Washington - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to consider VA bills introduced and cosponsored by Congressman Jack Bergman. Congressman Bergman chairs the VA Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. At 3:00 PM, the House will begin consideration of fourteen VA bills: two of which were introduced by Congressman Bergman (H.R 5215 and H.R. 5418), and three of which he has cosponsored. In March, Congressman Bergman said his bill, H.R. 5215, the Veterans Affairs Purchase Card Misus...
Read more
"For years, Veterans in rural communities of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula have struggled to access the care they've earned in a timely and convenient setting. While the VA Choice Program was meant to provide Veterans with flexibility in receiving care, its results were far from acceptable. From Veterans not receiving care, to providers not receiving reimbursement for the care provided, the shortfalls and red-tape of the Choice Program have been problematic for years. The VA MISSION ...
Read more
Washington - Congressman Jack Bergman, Chairman of the VA Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, released the following statement after the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs passed four of his bills, as well as the VA MISSION Act, which replaces the flawed VA Choice program: "As a retired combat Veteran, Chairman of the VA Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Representative of the First District of Michigan, providing our Veterans with the quality care they've earned has b...
Read more
Friday, Representatives Bergman, Moolenaar, Mitchell, and Kaptur, led a bipartisan letter to President Donald J. Trump urging his continued commitment to rebuild the Locks in Sault Ste. Marie. “Since taking office, building a new Poe-sized Lock in Sault Ste. Marie has been my number one infrastructure priority, not only for the First District of Michigan, but for our entire country,” said Bergman. Bergman continued, “Recently I spoke with President Donald J. Trump about the need to build this ne...
Read more
Washington - Today, Congressman Jack Bergman voted to pass the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4). "As a retired Union commercial airline pilot, I know the critical role that the FAA plays in our public safety. Today's vote to authorize the FAA until FY 2023 is important as we seek to streamline and effectively run these critical government entities. Additionally, H.R. 4 reauthorizes the Essential Air Service (EAS) for 5 years. EAS funding is critical for six of Michigan’s First Distric...
Read more
Washington - Citing national security implications, steel production, and economic impact, Congressman Jack Bergman urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to use new funding to complete design work and begin construction on a new Poe-sized Lock. "An unexpected outage at the Poe Lock would be disastrous to the U.S. and global economy. In March, Secretary James (Army, Civil Works) testified to a House Committee that building a new lock is not only a priority but additionally, not building ...
Read more
Washington - This past week, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Jack Bergman sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs, urging VA to remedy ongoing flaws in its Choice Program contracts. “While the collapse of last month’s agreement to enact community care consolidation legislation was extremely disappointing, there are nonetheless steps VA can take right now to improve the Choice Program,” said Bergman. “It is inexcusable that veterans still encounter delays and hea...
Read more
Department of Labor (DOL) VETS is accepting the final applications for the HIRE Vets Medallion Program Demonstration. Established by the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2017 (HIRE Vets), the demonstration program will recognize up to 300 employers for their investments in recruiting, employing and retaining our nation’s veterans. Additional information from DOL can be found below: _____________________________________________________________ Par...
Read more
Washington- Congressman Jack Bergman, member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement after the Balanced Budget Amendment came up short in the House: "Every individual and business in Michigan's First District have to live within their means financially, and there’s absolutely no reason that the federal government should be an exception to that rule. Our country is facing a financial crisis, and we’re leaving our children and grandchildren an insurmountable national debt. ...
Read more
Marquette- Congressman Bergman released the following information: Today, USDA Rural Development announced the approval of four new grants to assist in vehicle purchases for First District emergency services in Manistique, Alger, Schoolcraft, and Charlevoix counties. "Many of our rural Fire, EMS, and Police Departments in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula operate on limited resources, and often with outdated equipment. I applaud USDA and the Trump Administration for realizing the importa...
Read more
