Hoeven begins statewide tour highlighting North Dakota’s increasing role in U.S. defense

U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) on March 27 kicked off a statewide military tour to tout the recently passed fiscal year (FY) 2024 Defense Appropriations Bill, which increases North Dakota’s role in the nation’s defense.

“The FY24 Defense Appropriations legislation provides strong support for our military and bolsters North Dakota’s growing role in the defense of our nation,” said Sen. Hoeven during a roundtable in Minot, N.D., which is home to the Minot Air Force Base. “We kicked off our military tour in Minot today to outline this important funding because our nuclear triad is the bedrock of our national defense.”

The senator, who is a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, said that the bill increases defense spending by 3 percent and includes a 5.2 percent raise for military members.

The bill also ramps up North Dakota’s military role by advancing modernization of the nuclear triad, including missions at Minot Air Force Base, the nation’s only dual-nuclear base. For instance, the appropriations bill includes $4.5 billion for ongoing research and development and early procurement of key components of the new Sentinel Land-Based Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), as well as $200 million to increase capacity for silo construction, according to the senator’s staff.

“Our nuclear forces were developed during the Cold War and need to be overhauled to deter any adversary from challenging the United States,” Sen. Hoeven said. “This legislation makes the investments we need to strengthen deterrence.”

Additionally, the appropriations bill provides full funding for the Space Development Agency and Test Resource Management Center to execute their missions in Grand Forks, N.D., and authorizes $15 million in funding to plan for a new guard training center for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle that potentially could be located in Grand Forks.

Finally, the bill provides more than $100 million for new military technologies being developed in North Dakota communities, including Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Fargo, said Sen. Hoeven.

“Importantly, we secured funding to continue upgrading the B-52 bomber and its engines, and provide millions for the new weapon it will carry,” he added. “At the same time, the bill provides strong funding to develop and procure a new intercontinental ballistic missile and keeps Minot on track to receive new Grey Wolf helicopters to secure the ICBMs around the base.”

During the roundtable, Sen. Hoeven also updated Minot’s Task Force 21 on his discussion with U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin regarding the Air Force’s FY2025 budget request and the outlook on various nuclear modernization programs.

Sen. Hoeven will continue his statewide military tour with meetings in Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Fargo over the next week, his staff said.