Press Releases

Today, Rep. Jack Bergman - alongside Senators Slotkin and Peters and Reps. Barrett, Dingell, Huizenga, James, McClain, McDonald-Rivet, Moolenaar, Scholten, Stevens, Thanedar, Tlaib, and Walberg - sent a bipartisan letter to President Donald J. Trump, urging him in the strongest possible terms to approve Governor Whitmer’s May 16 request for a Major Disaster Declaration.

The Members wrote in part, "The unprecedented storm brought record levels of snow and freezing rain to thirteen counties and one federally recognized tribe, causing widespread damage to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Tens of thousands of residents were left without heat or power, prompting the State of Michigan to activate the Michigan National Guard and local jurisdictions to implement emergency response efforts.

"Although substantial progress has been made in restoring power, heating homes, clearing roadways, and removing debris, the recovery process remains far from complete nearly three months later. State and local resources have been expended, and federal support is desperately needed to continue recovery efforts.

"Governor Whitmer’s May 16 request has received strong bipartisan support across both chambers of Congress. On May 19, Senator Peters, Senator Slotkin, and Representative Bergman wrote to you in full support of her request, and on June 9, they followed up with a letter to Small Business Administrator Loeffler endorsing the Governor’s June 5 request for an administrative declaration of disaster.

"The counties of Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Kalkaska, Mackinac, as well as the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, can afford to wait no longer. Though they responded swiftly, and with the help of the State, and have made meaningful strides toward recovery, they cannot adequately handle this burden alone."

John Kran, President & CEO, Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA) noted, “In late March and early April, northern lower Michigan and part of the Upper Peninsula were hit with an unprecedented ice storm, impacting cooperative members across 12 counites. The State of Michigan’s May 16 request for a major disaster declaration is a critical step in helping our communities and cooperatives move forward after this historic event. Michigan’s electric cooperatives are incredibly grateful to Congressman Bergman, Senator Peters, Senator Slotkin and their House colleagues for strong, bipartisan support on this critical issue.”

You can read the full letter here.