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Bergman, Van Drew, Davis, Golden introduce SMILE for Veterans Act

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Last week, Reps. Jack Bergman, Jeff Van Drew, Don Davis, and Jared Golden introduced the SMILE for Veterans Act, bipartisan legislation establishing a Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program to reimburse community-based dental providers for care provided to rural Veterans.

Under current law, only about 15 percent of the nearly nine million Veterans enrolled in VA health care are eligible for VA dental services. Eligibility is generally limited to Veterans with a service-connected dental condition, a 100 percent disability rating, or former prisoner-of-war status.

“For too many Veterans in rural communities, basic dental care is either too far away or simply out of reach,” said Rep. Jack Bergman. “The SMILE for Veterans Act offers a practical solution by connecting Veterans with trusted dental providers already serving their communities. Rather than building an expensive new federal system from the ground up, this legislation uses existing local providers to deliver care efficiently and closer to home.”

Efforts to broadly expand dental coverage through the VA have faced significant cost and capacity challenges, including the need for additional personnel, facilities, and community-care infrastructure.

The SMILE for Veterans Act takes a targeted approach by creating a reimbursement pathway for existing community-based dental providers to serve rural Veterans. By leveraging providers and infrastructure already in place, the legislation would expand access to dental care in underserved communities without requiring the VA to build a new system from the ground up.

“I spent 30 years as a dentist, and I can tell you that putting off dental care usually only makes things worse,” said Rep. Jeff Van Drew. “For veterans living in rural communities, sometimes the hardest part is simply finding a dentist close enough to get the care they need. That should not be the case. The SMILE for Veterans Act is a practical way to connect veterans with that care closer to home. To me, that is common sense.”

“Quality dental care is a critical part of keeping our veterans healthy, and too often, veterans in rural communities face significant challenges getting the care they need. The bipartisan SMILE for Veterans Act would give community providers across eastern North Carolina a way to deliver that care closer to home. Our veterans kept their promise to our nation, and we must always keep ours to them,” said Rep. Don Davis.

“VA health care is an essential benefit for our nation’s veterans, but for too long a lack of dental coverage has been a massive gap in care. The mouth is part of the body, and our veterans shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get basic dental care. I’m proud to work with Reps. Bergman, Davis and Van Drew on the SMILE Act, which takes a smart first step toward more comprehensive coverage by focusing on rural areas where barriers to care are the highest and community providers that can help close the gap,” said Rep. Jared Golden.

The SMILE for Veterans Act is supported by AMVETS, the National Rural Health Association, and the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.

In 2024, the CareQuest Institute funded 10 projects across the country to identify the barriers Veterans face in getting oral health care. The Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP) was among the recipients, and with the help of the funding, was able to hold community forums across the region. The forums brought together Veterans, servicemembers, families and caregivers, dental providers, insurers and health plans, and policymakers to discuss Veteran oral health and what keeps Veterans from getting care. The project, led by Frank Lombard, UPCAP’s U.P. Veterans Program Manager, produced troubling findings about the dental health and unmet needs of Veterans in rural Michigan. One survey of 835 Veterans found:

Poor oral health: More than a third of Veterans surveyed rated their oral health as only fair or poor.

Veterans are pulling their own teeth: 32 Veterans reported extracting one of their own teeth during or after military service because they couldn't get in to see a dentist – 1 in 8 of those who answered the question. Among Veterans who rated their oral health as poor, the rate was more than 1 in 4.

Widespread tooth loss: More than 75 percent of respondents who answered reported losing two or more teeth to decay or gum disease. Nearly 40 percent have lost six or more.

Enrolled in VA care, but no dental benefit: 83 percent of respondents are enrolled in VA health care, yet 44 percent reported they are not eligible for VA dental care, with another 32 percent unsure whether they qualify. Fewer than 2% reported being service-connected for dental care.

No dental insurance: Nearly 37 percent of Veterans reported having no dental insurance. Among those rating their oral health as poor, more than half are uninsured.

Cost is the leading barrier: Affordability was the most frequently cited reason for not visiting the dentist more often. That includes 43 percent of Veterans in poor oral health.

Long gaps in care: Nearly a third of Veterans had not seen a dentist in more than a year. More than 20 percent had gone three or more years. Among Veterans in poor oral health, 58 percent had not had a dental visit in the past year.

“The CareQuest Institute for oral health generously provided funding for the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress to conduct a rural Veteran oral health survey across our region. The results revealed systemic issues regarding problems with Veteran access to dental care. Although the majority of the 835 Veterans who completed the survey reported being enrolled in VA healthcare (696/83%), only 162 (19.4%) reported being eligible for dental services through the VA. Approximately 34% of Veterans reported their oral health as being fair (166) or poor (123). 307 Veterans reported having no dental insurance and 15 reported being unsure if they had any coverage. Lack of eligibility for dental care through the VA and the cost of care were some of the most frequent barriers highlighted in the survey results. Those who reported paying the most out-of-pocket for dental care were middle and lower income categories. The survey also revealed that many Veterans are struggling with serious and painful dental problems such as broken and cracked teeth, cavities, and abscesses. 32 veterans who completed the rural Veteran oral health survey even reported having to extract one of their own teeth during or after military service because they could not get into a dentist in time. No Veteran should ever have to pull one of their own teeth after the sacrifices they have made. This is a problem that must be solved,” said Frank Lombard.

“No Veteran should struggle to get the dental care they need because of where they live. For veterans in rural communities, limited options and long distances can make accessing oral health care especially difficult, and we all have a responsibility to help close those gaps,” said Melissa Burroughs, Senior Director of Public Policy at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. “This legislation is an important step in addressing longstanding barriers to care for rural veterans, and it’s encouraging to see leaders from both parties working together on such a critical need.”

“The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is grateful to see the introduction of the SMILE Act, led by Representative Bergman, Representative Davis, Representative Van Drew, and Representative Golden. This legislation would establish a pilot program to improve rural Veterans’ access to dental care, addressing a critical need in rural communities where Veterans often face significant barriers to accessing essential health services. With one in four Veterans living in a rural area, ensuring access to dental care is an important part of ensuring rural Veterans can receive the comprehensive care they deserve,” said Alan Morgan, CEO, National Rural Health Association.

Michigan Republicans: Canada's Apologies Won't Clear Michigan's Skies

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Reps. Jack Bergman, John James, Lisa McClain, and John Moolenaar are demanding immediate action from the Canadian government as another wildfire season brings dangerous smoke across the border and into Michigan communities.

After repeated conversations sharing concerns, and a lack of meaningful progress, the Members are making clear that continued inaction from Canada is unacceptable. The Members say Canadian leaders have had years to address the underlying causes of worsening wildfires, yet American families continue to bear the consequences.

In a joint letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Michigan Republicans warned that patience has run out and called on Canada to move beyond promises and take real action to protect communities on both sides of the border.

In their letter, the Members argued that, "We write today as members of Michigan's congressional delegation to raise our voices on an issue that has already drawn letters from our colleagues in past years: wildfire smoke drifting across the border from Canada into our communities. Additionally, last year, Reps. James and Bergman each wrote letters to your government to raise the alarm about wildfire smoke pouring across our border from Canada into our communities. We write jointly this time because a year has passed, the season has come around again, and nothing has changed except that our patience has run out."

The letter to Prime Minister Carney continued, "We were told last year that this would be treated with urgency. It was not. We were told the causes, chronic under-investment in forest thinning, fuel reduction, and prescribed burns, along with inadequate enforcement against arson, were being addressed. They were not, or not adequately enough to matter to the people we represent. Provincial leaders have offered excuses instead of results, and in some cases have openly dismissed the health of American citizens as an inconvenience to their own summer. That attitude is unacceptable from a neighbor and an ally."

"We are done accepting apologies in place of action. If Canada will not manage its forests to prevent these fires, the United States will look elsewhere, and act on our own, to protect our people. That means our own agencies exploring direct involvement in cross-border fuel reduction and firefighting capacity. It means reconsidering how much benefit of the doubt this relationship continues to earn on an issue where American lungs are paying the price for Canadian inaction, year after year. Sovereignty comes with responsibility, and the responsibility to prevent a foreseeable disaster from crossing into another country's airspace has not been met."

Read the full letter here.

ICYMI: President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Michigan

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Michigan to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from April 10-21, 2026.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Manistee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Washtenaw and Wexford counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and families recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Alcona, Alpena, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Eaton, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iron, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Marquette, Mecosta, Menominee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Newaygo, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Presque Isle, Tuscola and Wexford counties.

Brian F. Schiller has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

Individuals and families who sustained losses in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App.

If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service.

Bergman, Thompson, Steube, Vargas Introduce Bill to Extend Benefits Timeline for Military Survivors

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Reps. Jack Bergman (MI-01), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Greg Steube (FL-17), and Juan Vargas (CA-52), introduced the GRACE (Granting Rollover Access and Contribution Extensions) for Military Survivors Act, legislation that extends the time period in which surviving family members of a Military servicemember can make important financial decisions about their survivor benefits.

"When a servicemember makes the ultimate sacrifice, their family deserves our unwavering support - not unnecessary bureaucratic deadlines. Military families should have the time and flexibility to make important financial decisions without added pressure during one of the most difficult moments of their lives. I'm proud to support the GRACE for Military Survivors Act to ensure we honor their sacrifice by giving surviving loved ones the compassion and certainty they deserve,” said Rep. Jack Bergman.

“Grieving military families have enough on their plates when they lose a loved one — they should not be forced to make urgent, consequential financial decisions on top of everything else. Ensuring families have the time they need to decide the best path forward just makes sense. Grateful to work with my colleagues to introduce this important legislation,” said Rep. Mike Thompson.

“The families of our fallen service members have already sacrificed more than most Americans can imagine. The last thing they should have to worry about is financial deadlines while grieving the loss of a spouse, parent, or child,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “As a veteran, I understand the sacrifices made by military families, and they deserve to make thoughtful financial decisions without unnecessary pressure from the federal government.”

“When a service member dies in the line of duty, their families should never be forced to make urgent financial decisions while enduring the pain of immeasurable loss. They deserve time, flexibility, and grace,” said Rep. Juan Vargas. “I’m grateful to join my colleagues in introducing this critical legislation.”

BACKGROUND

When a service member dies in the line of duty, surviving families are forced to navigate immense grief while also making important financial decisions under compressed timelines. Current law allows surviving spouses and children to roll over military death gratuities and Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) benefits into certain tax-advantaged savings accounts, but only within one year of receiving the benefits. For many military families, that timeline is simply too short. This legislation would provide surviving military families with additional flexibility and time to make thoughtful long-term financial decisions.

The bill would:

Extend from one year to three years the period in which military death gratuities and SGLI payments may be contributed to Roth IRAs and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts without penalty.
Ensure military families are not penalized while grieving and adjusting to life after the loss of a service member.

The GRACE for Military Survivors Act was developed in conjunction with Gold Star Spouses of America. Reps. Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Pat Harrigan (R-NC), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), and Shri Thanedar (D-MI) are original cosponsors.

The bill is endorsed by: American Legion, American Veterans (AMVETS), Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Gold Star Spouses of America, Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN), National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO), Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS), United Services Automobile Association (USAA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Veterans Survivor Coalition, Vietnam Veterans of America, and With Honor Action.

“Gold Star Spouses of America strongly supports the GRACE for Military Survivors Act. Surviving spouses are often advised not to make major financial decisions during the first year after the death of their loved one, a recommendation that can inadvertently cause families to miss opportunities to utilize military death benefits in tax-advantaged savings accounts. Extending the contribution period from one year to three years acknowledges the realities of grief and gives surviving families the time they need to make thoughtful financial decisions that strengthen their long-term financial security,” said Tamra Sipes, National President, Gold Star Spouses of America.

“Military families give more than most Americans will ever be asked to. When a service member passes, we should not ask surviving spouses and families to set aside their grief to focus on finances,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “This legislation is notable for what it is not—it is not partisan, costly, or controversial. It imposes no new federal spending, creates no new bureaucracy, and asks nothing of taxpayers. It simply removes an arbitrary constraint that punishes military survivors for taking the time they need to grieve. Keeping faith with military families means ensuring they are treated with dignity and compassion during life’s most difficult moments. With Honor Action enthusiastically endorses the GRACE for Military Survivors Act and appreciates For Country Caucus members Rep. Mike Thompson and Rep. Bergman for their strong commitment to honoring military families and those who served.”

“USAA is proud to support the GRACE for Military Survivors Act, which reflects both sound financial policy and compassion for military families. This bill gives military families the time and flexibility they need to make solid financial choices for the future, empowering them to achieve financial security.” said Maj. Gen. John Richardson, U.S. Army, Ret., USAA Senior Vice President, Head of Policy & Alliances.

“The current one-year deadline is often unrealistic for grieving military families navigating the emotional, financial, and logistical challenges that follow the loss of a loved one in service. The Veterans Survivor Coalition supports extending this window to three years gives survivors the time and flexibility they deserve to plan for their family’s future,” said the Veterans Survivor Coalition.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

Bergman Duty Status Legislation Gains Momentum with Senate Introduction

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Last week, U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) - a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense - and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) - a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee - introduced the bipartisan Duty Status Reform Act in the Senate to make comprehensive reforms to the National Guard by consolidating and streamlining the duty status framework.

Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI-01) and Gil Cisneros (D-CA-31) led the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Michigan’s National Guard members are among the most dedicated servicemembers in the country, and they deserve a system that works as hard as they do,” said Rep. Bergman. “The current duty status framework - nearly 30 classifications - creates unnecessary confusion, delays pay and benefits, and limits commanders’ ability to mobilize quickly when our Nation calls. The Duty Status Reform Act fixes that by cutting through the bureaucracy and giving our Guardsmen the clarity, consistency, and equity they’ve earned. I’m proud to lead this effort in the House alongside Rep. Cisneros, and I thank Senators Moran and Rosen for carrying this forward in the Senate.”

“The men and women of the National Guard in Kansas and across the country play a critical role in serving our communities and defending our nation,” said Sen. Moran. “As the Guard’s mission has evolved, the duty status system has become increasingly complex. This legislation will simplify the structure and strengthen the Guard’s ability to carry out its missions by standardizing pay and benefits, bolstering readiness and better supporting those who serve.”

“Duty Status Reform is a necessary overhaul to antiquated administrative systems that have negatively impacted our Reserve and National Guard servicemembers' quality of life and readiness,” said Sen. Rosen. “That’s why I’m proud to help introduce this bipartisan bill to cut through the red tape by simplifying the duty status structure from nearly 30 statuses down to four so the reserve component will receive timely and equitable pay and benefits without preventable delays or disruption. This legislation ensures the reserve component receives fair and equitable treatment when answering the call to service at a moment’s notice.”

“In our ever-changing operational environment, our military leaders need the flexibility to act quickly and effectively. But the duty status system has limited commanders' ability to quickly mobilize guard and reserve units. The broken duty status construct is hurting our readiness and fixing this long-standing issue has remained my number one priority since returning to Congress,” said Rep. Cisneros. “The Duty Status Reform Act is a bipartisan, bicameral solution that will bolster our readiness and improve our servicemembers' lives by giving them predictability, pay parity, and hard-earned points towards TRICARE and Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. I am thankful to Senators Moran and Rosen for leading the Senate's efforts on this complex issue, and I look forward to working with partners in Congress, the administration, and the Department of Defense to get this legislation across the finish line.”

Specifically, the Duty Status Reform Act would:

Standardize pay and benefits;
Improve deployment readiness by clearly outlining mission eligibility requirements;
Provide servicemembers and commanders with greater clarity on the duties servicemembers can perform before extensions are required;
Ease transitions as servicemembers move from one status to another; and
Improve consistency in Veterans’ benefits eligibility for Guard members by reducing disparities resulting from differing duty statuses.

The legislation would create four duty statuses:

Category 1: Active Duty – war, national emergency, disaster response, cyber/WMD events, presidential call-ups and pre-planned missions.
Category 2: Active Duty – disciplinary jurisdiction, missing status, required active-duty training and Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) functions.
Category 3: Reserve Component Duty – required annual training, musters, Inactive Duty Training (IDT)-like duties and additional training with consent.
Category 4: Remote Assignments – flexible tasks, online learning and individually assigned non-supervised duties.

“The National Guard has become an indispensable operational force for this country, but the duty status system has not kept pace with the way our Soldiers and Airmen serve today,” said Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Francis M. McGinn, President, National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). “Duty Status Reform will reduce administrative burdens, simplify a system that has become too complex, and make the Guard easier to access and employ when the nation needs us most. NGAUS is grateful to Senators Moran and Rosen for their leadership, and we are encouraged by the broad bipartisan support behind this legislation. That momentum reflects a growing recognition that the Guard deserves a modern system that matches the reality of its service.”

“Duty Status Reform replaces a burdensome maze of statutory authorities governing reserve service with a clear, predictable framework, allowing the military to operate faster and directly tying service to defined pay and benefit entitlements,” said Maj. Gen. (Ret.) John Hashem, CEO, Reserve Organization of America (ROA). “It ensures uniform benefit accrual, reduces record disputes, and delivers equal DoD/W and VA benefits for identical service. ROA thanks Senators Rosen and Moran for introducing the Duty Status Reform Act and urges the 119th Congress to enact it into law.”

“The Duty Status Reform Act is about ensuring our National Guard members can focus on the mission - not the patchwork of benefits, entitlements, and protections tied to the type of orders they are serving under. Whether responding to wildfires, hurricanes, civil emergencies, overseas deployments, or national security missions, Guardsmen answer the call without hesitation,” said Chief Master Sgt. Josh J. Baker, President, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS). “They should not have to stop and wonder whether the orders they were placed on will impact their healthcare coverage, pay protections, retirement credit, or family support programs. HR 6976 moves us closer to a more equitable and modern system that recognizes the operational reality of today’s National Guard. EANGUS strongly supports this legislation because taking care of our service members and their families strengthens readiness, improves retention, and allows Guardsmen to remain fully focused on serving their state and nation.”

“For the Marine Corps Reserve, the Duty Status Reform Act represents a long-overdue transition from a legacy Cold War administrative framework to a model that reflects the high-tempo, operational reality of the 21st-century Reserve Component. Our Reserve Marines are no longer a ‘force in waiting’; they are a force in execution, seamlessly integrating with the active component to meet global contingencies,” said Col. (Ret.) Ken Hopper, President & CEO, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Association (MCRA). “Streamlining these statuses ensures that pay, healthcare, and retirement credit are tied to the service itself, rather than a confusing array of statutory authorities. This legislation is a critical step in removing the 'bureaucratic fog' that distracts from lethality and readiness. The Marine Corps Reserve Association fully supports this reform because it honors the sacrifice of our Citizen-Marines and provides their families with the stability and equity they have earned through their selfless service to the Corps and the Country.”

"Guard and Reserve members have long navigated a maze of 30 duty status classifications that created confusion, large administrative burdens, errors, and in some cases pay and benefit inequities,” said Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Brian Kelly, President & CEO, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). “The introduction of this Senate companion legislation marks a critical step toward delivering the clarity these servicemembers deserve. MOAA applauds Senators Moran and Rosen for championing this reform and urges swift action to get it across the finish line."

Bergman Votes to Condemn Fraudsters Stealing from the Government

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, Rep. Jack Bergman voted in favor of H. Res. 1335, a House resolution condemning fraud against federal programs and affirming that taxpayer dollars should be verified and protected before they are spent.

The resolution highlights the billions of dollars lost each year through improper payments, waste, and fraud across federal programs and calls for stronger accountability to ensure taxpayer funds reach their intended recipients.

"Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar taken from hardworking taxpayers and the Americans these programs are meant to serve," said Rep. Jack Bergman. "The federal government has a responsibility to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars. That means verifying eligibility, preventing abuse, and holding fraudsters accountable. Families in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula work too hard to have their tax dollars wasted through fraud and mismanagement."

House Republicans have made combating waste, fraud, and abuse in government a top priority as part of broader efforts to restore fiscal responsibility and improve public trust in federal programs.

Rep. Bergman said protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring federal programs operate with integrity remains a key part of his commitment to the people of Michigan's First Congressional District.

Bergman's PLOW Storms Act Prioritizes Public Safety Over Burdensome Federal Regulations

Wed, 13 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Rep. Jack Bergman, joined by Reps. Tony Wied and Pete Stauber, introduced the Protecting Lifesaving Operations during Winter Storms Act, or the PLOW Storms Act, legislation aimed at ensuring snowplow operators and road commissions can keep critical winter response vehicles operational during severe winter weather events.

The legislation addresses growing concerns from road commissions and public works departments regarding increasingly unreliable diesel emissions systems that can force snowplows into reduced-power “derate” modes or sideline trucks entirely during dangerous winter storms.

“For communities across the First District, snowplows are not optional - they are lifesaving equipment,” said Rep. Bergman. “When plow trucks are disabled during winter storms because of federal emissions mandates, lives are put at risk. The PLOW Storms Act restores common sense by ensuring our road commissions have the flexibility and reliability they need to keep roads open, emergency vehicles moving, and families safe.”

The legislative proposal was developed following conversations between Rep. Bergman and road commission leaders in Chippewa County.

Robert Laitinen, Manager of the Chippewa County Road Commission, noted, “The (PLOW Storms Act) is a tremendous step forward that will provide the Chippewa County Road Commission and all other agencies like us the regulatory certainty that we need to be able to modify our existing heavy diesel fleet and to order new units in a configuration that allows us to regain the reliability that we once enjoyed and that the motoring public deserves."

Laitinen continued, "Having multiple plow trucks down during a winter storm event due to unreliable diesel emissions equipment or enduring imposed loss of engine power (derate events) due to overzealous emissions regulations is not simply an inconvenience - in our line of work it endangers many lives. Thank you to Congressman Bergman for having the fortitude to bring this issue to light and for offering a very reasonable and functional solution. This measure, if passed, will be a major improvement in overall public safety for every resident in Michigan and the rest of the snowbelt states.”

The PLOW Storms Act seeks to provide local agencies with greater certainty and operational flexibility to maintain dependable winter maintenance fleets capable of responding effectively during severe snow and ice events.

Bergman Applauds VA For Record-Setting Investment to End Veteran Suicide, Highlights Work Still Ahead

Thu, 07 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representative Jack Bergman highlighted new record-setting progress by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in suicide prevention efforts, alongside historic funding secured through the appropriations process to support at-risk Veterans.

This week, the VA announced that it has reached the highest levels on record for both suicide risk screenings and follow-up evaluations for Veterans. As of March 2026, 88% of Veterans receiving VA care completed an annual suicide risk screening - the highest rate since tracking began in 2021.

Additionally, 96% of Veterans identified as at risk received a comprehensive follow-up evaluation and support plan within 24 hours, also a record high.

In March, Rep. Bergman led a bipartisan request signed by 29 Members urging the House Appropriations Committee to provide full funding for VA suicide prevention and treatment programs in the FY27 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) funding bill. The request called for funding at not less than the VA’s FY27 Advance Appropriations request of $3.09 billion, including $713.4 million for suicide prevention outreach.

Earlier this month, the Appropriations Committee released its FY27 MilCon-VA bill and accompanying report, outlining $3.67 billion in funding for VA suicide prevention and treatment, of which $726.7 million is directed toward outreach efforts.

“These numbers represent real lives being reached and real progress in the fight to end Veteran suicide, but we know the mission is far from over, and we must continue to match progress with resources. This is exactly how the process should work. We identified the need, fought for the resources, and delivered even more support than requested to help save Veterans’ lives," said Bergman.

The VA’s progress follows increased focus on improving suicide risk screening and timely follow-up care, including addressing concerns raised in a 2024 Office of Inspector General report. Expanded outreach has also played a key role, particularly in reaching unenrolled Veterans, who account for more than 60% of Veteran suicides.

Veterans in crisis, or those concerned about a Veteran, can contact the Veterans Crisis Line for 24/7 confidential support by dialing 988 and pressing 1, texting 838255, or visiting VeteransCrisisLine.net.

The full release from the VA can be found here.

Bergman, Correa Lead Letter Urging FDA to Expedite Review of Breakthrough Mental Health Therapies

Wed, 06 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Last week, Reps. Jack Bergman and Lou Correa, co-chairs of the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies Caucus, led 30 bipartisan colleagues in sending a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Martin A. Makary urging the agency to advance its evaluation of rapid-acting novel therapeutics – including entactogen- and psychedelic-assisted therapies – for the treatment of serious mental health conditions.

Millions of Americans continue to struggle with complex mental health challenges, and for many, existing treatment options fall short. This gap in care is felt acutely among Veterans, who experience rates of PTSD, depression, and suicide far exceeding those of the general population, and it has contributed to a growing and urgent public health crisis affecting individuals, families, and communities across the country.

The letter follows President Trump’s April 18 signing of the Executive Order “Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness,” which directs federal agencies to fast-track access to psychedelic treatments for patients with serious mental illnesses who have not found relief in existing treatment options.

You can read the full letter here or below:

Commissioner Makary:

We write regarding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ongoing evaluation of rapid-acting novel therapeutics, including entactogen- and psychedelic-assisted therapies, for mental health conditions affecting millions of Americans. For many individuals, current treatment options remain insufficient, deepening an already urgent public health crisis. As Members of the House of Representatives, we have heard from countless Veterans, clinicians, and families seeking evidence-based alternatives, and many of us joined a bipartisan letter to President Biden in 2024 urging his administration to support access to MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pending FDA approval.

We are encouraged by your public statements recognizing these treatments as “a top priority for this FDA and this administration.”

We agree that the agency must conduct “an expeditious and rapid review” of promising treatments, especially those that address urgent unmet needs in PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other neuropsychiatric conditions.

At the same time, we understand and respect the agency’s role in ensuring that any new treatment meets rigorous standards of safety and efficacy. Recent regulatory actions, including the issuance and public release of the Complete Response Letter (CRL) for MDMA-assisted therapy, highlight the complexity of evaluating innovative treatment modalities and underscore the need for clear, consistent expectations for this emerging field.

In that spirit, we respectfully request written responses to the following questions:

1. Special Protocol Assessment (SPA): How does the FDA communicate and apply any remaining data concerns beyond clearly defined primary endpoints and control conditions when pivotal trials are conducted under an SPA? Are improvements underway to make regulatory expectations more predictable for therapies in emerging fields?

2. Methodological Standards and Interagency Coordination: What steps is the FDA taking to clarify methodological expectations for entactogen- and psychedelic-assisted clinical trials – including strategies to mitigate functional unblinding and expectancy effects – and how is the agency coordinating with federal partners such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to streamline research pathways for populations with urgent unmet needs, including Veterans with PTSD.

3. Review Integrity and Subject-Matter Expertise: How does the FDA ensure that qualified experts with relevant experience conduct reviews of entactogen- and psychedelic-assisted therapies? What steps are in place to ensure consistency, objectivity, and independence in the evaluation process?

4. Final Guidance Timeline: What is the expected timeline for finalizing the FDA’s June 2023 guidance on clinical trials involving rapid-acting novel therapeutics, including entactogen- and psychedelic-assisted therapies?

In addition, we encourage the FDA to provide further clarity in the final guidance around:

- Strategies to mitigate functional unblinding and expectancy bias;

- Standards for adverse event monitoring and safety reporting;

- Provider training, licensing, and participant safeguards;

- The evolving role of psychotherapy in conjunction with pharmacological intervention;

- Generalizability of findings across diverse patient populations; and

- Consistency in regulatory expectations across entactogen and psychedelic drug development programs.

We remain committed to ensuring that Veterans and others living with treatment-resistant mental health conditions have access to safe, evidence-based care.

We respectfully urge the FDA to continue its evaluation of entactogen- and psychedelic-assisted therapies with transparency, urgency, and scientific rigor as the agency carries out its statutory responsibilities.

Thank you for your leadership and ongoing commitment to addressing this critical public health issue.

Bergman: America Must Rebuild Readiness by Maintaining the Force We Already Own

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Readiness, delivered the following remarks at a hearing on the posture of U.S. Military Readiness for FY27.

"I think that we can all agree that the declining readiness trends are unacceptable," Rep. Bergman said. "These trends have been years in the making and are causing aircraft to be cannibalized and ground vehicles to sit idle...The sad fact is that we have allowed our military readiness to decline across the board because we are more focused on procuring shiny objects than on holistically managing the day-to-day maintenance necessary to sustain our military."

Rep Bergman's Statement as Prepared for Delivery:

I’d like to welcome everyone to today’s hearing.

I particularly want to thank all our esteemed witnesses for accepting our invitation to discuss the plight of our military readiness.

I think that we can all agree that the declining readiness trends are unacceptable.

These trends have been years in the making and are causing aircraft to be cannibalized and ground vehicles to sit idle.

While I look forward to our witnesses’ thoughts, I would like to offer a few ideas as to what we in Congress need to do to make our military more lethal and effective in the near term.

First of all, we need to do the hard work and focus on sustaining the existing fleet.

The sad fact is that we have allowed our military readiness to decline across the board because we are more focused on procuring shiny objects than on holistically managing the day-to-day maintenance necessary to sustain our military.

Secondly, the overall topline requested by the administration in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request is unprecedented, but absolutely essential to address the plight of our military forces.

For too long, our military has relied on a legacy force structure that has not been maintained to the readiness levels required.

One need not look further than the Joint Strike Fighter program and the readiness levels provided by this exquisite platform.

Cannibalizing our Joint Strike Fighter fleet because we have not provided the basic parts to support this superior platform is not a reasonable long-term solution to maintaining current readiness.

This budget request, with the accompanying reconciliation supplement, will break this cannibalization cycle and put the Joint Strike Fighter on a sustainable path.

Finally, we need to develop a modernization strategy that provides for our ability to maintain legacy assets through their expected service life.

A stark example of this readiness crisis is the state of our amphibious fleet.

The Marine Corps has long championed a naval strategy capable of accelerated national security response, and has consistently advocated for the restoration of a 3.0 amphibious readiness group worldwide presence — a standard the Navy has failed to meet.

Years of neglect, misplaced priorities, and open derision from certain Navy pundits have left less than half of our amphibious ships available for tasking.

That is not a maintenance problem — it is a leadership problem.

This Subcommittee will hold the Navy accountable for restoring these ships to their expected service life.

The Marine Corps should not have to implore its sister service for the platforms it needs to execute America's crisis response mission.

In conclusion, I think any expanded force structure needs to be accompanied by a strategic focus on maintaining the existing forces through their expected service life.

This approach is not only cost-effective but also more rapidly expands our readiness force posture to best meet our ongoing national security challenges.

I thank the witnesses for being here today.

I look forward to your testimony and to working together to address these challenges.