WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a staunch advocate for North Dakota flood protections, met with Rep. Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina, the nominee to lead the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and pressed him on the importance of continued federal support for strong, permanent flood protection in Fargo and Minot.

OMB helps set each administration’s federal funding priorities, which is why Heitkamp explained to Mulvaney how important it is to maintain federal support for Fargo and Minot flood protections. Last year, Heitkamp helped successfully secure federal support from OMB and Army Corps leaders for a Minot study start and a Fargo construction start, in addition to critical funding for both projects.

“During our meeting, I explained to Rep. Mulvaney how critical strong, permanent flood protections are for families in Fargo and Minot. That conversation is important to have with someone who might help set the incoming administration’s federal funding priorities, and I’ll continue to press OMB about the importance of this support,” said Heitkamp. “Sitting down to meet with the president-elect’s cabinet-level nominees is a needed step in fully vetting each nominee for his or her potential role. As I consider this nomination, I look forward to learning more about Rep. Mulvaney through his upcoming Senate hearing.”

As the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Federal Management, Heitkamp also spoke with Mulvaney about ways to improve the federal regulatory system and achieve bipartisan, commonsense reform that leads to better regulatory outcomes and makes sure small businesses in North Dakota and across the nation are heard when agencies develop regulations.

Heitkamp has long fought to make sure the federal government lives up to its responsibilities and assists North Dakota in recovering from past flooding and helping protect communities throughout North Dakota from future floods.

In October, Heitkamp met with Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney in her ongoing push to guarantee the Red River Valley gets the permanent flood protections the area needs. Heitkamp updated Mahoney on her work to forge a path forward that secures Fargo flood protections, including a conversation she had with current OMB Director Shaun Donovan, pressing him on the need for continued federal support.

In Julyy 2016, Heitkamp joined officials in Fargo for the signing of an agreement to initiate construction for the Fargo-Moorhead diversion. And after successfully working to secure a study start for Minot, Heitkamp participated in the signing ceremony for the Minot and Souris Basin Flood protections in May 2016.