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Week in Review
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What a week we have had in Washington! I'm excited to be back in the District meeting with constituents and attending events in northern Michigan. I look forward to kicking off the Atlanta Vets Fest this Saturday morning and hope to see you there. It's an honor to get to be a part of so many First District community events and to see the passion and care that drive our "up north" communities.
While the partisan non-sense and political games garnered most of the media attention this week, we were able to achieve some bipartisan accomplishments in Washington. I've said before, but it's worth repeating - every day in Congress there is good bipartisan work being done. Unfortunately, it often doesn't appear in the news or make for catchy headlines.
In a bipartisan vote on Wednesday, we passed the repeal of a tax on middle-class health benefits, also referred to as the "Cadillac Tax." The Middle Class Health Benefits Tax is a provision of the Affordable Care Act that would impose a 40% excise tax on high value employer-sponsored health care coverage. The tax would threaten the benefits of over 181 million hardworking Americans.
Lastly, I wanted to make you all aware that on July 25th, the remains of Corporal Charles Lawler will be returned to Traverse City. He has been missing since 1950, and last month North Korea agreed to turn over his remains. While I will be in D.C., my office staff will be there on my behalf and I encourage you to join them and so many others to honor the sacrifice of this American hero. You can find more details here.
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| Rep. Bergman Discusses Expanding Mental Health Services In Rural Michigan With Stacy From Thunder Bay Community Health Services |
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Bergman in the News
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Traverse City Record Eagle: Rep. Bergman Recalls The Moon Landing
“We were just staring at the little TV,” the 72-year-old representative of Michigan’s 1st District said. “The screen was probably 15 inches. The furniture cabinet around it was probably worth more than the TV itself. We were excited, as a family, and excited as Americans, to be part of that achievement. We believed that all the U.S. had played a role in encouraging that endeavor.”
Read the article here.
Up North Live: Sault Tribe To Receive $2 Million Economic Development Grant
“I appreciate the Department of Commerce and the Trump Administration’s commitment to investing in our tribal communities,” said Congressman Jack Bergman. “Small businesses are the back bone of the First District and this economic development grant is another positive step to ensure communities have the economic resources to grow and thrive in the First District of Michigan.”
Read the article here.
TV 6: Bergman Votes In Opposition To Political House Resolution
"The constituents of the First District of Michigan sent me to Washington to be a legislator, not a commentator. Instead of empty House Resolutions and constant attacks on the President, Congress should better serve the American people by getting back to work on the issues and actual legislation that we were sent here to address."
Read the article here.
Alpena News: Bergman Speaks On Migrant Detention Policies
“Congress must work on long-term solutions to fix the flaws in our current immigration system, beginning with securing our border,” Bergman said in a written statement. “I will continue to advocate for policies that protect our communities, end the illicit, exploitative situation at the border, and preserve America’s legacy as a welcoming nation."
Read the article here.
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Legislative Corner
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Bergman Cosponsors H.R. 1730, the Cancer Drug Parity Act
This bill requires insurance coverage of patient administered and physician-administered anticancer drugs at the same cost to patients. Currently, patients who rely on self-injectable or oral cancer drugs often have to spend thousands of dollars a year on our of pocket expenses simply because they receive the drugs from a pharmacy rather than in a doctor’s office.
This bill would put an end to these high costs for patients by requiring that any health plan that provides coverage for traditional cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, also provide coverage for innovative orally administered anticancer medications at a cost no less favorable than the cost of an intravenous or injected cancer treatment.
Bergman Votes To Repeal Cadillac Tax
At a time when access to healthcare is at the forefront of our policy conversation, Congress should not support taxing the benefits of hardworking Americans. From labor unions to small businesses - this ridiculous tax would hurt workers all across the First District of Michigan.
To learn more, follow this link.
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Committee Update
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| Rep. Bergman Speaks At A Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Hearing |
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Work:
This week the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee held a hearing (watch HERE) on pending legislation, including Rep. Bergman’s H.R.561 - the Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2019. This legislation would ensure that Veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses actually receive the VA contracts set aside for them by the VA’s Vets First Program.
H.R. 561 protects Veterans and cracks down on a practice that wastes tax payer dollars, cuts into the profits intended for Veterans and service-disabled Veterans, and sidelines the law-abiding Veteran business owners who want to perform the work.
You can read more HERE.
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Meeting Time
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This week provided many opportunities to meet with constituents and discuss important topics that impact our area. Meeting with each of you provides great insight into the needs that we are facing in the District. Having met with the Thunder Bay Community Health Clinic, Michigan Corn Growers, Walmart, Veterans Assembled Electronics, 340B Health, Michigan Veterans, the Bipartisan Policy Center, and so many others – it’s clear the needs affecting our District are vast, and I'm proud to work with such great partners to tackle the tough issues.
Sitting down with the Michigan Corn Growers Association, we discussed the need to pass the USMCA trade agreement with our international neighbors. If brought to the floor, this trade deal would pass. However, House leadership continues stalling and playing political games at the expense of our manufacturers and farmers. It's time to pass the USMCA. Michigan's agricultural exports with Mexico and Canada totaled over $1 billion in 2018, supporting over 9000 jobs - our farmers deserve a trade deal that puts America first!
Additionally, on June 21st, the Michigan Congressional delegation sent a letter to Secretary Perdue in support of Governor Whitmer's request for a Secretarial Designation of Disaster for the entire state of Michigan. Due to historic weather conditions, farmers all across the state are facing sever crop loss.
You can read our letter here.
If you are interested in setting up a meeting in the District or in our Washington office, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office at 202-225-4735.
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| Rep. Bergman Meets With The Michigan Corn Growers Association |
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| Rep. Bergman Meets With Walmart Employees To Discuss Their Commitment To Helping Veterans And Veteran's Families Find Career Opportunities |
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Follow Team Bergman on Social Media
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I want to stay connected with my constituents in the First District. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date on the latest events, news, and information.
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