×

Bergman votes in favor of debt bill

Measure was approved, 314-177

U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet

MARQUETTE — U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, voted in favor of the federal debt bill that passed on Wednesday.

The bill will allow the U.S. to suspend its debt limit through 2025 to avoid potential default.

After Wednesday night’s vote, Bergman posted the following statement to his website:

“Let me be perfectly clear — this debt ceiling deal contains more conservative wins than any debt ceiling measure presented since I’ve come to Congress — this includes when Republicans controlled the House, Senate and the White House under President Trump.

“As members of Congress, each day we are faced with tough decisions on how to best represent the constituents of our districts. Today was nothing different. I voted in favor of the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act to avoid defaulting on our debts and begin clawing away at our out-of-control spending habits. Admittedly, this legislation was not perfect but given the fact Republicans only control the House — this was a good deal for conservatives.

“We didn’t get to the fiscal crisis we are in today overnight, but this is a good first step in fixing decades of poor financial decision-making.”

Other Michigan representatives who voted in favor of the bill include:

≤ U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Michigan

≤ U.S. Rep. John James, R-Michigan

≤ U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Michigan

≤ U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Michigan

≤ U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan

≤ U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan

≤ U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Michigan

≤ U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Michigan

≤ U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan

≤ U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Michigan

≤ U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Michigan

The final vote in the House was 314-177.

According to the website Congress.gov, the bill also includes provisions that:

≤ rescind certain unobligated funds that were provided to address the COVID-19 pandemic and to the Internal Revenue Service;

≤ provide funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs Cost of War Toxic Exposure Fund;

≤ provide funding for the Department of Commerce Nonrecurring Expenses Fund;

≤ provide statutory authority through 2024 to require agencies that propose certain administrative actions that will increase direct spending to also propose at least one administrative action that will decrease direct spending by at least the same amount (commonly known as administrative pay-as-you-go rules);

≤ terminate the suspension of federal student loan payments;

≤ expand the work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs; and

≤ expedite the permitting process for certain energy projects.

For more information on the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, visit online at congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3746.

Dreyma Beronja can be reached at 906-228-2500 ext. 548. Their email address is dberonj@miningjournal.net.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today