are grateful for their sacrifices and for their service and we welcome them home. The C Company 2-285th Aviation Regiment is headquartered in Bismarck, with the soldiers hailing from ten North Dakota communities and three Minnesota communities. The unit served as part of the KFOR 18 Aviation Task Force, in support of the US-led Multinational Battle Group East, focusing on the tactical transport of troops, VIP transport, external sling-loads, cargo, casualty evacuation, as well as assistance and training for Kosovo security forces. This is the unit's second deployment since the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism. They first deployed to Iraq from October 2009 to October 2010. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=12d097e2-eb2b-4f79-9610-0a67ce91bf5e,"Hoeven Presses NRCS Chief to Work with Producers for Local Solutions to Conservation, Flooding Issues",2014-12-05,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.14 Hoeven Presses NRCS Chief to Work with Producers for Local Solutions to Conservation, Flooding Issues Senator Invites Chief to North Dakota to Meet with Producers WASHINGTON – At a hearing of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator John Hoeven this week urged Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Jason Weller to work closely with producers in North Dakota and across the country to dispel uncertainty and find solutions for issues created by Waters of the U.S., conservation compliance in the new farm bill and measures to help protect against flooding. The senator invited Weller to North Dakota to meet with producers directly to address these and other concerns they’ve raised about new regulations impacting farmers and ranchers. Rescinding Waters of the U.S. “Chief Weller needs to actually sit down with producers and use their input to find solutions. The Waters of the U.S. rule can’t be fixed with a multitude of exemptions,” Hoeven said. “It is ill-conceived and unworkable, and it needs to be entirely rescinded.” The senator told Weller that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Waters of the U.S. proposed rule and the interpretive rule that accompanied it, are a big problem for North Dakota farmers and ranchers, as well as other industries. Moreover, the new rule captures almost every acre of wet or even occasionally wet ground. The EPA and the Corps issued the interpretive rule in conjunction with the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule to clarify the scope of Clean Water Act jurisdiction over the nation’s waters and wetlands. Hoeven said Weller indicated that the EPA and Corps are considering a withdrawal of the non-binding interpretive rule that identifies 56 farming and ranching conservation practices that would be exempt from the Clean Water Act’s dredge-and-fill permits due to the confusion it has caused producers. USDA has made much of the interpretive rule’s exemptions, but when producers look at the Waters of the U.S. rules, they find that their farms and ranches are under much more regulation than previously and that they have much less flexibility under the Clean Water Act. Regional Conservation Partnership Program and Flood Control Hoeven also pressed the chief on the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The RCPP, which Hoeven worked to include in the farm bill, combines four existing programs into one streamlined, efficient rural water management and flood protection program. Given the flood history in North Dakota, Hoeven has been pushing for comprehensive flood control solutions for the entire Red River Valley, and programs such as RCPP offer new tools to accomplish that goal. This May, USDA designated the Prairie Grasslands, which includes the Red River Valley, as a critical conservation area under RCPP, which is one part of a comprehensive plan to protect the Red River Valley and gives us a new tool to help us partner with others to meet local conservation and flood protection objectives. These flood protection projects will address local flooding issues in our small and rural communities around the Red River Basin and each one of these projects can provide additional flood protection benefits downstream all the way to Canada. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=4269f388-dcd7-48b7-9e06-f6a35b67d016,"Hoeven Presses FERC Nominee to Build Energy Infrastructure, Ensure Efficient and Fair Application Process",2014-12-05,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.14 Hoeven Presses FERC Nominee to Build Energy Infrastructure, Ensure Efficient and Fair Application Process WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven this week pressed Collette D. Honorable, a nominee to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to help build the nation’s energy infrastructure, including expediting the citing of transmission lines. Hoeven also pressed Honorable to help expedite the export applications for liquefied natural gas (LNG). “We can become energy secure in the United States, but we need to invest in the necessary energy infrastructure to do so,” said Hoeven. “We need to provide regulatory certainty to encourage investments. That includes making the application process for energy projects – everything from LNG export facilities to the citing of transmission lines – fair and efficient.” The senator received assurances from Honorable to work with him and other members of Congress to identify ways to streamline FERC’s oversight practices. Such reforms would provide additional clarity to the process and send signals of confidence to the market and potential investors. If confirmed by the Senate, Honorable would serve on the FERC with former North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Tony Clark. The FERC is an independent agency responsible for regulating the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas and oil. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-presses-ferc-nominee-to-build-energy-infrastructure-ensure-efficient-and-fair-application-process,"Hoeven Presses FERC Nominee to Build Energy Infrastructure, Ensure Efficient and Fair Application Process",2014-12-05,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.14 Hoeven Presses FERC Nominee to Build Energy Infrastructure, Ensure Efficient and Fair Application Process WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven this week pressed Collette D. Honorable, a nominee to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to help build the nation's energy infrastructure, including expediting the citing of transmission lines. Hoeven also pressed Honorable to help expedite the export applications for liquefied natural gas (LNG). We can become energy secure in the United States, but we need to invest in the necessary energy infrastructure to do so, said Hoeven. We need to provide regulatory certainty to encourage investments. That includes making the application process for energy projects everything from LNG export facilities to the citing of transmission lines fair and efficient. The senator received assurances from Honorable to work with him and other members of Congress to identify ways to streamline FERC's oversight practices. Such reforms would provide additional clarity to the process and send signals of confidence to the market and potential investors. If confirmed by the Senate, Honorable would serve on the FERC with former North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Tony Clark. The FERC is an independent agency responsible for regulating the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas and oil. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-presses-nrcs-chief-to-work-with-producers-for-local-solutions-to-conservation-flooding-issues,"Hoeven Presses NRCS Chief to Work with Producers for Local Solutions to Conservation, Flooding Issues",2014-12-05,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.14 Hoeven Presses NRCS Chief to Work with Producers for Local Solutions to Conservation, Flooding Issues Senator Invites Chief to North Dakota to Meet with Producers WASHINGTON At a hearing of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator John Hoeven this week urged Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Jason Weller to work closely with producers in North Dakota and across the country to dispel uncertainty and find solutions for issues created by Waters of the U.S., conservation compliance in the new farm bill and measures to help protect against flooding. The senator invited Weller to North Dakota to meet with producers directly to address these and other concerns they've raised about new regulations impacting farmers and ranchers. Rescinding Waters of the U.S. Chief Weller needs to actually sit down with producers and use their input to find solutions. The Waters of the U.S. rule can't be fixed with a multitude of exemptions, Hoeven said. It is ill-conceived and unworkable, and it needs to be entirely rescinded. The senator told Weller that the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Waters of the U.S. proposed rule and the interpretive rule that accompanied it, are a big problem for North Dakota farmers and ranchers, as well as other industries. Moreover, the new rule captures almost every acre of wet or even occasionally wet ground. The EPA and the Corps issued the interpretive rule in conjunction with the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule to clarify the scope of Clean Water Act jurisdiction over the nation's waters and wetlands. Hoeven said Weller indicated that the EPA and Corps are considering a withdrawal of the non-binding interpretive rule that identifies 56 farming and ranching conservation practices that would be exempt from the Clean Water Act's dredge-and-fill permits due to the confusion it has caused producers. USDA has made much of the interpretive rule's exemptions, but when producers look at the Waters of the U.S. rules, they find that their farms and ranches are under much more regulation than previously and that they have much less flexibility under the Clean Water Act. Regional Conservation Partnership Program and Flood Control Hoeven also pressed the chief on the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The RCPP, which Hoeven worked to include in the farm bill, combines four existing programs into one streamlined, efficient rural water management and flood protection program. Given the flood history in North Dakota, Hoeven has been pushing for comprehensive flood control solutions for the entire Red River Valley, and programs such as RCPP offer new tools to accomplish that goal. This May, USDA designated the Prairie Grasslands, which includes the Red River Valley, as a critical conservation area under RCPP, which is one part of a comprehensive plan to protect the Red River Valley and gives us a new tool to help us partner with others to meet local conservation and flood protection objectives. These flood protection projects will address local flooding issues in our small and rural communities around the Red River Basin and each one of these projects can provide additional flood protection benefits downstream all the way to Canada. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-passes-national-defense-authorization,Cramer: House Passes National Defense Authorization,2014-12-04,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the House of Representatives passed an amended National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) after a compromise was released by the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The House passed the NDAA with a bipartisan majority in May, however the legislation stalled in the Senate. The Senate is now expected to take up the amended NDAA next week. “In the face of continued cuts advocated by President Obama to our defense priorities, this legislation contains bipartisan work to find savings which don’t pose the threat of irrevocable damage to our armed forces, or harm to recruitment and retention of military personnel,” said Cramer. “The negotiations came down to the President and the Senate trying to cut personnel benefits by $26.4 billion and the House advocating no personnel benefit cuts. Fortunately the House position prevailed and the vast majority of benefits were restored.” The amended NDAA contains important provisions for North Dakota: Ensures the administration follows through on retaining all 450 ICBM silos in warm status: this facilitates silo maintenance, ease deployment of a follow-on missile, complicates adversary targeting, and is a low-cost means of improving national security Prevents the administration’s proposed Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) proposal Restores $30 million to Impact Aid, which provides school district funding to compensate for federal tax-exempt property such as Air Force bases, and provides a $70 million down payment for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Makes additional $103.2 million investment in MQ-9 Reapers: currently the ND Air National Guard flies the MQ-1 Predators which are less capable, and this will help the Guard to receive the more capable MQ-9 sooner Includes language supported by Congressman Cramer to prevent the transfer of any National Guard Apache helicopters to the Active force Commissions the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the appropriate balance between the Active force and the Guard Extends the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) pilot permitting program to improve the processing of applications for permits to drill oil and natural gas wells This pilot project has a proven track record of success in reducing delays and increasing inspection capabilities. The pilot program did not include North Dakota until Congressman Cramer was elected to Congress and worked with Senator Hoeven to successfully pass the BLM Streamlining Act. With today’s legislation, BLM offices seeing the most demand will be able to utilize the program without requiring Congressional action Authorizes the Interior Department to hold live internet auctions for onshore oil and gas lease sales This provision was included in previous legislation Cramer supported in the Natural Resources Committee and passed in the full House Amends authorities for grazing on public land administered by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service to reduce environmental review burdens without negatively impacting land health The NDAA also: Restores 80% of the President’s proposed reduction in basic allowance for housing Increases the number of embedded behavioral health care providers including psychologists, social workers, curse case managers, and operational psychologists Makes authorizations to support defeating the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) Includes $3.4 billion for sustaining operations associated with Operation Inherent Resolve and $1.6 billion to train and equip Iraqi and Peshmerga security forces The Iraqi government must share in train and equip costs Extends prior authorization to train and equip moderate Syrian forces",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/rail-companies-issue-new-status-reports-on-grain-car-backlog-7,Rail Companies Issue New Status Reports on Grain Car Backlog,2014-12-04,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"CP Number of outstanding cars Average number of days late Number of new car orders Number of car orders filled Number of orders canceled by shipper Number of orders canceled by railroad",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-cramer-to-serve-on-three-energy-commerce-subcommittees,Congressman Cramer to Serve on Three Energy & Commerce Subcommittees,2014-12-03,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – It was announced last month Congressman Kevin Cramer will serve on the coveted Energy and Commerce Committee during the 114th Congress. Today, Committee Chairman Fred Upton announced Cramer’s subcommittee assignments as follows: Communications and Technology, Environment and the Economy, and Oversight and Investigations. ""I am pleased to serve on these three important Subcommittees in the next Congress. Some of the most crucial issues facing North Dakota and our nation will be debated in their hearings and meetings,"" said Cramer. The Communications and Technology Subcommittee oversees electronic communications, including voice, video, audio and data, the broadcast, cable, and satellite industries, cybersecurity, privacy, and data security, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. “In this subcommittee we have the opportunity to bring the Telecommunications Act into the 21st century by addressing issues including broadband deployment and Universal Service Fund reform, while looking out for rural telephone cooperatives and their customers. I intend to put my experience regulating telecommunications as a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner to use,” Cramer said. The Environment and the Economy Subcommittee oversees soil and water health, including Superfund and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the regulation of energy combustion waste, emergency environmental response, the security of energy plants including cybersecurity, the regulation of drinking water (Safe Drinking Water Act), which includes hydraulic fracturing, and toxic substances (Toxic Substances Control Act). “This subcommittee provides an important opportunity for me to look out for North Dakota’s natural resources above and below ground, and their incredible contribution to national and economic security,” Cramer added. The Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee has responsibility for oversight of agencies, departments, and programs related to the jurisdiction of the full committee, and for conducting investigations. “Oversight is a critical component of any committee in Congress, and agencies like the Department of Energy and the EPA need a lot of it. I look forward to contributing my energy background toward rigorous and substantive debate on the issues with our agency heads,” said Cramer.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-passes-legislation-to-help-those-with-disabilities-and,Cramer: House Passes Legislation to Help Those with Disabilities and Their Families,2014-12-03,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill cosponsored by Congressman Kevin Cramer to create tax-free savings accounts for those who live with disabilities, allowing families to save for disability-related expenses in the same way that is provided for other major life events such as college and retirement. The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act passed with a bipartisan vote including 221 Republicans and 183 Democrats. While American families currently enjoy tax incentives to save for significant future expenses, people with severe disabilities face who significant challenges of their own do not have an equivalent savings instrument. The ABLE Act allows parents to save for their child’s long-term disability expenses in a 529A (or “ABLE”) account. 529A accounts would be administered in a similar manner as 529 college savings accounts, allowing contributions in after-tax dollars to grow tax-free. In a speech on the floor of the House, Cramer shared the stories of four North Dakota families who strongly believe the legislation will help their children with Down syndrome lead fuller lives. “My intention this morning was to get up and try to eloquent in talking about the ABLE Act that we are going to be voting on later today,” Congressman Cramer said on the House floor. “But since yesterday I’ve received four emails from parents in North Dakota whose words are far more eloquent than mine could ever be.” “How exciting that we are at this point where the dreams of the act passing may come true in the next days,” wrote Roxane Romanick of Bismarck. “Last spring, my own daughter, Elizabeth, turned 15. Due to her diagnosis of Down syndrome, she has the support of an Individual Education Plan at school.  Required by law, the school will start working on a transition plan for her within a few short months.  Passage of the ABLE Act will mean that we can start a savings account for her in much the same way that we did for her brother.” “My son is young and only time will tell what services and programs he may or may not need when he is an adult,” wrote Marijo Schwengler of Fargo. “But one message is clear: David must remain ‘poor’ in order receive the services. Even if the services may not provide for all his needs adequately. We can’t save for David in the same way we can for his brothers. The ABLE Act would mean that we could start saving for David’s future today.” “Our journey includes being blessed seven years ago with a beautiful baby boy with crystal blue eyes and a massive amount of blonde hair. His name is Grady and he has Down syndrome,” wrote Jamie Christensen of Bismarck. “Like many families, we want to care for our children equally, doing what we can to give them tools to help them reach their full potential. Shortly after Grady was born, I opened a 529 College SAVE account for Grady’s big sister. It was then that I realized I had no idea how to plan for Grady’s future.” “Our daughter Ella was born on Christmas Eve just about 4 years ago,” wrote Aaron Schuler of Bismarck. “Our lives have been fully enriched by Ella and we plan to give her every opportunity to grow and chase her dreams.  She will be a crazy teenager, graduate and go to college, work a full-time job, and have real meaningful relationship. We believe this for her. That is what makes the Able act is so important to Ella and to people all over our great country.” “This legislation will go a long way toward leveling the playing field for these families, enriching their lives just as they enrich the lives of our entire country,” Congressman Cramer concluded. In 2013 and 2014, Cramer was presented with the Superhero award from the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) for his commitment to people with Down syndrome. In February 2014, Congressman Cramer presented the national 2014 Buddy Walk of the Year Award to ‘Up with Downs’, a Down syndrome support network serving families in the Fargo/Moorhead area. Cramer is also a member of the U.S. House Down Syndrome Caucus, which supports legislative activities to improve Down syndrome research, education, and treatment. A photo of Cramer being presented with the Superhero award in 2013 can be viewed here, and a photo of the 2014 Superhero award presentation can be viewed here. Photos of Congressman Cramer presenting the Buddy Walk of the Year Award to Up with Downs can be viewed here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=70d56f63-f6cd-4b7a-b59b-683b261b435f,"Hoeven Announces More Than $450,000 in Grants for NDSU, NDDOH",2014-12-03,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.03.14 Hoeven Announces More Than $450,000 in Grants for NDSU, NDDOH WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is awarding nearly $435,000 to North Dakota State University (NDSU) in mental health research grant funding. The funds are made available through the HHS National Institute of Mental Health and will support research on information retention and memory. In addition, the North Dakota State Department of Health was awarded $25,000 to develop a State Systems Development Initiative (SSDI) Grant Program to better serve women, infants, children and youth, and in particular, children and youth with special health care needs. “Our universities conduct innovative and important research projects and this grant is evidence of their good work,” said Hoeven. “It will help to advance NDSU’s study of human memory and do further research into mental health. Similarly, our health department strives to administer programs that benefit those with special health care needs, and this grant will help to support their effort.” Hoeven is a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=921f603a-9262-4d84-b189-63408abe91bc,Hoeven Statement on the Death of Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker,2014-12-03,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.03.14 Hoeven Statement on the Death of Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement upon news that Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker died Tuesday evening. The mayor had been fighting kidney cancer: “Denny Walaker truly loved Fargo and the people of Fargo. As mayor, he presided over one of the greatest periods of growth in the city’s history, and his relentless fights against flooding have become a permanent part of his legacy. “Mikey and I visited Denny in September following his treatment for kidney cancer. At that time, he had all of the fight and spirit we have all come to know in him. Ultimately, it appears cancer was too strong an adversary. It is with great sadness that Mikey and I express our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and the residents of Fargo who admired and appreciated him.” Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=bbd6d756-20e0-44b2-8ecb-33d10e409319,Hoeven's Minot Field Office Relocates to Federal Building,2014-12-03,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.03.14 Hoeven's Minot Field Office Relocates to Federal Building MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced that his Minot field office has relocated to the Judge Bruce Van Sickle Federal Building, 100 1st Street SW, Suite 107. The new office will open Friday, December 5. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, with Sally Johnson, a Minot native, serving as the regional director. “We look forward to continuing to serve the people of the Minot region from our new location in the federal building,” said Hoeven. “Our regional offices provide a local contact for North Dakotans who need information or assistance with federal issues. We welcome them to stop by to visit with a regional representative.” Contact information for the new Minot office is as follows: Senator John Hoeven 100 1st Street SW, Suite 107 Minot, ND 58701 Phone: 701-838-1361 Fax: 701-838-1381 In addition to the Minot office, the senator has also established permanent offices in Bismarck, Fargo and Grand Forks, with a Western North Dakota Regional Representative based in Williston. Hoeven’s state staff manage constituent requests, serve as liaisons between citizens and federal agencies and gather input from North Dakotans on policy issues the senator is working on in Washington. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-more-than-450-000-in-grants-for-ndsu-nddoh,"Hoeven Announces More Than $450,000 in Grants for NDSU, NDDOH",2014-12-03,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.03.14 Hoeven Announces More Than $450,000 in Grants for NDSU, NDDOH WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is awarding nearly $435,000 to North Dakota State University (NDSU) in mental health research grant funding. The funds are made available through the HHS National Institute of Mental Health and will support research on information retention and memory. In addition, the North Dakota State Department of Health was awarded $25,000 to develop a State Systems Development Initiative (SSDI) Grant Program to better serve women, infants, children and youth, and in particular, children and youth with special health care needs. Our universities conduct innovative and important research projects and this grant is evidence of their good work, said Hoeven. It will help to advance NDSU's study of human memory and do further research into mental health. Similarly, our health department strives to administer programs that benefit those with special health care needs, and this grant will help to support their effort. Hoeven is a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-statement-on-the-death-of-fargo-mayor-dennis-walaker,Hoeven Statement on the Death of Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker,2014-12-03,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.03.14 Hoeven Statement on the Death of Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement upon news that Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker died Tuesday evening. The mayor had been fighting kidney cancer: Denny Walaker truly loved Fargo and the people of Fargo. As mayor, he presided over one of the greatest periods of growth in the city's history, and his relentless fights against flooding have become a permanent part of his legacy. Mikey and I visited Denny in September following his treatment for kidney cancer. At that time, he had all of the fight and spirit we have all come to know in him. Ultimately, it appears cancer was too strong an adversary. It is with great sadness that Mikey and I express our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and the residents of Fargo who admired and appreciated him. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoevens-minot-field-office-relocates-to-federal-building,Hoeven's Minot Field Office Relocates to Federal Building,2014-12-03,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.03.14 Hoeven's Minot Field Office Relocates to Federal Building MINOT, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today announced that his Minot field office has relocated to the Judge Bruce Van Sickle Federal Building, 100 1st Street SW, Suite 107. The new office will open Friday, December 5. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, with Sally Johnson, a Minot native, serving as the regional director. We look forward to continuing to serve the people of the Minot region from our new location in the federal building, said Hoeven. Our regional offices provide a local contact for North Dakotans who need information or assistance with federal issues. We welcome them to stop by to visit with a regional representative. Contact information for the new Minot office is as follows: Senator John Hoeven 100 1st Street SW, Suite 107 Minot, ND 58701 Phone: 701-838-1361 Fax: 701-838-1381 In addition to the Minot office, the senator has also established permanent offices in Bismarck, Fargo and Grand Forks, with a Western North Dakota Regional Representative based in Williston. Hoeven's state staff manage constituent requests, serve as liaisons between citizens and federal agencies and gather input from North Dakotans on policy issues the senator is working on in Washington. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-cramer-statement-on-pay-increase-for-civilian-workers-at,Congressman Cramer Statement on Pay Increase for Civilian Workers at Minot Air Force Base,2014-12-02,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Cramer issued the following statement on the Office of Personnel Management approving a Department of Defense request for a special pay rate increase for civilian employees at the Minot Air Force Base. ""I am pleased the federal civilian employees, often working side-by-side with our Airmen, will see increased pay closer to salaries in the area,"" said Cramer. “With the exceptional economic growth in North Dakota we’ve seen increasing wages, but our federal employees stuck in their bureaucracy have fallen behind. I will continue to work towards getting all North Dakota federal agency employee’s compensation to competitive levels.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cramer-asks-fema-administrator-to-allow-fargo-basement-exception,Cramer Asks FEMA Administrator to Allow Fargo Basement Exception,2014-12-02,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer and North Dakota’s Senators asked Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate to favorably review the City of Fargo’s application for the basement exception in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In a letter to Fugate, Cramer and the state’s Senators expressed their strong support for the application. “The City of Fargo has successfully implemented the basement exception in the NFIP for close to 40 years.  Fargo has continually updated what elevations should be required for flood proof basements in order to minimize the risk of damage to the homes,” they wrote. “As the Federal Emergency Management Agency reviews Fargo’s application for the basement exception, we urge the agency to keep in mind how important the basement exception is to the people of Fargo and strongly support its continuation.” After the letter was sent, Cramer spoke with FEMA about his support for the City of Fargo’s application. They discussed the exception, basement construction, and economic concerns, including the already-significant increases in construction costs in North Dakota.  Congressman Cramer was instrumental in making sure the basement exception policy stayed intact during formulation of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which was signed by the President on March 21, 2014. The text of the letter is below: Mr. Craig Fugate Administrator United States Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency-FEMA 500 C St SW Washington, DC 20472-3198 Dear Administrator Fugate,           We are writing to express our support of the City of Fargo’s application for the basement exception in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  This exception, which has been granted to Fargo since 1975, has been crucial in Fargo’s implementation of the National Flood Insurance Program.           Basements are an important part of the homes of Fargo residents. They serve as shelters during severe weather, and they have been effectively flood-proofed to reduce damage to the home. The construction methods of basements have allowed Fargo’s residents to have access to reliable shelter that is both affordable to construct and insure. The residents of Fargo have made long-term investments in their homes by making sure that their basements are protected from significant flood damage. These flood proof basements have been an effective part of reducing risk of damage to the property due to flooding.           The City of Fargo has successfully implemented the basement exception in the NFIP for close to 40 years.  Fargo has continually updated what elevations should be required for flood proof basements in order to minimize the risk of damage to the homes. The City of Fargo has proactively addressed the potential flooding issues in the past, and renewing Fargo’s basement exception will help to continue this practice in to the future.           As the Federal Emergency Management Agency reviews Fargo’s application for the basement exception, we urge the agency to keep in mind how important the basement exception is to the people of Fargo and strongly support its continuation.  Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/legislation-gives-tribes-greater-control-over-housing-assistance-program,Legislation Gives Tribes Greater Control Over Housing Assistance Program,2014-12-02,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to provide individual tribes greater control over the Native American Housing Assistance Program. Congressman Kevin Cramer supports the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act, which reauthorizes the program through 2018, turns it into a block grant program, and contains additional measures giving tribes more flexibility and autonomy in its implementation. The legislation would: Automatically approve tribal waiver requests for exemptions from housing plan, environmental review, or development cost requirements if the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development does not act within 60 days of receiving the request Give tribes the authority to substitute their own environmental reviews and maximum rent and homebuyer payment provisions for current federal reviews and provisions Waive the 30% rent cap currently in place for tribal affordable housing Establish a joint program between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to prevent homelessness among Native American veterans “This is a common sense bill to make housing assistance more efficient for individual tribes. It prevents unnecessary delays in housing project construction, and gives Native American tribes more room to implement the program in a way that fits their needs,” said Congressman Cramer. The bill is supported by the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=e4c97173-37ae-472f-8742-371526d324f9,"Hoeven, Heitkamp Call on FEMA to Approve Fargo Basement Exception",2014-12-02,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.14 Hoeven, Heitkamp Call on FEMA to Approve Fargo Basement Exception WASHINGTON – Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp today called on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate to approve the City of Fargo’s application for the basement exception in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The city has been granted the basement exception since 1975. FEMA, however, has redrawn the floodplain following recent flood fights, and the new map will go into effect on January 15, 2015. Consequently, the city must reapply for the exception to be included. In a letter to Fugate, the delegation wrote: “Basements are an important part of the homes of Fargo residents. They serve as shelters during severe weather, and they have been effectively flood-proofed to reduce damage to the home. The construction methods of basements have allowed Fargo’s residents to have access to reliable shelter that is both affordable to construct and insure. The residents of Fargo have made long-term investments in their homes by making sure that their basements are protected from significant flood damage. These flood-proof basements have been an effective part of reducing risk of damage to the property due to flooding. “The City of Fargo has successfully implemented the basement exception in the NFIP for close to 40 years. Fargo has continually updated what elevations should be required for flood-proof basements in order to minimize the risk of damage to the homes. The City of Fargo has proactively addressed the potential flooding issues in the past, and renewing Fargo’s basement exception will help to continue this practice in to the future.” Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=f5714c85-7d97-49a0-8dcb-2614cd7f0e52,Hoeven Announces OPM Approves Pay Increases for Federal Workers at Minot Air Force Base,2014-12-02,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.14 Hoeven Announces OPM Approves Pay Increases for Federal Workers at Minot Air Force Base Senator Called on OPM to Address Federal Staffing Challenges in Region WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has approved a Department of Defense request for special rate increase for federal civilian workers at the Minot Air Force Base (MAFB). The action will increase the pay of base laborers, custodians, maintenance mechanics, cooks and other food service employees. Hoeven has been pushing OPM to address cost-of-living challenges faced by federal workers at the base and in western North Dakota owing to economic growth in the oil patch. The increases are designed to help recruit and retain a high-quality federal workforce. “This is good news for the civilian employees at Minot Air Force Base,” Hoeven said. “Now we continue to work with OPM and the Department of Interior to address the challenges other federal employees face trying to make ends meet in western North Dakota,” Hoeven said. “The U.S. Park Service, law enforcement agencies, oil and gas licensing offices and other federal service providers are feeling the impact of higher costs, especially for housing.” Hoeven first made the case for cost-of-living adjustments for affected federal employees in western North Dakota in a March letter to the Federal Salary Council, which does salary and market analysis and makes recommendations to OPM. Subsequently, OPM indicated that consideration was underway at DOI, which is currently working on a special rate request for the Bakken region. In a letter of response OPM Acting Deputy Associate Director Brenda L. Roberts, acknowledged the problem and said the Federal Salary Council would review market and salary data in Minot and western North Dakota to find programs that would help ensure that federal wages keep up with increases in cost-of-living. At a follow-up meeting with Archuleta in Minot last September, the senator again highlighted the work being done by the Air Force, U.S. Postal Service and state of North Dakota, but stressed that OPM needed to work toward a timely solution and also address the needs of other federal departments serving in North Dakota. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is also responding to cost-of-living increases. Earlier this year, Hoeven announced that the USPS has approved 9 to 20 percent increases to postal employees’ base pay to attract and retain carriers in Minot and the Bakken region. Growth in the state’s energy sector has driven the cost of living in Minot from below the national average in 2003 to 6 percent above it in 2013, making it difficult to recruit and retain civilian workers at the Minot Air Force Base and at federal agencies operating in the Bakken region. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-opm-approves-pay-increases-for-federal-workers-at-minot-air-force-base,Hoeven Announces OPM Approves Pay Increases for Federal Workers at Minot Air Force Base,2014-12-02,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.14 Hoeven Announces OPM Approves Pay Increases for Federal Workers at Minot Air Force Base Senator Called on OPM to Address Federal Staffing Challenges in Region WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has approved a Department of Defense request for special rate increase for federal civilian workers at the Minot Air Force Base (MAFB). The action will increase the pay of base laborers, custodians, maintenance mechanics, cooks and other food service employees. Hoeven has been pushing OPM to address cost-of-living challenges faced by federal workers at the base and in western North Dakota owing to economic growth in the oil patch. The increases are designed to help recruit and retain a high-quality federal workforce. This is good news for the civilian employees at Minot Air Force Base, Hoeven said. Now we continue to work with OPM and the Department of Interior to address the challenges other federal employees face trying to make ends meet in western North Dakota, Hoeven said. The U.S. Park Service, law enforcement agencies, oil and gas licensing offices and other federal service providers are feeling the impact of higher costs, especially for housing. Hoeven first made the case for cost-of-living adjustments for affected federal employees in western North Dakota in a March letter to the Federal Salary Council, which does salary and market analysis and makes recommendations to OPM. Subsequently, OPM indicated that consideration was underway at DOI, which is currently working on a special rate request for the Bakken region. In a letter of response OPM Acting Deputy Associate Director Brenda L. Roberts, acknowledged the problem and said the Federal Salary Council would review market and salary data in Minot and western North Dakota to find programs that would help ensure that federal wages keep up with increases in cost-of-living. At a follow-up meeting with Archuleta in Minot last September, the senator again highlighted the work being done by the Air Force, U.S. Postal Service and state of North Dakota, but stressed that OPM needed to work toward a timely solution and also address the needs of other federal departments serving in North Dakota. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is also responding to cost-of-living increases. Earlier this year, Hoeven announced that the USPS has approved 9 to 20 percent increases to postal employees' base pay to attract and retain carriers in Minot and the Bakken region. Growth in the state's energy sector has driven the cost of living in Minot from below the national average in 2003 to 6 percent above it in 2013, making it difficult to recruit and retain civilian workers at the Minot Air Force Base and at federal agencies operating in the Bakken region. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-heitkamp-call-on-fema-to-approve-fargo-basement-exception,"Hoeven, Heitkamp Call on FEMA to Approve Fargo Basement Exception",2014-12-02,2014,2014-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.14 Hoeven, Heitkamp Call on FEMA to Approve Fargo Basement Exception WASHINGTON Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp today called on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate to approve the City of Fargo's application for the basement exception in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The city has been granted the basement exception since 1975. FEMA, however, has redrawn the floodplain following recent flood fights, and the new map will go into effect on January 15, 2015. Consequently, the city must reapply for the exception to be included. In a letter to Fugate, the delegation wrote: Basements are an important part of the homes of Fargo residents. They serve as shelters during severe weather, and they have been effectively flood-proofed to reduce damage to the home. The construction methods of basements have allowed Fargo's residents to have access to reliable shelter that is both affordable to construct and insure. The residents of Fargo have made long-term investments in their homes by making sure that their basements are protected from significant flood damage. These flood-proof basements have been an effective part of reducing risk of damage to the property due to flooding. The City of Fargo has successfully implemented the basement exception in the NFIP for close to 40 years. Fargo has continually updated what elevations should be required for flood-proof basements in order to minimize the risk of damage to the homes. The City of Fargo has proactively addressed the potential flooding issues in the past, and renewing Fargo's basement exception will help to continue this practice in to the future. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cramer-northrop-grumman-signs-letter-of-intent-for-grand-sky,Cramer: Northrop Grumman Signs Letter of Intent for Grand Sky,2014-11-26,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced Northrop Grumman Corporation, the anchor tenant of the Grand Sky Technology Park, adjacent to Grand Forks Air Force Base, has signed a letter of intent which will enable the Air Force to finalize the enhanced use lease (EUL) for the property. “The signing of this letter is another step toward the development of Grand Sky, and helps Grand Forks County move forward to develop the leased property. Grand Sky is a first of its kind hub for unmanned aerial systems which will contain hangar space, data center facilities, and other aviation support for both private business and government agencies involved in the UAS industry. I continue to be confident in the ability of North Dakota and the Grand Forks Air Force Base to lead the way for our nation and world in responsibly developing this rapidly advancing technology,” said Cramer.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cramer-statement-on-epa-ozone-rule,Cramer Statement on EPA Ozone Rule,2014-11-26,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer released a statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a massive new proposal to drastically tighten the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone: “This drastic change to ozone standards would be the most expensive regulation ever issued by the U.S. government according to a study released in July. This is the same overzealous rule President Obama himself asked the EPA to withdraw in 2011. What has changed since then which would make him think this is a good idea? The President decided to wait until after his re-election, and after the midterm elections, to put out this rule to devastate the economy right before Thanksgiving. This massive ozone rule is a chunk of coal in the stockings of every American consumer.” The July 2014 study by NERA Economic Consulting reveals the rule change could reduce GDP by $270 billion per year and create $2.2 trillion in new compliance costs from 2017 to 2040.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=fea97bea-7e64-4e4d-8c6c-7addce0cdb62,Hoeven Donates 165 Books to New Liberty Elementary School in Bismarck,2014-11-26,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.26.14 Hoeven Donates 165 Books to New Liberty Elementary School in Bismarck Books Secured Through the Library of Congress Surplus Books Program BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today visited Liberty Elementary School in Bismarck to donate 165 books for the new school’s library. The senator presented the books, which include both new and classic titles in a range of reading levels, and read to the students at an assembly. Hoeven’s office secured the books through the Surplus Books Program of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. “We hope these books help fill the shelves of Liberty Elementary School’s library and instill a love for reading in these students,” said Hoeven. “Good literacy skills are fundamental for our students and provide a strong foundation for success now and into the future.” As the ranking member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven oversees funding for the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress’ Surplus Books Program makes volumes available for donation to educational institutions, nonprofit tax-exempt organizations and public agencies of local and state governments or other federal agencies. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141206003105/http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=24953187-7336-4bf7-8ac6-edcd06f001d2,Liberty School Book Donation,2014-11-26,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Senator Hoeven will visit Liberty Elementary School in Bismarck on Wednesday to present 165 books for the new school’s library. Hoeven’s office secured the books through the Surplus Books Program of the Library of Congress. 1:30 p.m. CT Liberty School Book Donation Liberty Elementary School 5400 Onyx Drive Bismarck",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-donates-165-books-to-new-liberty-elementary-school-in-bismarck,Hoeven Donates 165 Books to New Liberty Elementary School in Bismarck,2014-11-26,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.26.14 Hoeven Donates 165 Books to New Liberty Elementary School in Bismarck Books Secured Through the Library of Congress Surplus Books Program BISMARCK, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today visited Liberty Elementary School in Bismarck to donate 165 books for the new school's library. The senator presented the books, which include both new and classic titles in a range of reading levels, and read to the students at an assembly. Hoeven's office secured the books through the Surplus Books Program of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. We hope these books help fill the shelves of Liberty Elementary School's library and instill a love for reading in these students, said Hoeven. Good literacy skills are fundamental for our students and provide a strong foundation for success now and into the future. As the ranking member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven oversees funding for the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress' Surplus Books Program makes volumes available for donation to educational institutions, nonprofit tax-exempt organizations and public agencies of local and state governments or other federal agencies. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=3ce5cd39-231d-41a3-b639-5d86986b5291,"Hoeven Presents Military Medals to North Dakota WWII, Gulf War Veterans",2014-11-25,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.14 Hoeven Presents Military Medals to North Dakota WWII, Gulf War Veterans MINOT, N.D. – At a medal presentation ceremony in Minot today, Senator John Hoeven presented military service medals to Gulf War veteran James J. Capps, World War II veteran Loren G. Fenner and the family of World War II veteran Herbert A. Skeldum. Hoeven’s office has been working to secure the medals earned by the veterans during their military service. “At this time of Thanksgiving, we are especially grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and the men and women who have sacrificed so much to preserve them,” said Hoeven. “Today we present these military medals and honor these brave men, who served and fought on our behalf. We hope these medals serve as a tangible reminder of our tremendous gratitude.” James J. Capps Military Honors Hoeven presented James J. Capps with the medals he earned while serving in the U.S. Navy during the Gulf War. He entered the military in July 1989 and served eight years active duty. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer Third Class, Boatswain’s Mate Third Class and sailed on four different ships, the USS Independence, USS Sacramento, USS Ingraham and USS Camden. He was honorably discharged in 1997. Following his service, Jim started over the road truck driving and continues that now in the oil fields. He is the father of 10-year-old Anaelijah Marie and lives in Minot. Navy Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Bronze Star Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon Navy “E” Ribbon Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with Three Bronze Stars Navy Discharge Button Loren G. Fenner Military Honors Hoeven presented World War II veteran Loren G. Fenner with the medals he earned serving in the U.S. Army. Loren was drafted into the Army in October 1943 and became a heavy machine gunner. He served in campaigns in Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He served with the 28th Division 109th Field Artillery who moved into Norther France toward Paris and were given the honor of marching down the Champs-Elysees in the Liberation of Paris. Loren was honorably discharged in February 1946. Following his military service, he owned the ACE construction company and continued to farm. He was married to JoAnn Sherlock in 1952 and they have 2 children, Loren Jr. and Linda. He married Elvera Knuth in 1964 and they have a daughter, Lisa. Loren is 90-years-old and currently resides in Minot. Good Conduct Medal American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars WWII Victory Medal WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button Marksman Badge with Carbine Bar Herbert A. Skeldum Military Honors Hoeven today presented the family of Herbert A. Skeldum with the medals he earned serving in World War II. Following service in the Civilian Conservation Corps, Skeldum enlisted with the United States Army in July 1942. He served as a truck driver and mechanic in Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was a member of the 95th Infantry Division Artillery and the 9th Division “Iron Men of Metz” renowned for fighting back fierce German counterattacks to liberate the town of Metz during a three month battle. Skeldum was honorably discharged in November 1945. He married Laura Spitzer in 1948 and together had six children. Herbert passed away in Jamestown in 1989. His medals are being presented to his son, Don. Good Conduct Medal American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars WWII Victory Medal WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button Driver and Mechanic Badge Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar Hoeven worked to pass the Veterans Access to Care through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 to improve accountability and transparency at the VA and ensure veterans have the option to receive care from a non-VA provider at the department’s expense if they cannot schedule an appointment within the established VA wait times or if they live more than 40 miles from the nearest VA medical facility. He has also been leading efforts to ensure that veterans can access a nearby health care provider if their local Community Based Outpatient Clinic or VA Medical Center cannot provide the required service. He has also been working to implement a policy that would allow veterans more options for health care and long-term care (LTC) services in their home communities. Hoeven serves on the Appropriations Committee Subcommittee for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=5740360d-5860-490f-94ac-d488b7a8cbf5,Hoeven Calls on FAA to Expedite UAS Test Flight Approvals,2014-11-25,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.14 Hoeven Calls on FAA to Expedite UAS Test Flight Approvals BISMARCK, N.D. – In a letter sent last week to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) head Michael Huerta, Senator John Hoeven said the nation’s six designated Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) test sites could be doing more to integrate UAS into the National Air Space. The senator called on the administrator to expedite approvals to test UAS flights in concurrent air space and take other steps to more fully utilize the sites’ specialized capabilities. Hoeven also asked Huerta to meet with him to discuss these issues and future operations at the test sites. “When Congress mandated the creation of six UAS test sites as part of the 2012 FAA authorization bill, it intended for the sites to play a leading role in integrating UAS into the NAS,” Hoeven wrote. “I continue to believe that UAS technology represents a key part of the future of aviation and that U.S. aviation leadership depends on the safe integration of UAS into the NAS.” Hoeven introduced language in the FAA Reauthorization bill passed by Congress in February 2012 that directed the agency to establish the test sites and integrate UAS into the National Airspace System. Last December, North Dakota was selected as one of the six sites. Hoeven has also signed on to a letter to Huerta from senators representing test-site states asking him to expedite Certificates of Authorization (COA), which are essentially permits allowing UAS operations in federal air space. “To research UAS technology and determine appropriate industry regulations and standards, Congress charged the FAA with establishing six UAS Test Sites,” the senators wrote. “These test sites are located in our states and are an integral part of determining the safest and most efficient way of opening our national airspace to UAS technology. The work being done at the test sites is critical for the industry to further develop and advance UAS technology, and for the operators and manufacturers of these state of the art systems to ensure they meet the safety and privacy standards necessary for wide-spread use.” Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=99f511c0-ad8b-48a7-aad9-e2bdb2081946,Hoeven Celebrates Manvel Elementary School's Designation as National Blue Ribbon School,2014-11-25,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.14 Hoeven Celebrates Manvel Elementary School's Designation as National Blue Ribbon School MANVEL, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today congratulated the students, educators and families of Manvel Elementary School on their designation as a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School Award Winner. “The designation as a National Blue Ribbon School is a high honor that is only given to the nation’s best schools,” said Hoeven. “The Manvel School community should be extremely proud of their work to receive this designation, which comes as a result of dedicated efforts from students, educators and families,” said Hoeven. Hoeven presented the students with a North Dakota flag that he will hang in his Capitol office in their honor then return to the school to be displayed along with their National Blue Ribbon School flag. National Blue Ribbon designees are presented with a special blue ribbon flag to fly as a symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. Manvel Elementary and Sweetwater Elementary in Devils Lake were named as 2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the United States Department of Education. The National Blue Ribbon Program was founded in 1982 to recognize the work of the nation’s top schools. Since the program’s founding, the blue ribbon distinction has been awarded to schools achieving impressive results through exemplary teaching practices. Earlier this month, the North Dakota schools were formally recognized by the Department of Education at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=ddc30a94-dcf8-440b-832b-d6aba2f84653,Hoeven Honors Ward County Couple for Adoption Work,2014-11-25,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.14 Hoeven Honors Ward County Couple for Adoption Work MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today recognized Rod and Tracey Belzer as Angels in Adoption at a ceremony held in Minot to honor their outstanding commitment to adoption. Hoeven selected the Belzers to receive the national Angels in Adoption award after considering a pool of inspiring candidates. “Rod and Tracey Belzer exemplify the powerful and positive impact individuals can have on the lives of North Dakota foster children,” said Hoeven. “During their 26-year marriage, the Belzer family has cared for 132 different children in addition to their five children, two of whom are adopted. It is an honor to nominate Rod and Tracey as Angels in Adoption, and I hope their work will inspire others and increase awareness about the importance of adoption and foster care.” Rod and Tracey Belzer have been foster parents in Ward County for 16 years. They are also the parents of five daughters. Their youngest daughter was adopted when she was four, and their second youngest was made a permanent member of their family through guardianship when she was 11. They are currently fostering four children. Tracey works with Easter Seals, where she is a buddy for two young people, and Rod is a territory development manager for Culinex, a Fargo-based restaurant supply and equipment company. The Angels in Adoption program is the signature public awareness campaign of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). It provides an opportunity for all Members of Congress to honor the efforts of individuals working in their home states to enrich the lives of foster children and orphans in the United States and abroad. The Belzers are among more than 150 local and national angels from around the United States who have been formally recognized this year by the CCAI. The CCAI held a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in September to recognize this year’s awardees. Hoeven has previously recognized three North Dakotans as Angels in Adoption awardees. In 2011, the senator nominated District Judge Joel D. Medd of Grand Forks for his dedication to positive child welfare practices in his court. Roberta Soper of Devils Lake was selected as the 2012 awardee. Soper has dedicated her professional and personal life to working on behalf of adoptive children and families. Sharon Maier, who worked for North Dakota’s three major licensed child placing agencies for more than 30 years, was nominated in 2013. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=261c2e24-084b-4977-bbf4-21883acb00a5,Veterans Medal Presentation,2014-11-25,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Event November 25 2014 10:30 AM Senator Hoeven will be in Minot to present military service medals to Gulf War veteran James J. Capps, World War II veteran Loren G. Fenner and the family of World War II veteran Herbert A. Skeldum. Capps earned nine medals in his service with the U.S. Navy during the Gulf War. Fenner earned six medals while serving in the U.S. Army in World War II. Skeldum earned seven medals while serving with the U.S. Army in World War II. 10:30 a.m. CT Medal Presentations to Veterans Ward County Courthouse, Ex-Servicemen’s Room 315 3rd Street SE Minot",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=597ca80c-ef1d-4acf-a114-e39daa8a38cb,Manvel Blue Ribbon School Event,2014-11-25,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Event November 25 2014 01:30 PM Hoeven will speak at the Blue Ribbon School Award presentation at Manvel Elementary School in Manvel on Tuesday afternoon. The Blue Ribbon School Award was given by the Department of Education to Manvel Elementary for being a high performing school. The school was formally recognized at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. earlier this month. 1:30 p.m. CT Manvel Blue Ribbon School Event Manvel Elementary School 801 Oldham Avenue Manvel",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=908cfcde-c239-455a-9a17-144597edd04c,Angels In Adoption Ceremony,2014-11-25,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Event November 25 2014 11:15 AM Hoeven will recognize Rod and Tracey Belzer for their outstanding commitment to adoption. The senator selected the Belzers to receive the Angels in Adoption award which is given to selectees every year by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). 11:15 a.m. CT Ceremony Honoring Rod and Tracey Belzer’s Adoption Work Ward County Courthouse, Ex-Servicemen’s Room 315 3rd Street SE Minot",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-calls-on-faa-to-expedite-uas-test-flight-approvals,Hoeven Calls on FAA to Expedite UAS Test Flight Approvals,2014-11-25,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.14 Hoeven Calls on FAA to Expedite UAS Test Flight Approvals BISMARCK, N.D. In a letter sent last week to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) head Michael Huerta, Senator John Hoeven said the nation's six designated Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) test sites could be doing more to integrate UAS into the National Air Space. The senator called on the administrator to expedite approvals to test UAS flights in concurrent air space and take other steps to more fully utilize the sites' specialized capabilities. Hoeven also asked Huerta to meet with him to discuss these issues and future operations at the test sites. When Congress mandated the creation of six UAS test sites as part of the 2012 FAA authorization bill, it intended for the sites to play a leading role in integrating UAS into the NAS, Hoeven wrote. I continue to believe that UAS technology represents a key part of the future of aviation and that U.S. aviation leadership depends on the safe integration of UAS into the NAS. Hoeven introduced language in the FAA Reauthorization bill passed by Congress in February 2012 that directed the agency to establish the test sites and integrate UAS into the National Airspace System. Last December, North Dakota was selected as one of the six sites. Hoeven has also signed on to a letter to Huerta from senators representing test-site states asking him to expedite Certificates of Authorization (COA), which are essentially permits allowing UAS operations in federal air space. To research UAS technology and determine appropriate industry regulations and standards, Congress charged the FAA with establishing six UAS Test Sites, the senators wrote. These test sites are located in our states and are an integral part of determining the safest and most efficient way of opening our national airspace to UAS technology. The work being done at the test sites is critical for the industry to further develop and advance UAS technology, and for the operators and manufacturers of these state of the art systems to ensure they meet the safety and privacy standards necessary for wide-spread use. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-celebrates-manvel-elementary-schools-designation-as-national-blue-ribbon-school,Hoeven Celebrates Manvel Elementary School's Designation as National Blue Ribbon School,2014-11-25,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.14 Hoeven Celebrates Manvel Elementary School's Designation as National Blue Ribbon School MANVEL, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today congratulated the students, educators and families of Manvel Elementary School on their designation as a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School Award Winner. The designation as a National Blue Ribbon School is a high honor that is only given to the nation's best schools, said Hoeven. The Manvel School community should be extremely proud of their work to receive this designation, which comes as a result of dedicated efforts from students, educators and families, said Hoeven. Hoeven presented the students with a North Dakota flag that he will hang in his Capitol office in their honor then return to the school to be displayed along with their National Blue Ribbon School flag. National Blue Ribbon designees are presented with a special blue ribbon flag to fly as a symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. Manvel Elementary and Sweetwater Elementary in Devils Lake were named as 2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the United States Department of Education. The National Blue Ribbon Program was founded in 1982 to recognize the work of the nation's top schools. Since the program's founding, the blue ribbon distinction has been awarded to schools achieving impressive results through exemplary teaching practices. Earlier this month, the North Dakota schools were formally recognized by the Department of Education at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-honors-ward-county-couple-for-adoption-work,Hoeven Honors Ward County Couple for Adoption Work,2014-11-25,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.14 Hoeven Honors Ward County Couple for Adoption Work MINOT, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today recognized Rod and Tracey Belzer as Angels in Adoption at a ceremony held in Minot to honor their outstanding commitment to adoption. Hoeven selected the Belzers to receive the national Angels in Adoption award after considering a pool of inspiring candidates. Rod and Tracey Belzer exemplify the powerful and positive impact individuals can have on the lives of North Dakota foster children, said Hoeven. During their 26-year marriage, the Belzer family has cared for 132 different children in addition to their five children, two of whom are adopted. It is an honor to nominate Rod and Tracey as Angels in Adoption, and I hope their work will inspire others and increase awareness about the importance of adoption and foster care. Rod and Tracey Belzer have been foster parents in Ward County for 16 years. They are also the parents of five daughters. Their youngest daughter was adopted when she was four, and their second youngest was made a permanent member of their family through guardianship when she was 11. They are currently fostering four children. Tracey works with Easter Seals, where she is a buddy for two young people, and Rod is a territory development manager for Culinex, a Fargo-based restaurant supply and equipment company. The Angels in Adoption program is the signature public awareness campaign of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). It provides an opportunity for all Members of Congress to honor the efforts of individuals working in their home states to enrich the lives of foster children and orphans in the United States and abroad. The Belzers are among more than 150 local and national angels from around the United States who have been formally recognized this year by the CCAI. The CCAI held a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in September to recognize this year's awardees. Hoeven has previously recognized three North Dakotans as Angels in Adoption awardees. In 2011, the senator nominated District Judge Joel D. Medd of Grand Forks for his dedication to positive child welfare practices in his court. Roberta Soper of Devils Lake was selected as the 2012 awardee. Soper has dedicated her professional and personal life to working on behalf of adoptive children and families. Sharon Maier, who worked for North Dakota's three major licensed child placing agencies for more than 30 years, was nominated in 2013. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-presents-military-medals-to-north-dakota-wwii-gulf-war-veterans,"Hoeven Presents Military Medals to North Dakota WWII, Gulf War Veterans",2014-11-25,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.14 Hoeven Presents Military Medals to North Dakota WWII, Gulf War Veterans MINOT, N.D. At a medal presentation ceremony in Minot today, Senator John Hoeven presented military service medals to Gulf War veteran James J. Capps, World War II veteran Loren G. Fenner and the family of World War II veteran Herbert A. Skeldum. Hoeven's office has been working to secure the medals earned by the veterans during their military service. At this time of Thanksgiving, we are especially grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and the men and women who have sacrificed so much to preserve them, said Hoeven. Today we present these military medals and honor these brave men, who served and fought on our behalf. We hope these medals serve as a tangible reminder of our tremendous gratitude. James J. Capps Military Honors Hoeven presented James J. Capps with the medals he earned while serving in the U.S. Navy during the Gulf War. He entered the military in July 1989 and served eight years active duty. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer Third Class, Boatswain's Mate Third Class and sailed on four different ships, the USS Independence, USS Sacramento, USS Ingraham and USS Camden. He was honorably discharged in 1997. Following his service, Jim started over the road truck driving and continues that now in the oil fields. He is the father of 10-year-old Anaelijah Marie and lives in Minot. Navy Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Bronze Star Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon Navy E Ribbon Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with Three Bronze Stars Navy Discharge Button Loren G. Fenner Military Honors Hoeven presented World War II veteran Loren G. Fenner with the medals he earned serving in the U.S. Army. Loren was drafted into the Army in October 1943 and became a heavy machine gunner. He served in campaigns in Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He served with the 28th Division 109th Field Artillery who moved into Norther France toward Paris and were given the honor of marching down the Champs-Elysees in the Liberation of Paris. Loren was honorably discharged in February 1946. Following his military service, he owned the ACE construction company and continued to farm. He was married to JoAnn Sherlock in 1952 and they have 2 children, Loren Jr. and Linda. He married Elvera Knuth in 1964 and they have a daughter, Lisa. Loren is 90-years-old and currently resides in Minot. Good Conduct Medal American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars WWII Victory Medal WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button Marksman Badge with Carbine Bar Herbert A. Skeldum Military Honors Hoeven today presented the family of Herbert A. Skeldum with the medals he earned serving in World War II. Following service in the Civilian Conservation Corps, Skeldum enlisted with the United States Army in July 1942. He served as a truck driver and mechanic in Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was a member of the 95th Infantry Division Artillery and the 9th Division Iron Men of Metz renowned for fighting back fierce German counterattacks to liberate the town of Metz during a three month battle. Skeldum was honorably discharged in November 1945. He married Laura Spitzer in 1948 and together had six children. Herbert passed away in Jamestown in 1989. His medals are being presented to his son, Don. Good Conduct Medal American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars WWII Victory Medal WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button Driver and Mechanic Badge Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar Hoeven worked to pass the Veterans Access to Care through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 to improve accountability and transparency at the VA and ensure veterans have the option to receive care from a non-VA provider at the department's expense if they cannot schedule an appointment within the established VA wait times or if they live more than 40 miles from the nearest VA medical facility. He has also been leading efforts to ensure that veterans can access a nearby health care provider if their local Community Based Outpatient Clinic or VA Medical Center cannot provide the required service. He has also been working to implement a policy that would allow veterans more options for health care and long-term care (LTC) services in their home communities. Hoeven serves on the Appropriations Committee Subcommittee for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/bnsf-announces-major-infrastructure-improvements-near-casselton,BNSF Announces Major Infrastructure Improvements Near Casselton,2014-11-24,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – BNSF Railway has announced they are committing to major infrastructure improvements to improve railway through Casselton following recent derailments, Congressman Kevin Cramer said today. In a letter to North Dakota’s Congressional delegation, BNSF provided an update on the progress of a major review of its rail operations and infrastructure in the Casselton vicinity. “The derailments near Casselton last December and again earlier this month, combined with repeated incidents on this stretch of railroad prior to 2013, are too overwhelming to ignore. I am pleased BNSF is moving forward with a robust plan to prevent future accidents from occurring. I continue to be in close communication with BNSF Executive Chairman Matt Rose, and am encouraged by the commitment from him and his team. The increase in rail transportation as America advances toward energy security, and recent derailment incidents, make it clear rail safety needs to be a national priority,” said Cramer. BNSF has committed to: •       Increase Rail Detection Testing Frequency. BNSF will more than double the frequency of testing rail for defects on the KO Subdivision to 12 per year. Existing frequency on crude routes under the industry crude by rail safety initiative is three per year, one more than required by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). BNSF currently tests five times per year. •       Increase the Number of Equipment Detectors. Install supplemental Warm Journal/Dragging equipment detectors on all routes leading into Casselton. These detectors flag equipment issues as the train passes, which gives BNSF the ability to intervene before an accident occurs. •       Intensify Day-to-Day Track Maintenance Focus. BNSF will provide additional supervision and oversight of track quality by assigning maintenance engineers to focus on this segment of the railroad. BNSF is also adding additional winter seasonal manpower for maintenance. The availability of this winter team will provide more resources and focus on a day-to-day basis. •       Accelerated Capital Maintenance Investment. BNSF will accelerate the refresh of critical infrastructure by replacing rail relay and ties within a seven-mile range of Casselton in 2015. This accelerated investment will harden the rail infrastructure in and around Casselton.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=9cf038dd-072f-4da8-948f-85db99f23b29,"Hoeven, Heitkamp: BNSF to Accelerate Steps to Improve Safety on Casselton Stretch of Rail",2014-11-24,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.24.14 Hoeven, Heitkamp: BNSF to Accelerate Steps to Improve Safety on Casselton Stretch of Rail CASSELTON – Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp today announced that BNSF Railway will accelerate steps to enhance rail safety in a stretch of track through Casselton, N.D. that has been the site of two derailments within the last year. The delegation, which has been pressing BNSF officials to take timely and substantive measures to mitigate the likelihood of accidents in the region, welcomed the railroad’s actions. “We have been in regular contact with BNSF Executive Chairman Matt Rose, as well as other railroad officials to press them to promptly and effectively improve safety not only on this section of track, but on all track in the state,” Hoeven and Heitkamp said. “The company’s specific steps announced to reduce the risk of accidents in the future is welcome news.” BNSF has committed to: Accelerate Capital Maintenance Investments. BNSF will replace rail relay and ties within a seven-mile-range of Casselton in 2015. The action will harden rail infrastructure. Increase Rail Detection Testing Frequency. BNSF will more than double the frequency of testing rail for defects to 12 per year. The railroad currently tests five times per year. Existing frequency on crude routes under the industry crude by rail safety initiative is three per year, one more than required by the Federal Railroad Administration. BNSF will also increase testing frequency with the high-tech Track-Geometry Testing vehicle from three to four inspections per year. Increase the Number of Equipment Detectors. These detectors flag equipment problems as the train passes them. Early detection gives the railroad the ability to fix the problem before an accident occurs. Intensify Day-to-Day Track Maintenance Focus. BNSF will provide additional supervision and oversight of track quality by assigning maintenance engineers to focus on the Casselton segment of the railroad. It will also add additional staff to winter maintenance. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=d5a9adb9-6f0d-4f8d-b7f7-19b22d8aed06,"Hoeven Announces More Than $1 Million, Five-Year Head Start Grant for TGU School District",2014-11-24,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.24.14 Hoeven Announces More Than $1 Million, Five-Year Head Start Grant for TGU School District WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a five-year grant of more than $1 million to Early Explorers, a grantee of the Towner-Granville-Upham (TGU) School District, to support two early education programs: Head Start and Early Head Start. Early Explorers’ Head Start program serves children ages three to five in the communities of Anamoose, Devils Lake, Harvey, Rugby, Towner, Turtle Lake and Velva while its Early Head Start serves children ages three and younger across Wells and Ramsey counties. “We all understand the desire to build a better future for our children,” Hoeven said. “By investing in education, we help them grow, learn and succeed, which will empower them throughout their lives. This HHS grant will support the development of children in a large part of rural North Dakota, promoting their well-being and future academic success.” The funds are made available through HHS’ Head Start program, which seeks to promote school readiness for low-income children through comprehensive health, educational, nutritional, social and other services. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven works to support programs that supplement state and local efforts to improve student achievement in primary and secondary education, especially for the disadvantaged and those in rural communities. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=d967d71f-c16c-4eb5-95f9-47225bff7fe1,"Hoeven Worked to Ensure CRP Works For Farmers, Ranchers, Sportsmen",2014-11-24,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.24.14 Hoeven Worked to Ensure CRP Works For Farmers, Ranchers, Sportsmen WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today told members of the N.D. Association of Soil Conservation Districts that he worked to ensure that the conservation measures like CRP, SAFE and EQIP in the 2014 farm bill work for North Dakota farmers, ranchers and sportsmen. The senator served on the joint Senate-House Conference Committee that crafted the final version of the five-year bill. “Conservation measures in the new farm bill will help to protect and preserve our soil and water, valuable resources for our state both agriculturally and recreationally,” Hoeven said. “Programs like the Conservation Reserve Program and State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement work for our farmers, ranchers, hunters and anyone who enjoys the outdoors, and I welcome input from ASCD members and others who are out there on the land and know it well.” Hoeven reviewed measures that will help maintain North Dakota’s good stewardship of the land. • State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Program (SAFE): The farm bill includes language encouraging the Secretary of Agriculture to allocate a greater number of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to programs like SAFE, which allow producers to create habitat that is beneficial for wildlife. This is a good program for both farmers and sportsmen because it will allow farmers to optimize CRP acreage to encourage wildlife populations. States like North Dakota have lost CRP acreage, which has a reduced habitat for a number of sports species like deer and pheasants. Combined with North Dakota’s PLOTS program, which make private lands available to hunters, the SAFE program can create more habitats to increase wildlife populations and hunting opportunities. That’s a win for soil quality, farmers, ranchers and sportsmen and women. • The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The farm bill reauthorizes EQIP, a voluntary program under the Natural Resource Conservation Service that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers through contracts up to a maximum term of ten years in length. These contracts provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns and for opportunities to improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related resources on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland. Owners of land in agricultural or forest production or persons who are engaged in livestock, agricultural or forest production on eligible land and that have a natural resource concern on the land may participate. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=e5d9763f-7c46-461b-9698-418a68fbac99,"Hoeven Announces More Than $344,000 in Grants to Enhance Highway Safety in North Dakota",2014-11-24,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.24.14 Hoeven Announces More Than $344,000 in Grants to Enhance Highway Safety in North Dakota WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $344,092 to the North Dakota Department of Transportation to enhance highway safety. The funding for 2015 announced today comes through three grant programs: State Traffic Safety Information System Improvement Grants, Occupant Protection Grants and Impaired Driving Countermeasure Grants programs. All were awarded by the DOT’s National Highway Safety Administration. “North Dakota is a growing state, in terms of both people and economic activity,” Hoeven said. “As traffic on our roads increases, we need to invest in important infrastructure and measures to make sure our communities remain safe. These grants will help to improve occupant safety, data collection and detection of impaired and distracted drivers.” The three programs were authorized as part of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), a comprehensive transportation bill. Hoeven was a member of the joint Senate-House conference committee responsible for reconciling the House and Senate versions of the bill, which passed the Senate in June 2012. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committees, Hoeven continues working to support infrastructure and public safety investment in North Dakota. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=f2fc8b85-55d4-49a8-b53f-e24bbea1b147,Hoeven Announces Additional SAFE Acres to Help ND Producers Optimize CRP Acreage,2014-11-24,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.24.14 Hoeven Announces Additional SAFE Acres to Help ND Producers Optimize CRP Acreage Increased Acreage Benefits Farmers, Ranchers and Sportsmen BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will allocate an additional 32,800 acres for the State Acres for Wildlife Program (SAFE) in North Dakota. As a member of the farm bill conference committee, the senator worked to include language in the final bill that encouraged the Secretary of Agriculture to allocate a greater number of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to programs like SAFE, which allow producers to create habitat that is beneficial for wildlife. “We worked to increase North Dakota’s acreage for the SAFE program because it helps not only our farmers and ranchers, but also sportsmen in our state,” said Hoeven. “The SAFE program allows our producers to optimize their CRP acreage to encourage wildlife populations, which in turn increases hunting opportunities for our sportsmen.” SAFE acres provide more flexibility to make CRP work for producers and hunters. Unlike the general CRP sign up process, land offered under SAFE and other continuous CRP programs may be enrolled at any time, and they encourage collaboration between state and federal agencies and farmers and ranchers to develop and maintain high quality wildlife habitat. Land enrolled in SAFE can include wind breaks, shelter belts and filter strips. SAFE acre allotments increased by the following: North Dakota Coteau-Drift - current acreage of 50,950 will increase by 18,200 acres for a total of 69,150 acres to help maintain and increase habitat for waterfowl, water birds, shorebirds and terrestrial birds. North Dakota Pheasant - current acreage of 29,800 will increase by 13,700 acres for a total of 43,500 acres for economically significant species such as ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge, waterfowl, big game and other non-game species. North Dakota Tallgrass Prairie - current acreage 7,090 will increase by 900 acres for a total of 7,990 acres to restore native tall-grass prairie habitat for the prairie-chicken and sharp-tailed grouse populations. States like North Dakota have lost CRP acreage, which has a reduced habitat for a number of sports species like deer and pheasants. Combined with North Dakota’s PLOTS and Coverlocks programs, which make private lands available to hunters, the SAFE program can create more habitats to increase wildlife populations and hunting opportunities. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141206003313/http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=9a39eb5f-8550-4f0d-a9cd-e98344dff8d7,North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts,2014-11-24,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Hoeven will talk at the NDASCD convention on Monday in Bismarck about his work on the 2014 farm bill, including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Program (SAFE). 1:30 p.m. CT North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts Ramkota Hotel 3310 University Drive Bismarck",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-additional-safe-acres-to-help-nd-producers-optimize-crp-acreage,Hoeven Announces Additional SAFE Acres to Help ND Producers Optimize CRP Acreage,2014-11-24,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.24.14 Hoeven Announces Additional SAFE Acres to Help ND Producers Optimize CRP Acreage Increased Acreage Benefits Farmers, Ranchers and Sportsmen BISMARCK, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will allocate an additional 32,800 acres for the State Acres for Wildlife Program (SAFE) in North Dakota. As a member of the farm bill conference committee, the senator worked to include language in the final bill that encouraged the Secretary of Agriculture to allocate a greater number of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to programs like SAFE, which allow producers to create habitat that is beneficial for wildlife. We worked to increase North Dakota's acreage for the SAFE program because it helps not only our farmers and ranchers, but also sportsmen in our state, said Hoeven. The SAFE program allows our producers to optimize their CRP acreage to encourage wildlife populations, which in turn increases hunting opportunities for our sportsmen. SAFE acres provide more flexibility to make CRP work for producers and hunters. Unlike the general CRP sign up process, land offered under SAFE and other continuous CRP programs may be enrolled at any time, and they encourage collaboration between state and federal agencies and farmers and ranchers to develop and maintain high quality wildlife habitat. Land enrolled in SAFE can include wind breaks, shelter belts and filter strips. SAFE acre allotments increased by the following: North Dakota Coteau-Drift - current acreage of 50,950 will increase by 18,200 acres for a total of 69,150 acres to help maintain and increase habitat for waterfowl, water birds, shorebirds and terrestrial birds. North Dakota Pheasant - current acreage of 29,800 will increase by 13,700 acres for a total of 43,500 acres for economically significant species such as ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge, waterfowl, big game and other non-game species. North Dakota Tallgrass Prairie - current acreage 7,090 will increase by 900 acres for a total of 7,990 acres to restore native tall-grass prairie habitat for the prairie-chicken and sharp-tailed grouse populations. States like North Dakota have lost CRP acreage, which has a reduced habitat for a number of sports species like deer and pheasants. Combined with North Dakota's PLOTS and Coverlocks programs, which make private lands available to hunters, the SAFE program can create more habitats to increase wildlife populations and hunting opportunities. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-more-than-1-million-five-year-head-start-grant-for-tgu-school-district,"Hoeven Announces More Than $1 Million, Five-Year Head Start Grant for TGU School District",2014-11-24,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.24.14 Hoeven Announces More Than $1 Million, Five-Year Head Start Grant for TGU School District WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a five-year grant of more than $1 million to Early Explorers, a grantee of the Towner-Granville-Upham (TGU) School District, to support two early education programs: Head Start and Early Head Start. Early Explorers' Head Start program serves children ages three to five in the communities of Anamoose, Devils Lake, Harvey, Rugby, Towner, Turtle Lake and Velva while its Early Head Start serves children ages three and younger across Wells and Ramsey counties. We all understand the desire to build a better future for our children, Hoeven said. By investing in education, we help them grow, learn and succeed, which will empower them throughout their lives. This HHS grant will support the development of children in a large part of rural North Dakota, promoting their well-being and future academic success. The funds are made available through HHS' Head Start program, which seeks to promote school readiness for low-income children through comprehensive health, educational, nutritional, social and other services. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven works to support programs that supplement state and local efforts to improve student achievement in primary and secondary education, especially for the disadvantaged and those in rural communities. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-more-than-344-000-in-grants-to-enhance-highway-safety-in-north-dakota,"Hoeven Announces More Than $344,000 in Grants to Enhance Highway Safety in North Dakota",2014-11-24,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.24.14 Hoeven Announces More Than $344,000 in Grants to Enhance Highway Safety in North Dakota WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $344,092 to the North Dakota Department of Transportation to enhance highway safety. The funding for 2015 announced today comes through three grant programs: State Traffic Safety Information System Improvement Grants, Occupant Protection Grants and Impaired Driving Countermeasure Grants programs. All were awarded by the DOT's National Highway Safety Administration. North Dakota is a growing state, in terms of both people and economic activity, Hoeven said. As traffic on our roads increases, we need to invest in important infrastructure and measures to make sure our communities remain safe. These grants will help to improve occupant safety, data collection and detection of impaired and distracted drivers. The three programs were authorized as part of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), a comprehensive transportation bill. Hoeven was a member of the joint Senate-House conference committee responsible for reconciling the House and Senate versions of the bill, which passed the Senate in June 2012. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committees, Hoeven continues working to support infrastructure and public safety investment in North Dakota. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-heitkamp-bnsf-to-accelerate-steps-to-improve-safety-on-casselton-stretch-of-rail,"Hoeven, Heitkamp: BNSF to Accelerate Steps to Improve Safety on Casselton Stretch of Rail",2014-11-24,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.24.14 Hoeven, Heitkamp: BNSF to Accelerate Steps to Improve Safety on Casselton Stretch of Rail CASSELTON Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp today announced that BNSF Railway will accelerate steps to enhance rail safety in a stretch of track through Casselton, N.D. that has been the site of two derailments within the last year. The delegation, which has been pressing BNSF officials to take timely and substantive measures to mitigate the likelihood of accidents in the region, welcomed the railroad's actions. We have been in regular contact with BNSF Executive Chairman Matt Rose, as well as other railroad officials to press them to promptly and effectively improve safety not only on this section of track, but on all track in the state, Hoeven and Heitkamp said. The company's specific steps announced to reduce the risk of accidents in the future is welcome news. BNSF has committed to: Accelerate Capital Maintenance Investments. BNSF will replace rail relay and ties within a seven-mile-range of Casselton in 2015. The action will harden rail infrastructure. Increase Rail Detection Testing Frequency. BNSF will more than double the frequency of testing rail for defects to 12 per year. The railroad currently tests five times per year. Existing frequency on crude routes under the industry crude by rail safety initiative is three per year, one more than required by the Federal Railroad Administration. BNSF will also increase testing frequency with the high-tech Track-Geometry Testing vehicle from three to four inspections per year. Increase the Number of Equipment Detectors. These detectors flag equipment problems as the train passes them. Early detection gives the railroad the ability to fix the problem before an accident occurs. Intensify Day-to-Day Track Maintenance Focus. BNSF will provide additional supervision and oversight of track quality by assigning maintenance engineers to focus on the Casselton segment of the railroad. It will also add additional staff to winter maintenance. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-worked-to-ensure-crp-works-for-farmers-ranchers-sportsmen,"Hoeven Worked to Ensure CRP Works For Farmers, Ranchers, Sportsmen",2014-11-24,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.24.14 Hoeven Worked to Ensure CRP Works For Farmers, Ranchers, Sportsmen WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today told members of the N.D. Association of Soil Conservation Districts that he worked to ensure that the conservation measures like CRP, SAFE and EQIP in the 2014 farm bill work for North Dakota farmers, ranchers and sportsmen. The senator served on the joint Senate-House Conference Committee that crafted the final version of the five-year bill. Conservation measures in the new farm bill will help to protect and preserve our soil and water, valuable resources for our state both agriculturally and recreationally, Hoeven said. Programs like the Conservation Reserve Program and State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement work for our farmers, ranchers, hunters and anyone who enjoys the outdoors, and I welcome input from ASCD members and others who are out there on the land and know it well. Hoeven reviewed measures that will help maintain North Dakota's good stewardship of the land. State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Program (SAFE): The farm bill includes language encouraging the Secretary of Agriculture to allocate a greater number of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to programs like SAFE, which allow producers to create habitat that is beneficial for wildlife. This is a good program for both farmers and sportsmen because it will allow farmers to optimize CRP acreage to encourage wildlife populations. States like North Dakota have lost CRP acreage, which has a reduced habitat for a number of sports species like deer and pheasants. Combined with North Dakota's PLOTS program, which make private lands available to hunters, the SAFE program can create more habitats to increase wildlife populations and hunting opportunities. That's a win for soil quality, farmers, ranchers and sportsmen and women. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The farm bill reauthorizes EQIP, a voluntary program under the Natural Resource Conservation Service that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers through contracts up to a maximum term of ten years in length. These contracts provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns and for opportunities to improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related resources on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland. Owners of land in agricultural or forest production or persons who are engaged in livestock, agricultural or forest production on eligible land and that have a natural resource concern on the land may participate. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=eadc4d4f-876e-4a9e-baa5-730242fdc013,North Dakota Farmers Union Convention,2014-11-22,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Event November 22 2014 10:50 AM At the NDFU convention in Fargo on Saturday, Hoeven will highlight the risks farmers and ranchers face from the EPA’s and the Army Corps of Engineer’s proposed Waters of the U.S. regulation. 10:50 a.m. CT North Dakota Farmers Union Convention Holiday Inn 3803 13th Avenue South Fargo",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cramer-statement-on-president-s-speech-announcing-executive-order-on,Cramer Statement on Presidents Speech Announcing Executive Order on Immigration,2014-11-21,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. - Congressman Kevin Cramer today issued the following statement after President Obama announced an executive order on immigration policy: “We've just had an election where the vast majority of voters said they want their government to work together. They want the House and Senate working with the President. They want Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and progressives, working on solutions. They want a government that listens to them. With this action, the President is turning his back on the people and their representatives, and acting inconsistently with our constitution and many of his own previous statements. If he persists with this type of dictatorial governing, he greatly harms our ability to function as three co-equal branches of government.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=2f02e98d-d0e0-4db5-b8c3-3f2bb2f66f7d,Hoeven Statement on President Obama's Unilateral Action on Immigration,2014-11-21,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.21.14 Hoeven Statement on President Obama's Unilateral Action on Immigration WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s executive order on immigration: “In the recent election, the people of America spoke. They said clearly that they want President Obama to work with Congress in a bipartisan manner. He should not be circumventing the elected representatives of the American people with a unilateral executive order. “The right approach is to work with Congress on immigration reform that begins by making sure we control our border. Americans want to know that the border is secure and our laws are enforced."" Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=6de8794d-d503-47d1-b6b0-6abb00849a0c,"Hoeven Celebrates Sweetwater Elementary's Education Achievements, Designation as National Blue Ribbon School",2014-11-21,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.21.14 Hoeven Celebrates Sweetwater Elementary's Education Achievements, Designation as National Blue Ribbon School DEVILS LAKE, N.D. – At a ceremony today in Devils Lake, Senator John Hoeven congratulated the students, educators and families of Sweetwater Elementary School on their designation as a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School Award Winner. The senator presented the students with a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol in their honor to be displayed at the school along with their National Blue Ribbon School flag. National Blue Ribbon designees are presented with a special blue ribbon flag to fly as a symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. “We are proud of the hard work of the entire Sweetwater Elementary community,” said Hoeven. “The National Blue Ribbon designation is a result of dedicated teachers and administrators, hardworking students and supportive parents and families. This honor is only awarded to the top schools in our nation and Sweetwater Elementary has set itself apart as one of the best.” Sweetwater Elementary, along with Manvel Elementary, were the two North Dakota schools to be named a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School Awardee by the United States Department of Education. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program was founded in 1982 to recognize the work of the nation’s top schools. Since the program’s founding, the blue ribbon distinction has been awarded to schools achieving impressive results through exemplary teaching practices. To date, more than 7,500 schools have received the designation. The North Dakota schools were formally recognized by the Department of Education at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. earlier this month. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=2ea2b21c-e1fb-4336-8f38-b2c5f648de93,Blue Ribbon School Presentation,2014-11-21,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Event November 21 2014 09:00 AM Hoeven will speak at the Blue Ribbon School Award presentation at Sweetwater Elementary School in Devils Lake. The Blue Ribbon School Award was given by the Department of Education to Sweetwater Elementary for being a high performing school. The school was formally recognized at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. earlier this month. 1:30 p.m. CT Blue Ribbon School Presentation Sweetwater Elementary School 1304 2nd Avenue Northeast Devils Lake",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-celebrates-sweetwater-elementarys-education-achievements-designation-as-national-blue-ribbon-school,"Hoeven Celebrates Sweetwater Elementary's Education Achievements, Designation as National Blue Ribbon School",2014-11-21,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.21.14 Hoeven Celebrates Sweetwater Elementary's Education Achievements, Designation as National Blue Ribbon School DEVILS LAKE, N.D. At a ceremony today in Devils Lake, Senator John Hoeven congratulated the students, educators and families of Sweetwater Elementary School on their designation as a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School Award Winner. The senator presented the students with a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol in their honor to be displayed at the school along with their National Blue Ribbon School flag. National Blue Ribbon designees are presented with a special blue ribbon flag to fly as a symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. We are proud of the hard work of the entire Sweetwater Elementary community, said Hoeven. The National Blue Ribbon designation is a result of dedicated teachers and administrators, hardworking students and supportive parents and families. This honor is only awarded to the top schools in our nation and Sweetwater Elementary has set itself apart as one of the best. Sweetwater Elementary, along with Manvel Elementary, were the two North Dakota schools to be named a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School Awardee by the United States Department of Education. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program was founded in 1982 to recognize the work of the nation's top schools. Since the program's founding, the blue ribbon distinction has been awarded to schools achieving impressive results through exemplary teaching practices. To date, more than 7,500 schools have received the designation. The North Dakota schools were formally recognized by the Department of Education at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. earlier this month. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-statement-on-president-obamas-unilateral-action-on-immigration,Hoeven Statement on President Obama's Unilateral Action on Immigration,2014-11-21,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.21.14 Hoeven Statement on President Obama's Unilateral Action on Immigration WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement regarding President Barack Obama's executive order on immigration: In the recent election, the people of America spoke. They said clearly that they want President Obama to work with Congress in a bipartisan manner. He should not be circumventing the elected representatives of the American people with a unilateral executive order. The right approach is to work with Congress on immigration reform that begins by making sure we control our border. Americans want to know that the border is secure and our laws are enforced."" Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-cramer-announces-public-schedule-8,Congressman Cramer Announces Public Schedule,2014-11-20,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced his public schedule in North Dakota. The list of events is below: Friday, November 21 Community Kick Off Event for Cpl Mark Haegele 7:00PM Central  McQuade Distributing 1150 Industrial Drive Bismarck Saturday, November 22 North Dakota Farmers Union Annual Convention Rep. Cramer will address the convention on topics including conservation compliance, the Waters of the U.S. rule, section 179 tax extenders, and the status of a new highway bill 12:15PM Central Holiday Inn 3803 13th Avenue S. Fargo NDSU Harvest Bowl 2:00PM Central Fargodome 1800 N University Dr. Fargo Wednesday, November 26 Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of MN/ND Board Meeting 11:00AM Central Comstock Construction 4511 15th Ave N. Fargo",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-cramer-to-serve-on-coveted-energy-commerce-committee,Congressman Cramer to Serve on Coveted Energy & Commerce Committee,2014-11-20,2014,2014-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – Today Chairman of U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton announced Congressman Kevin Cramer will serve on the coveted committee for the 114th Congress. The Energy and Commerce Committee is among the most powerful in Congress, having the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing committee. The Committee has responsibility for the nation's telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health research, environmental quality, energy policy, and interstate and foreign commerce. It oversees multiple cabinet-level Departments and independent agencies, including the Departments of Energy, Health and Human Services, Commerce, and Transportation, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Trade Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Federal Communications Commission. ""I am honored and pleased to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee in the next Congress. The biggest issues facing our state and nation will be deliberated on this important committee. I realize serving on one of the House's four “A” Committees carries additional responsibilities, and I am prepared for the challenge. North Dakotans have earned a seat at this prestigious table, and I am honored to occupy it on their behalf,” said Congressman Cramer. “I am grateful to our leadership, especially Speaker Boehner and Chairman Upton for the confidence they have expressed in me, and I am ready for the heavy lift that comes with this awesome privilege."" “I look forward to welcoming Congressman Cramer as a valuable addition to the Energy and Commerce Committee. As a former energy and telecommunications regulator who now represents the dynamic North Dakota economy in Congress, he brings a deep understanding of the broad range of issues our committee faces as we prepare to hit the ground running next year,” said Chairman Upton. In the 113th Congress, Congressman Kevin Cramer serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Science, Space and Technology Committee, including five subcommittees. A full announcement on his committee assignments for the 114th Congress will be made at a later date.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z