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://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=e775431b-bf47-4ba9-9363-e4912b854e56,"HOEVEN, HEITKAMP, CRAMER AND DALRYMPLE: FAA SELECTS GRAND FORKS TO BE UAS TEST SITE",2013-12-30,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.30.13 Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer and Dalrymple: FAA Selects Grand Forks to be UAS Test Site ND Leaders Worked to Secure Designation to Build GF as Premier Northern UAS Hub WASHINGTON – Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp, Congressman Kevin Cramer and Governor Jack Dalrymple today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected Grand Forks as one of six sites to test unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for integration into the National Airspace. The announcement comes after years of work by North Dakota’s leaders to position Grand Forks as the premier northern UAS hub.   The FAA Reauthorization bill passed by Congress in February 2012 includes an amendment introduced by Hoeven that directed the agency to establish the test sites and integrate UAS into the National Airspace System. Hoeven’s amendment instructed the FAA Administrator to consider factors including geographical and climatic diversity, as well as the location of ground infrastructure, in selecting the test sites.   Hoeven has worked, both as governor and now as U.S. Senator, with the state’s UAS community to establish and maintain North Dakota’s leadership in UAS technologies and to grow UAS operations in the Grand Forks region. In 2006, Hoeven and former Senator Byron Dorgan worked to seed the Center for UAS Research, Education and Training on the UND campus. Dorgan got the center designated as Department of Defense Center of Excellence for UAV Education. The same year, the North Dakota Centers of Excellence Program, initiated by then-Governor Hoeven, awarded the center $2.5 million, which it matched and leveraged to $15.8 million in federal and private-sector funding.   “We’ve said all along that Grand Forks is an ideal location to test UAS integration, and now the FAA has agreed with us,” Hoeven said. “This test site designation, combined with Grand Sky, the Grand Forks region’s new aerospace technology and business complex on Grand Forks Air Force Base, is tremendously important and enables the entire region to advance the work it has been doing to become the premier northern hub for unmanned aerial systems. As a test site, Grand Forks will be integral in developing the future commercial use of UAS for our nation and the world.”   “The selection of Grand Forks as a UAS test site is an affirmation that the Grand Forks area is an ideal location for military installations, and unmanned aerial systems in particular,” said Senator Heitkamp. “This designation is the result of collaboration between community leaders, the University of North Dakota, and local, state and federal officials. The test site will help grow the UAS industry throughout the nation and help make sure it can become a key part of North Dakota’s economy. Grand Forks is very deserving of this program, and I look forward to continuing to support the community and program throughout its implementation.”   Since taking office, Heitkamp has relentlessly advocated for the selection of Grand Forks as a UAS test site. Heitkamp has held numerous meetings with top military and Administration officials, including FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, to urge them to select Grand Forks. Heitkamp, who co-founded the Defense Communities Caucus, also helped facilitate an Enhanced Use Lease between the Air Force and Grand Forks County, which will help grow the UAS industry in the area.   “North Dakota’s UAS Team did an outstanding job highlighting the superior assets of the Grand Forks area. In addition to the obvious advantages of uncongested air space, climate diversity and a culture of aviation, it is clear the unified voice of the many partners was a major factor in the FAA’s decision,” said Congressman Cramer. “State and local officials from North Dakota and Minnesota working with education, business and military leaders presented a unified front giving confidence to the decision makers.”   Cramer is directly involved with UAS development as a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee and the Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus.   Gov. Dalrymple and Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley have led the state’s efforts to establish a national UAS test site in North Dakota. The state has invested more than $14 million to establish a national UAS test site and to advance UAS research and development. In May, Dalrymple established the Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems Authority and appointed Lt. Gov. Wrigley to lead the state’s efforts to land a test site and to pursue other UAS opportunities. Following Dalrymple’s recommendation, the 63rd Legislative Assembly also supported the state’s pursuit of a national UAS test site by appropriating $5 million, with $4 million in operations funding contingent on North Dakota being selected one of six test sites.   “The FAA’s decision to locate one of only six national UAS test sites in North Dakota is good news for our state and for the entire nation,” Dalrymple said.  “We have worked very hard to make sure North Dakota is well positioned for this designation and to make sure that the FAA recognizes the many strengths that we offer in helping to safely integrate unmanned aircraft into the national airspace. With this test site designation, we have a great opportunity to become a national hub for UAS research and development, to expand our national leadership in aerospace sciences and to further diversify our state economy.”   The North Dakota leaders, along with the Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC), North Dakota Airspace Integration Team (AIT) and Grand Forks leaders have held meetings with the FAA regarding the site selection process to make the case for Grand Forks.   In addition, Hoeven and Heitkamp worked to help Grand Forks County secure an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) with the U.S. Air Force for the development of Grand Sky, a cutting-edge UAS technology and business park the county plans to build on approximately 217 acres at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). Last year, Hoeven brought senior Northrop Grumman officials, including Tom Vice, Northrop Grumman’s Corporate VP and President of Aerospace Systems, to Grand Forks to see firsthand the tremendous synergies that are developing between Grand Forks BRIC, UND, the UND Aerospace Foundation and Northland Aerospace Foundation. He also worked to get Northrop Grumman, one of the world’s premier aerospace and defense technology companies, to commit to be the park’s first tenant. Northrop Grumman makes the RQ-4 Global Hawk, which is operated by the Air Combat Command unit at GFAFB.   “We envisioned collaborations here in practical and original ways to create a dynamic environment for the military, industry and education,” Hoeven said. “Now all of those elements are coming together in a coordinated way to spur innovation, boost our economy and create jobs in the Grand Forks region.”   -###-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-heitkamp-cramer-and-dalrymple-faa-selects-grand-forks-to-be-uas-test-site,"Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer and Dalrymple: FAA Selects Grand Forks to be UAS Test Site",2013-12-30,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.30.13 Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer and Dalrymple: FAA Selects Grand Forks to be UAS Test Site ND Leaders Worked to Secure Designation to Build GF as Premier Northern UAS Hub WASHINGTON Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp, Congressman Kevin Cramer and Governor Jack Dalrymple today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected Grand Forks as one of six sites to test unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for integration into the National Airspace. The announcement comes after years of work by North Dakota's leaders to position Grand Forks as the premier northern UAS hub. The FAA Reauthorization bill passed by Congress in February 2012 includes an amendment introduced by Hoeven that directed the agency to establish the test sites and integrate UAS into the National Airspace System. Hoeven's amendment instructed the FAA Administrator to consider factors including geographical and climatic diversity, as well as the location of ground infrastructure, in selecting the test sites. Hoeven has worked, both as governor and now as U.S. Senator, with the state's UAS community to establish and maintain North Dakota's leadership in UAS technologies and to grow UAS operations in the Grand Forks region. In 2006, Hoeven and former Senator Byron Dorgan worked to seed the Center for UAS Research, Education and Training on the UND campus. Dorgan got the center designated as Department of Defense Center of Excellence for UAV Education. The same year, the North Dakota Centers of Excellence Program, initiated by then-Governor Hoeven, awarded the center $2.5 million, which it matched and leveraged to $15.8 million in federal and private-sector funding. We've said all along that Grand Forks is an ideal location to test UAS integration, and now the FAA has agreed with us, Hoeven said. This test site designation, combined with Grand Sky, the Grand Forks region's new aerospace technology and business complex on Grand Forks Air Force Base, is tremendously important and enables the entire region to advance the work it has been doing to become the premier northern hub for unmanned aerial systems. As a test site, Grand Forks will be integral in developing the future commercial use of UAS for our nation and the world. The selection of Grand Forks as a UAS test site is an affirmation that the GrandForks area is an ideal location for military installations, and unmanned aerial systems in particular, said Senator Heitkamp. This designation is the result of collaboration between community leaders, the University of North Dakota, and local, state and federal officials. The test site will help grow the UAS industry throughout the nation and help make sure it can become a key part of North Dakota's economy.Grand Forks is very deserving of this program, and I look forward to continuing to support the community and program throughout its implementation. Since taking office, Heitkamp has relentlessly advocated for the selection of Grand Forks as a UAS test site. Heitkamp has held numerous meetings with top military and Administration officials, including FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, to urge them to select Grand Forks. Heitkamp, who co-founded the Defense Communities Caucus, also helped facilitate an Enhanced Use Lease between the Air Force and Grand Forks County, which will help grow the UAS industry in the area. North Dakota's UAS Team did an outstanding job highlighting the superior assets of the Grand Forks area. In addition to the obvious advantages of uncongested air space, climate diversity and a culture of aviation, it is clear the unified voice of the many partners was a major factor in the FAA's decision, said Congressman Cramer. State and local officials from North Dakota and Minnesota working with education, business and military leaders presented a unified front giving confidence to the decision makers. Cramer is directly involved with UAS development as a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee and the Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus. Gov. Dalrymple and Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley have led the state's efforts to establish a national UAS test site in North Dakota. The state has invested more than $14 million to establish a national UAS test site and to advance UAS research and development. In May, Dalrymple established the Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems Authority and appointed Lt. Gov. Wrigley to lead the state's efforts to land a test site and to pursue other UAS opportunities. Following Dalrymple's recommendation, the 63rd Legislative Assembly also supported the state's pursuit of a national UAS test site by appropriating $5 million, with $4 million in operations funding contingent on North Dakota being selected one of six test sites. The FAA's decision to locate one of only six national UAS test sites in North Dakota is good news for our state and for the entire nation, Dalrymple said. We have worked very hard to make sure North Dakota is well positioned for this designation and to make sure that the FAA recognizes the many strengths that we offer in helping to safely integrate unmanned aircraft into the national airspace. With this test site designation, we have a great opportunity to become a national hub for UAS research and development, to expand our national leadership in aerospace sciences and to further diversify our state economy. The North Dakota leaders, along with the Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC), North Dakota Airspace Integration Team (AIT) and Grand Forks leaders have held meetings with the FAA regarding the site selection process to make the case for Grand Forks. In addition, Hoeven and Heitkamp worked to help Grand Forks County secure an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) with the U.S. Air Force for the development of Grand Sky, a cutting-edge UAS technology and business park the county plans to build on approximately 217 acres at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). Last year, Hoeven brought senior Northrop Grumman officials, including Tom Vice, Northrop Grumman's Corporate VP and President of Aerospace Systems, to Grand Forks to see firsthand the tremendous synergies that are developing between Grand Forks BRIC, UND, the UND Aerospace Foundation and Northland Aerospace Foundation. He also worked to get Northrop Grumman, one of the world's premier aerospace and defense technology companies, to commit to be the park's first tenant. Northrop Grumman makes the RQ-4 Global Hawk, which is operated by the Air Combat Command unit at GFAFB. We envisioned collaborations here in practical and original ways to create a dynamic environment for the military, industry and education, Hoeven said. Now all of those elements are coming together in a coordinated way to spur innovation, boost our economy and create jobs in the Grand Forks region. -###-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-statement-on-2013-defense-authorization-becoming-law,Cramer Statement on 2013 Defense Authorization Becoming Law,2013-12-28,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer released the following statement on the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) being signed into law by President Obama: “The new defense authorization law is the result of a compromise reached by the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The House passed the NDAA with a bipartisan majority in June including an amendment I sponsored to keep the active Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) silos at Minot Air Force Base in a warm status. It is disappointing this protection against unilateral nuclear disarmament by the Obama Administration was stripped by Senate negotiators. “The defense appropriations bill passed by the House in July added even more protection by prohibiting the Obama Administration from going forward with an environmental impact study on deconstructing ICBMs, the first step toward reducing the fleet. Unfortunately the Senate has not passed a defense appropriations bill. “However, I am pleased the NDAA supports increased troop pay, rejects the Administration’s proposals to increase military medical fees, prohibits base closure, and addresses sexual assault. It also includes the new KC-46 tanker to be potentially stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, the new Long Range Strike Bomber to replace the B-52 bomber currently stationed in Minot, and prevents the premature retirement of the Global Hawk Bock 30 unmanned aircraft.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramers-first-bill-signed-by-president-obama,Cramer's First Bill Signed by President Obama,2013-12-27,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Barack Obama signed Congressman Kevin Cramer's first bill into law yesterday, December 26. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Streamlining Act, House Resolution 767, passed the House of Representatives on May 15 and the Senate on December 20. The bill will improve the efficiency of processing federal oil and natural gas permits in North Dakota while retaining all existing standards for approval. While the legislation first passed the Senate after being introduced by Senator Hoeven in the 112th Congress and again by Hoeven with Senator Heitkamp in the 113th Congress, it was never considered by the House until Cramer introduced it in the 113th Congress. “North Dakota will join other states in a streamlining pilot project to alleviate the increased workload of federal permit review,” said Cramer. “I am pleased the President accepted these modest improvements and am hopeful we can build on this achievement to find more common ground in the future.” Congressman Cramer is a member of the Natural Resources and Science, Space and Technology Committees, including the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Subcommittee on Energy of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-heitkamp-cramer-urge-federal-agencies-to-quickly-review-proposals-for-highway-expansion-project-between-williston-and-watford-city,"Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer Urge Federal Agencies to Quickly Review Proposals for Highway Expansion Project Between Williston and Watford City",2013-12-23,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.23.13 Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer Urge Federal Agencies to Quickly Review Proposals for Highway Expansion Project Between Williston and Watford City WASHINGTON U.S. Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp, as well as Congressman Kevin Cramer urged federal agencies to review in a timely manner state proposals to expand US-85 highway between Williston and Watford City from two lanes to four lanes. The federal delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) encouraging the agencies to approve the highway expansion project. The project aims to make the road safer for travelers after expanded energy development of the Bakken formation has led to increased traffic on the highway and heightened public safety concerns. The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) has committed more than $300 million to expand US-85, however, if the federal agencies do not approve the NDDOT's proposals in a timely fashion, the project may be delayed, putting more drivers at risk. The expansion of US-85 is essential for the safety of all North Dakotans, said the delegation. Each day, workers and local residents must share the already heavily congested road with large, commercial trucks carrying materials to and from oil fields. In order to make the road safer, it is critical that the expansion of US-85 highway is completed on time, which requires responsiveness from the federal agencies reviewing the project. We strongly urge the USACE, USCG and USFWS to review the NDDOT's proposals within a suitable timeframe so that North Dakotans soon complete this expansion project. A full copy of the letter sent from the delegation follows: Dear Commander Cross, Administrator Weibusch, Mr. Cimarosti and Mr. Towner; As federal partners involved in the approval of plans for a four lane widening of US-85 from Williston to Watford City, North Dakota, we write to urge a timely review of both the Environmental Assessment and Biological Assessment that have been submitted to your agencies by the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT). Traffic along the north-south US-85 corridor has increased dramatically due to the remarkable energy development of the Bakken Formation. While the increased traffic has provided economic growth and many commercial opportunities for North Dakotans in the western part of the state, it has also created public safety concerns regarding heavy road congestion from large, commercial trucks carrying materials to and from the oil fields. The section of US Highway 85 connecting Williston and Watford City is the main transportation artery to the Williston Basin, each day bringing workers and critical equipment to the work sites and carrying thousands of barrels of oil for delivery to refining facilities. To address the public safety concerns related to increased traffic, and to facilitate the continued commercial success in the oil patch region of the state, the NDDOT has committed over $300 million to reconstruct the two-lane highway to a four-lane undivided highway from the west edge of Watford City to the junction of US-85 and US-2 east of Williston. In order for the project to be completed on time, a timely review of the proposals to address outstanding environmental and biological issues must be completed. We appreciate your consideration of our request for a timely review and look forward to working with your agencies towards successful completion of the US-85 expansion project. Sincerely, 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/cramers-first-bill-passes-senate,Cramer's First Bill Passes Senate,2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer welcomed the U.S. Senate passage of the first legislation he introduced as a Congressman. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Streamlining Act (H.R. 767) will improve the efficiency of processing federal oil and natural gas permits in North Dakota. Cramer and Senator John Hoeven introduced the bill in their respective chambers in February. Since the Hoeven/Cramer bill passed the House on May 15, it will now be sent to the president for his consideration and signature. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established the Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), tasked with the purpose of improving the handling of oil and gas permits by combining the resources of involved federal agencies including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the USDA Forest Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. However, North Dakota was not a part of the original pilot project. The BLM Streamlining Act amends the project to include North Dakota by renaming the Miles City BLM field office as the “Montana/Dakotas State Office”, and allowing North Dakota permits to be streamlined. While the legislation was first introduced by Senator Hoeven in the 112th Congress and again by Hoeven with Senator Heitkamp in the 113th Congress, it was never taken up by the House until Cramer introduced it in the 113th Congress. “I appreciate Senator Hoeven originating this legislation and guiding it to passage in the Senate so it can go to work for North Dakota. It takes 10 to 20 days to receive a drilling permit from the state of North Dakota, but a permit from the U.S. government can take over 300 days. I don’t advocate bringing the federal land waiting period down to 10 or 20, but I do think we can do better by bringing all the federal agencies under one roof. This will help bring the federal government closer to the standard of efficiency set by our state while maintaining existing permitting standards.” Last month Cramer met with federal employees at the BLM field office in Dickinson to assess the current workload they face and receive feedback on ways Congress can help them in their tasks. Congressman Cramer is a member of the Natural Resources and Science, Space and Technology Committees, including the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Subcommittee on Energy of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=344ba724-2b97-46da-90ab-d6b5a0a36d59,Hoeven Statement on the National Defense Authorization Act,2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.13 Hoeven Statement on the National Defense Authorization Act WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement regarding passage of the National Defense Authorization Act: “Today, I joined a bipartisan majority in the U.S. Senate to pass the National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation includes important provisions for our troops, including increased pay, and measures to address sexual assault in the military. It also contains measures important to our bases including the authorization of three new military construction projects at Minot Air Force Base, language that protects and upgrades the B-52 fleet at Minot, and a provision that prevents the retirement of the Global Hawk Block 30 unmanned aircraft. “Still, I do have concerns about some of the provisions in this bill. However, I believe these areas of concern can be addressed in the appropriations process, which will begin in January. “First, I am concerned that the bill contains a provision that enables the Air Force to initiate a process that could result in the unilateral destruction of some U.S. nuclear missile silos, possibly including some in North Dakota. The administration has asked for an environmental impact statement preparatory to destroying these silos. The nuclear triad, our air, land and sea-based nuclear deterrent, has kept the United States secure since the end of the Second World War, for nearly 70 years, and continues to keep us safe in a world with a growing number of nuclear states, including Iran. That formidable arsenal has discouraged any attack on the United States because the result would trigger a counterstrike. We need to retain that advantage. “Second, the legislation does not include language that adequately supports the Global Hawk Block 40 fleet, a mission assigned to the Grand Forks Air Force Base. This is a critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission that cannot be performed by any other aircraft. The Block 40s are in high demand overseas thanks to their ability to give vital information to commanders and enable our forces to secure our interests and protect our allies. The Block 40 fleet is simply too valuable to give up and must be protected from budget games in Washington. “I will work to address both silos and the Global Hawks in the Fiscal Year 2014 appropriations process.” 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?ID=af5ad287-a6be-4e1c-b57e-b1ca724b964f,"Hoeven, Heitkamp: Bill to Streamline Federal Oil and Gas Permitting Process in North Dakota Becomes Law",2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.13 Hoeven, Heitkamp: Bill to Streamline Federal Oil and Gas Permitting Process in North Dakota Becomes Law Cramer Sponsored Bill in the House WASHINGTON – Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp today announced that legislation they authored to help streamline oil and gas permitting on federal lands in western North Dakota has passed the U.S. Senate. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Streamlining Act expands the service area of the Miles City, Mont. office to include North Dakota. The office will now be able to process permits for North Dakota, which will help to address backlog and delays. Federal permits currently take up to nine months for approval. “This legislation is about helping to cut red tape and making the federal permitting process more timely and efficient,” said Hoeven. “Right now, it takes about 180 to 270 days to permit an oil well on BLM land in North Dakota, compared to about ten days on private lands. There are currently about 525 permits awaiting approval. This will help us to alleviate the backlog and other delays that are costing us jobs and economic growth. The BLM Streamlining Act will help us to achieve our goal of true energy independence.” Hoeven first introduced the BLM Streamlining Act in the 112th session of Congress. The legislation was passed by the Senate in 2012, but the House failed to take up the bill and pass it. Hoeven introduced it again in the current session with Senator Heitkamp. And also, earlier this week, at a hearing of the Senate Energy Committee, Senator Hoeven pressed Neil Kornze, the nominee to be BLM director, for his support implementing the law and making permitting more efficient. “For far too long, the permitting process has been delayed because of a lack of federal resources and coordination in western North Dakota. It has led to excessive waits for drilling permits that unnecessarily slow down projects while also putting the brakes on jobs that would come from those projects,” said Heitkamp. “Working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we were able to get this bill through both the Senate and the House so it can soon be signed into law. We must continue to make common-sense fixes like this to help North Dakota reach its full energy potential.” The BLM field office in Miles City is part of the Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project, established in 2005, and designed to improve the coordination of oil and gas permitting on federal lands. This legislation would enable North Dakota to be part of the pilot project under the newly named Montana/Dakotas State Office. Pilot offices are charged with finding innovative ways to coordinate permitting to ensure efficient development with good environmental stewardship. The House measure, introduced by Congressman Kevin Cramer, has passed in the House, so the bill will now become 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-heitkamp-bill-to-streamline-federal-oil-and-gas-permitting-process-in-north-dakota-becomes-law,"Hoeven, Heitkamp: Bill to Streamline Federal Oil and Gas Permitting Process in North Dakota Becomes Law",2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.13 Hoeven, Heitkamp: Bill to Streamline Federal Oil and Gas Permitting Process in North Dakota Becomes Law Cramer Sponsored Bill in the House WASHINGTON Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp today announced that legislation they authored to help streamline oil and gas permitting on federal lands in western North Dakota has passed the U.S. Senate. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Streamlining Act expands the service area of the Miles City, Mont. office to include North Dakota. The office will now be able to process permits for North Dakota, which will help to address backlog and delays. Federal permits currently take up to nine months for approval. This legislation is about helping to cut red tape and making the federal permitting process more timely and efficient, said Hoeven. Right now, it takes about 180 to 270 days to permit an oil well on BLM land in North Dakota, compared to about ten days on private lands. There are currently about 525 permits awaiting approval. This will help us to alleviate the backlog and other delays that are costing us jobs and economic growth. The BLM Streamlining Act will help us to achieve our goal of true energy independence. Hoeven first introduced the BLM Streamlining Act in the 112th session of Congress. The legislation was passed by the Senate in 2012, but the House failed to take up the bill and pass it. Hoeven introduced it again in the current session with Senator Heitkamp. And also, earlier this week, at a hearing of the Senate Energy Committee, Senator Hoeven pressed Neil Kornze, the nominee to be BLM director, for his support implementing the law and making permitting more efficient. For far too long, the permitting process has been delayed because of a lack of federal resources and coordination in western North Dakota. It has led to excessive waits for drilling permits that unnecessarily slow down projects while also putting the brakes on jobs that would come from those projects, said Heitkamp. Working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we were able to get this bill through both the Senate and the House so it can soon be signed into law. We must continue to make common-sense fixes like this to help North Dakota reach its full energy potential. The BLM field office in Miles City is part of the Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project, established in 2005, and designed to improve the coordination of oil and gas permitting on federal lands. This legislation would enable North Dakota to be part of the pilot project under the newly named Montana/Dakotas State Office. Pilot offices are charged with finding innovative ways to coordinate permitting to ensure efficient development with good environmental stewardship. The House measure, introduced by Congressman Kevin Cramer, has passed in the House, so the bill will now become 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-statement-on-the-national-defense-authorization-act,Hoeven Statement on the National Defense Authorization Act,2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.13 Hoeven Statement on the National Defense Authorization Act WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement regarding passage of the National Defense Authorization Act: Today, I joined a bipartisan majority in the U.S. Senate to pass the National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation includes important provisions for our troops, including increased pay, and measures to address sexual assault in the military. It also contains measures important to our bases including the authorization of three new military construction projects at Minot Air Force Base, language that protects and upgrades the B-52 fleet at Minot, and a provision that prevents the retirement of the Global Hawk Block 30 unmanned aircraft. Still, I do have concerns about some of the provisions in this bill. However, I believe these areas of concern can be addressed in the appropriations process, which will begin in January. First, I am concerned that the bill contains a provision that enables the Air Force to initiate a process that could result in the unilateral destruction of some U.S. nuclear missile silos, possibly including some in North Dakota. The administration has asked for an environmental impact statement preparatory to destroying these silos. The nuclear triad, our air, land and sea-based nuclear deterrent, has kept the United States secure since the end of the Second World War, for nearly 70 years, and continues to keep us safe in a world with a growing number of nuclear states, including Iran. That formidable arsenal has discouraged any attack on the United States because the result would trigger a counterstrike. We need to retain that advantage. Second, the legislation does not include language that adequately supports the Global Hawk Block 40 fleet, a mission assigned to the Grand Forks Air Force Base. This is a critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission that cannot be performed by any other aircraft. The Block 40s are in high demand overseas thanks to their ability to give vital information to commanders and enable our forces to secure our interests and protect our allies. The Block 40 fleet is simply too valuable to give up and must be protected from budget games in Washington. I will work to address both silos and the Global Hawks in the Fiscal Year 2014 appropriations process. 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-helps-introduce-legislation-to-eliminate-veterans-benefit,Cramer Helps Introduce Legislation to Eliminate Veterans Benefit Reductions in Budget,2013-12-19,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer helped introduce three pieces of legislation to reverse planned reductions to veterans benefits in the Ryan-Murray budget plan. The House and Senate-passed budget contains future reductions to the cost-of-living adjustment for military retirees under age 62, scheduled to begin December 1, 2015. The first bill backed by Cramer eliminates the reduction altogether, the second bill does the same while replacing the savings with reforms to strengthen the integrity of the child income tax credit, and the third bill acts as a safeguard by exempting disabled veterans and surviving spouses from the change in the event both chambers cannot agree on eliminating the reduction. “While the need to reduce our debt and deficit is urgent, it is unacceptable to make these reductions on the backs of men and women who served our country and were promised this benefit. I am hopeful both chambers can agree to repeal this provision before it is scheduled to take effect in 2015,” said Cramer. In June Congressman Cramer formed a Veterans Advisory Board, made up of North Dakota veterans organization leaders who provide guidance on important issues for retired service members. Last month, Cramer voted for a backlog task force to deal with delays in disability claim processing at the VA.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=11a411dd-f494-48d3-ae39-2c56737477d4,Hoeven Statement on the Ryan-Murray Budget Plan,2013-12-18,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.18.13 Hoeven Statement on the Ryan-Murray Budget Plan WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement relating to his vote to pass the Ryan-Murray budget in the U.S. Senate: “There are provisions in the Ryan-Murray budget that I do not support, but this agreement averts another government shutdown, establishes certainty for Americans families and businesses and reduces the deficit by $23 billion without raising taxes. I believe the Fiscal Year 2014 and 2015 budget limits should have been retained, but the measure reduces spending by extending the Budget Control Act an additional two years, through 2023. Importantly, the agreement enables us to prioritize decisions to find savings and reforms, rather than applying automatic across-the-board cuts. “Specifically with regard to the military, the agreement provides more resources for defense, while enabling us to prioritize programs and find savings where appropriate. I do not, however, support a provision in the measure that reduces the cost-of-living adjustment for military retirees under age 62. I believe we will have an opportunity to fix this provision before it is implemented at the end of 2015, two years from now. A special Department of Defense commission is already evaluating broader reforms to the military benefit system and this provision will be addressed again. Also, I have spoken with Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who intends to work with the military commission to address this issue. Several pieces of legislation are already being drafted to address the issue when we reconvene in January. “My view is that any change in military retirement benefits should be prospective, applying only to new recruits, and not retrospective, applying to the men and women who have already served our country. We must do all we can to honor our commitment to them. “We need to continue to find savings, combined with meaningful reforms that will encourage economic growth, create jobs and generate revenues to reduce our deficit and debt without increasing taxes.” 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-ryan-murray-budget-plan,Hoeven Statement on the Ryan-Murray Budget Plan,2013-12-18,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.18.13 Hoeven Statement on the Ryan-Murray Budget Plan WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement relating to his vote to pass the Ryan-Murray budget in the U.S. Senate: There are provisions in the Ryan-Murray budget that I do not support, but this agreement averts another government shutdown, establishes certainty for Americans families and businesses and reduces the deficit by $23 billion without raising taxes. I believe the Fiscal Year 2014 and 2015 budget limits should have been retained, but the measure reduces spending by extending the Budget Control Act an additional two years, through 2023. Importantly, the agreement enables us to prioritize decisions to find savings and reforms, rather than applying automatic across-the-board cuts. Specifically with regard to the military, the agreement provides more resources for defense, while enabling us to prioritize programs and find savings where appropriate. I do not, however, support a provision in the measure that reduces the cost-of-living adjustment for military retirees under age 62. I believe we will have an opportunity to fix this provision before it is implemented at the end of 2015, two years from now. A special Department of Defense commission is already evaluating broader reforms to the military benefit system and this provision will be addressed again. Also, I have spoken with Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who intends to work with the military commission to address this issue. Several pieces of legislation are already being drafted to address the issue when we reconvene in January. My view is that any change in military retirement benefits should be prospective, applying only to new recruits, and not retrospective, applying to the men and women who have already served our country. We must do all we can to honor our commitment to them. We need to continue to find savings, combined with meaningful reforms that will encourage economic growth, create jobs and generate revenues to reduce our deficit and debt without increasing taxes. 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-statement-on-fcc-decision-to-move-forward-on-usf-changes,Cramer Statement on FCC Decision to Move Forward on USF Changes,2013-12-13,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer released the following statement on the news Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler is moving forward with key changes to the Universal Service Fund (USF) supported by North Dakota rural telecommunications providers: ""I am pleased to see the new FCC Chairman recognizing the need for modernizing the Universal Service Fund, and grateful for his responsiveness to a letter I sent along with my colleagues. Rural broadband customers in North Dakota will benefit from smarter USF rules, which would do a better job providing incentives for broadband deployment and encouraging investment.” Wheeler told the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Thursday he directed his staff to plan for the elimination of monetary caps which cause unpredictable distribution of USF funds. In October, Cramer sent a letter with colleagues to then-FCC Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn requesting the change and describing the benefits to broadband infrastructure it would create.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-usda-announces-over-100m-in-rural-electric-loans,Cramer: USDA Announces Over $100M in Rural Electric Loans,2013-12-13,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer welcomed the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement of over $100 million in loan guarantees to North Dakota electric utilities. “These loans will help facilitate our electric cooperatives continue to expand services to a growing North Dakota, making it possible to deliver electricity in a safe, reliable and efficient manner,” said Cramer. “Demand continues to grow not just in the Bakken, but throughout the entire state thanks to our thriving agriculture, technology, energy, and manufacturing sectors.” Capital Electric Cooperative of Bismarck will receive a $31 million loan to serve 2,823 consumers in Burleigh, Emmons, Kidder, McLean, and Sheridan counties and build 265 miles of distribution line. The loan includes $2,086,800 for smart grid projects and $248,000 for service to Native Americans. Verendrye Electric Cooperative of Velva will receive a $63 million loan to serve 4,597 consumers in McHenry, McLean, Pierce, Renville, Sheridan, Ward, and Wells counties and build 741 miles of distribution line. The loan includes $1,164,000 for smart grid projects and $315,000 for service to Native Americans. Nodak Electric Cooperative of Grand Forks will receive a $31.1 million loan to serve 920 consumers in Barnes, Benson, Cass, Cavalier, Eddy, Grand Forks, Griggs, Nelson, Pembina, Ramsey, Steele, Traill, and Walsh counties and build 450 miles of distribution line. The loan includes $2,422,000 for smart grid projects and $540,000 for service to Native Americans. Minnkota Power Cooperative of Grand Forks will receive a $46.3 million loan to cover additional costs incurred in the construction of a transmission line from Center to Grand Forks. Congressman Cramer is a member of both the House Natural Resources and Science, Space and Technology Committees. Prior to his election to the United States House of Representatives, Cramer served on the North Dakota Public Service Commission. During his tenure, beginning in 2003, Cramer dealt with all aspects of the Commission’s portfolio including pipeline and electrical transmission siting and regulation of North Dakota’s three investor owned utilities.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-endangered-species-act-hearing-examines-sue-and-settle-practices,Cramer: Endangered Species Act Hearing Examines Sue-and-Settle Practices,2013-12-12,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Cramer said a hearing held today by the House Committee on Natural Resources is another important step toward improving the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to better serve its purpose of protecting species. The hearing examined the ongoing practice of “sue-and-settle” lawsuits driven by environmental groups launching lawsuits against the federal government for the purpose of achieving settlements behind closed doors. Cramer is a member of the Natural Resources Committee which has held five hearings in an ongoing effort to reform the ESA. In September, the Committee held a field hearing in Billings, Montana requested by Cramer and colleagues to examine the potential impacts of the Greater Sage Grouse receiving an endangered species listing. Between 1999 and 2003, environmental groups filed eight petitions to add an ESA listing for the Greater Sage Grouse, which makes part of its habitat in southwestern North Dakota. Such a listing could have severe repercussions on domestic energy production, livestock, and outdoor recreation activities in the state. “The endless stream of frivolous lawsuits aimed at exploiting the ESA has crippled its ability to protect the interests of both its intended animal species, and people. We are taking a careful, systematic approach to reform with the goal of restoring common sense species protection. These changes will have the greatest impact on states like North Dakota which contain vast regions of habitat.” Witnesses at today’s hearing drew attention to the success of local conservation efforts and the negative impact of deadlines imposed by closed-door mega-settlements with litigious environmental groups who are often driving federal listing decisions. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is also proposing to list the Dakota skipper as a threatened species and the Powerhiek skipperling as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Public comments can be submitted to the FWS on the proposed listings and critical habitat designations by following the instructions seen here. Congressman Cramer serves on the Natural Resources and Science, Space and Technology Committees.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-helps-introduce-listen-to-americans-first-act-on-coal-regulations,Cramer Helps Introduce 'Listen to Americans First Act' on Coal Regulations,2013-12-12,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week Congressman Kevin Cramer helped introduce legislation blocking foreign travel by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator until the agency listens to coal-producing states on its planned rules for coal plants. The regulations would affect 17,000 jobs, $3.5 billion in economic impact, and $100 million in tax revenue provided by the lignite coal industry in North Dakota. On September 30th, the EPA announced plans to hold listening sessions on forthcoming greenhouse gas regulations for existing coal-fired power plants. Congressman Cramer submitted a written request for a listening session in Bismarck, which did not receive a response from Administrator McCarthy. When McCarthy was before the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Cramer again requested a listening session in North Dakota, to which she did not respond. The agency proceeded to hold 11 sessions in cities including Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston, while bypassing all ten states most reliant on coal generated electricity, including North Dakota. Last week, Cramer called on McCarthy to explain why her agency held none of its coal regulation listening sessions in a top ten coal state while also failing to record them for the public. At the same time, McCarthy traveled to China to discuss greenhouse emissions standards.  The Listen to Americans First Act, introduced this week with an original cosponsorship from Congressman Cramer, blocks the use of taxpayer dollars for any foreign travel by the EPA Administrator until public listening sessions are held in each of the top 15 coal reliant states.  “The EPA must be held accountable to the American people, but they seem much more interested in hearing from China instead of coal-producing states like North Dakota. I believe the EPA could learn a lot about coal production from a state with an 800 year supply of it, which is why I continue to insist Administrator McCarthy reconsider the Administration’s decision to ignore North Dakota,” said Cramer. Prior to his election to the United States House of Representatives, Cramer served on the North Dakota Public Service Commission. During his tenure, beginning in 2003, Cramer dealt with all aspects of the Commission’s portfolio including regulation of North Dakota’s three investor owned utilities and management of North Dakota’s Surface Mine Coal Reclamation Act State primacy program.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-passes-amended-national-defense-authorization,Cramer: House Passes Amended National Defense Authorization,2013-12-12,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced 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 NDAA with a bipartisan majority in June, however the legislation has been stalled in the Senate. The Senate is now expected to take up the amended NDAA before year end. Last week Cramer called on the Senate to join the House in authorizing and funding critical military priorities by passing NDAA and its corresponding appropriations bills for fiscal year 2014. The House passed all three pieces of legislation with bipartisan majorities this summer. North Dakota defense operations The amended NDAA maintains most of the provisions important to North Dakota’s military bases and personnel from the original House passed version. The bill supports increased troop pay, rejects the Administration’s proposals to increase or establish new TRICARE fees, prohibits base closure, addresses sexual assault in the military, and includes the new KC-46 tanker to be potentially stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, the new Long Range Strike Bomber to replace the B-52 bomber currently stationed in Minot, and preventing the premature retirement of the Global Hawk Bock 30 unmanned aircraft.  The amended NDAA does not contain a Cramer amendment to the House version which would have kept the 450 active Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) silos in a warm status. Instead, the amended version provides the language in a Sense of the Congress provision, which is not enforceable law. The 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base is one of three bases controlling this element of America’s strategic deterrent. “We’ve passed another NDAA in the House with many important provisions, but I am disappointed the nuclear missile language important to Minot is not as strong as it is in the original House bill,” said Cramer. “I will continue to advocate for our nuclear triad and work to prevent the Obama Administration’s misguided attempts at unilateral nuclear disarmament. The cost of maintaining this important force is far less than the price tag of rebuilding it should it become necessary.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-statement-on-house-passage-of-bipartisan-budget-act,Cramer Statement on House Passage of Bipartisan Budget Act,2013-12-12,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Ryan-Murray Bipartisan Budget Act: “While it is by no means perfect, this budget agreement is a hard-fought step forward given Republicans only have a majority in one-third of policymaking government. It reduces the deficit more than the sequester, reforms entitlements including federal pensions, and contains no tax increases. It also avoids future government shutdowns and allows the Congress to get back to regular order where appropriations bills and policy riders can be debated and passed based on a common bottom line. Finally, it restores critical funding for our nation’s defense, which is of highest priority.” The compromise to reopen the federal government on October 16 stipulated a budget must be agreed to by January 15, 2014. The bill contains specific spending cuts and non-tax revenue adding up to $85 billion in savings from eliminating waste, fraud and abuse, reforming retirement benefits, and continuing reductions in mandatory spending. It is expected the Senate will soon take up the budget agreement.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-votes-to-advance-construction-of-native-american-veterans,Cramer: House Votes to Advance Construction of Native American Veterans Memorial,2013-12-11,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced the House of Representatives passed a bill advancing the construction of a memorial to Native American veterans on the grounds of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. The Native American Veterans’ Memorial was authorized by Congress in 1994 but has yet to be constructed due to current space and funding constraints. The Native American Veterans' Memorial Amendments Act of 2013, cosponsored by Cramer, amends the original authorization to accommodate a proper-sized memorial by allowing it to be placed on the property of the Museum instead of within the building itself. It also creates shared responsibility between the Museum and the National Congress of American Indians for collecting contributions, paying expenses, and selecting a design for the Memorial. Under current law, the National Congress of American Indians has all responsibility for fundraising and design. “Our native citizens demonstrate an exemplary patriotism by enlisting in the military in great numbers. They carry out this patriotism with an incredible pride, participating with their own honor and color guards at veterans events throughout North Dakota,” said Congressman Cramer. “This Memorial is an appropriate and important recognition of their sacrifice, service, and unique contribution to our society, especially given the history of our country’s birth. “Per capita, native people serve in the U.S. military at a rate greater than any other race or ethnicity. That is due in large part to our strong tradition of honoring and respecting those who serve, as well as our deep desire to protect our land, people, and way of life,” said Mark Fox, a Tribal Administrator for the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation and a Marine Veteran. Prior to his time in Congress, Cramer served as Chairman of the Roughrider Honor Flight Committee. Hundreds of North Dakota World War II veterans were flown to Washington, D.C. at no personal expense to experience the memorials built in their honor. Cramer currently serves on the Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs within the House Natural Resources Committee.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=e2d31955-b360-4b9a-83ef-a38dec00b472,"Hoeven Meets with Top Northrop Grumman Executive, CEO Wes Bush",2013-12-11,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.13 Hoeven Meets with Top Northrop Grumman Executive, CEO Wes Bush WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today met with Northrop Grumman CEO Wes Bush to express his appreciation for the company’s commitment to be the anchor tenant in Grand Sky, the Grand Forks region’s state-of-the-art aerospace business and technology park on the Grand Forks Air Force Base. The new high-tech complex will provide cutting-edge facilities for unmanned aerial systems development. The U.S. Air Force has announced his intention to sign an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) with Grand Forks County to build the complex on approximately 217 acres at Grand Forks Air Force Base. Under the terms of the agreement, the county will provide payments to the Air Force in exchange for a 50-year lease. The Air Force and county team members are working through final documents. The senator helped to forge the new alliance over the past year. Hoeven has been working with Thomas Vice, Northrop Grumman’s Corporate VP and President of its Aerospace Systems Sector, to secure the EUL for Grand Start. Last year, the senator brought Vice and other Northrop Grumman senior executives to Grand Forks to explore the possibility of a partnership between the company, the Air Force and Grand Forks County. He pushed for the EUL with top Air Force officials, and has been working since secure and finalize the agreement. “As the anchor tenant in Grand Sky, aerospace giant Northrop Grumman is making a big commitment to Grand Forks and North Dakota,” Hoeven said. “The EUL, combined with getting Grand Forks designated as one of the six national test sites for integrating UAS into the National Airspace, will bolster our efforts to make the Grand Forks region the premier northern hub for UAS in the nation.” Senator Hoeven is a member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee of the 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-meets-with-top-northrop-grumman-executive-ceo-wes-bush,"Hoeven Meets with Top Northrop Grumman Executive, CEO Wes Bush",2013-12-11,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.13 Hoeven Meets with Top Northrop Grumman Executive, CEO Wes Bush WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today met with Northrop Grumman CEO Wes Bush to express his appreciation for the company's commitment to be the anchor tenant in Grand Sky, the Grand Forks region's state-of-the-art aerospace business and technology park on the Grand Forks Air Force Base. The new high-tech complex will provide cutting-edge facilities for unmanned aerial systems development. The U.S. Air Force has announced his intention to sign an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) with Grand Forks County to build the complex on approximately 217 acres at Grand Forks Air Force Base. Under the terms of the agreement, the county will provide payments to the Air Force in exchange for a 50-year lease. The Air Force and county team members are working through final documents. The senator helped to forge the new alliance over the past year. Hoeven has been working with Thomas Vice, Northrop Grumman's Corporate VP and President of its Aerospace Systems Sector, to secure the EUL for Grand Start. Last year, the senator brought Vice and other Northrop Grumman senior executives to Grand Forks to explore the possibility of a partnership between the company, the Air Force and Grand Forks County. He pushed for the EUL with top Air Force officials, and has been working since secure and finalize the agreement. As the anchor tenant in Grand Sky, aerospace giant Northrop Grumman is making a big commitment to Grand Forks and North Dakota, Hoeven said. The EUL, combined with getting Grand Forks designated as one of the six national test sites for integrating UAS into the National Airspace, will bolster our efforts to make the Grand Forks region the premier northern hub for UAS in the nation. Senator Hoeven is a member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee. 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-extension-for-critical-veterans-programs,Cramer: House Passes Extension for Critical Veterans Programs,2013-12-10,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced the House of Representatives passed legislation to extend critical programs for veterans. The Veterans Administration (VA) Expiring Authorities Act extends through fiscal year 2014 the authority of the VA to provide housing assistance for homeless veterans, transport certain individuals to and from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, for contract physicians to perform medical disability examinations, and extends the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans and the Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education. The bill also extends funding for the treatment and rehabilitation of seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans, and a requirement for nursing home care to be made available to veterans with service-connected disabilities. “Many of our veterans in North Dakota rely on these programs for their well-being, and extending them is the least we can do,” said Cramer. “I am hopeful the Senate will not only join us by passing these important extensions but also take up our bill to create a task force at the VA to tackle the backlog in disability claims. Congress must continue doing everything in its power to ensure our veterans receive the care they deserve.” In June Congressman Cramer formed a Veterans Advisory Board, made up of North Dakota veterans organization leaders who provide guidance on important issues for retired service members. Last month, Cramer voted for a backlog task force to deal with delays in disability claim processing at the VA.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-passes-child-protection-bill,Cramer: House Passes Child Protection Bill,2013-12-09,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced the House of Representatives passed a bill to reduce child abuse through a state-by-state review of penalties for offenders. The Kilah Davenport Child Protection Act requires the U.S. Attorney General to issue a report detailing the penalties for child abuse in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and all United States territories. The report will include whether or not the laws provide enhanced penalties in cases of severe child abuse. A subsequent report will be issued within three years to follow up on the first. The bill also amends federal law to assign enhanced sentences for habitual offenders who commit child abuse in areas where the federal government has increased responsibility, including Indian reservations. The bill is named for three year-old Kilah Davenport of North Carolina, who suffered serious brain damage as a result of serious physical abuse from her stepfather. He was charged with felony child abuse, however North Carolina law limited the sentence for this offense to eight years in prison. As a result, North Carolina updated its laws. A person who commits the same offense in North Dakota could receive up to 20 years in prison. “This legislation shows Congress takes the protection of our children seriously and in a bipartisan way. These tragedies are far too common in our country and North Dakota is no exception. If motivating states to examine their child abuse laws can save just one life, it is worth it,” said Cramer.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=4c5fd55a-ab14-4ce9-b657-2d3d54fe139c,"Hoeven Honors Soliders, Families at Send-Off And Freedom Salute Ceremonies",2013-12-09,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.09.13 Hoeven Honors Soldiers, Families at Send-Off And Freedom Salute Ceremonies BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today joined the Bismarck community during two separate ceremonies held to honor members of the North Dakota Army National Guard’s 1919th Contingency Contracting Team (CCT) and the 814th Medical Company (Area Support). A freedom salute ceremony was held to welcome the 1919th CCT unit home following its deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. A separate send-off ceremony was held for the 814th Medical Company as the unit prepares to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. “Today is an important and proud day for the State of North Dakota as we welcome home the 1919th Contingency Contracting Team and prepare for the deployment of the 814th Medical Company,” said Hoeven. “Both of these units are comprised of highly skilled, disciplined soldiers, and we are grateful to each one, as well as their families, for the sacrifices they make defending our nation’s freedoms. They represent the very best of our country, and we are proud and thankful for the work these units are doing on behalf of our state and country.” The 1919th Contracting Team Soldiers are based out of Bismarck. The unit specializes in planning, coordinating and issuing contracts for supplies and services needed to support other U.S. forces serving in the region as well as civilian organizations, in-country contractors and other foreign businesses. The 814th Medical Company is based out of Bismarck with a detachment in Grand Forks. Approximately 65 Soldiers make up the unit that will deploy to Afghanistan early next year to provide emergency trauma service and operate troop medical clinics. This will be the unit’s first mobilization in support of the Global War on Terrorism. 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-soldiers-families-at-send-off-and-freedom-salute-ceremonies,"Hoeven Honors Soldiers, Families at Send-Off And Freedom Salute Ceremonies",2013-12-09,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.09.13 Hoeven Honors Soldiers, Families at Send-Off And Freedom Salute Ceremonies BISMARCK, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today joined the Bismarck community during two separate ceremonies held to honor members of the North Dakota Army National Guard's 1919th Contingency Contracting Team (CCT) and the 814th Medical Company (Area Support). A freedom salute ceremony was held to welcome the 1919th CCT unit home following its deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. A separate send-off ceremony was held for the 814th Medical Company as the unit prepares to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Today is an important and proud day for the State of North Dakota as we welcome home the 1919th Contingency Contracting Team and prepare for the deployment of the 814th Medical Company, said Hoeven. Both of these units are comprised of highly skilled, disciplined soldiers, and we are grateful to each one, as well as their families, for the sacrifices they make defending our nation's freedoms. They represent the very best of our country, and we are proud and thankful for the work these units are doing on behalf of our state and country. The 1919th Contracting Team Soldiers are based out of Bismarck. The unit specializes in planning, coordinating and issuing contracts for supplies and services needed to support other U.S. forces serving in the region as well as civilian organizations, in-country contractors and other foreign businesses. The 814th Medical Company is based out of Bismarck with a detachment in Grand Forks. Approximately 65 Soldiers make up the unit that will deploy to Afghanistan early next year to provide emergency trauma service and operate troop medical clinics. This will be the unit's first mobilization in support of the Global War on Terrorism. 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-calls-on-senate-to-pass-key-defense-legislation,Cramer Calls on Senate to Pass Key Defense Legislation,2013-12-06,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer called on the U.S. Senate to join the House of Representatives in authorizing and funding critical military priorities by passing a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Department of Defense Appropriations Act, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2014. The House passed all three pieces of legislation with bipartisan majorities this summer. “Nearly half a year has gone by since the House passed these critical defense bills in June and July. We completed our work after going through hundreds of amendments and now we need the Senate to finish their job. National defense is the federal government’s priority and NDAA is the key mechanism to provide necessary authorities and funding for our military. Unfortunately Senate leadership hasn’t been taking this seriously. For 51 years in a row Congress has passed NDAA and now, after waiting until the last weeks of session, debate in the Senate has stalled,” said Cramer. Debate on the NDAA broke down in the Senate before Thanksgiving after a disagreement over amendments. If the chamber fails to reach an agreement before year’s end, it would end a 51-year streak of sending the legislation to the White House on time. The House NDAA authorizes critical programs to North Dakota defense operations, increases pay for military personnel, rejects medical fee increases proposed by President Obama, and prohibits another round of base closures, or BRAC, while keeping the overall spending level below that of fiscal year 2011. North Dakota defense operations Cramer successfully worked to pass an amendment to the House NDAA which requires the Department of Defense to maintain the 450 active Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) silos in a warm status; ensuring the nation’s nuclear force remains flexible, functional and responsive. The 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base is one of three bases controlling this vital element of America’s strategic deterrent.   The House bills continue funding for the new KC-46 tanker to potentially be stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, and the Long Range Strike Bomber, which is to replace the B-52 bomber currently stationed in Minot. Additionally, it prevents the premature retirement of Global Hawk Block 30 unmanned aircraft, in the same aircraft family as the Global Hawk Block 20s and 40s employed in Grand Forks.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-epa-should-explain-decision-to-conceal-coal-regulation-listening,Cramer: EPA Should Explain Decision to Conceal Coal Regulation Listening Sessions,2013-12-06,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer called on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy to explain why her agency held none of its coal regulation listening sessions in a top ten coal state while also failing to record them for the public. On September 30th, the EPA announced plans to hold listening sessions on forthcoming greenhouse gas regulations for existing coal-fired power plants. The decision would affect 17,000 jobs, $3.5 billion in economic impact, and $100 million in tax revenue provided by the lignite coal industry in North Dakota. The agency recently convened the 11 sessions in cities including Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston, while bypassing all ten states most reliant on coal generated electricity, including North Dakota. Cramer submitted a written request for a listening session in Bismarck, which did not receive a response from Administrator McCarthy. When McCarthy was before the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Cramer again requested a listening session in North Dakota, to which she did not respond. In a letter to McCarthy today, Cramer and other Science Committee Members said the EPA’s decision not to make any public record of the proceedings at the listening sessions is the latest example of the lack of administrative transparency at the agency. “First, as has been widely reported, EPA chose to hold nearly all of these listening sessions in areas of the country that would be the least affected by the rules,” the letter reads. “Second, and perhaps even more troubling, it is our understanding the EPA did not transcribe, webcast, or otherwise record the comments presented at the 11 listening sessions. If there is no record of what was said, it’s unclear how the Agency can claim the sessions were designed for the purpose of ‘helping EPA develop smart, cost-effective guidelines.’” The letter concludes by imploring Administrator McCarthy to explain why the states most impacted by coal regulations were ignored and why the EPA chose not to record the listening sessions, and requesting the agency make public all written comments associated with the sessions.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-science-committee-approves-weather-and-drought-bills,Cramer: Science Committee Approves Weather and Drought Bills,2013-12-06,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced the Science, Space, and Technology Committee approved legislation to strengthen weather research, and a bill to reauthorize a drought monitoring program which assists local governments, farmers, and ranchers. The Weather Forecasting Improvement Act expands weather research activities at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), directing the agency to make the development of more advanced warnings and forecasts for dangerous weather events a priority. Included is the creation of a Tornado Warning Extension Program, with the goal of reducing loss of life and property by extending tornado warnings beyond one hour. The bill also expands public-private forecasting partnerships by giving NOAA specific authority to obtain weather data through commercial providers and requiring the agency to report on opportunities for obtaining weather observations through the private sector. Current research at the University of North Dakota John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences includes radar meteorology and severe storms, key areas in the field of weather detection. “The research performed in our higher education institutions including UND fits these priorities well and could provide new openings in the field,” said Congressman Cramer. “Focusing our weather research around saving human lives is the right thing to do, and will ensure our resources are being put to good use.” “Aiding in the ability to provide the community with as much warning as possible is a key goal for many weather researchers.  This is all done to save property and lives, and the support from Congressman Cramer on the Weather Forecasting Improvement Act will help in these research efforts,” said Christopher Theisen, Research Meteorologist with the UND Department of Atmospheric Sciences. The National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2013 extends a critical drought monitoring program through 2018. The National Integrated Drought Information System includes the U.S. Drought Portal, located at www.drought.gov, and offers resources including climate observations, early warnings of possible drought, and impact assessment. The portal is a collaborative resource between federal, state, and academic partners, and is administered within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). “North Dakota farmers and landowners are no strangers to drought, and this resource is an efficient way to leverage the research capabilities of our academic institutions and local governments to provide timely information to the public,” Cramer said. Todd Sando, President of the Association of Western State Engineers, recently released a statement of support which was submitted into the record at the Science committee hearing. It reads, in part, ""Congress should reauthorize and fund full implementation of the NIDIS implementation plan to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide better information to decision makers at every level of government."" Congressman Cramer serves on the Natural Resources and Science, Space and Technology Committees. Within these committees, he serves on the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulations, and the Subcommittee on Energy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=607d7d1f-979e-49cc-9214-761f71de494a,Hoeven Dedicates New Long Term Care Facility,2013-12-06,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.13 Hoeven Dedicates New Long Term Care Facility St. Luke's Home Opens in Dickinson DICKINSON, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today joined the dedication of St. Luke’s Home’s new long-term care facility in Dickinson. As governor, in 2009 Hoeven helped break ground for the $17.5 million facility, approximately $15.0 million of which was in the form of USDA guaranteed loans. The St. Luke’s Foundation has raised $1.8 million, with the fundraising goal of $2.0 million. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Rural Health Caucus, Senator Hoeven has worked to secure funding to advance rural health care priorities. As Congress works to address the nation’s fiscal situation, the senator is also working to ensure that the federal government fulfills its promises to seniors and preserve and protect Social Security and Medicare over the long-term. “With its use of the latest technology and a culture of care that provides for the dignity, privacy and peace and quiet of its residents, St. Luke’s is a great new asset for our seniors,” Hoeven said. “Four years ago, I had the privilege of being here for the groundbreaking, and it is my privilege today to see this project reach its completion. Congratulations and thank you to all the staff who have worked tirelessly, in the face of labor shortages and increasing construction costs, to bring us this much-needed facility.” The new facility is comprised of 84 beds in private and semi-private rooms and is connected to Park Avenue Villa, an assisted living facility constructed in 1998. The rooms are contained in households of ten to eleven people and are connected by shared common rooms, kitchens and dining rooms. St. Luke’s has applied to expand the number of their licensed beds by four in 2014, for a total of 88 beds. In order to prepare for the new complex and a greater focus on patient-centered care, the staff of St. Luke’s underwent a two-year planning and training program. 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?ID=6727910f-a449-4f29-830e-3b9a09c1c860,Hoeven Presents Military Awards to WWII Veteran Anton Tuhy,2013-12-06,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.13 Hoeven Presents Military Awards to WWII Veteran Anton Tuhy DICKINSON, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today presented World War II Veteran Anton V. Tuhy with the military awards he earned while serving in the United States Army. Private First Class Tuhy served in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946. Anton’s family contacted Senator Hoeven’s office to help obtain the medals Tuhy earned but was never presented. “Today, almost 70 years after Anton Tuhy answered the call to serve, we pay tribute to him for his service in the U.S. Army during World War II,” said Hoeven. “Anton is part of America’s greatest generation, a group of men and women who sacrificed so much to defend our way of life and our values. It is an honor to present Private First Class Tuhy with the medals he so valiantly earned.” Anton V. Truhy, son of Joseph and Mary Truhy, was born September 16, 1922 in Dunn County. He grew up on a farm southeast of Manning, North Dakota with five brothers and six sisters. Anton was drafted into the Army December 15, 1944. He began his two-year service at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He attended basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, completed additional training at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and then was deployed to the Philippines. Private First Class Truhy worked as a cook, baker and medical aid. He was discharged at Fort Lewis, Washington in 1946. Following his service, Anton returned to farming and ranching. He married his wife Julia in 1944, and they raised three children, Darlene, Clarence and Raymond. Darlene and Clarence live in Dickinson, North Dakota and Raymond lives in Missoula, Montana. Julia passed away in March 2012. Anton still resides on the family farm, which they purchased in 1947. Anton V. Tuhy Military Honors Good Conduct Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal World War II Honorable Service Lapel Pin 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?ID=68990bd2-9707-4606-ab90-d77d3f34720e,"Hoeven Holds Roundtable with Western North Dakota Livestock, Ag Groups on Livestock Disaster Assistance",2013-12-06,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.13 Hoeven Holds Roundtable with Western North Dakota Livestock, Ag Groups on Livestock Disaster Assistance Senator Highlights Work to Pass Strong, Long-Term Farm Bill HETTINGER, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the House-Senate farm bill conference committee, today convened a meeting of livestock producers and western North Dakota agriculture groups to highlight portions of the farm bill that will help ranchers who suffered losses during the October blizzard in the Dakotas. The senator is working to get agreement from conferees so that Congress can pass a farm bill a strong, long-term farm bill by the end of this year or January. “This year’s blizzard in the Dakotas made it clear to everyone in the agriculture world how important a strong livestock disaster assistance program is to our ranchers,” said Hoeven. “We’re working to ensure that the farm bill includes strong provisions to provide our ranchers with tools to help them recover following the devastating storm earlier this year.” Hoeven highlighted portions of the farm bill that will help livestock producers who suffered losses during the October blizzard in the Dakotas. Livestock Disaster Assistance: Both the House and Senate versions of the farm bill renew the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) and the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) as well as provide coverage retroactively beginning in Fiscal Year 2012. Hoeven is working to include the House version of the LIP, which pays ranchers on the same percentage of their losses as the 2008 Farm Bill: 75 percent as opposed to 65 percent in the Senate bill. He is also working to ensure that adverse weather-related disease losses, including pneumonia, are covered by LIP. “We’re doing all we can to find agreement on a farm bill so we can get it passed as soon as possible,” said Hoeven. “Our number one priority is to pass a strong, long-term farm bill that will provide producers with the certainty they need to run their businesses. Our farmers and ranchers provide us with the highest quality, lowest cost food supply in the world and good farm policy benefits every single American.” Hoeven also outlined additional farm bill priorities important to western North Dakota, including: Enhanced Crop Insurance: The farm bill includes a strong safety net for producers. Hoeven underscored that the safety net in the farm bill is focused on enhanced crop insurance. The legislation enhances crop insurance with the inclusion of the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO). The SCO enables producers to purchase a supplemental policy beyond their individual farm-based policy. Revenue Loss Protection: In addition, the bill features a new Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program that covers assistance for multiple-year losses. The program works with crop insurance by covering between 78 and 88 percent of a producer’s historic five-year average revenues based on price and yield. Conservation: Farmers and ranchers have a vested interest in good stewardship of their land, and both the Senate and House versions of the bill include good conservation tools. Conservation compliance is tied to participation in the farm program, but it should not be tied to crop insurance. Ag Research: The farm bill needs to include strong support for agricultural research, like the work done at North Dakota State University and the North Dakota Extension Service, to enhance crop genetics and production. State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Program (SAFE): The senator touted a part of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) called SAFE, which allows producers to create habitat that is beneficial for wildlife. This could be a very 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 and Coverlocks programs, which make private lands available to hunters, the SAFE program can create more habitats to increase wildlife populations and hunting opportunities. Organizations invited to the meeting include: the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, North Dakota Soybean Growers, North Dakota Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Barley Council, North Dakota Grain Growers, North Dakota Farmers Union, North Dakota Farm Bureau, Little Missouri Grazing Association, Horse Creek Grazing Association, McKenzie County Grazing Association, Sheyenne Valley Grazing Association, Grand River Coop Grazing Association and Grand River Grazing Association. 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-dedicates-new-long-term-care-facility,Hoeven Dedicates New Long Term Care Facility,2013-12-06,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.13 Hoeven Dedicates New Long Term Care Facility St. Luke's Home Opens in Dickinson DICKINSON, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today joined the dedication of St. Luke's Home's new long-term care facility in Dickinson. As governor, in 2009 Hoeven helped break ground for the $17.5 million facility, approximately $15.0 million of which was in the form of USDA guaranteed loans. The St. Luke's Foundation has raised $1.8 million, with the fundraising goal of $2.0 million. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Rural Health Caucus, Senator Hoeven has worked to secure funding to advance rural health care priorities. As Congress works to address the nation's fiscal situation, the senator is also working to ensure that the federal government fulfills its promises to seniors and preserve and protect Social Security and Medicare over the long-term. With its use of the latest technology and a culture of care that provides for the dignity, privacy and peace and quiet of its residents, St. Luke's is a great new asset for our seniors, Hoeven said. Four years ago, I had the privilege of being here for the groundbreaking, and it is my privilege today to see this project reach its completion. Congratulations and thank you to all the staff who have worked tirelessly, in the face of labor shortages and increasing construction costs, to bring us this much-needed facility. The new facility is comprised of 84 beds in private and semi-private rooms and is connected to Park Avenue Villa, an assisted living facility constructed in 1998. The rooms are contained in households of ten to eleven people and are connected by shared common rooms, kitchens and dining rooms. St. Luke's has applied to expand the number of their licensed beds by four in 2014, for a total of 88 beds. In order to prepare for the new complex and a greater focus on patient-centered care, the staff of St. Luke's underwent a two-year planning and training program. 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-holds-roundtable-with-western-north-dakota-livestock-ag-groups-on-livestock-disaster-assistance,"Hoeven Holds Roundtable with Western North Dakota Livestock, Ag Groups on Livestock Disaster Assistance",2013-12-06,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.13 Hoeven Holds Roundtable with Western North Dakota Livestock, Ag Groups on Livestock Disaster Assistance Senator Highlights Work to Pass Strong, Long-Term Farm Bill HETTINGER, N.D. Senator John Hoeven, a member of the House-Senate farm bill conference committee, today convened a meeting of livestock producers and western North Dakota agriculture groups to highlight portions of the farm bill that will help ranchers who suffered losses during the October blizzard in the Dakotas. The senator is working to get agreement from conferees so that Congress can pass a farm bill a strong, long-term farm bill by the end of this year or January. This year's blizzard in the Dakotas made it clear to everyone in the agriculture world how important a strong livestock disaster assistance program is to our ranchers, said Hoeven. We're working to ensure that the farm bill includes strong provisions to provide our ranchers with tools to help them recover following the devastating storm earlier this year. Hoeven highlighted portions of the farm bill that will help livestock producers who suffered losses during the October blizzard in the Dakotas. Livestock Disaster Assistance: Both the House and Senate versions of the farm bill renew the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) and the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) as well as provide coverage retroactively beginning in Fiscal Year 2012. Hoeven is working to include the House version of the LIP, which pays ranchers on the same percentage of their losses as the 2008 Farm Bill: 75 percent as opposed to 65 percent in the Senate bill. He is also working to ensure that adverse weather-related disease losses, including pneumonia, are covered by LIP. We're doing all we can to find agreement on a farm bill so we can get it passed as soon as possible, said Hoeven. Our number one priority is to pass a strong, long-term farm bill that will provide producers with the certainty they need to run their businesses. Our farmers and ranchers provide us with the highest quality, lowest cost food supply in the world and good farm policy benefits every single American. Hoeven also outlined additional farm bill priorities important to western North Dakota, including: Enhanced Crop Insurance: The farm bill includes a strong safety net for producers. Hoeven underscored that the safety net in the farm bill is focused on enhanced crop insurance. The legislation enhances crop insurance with the inclusion of the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO). The SCO enables producers to purchase a supplemental policy beyond their individual farm-based policy. Revenue Loss Protection: In addition, the bill features a new Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program that covers assistance for multiple-year losses. The program works with crop insurance by covering between 78 and 88 percent of a producer's historic five-year average revenues based on price and yield. Conservation: Farmers and ranchers have a vested interest in good stewardship of their land, and both the Senate and House versions of the bill include good conservation tools. Conservation compliance is tied to participation in the farm program, but it should not be tied to crop insurance. Ag Research: The farm bill needs to include strong support for agricultural research, like the work done at North Dakota State University and the North Dakota Extension Service, to enhance crop genetics and production. State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Program (SAFE): The senator touted a part of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) called SAFE, which allows producers to create habitat that is beneficial for wildlife. This could be a very 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 and Coverlocks programs, which make private lands available to hunters, the SAFE program can create more habitats to increase wildlife populations and hunting opportunities. Organizations invited to the meeting include: the North Dakota Stockmen's Association, North Dakota Soybean Growers, North Dakota Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Barley Council, North Dakota Grain Growers, North Dakota Farmers Union, North Dakota Farm Bureau, Little Missouri Grazing Association, Horse Creek Grazing Association, McKenzie County Grazing Association, Sheyenne Valley Grazing Association, Grand River Coop Grazing Association and Grand River Grazing Association. 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-awards-to-wwii-veteran-anton-tuhy,Hoeven Presents Military Awards to WWII Veteran Anton Tuhy,2013-12-06,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.13 Hoeven Presents Military Awards to WWII Veteran Anton Tuhy DICKINSON, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today presented World War II Veteran Anton V. Tuhy with the military awards he earned while serving in the United States Army. Private First Class Tuhy served in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946. Anton's family contacted Senator Hoeven's office to help obtain the medals Tuhy earned but was never presented. Today, almost 70 years after Anton Tuhy answered the call to serve, we pay tribute to him for his service in the U.S. Army during World War II, said Hoeven. Anton is part of America's greatest generation, a group of men and women who sacrificed so much to defend our way of life and our values. It is an honor to present Private First Class Tuhy with the medals he so valiantly earned. Anton V. Truhy, son of Joseph and Mary Truhy, was born September 16, 1922 in Dunn County. He grew up on a farm southeast of Manning, North Dakota with five brothers and six sisters. Anton was drafted into the Army December 15, 1944. He began his two-year service at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He attended basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, completed additional training at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and then was deployed to the Philippines. Private First Class Truhy worked as a cook, baker and medical aid. He was discharged at Fort Lewis, Washington in 1946. Following his service, Anton returned to farming and ranching. He married his wife Julia in 1944, and they raised three children, Darlene, Clarence and Raymond. Darlene and Clarence live in Dickinson, North Dakota and Raymond lives in Missoula, Montana. Julia passed away in March 2012. Anton still resides on the family farm, which they purchased in 1947. Anton V. Tuhy Military Honors Good Conduct Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal World War II Honorable Service Lapel Pin 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-conservation-compliance-linkage-would-put-crop-insurance-at-risk,Cramer: Conservation Compliance Linkage Would Put Crop Insurance at Risk,2013-12-05,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer reiterated his opposition to forcing farmers into conservation compliance in order to qualify for crop insurance. Cramer is supported in his stance by 12 North Dakota farm organizations who this week sent a joint letter on the subject to the four lead conference committee negotiators. “North Dakota farmers continue to tell me if conservation compliance is a condition of participation in the crop insurance program, they will have no choice but to drop their crop insurance. If this happens, the program may become actuarially unsound due to lack of participation. Rates could also increase dramatically, making crop insurance unaffordable for those who remain in the program,” Cramer said. “Farmers are already required to meet conservation standards if they choose to receive assistance through commodity, conservation, or credit programs.” Cramer helped fend off an amendment to the House farm bill which would have linked crop insurance to compliance with conservation programs for the first time since 1996. The two programs are coupled only in the Senate farm bill. “It is critical we finish the farm bill this year, and equally important to ensure it contains policies which will actually work for farmers,” added Cramer. Since entering Congress, Cramer has worked for passage of a farm bill with the right provisions for producers and consumers, and is advocating for key components important to North Dakota during the conference committee process.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=1ef44629-7c6a-4a0f-887f-875fc4a3af7e,"Hoeven: Need to Pass Farm Bill, Continue Sugar Program",2013-12-05,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.13 Hoeven: Need to Pass Farm Bill, Continue Sugar Program Senator Addresses 2013 American Crystal Sugar Co./Red River Valley Sugar Beet Growers Association FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today told a large gathering of sugar beet growers and processors that he is working to pass a strong, long-term farm bill which includes the sugar program. As a member of the House-Senate farm bill conference committee, the senator said he’s doing everything he can to get agreement from the conferees so that Congress can pass a farm bill by the end of this year or January. The senator said the importance of reauthorizing the sugar program in the new farm bill was made clear from the industry’s recent experience. During the past year, the U.S. market has been flooded with surplus sugar from Mexico, which has free access to the U.S. sugar market under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Mexican exports to the U.S. approached 20 percent of total U.S. sugar demand. “Our industry can compete with anyone anywhere when the terms are fair,” Hoeven said. “The sugar program levels the playing field with subsidized foreign producers and benefits not only our industry, but also consumers.” A strong Farm Bill benefits every American Senator Hoeven devoted the last of his remarks to the broader farm bill legislation, which saves more than $24 billion for deficit reduction, streamlines farm programs and ensures that farmers and ranchers continue to have a sturdy safety net through enhanced crop insurance. “This is about all Americans. Good farm policy benefits every single American,” he said. “We have the highest quality, lowest cost food supply – not only in the world – but in the history of the world. This is about 16 million jobs in this country that are supported by agriculture. This is about a positive balance of trade that helps our economy. This is about $24 billion in savings where agriculture is stepping up and doing more than its share under the sequester rules to address the debt and deficit. In the most fundamental ways, a good farm bill makes America stronger, safer and more secure.” 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?ID=57aed7c2-8e28-4b2f-9471-009106843c3f,"Hoeven Updates Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber on Short-Term, Long-Term Objectives in Congress",2013-12-05,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.13 Hoeven Updates Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber on Short-Term, Long-Term Objectives in Congress Senator Outlines His Work on Budget, Energy, Agriculture, Flooding, Health Care FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today provided an update to business leaders on his short-term and long-term work in Washington at an event hosted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. The senator outlined his work on the short-term challenges of retaining affordable flood insurance, passing the farm bill, and securing Grand Forks as a test site for the Federal Aviation Administration’s new program to integrate Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace. Over the long-term, Hoeven said he is working to address the nation’s debt and deficit, pass a national energy plan and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with a sensible, market-based plan that respects patient choice. Following his talk, Hoeven answered questions from the audience and joined attendees at Business after Hours, a trade-show and networking event hosted by the Chamber. SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVES Passing the Water Resources Development Act The Senate recently passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (WRDA), which is currently being considered in conference committee. This bill includes authorization for permanent flood protection in the Red River Valley, an important step in moving towards the construction of the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion project. Hoeven said he is working to implement permanent flood protection, while continuing to work to address upstream concerns, in order to move past the cost and hardship of annual flooding in the area. The legislation also includes the States’ Water Rights Act, a provision the senator introduced that blocks the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from charging residents and businesses a surplus water fee for access to Missouri River reservoirs. Hoeven and a bipartisan group of senators also recently introduced the Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act, a measure that would prevent the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from steeply increasing flood insurance rates. The measure will help ensure affordable premiums for millions of Americans. Also included in the legislation is the Hoeven-Heitkamp Flood Safe Basements Act, which makes sure homeowners receive credit for floodproofed basements when flood insurance rates are determined. Fourteen North Dakota communities are currently approved for the residential basement floodproofed rating credit, as well as 40 additional communities across the country. Farm Bill Negotiations As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and a conferee on the farm bill conference committee, Hoeven outlined his priorities for the upcoming farm bill. He stressed that strong farm policy has enabled our country to have the highest quality, lowest cost food supply in the world. Both the Senate and the House versions of the farm bill include enhanced crop insurance, a priority for Hoeven and North Dakota producers. The Senate farm bill also saves $24 billion to help reduce the deficit and debt. The savings, he said, could be a part of a comprehensive deficit and debt reduction agreement. Hoeven said the most challenging issue yet to resolve in conference is determining appropriate reforms in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Securing Grand Forks as an Unmanned Aerial Systems National Test Site Hoeven continues to work with the North Dakota Airspace Integration Team (AIT) and the Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) to advance the Grand Forks Air Force Base’s bid to become one of six pilot test sites for integrating UAS into the National Airspace. As both governor and U.S. senator, Hoeven has worked to make Grand Forks the premier northern hub for the UAS industry. In last year’s Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization bill, Hoeven introduced a measure creating the sites across the nation. The senator says an announcement on site selections could come soon. LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES Addressing the Nation’s Deficit and Debt During his presentation, Hoeven covered the upcoming deadlines on a variety of budget issues, including the joint House-Senate budget conference committee deadline on December 13, the expiration of the current Continuing Resolution on January 15 and the expiration of the debt limit on February 7. Hoeven said the key to addressing the nation’s fiscal challenges is finding savings combined with economic growth. He also favors passing a balanced budget amendment, which North Dakota and 48 other states have. Hoeven emphasized that we need to preserve the savings already achieved in discretionary spending, which have been rolled back to 2008 levels, while also addressing the issues of mandatory spending and tax reform. The senator said he is now working on reforms that will help create jobs, grow the economy and make Social Security and Medicare solvent for future generations, all of which will help the nation get its fiscal house in order. Energy Development As a member of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, the senator is working to implement a comprehensive, states-first, all-of-the-above energy policy that will make use of America’s energy resources, reduce cost and make our nation energy secure. The senator has introduced the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act (DEJA), the Empower States Act and a bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, among others. DEJA is a wide-ranging package of 12 diverse energy bills that addresses both traditional and renewable development, designed to streamline and simplify regulations, boost domestic energy supplies, build American energy infrastructure and safeguard America’s supply of critical minerals used in modern high-tech manufactured products such as cell phones and computers. It establishes an American energy development plan, an all-of-the-above energy program for federal lands by reviewing the nation’s energy needs and goals for federal land energy production. The Empower States Act would ensure that states retain the right to manage hydraulic fracturing and gives them the ability to respond first to any violation. It includes provisions to prevent loss of jobs or harm to consumers and the economy, to prevent arbitrary regulation from federal authorities and to ensure good environmental stewardship. This legislation recognizes that individual states are the first and best responders to oil and gas issues because they know their land and have a stake in protecting their environment. The Keystone XL pipeline is a vital energy infrastructure project that will create 42,000 jobs and deliver 830,000 barrels of oil per day to U.S. refineries, including 100,000 barrels from the U.S. Bakken region of North Dakota and Montana. The project has the support of more than 80 percent of the American people, as well as bipartisan, majority support in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Hoeven said the pipeline will provide more revenues for local, state and federal governments to address our fiscal issues and invest in priorities. Health Care Hoeven said the nation needs to repeal and replace the government-run approach to health care in Obamacare with a market-based approach. He said we need market-based reforms that reduce cost, improve access and empower people to choose their insurance and health care providers. The senator outlined alternatives to President Obama’s health care reform law. These include providing state-run high-risk pools for those with pre-existing conditions or who lose employer-sponsored health insurance, requiring transparency in health care costs and billing, reforming tort laws at the state level to prevent wasteful lawsuits, and empowering families and individuals to save for health care costs over the long-term through expanded and improved Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Hoeven said approaches like these will be more effective at improving our nation’s health care system rather than the centralized, government-run and costly system that is being implemented presently.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=7c405959-452b-40f2-af6c-b7fe4eacca16,Hoeven Honors Sharon Maier for Adoption Work,2013-12-05,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.13 Hoeven Honors Sharon Maier for Adoption Work FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today held a ceremony to recognize Sharon Maier as an Angel in Adoption and commend her for her extraordinary commitment to advocating on behalf of foster and adopted children. Hoeven selected Maier from an inspiring pool of nominees for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Angels in Adoption Award which seeks to honor individuals, couples and organizations from across the country who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to advocating on behalf of foster and adopted children. “Sharon has devoted her life to advocating on behalf of North Dakota’s adoptive children and families, and her efforts have left an indelible impact on hundreds of families who have benefited directly from her dedication, knowledge and loving heart,” said Hoeven. “Sharon’s good work reflects the core values of our state, and she is truly an Angel in Adoption.” Maier has worked as an adoption professional since graduating from Concordia College with a degree in social work. For 30 years, she worked for North Dakota’s three major licensed child placing agencies: Lutheran Social Services, the Village Family Service Center and Catholic Charities. During her tenure with these agencies, Maier worked to protect children, counsel birth families and build caring homes for children. She is credited with helping build hundreds of permanent homes for children, and her colleagues say she possesses a special gift for completing family assessments, creating strong relationships and finding families for children. Maier, who currently resides in Moorhead, Minn., officially retired as the Director of Adoption at Catholic Charities North Dakota in January. She is the proud grandmother of five grandchildren. The Angels in Adoption program is the signature public awareness campaign of the CCAI. It provides an opportunity for all Members of Congress to honor the good work of individuals working in their home states to enrich the lives of foster children and orphans in the United States and abroad. Maier is among more than 150 local and national “angels” from around the United States to be recognized by the CCAI this year. The organization held a formal ceremony in Washington, D.C. in October to honor this year’s nominees. 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-sharon-maier-for-adoption-work,Hoeven Honors Sharon Maier for Adoption Work,2013-12-05,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.13 Hoeven Honors Sharon Maier for Adoption Work FARGO, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today held a ceremony to recognize Sharon Maier as an Angel in Adoption and commend her for her extraordinary commitment to advocating on behalf of foster and adopted children. Hoeven selected Maier from an inspiring pool of nominees for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's (CCAI) Angels in Adoption Award which seeks to honor individuals, couples and organizations from across the country who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to advocating on behalf of foster and adopted children. Sharon has devoted her life to advocating on behalf of North Dakota's adoptive children and families, and her efforts have left an indelible impact on hundreds of families who have benefited directly from her dedication, knowledge and loving heart, said Hoeven. Sharon's good work reflects the core values of our state, and she is truly an Angel in Adoption. Maier has worked as an adoption professional since graduating from Concordia College with a degree in social work. For 30 years, she worked for North Dakota's three major licensed child placing agencies: Lutheran Social Services, the Village Family Service Center and Catholic Charities. During her tenure with these agencies, Maier worked to protect children, counsel birth families and build caring homes for children. She is credited with helping build hundreds of permanent homes for children, and her colleagues say she possesses a special gift for completing family assessments, creating strong relationships and finding families for children. Maier, who currently resides in Moorhead, Minn., officially retired as the Director of Adoption at Catholic Charities North Dakota in January. She is the proud grandmother of five grandchildren. The Angels in Adoption program is the signature public awareness campaign of the CCAI. It provides an opportunity for all Members of Congress to honor the good work of individuals working in their home states to enrich the lives of foster children and orphans in the United States and abroad. Maier is among more than 150 local and national angels from around the United States to be recognized by the CCAI this year. The organization held a formal ceremony in Washington, D.C. in October to honor this year's nominees. 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-need-to-pass-farm-bill-continue-sugar-program,"Hoeven: Need to Pass Farm Bill, Continue Sugar Program",2013-12-05,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.13 Hoeven: Need to Pass Farm Bill, Continue Sugar Program Senator Addresses 2013 American Crystal Sugar Co./Red River Valley Sugar Beet Growers Association FARGO, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today told a large gathering of sugar beet growers and processors that he is working to pass a strong, long-term farm bill which includes the sugar program. As a member of the House-Senate farm bill conference committee, the senator said he's doing everything he can to get agreement from the conferees so that Congress can pass a farm bill by the end of this year or January. The senator said the importance of reauthorizing the sugar program in the new farm bill was made clear from the industry's recent experience. During the past year, the U.S. market has been flooded with surplus sugar from Mexico, which has free access to the U.S. sugar market under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Mexican exports to the U.S. approached 20 percent of total U.S. sugar demand. Our industry can compete with anyone anywhere when the terms are fair, Hoeven said. The sugar program levels the playing field with subsidized foreign producers and benefits not only our industry, but also consumers. A strong Farm Bill benefits every American Senator Hoeven devoted the last of his remarks to the broader farm bill legislation, which saves more than $24 billion for deficit reduction, streamlines farm programs and ensures that farmers and ranchers continue to have a sturdy safety net through enhanced crop insurance. This is about all Americans. Good farm policy benefits every single American, he said. We have the highest quality, lowest cost food supply not only in the world but in the history of the world. This is about 16 million jobs in this country that are supported by agriculture. This is about a positive balance of trade that helps our economy. This is about $24 billion in savings where agriculture is stepping up and doing more than its share under the sequester rules to address the debt and deficit. In the most fundamental ways, a good farm bill makes America stronger, safer and more secure. 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-updates-fargo-moorhead-west-fargo-chamber-on-short-term-long-term-objectives-in-congress,"Hoeven Updates Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber on Short-Term, Long-Term Objectives in Congress",2013-12-05,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.13 Hoeven Updates Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber on Short-Term, Long-Term Objectives in Congress Senator Outlines His Work on Budget, Energy, Agriculture, Flooding, Health Care FARGO, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today provided an update to business leaders on his short-term and long-term work in Washington at an event hosted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. The senator outlined his work on the short-term challenges of retaining affordable flood insurance, passing the farm bill, and securing Grand Forks as a test site for the Federal Aviation Administration's new program to integrate Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace. Over the long-term, Hoeven said he is working to address the nation's debt and deficit, pass a national energy plan and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with a sensible, market-based plan that respects patient choice. Following his talk, Hoeven answered questions from the audience and joined attendees at Business after Hours, a trade-show and networking event hosted by the Chamber. SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVES Passing the Water Resources Development Act The Senate recently passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (WRDA), which is currently being considered in conference committee. This bill includes authorization for permanent flood protection in the Red River Valley, an important step in moving towards the construction of the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion project. Hoeven said he is working to implement permanent flood protection, while continuing to work to address upstream concerns, in order to move past the cost and hardship of annual flooding in the area. The legislation also includes the States' Water Rights Act, a provision the senator introduced that blocks the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from charging residents and businesses a surplus water fee for access to Missouri River reservoirs. Hoeven and a bipartisan group of senators also recently introduced the Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act, a measure that would prevent the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from steeply increasing flood insurance rates. The measure will help ensure affordable premiums for millions of Americans. Also included in the legislation is the Hoeven-Heitkamp Flood Safe Basements Act, which makes sure homeowners receive credit for floodproofed basements when flood insurance rates are determined. Fourteen North Dakota communities are currently approved for the residential basement floodproofed rating credit, as well as 40 additional communities across the country. Farm Bill Negotiations As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and a conferee on the farm bill conference committee, Hoeven outlined his priorities for the upcoming farm bill. He stressed that strong farm policy has enabled our country to have the highest quality, lowest cost food supply in the world. Both the Senate and the House versions of the farm bill include enhanced crop insurance, a priority for Hoeven and North Dakota producers. The Senate farm bill also saves $24 billion to help reduce the deficit and debt. The savings, he said, could be a part of a comprehensive deficit and debt reduction agreement. Hoeven said the most challenging issue yet to resolve in conference is determining appropriate reforms in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Securing Grand Forks as an Unmanned Aerial Systems National Test Site Hoeven continues to work with the North Dakota Airspace Integration Team (AIT) and the Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) to advance the Grand Forks Air Force Base's bid to become one of six pilot test sites for integrating UAS into the National Airspace. As both governor and U.S. senator, Hoeven has worked to make Grand Forks the premier northern hub for the UAS industry. In last year's Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization bill, Hoeven introduced a measure creating the sites across the nation. The senator says an announcement on site selections could come soon. LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES Addressing the Nation's Deficit and Debt During his presentation, Hoeven covered the upcoming deadlines on a variety of budget issues, including the joint House-Senate budget conference committee deadline on December 13, the expiration of the current Continuing Resolution on January 15 and the expiration of the debt limit on February 7. Hoeven said the key to addressing the nation's fiscal challenges is finding savings combined with economic growth. He also favors passing a balanced budget amendment, which North Dakota and 48 other states have. Hoeven emphasized that we need to preserve the savings already achieved in discretionary spending, which have been rolled back to 2008 levels, while also addressing the issues of mandatory spending and tax reform. The senator said he is now working on reforms that will help create jobs, grow the economy and make Social Security and Medicare solvent for future generations, all of which will help the nation get its fiscal house in order. Energy Development As a member of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, the senator is working to implement a comprehensive, states-first, all-of-the-above energy policy that will make use of America's energy resources, reduce cost and make our nation energy secure. The senator has introduced the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act (DEJA), the Empower States Act and a bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, among others. DEJA is a wide-ranging package of 12 diverse energy bills that addresses both traditional and renewable development, designed to streamline and simplify regulations, boost domestic energy supplies, build American energy infrastructure and safeguard America's supply of critical minerals used in modern high-tech manufactured products such as cell phones and computers. It establishes an American energy development plan, an all-of-the-above energy program for federal lands by reviewing the nation's energy needs and goals for federal land energy production. The Empower States Act would ensure that states retain the right to manage hydraulic fracturing and gives them the ability to respond first to any violation. It includes provisions to prevent loss of jobs or harm to consumers and the economy, to prevent arbitrary regulation from federal authorities and to ensure good environmental stewardship. This legislation recognizes that individual states are the first and best responders to oil and gas issues because they know their land and have a stake in protecting their environment. The Keystone XL pipeline is a vital energy infrastructure project that will create 42,000 jobs and deliver 830,000 barrels of oil per day to U.S. refineries, including 100,000 barrels from the U.S. Bakken region of North Dakota and Montana. The project has the support of more than 80 percent of the American people, as well as bipartisan, majority support in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Hoeven said the pipeline will provide more revenues for local, state and federal governments to address our fiscal issues and invest in priorities. Health Care Hoeven said the nation needs to repeal and replace the government-run approach to health care in Obamacare with a market-based approach. He said we need market-based reforms that reduce cost, improve access and empower people to choose their insurance and health care providers. The senator outlined alternatives to President Obama's health care reform law. These include providing state-run high-risk pools for those with pre-existing conditions or who lose employer-sponsored health insurance, requiring transparency in health care costs and billing, reforming tort laws at the state level to prevent wasteful lawsuits, and empowering families and individuals to save for health care costs over the long-term through expanded and improved Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Hoeven said approaches like these will be more effective at improving our nation's health care system rather than the centralized, government-run and costly system that is being implemented presently.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-congressional-caucus-meets-with-faa-on-uas-development,Cramer: Congressional Caucus Meets with FAA on UAS Development,2013-12-04,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer, a member of the Unmanned Systems Caucus, said a briefing on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) integration into the national airspace and test site selection gave positive signs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is moving forward with a plan to name sites by the end of the year. The Caucus briefing held Tuesday included Jim Williams, manager of the FAA UAS Integration Office, Dr. Karlin Toner, Director of the Joint Planning and Development Office, and Carlos Siso, Office of the Chief Counsel.  Topics of discussion included the recently released UAS Integration Roadmap, UAS Comprehensive Plan, and final privacy policy for test sites. Cramer said he believes Grand Forks is a prime test site candidate because of its infrastructure, community support and diverse economy, climate, and geography.  “The Grand Forks region is perfectly positioned to be a hub for UAS research, a field which continues to expand at a swift pace as private sector companies like Amazon explore future uses for unmanned aircraft,” said Cramer. “The participation of the FAA in this Caucus meeting was encouraging. The agency is on track to announce six test sites by year-end, with at least one of them required by law to be operational within 180 days. The FAA said their staff will review and approve the individual selected test site operators’ plans and policies site-by-site before they can become operational. With all the excellent work North Dakotans are putting into this, Grand Forks should be in a strong position to move quickly through this approval process.” Cramer is directly involved with UAS development through his appointment on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee and his membership on the Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus, and continues to advocate for North Dakota’s selection as a UAS test site.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cramer-leads-panel-discussion-at-regulatory-improvement,Congressman Cramer Leads Panel Discussion at Regulatory Improvement Council,2013-12-03,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer led a panel discussion at a meeting of CEOs and executives affiliated with the National Association of Manufacturers. The 2013 Strategy and Action Session, hosted by the Regulatory Improvement Council, featured remarks from Cramer along with White House Office of Information and Regulatory Analysis (OIRA) Administrator Howard Shelanski and George Washington University Regulatory Studies Center Director Susan Dudley. Cramer told the audience of leading executives in finance, research, government affairs the concepts which make North Dakota a model of economic success can be applied around the country. He related his experience as a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner and said the federal government including Congress should listen to those affected by regulation and embrace transparency. “Transparency is the greatest backstop to corruption in the world,” Cramer said during his remarks. “When I was a Public Service Commissioner, we held hearings in the communities most affected by the investment. If it was a wind farm, we had a hearing in the town closest to the wind farm. If it was a pipeline, we had hearings in multiple counties. You get trained pretty quickly in the value of listening to people. The bureaucracy we are dealing with in Washington is much more sophisticated and complex, but the idea of listening to people affected by regulation is quite profound.” The Regulatory Improvement Council aims to shape the federal regulatory system by meeting and collaborating with the White House Office of Management and Budget and its Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), keeping an open dialogue between the private sector and the Obama Administration.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-announces-coffee-discussions-in-garrison-and-harvey,Cramer Announces Coffee Discussions in Garrison and Harvey,2013-12-03,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced he will host Coffee with Cramer discussions in Garrison and Harvey. Along with taking questions on any issue from attendees, Cramer will discuss current legislative activity in Congress and its implications for North Dakota. The public is encouraged to attend these open events. Coffee with Cramer discussions have previously been held in Bismarck, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Linton, Minot, Valley City, and Wahpeton. Congressman Cramer also hosts a weekly hour-long radio town hall 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. The details of the events are below:   Monday, December 16 Coffee with Cramer in Garrison 5:00 – 6:00PM Stoney End Supper Club 3956 N Dakota 37 Garrison   Thursday, December 19 Coffee with Cramer in Harvey 5:00 – 6:00PM Cobblestone Inn & Suites Conference Room 410 W Brewster Harvey",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=09d5e2fe-35b3-4154-8efd-4bc8135cfb30,"Hoeven: After 10 Years of Delay, Devils Lake VA Clinic on Track to Open This Spring: Lease Awarded, Space in Preparation in Construction",2013-12-03,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.03.13 Hoeven: After 10 Years of Delay, Devils Lake VA Clinic on Track to Open This Spring: Lease Awarded, Space in Preparation in Construction DEVILS LAKE, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today reviewed the site of the new Devils Lake Veterans Telehealth Clinic, which after a 10-years effort is now finally underway at Mercy Hospital. The senator has been working since he came to Congress to get the Veterans Administration (VA) to fund and operate a new Devils Lake clinic for veterans in the region. In September, Mercy Hospital was awarded the contract to house the new facility, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2014. Hoeven toured the third-floor site of the new clinic with Mercy Hospital President Jim Marshall. The area has been cleared and is being prepared for construction as soon as design work is completed. “After a ten-year effort, our veterans in the Devils Lake region are on track to have the security and convenience of a VA medical facility right in their community,” Hoeven said. “Many of them are aging and having a clinic housed in a full service hospital like Mercy will be a great benefit to them. We also commend the administrators of Mercy Hospital and Catholic Health Initiatives for their commitment to the men and women who risked everything to defend our nation.” Mercy Hospital is a critical access hospital owned by Catholic Health Initiative. The hospital was awarded the contract to house the clinic in its facility to make it possible for local veterans to access the care they need in Devils Lake rather than having to commute to Fargo. The hospital will serve as the landlord and the clinic will be operated and managed by the VA. Hoeven said the VA is currently working with Mercy Hospital’s design team to finalize the layout of this clinic. Once approved, a notice to proceed will be issued to Mercy Hospital to begin construction. The clinic is targeting March 2014 as a completion date on the construction, after which an opening date will be set for the clinic to offer primary, specialty, and other services via telemedicine as well as lab and care coordination. Services will be provided five days a week for 20 hours. Last year, Hoeven secured assurances from the VA that they would follow through with a commitment to provide primary outpatient care and a telehealth clinic in Devils Lake. The senator again pressed the case this spring during a meeting with Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and also in an Appropriations Committee hearing. Hoeven is a member of the Appropriations Committee and the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee. 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?ID=4d58ef17-5221-42d9-86a8-5a4bd56c23ef,"Hoeven Pays Tribute to Vietnam Veteran, Presents Family with Military Awards",2013-12-03,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.03.13 Hoeven Pays Tribute to Vietnam Veteran, Presents Family with Military Awards Senator Presents Medals to Phillip Brusven Family DEVILS LAKE, N.D. – At a ceremony in Devils Lake today, Senator John Hoeven presented the family of Vietnam Veteran Phillip Brusven with the military awards he earned while serving in the U.S. Navy. Phillip Brusven passed away in March 2013 and was never presented his medals. Hoeven’s office has been working with the Brusven family to secure the medals and today presented them to Phillip’s wife, Linda. “Our service members and their families make untold sacrifices to protect and defend our nation,” said Hoeven. “We pay tribute to the memory of Phillip Brusven and honor his dedicated service on behalf of our nation. Although belated, I hope these medals stand as a reminder of the legacy of selfless service and dedication that Phillip left for his family.” Phillip Brusven, son of Hans and Gladys Brusven, was born in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Phillip enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1968. He attended boot camp in San Diego, California and received his aviation electrician training in Jacksonville, Florida. He spent three tours off the coast of Vietnam on the USS Ranger. Phillip married his wife Linda in 1968, and they were married for 45 years. Phillip and Linda have three children, Kimberly, Robert and Jeffrey, and six grandchildren. Following his Navy service, Phillip was a customer service technician repairing copiers. His family called him “Mr. Fix-It” because he loved to repair and fix everything. Phillip passed away on March 20, 2013 in Devils Lake. Phillip Brusven Military Honors Navy Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal with one silver and one bronze star Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device 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-after-10-years-of-delay-devils-lake-va-clinic-on-track-to-open-this-spring-lease-awarded-space-in-preparation-in-construction,"Hoeven: After 10 Years of Delay, Devils Lake VA Clinic on Track to Open This Spring: Lease Awarded, Space in Preparation in Construction",2013-12-03,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.03.13 Hoeven: After 10 Years of Delay, Devils Lake VA Clinic on Track to Open This Spring: Lease Awarded, Space in Preparation in Construction DEVILS LAKE, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today reviewed the site of the new Devils Lake Veterans Telehealth Clinic, which after a 10-years effort is now finally underway at Mercy Hospital. The senator has been working since he came to Congress to get the Veterans Administration (VA) to fund and operate a new Devils Lake clinic for veterans in the region. In September, Mercy Hospital was awarded the contract to house the new facility, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2014. Hoeven toured the third-floor site of the new clinic with Mercy Hospital President Jim Marshall. The area has been cleared and is being prepared for construction as soon as design work is completed. After a ten-year effort, our veterans in the Devils Lake region are on track to have the security and convenience of a VA medical facility right in their community, Hoeven said. Many of them are aging and having a clinic housed in a full service hospital like Mercy will be a great benefit to them. We also commend the administrators of Mercy Hospital and Catholic Health Initiatives for their commitment to the men and women who risked everything to defend our nation. Mercy Hospital is a critical access hospital owned by Catholic Health Initiative. The hospital was awarded the contract to house the clinic in its facility to make it possible for local veterans to access the care they need in Devils Lake rather than having to commute to Fargo. The hospital will serve as the landlord and the clinic will be operated and managed by the VA. Hoeven said the VA is currently working with Mercy Hospital's design team to finalize the layout of this clinic. Once approved, a notice to proceed will be issued to Mercy Hospital to begin construction. The clinic is targeting March 2014 as a completion date on the construction, after which an opening date will be set for the clinic to offer primary, specialty, and other services via telemedicine as well as lab and care coordination. Services will be provided five days a week for 20 hours. Last year, Hoeven secured assurances from the VA that they would follow through with a commitment to provide primary outpatient care and a telehealth clinic in Devils Lake. The senator again pressed the case this spring during a meeting with Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and also in an Appropriations Committee hearing. Hoeven is a member of the Appropriations Committee and the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee. 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-pays-tribute-to-vietnam-veteran-presents-family-with-military-awards,"Hoeven Pays Tribute to Vietnam Veteran, Presents Family with Military Awards",2013-12-03,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.03.13 Hoeven Pays Tribute to Vietnam Veteran, Presents Family with Military Awards Senator Presents Medals to Phillip Brusven Family DEVILS LAKE, N.D. At a ceremony in Devils Lake today, Senator John Hoeven presented the family of Vietnam Veteran Phillip Brusven with the military awards he earned while serving in the U.S. Navy. Phillip Brusven passed away in March 2013 and was never presented his medals. Hoeven's office has been working with the Brusven family to secure the medals and today presented them to Phillip's wife, Linda. Our service members and their families make untold sacrifices to protect and defend our nation, said Hoeven. We pay tribute to the memory of Phillip Brusven and honor his dedicated service on behalf of our nation. Although belated, I hope these medals stand as a reminder of the legacy of selfless service and dedication that Phillip left for his family. Phillip Brusven, son of Hans and Gladys Brusven, was born in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Phillip enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1968. He attended boot camp in San Diego, California and received his aviation electrician training in Jacksonville, Florida. He spent three tours off the coast of Vietnam on the USS Ranger. Phillip married his wife Linda in 1968, and they were married for 45 years. Phillip and Linda have three children, Kimberly, Robert and Jeffrey, and six grandchildren. Following his Navy service, Phillip was a customer service technician repairing copiers. His family called him Mr. Fix-It because he loved to repair and fix everything. Phillip passed away on March 20, 2013 in Devils Lake. Phillip Brusven Military Honors Navy Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal with one silver and one bronze star Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device 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?ID=896f0882-c78c-4f75-960f-26551c03f182,Hoeven Working to Help Telecoms Invest in Rural America,2013-12-02,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.13 Hoeven Working to Help Telecoms Invest in Rural America Telecoms Vital to Rural Economic Development, Quality of Life BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today updated a gathering of rural telecommunications co-op members about the work he is doing in Washington to support telecommunications investment in rural America. Healthy, robust telecoms are essential to both economic development and quality of life in rural communities, and they need to be supported, he said. The senator delivered a keynote address at the North Dakota Association of Telecommunications Cooperative’s 60th Annual Meeting in Bismarck. Hoeven commended the state’s rural telecommunications cooperatives, citing the Dakota Carrier Network (DCN), an alliance of independent rural telecommunications companies, for its groundbreaking work to build North Dakota’s information technology infrastructure. As governor, Hoeven worked with DCN to implement STAGEnet, the North Dakota Statewide Technology Access for Government and Education network. The project was a partnership between government and education that brings high-speed technologies to all of North Dakota’s schools and government offices, including state agencies, local government, colleges and universities. “North Dakota’s telecoms have helped to bring our state into the 21st Century,” Hoeven said. “Education, economic development, modern entertainment – all depend on the robust broadband and other service that our telecoms provide. That’s important because the information-based global economy is breaking down barriers of distance, enabling rural states like North Dakota to compete in the global marketplace like never before. That’s why what you do for our state is so vital, and why it’s critical to make sure the rules in Washington work for you and your members.” MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE Hoeven pressed the point, telling members that to continue the good work they are doing in rural America, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) needs to approach new rules and regulations in a way that treats rural telecommunications providers and their consumers fairly. The senator and others are working in Washington to address some of the challenges that rural telecommunications companies are encountering when dealing with the FCC. Universal Service Fund Last month, Hoeven and a bipartisan group of senators pressed the FCC to develop a plan to enable rural telecommunications companies to upgrade phone and internet service in rural America using the Universal Service Fund, which is designed to support investment in rural telecoms carriers. Hoeven and the senators made the request in a letter sent to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. While the fund was reformed in 2011, the program now lacks predictability, the telecoms say. As a result, private-sector investment in hard-to-reach rural areas has been declining. That threatens long-standing requirements of the fund that aim to provide customers in rural and high-cost areas with access to telecommunications and information services that are reasonably comparable to those services provided in urban areas. 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?ID=c5f2a478-2d40-455b-b628-43d0fa0f2ccb,Hoeven Celebrates Gussner Elementary's Blue Ribbon Designation,2013-12-02,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.13 Hoeven Celebrates Gussner Elementary's Blue Ribbon Designation JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today congratulated Gussner Elementary on being designated a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School Award Winner by the United States Department of Education. Hoeven commended Gussner on its achievements during a ceremony held at the school. “The Blue Ribbon designation is our country’s highest honor for outstanding schools,” said Hoeven. “In earning this prestigious award, Gussner has distinguished itself as one of our state’s and country’s best schools, and North Dakota is proud to commend the school’s teachers, support staff, administrators, students and parents for their commitment to fostering the innovative, smart and effective teaching practices that are achieving tremendous results. Each of these individuals function as the core of the school and drive its success. The entire Jamestown community should take pride in what Gussner has accomplished.” Gussner Elementary is one of three North Dakota schools to be named a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School Awardee. Edgeley Public School and Wyndmere Elementary School also earned this designation. 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 7,000 schools have received the designation, including 31 North Dakota schools. The three North Dakota schools named 2013 Blue Ribbon Schools were formally recognized by the Department of Education at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. in November. Hoeven met with Gussner Elementary and Edgeley Public School representatives during their visit to the nation’s capital. Photos of the meetings are attached. 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?ID=ce3a778a-641d-436a-8165-c4f4dc49afe9,Hoeven Honors Military Service of North Dakota Veteran,2013-12-02,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.13 Hoeven Honors Military Service of North Dakota Veteran Senator Presents Medals to WWII Veteran Philip Dewald JAMESTOWN, N.D. – At a ceremony in Jamestown today, Senator John Hoeven honored the military service of World War II Veteran Philip Dewald, who passed away in August 2008. Technician Fifth Grade Dewald was never presented the medals he earned while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. Senator Hoeven’s office has been working with the Dewald family to secure the military awards for Philip, and the senator today presented the awards he earned to Dewald’s wife, Bertha. “Philip left his home in North Dakota to serve our country during a time of war,” said Hoeven. “These medals, while belated in their presentation, are a token of our nation’s appreciation and our sincere gratitude for his service. We are proud of our veterans and the enormous contributions they made in defending our nation and our way of life.”   Technician Fifth Grade Philip Dewald Philip Dewald, son of Peter and Albina Dewald, was born in Streeter, North Dakota. He grew up on the family farm with his six brothers and five sisters. Three of Philip’s brothers also served in the Army. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and served for more than three years. Technician Fifth Grade Dewald was deployed to the Aleutian Islands for two years. He received an honorable discharge on September 3, 1945. Philip married Bertha, on June 7, 1946, and together they raised two sons, Darrel and David. Following his discharge, Philip returned to farming, was active in the American Legion and served on many church and town boards. He lived on the family farm until 2003. His wife Bertha lives at the Rock of Ages Retirement Home in Jamestown. “The service of our nation’s greatest generation continues to inspire today,” said Hoeven. “We remember Technician Fifth Grade Philip Dewald today and pay tribute to his dedicated service. He left his family farm in North Dakota to fight for our freedoms and our way of life. We will never forget the service of Tech Corporal Dewald and his World War II comrades.” Technician Fifth Grade Philip Dewald Military Honors Good Conduct Medal American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Star World War II Victory Medal Honorable Service World War II Lapel Button 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-gussner-elementarys-blue-ribbon-designation,Hoeven Celebrates Gussner Elementary's Blue Ribbon Designation,2013-12-02,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.13 Hoeven Celebrates Gussner Elementary's Blue Ribbon Designation JAMESTOWN, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today congratulated Gussner Elementary on being designated a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School Award Winner by the United States Department of Education. Hoeven commended Gussner on its achievements during a ceremony held at the school. The Blue Ribbon designation is our country's highest honor for outstanding schools, said Hoeven. In earning this prestigious award, Gussner has distinguished itself as one of our state's and country's best schools, and North Dakota is proud to commend the school's teachers, support staff, administrators, students and parents for their commitment to fostering the innovative, smart and effective teaching practices that are achieving tremendous results. Each of these individuals function as the core of the school and drive its success. The entire Jamestown community should take pride in what Gussner has accomplished. Gussner Elementary is one of three North Dakota schools to be named a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School Awardee. Edgeley Public School and Wyndmere Elementary School also earned this designation. 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 7,000 schools have received the designation, including 31 North Dakota schools. The three North Dakota schools named 2013 Blue Ribbon Schools were formally recognized by the Department of Education at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. in November. Hoeven met with Gussner Elementary and Edgeley Public School representatives during their visit to the nation's capital. Photos of the meetings are attached. 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-military-service-of-north-dakota-veteran,Hoeven Honors Military Service of North Dakota Veteran,2013-12-02,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.13 Hoeven Honors Military Service of North Dakota Veteran Senator Presents Medals to WWII Veteran Philip Dewald JAMESTOWN, N.D. At a ceremony in Jamestown today, Senator John Hoeven honored the military service of World War II Veteran Philip Dewald, who passed away in August 2008. Technician Fifth Grade Dewald was never presented the medals he earned while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. Senator Hoeven's office has been working with the Dewald family to secure the military awards for Philip, and the senator today presented the awards he earned to Dewald's wife, Bertha. Philip left his home in North Dakota to serve our country during a time of war, said Hoeven. These medals, while belated in their presentation, are a token of our nation's appreciation and our sincere gratitude for his service. We are proud of our veterans and the enormous contributions they made in defending our nation and our way of life. Technician Fifth Grade Philip Dewald Philip Dewald, son of Peter and Albina Dewald, was born in Streeter, North Dakota. He grew up on the family farm with his six brothers and five sisters. Three of Philip's brothers also served in the Army. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and served for more than three years. Technician Fifth Grade Dewald was deployed to the Aleutian Islands for two years. He received an honorable discharge on September 3, 1945. Philip married Bertha, on June 7, 1946, and together they raised two sons, Darrel and David. Following his discharge, Philip returned to farming, was active in the American Legion and served on many church and town boards. He lived on the family farm until 2003. His wife Bertha lives at the Rock of Ages Retirement Home in Jamestown. The service of our nation's greatest generation continues to inspire today, said Hoeven. We remember Technician Fifth Grade Philip Dewald today and pay tribute to his dedicated service. He left his family farm in North Dakota to fight for our freedoms and our way of life. We will never forget the service of Tech Corporal Dewald and his World War II comrades. Technician Fifth Grade Philip Dewald Military Honors Good Conduct Medal American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Star World War II Victory Medal Honorable Service World War II Lapel Button 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-working-to-help-telecoms-invest-in-rural-america,Hoeven Working to Help Telecoms Invest in Rural America,2013-12-02,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.13 Hoeven Working to Help Telecoms Invest in Rural America Telecoms Vital to Rural Economic Development, Quality of Life BISMARCK, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today updated a gathering of rural telecommunications co-op members about the work he is doing in Washington to support telecommunications investment in rural America. Healthy, robust telecoms are essential to both economic development and quality of life in rural communities, and they need to be supported, he said. The senator delivered a keynote address at the North Dakota Association of Telecommunications Cooperative's 60th Annual Meeting in Bismarck. Hoeven commended the state's rural telecommunications cooperatives, citing the Dakota Carrier Network (DCN), an alliance of independent rural telecommunications companies, for its groundbreaking work to build North Dakota's information technology infrastructure. As governor, Hoeven worked with DCN to implement STAGEnet, the North Dakota Statewide Technology Access for Government and Education network. The project was a partnership between government and education that brings high-speed technologies to all of North Dakota's schools and government offices, including state agencies, local government, colleges and universities. North Dakota's telecoms have helped to bring our state into the 21st Century, Hoeven said. Education, economic development, modern entertainment all depend on the robust broadband and other service that our telecoms provide. That's important because the information-based global economy is breaking down barriers of distance, enabling rural states like North Dakota to compete in the global marketplace like never before. That's why what you do for our state is so vital, and why it's critical to make sure the rules in Washington work for you and your members. MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE Hoeven pressed the point, telling members that to continue the good work they are doing in rural America, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) needs to approach new rules and regulations in a way that treats rural telecommunications providers and their consumers fairly. The senator and others are working in Washington to address some of the challenges that rural telecommunications companies are encountering when dealing with the FCC. Universal Service Fund Last month, Hoeven and a bipartisan group of senators pressed the FCC to develop a plan to enable rural telecommunications companies to upgrade phone and internet service in rural America using the Universal Service Fund, which is designed to support investment in rural telecoms carriers. Hoeven and the senators made the request in a letter sent to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. While the fund was reformed in 2011, the program now lacks predictability, the telecoms say. As a result, private-sector investment in hard-to-reach rural areas has been declining. That threatens long-standing requirements of the fund that aim to provide customers in rural and high-cost areas with access to telecommunications and information services that are reasonably comparable to those services provided in urban areas. 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?ID=e2cb259f-5a88-41dd-a30d-176a3dec9fb8,A Continuing Tradition of Gratitude,2013-11-27,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.27.13 A Continuing Tradition of Gratitude By Senator John Hoeven In 1789, President George Washington issued a proclamation declaring November 26 a day of “sincere and humble thanks.” In 1863, with the Civil War raging, President Abraham Lincoln issued a presidential proclamation setting aside the last Thursday of November “as a day of Thanksgiving,” making the celebration a national holiday. Since her founding, our nation has known the importance of gratitude. Almost 225 years after President Washington’s Thanksgiving proclamation, we again gather to feast, spend time with loved ones and to count the many blessings our country enjoys. While we will always face challenges, there is truly much to be grateful for in our nation and in our state. As North Dakotans, we enjoy a tremendously high quality of life. Our state is home to thriving cities and towns where neighbors help one another and care about their community. In North Dakota, we know the value of hard work and are blessed with a growing economy and good jobs for our people. Our state is making enormous contributions to help meet our nation’s energy needs and to make our country more energy secure. Our fertile lands and hardworking farmers and ranchers provide us with the highest quality, lowest cost food supply in the world. These are just a few examples of our bounty. President Theodore Roosevelt said, “Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.”  North Dakotans follow this decree. After the early and unexpected blizzard this fall, many people stepped up to help ranchers who lost cattle. Ranchers have donated their own livestock to help replenish lost herds. Whenever there is a natural disaster, the people of North Dakota step up to help.   Our peace is secured and our prosperity protected by the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and their families, who show us daily what selfless service is all about. We are blessed to live with the safety and security of knowing that our Armed Forces are vigilantly and diligently protecting our nation and her interests. At all times, the men and women at Grand Forks and Minot Air Force Bases are on guard defending our nation and its interests. Our North Dakota National Guard members are deployed overseas and here in the United States, completing missions with dedication and skill. Earlier this year, our congressional delegation had the opportunity to host the Grand Forks-based 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment on Capitol Hill. These men and women are on a year-long deployment to Washington, DC serving as part of Operation Noble Eagle, a mission developed following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. These 200 North Dakota Guard members provide air defense 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Like all of our men and women in uniform, they are committed professionals doing a tremendous job protecting our nation. In times of peace and in times of war, North Dakotans serve our nation. As we take time to remember our blessings this Thanksgiving, may we also show our gratitude through our actions. That’s the North Dakota way.  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/a-continuing-tradition-of-gratitude,A Continuing Tradition of Gratitude,2013-11-27,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.27.13 A Continuing Tradition of Gratitude By Senator John Hoeven In 1789, President George Washington issued a proclamation declaring November 26 a day of sincere and humble thanks. In 1863, with the Civil War raging, President Abraham Lincoln issued a presidential proclamation setting aside the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving, making the celebration a national holiday. Since her founding, our nation has known the importance of gratitude. Almost 225 years after President Washington's Thanksgiving proclamation, we again gather to feast, spend time with loved ones and to count the many blessings our country enjoys. While we will always face challenges, there is truly much to be grateful for in our nation and in our state. As North Dakotans, we enjoy a tremendously high quality of life. Our state is home to thriving cities and towns where neighbors help one another and care about their community. In North Dakota, we know the value of hard work and are blessed with a growing economy and good jobs for our people. Our state is making enormous contributions to help meet our nation's energy needs and to make our country more energy secure. Our fertile lands and hardworking farmers and ranchers provide us with the highest quality, lowest cost food supply in the world. These are just a few examples of our bounty. President Theodore Roosevelt said, Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds. North Dakotans follow this decree. After the early and unexpected blizzard this fall, many people stepped up to help ranchers who lost cattle. Ranchers have donated their own livestock to help replenish lost herds. Whenever there is a natural disaster, the people of North Dakota step up to help. Our peace is secured and our prosperity protected by the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and their families, who show us daily what selfless service is all about. We are blessed to live with the safety and security of knowing that our Armed Forces are vigilantly and diligently protecting our nation and her interests. At all times, the men and women at Grand Forks and Minot Air Force Bases are on guard defending our nation and its interests. Our North Dakota National Guard members are deployed overseas and here in the United States, completing missions with dedication and skill. Earlier this year, our congressional delegation had the opportunity to host the Grand Forks-based 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment on Capitol Hill. These men and women are on a year-long deployment to Washington, DC serving as part of Operation Noble Eagle, a mission developed following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. These 200 North Dakota Guard members provide air defense 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Like all of our men and women in uniform, they are committed professionals doing a tremendous job protecting our nation. In times of peace and in times of war, North Dakotans serve our nation. As we take time to remember our blessings this Thanksgiving, may we also show our gratitude through our actions. That's the North Dakota way. 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?ID=28c23cca-d29e-47fe-8654-e340ce161252,Hoeven: Tribes Can Share in State's Opportunities,2013-11-26,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.26.13 Hoeven: Tribes Can Share in State's Opportunities BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today told a gathering of the Three Affiliated Tribes that the best way to help create jobs on reservations is to make sure that they share in opportunities created by North Dakota’s growing economy. The senator spoke before the Tribal Employment Rights Office staff and tribal leaders. To illustrate his point, Hoeven cited a historic oil and gas agreement he helped forge with the Three Affiliated Tribes and how that approach might work on a national level. North Dakota had been working very hard to attract and retain energy companies to western North Dakota, and that work was beginning to pay off in 2007. Wells were being permitted and sunk, and people were finally making a good living in that part of the state – including many families that owned the mineral rights under their land and the many service companies that mushroomed to serve the burgeoning oil industry. The case was different on the Fort Berthold Reservations for the Three Affiliated Tribes, which was blessed with mineral resources. There was duplicated regulation and the tribe was not receiving taxes for production on non-tribal land within the reservation boundaries. Further, the tax rate on tribal land within the reservation was double because both the tribe and state taxed it. Therefore there was just one rig on the reservation, and that one was on fee land - non-tribal land. No rigs were drilling on the Indian land. To remedy that, working with the Three Affiliated Tribes, the Hoeven administration, working with the state Legislature, crafted a first-in-the-nation oil and gas bill that comprehensively reformed taxation and regulations of oil production on the reservation. The agreement, which was signed in 2008, created a competitive environment that respected tribal sovereignty and also made the playing field equal on and off the reservation for companies looking to explore. Prior to the 2008 agreement, there had not been a well drilled on Fort Berthold trust lands in 27 years because of the unstable and unpredictable tax and regulatory structure. Under the agreement, the state and tribes agreed to have one tax structure, with oil companies paying a 6.5 percent extraction tax and a 5 percent production tax on trust land, the same taxes that companies pay in the rest of the state. For wells drilled on trust lands, that revenue was divided equally between the state and the tribe. To date, the agreement has yielded about half a billion dollars for Fort Berthold in tax revenue and royalties. “TERO was a big part of the original agreement because it also provided for workforce training,” Hoeven said. “It recognized and funded the Tribal Employment Rights Office, which has been training and helping Native Americans find employment in the oil industry.” The senator said the agreement is opening up entrepreneurial opportunities for tribe members on the reservation, as well. For example, a member of the tribe started driving a truck for an oil company doing business on the reservation. He quickly discovered that he could operate his own truck and work for himself. In a few short years, he owned several trucks and employed dozens of his own employees. “The point is this,” Hoeven said. “If we improve the economic situation on reservations, if we encourage the building of business enterprises, industry, retail stores, and other economic ventures, we build jobs and opportunities. And that makes families stronger, schools better, and tribal communities a better place to live and work.” 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-tribes-can-share-in-states-opportunities,Hoeven: Tribes Can Share in State's Opportunities,2013-11-26,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.26.13 Hoeven: Tribes Can Share in State's Opportunities BISMARCK, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today told a gathering of the Three Affiliated Tribes that the best way to help create jobs on reservations is to make sure that they share in opportunities created by North Dakota's growing economy. The senator spoke before the Tribal Employment Rights Office staff and tribal leaders. To illustrate his point, Hoeven cited a historic oil and gas agreement he helped forge with the Three Affiliated Tribes and how that approach might work on a national level. North Dakota had been working very hard to attract and retain energy companies to western North Dakota, and that work was beginning to pay off in 2007. Wells were being permitted and sunk, and people were finally making a good living in that part of the state including many families that owned the mineral rights under their land and the many service companies that mushroomed to serve the burgeoning oil industry. The case was different on the Fort Berthold Reservations for the Three Affiliated Tribes, which was blessed with mineral resources. There was duplicated regulation and the tribe was not receiving taxes for production on non-tribal land within the reservation boundaries. Further, the tax rate on tribal land within the reservation was double because both the tribe and state taxed it. Therefore there was just one rig on the reservation, and that one was on fee land - non-tribal land. No rigs were drilling on the Indian land. To remedy that, working with the Three Affiliated Tribes, the Hoeven administration, working with the state Legislature, crafted a first-in-the-nation oil and gas bill that comprehensively reformed taxation and regulations of oil production on the reservation. The agreement, which was signed in 2008, created a competitive environment that respected tribal sovereignty and also made the playing field equal on and off the reservation for companies looking to explore. Prior to the 2008 agreement, there had not been a well drilled on Fort Berthold trust lands in 27 years because of the unstable and unpredictable tax and regulatory structure. Under the agreement, the state and tribes agreed to have one tax structure, with oil companies paying a 6.5 percent extraction tax and a 5 percent production tax on trust land, the same taxes that companies pay in the rest of the state. For wells drilled on trust lands, that revenue was divided equally between the state and the tribe. To date, the agreement has yielded about half a billion dollars for Fort Berthold in tax revenue and royalties. TERO was a big part of the original agreement because it also provided for workforce training, Hoeven said. It recognized and funded the Tribal Employment Rights Office, which has been training and helping Native Americans find employment in the oil industry. The senator said the agreement is opening up entrepreneurial opportunities for tribe members on the reservation, as well. For example, a member of the tribe started driving a truck for an oil company doing business on the reservation. He quickly discovered that he could operate his own truck and work for himself. In a few short years, he owned several trucks and employed dozens of his own employees. The point is this, Hoeven said. If we improve the economic situation on reservations, if we encourage the building of business enterprises, industry, retail stores, and other economic ventures, we build jobs and opportunities. And that makes families stronger, schools better, and tribal communities a better place to live and work. 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?ID=2751e014-6d6c-4246-bf7c-04e33727e4da,Hoeven: Regional USPS VP Visits Williston to Provide Update About Western North Dakota Postal Service Improvements,2013-11-25,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.13 Hoeven: Regional USPS VP Visits Williston to Provide Update About Western North Dakota Postal Service Improvements WILLISTON, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today hosted Drew Aliperto, United States Postal Service (USPS) vice president of area operations for the western area, to see firsthand the tremendous commercial and demographic growth in western North Dakota and its impacts on postal service. The senator also arranged a roundtable for Aliperto to update community leaders and representatives of postal employees about USPS’ efforts to retain and expand postal services throughout the region. The meeting follows Hoeven’s continued work with USPS, including hosting Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in Williston in August, to improve delivery and customer service issues throughout North Dakota. “I am pleased to have Drew Aliperto meet with Williston area community leaders to provide an update about the ongoing steps USPS is taking to meet the changing postal needs in western North Dakota,” said Hoeven. “The region’s unprecedented growth has created a variety of challenges for local post offices and customers, and we appreciate USPS’ continued efforts to work directly with our state through forums like today’s roundtable so we can enact effective plans to improve service in the oil patch.” Hoeven invited Aliperto to Williston to provide community leaders with an update on the progress made since Donahoe visited North Dakota this summer and agreed to undertake a number initiatives. USPS has been focused on improving delivery to area residents and businesses, allocating additional vehicles to the Williston area, renovating area facilities and hiring more postal workers. Hoeven asked Donahoe to come to North Dakota when they met in Washington in July to discuss postal service challenges in North Dakota owing to the agency’s fiscal problems combined with the state’s rapidly growing economy and population. Donahoe directed staff in the Sioux Falls regional office to work specifically on recruiting additional employees at competitive pay levels. He said he has a person working full-time to meet the staffing needs in North Dakota. During the roundtable, the senator was joined by: Williston Mayor Ward Koeser, Williams County Commission Chair Dan Kalil, Williams County Project Manager Deanna Senior, Williston Herald Publisher Mitzi Moe, Fortuna Council Member Gary Rust, Montana-Dakota Utilities Energy Services Manager Ken Callahan, Montana-Dakota Utilities Williston District Manager Ben Zachmeier, Williston State College Foundation Executive Director Terry Olson, Williston Public School District Superintendent Dr. Viola LaFontaine, Badlands Development/Power Fuels Property Manager Reino Rousu, Bakken Housing Partners Manager Katie Walters and National Rural Letter Carriers Association Executive Committeeman Don Maston. The senator supported the 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012, comprehensive reform legislation that sought to develop a thoughtful plan to restore the U.S. Postal Service to solvency while preserving delivery service standards. 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?ID=9ca63b63-3c0f-49f4-954c-f5747fc097a7,Hoeven Working to Meet Needs of Williston Area,2013-11-25,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.13 Hoeven Working to Meet Needs of Williston Area Senator Speaks on the Need to Support Agriculture, Local Industry, Meet the Challenges of Economic Growth WILLISTON, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today spoke at the Williston Rotary Club, providing updates to community and business leaders on a range of topics, including the farm bill negotiations, the United States Postal Service (USPS) and continued growth in the Bakken region. Hoeven emphasized the importance of making the right kind of policy decisions and investments needed to support the priorities of the area. “Our communities in western North Dakota have experienced tremendous growth and prosperity in recent years,” Hoeven said. “We need to work to continue supporting that growth, both in new and long-standing industries in this area, but we have to do it the right way. That means providing certainty for our farmers and ranchers through a long-term farm bill, as well as supporting much-needed housing development and public utilities and services.” Agriculture Senator Hoeven discussed his work as a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee, emphasizing the importance of having strong farm policy, which has allowed our country to have the highest quality, lowest cost food supply in the world. The committee reconvenes in early December, and the senator is pushing to reach an agreement before the House of Representatives adjourns for the year on December 13th. The current Senate farm bill saves $24 billion to help reduce the deficit and debt, and contains provisions for enhanced crop insurance, revenue loss protection and the no net-cost sugar program, among other things. USPS Hoeven has worked with various USPS officials to address the needs of the Bakken region in adapting to recent, tremendous economic and population growth. Later today, the senator will host Drew Aliperto, United States Postal Service (USPS) vice president of area operations for the western area, in Williston to see firsthand the impact of energy development and economic growth on the postal service in the area. Following that, Hoeven and Aliperto will hold a roundtable with local leaders to discuss these impacts and USPS’ efforts to retain and expand postal services throughout the region. Hoeven also hosted Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in Williston in August, to improve delivery and customer service issues throughout North Dakota. Growth in the Bakken As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven is working to include funding for housing and infrastructure programs that meet North Dakota priorities. The senator was also a member of the joint Senate-House conference committee that crafted the last federal transportation bill. The legislation funding transportation projects through 2014, providing the state with an additional year of funding and greater certainty to plan long-term projects. Hoeven cited North Dakota as an example to the nation, stressing the need to make investments and policy reforms that support growth to get Americans working again, while also helping communities adapt to that growth. WRDA The senator discussed his work to prevent the Army Corps of Engineers from charging residents and businesses for water drawn from the Missouri River reservoirs. In May, the Senate passed the States’ Water Rights Act, legislation Hoeven introduced and attached to the Water Resources Development Act to bar the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from charging a storage fee for the water. The legislation was prompted by a 2010 Corps decision to restrict access to Missouri River reservoirs and impose an unprecedented storage fee for drawing water from them. In the more than 60 years since the construction of the dams, the Corps has never charged a fee, nor should it. Some of the basin states, including North Dakota, relinquished prime lands to create dams and reservoirs from Fort Peck in Montana, through Garrison Dam in North Dakota, to Gavins Point in South Dakota to prevent flooding. The states never ceded the right to use Missouri River water for municipal and industrial water supplies and never imagined the Corps would charge residents and businesses a fee for their own water. The States’ Water Rights Act that Hoeven introduced and recruited other basin senators to support, affirms that charging fees would violate a state’s right to the waters that naturally flow through its boundaries, rights which are recognized by the federal government. 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?ID=b38f0125-8047-4ad4-bcaf-b22720709ed5,Hoeven: Regional USPS VP Visits Williston to Provide Update About Western North Dakota Postal Service Improvements,2013-11-25,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.13 Hoeven: Regional USPS VP Visits Williston to Provide Update About Western North Dakota Postal Service Improvements WILLISTON, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today hosted Drew Aliperto, United States Postal Service (USPS) vice president of area operations for the western area, to see firsthand the tremendous commercial and demographic growth in western North Dakota and its impacts on postal service. The senator also arranged a roundtable for Aliperto to update community leaders and representatives of postal employees about USPS’ efforts to retain and expand postal services throughout the region. The meeting follows Hoeven’s continued work with USPS, including hosting Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in Williston in August, to improve delivery and customer service issues throughout North Dakota. “I am pleased to have Drew Aliperto meet with Williston area community leaders to provide an update about the ongoing steps USPS is taking to meet the changing postal needs in western North Dakota,” said Hoeven. “The region’s unprecedented growth has created a variety of challenges for local post offices and customers, and we appreciate USPS’ continued efforts to work directly with our state through forums like today’s roundtable so we can enact effective plans to improve service in the oil patch.” Hoeven invited Aliperto to Williston to provide community leaders with an update on the progress made since Donahoe visited North Dakota this summer and agreed to undertake a number initiatives. USPS has been focused on improving delivery to area residents and businesses, allocating additional vehicles to the Williston area, renovating area facilities and hiring more postal workers. Hoeven asked Donahoe to come to North Dakota when they met in Washington in July to discuss postal service challenges in North Dakota owing to the agency’s fiscal problems combined with the state’s rapidly growing economy and population. Donahoe directed staff in the Sioux Falls regional office to work specifically on recruiting additional employees at competitive pay levels. He said he has a person working full-time to meet the staffing needs in North Dakota. During the roundtable, the senator was joined by: Williston Mayor Ward Koeser, Williams County Commission Chair Dan Kalil, Williams County Project Manager Deanna Senior, Williston Herald Publisher Mitzi Moe, Fortuna Council Member Gary Rust, Montana-Dakota Utilities Energy Services Manager Ken Callahan, Montana-Dakota Utilities Williston District Manager Ben Zachmeier, Williston State College Foundation Executive Director Terry Olson, Williston Public School District Superintendent Dr. Viola LaFontaine, Badlands Development/Power Fuels Property Manager Reino Rousu, Bakken Housing Partners Manager Katie Walters and National Rural Letter Carriers Association Executive Committeeman Don Maston. The senator supported the 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012, comprehensive reform legislation that sought to develop a thoughtful plan to restore the U.S. Postal Service to solvency while preserving delivery service standards. 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/2013/11/25/hoeven-regional-usps-vp-visits-williston-to-provide-update-about-western-north-dakota-postal-service-improvements,Hoeven: Regional USPS VP Visits Williston to Provide Update About Western North Dakota Postal Service Improvements,2013-11-25,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.13 Hoeven: Regional USPS VP Visits Williston to Provide Update About Western North Dakota Postal Service Improvements WILLISTON, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today hosted Drew Aliperto, United States Postal Service (USPS) vice president of area operations for the western area, to see firsthand the tremendous commercial and demographic growth in western North Dakota and its impacts on postal service. The senator also arranged a roundtable for Aliperto to update community leaders and representatives of postal employees about USPS' efforts to retain and expand postal services throughout the region. The meeting follows Hoeven's continued work with USPS, including hosting Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in Williston in August, to improve delivery and customer service issues throughout North Dakota. I am pleased to have Drew Aliperto meet with Williston area community leaders to provide an update about the ongoing steps USPS is taking to meet the changing postal needs in western North Dakota, said Hoeven. The region's unprecedented growth has created a variety of challenges for local post offices and customers, and we appreciate USPS' continued efforts to work directly with our state through forums like today's roundtable so we can enact effective plans to improve service in the oil patch. Hoeven invited Aliperto to Williston to provide community leaders with an update on the progress made since Donahoe visited North Dakota this summer and agreed to undertake a number initiatives. USPS has been focused on improving delivery to area residents and businesses, allocating additional vehicles to the Williston area, renovating area facilities and hiring more postal workers. Hoeven asked Donahoe to come to North Dakota when they met in Washington in July to discuss postal service challenges in North Dakota owing to the agency's fiscal problems combined with the state's rapidly growing economy and population. Donahoe directed staff in the Sioux Falls regional office to work specifically on recruiting additional employees at competitive pay levels. He said he has a person working full-time to meet the staffing needs in North Dakota. During the roundtable, the senator was joined by: Williston Mayor Ward Koeser, Williams County Commission Chair Dan Kalil, Williams County Project Manager Deanna Senior, Williston Herald Publisher Mitzi Moe, Fortuna Council Member Gary Rust, Montana-Dakota Utilities Energy Services Manager Ken Callahan, Montana-Dakota Utilities Williston District Manager Ben Zachmeier, Williston State College Foundation Executive Director Terry Olson, Williston Public School District Superintendent Dr. Viola LaFontaine, Badlands Development/Power Fuels Property Manager Reino Rousu, Bakken Housing Partners Manager Katie Walters and National Rural Letter Carriers Association Executive Committeeman Don Maston. The senator supported the 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012, comprehensive reform legislation that sought to develop a thoughtful plan to restore the U.S. Postal Service to solvency while preserving delivery service standards. 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-regional-usps-vp-visits-williston-to-provide-update-about-western-north-dakota-postal-service-improvements,Hoeven: Regional USPS VP Visits Williston to Provide Update About Western North Dakota Postal Service Improvements,2013-11-25,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.13 Hoeven: Regional USPS VP Visits Williston to Provide Update About Western North Dakota Postal Service Improvements WILLISTON, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today hosted Drew Aliperto, United States Postal Service (USPS) vice president of area operations for the western area, to see firsthand the tremendous commercial and demographic growth in western North Dakota and its impacts on postal service. The senator also arranged a roundtable for Aliperto to update community leaders and representatives of postal employees about USPS' efforts to retain and expand postal services throughout the region. The meeting follows Hoeven's continued work with USPS, including hosting Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in Williston in August, to improve delivery and customer service issues throughout North Dakota. I am pleased to have Drew Aliperto meet with Williston area community leaders to provide an update about the ongoing steps USPS is taking to meet the changing postal needs in western North Dakota, said Hoeven. The region's unprecedented growth has created a variety of challenges for local post offices and customers, and we appreciate USPS' continued efforts to work directly with our state through forums like today's roundtable so we can enact effective plans to improve service in the oil patch. Hoeven invited Aliperto to Williston to provide community leaders with an update on the progress made since Donahoe visited North Dakota this summer and agreed to undertake a number initiatives. USPS has been focused on improving delivery to area residents and businesses, allocating additional vehicles to the Williston area, renovating area facilities and hiring more postal workers. Hoeven asked Donahoe to come to North Dakota when they met in Washington in July to discuss postal service challenges in North Dakota owing to the agency's fiscal problems combined with the state's rapidly growing economy and population. Donahoe directed staff in the Sioux Falls regional office to work specifically on recruiting additional employees at competitive pay levels. He said he has a person working full-time to meet the staffing needs in North Dakota. During the roundtable, the senator was joined by: Williston Mayor Ward Koeser, Williams County Commission Chair Dan Kalil, Williams County Project Manager Deanna Senior, Williston Herald Publisher Mitzi Moe, Fortuna Council Member Gary Rust, Montana-Dakota Utilities Energy Services Manager Ken Callahan, Montana-Dakota Utilities Williston District Manager Ben Zachmeier, Williston State College Foundation Executive Director Terry Olson, Williston Public School District Superintendent Dr. Viola LaFontaine, Badlands Development/Power Fuels Property Manager Reino Rousu, Bakken Housing Partners Manager Katie Walters and National Rural Letter Carriers Association Executive Committeeman Don Maston. The senator supported the 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012, comprehensive reform legislation that sought to develop a thoughtful plan to restore the U.S. Postal Service to solvency while preserving delivery service standards. 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-working-to-meet-needs-of-williston-area,Hoeven Working to Meet Needs of Williston Area,2013-11-25,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.25.13 Hoeven Working to Meet Needs of Williston Area Senator Speaks on the Need to Support Agriculture, Local Industry, Meet the Challenges of Economic Growth WILLISTON, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today spoke at the Williston Rotary Club, providing updates to community and business leaders on a range of topics, including the farm bill negotiations, the United States Postal Service (USPS) and continued growth in the Bakken region. Hoeven emphasized the importance of making the right kind of policy decisions and investments needed to support the priorities of the area. Our communities in western North Dakota have experienced tremendous growth and prosperity in recent years, Hoeven said. We need to work to continue supporting that growth, both in new and long-standing industries in this area, but we have to do it the right way. That means providing certainty for our farmers and ranchers through a long-term farm bill, as well as supporting much-needed housing development and public utilities and services. Agriculture Senator Hoeven discussed his work as a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee, emphasizing the importance of having strong farm policy, which has allowed our country to have the highest quality, lowest cost food supply in the world. The committee reconvenes in early December, and the senator is pushing to reach an agreement before the House of Representatives adjourns for the year on December 13th. The current Senate farm bill saves $24 billion to help reduce the deficit and debt, and contains provisions for enhanced crop insurance, revenue loss protection and the no net-cost sugar program, among other things. USPS Hoeven has worked with various USPS officials to address the needs of the Bakken region in adapting to recent, tremendous economic and population growth. Later today, the senator will host Drew Aliperto, United States Postal Service (USPS) vice president of area operations for the western area, in Williston to see firsthand the impact of energy development and economic growth on the postal service in the area. Following that, Hoeven and Aliperto will hold a roundtable with local leaders to discuss these impacts and USPS' efforts to retain and expand postal services throughout the region. Hoeven also hosted Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in Williston in August, to improve delivery and customer service issues throughout North Dakota. Growth in the Bakken As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven is working to include funding for housing and infrastructure programs that meet North Dakota priorities. The senator was also a member of the joint Senate-House conference committee that crafted the last federal transportation bill. The legislation funding transportation projects through 2014, providing the state with an additional year of funding and greater certainty to plan long-term projects. Hoeven cited North Dakota as an example to the nation, stressing the need to make investments and policy reforms that support growth to get Americans working again, while also helping communities adapt to that growth. WRDA The senator discussed his work to prevent the Army Corps of Engineers from charging residents and businesses for water drawn from the Missouri River reservoirs. In May, the Senate passed the States' Water Rights Act, legislation Hoeven introduced and attached to the Water Resources Development Act to bar the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from charging a storage fee for the water. The legislation was prompted by a 2010 Corps decision to restrict access to Missouri River reservoirs and impose an unprecedented storage fee for drawing water from them. In the more than 60 years since the construction of the dams, the Corps has never charged a fee, nor should it. Some of the basin states, including North Dakota, relinquished prime lands to create dams and reservoirs from Fort Peck in Montana, through Garrison Dam in North Dakota, to Gavins Point in South Dakota to prevent flooding. The states never ceded the right to use Missouri River water for municipal and industrial water supplies and never imagined the Corps would charge residents and businesses a fee for their own water. The States' Water Rights Act that Hoeven introduced and recruited other basin senators to support, affirms that charging fees would violate a state's right to the waters that naturally flow through its boundaries, rights which are recognized by the federal government. 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?ID=857fb0d0-67f2-4e99-a4ec-b8ced6ea6370,"Hoeven: We Need To Get a Farm Bill, Goal is to Get Agreement to House Floor By Second Week of December",2013-11-23,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.23.13 Hoeven: We Need To Get a Farm Bill, Goal is to Get Agreement to House Floor By Second Week of December MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today told a large gathering of Farmers Union members that we need to get a farm bill yet this year. The goal, he said, is to get an agreement to the House floor by the second week of December so that the Senate can vote the following week. As a member of the House-Senate farm bill conference committee, the senator is working to reconcile the Senate and House versions of the bill. “North Dakota farmers and ranchers need the certainty that comes with a long-term reauthorization of the farm bill, and we’re doing all we can to put good legislation in place by the end of the year,” Hoeven said. “The window of opportunity to pass a farm bill conference report by January is quickly closing, but we’re working hard to arrive at an agreement by December 13, when the House adjourns for the year. We can then move it to the Senate floor for a vote the next week.” The new legislation in both the Senate and the House versions focuses on enhanced crop insurance. The measure includes a new Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO), continues the sugar program and provides new Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) to help producers through years of repetitive losses. The Senate bill saves $24 billion to help reduce the deficit and debt. Hoeven outlined additional farm bill priorities important to Farmers Union members, including: Fixed Reference Price Program: Proposed in the House farm bill. The recent dip in commodity prices highlights the importance of having protection against price collapse. The senator is working for inclusion of a reference price component to the farm safety net in the final farm bill agreement. Livestock Disaster Assistance: This year’s blizzard in the Dakotas has made clear to everyone in the ag world how important a strong livestock disaster assistance program is to our ranchers. Both the House and Senate farm bills reauthorize the existing livestock disaster programs. Hoeven is working to include the House version of the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), which pays ranchers on the same percentage of their losses as the 2008 Farm Bill: 75 percent as opposed to 65 percent in the Senate bill. He is also working to ensure that adverse weather-related disease losses, including pneumonia, are covered by LIP. Mandatory COOL: Hoeven continues to push for mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). The conference committee has not yet decided this issue because there is significant concern among some conferees about retaliation by our trading partners. This issue may be one of the last issues decided. Energy Title: Hoeven and former Senator Kent Conrad pressed for a strong energy title in the farm bill the Senate passed last year, which was carried over into the 2013 Senate farm bill. The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), Biorefinergy Assistance Program, and Biobased Markets Program have all been included in this year’s Senate farm bill. Hoeven sponsored the 2012 amendment in the Ag Committee markup to ensure REAP could be used for blender pumps. This technology has been a big success in North Dakota, and if deployed nationwide, could help alleviate potential blend wall issues in a way that provides consumers greater choice. Conservation Compliance Tied to Crop Insurance: The senator has worked hard to ensure conservation compliance is decoupled from crop insurance. Existing conservation compliance should be reformed rather than burden producers with additional regulations. This issue hasn’t been settled by the conferees, and ensuring crop insurance isn’t tied to conservation compliance remains one of Hoeven’s top priorities. Meanwhile, he continues to work to reform existing conservation compliance regulations. For instance, to resolve the problems with wetlands determinations maps, he has introduced legislation to ensure all of the NRCS maps from 1990 to 1996 are regarded as official certifications. “Our number one priority is to pass a strong, long-term farm bill that will provide producers with the safety net they need to deal with volatile markets and weather, while ensuring that the American people continue to enjoy the highest quality, most affordable food supply in the world,” Hoeven said. “A strong farm bill not only benefits North Dakota, but also every American. That includes consumers, producers, our economy and the 16 million Americans who work in the ag sector.” Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20131129164204/http://www.heitkamp.senate.gov:80/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=d30354cb-282c-40f1-9b4b-190180662339,Heitkamp Marks 15-Year Anniversary of Major Settlement She Negotiated as Attorney General to Combat Tobacco Abuse,2013-11-23,2013,2013-11,Democrat,House,ND,Heidi Heitkamp,H001069,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Mandan, N.D. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp is today highlighting the 15-year anniversary of the major tobacco settlement she helped broker as North Dakota’s Attorney General. The agreement between 46 states and the tobacco industry was signed on November 23, 1998. The settlement resulted in the award of about $336 million to North Dakota taxpayers to date and required tobacco companies to tell the truth about smoking and health. It was one of the largest civil settlements in U.S. history. When very little of this funding was being spent on anti-tobacco programs as intended, Heitkamp led a successful ballot initiative in 2008 that mandated significant increases. “The day we signed the settlement with the tobacco industry 15 years ago was one of the most satisfying moments in my career of public service,” said Heitkamp. “Battling the tobacco companies was incredibly difficult, but my goal of improving the lives and protecting the health of North Dakota children motivated me to get it done. Now in the Senate, I’m continuing that mission and working to strengthen tobacco-control policies that promote public health and reduce tobacco-related deaths.” Heitkamp expressed her concern last week to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman regarding the USTR’s Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Proposal, which may allow tobacco companies to use trade law to subvert domestic tobacco control measures. “The final TTP language should recognize this dangerous trend and prevent further abuses of trade laws related to domestic tobacco control legislation,”   Heitkamp wrote in a letter with 10 of her Senate colleagues. “The United States should be leading the fight against death and disease from tobacco products, which are a uniquely dangerous threat to public health.” Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of deaths worldwide, taking 6.3 million lives a year, including 1,200 Americans daily. The United States spends nearly $200 billion a year for tobacco-related illness and injury, and lost productivity.  Unless serious, urgent action is taken, tobacco will kill one billion people worldwide this century. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-we-need-to-get-a-farm-bill-goal-is-to-get-agreement-to-house-floor-by-second-week-of-december,"Hoeven: We Need To Get a Farm Bill, Goal is to Get Agreement to House Floor By Second Week of December",2013-11-23,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.23.13 Hoeven: We Need To Get a Farm Bill, Goal is to Get Agreement to House Floor By Second Week of December MINOT, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today told a large gathering of Farmers Union members that we need to get a farm bill yet this year. The goal, he said, is to get an agreement to the House floor by the second week of December so that the Senate can vote the following week. As a member of the House-Senate farm bill conference committee, the senator is working to reconcile the Senate and House versions of the bill. North Dakota farmers and ranchers need the certainty that comes with a long-term reauthorization of the farm bill, and we're doing all we can to put good legislation in place by the end of the year, Hoeven said. The window of opportunity to pass a farm bill conference report by January is quickly closing, but we're working hard to arrive at an agreement by December 13, when the House adjourns for the year. We can then move it to the Senate floor for a vote the next week. The new legislation in both the Senate and the House versions focuses on enhanced crop insurance. The measure includes a new Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO), continues the sugar program and provides new Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) to help producers through years of repetitive losses. The Senate bill saves $24 billion to help reduce the deficit and debt. Hoeven outlined additional farm bill priorities important to Farmers Union members, including: Fixed Reference Price Program: Proposed in the House farm bill. The recent dip in commodity prices highlights the importance of having protection against price collapse. The senator is working for inclusion of a reference price component to the farm safety net in the final farm bill agreement. Livestock Disaster Assistance: This year's blizzard in the Dakotas has made clear to everyone in the ag world how important a strong livestock disaster assistance program is to our ranchers. Both the House and Senate farm bills reauthorize the existing livestock disaster programs. Hoeven is working to include the House version of the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), which pays ranchers on the same percentage of their losses as the 2008 Farm Bill: 75 percent as opposed to 65 percent in the Senate bill. He is also working to ensure that adverse weather-related disease losses, including pneumonia, are covered by LIP. Mandatory COOL: Hoeven continues to push for mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). The conference committee has not yet decided this issue because there is significant concern among some conferees about retaliation by our trading partners. This issue may be one of the last issues decided. Energy Title: Hoeven and former Senator Kent Conrad pressed for a strong energy title in the farm bill the Senate passed last year, which was carried over into the 2013 Senate farm bill. The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), Biorefinergy Assistance Program, and Biobased Markets Program have all been included in this year's Senate farm bill. Hoeven sponsored the 2012 amendment in the Ag Committee markup to ensure REAP could be used for blender pumps. This technology has been a big success in North Dakota, and if deployed nationwide, could help alleviate potential blend wall issues in a way that provides consumers greater choice. Conservation Compliance Tied to Crop Insurance: The senator has worked hard to ensure conservation compliance is decoupled from crop insurance. Existing conservation compliance should be reformed rather than burden producers with additional regulations. This issue hasn't been settled by the conferees, and ensuring crop insurance isn't tied to conservation compliance remains one of Hoeven's top priorities. Meanwhile, he continues to work to reform existing conservation compliance regulations. For instance, to resolve the problems with wetlands determinations maps, he has introduced legislation to ensure all of the NRCS maps from 1990 to 1996 are regarded as official certifications. Our number one priority is to pass a strong, long-term farm bill that will provide producers with the safety net they need to deal with volatile markets and weather, while ensuring that the American people continue to enjoy the highest quality, most affordable food supply in the world, Hoeven said. A strong farm bill not only benefits North Dakota, but also every American. That includes consumers, producers, our economy and the 16 million Americans who work in the ag sector. 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?ID=27090184-e245-4d54-ac13-ecfeff6c79c5,Hoeven Statement on the Vote to Change the Rules of the Senate,2013-11-22,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.22.13 Hoeven Statement on the Vote to Change the Rules of the Senate WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today released the following statement in response to Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) move to change the rules of the Senate to allow confirmation of all presidential nominees, with the exception of the Supreme Court, with a simple majority vote, rather than a 60 vote majority. “The fact is, since President Obama took office in 2008, the U.S. Senate has confirmed all but four of the 1,707 nominations he has sent to us. That is a 99.7 percent confirmation rate, and hardly a justification to change the rules of the Senate. I believe the right thing to do is to work through the nomination process in an open and transparent way in order to arrive at a decision that the American people can support. “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s move to change the rules is really about taking the focus off the numerous problems with Obamacare. It is not coincidental that litigation over Obamacare will go through the D.C. Circuit Court, so clearly President Obama wants to appoint activist judges to the court. When one party acts unilaterally in a completely partisan way, the result is something like Obamacare, which was passed in 2009 with no Republican votes. Instead, we must find a way to work together in a bipartisan manner so that we can pass bills that reflect the consensus of the American people and that can pass both chambers of Congress.” 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-vote-to-change-the-rules-of-the-senate,Hoeven Statement on the Vote to Change the Rules of the Senate,2013-11-22,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.22.13 Hoeven Statement on the Vote to Change the Rules of the Senate WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today released the following statement in response to Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) move to change the rules of the Senate to allow confirmation of all presidential nominees, with the exception of the Supreme Court, with a simple majority vote, rather than a 60 vote majority. The fact is, since President Obama took office in 2008, the U.S. Senate has confirmed all but four of the 1,707 nominations he has sent to us. That is a 99.7 percent confirmation rate, and hardly a justification to change the rules of the Senate. I believe the right thing to do is to work through the nomination process in an open and transparent way in order to arrive at a decision that the American people can support. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's move to change the rules is really about taking the focus off the numerous problems with Obamacare. It is not coincidental that litigation over Obamacare will go through the D.C. Circuit Court, so clearly President Obama wants to appoint activist judges to the court. When one party acts unilaterally in a completely partisan way, the result is something like Obamacare, which was passed in 2009 with no Republican votes. Instead, we must find a way to work together in a bipartisan manner so that we can pass bills that reflect the consensus of the American people and that can pass both chambers of Congress. 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,Congressman Cramer Announces Public Schedule,2013-11-21,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Cramer will host public events and participate in meetings in North Dakota during the next several days. The schedule is below: Friday, November 22 Remarks at North Dakota Farm Bureau Annual Meeting 2:30PM Ramkota Hotel 800 S. 3rd St. Bismarck Sunday, November 24 Remarks and Q&A at NDSU Student Senate Meeting 6:30PM NDSU Memorial Union 1401 Administration Ave. Fargo Monday, November 25 Coffee with Cramer in Wahpeton 9:30AM – 10:30AM Fryn' Pan Restaurant Banquet Room 1008 Dakota Ave. Wahpeton Coffee with Cramer in Valley City 2:00PM – 3:00PM Vicky’s Viking Room 253 Central Ave. N Valley City",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-passes-natural-gas-permitting-reforms,Cramer: House Passes Natural Gas Permitting Reforms,2013-11-21,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the House of Representatives passed a bill cosponsored by Congressman Kevin Cramer to reform the pre-filing review process for natural gas pipeline permit applications. The Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act addresses excessive delays in application reviews and increased demand for pipeline capacity in light of the natural gas production boom. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the lead review agency for natural gas pipeline project applications. After the FERC completes its environmental review, various federal and state permitting agencies are required to complete their respective reviews no later than 90 days later. However, no enforcement measure is in place for agencies failing to meet the 90-day deadline. A December 2012 study found delays of more than 90 days have risen 28 percent after a 2005 attempt to reform the permitting process in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Delays of 180 days have increased by 20 percent. The bill would reduce delays by putting the permit into effect if an agency does not respond within the 90-day timeframe and allow the FERC to offer technical assistance to the agency in addressing conditions preventing the completion of their review. “The surge in natural gas production requires a lean and efficient government processing system for pipeline applications. We are a long way from having adequate infrastructure to fully utilize this resource, but we can get there faster without compromising other resources we value with the right review process,” said Cramer. “Full utilization of this bountiful resource means more affordable energy and renewed competition for doing business in America.” The Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act is supported by organizations including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Congressman Cramer is a member of both the House Natural Resources and Science, Space and Technology Committees. Prior to his election to the United States House of Representatives, Cramer served on the North Dakota Public Service Commission. During his tenure, beginning in 2003, Cramer dealt with all aspects of the Commission’s portfolio, including pipeline and electrical transmission siting, regulation of North Dakota’s three investor owned utilities, and management of North Dakota’s Surface Mine Coal Reclamation Act State primacy program.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/co-chairman-cramer-raises-awareness-at-kids-safety-caucus-capitol-day,Co-Chairman Cramer Raises Awareness at Kids' Safety Caucus Capitol Day,2013-11-20,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Today Congressman Cramer, co-chairman of the Congressional Kids’ Safety Caucus, participated in Safe Kids Capitol Day. Cramer joined fellow co-chairs Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Jon Runyan (R-NJ), and Grace Meng (D-NY) for the awareness event which included exhibits on crib safety, concussion prevention, CPR, and distracted driving. “It’s important for Congress to share ideas, information, research and emerging trends to prevent childhood accidents which can claim lives or cause lasting injuries. As bipartisan co-chairs of the Caucus, we can learn from each other and share resources from local organizations including Safe Kids Grand Forks to raise awareness of safety issues affecting children,” said Cramer. Safe Kids Grand Forks is one of over 600 state and local coalitions associated with the Congressional Kids Safety Caucus, and the sole affiliate in North Dakota. The organization works with community stakeholders including the University of North Dakota, Altru Health System, EMS, law enforcement, childcare providers, school personnel, and parents. The Kids’ Safety Caucus holds educational forums for Members of Congress and their staff, provides data and research, and acts as a resource for Members to provide safety information and best practices to parents and caregivers back home in their districts. Among the family of the co-chairs are 13 children and one grandchild (Cramer’s). According to Safe Kids Worldwide, unintentional injury is the number one cause of death among children under 14.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-hoeven-heitkamp-work-to-enhance-future-of-gfafb,"Cramer, Hoeven, Heitkamp Work to Enhance Future of GFAFB",2013-11-20,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp and Congressman Kevin Cramer Tuesday joined representatives from the Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) in meetings at the Pentagon, pressing Air Force officials to support current and future operations at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). “We are incredibly proud of our servicemen and women at Grand Forks and the wonderful community that supports them,” the delegation said. “Because of their diligence and hard work, GFAFB continues to deliver missions critical to national security and is positioned to play an even bigger role in the future. By making full use of the advantages GFAFB offers, we can provide for a better national defense, accelerate the integration of unmanned aircraft in the national airspace and stimulate research and development of critical new aviation technologies.” The delegation joined Grand Forks BRIC leaders in a meeting with Kathleen I. Ferguson, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics, to advance Grand Sky, a state-of-the-art aviation business and technology park on the base focused on providing cutting-edge facilities for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) development. Specifically, they urged her to work with the community to complete the environmental review process and to approve the new contractor, FDSL, LLC, so that preparation of the site can get underway. Following the meeting with the delegation and Grand Forks leaders, the Air Force notified the delegation this afternoon that they have approved FDSL, LLC, a joint venture between FD Stonewater and Lynxs, as the contractor for Grand Sky. The Air Force’s approval enables FDSL, LLC to begin working to fill the 1.2 million square feet at Grand Sky.  The Air Force last month agreed to sign an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) with Grand Forks County and its partners, BRIC and the Center for Innovation Foundation, for the 217-acres complex at GFAFB. Last year Hoeven worked to secure Northrop Grumman as an anchor tenant for Grand Sky. The EUL will allow the prestigious aviation company, along with the University of North Dakota, Northland Community and Technical College and other companies, to grow the UAS industry in North Dakota. The delegation and BRIC leaders also pressed for the the return of a refueling tanker mission and continued development of unmanned aircraft missions at the base, including the Predator and Global Hawk platforms. They also worked to build support for the Federal Aviation Administration naming GFAFB one of six national test sites to facilitate the integration of manned and unmanned aircraft into the national airspace. They told Ferguson and other high-ranking Air Force officials that if selected, the base could provide the Air Force with a broad range of high-tech resources for UAS development and training. The FAA expects to make its test site selections soon. Last week, Hoeven pressed Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Acting Air Force Secretary Eric Fanning to act on both a department-wide and Air Force specific level to fund the Global Hawk in Fiscal Year 2015 and beyond. Hoeven emphasized the importance of maintaining the nation’s preeminence in UAS and the affordable nature of UAS technology. On October 22, Heitkamp sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Michael Huerta reinforcing why Grand Forks would be an ideal UAS test site and pointing out how the Enhanced Use Lease agreement shows North Dakota’s continued commitment to UAS development and integration. Additionally, to help support service members in North Dakota and around the country, Heitkamp launched the bipartisan Defense Communities Caucus. The coalition works to put in place policies to provide crucial support and stability to members of the military, their families, and their community. In June and July of this year Congressman Cramer worked in the House to pass key defense authorization and appropriation bills containing provisions important to North Dakota. At the Pentagon, Cramer emphasized the need to greater utilize the National Guard in our fiscally constrained environment and the ability they can play in strengthening current and future missions at GFAFB.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-passes-bill-to-protect-states-rights-on-hydraulic,Cramer: House Passes Bill to Protect States' Rights on Hydraulic Fracturing,2013-11-20,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the House of Representatives passed a bill cosponsored by Congressman Kevin Cramer maintaining states authority over regulating hydraulic fracturing. The Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act requires the Department of the Interior to defer to state regulations, permitting, and guidance for hydraulic fracturing on federal lands within any given state’s boundaries. “Oversight of hydraulic fracturing is a task successfully left to states for the last 60 years, allowing for smarter regulation based on unique geology and hydrology. In North Dakota, our developers and regulators are working together every day to responsibly produce our natural resources for the nation. This legislation would remove the federal government’s constant threats of imposing its mediocrity on North Dakota’s excellence,” said Congressman Cramer. Cramer and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor both spoke on the House floor to urge passage of the bill. In his remarks, Cantor cited his recent trip to North Dakota led by Congressman Cramer. “The States and local regulators should be allowed to do this job without federal interference. I saw firsthand, when I accompanied my colleague from North Dakota, Rep. Kevin Cramer, in Williston, wellheads that were being drilled. And the last thing they need in North Dakota are the federal regulators coming in to tell them how to drill a well,” said Leader Cantor. Despite no confirmed cases of hydraulic fracturing contaminating water resources and ongoing studies at the Environmental Protection Agency, the Obama administration released a proposal to create the first-ever regulation of hydraulic fracturing at the federal level on May 16.   National and state research continues to support state regulation of hydraulic fracturing. An economic analysis conducted by the economics firm John Dunham & Associates estimates a cost of $253,800 per well would be placed on energy producers and consumers if proposed duplicative federal hydraulic fracturing rules were implemented. A University of North Dakota professor concluded, “with [North Dakota’s] unique geology and a proactive regulatory framework, properly enforced, fracking in the Bakken/Three Forks Formations does not put our groundwater at serious risk.” Cramer has examined the Obama Administration’s ongoing action against hydraulic fracturing at numerous committee hearings, noting the lack of transparency associated with the results of research studies and continued waste of federal resources on a task already successfully handled by states. Earlier today the House passed the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act of 2013, a separate energy bill cosponsored by Cramer to expand responsible domestic energy production on federal lands. Congressman Cramer serves on the Natural Resources and Science, Space and Technology Committees. Within these committees, he serves on the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulations, and the Subcommittee on Energy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-votes-to-cut-red-tape-blocking-energy-jobs,Cramer: House Votes to Cut Red Tape Blocking Energy Jobs,2013-11-20,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced the House of Representatives passed a bill he cosponsored to expand responsible domestic energy production and job opportunities by reforming energy development policy on federal and tribal lands. The Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act of 2013 will: reform leasing and permitting processes for oil, natural gas, solar, and wind projects, require all-of-the-above energy planning and reporting for responsible development of federal onshore resources, reform leasing and permitting for the Alaskan National Petroleum Reserve, authorize internet-based onshore oil and gas lease sales, and reduce bureaucratic burdens for tribal energy development. A companion bill introduced by Sen. John Hoeven is awaiting a vote in the Senate. Oil and natural gas production on federal lands has declined under the Obama Administration, resulting from the lowest four years of leased federal acres since 1988. Drilling permit processing delays routinely exceed 300 days. In a speech on the House floor today, Cramer said the bill would reverse the reduction in leased and permitted federal acres by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to lease areas with the greatest energy potential, empowering local Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field offices to keep half of permit application fees, and setting deadlines for the issuing of leases and permits. “In visiting with the developers and the federal agency personnel in North Dakota as well as Washington, D.C., the challenges they face in meeting the growing demand for permits are largely due to a lack of resources. By allowing local agency offices like the BLM and National Grasslands offices in ND to utilize more of the funds from filing fees to process the numerous applications, the process can be expedited without compromising the integrity of their mission to protect natural resources,” Cramer said. “They do a great job but they need more resources, especially in an economy that is so competitive for workforce.” This month Cramer met with federal agency employees at the BLM Field Office in Dickinson and the U.S. Forest Service McKenzie Ranger District Office in Watford City to get a ground level assessment of the government role in oil and gas development and receive feedback on ways Congress can help them in their tasks. In May the House of Representatives passed a bill Cramer introduced to streamline the BLM in the Dakotas. “Our producers have already demonstrated energy development can be done responsibly on federal lands. This bill would allow federal agencies to be better partners with our state and industry by giving them the resources needed to handle the strong demand of the Bakken,” said Ron Ness, President of the North Dakota Petroleum Council. Energy development on tribal lands On many reservations, frivolous lawsuits and government barriers are keeping Native American tribes from moving forward with energy development and creating jobs for their citizens. The bill streamlines regulation and protects tribal sovereignty by blocking any federal rule on hydraulic fracturing unless it has the consent of the Native American landowners, eliminate taxpayer compensation for those filing frivolous lawsuits blocking development, and requiring actions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to be available for public comment only by members of the affected tribe and other individuals residing within the affected area. “Empowering our Tribal members with more control over their energy resources will create needed jobs and economic security on reservations. It is unacceptable for the federal government to stand in the way of their progress,” Cramer added. A recent report from North Dakota Director of Mineral Resources Lynn Helms states Fort Berthold Reservation contains 2,314 potential future wells which will require BLM approval. Helms added, “the number of rigs actively drilling on federal surface in the Dakota Prairie Grasslands remains at 0.” The Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act of 2013 incorporates several bills from the House Committee on Natural Resources: H.R. 1394, H.R. 1964, H.R. 555, and H.R. 1548. Congressman Cramer serves on the Natural Resources and Science, Space and Technology Committees. Within these committees, he serves on the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulations, and the Subcommittee on Energy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=426688dd-1b97-474f-b209-c25aef37ea7d,"Hoeven, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce the Water Heater Efficiency Act",2013-11-20,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.20.13 Hoeven, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce the Water Heater Efficiency Act WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and a bipartisan group of senators today introduced the Water Heater Efficiency Act, an energy conservation bill that would enable rural electric power cooperatives and their members to continue using large, energy-efficient water heaters in “demand response” conservation programs. Cosponsors of the bill include senators Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). The legislation comes in reaction to new Department of Energy (DOE) rules that would phase out such water heaters by 2015; however, the senators say the new rules do not take into account the value of these water heaters to both consumers and the electrical cooperatives that serve them throughout rural America. Demand-response programs use off-peak electricity to conserve energy and reduce costs to consumers. The programs also help electrical cooperatives to manage load during periods of peak demand. Additionally, in areas where wind and solar are in the energy mix, the programs can help integrate renewable energy into the grid by enabling power to be stored under conditions when renewable sources are not producing power. Specifically, the bill would allow the continued manufacture of large “grid-enabled” electric-resistance water heaters only for use in electric thermal storage or demand response programs. It would also require “grid-enabled water heaters” to have a volume of more than 75 gallons, be energy efficient and work on grids that have a demand response program. “Conservation programs use energy thoughtfully and wisely, with multiple benefits,” Hoeven said. “Our water heater legislation saves consumers money, helps rural electric cooperatives optimize their energy management and benefits the environment because the water heaters in the program are required to be energy efficient. That’s good for consumers and good for the country.” “By using large, energy-efficient water heaters, our rural cooperatives have reduced costs for members and better managed energy use,” Pryor said. “This bill ensures cooperatives are able to continue taking advantage of these cost-effective programs. It’s just common-sense.” “Utilities’ demand-response programs increase the integration of renewable resources, decrease peak demand, and help stabilize the grid, all while lowering the cost of electricity to rural communities,” said Chambliss. “I’m pleased to join my colleagues in cosponsoring legislation that will allow electric cooperatives and other utilities to continue to operate and expand their demand-response programs.” “Conservation doesn’t just mean a more efficient use of resources, it means lower prices for consumers in rural communities,” Klobuchar said. “This legislation will help ensure that rural electric providers can continue to provide efficient, reliable electricity to the farms and small businesses that fuel economic growth in Minnesota and across the country.” Scott Handy is the president of Cass County Electric Cooperative, which serves a 10-county rural area in south eastern North Dakota. He said the DOE’s presumption is that rural residents will have access to natural gas, which is not the case in rural areas like Cass. “Senator Hoeven’s amendment is important,” Handy said. “To date we have more than 1,200 large-capacity, energy efficient water heaters enrolled in our program, and we’re adding them at a pace of about 200 a year. Those households are paying about one half the retail rate of electricity, helping our members save money and helping us to better manage the grid during periods of peak and off-peak demand.” “We are very appreciative of what Senator Hoeven is proposing in this amendment,” said Mike Eggl, Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s senior vice president for External Affairs. “Many Basin Electric members, particularly in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa, use electric-resistance water heaters for demand response programs. It’s a critical appliance that helps co-ops lower their peak demand during the day. We want to thank Sen. Hoeven for his efforts.” 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?ID=be865c1e-c7fa-493a-b938-971938097485,"Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer Work to Enhance Future of GFAFB",2013-11-20,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.20.13 Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer Work to Enhance Future of GFAFB Delegation Meets with GF BRIC, Presses Air Force Officials about GFAFB Strengths, Cost-Effectiveness amid Budget Constraints WASHINGTON – Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp and Congressman Kevin Cramer Tuesday joined representatives from the Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) in meetings at the Pentagon, pressing Air Force officials to support current and future operations at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). “We are incredibly proud of our servicemen and women at Grand Forks and the wonderful community that supports them,” the delegation said. “Because of their diligence and hard work, GFAFB continues to deliver missions critical to national security and is positioned to play an even bigger role in the future. By making full use of the advantages GFAFB offers, we can provide for a better national defense, accelerate the integration of unmanned aircraft in the national airspace and stimulate research and development of critical new aviation technologies.” The delegation joined Grand Forks BRIC leaders in a meeting with Kathleen I. Ferguson, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics, to advance Grand Sky, a state-of-the-art aviation business and technology park on the base focused on providing cutting-edge facilities for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) development. Specifically, they urged her to work with the community to complete the environmental review process and approve the new contractor, FDSL, LLC, so that preparation of the site can get underway. Following the meeting with the delegation and Grand Forks leaders, the Air Force notified the delegation this afternoon that they have approved FDSL, LLC, a joint venture between FD Stonewater and Lynxs, as the contractor for Grand Sky. The Air Force’s approval enables FDSL, LLC to begin working to fill the 1.2 million square feet at Grand Sky.  The Air Force last month agreed to sign an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) with Grand Forks County and its partners, BRIC and the Center for Innovation Foundation, for the 217-acres complex at GFAFB. Last year Hoeven worked to secure Northrop Grumman as an anchor tenant for Grand Sky. The EUL will allow the prestigious aviation company, along with the University of North Dakota, Northland Community and Technical College and other companies, to grow the UAS industry in North Dakota. The delegation and BRIC leaders also pressed for the the return of a refueling tanker mission and continued development of unmanned aircraft missions at the base, including the Predator and Global Hawk platforms. They also worked to build support for the Federal Aviation Administration naming GFAFB one of six national test sites to facilitate the integration of manned and unmanned aircraft into the national airspace. They told Ferguson and other high-ranking Air Force officials that if selected, the base could provide the Air Force with a broad range of high-tech resources for UAS development and training. The FAA expects to make its test site selections soon. Last week, Hoeven pressed Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Acting Air Force Secretary Eric Fanning to act on both a department-wide and Air Force specific level to fund the Global Hawk in Fiscal Year 2015 and beyond. Hoeven emphasized the importance of maintaining the nation’s preeminence in UAS and the affordable nature of UAS technology. On October 22, Heitkamp sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Michael Huerta reinforcing why Grand Forks would be an ideal UAS test site and pointing out how the Enhanced Use Lease agreement shows North Dakota’s continued commitment to UAS development and integration. Additionally, to help support service members in North Dakota and around the country, Heitkamp launched the bipartisan Defense Communities Caucus. The coalition works to put in place policies to provide crucial support and stability to members of the military, their families, and their community. In June and July of this year Congressman Cramer worked in the House to pass key defense authorization and appropriation bills containing provisions important to North Dakota. At the Pentagon, Cramer emphasized the need to greater utilize the National Guard in our fiscally constrained environment and the ability they can play in strengthening current and future missions at GFAFB. 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-bipartisan-group-of-senators-introduce-the-water-heater-efficiency-act,"Hoeven, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce the Water Heater Efficiency Act",2013-11-20,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.20.13 Hoeven, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce the Water Heater Efficiency Act WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and a bipartisan group of senators today introduced the Water Heater Efficiency Act, an energy conservation bill that would enable rural electric power cooperatives and their members to continue using large, energy-efficient water heaters in demand response conservation programs. Cosponsors of the bill include senators Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). The legislation comes in reaction to new Department of Energy (DOE) rules that would phase out such water heaters by 2015; however, the senators say the new rules do not take into account the value of these water heaters to both consumers and the electrical cooperatives that serve them throughout rural America. Demand-response programs use off-peak electricity to conserve energy and reduce costs to consumers. The programs also help electrical cooperatives to manage load during periods of peak demand. Additionally, in areas where wind and solar are in the energy mix, the programs can help integrate renewable energy into the grid by enabling power to be stored under conditions when renewable sources are not producing power. Specifically, the bill would allow the continued manufacture of large grid-enabled electric-resistance water heaters only for use in electric thermal storage or demand response programs. It would also require grid-enabled water heaters to have a volume of more than 75 gallons, be energy efficient and work on grids that have a demand response program. Conservation programs use energy thoughtfully and wisely, with multiple benefits, Hoeven said. Our water heater legislation saves consumers money, helps rural electric cooperatives optimize their energy management and benefits the environment because the water heaters in the program are required to be energy efficient. That's good for consumers and good for the country. By using large, energy-efficient water heaters, our rural cooperatives have reduced costs for members and better managed energy use, Pryor said. This bill ensures cooperatives are able to continue taking advantage of these cost-effective programs. It's just common-sense. Utilities' demand-response programs increase the integration of renewable resources, decrease peak demand, and help stabilize the grid, all while lowering the cost of electricity to rural communities, said Chambliss. I'm pleased to join my colleagues in cosponsoring legislation that will allow electric cooperatives and other utilities to continue to operate and expand their demand-response programs. Conservation doesn't just mean a more efficient use of resources, it means lower prices for consumers in rural communities, Klobuchar said. This legislation will help ensure that rural electric providers can continue to provide efficient, reliable electricity to the farms and small businesses that fuel economic growth in Minnesota and across the country. Scott Handy is the president of Cass County Electric Cooperative, which serves a 10-county rural area in south eastern North Dakota. He said the DOE's presumption is that rural residents will have access to natural gas, which is not the case in rural areas like Cass. Senator Hoeven's amendment is important, Handy said. To date we have more than 1,200 large-capacity, energy efficient water heaters enrolled in our program, and we're adding them at a pace of about 200 a year. Those households are paying about one half the retail rate of electricity, helping our members save money and helping us to better manage the grid during periods of peak and off-peak demand. We are very appreciative of what Senator Hoeven is proposing in this amendment, said Mike Eggl, Basin Electric Power Cooperative's senior vice president for External Affairs. Many Basin Electric members, particularly in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa, use electric-resistance water heaters for demand response programs. It's a critical appliance that helps co-ops lower their peak demand during the day. We want to thank Sen. Hoeven for his efforts. 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-cramer-work-to-enhance-future-of-gfafb,"Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer Work to Enhance Future of GFAFB",2013-11-20,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.20.13 Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer Work to Enhance Future of GFAFB Delegation Meets with GF BRIC, Presses Air Force Officials about GFAFB Strengths, Cost-Effectiveness amid Budget Constraints WASHINGTON Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp and Congressman Kevin Cramer Tuesday joined representatives from the Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) in meetings at the Pentagon, pressing Air Force officials to support current and future operations at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). We are incredibly proud of our servicemen and women at Grand Forks and the wonderful community that supports them, the delegation said. Because of their diligence and hard work, GFAFB continues to deliver missions critical to national security and is positioned to play an even bigger role in the future. By making full use of the advantages GFAFB offers, we can provide for a better national defense, accelerate the integration of unmanned aircraft in the national airspace and stimulate research and development of critical new aviation technologies. The delegation joined Grand Forks BRIC leaders in a meeting with Kathleen I. Ferguson, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics, to advance Grand Sky, a state-of-the-art aviation business and technology park on the base focused on providing cutting-edge facilities for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) development. Specifically, they urged her to work with the community to complete the environmental review process and approve the new contractor, FDSL, LLC, so that preparation of the site can get underway. Following the meeting with the delegation and Grand Forks leaders, the Air Force notified the delegation this afternoon that they have approved FDSL, LLC, a joint venture between FD Stonewater and Lynxs, as the contractor for Grand Sky. The Air Force's approval enables FDSL, LLC to begin working to fill the 1.2 million square feet at Grand Sky. The Air Force last month agreed to sign an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) with Grand Forks County and its partners, BRIC and the Center for Innovation Foundation, for the 217-acres complex at GFAFB. Last year Hoeven worked to secure Northrop Grumman as an anchor tenant for Grand Sky. The EUL will allow the prestigious aviation company, along with the University of North Dakota, Northland Community and Technical College and other companies, to grow the UAS industry in North Dakota. The delegation and BRIC leaders also pressed for the the return of a refueling tanker mission and continued development of unmanned aircraft missions at the base, including the Predator and Global Hawk platforms. They also worked to build support for the Federal Aviation Administration naming GFAFB one of six national test sites to facilitate the integration of manned and unmanned aircraft into the national airspace. They told Ferguson and other high-ranking Air Force officials that if selected, the base could provide the Air Force with a broad range of high-tech resources for UAS development and training. The FAA expects to make its test site selections soon. Last week, Hoeven pressed Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Acting Air Force Secretary Eric Fanning to act on both a department-wide and Air Force specific level to fund the Global Hawk in Fiscal Year 2015 and beyond. Hoeven emphasized the importance of maintaining the nation's preeminence in UAS and the affordable nature of UAS technology. On October 22, Heitkamp sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Michael Huerta reinforcing why Grand Forks would be an ideal UAS test site and pointing out how the Enhanced Use Lease agreement shows North Dakota's continued commitment to UAS development and integration. Additionally, to help support service members in North Dakota and around the country, Heitkamp launched the bipartisan Defense Communities Caucus. The coalition works to put in place policies to provide crucial support and stability to members of the military, their families, and their community. In June and July of this year Congressman Cramer worked in the House to pass key defense authorization and appropriation bills containing provisions important to North Dakota. At the Pentagon, Cramer emphasized the need to greater utilize the National Guard in our fiscally constrained environment and the ability they can play in strengthening current and future missions at GFAFB. 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?ID=91224195-150b-4279-8cb8-041ce4a395ea,"Hoeven, Bipartisan Group of Senators Push Bill on Senate Floor to Prevent Increase in Flood Insurance Rates",2013-11-19,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.19.13 Hoeven, Bipartisan Group of Senators Push Bill on Senate Floor to Prevent Increase in Flood Insurance Rates Hoeven-Heitkamp Basement Exception Legislation Included WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven and a bipartisan group of senators today took to the Senate floor to gather support for legislation that would prevent the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from raising flood insurance rates before it studies the impact of raising rates on policy holders. The measure will help ensure affordable premiums for millions of Americans. Included in the bipartisan legislation is the Hoeven-Heitkamp Flood Safe Basements Act, which ensures homeowners receive credit for flood proofed basements when determining flood insurance rates. Senator Hoeven has been working directly with FEMA to ensure that the agency maintains the current Base Flood Elevation insurance rating method that determines insurance rates by evaluating the lowest proofed opening in a home rather than the lowest floor, or basement approach. Fourteen North Dakota communities are currently approved for the residential basement flood proofed rating credit, as well as 40 additional communities across the country. “This is about affordability of homeownership,” Hoeven said. “That’s what the American Dream is all about. But when a homeowner has put the cost into making sure that they have a flood proof basement, if we don’t take that into account in the insurance rates, we are penalizing them and charging them twice. That makes no sense at all. That’s why we’ve got to have the basement exception continued in this legislation.” In June, the delegation and governor wrote FEMA to urge the agency to continue its current policy of rating the lowest proofed opening in a home, stressing that flood proofed basements have proven effective at reducing or eliminating flood damage. Since the majority of homes in North Dakota have basements for protection from extreme weather, they stressed the negative impact a rule change would have on residents who have come to rely on the existing lowest flood proofed opening method. 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?ID=988a1b9e-55f1-4e8c-8b7d-367ba494ced4,Hoeven Statement on ONEOK Partners Announced New Projects in the Williston Basin,2013-11-19,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.19.13 Hoeven Statement on ONEOK Partners Announced New Projects in the Williston Basin Company to Invest up to $780 Million in North Dakota WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today released the following statement in response to ONEOK Partners announced plans to invest an additional $650 to $780 million in the Williston Basin to build several projects, including the Lonesome Creek plant, the company’s seventh and largest natural gas processing plant, and the second expansion of the Bakken NGL Pipeline: “Today marks an important milestone in ONEOK Partners’ ongoing work to develop, process and transport natural gas in North Dakota’s Bakken region. This will be the company’s seventh and largest natural gas processing plant. The new facility will further help us to reduce flaring and capture the tremendous reserves of natural gas that accompany oil production, creating jobs and boosting our state’s economy. Add to the new processing plant, a second expansion of the company’s Bakken NGL Pipeline, and it’s clear that ONEOK’s commitment is helping us to realize the enormous potential of Western North Dakota’s vast energy resources. “ONEOK’s decision to expand in North Dakota also reflects the importance of a good business climate and investing in the infrastructure necessary to harvest our energy resources in efficient and environmentally sound ways. I remain focused on working to realize similar projects, which can help our country achieve the long-sought, long-elusive goal of true North American energy security. The Keystone XL pipeline, for example, will create 42,000 jobs and carry 830,000 barrels of oil a day to U.S. refineries, including 100,000 from the Bakken. Projects like these create jobs, strengthen our economy, increase our standard of living and bolster our national security. North Dakota and ONEOK Partners are helping to make our goal a reality. ” Hoeven serves on the U.S. Senate Energy 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-bipartisan-group-of-senators-push-bill-on-senate-floor-to-prevent-increase-in-flood-insurance-rates,"Hoeven, Bipartisan Group of Senators Push Bill on Senate Floor to Prevent Increase in Flood Insurance Rates",2013-11-19,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.19.13 Hoeven, Bipartisan Group of Senators Push Bill on Senate Floor to Prevent Increase in Flood Insurance Rates Hoeven-Heitkamp Basement Exception Legislation Included WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven and a bipartisan group of senators today took to the Senate floor to gather support for legislation that would prevent the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from raising flood insurance rates before it studies the impact of raising rates on policy holders. The measure will help ensure affordable premiums for millions of Americans. Included in the bipartisan legislation is the Hoeven-Heitkamp Flood Safe Basements Act, which ensures homeowners receive credit for flood proofed basements when determining flood insurance rates. Senator Hoeven has been working directly with FEMA to ensure that the agency maintains the current Base Flood Elevation insurance rating method that determines insurance rates by evaluating the lowest proofed opening in a home rather than the lowest floor, or basement approach. Fourteen North Dakota communities are currently approved for the residential basement flood proofed rating credit, as well as 40 additional communities across the country. This is about affordability of homeownership, Hoeven said. That's what the American Dream is all about. But when a homeowner has put the cost into making sure that they have a flood proof basement, if we don't take that into account in the insurance rates, we are penalizing them and charging them twice. That makes no sense at all. That's why we've got to have the basement exception continued in this legislation. In June, the delegation and governor wrote FEMA to urge the agency to continue its current policy of rating the lowest proofed opening in a home, stressing that flood proofed basements have proven effective at reducing or eliminating flood damage. Since the majority of homes in North Dakota have basements for protection from extreme weather, they stressed the negative impact a rule change would have on residents who have come to rely on the existing lowest flood proofed opening method. 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-oneok-partners-announced-new-projects-in-the-williston-basin,Hoeven Statement on ONEOK Partners Announced New Projects in the Williston Basin,2013-11-19,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.19.13 Hoeven Statement on ONEOK Partners Announced New Projects in the Williston Basin Company to Invest up to $780 Million in North Dakota WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today released the following statement in response to ONEOK Partners announced plans to invest an additional $650 to $780 million in the Williston Basin to build several projects, including the Lonesome Creek plant, the company's seventh and largest natural gas processing plant, and the second expansion of the Bakken NGL Pipeline: Today marks an important milestone in ONEOK Partners' ongoing work to develop, process and transport natural gas in North Dakota's Bakken region. This will be the company's seventh and largest natural gas processing plant. The new facility will further help us to reduce flaring and capture the tremendous reserves of natural gas that accompany oil production, creating jobs and boosting our state's economy. Add to the new processing plant, a second expansion of the company's Bakken NGL Pipeline, and it's clear that ONEOK's commitment is helping us to realize the enormous potential of Western North Dakota's vast energy resources. ONEOK's decision to expand in North Dakota also reflects the importance of a good business climate and investing in the infrastructure necessary to harvest our energy resources in efficient and environmentally sound ways. I remain focused on working to realize similar projects, which can help our country achieve the long-sought, long-elusive goal of true North American energy security. The Keystone XL pipeline, for example, will create 42,000 jobs and carry 830,000 barrels of oil a day to U.S. refineries, including 100,000 from the Bakken. Projects like these create jobs, strengthen our economy, increase our standard of living and bolster our national security. North Dakota and ONEOK Partners are helping to make our goal a reality. Hoeven serves on the U.S. Senate Energy Committee. 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-statement-on-house-passage-of-keep-your-health-plan-act,Cramer Statement on House Passage of Keep Your Health Plan Act,2013-11-15,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the House of Representatives passed the Keep Your Health Plan Act. The bill responds to the cancellation of millions of insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act by allowing insurers to continue offering them into next year. “When North Dakotans started to receive their cancellation notices I quickly joined Chairman Fred Upton in becoming an original cosponsor of this bill. It allows anyone, including the uninsured, to enroll in the health care plan they choose. Further, it expands Americans’ options by giving them an additional year to purchase a plan of their choosing,” said Cramer. “These health care options should have never been stripped away in the first place. Despite assurances from the President, North Dakotans have lost coverage and they deserve a solution.” President Obama repeatedly stated “If you like your health care plan, you’ll be able to keep your health care plan, period.” In North Dakota alone it is estimated over 36,000 individuals will have their policies canceled due to Obamacare. The Keep Your Health Plan Act would allow insurers to continue offering 2013 health insurance plans outside of the Obamacare exchanges into next year.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-submits-comments-on-food-safety-modernization-act-regulation,Cramer Submits Comments on Food Safety Modernization Act Regulation,2013-11-15,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer submitted official comments on regulations stemming from the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Cramer said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should look to the expertise of North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, the National Sunflower Association, and North Dakota food producers as it develops rules for food inspection. “It is my understanding the intention of the FSMA was to provide oversight for imports of raw foods and not to cause undue restriction of our domestic food production.  While I recognize the need for Food Safety Oversight, I also recognize our agricultural producers in the United States are the best and most responsive producers in the world. Therefore they need to be partners in the promotion of food safety, not beholden to unnecessary regulations,” wrote Cramer. FSMA Comments.pdf",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/co-chairman-cramer-hosts-northern-border-caucus-panel-on-regulatory,Co-Chairman Cramer Hosts Northern Border Caucus Panel on Regulatory Reforms,2013-11-14,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Today Representatives Kevin Cramer and Bill Owens (D-NY), co-chairmen of the Northern Border Caucus, hosted a panel discussion on the regulatory challenges facing shipping and trucking industries and solutions as they relate to North American cross-border trade. Dave Britton, President of Britton Transport, Inc. in Grand Forks, was a featured expert on the three-person panel which also included Adam Salerno, a Senior Director at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Amgad Shehata, Vice President for UPS International Public Affairs. “Our relationship with Canada is second to none, and it is important we demonstrate this with the right policies for our citizens and business owners. In addition to trading with each other, there are tremendous opportunities trading together as a united North American continent beyond the oceans,” said Congressman Cramer. “With a few minor modifications, for instance allowing foreign drivers to reposition empty trailers, we can provide additional services and operate more efficiently.  It can be done and Canadian officials are prepared to reciprocate,” said Dave Britton, President of Britton Transport, Inc. The Northern Border Caucus, which brings together House Members from states along the Canadian border, is co-chaired by Congressman Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Congressman Bill Owens (D-NY). Today’s discussion was the third meeting of the Caucus. Meetings earlier this year focused on streamlining trade security, the proposed border fee for land crossings including those shared with Canada, and energy development including the Keystone XL pipeline.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-cites-north-dakota-obamacare-statistics-on-house-floor,Cramer Cites North Dakota Obamacare Statistics on House Floor,2013-11-14,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a speech on the House floor today, Congressman Kevin Cramer called attention to the low enrollment and high insurance cancellation numbers under Obamacare in North Dakota. The North Dakota Insurance Department reported over 36,000 individuals will have their policies canceled due to Obamacare, while only 30 enrollments took place through the exchange during the first month. Tomorrow the House of Representatives plans to vote on the Keep Your Health Plan Act, a bill cosponsored by Cramer which would restore the promise made by President Obama, who stated “if you like your plan, you can keep your plan.” The complete transcript of the speech and the graphic Cramer displayed during his remarks are below: Mr. Speaker, Wayne and Leann Buchholz operate a ranch near Rhame, North Dakota. They’ve never been active in politics, but a recent letter from their insurance company has changed all of that. For their letter informed them they would be losing their healthcare coverage due to the excessive regulations of Obamacare. Mr. Speaker, 36,000 North Dakotans are receiving similar cancellation notices. Each of these figures on this poster represent over 1,200 North Dakotans just like Wayne and Leann. On the other hand, only 30 North Dakotans have been able to sign up for Obamacare through the first month. Not 30,000, not, 3,000, not even 300, Mr. Speaker. 30. Each figure on this part of the graphic represents one North Dakotan able to sign up. Mr. Speaker, in North Dakota like much of America, a man’s word is his bond. We must help the President make good on his promise and pass the Keep Your Health Plan Act tomorrow.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-names-water-bill-conferees,Cramer: House Names Water Bill Conferees,2013-11-14,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced the House of Representatives named its members of the conference committee which will merge the Water Resources Reform & Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA) with the Senate’s version. “The advancement to conference committee is encouraging. The cornerstones of this bill, flood protection and a more efficient federal government, are shared by both parties and I am optimistic the conferees will find many agreements,” said Cramer. WRRDA authorizes a final feasibility study for the F-M Diversion, deauthorizes $12 billion in infrastructure projects to offset $8 billion in new projects, sets deadlines on the time and cost of federal studies, and addresses the lack of communication seen between the Corps and the general public during the 2011 Missouri River flood by requiring public notice of any runoff expected to be damaging to life or property. The House passed the companion appropriations bill to WRRDA on July 6, and awaits Senate consideration. A Cramer amendment in the bill blocks the Army Corps of Engineers from charging Missouri River users for water, specifying funds made available in the Act may not be used to establish a fee for surplus water from Missouri River reservoirs including Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-natural-resources-favorably-reports-energy-and-water-bills,Cramer: Natural Resources Favorably Reports Energy and Water Bills,2013-11-14,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced the House Committee on Natural Resources favorably reported two bills he cosponsors to rein in waste at the Department of the Interior and protect state and local water rights from federal takings. The Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America Act amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to stop ongoing waste of taxpayer resources by the Department of the Interior by ending its rewrite of the Stream Buffer Zone Rule. Finalized in 2008 after five years of scientific study and more than 43,000 public comments, the Stream Buffer Zone Rule regulates the amount of distance required between coal mining activity and water sources. Two environmental groups filed lawsuits against the Department of the Interior before the rule could take effect. Shortly after taking office, President Obama settled the lawsuit through a regulatory technique his administration frequently employs, known as ""sue and settle"". As a result of the settlement, the administration has proceeded to spend more than $8.6 million writing a sweeping overhaul of the Stream Buffer Zone Rule, now known as the Stream Protection Rule. The Water Rights Protection Act protects water rights privately held by communities, businesses, farmers and ranchers from being lost to the federal government. Federal agencies including the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) are engaged in attempts to confiscate water rights through conditioning permits they issue, such as grazing permits, on surrendering their private water rights. “It is unfortunate this administration is so out of control it requires regular legislation to prevent further economic damage from its actions. I hope the Senate is also paying attention to the ongoing outrageous actions of these departments and agencies,” said Congressman Cramer. “Water rights are fundamental to agriculture in North Dakota, and we appreciate Congressman Cramer’s work to keep the federal government from depleting them,” said Jeff Missling, President, North Dakota Farm Bureau. The Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America Act is supported by coal associations including the National Mining Association, and the Water Rights Protection Act is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council, the Western Governors’ Association and the Western States Water Council among other organizations. Congressman Cramer is a member of the Natural Resources Committee, including the Energy and Mineral Resources and Public Lands and Environmental Regulation Subcommittees.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-questions-epa-administrator-mccarthy,Cramer Questions EPA Administrator McCarthy,2013-11-14,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy on hydraulic fracturing and coal regulations, and reiterated his request for a listening session in North Dakota on the agency’s planned carbon emission standards. Cramer, a member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, asked McCarthy why the EPA continues to create uncertainty in the energy industry by searching for what is possible without attention to what is probable or likely. “Is the mere possibility of an event occurring sufficient to justify regulatory action?” Cramer asked McCarthy. On May 16, the Obama administration released its proposal through the Bureau of Land Management to create the first-ever regulation of hydraulic fracturing at the federal level despite no proven negative impacts on drinking water and robust state regulations. EPA listening sessions Congressman Cramer has repeatedly requested McCarthy hold an EPA listening session in North Dakota on its proposed regulations for existing coal-fired power plants. The agency held 11 listening sessions in cities including Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston, while bypassing all ten states most experienced with coal generated electricity including North Dakota. Cramer submitted a written request for a listening session in Bismarck which Administrator McCarthy did not respond to, and is an original cosponsor of a resolution calling on the EPA to hold sessions in all top ten coal states. At the hearing today, Cramer continued to pressure McCarthy for a North Dakota session. “In a place like North Dakota where there are 17,000 jobs at stake, 3.5 billion dollars toward our economy at stake, and where there are a whole bunch of really wonderful, smart experts and scientists who work in this every single day and could provide lots of good information to the EPA, a better method might be to hold a listening session there in public view for everybody to participate,” said Cramer. Cramer noted the difference in participation between Republicans and Democrats at the hearing was noticeable. Members of the majority party are seated at right in the photo below. Prior to his election to the United States House of Representatives, Cramer served on the North Dakota Public Service Commission. During his tenure, beginning in 2003, Cramer dealt with all aspects of the Commission’s portfolio including regulation of North Dakota’s three investor owned utilities and management of North Dakota’s Surface Mine Coal Reclamation Act State primacy program.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-statement-on-the-presidents-obamacare-announcement,Cramer Statement on the President's Obamacare Announcement,2013-11-14,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer released the following statement in response to President Obama’s announcement on health care. The President said he would make another unilateral, one-year adjustment to the implementation of Obamacare without seeking changes to the law itself. “Today the President offered a temporary tweak to a permanent problem he created with Obamacare. Instead of fixing his health care law, he re-stated his “keep your plan” rhetoric to the American people, this time pledging he will temporarily stop enforcing the law which makes many health insurance plans illegal. Tomorrow in the House we will vote on a bill I am cosponsoring which would write into law what President Obama said he will do through administrative fiat. If the President was serious about fixing health care, he would work with Congress on the bipartisan Keep Your Health Plan Act.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-announces-coffee-discussions-in-wahpeton-and-valley-city,Cramer Announces Coffee Discussions in Wahpeton and Valley City,2013-11-12,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced he will host Coffee with Cramer discussions in Wahpeton and Valley City on Monday, November 25th. Along with taking questions on any issue from attendees, Cramer will discuss current legislative activity in Congress and its implications for North Dakota. The public is encouraged to attend these open events. Coffee with Cramer discussions have previously been held in Bismarck, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Linton, and Minot. Congressman Cramer also hosts a weekly hour-long radio town hall which can be heard statewide 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. The details of the events are below: Monday, November 25 Coffee with Cramer in Wahpeton 9:30AM – 10:30AM Fryn' Pan Restaurant Banquet Room 1008 Dakota Ave. Wahpeton Coffee with Cramer in Valley City 2:00PM – 3:00PM Vicky’s Viking Room 253 Central Ave. N Valley City",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-reiterates-need-for-usda-action-on-grain-inspection-delays,Cramer Reiterates Need for USDA Action on Grain Inspection Delays,2013-11-12,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer reiterated to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack the need for immediate USDA action to resolve delays and inconsistent grain inspections caused by labor strikes in the Pacific Northwest.  In a new letter to Secretary Vilsack with several colleagues led by House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Congressman Cramer urged the Federal Grain Inspection Service to prepare an executable plan for implementation in the event future disruptions occur, ensuring grain inspections at all Pacific Northwest export facilities are performed without interruption. Last week Cramer wrote his own letter to Vilsack, stressing the imperative nature of the problem due to its impact on the global commodity market.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=13bd490a-72a8-497a-8ec6-0df6f125061f,Hoeven Nominates Six Students for Military Academy Appointments,2013-11-11,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.11.13 Hoeven Nominates Six Students for Military Academy Appointments students for appointment to our nation’s military academies. Hoeven nominated: Chandler Vercher of Minot, Jacob Santer of Fargo and Anthony Coronato of Fargo to the United States Naval Academy; Leah Fagerland of Minot and Nicholas Scarberry of Fargo to the United States Military Academy at West Point; and Mitchell Robinson of Minot to the United State Air Force Academy. “It is an honor to have the opportunity to appoint several of North Dakota’s top students for appointments to our nation’s military academies,” Hoeven said. “Our nation’s prestigious military academies have a distinguished history of shaping and educating some of our country’s finest leaders. I am confident this group of North Dakota students will continue this proud legacy and represent our state well as they prepare to serve as officers in the United States military.” As part of the application process, service academies require students to be nominated by a member of Congress or the Vice President. Final appointments are determined by each academy. Students appointed to the academies receive a scholarship as well as a military appointment. Following graduation, students must serve in the military for at least five years. Individuals interested in applying for a military academy nomination for academic year 2015-2016 should submit an application by September 2014. Hoeven nominated the following North Dakota students for academy appointments: United States Naval Academy Chandler Vercher, Minot, ND Chandler is a senior at Magic City Campus in Minot, where he is ranked number 1 of 449 students in the class of 2014. Chandler has been involved in a variety of sports during his high school years including track, basketball and football. He is highly involved with Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), is the current local president and was awarded the Who’s Who Award for 2013. Chandler has volunteered with homeless shelters, the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity. Chandler is the son of Col. Robert and Amy Vercher. Jacob Santer, Fargo, ND Jacob is a senior at Fargo North High School in Fargo, where he participates in FBLA and Key Club. Jacob is also a very avid bowler and a member of the bowling club. Jacob attended the Summer Seminar at the U.S. Naval Academy and considered it an honor to experience what life is like as a midshipman. Jacob has given many volunteer hours to the Academy for Children. He is the son of Donald and Alisen Santer. Anthony Coronato, Fargo, ND Anthony is a senior at Fargo North High School in Fargo. He is the son of Anthony and Christine Coronato. Anthony has been a wrestler for all four years of high school and a member of the JROTC where he holds many leadership positions. He has performed over 50 color guards within the Fargo community as well as competing in several drill and physical fitness competitions. United States Military Academy (West Point) Leah Fagerland, Minot, ND Leah is currently a graduate student at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in the Architecture Program. Leah graduated from Minot High School and NDSU in May 2013. She is currently active in the American Institute of Architecture Students. Leah has been involved in a variety of sports, challenging courses and many leadership activities throughout her high school and college years. A strong family tradition of military service has given Leah a desire to become an officer in the United States Army. She is the daughter of Bert Fagerland. Nicholas Scarberry, Fargo, ND Nicholas is a senior at Davies High School in Fargo. He is the son of Eugene and Susan Scarberry. Nicholas is a National Honor Society member and has participated in track and field all four years of his high school career. Nicholas has participated in the JROTC program and has earned multiple recognitions and awards. He also has been a member of the Davies High School Chamber Orchestra and the Fargo Moorhead Youth Symphony playing the viola. United States Air Force Academy Mitchell Robinson, Minot, ND Mitchell is a senior at Magic City Campus in Minot, where he has been involved in various activities including the Varsity Swim Team, FBLA, and JROTC. Mitchell is also a National Honor Society member and was competitively selected to participate in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program. He is a lifeguard at the Minot Air Force Base Pool. Mitchell is the son of Christopher and Louann Robinson. 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?ID=b36d44e9-9ef0-4ab6-bcfc-c05da265c043,"Hoeven Statement in Honor of Veterans, Families",2013-11-11,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.11.13 Hoeven Statement in Honor of Veterans, Families FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in commemoration of Veterans Day: “With courage and selflessness, the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families have served our nation and kept us safe through our most trying times, day and night, during every season. Accordingly, we designate a special time to celebrate, remember and honor their sacrifices, which is appropriate. We should, however, remember and honor them not only on Veterans Day, and not only when we are in a time of war, but throughout the years. We owe them an immense debt of gratitude for their brave sacrifices and the freedom we have today because of those sacrifices. We owe them a debt we can never adequately repay, but must always strive to.” 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-nominates-six-students-for-military-academy-appointments,Hoeven Nominates Six Students for Military Academy Appointments,2013-11-11,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.11.13 Hoeven Nominates Six Students for Military Academy Appointments students for appointment to our nation's military academies. Hoeven nominated: Chandler Vercher of Minot, Jacob Santer of Fargo and Anthony Coronato of Fargo to the United States Naval Academy; Leah Fagerland of Minot and Nicholas Scarberry of Fargo to the United States Military Academy at West Point; and Mitchell Robinson of Minot to the United State Air Force Academy. It is an honor to have the opportunity to appoint several of North Dakota's top students for appointments to our nation's military academies, Hoeven said. Our nation's prestigious military academies have a distinguished history of shaping and educating some of our country's finest leaders. I am confident this group of North Dakota students will continue this proud legacy and represent our state well as they prepare to serve as officers in the United States military. As part of the application process, service academies require students to be nominated by a member of Congress or the Vice President. Final appointments are determined by each academy. Students appointed to the academies receive a scholarship as well as a military appointment. Following graduation, students must serve in the military for at least five years. Individuals interested in applying for a military academy nomination for academic year 2015-2016 should submit an application by September 2014. Hoeven nominated the following North Dakota students for academy appointments: United States Naval Academy Chandler Vercher, Minot, ND Chandler is a senior at Magic City Campus in Minot, where he is ranked number 1 of 449 students in the class of 2014. Chandler has been involved in a variety of sports during his high school years including track, basketball and football. He is highly involved with Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), is the current local president and was awarded the Who's Who Award for 2013. Chandler has volunteered with homeless shelters, the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity. Chandler is the son of Col. Robert and Amy Vercher. Jacob Santer, Fargo, ND Jacob is a senior at Fargo North High School in Fargo, where he participates in FBLA and Key Club. Jacob is also a very avid bowler and a member of the bowling club. Jacob attended the Summer Seminar at the U.S. Naval Academy and considered it an honor to experience what life is like as a midshipman. Jacob has given many volunteer hours to the Academy for Children. He is the son of Donald and Alisen Santer. Anthony Coronato, Fargo, ND Anthony is a senior at Fargo North High School in Fargo. He is the son of Anthony and Christine Coronato. Anthony has been a wrestler for all four years of high school and a member of the JROTC where he holds many leadership positions. He has performed over 50 color guards within the Fargo community as well as competing in several drill and physical fitness competitions. United States Military Academy (West Point) Leah Fagerland, Minot, ND Leah is currently a graduate student at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in the Architecture Program. Leah graduated from Minot High School and NDSU in May 2013. She is currently active in the American Institute of Architecture Students. Leah has been involved in a variety of sports, challenging courses and many leadership activities throughout her high school and college years. A strong family tradition of military service has given Leah a desire to become an officer in the United States Army. She is the daughter of Bert Fagerland. Nicholas Scarberry, Fargo, ND Nicholas is a senior at Davies High School in Fargo. He is the son of Eugene and Susan Scarberry. Nicholas is a National Honor Society member and has participated in track and field all four years of his high school career. Nicholas has participated in the JROTC program and has earned multiple recognitions and awards. He also has been a member of the Davies High School Chamber Orchestra and the Fargo Moorhead Youth Symphony playing the viola. United States Air Force Academy Mitchell Robinson, Minot, ND Mitchell is a senior at Magic City Campus in Minot, where he has been involved in various activities including the Varsity Swim Team, FBLA, and JROTC. Mitchell is also a National Honor Society member and was competitively selected to participate in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program. He is a lifeguard at the Minot Air Force Base Pool. Mitchell is the son of Christopher and Louann Robinson. 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-honor-of-veterans-families,"Hoeven Statement in Honor of Veterans, Families",2013-11-11,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.11.13 Hoeven Statement in Honor of Veterans, Families FARGO, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in commemoration of Veterans Day: With courage and selflessness, the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families have served our nation and kept us safe through our most trying times, day and night, during every season. Accordingly, we designate a special time to celebrate, remember and honor their sacrifices, which is appropriate. We should, however, remember and honor them not only on Veterans Day, and not only when we are in a time of war, but throughout the years. We owe them an immense debt of gratitude for their brave sacrifices and the freedom we have today because of those sacrifices. We owe them a debt we can never adequately repay, but must always strive to. 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-announces-2014-military-academy-nominees,Cramer Announces 2014 Military Academy Nominees,2013-11-08,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,Kevin Cramer,C001096,cramer.house.gov,,,legacy,"BISMARCK, N.D. – Congressman Kevin Cramer today announced he awarded Congressional nominations to the United States military service academies to three North Dakota students. Cramer nominated Ariel Warren of Mohall to the United States Air Force Academy, John Gasper of Bismarck to the United States Naval Academy, and Jayce Gravdahl of West Fargo to the United States Military Academy at West Point. “I am honored to nominate such distinguished and qualified students to our nation’s military service academies,” said Cramer. “They have all demonstrated the skill and determination necessary to succeed at these institutions, and I look forward to hearing about their future accomplishments in the service of country.” Students must be nominated to an academy by a member of Congress, the Vice President, or a Service Branch Secretary. Final appointment decisions are made by the academies. Those interested in applying for 2015 admission to a military service academy can find more information on Congressman Cramer’s official website, or by calling Randy Richards in his Grand Forks office at 701-738-4880. Biographical information on the students nominated by Cramer is below: Ariel Warren, Mohall Ariel is a senior at Mohall Lansford Sherwood High School. She is active in Science Olympiad, drama, Envirothon, speech, the National Honor Society, and is a Certified Nursing Assistant. Ariel’s parents are David Warren and Amber Minor.  John Gasper, Bismarck John is a senior at Bismarck High School. He is active in cross country, baseball, the National Honor Society, the Bismarck Rotary Club, and is a team leader on the Bismarck High School Academic Team. John’s parents are Francis and Sabina Gasper. Jayce Gravdahl, West Fargo Jayce is a senior at West Fargo High School. He is active in the National Honor Society, cross country, Skills USA, his local church, and was elected a Senator at North Dakota Boys State. Jayce’s parents are Theresa Gravdahl and Dave and Bev Gravdahl. Contact: Communications Director, Matt Becker, (202) 225-2611",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=287576de-8c4b-49fa-928a-94f5e0367764,"Delegation Announces Approval of Recovery Plan Totaling $24 Million in CDBG Funds for ND, Including $20.4 Million for Minot",2013-11-08,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,ND,John Hoeven,H001061,www.hoeven.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.08.13 Delegation Announces Approval of Recovery Plan Totaling $24 Million in CDBG Funds for ND, Including $20.4 Million for Minot WASHINGTON – Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp, and Congressman Kevin Cramer today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved two disaster recovery plans totaling nearly $24 million to help local communities in North Dakota to recover from severe storms and flooding in 2011. These disaster plans will rely on grants provided earlier this year through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Last March, HUD allocated a total of $41.6 million to the State of North Dakota and the City of Minot. North Dakota requested HUD approve $3.5 million in disaster spending while the City of Minot requested HUD approve $20.4 million. Minot’s full award was $35 million and the state’s was $6.6 million. Both chose to request disbursement in portions. To date, Minot and Ward County have received federal grants, loans and direct assistance totaling $652.75 million for flood relief and recovery. “This approval is a big step,” the delegation said. “It will enable Minot to continue their work of rebuilding the city better than ever. They can now implement recovery strategies they’ve worked long and thoughtfully on to restore and rebuild the housing, infrastructure and businesses that were severely impacted by the 2011 flood.” The delegation worked to ensure that North Dakota communities would be eligible for disaster recovery funding under the Hurricane Sandy disaster bill to help the Minot area address unmet needs after the flood of 2011. The Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, which Congress passed in January, includes a $16 billion appropriation for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program. In addition to the communities affected by Hurricane Sandy, the delegation worked to make the disaster CDBG funding available for events occurring in 2011, 2012 and 2013, which made Minot and other communities that experienced flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires eligible to apply. HUD provides these flexible grants to help cities, counties and states recover from presidentially declared disasters and, in 2011 Senator Hoeven along with Senator Kent Conrad, successfully pushed for the CDBG-DR funding to be targeted specifically to the most impacted areas, enhancing the Minot area’s chances of receiving assistance. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z