Some weeks ago, the office of U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, announced the retired U.S. Marine Corps general had joined a bipartisan group dedicated to, among other things, creating a more efficient and better-working government in support of military members and their families.

Under what might be considered normal circumstances, this kind of boilerplate move might have largely flown under the radar. Historically speaking, elected officials join and leave such informal organizations all the time.

But in today’s hyper-partisan atmosphere, it’s worth noting here, especially following a pair of poor decisions from Bergman recently that were anything but bipartisan.

According to a Bergman press release, the For Country Caucus is comprised of a group of military veterans serving in Congress who strive to create a Congress that is less polarized, more efficient, and is trusted by Americans.

The press release noted an impressive track record compiled by the group in the last Congress. Of course, the hope is that the good work will continue in the new Congress.

We hope so, too and trust that the Watersmeet Republican, who served our nation honorably in uniform for 40 years, will fully embrace not only the group’s stated purpose but its bipartisan underpinnings.

Bergman, regrettably, allowed himself to become caught up in the nonsense that followed the Nov. 3 presidential election, voting to join the absurd Texas lawsuit seeking to toss out votes and declining to certify the electoral results.

Judging from the sharp reaction we’ve seen from voters, we suspect the representative will pay a political price for that lack of vision at some point.

But for today, we applaud his decision to associate himself with this group. It’s a positive step in the absolute right direction.

— The Mining Journal