Press Releases

Washington - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6784, the Manage Our Wolves Act. H.R. 6784 would direct the Fish and Wildlife Service to end Endangered Species Act protection for the grey wolf. In 2009, President Obama's Administration had determined the grey wolf no longer needed these protections, but litigation in 2014 overturned that ruling in federal court. Following House passage today, Rep. Bergman released the following statement: "Proper conservation efforts and specie... Read more

Traverse City - On September 12, 2018 Congressman Jack Bergman sent President Donald Trump a letter on behalf of First District cherry farmers, urging the Administration to "withdraw duty-free benefits under the Generalized System of Preference (GSP) for tart cherry juice from the Republic of Turkey." Yesterday, President Trump began the initial process to end Turkey's duty-free access to the U.S. market. Congressman Jack Bergman issued the following release: Rep. Bergman stated, “I applaud the ... Read more

Accord between the state and company requires Enbridge to pay all costs for a multi-use tunnel beneath the Straits, compels safety improvements on other water crossings The state of Michigan and Enbridge Energy today announced an agreement that will lead to major safety enhancements along the entire length of the Line 5 petroleum pipeline crossing the state, permanently shut down the current segment that crosses the Straits of Mackinac, and construct a multi-use utility tunnel beneath the Strait... Read more

Washington - Congressmen Bergman, Marino, Barletta, Abraham, and Gosar introduced legislation this week to aid in deploying broadband Internet access to unserved and underserved areas. H.R. 6871, the Rural Broadband Connectivity Act, will incentivize private investment in rural areas like Michigan’s First District where the digital divide is preventing businesses and families from reaching their full potential. Specifically, the Rural Broadband Connectivity Act provides a tax credit to entities ... Read more

WASHINGTON—Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01) sent a letter to the Farm Bill conference committee urging them to expand drinking water investments in the final Farm Bill so that rural communities have access to safe drinking water. “More than 6 million residents living in rural communities across America do not have access to safe drinking water. And in 2015 alone, roughly 5,000 water facilities had Safe Drinking Water Act violations. More than 50 percent of thes... Read more

Traverse City – Michigan Congressman Jack Bergman (R) has been named 2018 Great Lakes Legislator of the Year by the largest labor/management coalition representing shipping on America’s Fourth Sea Coast. The award is presented annually by Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) to a legislator who has helped advance waterborne commerce on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway and will be presented on September 18 at Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, Michigan. “Although this is jus... Read more

WASHINGTON – Michigan businesses and residents affected by severe storms and flooding June 16 - 17, 2018, can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 6, 2018. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 7, 2019 Administrator McMahon made the loans available in response to a letter from Gov. Rick Snyder on Sept. 4, requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA.... Read more

Yesterday, leaders in the House and Senate released the American's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, a bipartisan bill that will fund America's water resources and infrastructure. The legislation authorizes the construction of a second 1,200-foot lock at theSoo Locks, a key priority for Michigan. Inclusion of the funding authorization follows an Army Corps report in June that urged the building of a second lock because ofthe Soo Locks' strategic value and vital importance to America’s economy an... Read more

President Donald J. Trump issued a "Major Disaster Declaration" for Michigan, following the devastating flooding that occurred on Father's Day. Congressman Bergman released the following statement: "I applaud President Trump and the Administration for approving Lt. Governor Calley's request to declare the damage in Houghton, Gogebic, and Menominee counties a major disaster. I will continue to encourage the Administration to approve Individual Assistance, as that portion remains in the review pro... Read more

Washington- On July 31st, President Trump signed The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act into law. This new law supports career and technical education, giving states and local communities more flexibility to design career education programs. It also simplifies the requirements states have to follow when applying for federal funds. The law streamlines the application process, aligning it with the state workforce development plan under the Workforce Innovation an... Read more