The U.S. House unanimously passed Rep. Jack Bergman's bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting Veteran-owned small businesses. Rep. Bergman introduced H.R. 561, the Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2019, to safeguard small businesses in the Veterans First Program, which gives preference to Veteran-owned small businesses in awarding VA contracts. The legislation cracks down on abusers within the system that waste tax-payer dollars, cut into the profits intended for Veterans...
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Today, Representative Jack Bergman announced a $10,000,000 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) grant for repair or reconstruction of Federal-aid highways and roads on Federal lands that have suffered serious damage as a result of the catastrophic Father's Day flooding that occurred in 2018. Rep. Bergman stated, "As the recovery process continues for Gogebic, Houghton, and Menominee Counties, these DOT funds will help ensure that the affected counties have the resources necessary to continue ...
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Today, Rep. Jack Bergman led a bipartisan letter with Members of the Michigan Congressional delegation to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in support of the tart cherry industry’s allegation against improper Turkish trade practices. This letter furthers his effort to level the playing field for local tart cherry growers. Since taking office, Rep. Bergman has advocated for Michigan's cherry industry in the face of trade challenges, such as Turkey’s dumping of cheap government-subsidized produc...
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Representative Jack Bergman, member of the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force, issued a statement following the EPA's announcement proposing regulatory determinations for PFAS/PFOA in drinking water. Rep. Bergman stated, "Every American deserves to know the water they are drinking is safe and clean. The EPA took a major step this week to address the emerging PFAS crisis across the country. As the public weighs in on this proposal and more scientific data becomes available, it is our duty t...
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Today, Rep. Jack Bergman announced the latest round of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Transportation (DOT) initiatives to support rural communities. Rep. Bergman is a vocal advocate in Congress for key rural programs to improve the health of our local water systems, bring connectivity to our homes and businesses, and safeguard the roads, bridges, and trails we use every day. "The Trump Administration continues delivering on its pro...
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Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to help increase access to education, training and health care resources in rural communities. USDA is making $71.7 million in grants available under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant program. This program helps rural communities use telecommunications-based audio and video equipment to connect teachers, students, m...
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Today, President Donald Trump released his FY 2021 budget request, which included many First District priorities, such as funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and continued investments for a new Poe-sized Lock in Sault Ste. Marie. Rep. Jack Bergman issued the following release: "While Congress ultimately has the final say in the budgeting process, I'm grateful President Trump has prioritized Michigan's First District in his FY 2021 budget. From rural broadband connectivity and nati...
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On the heels of President Trump announcing $123.2 million in his FY21 budget proposal for construction of a new Lock, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced they had updated the FY20 Work Plan to include an additional $50 million for the Locks project. This brings funding levels for this fiscal year to $125.3 million. Rep. Jack Bergman issued the following statement: "After decades of political inaction, the momentum continues to grow as we make construction of a new Lock in Sault Ste. Marie...
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Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. H.R. 4301, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act, reauthorizes and increases the funding levels for the GLRI through 2026. Following passage, Congressman Bergman, member of the Great Lakes Taskforce and an original cosponsor of H.R. 4031, released the below statement: "Michigan’s First District has the most Great Lakes shoreline of any Congressional District, and I have been proud t...
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After attending President Donald J. Trump's State of the Union Address, Congressman Jack Bergman issued the following statement: "Tonight, President Trump delivered a message of optimism that has lifted Americans across the entire country - and from every walk of life. Grit and hard work drive the American dream, and the policies of this Presidency have grown small business optimism to historical heights and created an atmosphere where Michigan businesses have added 102,000 jobs - including 17,...
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