Jack Bergman

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Mary Vollink, an exceptional resident of Traverse City, Michigan, for receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the Traverse Connect Board of Directors. Since 1929, this prestigious honor has been awarded to outstanding individuals for their significant contributions to social, economic, and cultural improvements within the Traverse City area. Currently, Ms. Vollink serves as the Office Manager and Volunteer Coordinator for the Salvation Army in Traverse City, where her dedication to public service has made an immeasurable impact on Northern Michigan. Her tireless efforts have both helped countless individuals in times of need and undoubtedly strengthened the community across Grand Traverse County. Ms. Vollink's selection for this award speaks volumes about her character and her commitment to improving the lives of others. Mary's work with the Salvation Army began nearly 40 years ago in Holland, Michigan. After relocating to Traverse City in 1988, Ms. Vollink joined the Traverse City Salvation Army while simultaneously working for the TCAPS Transportation Department as a school bus driver for elementary students and students with special needs--a role she held until 2010. In addition to serving as the Office Manager and Volunteer Coordinator for the Salvation Army, Ms. Vollink works as an Emergency Disaster Services Coordinator for the region. Throughout her continued commitment to public service, she has formed lasting bonds with countless Northern Michigan families. Mr. Speaker, Mary Vollink exemplifies the spirit of selfless service that strengthens communities across Michigan's First District. Her selection for the Distinguished Service Award is well deserved, and I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mary Vollink on this outstanding achievement and thanking her for her decades of exemplary service to the people of Traverse City and Northern Michigan.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for supporting this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my legislation, the VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act, a bill that puts veterans first by ensuring the systems meant to serve them are working as intended. Last July, the VA came to Congress with a dire warning: the agency was facing major funding shortfalls, nearly $3 billion for veterans' benefits and additional $12 billion for healthcare. The message was urgent: Without immediate action, benefits could be delayed for millions of veterans. Congress acted quickly and responsibly to approve supplemental funding because when it comes to our veterans and their families, there can be no margin for error. Their peace of mind, their financial security, and their access to care are not negotiable. Just weeks later, we learned that there were, in fact, no shortfalls. Revised financial estimates from the VA showed billions of dollars left unspent. While the shortfall didn't actually exist, the panic, confusion, and sleepless nights for the veterans wondering whether they would receive care was very real, and it was avoidable. Mr. Speaker, the goal of H.R. 1823 is not to assign blame. It is to strengthen trust. Our veterans should never have to worry that an accounting error might prevent them from receiving their earned care and benefits. This bill simply ensures that the Comptroller General will audit the VA's budgeting and accounting systems, identify where things went wrong, and help make sure it never happens again. Let's be clear: The VA serves millions of veterans with dedication and compassion every day, but we can always do better and our veterans deserve nothing less. They have earned the peace of mind that comes from knowing their government is not only committed to them but equipped to serve them reliably. The VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act is about reinforcing that commitment. This is not a partisan issue. It is about making sure we get it right for those who have served our Nation every time. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting this bill, which will help ensure that our veterans never have to question whether their benefits and care will be there when they need them.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 530) to provide for a study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on the prevalence and mortality of cancer among individuals who served as Active Duty aircrew in the Armed Forces, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 530, as amended.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 530, as amended. The bill was introduced by my friend and fellow veteran, Representative Pfluger. This bill would ensure there is trusted medical research available to pave the way for toxic-exposed military pilots and air crew to assess their VA disability compensation benefits. As someone who served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, I am troubled by how many times I have heard from my fellow aviators that military pilots and air crewmen appear to be diagnosed with cancer at much higher rates than civilians. Colonel Andrew Shurtleff, who testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee in March, is one of those veterans. He served our country as an Air Force fighter pilot, and he started fighting stage IV cancer in 2019 when he was just 41 years old. My prayers are with him as he continues to battle cancer, and I wish him the very best. Military pilots and air crewmen across the service branches, like Colonel Shurtleff, are exposed to chemicals and toxic fumes in confined spaces every time they fly a mission. However, there is not enough medical research available for VA to simply presume that their cancers are related to those exposures. That makes it much harder for them to access their earned VA benefits. Each one of those veterans has to prove to the VA that chemicals and toxins caused their cancer. Many have had to fight the VA system for years before they received any disability compensation, and many others never received their earned benefits before they passed away. H.R. 530, as amended, would ensure that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conducts a study on whether the cancers suffered by military pilots and their air crew are related to their chemical and toxic exposures. The VA needs robust medical research to streamline military air crew veterans' access to disability compensation, and VA needs it fast, for today and tomorrow's veterans. My friend from Texas' bill would ensure that research gets done and that our military pilots and air crewmen get the answers they deserve. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 530, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger), my esteemed colleague, an Air Force pilot, and truly a person who understands and cares about the subject matter of this bill.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1912) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the repayment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of benefits misused by a fiduciary, and for other purposes.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 1912.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1912 introduced by my colleague from Virginia (Mr. Connolly). My prayers are with him and his family as he once again battles cancer. Mr. Speaker, I thank the leadership teams, especially Leader Scalise and his staff, for agreeing to move this bill forward in his absence. Representative Connolly's bill would ensure that the VA's fiduciary program is improved so that our Nation's most vulnerable veterans receive the benefits that they have earned. Let me say that again: our most vulnerable veterans. The VA appoints fiduciaries for veterans who are unable to manage their VA financial benefits. These fiduciaries are required to use a veteran's VA benefits for the veteran's care and welfare. The VA periodically reviews fiduciary activities to ensure that fiduciaries are not misusing a veteran's VA benefits. When a fiduciary misuses a veteran's benefit, current law does not allow the veteran to be made financially whole until after the VA determines whether the misuse was the result of VA negligence. These determinations of negligence amount to bureaucratic red tape that have caused long delays before veterans could recoup their misused benefits. Some veterans have passed away before their misused benefits are returned. We must ensure that the VA's fiduciary program is streamlined. This bill would get rid of red tape preventing victims of misuse from promptly recouping their VA benefits. It would prohibit the VA from withholding repayment of misused benefits while the VA is still working on a negligence determination. It would also require the VA to implement methods to ensure that negligence determinations are made in a timely manner. Veterans deserve to have access to their benefits without bureaucratic hurdles and unnecessary delays. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 1912, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation and send our colleague, Mr. Connolly, our best wishes and prayers. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deepest gratitude to the electric cooperatives and linemen who worked tirelessly to restore power to the communities of Northern Michigan following the devastating ice storm of March 2025. After multiple days of high winds and freezing rain, thousands of families in Michigan's First District were left without power, while temperatures remained in the single digits. During this State of Emergency, local electric cooperatives demonstrated extraordinary dedication and resilience. Lineworkers from Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association, Cloverland Electric Cooperative, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative, Presque Isle Electric and Gas Cooperative, and Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative braved dangerous conditions to restore essential services to the region, and I commend them for their hard work and a job well done. For decades, these cooperatives and their workforce have provided reliable energy and critical assistance throughout Northern Michigan. In rural communities, dependable energy is not just a convenience: it is the backbone of modern life and public safety. These cooperatives consistently ensure that all residents of Northern Michigan--especially the area's most vulnerable individuals, including those with medical needs, families with children, and the elderly--remain safe and warm throughout harsh northern winters. Simply put, these cooperatives help deliver a quality of life to rural areas that might otherwise be left behind. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize and applaud the outstanding service of Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association, Cloverland Electric Cooperative, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative, Presque Isle. Electric and Gas Cooperative, and Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative. Their selflessness and dedication to our communities in Northern Michigan deserve our highest praise and deepest appreciation.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank the courageous men and women responding to the historic ice storm that left tens of thousands without power across northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Ten counties are under a state of emergency, and our grid suffered near total collapse under nearly 1 inch of ice. In the face of these challenges, linemen from Michigan and across the country have worked tirelessly in brutal conditions to restore power. This past weekend, I was able to meet with many of our first responders: police, firefighters, dispatchers, and emergency medical teams. They all answered the call, keeping our communities safe and our roads open. Their bravery, professionalism, and dedication embody the spirit of resilience and unity that defines northern Michigan. The determination of all those affected has not gone unnoticed. My colleagues and I stand ready to support the State's request for Federal assistance. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking these everyday heroes who rose to the challenge helping us rebuild, recover, and emerge stronger.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this Senate amendment to the fiscal year 2025 budget resolution. Let's be clear about what we are voting on today. We are not voting on the budget. We are not voting on the numbers. We are voting on the framework, a starting point for building a budget that delivers on President Trump's priorities. Those priorities are securing our border, strengthening national security, energy independence, and preventing a tax hike of $4 trillion set to hit at the end of the year if we don't act. Think of the reconciliation process as a baseball scrimmage. The House and Senate can't take the field and start crafting the budget until we step out of the dugout. Approving this framework gets us into the game. Yes, there are concerns about how we achieve the spending cuts and reduce the deficit. That is a critical conversation, but it starts here. In the last 100 years, Republicans have had just four chances to do a reconciliation bill. We were given a mandate by the American people. Let's not waste it. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and celebrate Bay View Association for 150 years of dedicated service and charity. Bay View Association serves as an inspiration to the community, standing by their mission of promoting Christian values through lively services and events for those in Northern Michigan. Founded in 1875, Bay View Association has since played an integral role in the Petoskey area. The organization has evolved into a vibrant community dedicated to cultural and educational enrichment and spiritual growth. Bay View boasts over 337 acres of land, encompassing more than 30 public buildings and 440 cottages. This feat earned Bay View the designation of a National Historic Landmark by the National Parks Service in 1987. For 150 years, the list of services that Bay View Association offers, have expanded substantially. Bay View is renowned for its exceptional religious services, educational lectures, summer programs, and so much more. The distinguished Music Bay View Music Festival stands as the country's longest-running collegiate music festival. Bay View Association's commitment to lifelong learning is also evident through its robust educational program, which offers courses in history, literature, religion, and the arts. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Bay View Association for 150 outstanding years of service to the Northern Michigan community. I'd like to thank Bay View for their continued commitment to education, the arts, and spiritual enrichment, and I wish them the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Sergeant Christine Bettis on her retirement after twenty-seven years of dedicated service to the Michigan State Police. I thank Sergeant Bettis for her tireless work to keep the citizens of Northern Michigan safe. After graduating from the Michigan State Police 117th Recruit School in 1998, Sergeant Bettis began her distinguished career in law enforcement with her first assignment at Reed City Post 62. Setting a standard of commitment and excellence, Sergeant Bettis's service extended to a variety of assignments, including time with Governor Rick Snyder's Detail in 2011, Houghton Lake Post 72, West Branch Post 32, and Tri-City Post 31. Eventually, Sergeant Bettis returned to West Branch Post 32, where she served her final assignment. Throughout her career, Sgt. Bettis was often recognized for her professionalism, excellence, kindness, and fairness. Her approach to policing was always rooted in integrity and understanding, qualities that were exemplified in her interactions with the public and her peers. Fellow officers remember fondly her compassion for animals which extended into the line of duty. Beyond her law enforcement duties, Sgt. Bettis has been a consistent mentor and friend to her colleagues. Known as ``Mom'' at West Branch Post 32, she provided unwavering support to her peers, always ready with a smile and her characteristic wit. Her presence brought warmth and camaraderie to the department, leaving a lasting impact on those who had the privilege of working alongside her. Mr. Speaker, let us all join in congratulating Sergeant Christine Bettis for a remarkable career with the Michigan State Police. I wish her great happiness in retirement and thank her once more for keeping Michigan's First Congressional District safe.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding the time. Mr. Speaker, it is crucial we are clear about the focus of today's debate. Our aim is not to remove vulnerable Americans from the government assistance programs they and their families depends on. On the contrary, we are focused on strengthening the integrity of these programs to ensure that taxpayer dollars are directed to those who genuinely need them. In the past decade, Medicaid has accounted for over $550 billion, with a b, in improper payments, making it one of the government's largest sources of payment errors. It would be irresponsible and a betrayal of our fiduciary duty to American taxpayers not to make a focused effort to recover these misused funds and redirect them to those who need them the most. With that said, it is essential these efforts are made with a careful approach that avoids unintended consequences for vulnerable Americans and providers. As my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee begin their critical efforts, I urge them to keep this top of mind. I urge all my colleagues to support this good resolution.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, please accept this personal explanation as I was unexpectedly detained during vote proceedings. Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call No. 34 and YEA on Roll Call No. 35.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, in my office on Capitol Hill hangs a service banner--14 inches high by 8.5 inches wide, with a blue border, a white center, and a red star in the center. Given to me by its designers and fellow Marines Jerry Shaffer and Sergeant Major Gene Overstreet, this banner is used to recognize the service of a Veteran or service member who has died by suicide. It is my honor today to recognize the Red Star Service Banner and the Red Star Foundation. Each year, nearly 8,000 Veterans die by suicide in the United States--including over 500 active, reserve and guard deaths. Since 2001, more Veterans have died by suicide than have been killed in action since 1950. Despite greater focus and investment being placed both within the Department of Veterans affairs and outside to address this suicide crisis, tragically, little to no real progress has been made. For each suicide, at least 6 surviving family members and loved ones are directly impacted leaving over 1 million people in the United States to cope with the pain and loss of a loved one. A new service banner specifically for Veteran and military suicides would serve several essential purposes: 1. Recognition: it would provide a visible and enduring acknowledgment of the sacrifice made by those who lost their lives to the struggles of mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder. These battles are just as real, just as honorable, and just as deserving of remembrance as those faced in the field of combat. 2. Support for Families: it would offer a form of recognition to the families who have endured the loss of a loved one due to the invisible scars of war. They, too, have made significant sacrifices, and they deserve our empathy, understanding, and respect. 3. Awareness: A specific banner would raise awareness about the crisis of Veteran suicides, promoting open dialogue, reducing stigma, and emphasizing the critical need for resources and support for mental health and suicide prevention among Veterans. 4. Community and Unity: it would bring together the broader military and civilian communities in collective remembrance and action, uniting us in our support for those who have served and our determination to ensure that no veteran feels alone in their struggles. This service banner has been initially manufactured by ``The Flag Company'' in Clearwater Florida, and adopted by America's Gold Star Families, Military Order of the Purple National, Bruce Rector; mayor of Clearwater, Florida, the American Legion Turner-Brandon Post 7, Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Pinellas County Veterans Association, Florida Veterans Coalition, Veteran Forces, Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 1963, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 705, Operation Warrior Wishes, and the Sgt. Anthony Patrick Muhlstadt Foundation. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the Red Star Service Banner and the Red Star Foundation. I applaud them for their work to honor our Veterans and service members lost due to suicide and to provide support and community to their loved ones. On behalf of my constituents, I wish the Red Star Foundation all the best in its future endeavors.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Brian Johnson and Caroline Reynolds on the occasion of their engagement. It is with great pleasure and excitement that I share the wonderful news. Brian, a steadfast friend and dedicated professional, has been a true partner in our work with Veterans Guardian, helping countless veterans across the Nation achieve their well-deserved disability rating increases. Fate brought Brian and his incredible fiance, Caroline Reynolds, together at the U.S. Open during an event hosted by our mutual friend and colleague, Congressman Richard Hudson. Their story reached a beautiful milestone over the Thanksgiving holiday on November 26, when Brian proposed to Caroline in her charming hometown of Nacogdoches, Texas. The engagement was a heartwarming celebration, surrounded by family, friends, and joyous festivities. Love and marriage represent the joining of two hearts and lives, built on a foundation of trust, respect, and shared dreams. Brian and Caroline embody the promise to stand together through life's joys and challenges, growing stronger as individuals and as partners. Their love story is a testament to the beauty of finding someone who not only inspires you but also walks beside you every step of the way. Mr. Speaker, let us all join in congratulating Brian and Caroline on this exciting new chapter in their lives. I wish them boundless happiness, love, and success as they embark on their journey together.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2025. I thank Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership in bringing this critical piece of bipartisan legislation for the national security of our Nation to the floor for the 64th consecutive year. This bill continues to provide resources and capabilities to counter our Nation's number one threat, China. The bill accomplishes this by ensuring the Defense Intelligence Enterprise, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and our Special Operations Forces have the tools required to execute the Department's efforts in strategic competition and in countering malign Chinese actions. This NDAA requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a methodology that ensures strategic competition is part of force sizing analysis, enhances intelligence and counterintelligence capabilities, requires more frequent biodefense posture reviews to ensure we can defeat and prevent biothreats, and authorizes the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative to enable Taiwan to maintain self-defense capabilities. Mr. Speaker, this is a critically important bill, and I urge all my colleagues to support it.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join my colleagues today in highlighting the accomplishments and ongoing challenges facing access to high-quality healthcare in rural and remote parts of our United States. Healthcare providers in areas like Michigan's First District work every day to provide the best possible care for patients while overcoming struggles unlike anything facing those in urban or suburban areas. Unfortunately, we have seen a significant increase in rural provider closures, and many of those still operating today are doing so at the razor's edge of financial viability and stability. In my own district, Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital ended all hospital and emergency room operations earlier this year and consolidated into a rural health clinic. A single provider closing their doors could result in patients having to travel hundreds of miles further to receive treatment, including lifesaving emergency care. In 2020, Congress took an important step to address this crisis by creating the Rural Emergency Hospitals, or REH designation. Under this designation, rural hospitals receive direct financial support, more than $3 million annually, and increased Medicare reimbursement in exchange for maintaining 24-hour emergency departments, as well as observation beds and other key health services. However, when Congress created this designation, REHs were not included as eligible facilities under the 340B drug discount program. Mr. Speaker, 340B provides significant revenue for critical access hospitals and other rural providers, helping them improve access to prescription drugs and essential health services in underserved and underinsured areas. This oversight has severely hindered the usefulness of the REH program and made it less likely for rural hospitals facing potential closure to keep their emergency departments open. That is why I introduced H.R. 8144, the Rural 340B Access Act of 2024, along with my colleague from Michigan, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. This bipartisan bill will make a commonsense correction and include facilities under the rural emergency hospitals designation as eligible for 340B. This will further our work to stop rural hospital closures and ensure patients in rural and remote areas can continue to receive essential emergency care. Our rural and remote health providers will continue to do everything in their power to provide top-of-the-line care to their patients. In turn, Congress must continue to address rural health priorities and remove the barriers in the way of that future success.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8371. This important bill package will strengthen VA community care, streamline the disability benefits process, and improve oversight and accountability at VA. Its consideration here today is the culmination of months of committee work, negotiation, and fine-tuning on behalf of our Nation's veterans. Included in this package is language from the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023, which will improve support for aging veterans and their caregivers. I was proud to join Congresswoman Brownley in introducing the bill last year, and I am proud to support this larger bill package as a veteran and as a member of the House VA Committee. While I could fill an hour of time discussing this and the many other important reforms of this bill, I will focus on a relatively small provision that exemplifies the good advocacy and policymaking that often goes unnoticed by the media. Gerald's Law, which I originally introduced as H.R. 234, is named after Gerald Elliott, a U.S. Army veteran and a resident of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in my district. Jerry passed away in 2019 while receiving VA hospice care at his home. Following his death, Jerry's family discovered that, even though he received hospice care through the VA, the fact that he received this care at home meant his family did not qualify for burial benefits after his death. I was made aware of this injustice by Denise Formolo, the Veterans Service Officer who was assisting Jerry's family. Her advocacy led me to create Gerald's Law, a bill to fix this legislative oversight and ensure that no veteran will have to worry about losing VA benefits for their family when choosing to spend their last days in the comfort of their own home. I am grateful for the inclusion of Gerald's Law in this package, and I thank Chairman Bost and the VA committee staff for their tireless work getting this across the finish line. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8371.