In DC and Around the District - Your First District Update From the Office of Congressman Jack Bergman

What a beautiful start to Fall we’ve had here in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan. We are truly blessed to call this remarkable place home and to live in the most beautiful District in the country. I've been crisscrossing the District over the past few months for constituent meetings and have enjoyed talking with so many of you. There’s been a lot happening, both in Washington and across the District, and I look forward to sharing updates with you in this newsletter. Just a few short weeks ago, our Nation was shaken by the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. Charlie was not only a leading voice for conservatism but also a tireless advocate for free speech, particularly among America’s younger generations. Few were as effective at clearly articulating conservative values and inspiring the next generation of leaders. It should go without saying, but political violence has no place in America. Yet sadly, these incidents are becoming far too frequent, including this week, when a coward opened fire at an ICE facility. We must recommit ourselves to civil discussion and to the principles that make our Nation strong, even when we disagree. Last week, the House of Representatives came together in a bipartisan vote to pass H. Res. 719, a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. This measure condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the assassination of Charlie and all forms of political violence. It commended law enforcement and emergency personnel for their swift action in apprehending the suspect and called for justice to be served. The resolution offered deep condolences to Charlie’s wife, Erika, and their children, and paid tribute to his life’s work advancing the principles of free speech, faith, civil discourse, and love of country. It urged all Americans - regardless of party, race, or creed - to reject political violence and to treat one another with dignity as fellow citizens. Charlie Kirk’s voice and leadership left an indelible mark on our Nation. By passing this resolution, Congress affirmed that his mission and message will endure for generations to come. It was truly disappointing that 58 of my colleagues opposed the resolution and 38 abstained from voting. In June, when two Minnesota State Representatives were murdered, the House voted unanimously to condemn that heinous act. Yet when a conservative-minded leader was murdered, nearly 100 Democrats opposed this resolution. We must do better. Turning to legislative news, the big question I’m hearing across the District is: “Is there going to be a government shutdown in Washington?” While I wish I had better news, the likelihood is unfortunately growing. Last week, I voted in favor of a clean Continuing Resolution (CR) that would keep the government open. Democrats tried to load it up with $1.5 trillion in spending for their radical, far-left wish list. This isn’t hyperbole - it’s literally their demand to get their vote to keep the government open. You didn’t send me to Washington to play in their swamp games. I’m here to fight for you - to stop reckless spending, secure our border, and put America first. The swamp is relentless, and those seeking to undo the America First agenda are willing to shut down the government and create chaos to push forward their radical priorities. I want to be very clear: I’m not backing down from the fight to do exactly what you sent me to Washington to do. On national defense, I’m proud of the work we accomplished in the House to pass the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This NDAA puts our warfighters and our Nation first - modernizing weapons, cutting waste, improving safety, raising pay, and delivering on our promise to make the United States military the most ready, capable, and lethal force in history. As Chairman of the Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, I worked alongside my colleagues to ensure this bill addresses the real challenges our servicemembers face and delivers results that make our military stronger, safer, and better prepared. There are many initiatives I’m working on in D.C. that directly affect our District, and I look forward to sharing more in the “Legislative Corner” below and in the weeks to come. We are making progress on critical issues such as rural healthcare, broadband access, wolf management, fully funding Impact Aid for schools, and amending and reauthorizing the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act. As always, if there is ever anything our office can assist with, please do not hesitate to reach out directly to us – we are here to help. Respectfully, Jack Bergman