Rep. Jack Bergman sat down for a 30-minute Zoom conversation on May 20.
Bergman, 78, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016. A retired Marine Corps lieutenant general, Bergman is the highest-ranking military officer ever elected to the United States Congress.
In preparation for this interview, we invited readers from across the First Congressional District to submit questions for the congressman. Everyone listed below was contacted by phone to confirm they reside within the district.
The questions represent a cross section of the submissions we received. Due to time constraints, not all topics could be addressed. The representative’s answers are in bold.
Thank you to the 172 individuals who took the time to email your questions—I sincerely appreciate your participation.
Mark Constance
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Dennis Long, Grayling
Jon Steffy, Petoskey
Q: Considering that the ice storm is the most recent and destructive natural disaster of this generation, how does cutting personnel at forest service and other offices/personnel who protect our natural resources make sense at this critical time for Northern Michigan?
“The storm and cutting of personnel are not connected.”
Q: You supported the initial emergency declaration the president declined to act on. And support the governors new request as well. What is the status of that designation?
“I surveyed the storm along with Governor Whitmer. We’re still working through the process of the meeting with thresholds for federal disaster relief.
“The state of Michigan, under Governor Whitmer’s leadership, did … its due diligence. Now, it’s up to the counties and everybody else to do their part.
“A point of personal pride (for me) is all the local agencies, emergency management and firefighters and everybody else who turned out. “
Q: What is the process for getting the disaster designation
“It’s almost like an insurance claim where somebody has to … show the damage. Show what was done to mitigate the damage … and then there would be a decision made once it meets different thresholds. That’s what’s being worked through.
“It’s a tedious process, but has to be completed because people have to show the realities of what happened, and because believe it or not, there are some entities and people who would try to scam the system.”
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Jeff Chiodi, Munising
Q: You’ve praised the importance of the 2025 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Others in congress seek deep federal cuts already impacting the key agencies in our district.
How do you plan to protect the Great Lakes system from legislators who don’t understand the importance of the resource?
“How do you protect it? By making sure that the line items are valid … Because let’s say a harbor is dredged. Are you going to fund it every year? No. You’re going to stop funding that line item.
“It’s about due diligence in making sure that the funding line items are still valid based on the criteria that’s been set.”
(The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) focuses on five core areas to protect and restore the Great Lakes Basin. These include cleaning up toxic substances and addressing “Areas of Concern,” which are the most polluted sites in the region. Efforts also target the prevention and control of invasive species that threaten native ecosystems).
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JoAnn Tadgerson, Negaunee
Q: Almost every former Secretary of Defense has condemned the actions of this administration as related to the military. I am referring to the unusual firings of the Chair of the Joint chiefs Gen. Brown, Adm. Franchetti & Gen. Slife, and nominating Gen. Caine who has never held a key position and needed a waiver.
”That’s under the purview of the executive branch.
“As a legislator. a member of the armed Services Committee and subcommittee Chairman on Readiness, I look into anything where investigations are ongoing. And some of the investigations I see, quite honestly, are either not finished or they’re classified.”
Q: What are your thoughts regarding military operations held in multiple non-secure signal chat groups, on non-secure personal phones, not in SCIFS, with people who do not have security clearances (SignalGate). I am terrified for the safety of my sons (Airman, Marine) who are serving this great country.
As a retired veteran, do you support these actions? And what are you doing to protect the integrity of our military and the security of the country.
“Unfortunately, in any type of communications, since the beginning of time, there have been misuses of it. If I were in uniform, or still serving at that level, then I would be more involved in the investigation than (in determining) an outcome.
“But as a member of Congress, and I hate to say I have to stay in my lane, because I (step out of) my lane all the time … But I don’t have UCMJ (Universal Code of Military Justice) decision making authority.
“(It was) something real dumbass. … And the thing is, many things happen once, but they shouldn’t happen twice … It shows that there were no lessons learned in the first go-round … And as you noticed, there are some people who’ve been released.”
Note: “Signal Gate” refers to a recent national security incident in which U.S. officials including Sec. Of Defense Pete Hegseth used the encrypted Signal app to discuss sensitive topics, including possible military strikes. While Signal offers strong encryption, it isn’t government-approved for classified communication, raising concerns about security breaches and protocol violations.
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Deirdre Honner, Oscoda Township
Q: What specific actions are you taking to ensure that our Personally Identifiable Information (PII), is not accessed by the subcontractors at Doge.
“We look at breaches of information, whether it be social security numbers, medical record or military records.
“There’s an ongoing cyber (security) operation to ensure that information stays just that, secure.”
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Lyn Behnke, Tawas City
Q: What are your thoughts on the president’s attacks of the judiciary in response to their decisions on his executive orders?
I have no thoughts.
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Allie Penn, Munising
Q: Libraries are vital to Northern Michigan and U.P. communities, offering internet access, community space, and essential information. With proposed IMLS (Institute of Museum and Libary Services) cuts threatening their future, what will you do to protect and prioritize funding for Michigan’s libraries?
“Within the district, we’ve talked about (how) they’re going continue to be funded. I come from a town that was so small it didn’t have a library. My parents bought me an encyclopedia set when I was in grade because I had no reference books.”
(Bergman was clear that he supports local libraries)
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Mary Rappin, Harbor Springs
Q: How do you feel about government reform, done by executive order? And do you think it’s appropriate based on the Constitution’s separation of powers?
“Executive orders have come over time. They are not new (and have been) used in many, many, presidencies.”
“The challenge, I think, is going forward.
“(The) federal government has become morbidly obese. And we need to pare back the unnecessary involvement of federal government in our daily lives, and that does two things.
“Number one, it ensures that taxpayers dollars … are spent wisely. But number two, it moves us forward as the federal government (into) the next industrial age. With AI (Artificial Intelligence) and processes we use now, we need to be able to adapt to new technologies to deliver better results.
“This is about the federal government bringing itself into the 21st century.”
Q: Then why the need to borrow more money and go farther in debt. It looks like a lot of these actions seem counterproductive.
“What’s the solution to that? … If you don’t stop spending where you don’t need to spend money, you’re only going to drive yourself farther into the hole.
“I’m not a big fan technically (of borrowing money) … I’m not a fan of continuing spending at the levels we are … We’ve gotten ourselves to where, using the old phrase, ‘When you reach the bottom of the hole, stop digging.’
“It’s not an easy answer, but everybody wants to cut spending as long as it’s not their spending.”
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John Merrill, Harbor Springs
Q: What is the rationale behind the executive order to defund PBS (Public Broadcasting System).
Don’t have a comment.
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Colleen Clark, Marquette
Q: 172,000 people, or 27 percent of the First Congressional District is dependent on Medicaid in some form. If the proposed cuts to HHS and Medicaid/Medicare are approved, how will you protect constituents who rely on these programs for care?
“Medicaid’s not going to be cut. But we have waste, fraud and abuse in Medicaid. If you’re involved in one of those three issues, we’re coming after you. …To get that Medicaid money to the people who … receive it because they fall into the category that they can’t work, they’re of a certain age, or there’s disabilities.
“Whatever that is, Medicaid is not going to be cut for the people who need it.”
Note: The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a budget proposal on May 22 that included Medicaid cuts totaling $880 Billion.
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George Frye, Roscommon
Q: What is your position on the clear cutting of state forest for the installation of solar farms?
I’m not a clear cut kind of guy, but I’m very clear about how trees are a crop. A 40-year crop. In an average forest you have trees that grow. They sequester CO2, they become mature trees, you harvest them, you make lumber.
“It’s not exactly rocket science.”
Q: What is your position on the Canadian copper mine proposal in the Porcupine Mountains in the UP.
“I am supportive of mining in the Western UP. My grandfather was an iron miner”
Note: Highland Copper of Canada plans an 11-year underground copper and silver mine near Lake Superior in Gogebic County. The project includes on-site processing and a tailings facility. Waste would be submerged, then sealed. Opponents fear contamination risks due to the mine’s location on sloped terrain near the lake.
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Q: One of the primary questions from many people was the concern about your lack of town halls. Kirtland Community College President Dr. Gary Roberts said the school is willing to host an event at your convenience.
“Go back to 2017 when I first came in. The first town hall we did was at Bay College in Escanaba. (Two nights later) we did one in at Ellison Place in Gaylord … We had to get extra security because of some of the goofiness. They booed the prayer. They heckled the young girl singing the national anthem. I’m sorry, I’m not going to go into an event like that, where people are just jerks.”
“I will offer to anybody: If they want to invite me to their home, and be in charge of two things: Civility and snacks, I’ll give them an hour.”
“I don’t want people to think I’m blowing them off … Send me a list of questions and (we will give you) … a thoughtful answer.”
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Q: What do you like most about being a representative.
“The two most fun parts are the visits I do in the district with the schools and seniors.”
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Steve Biggs, Petoskey
Q: As a long- time supporter of law enforcement, do you support the pardoning of the January 6th rioters.
Don’t even talk about it.
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Q: Are you running for reelection?
“I’m going to run until one of two things happen.
“The constituents of the first district decide they don’t want me, and then they’ll vote me out. Or if God does something that causes me … to say, ‘I have to devote my time to health or family.’
“Other than that, I’m going to run in 26 (28), maybe 30.”
Note: Bergman can be reached through his Michigan offices in Traverse City at 1396 Douglas Drive, Suite 22B; (231) 944-7633; or Gwinn at 125 G Avenue, Suite B-119; (906) 273-2227. He can be emailed by visiting: bergman.house.gov/contact
