Congressman Michael Baumgartner here, checking in with my “bosses”! I promised to keep you updated on the issues that matter most to Eastern Washington, so here’s an update on my week as your representative in Congress.

The President’s Joint Address to Congress: Empowering Educators, Expanding Opportunity, and Revitalizing American Industry 

I was honored to welcome Ms. Stacey Nash, a distinguished Career and Technical Education teacher from Wilbur-Creston High School, as my guest to President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress on Tuesday. My Classroom to the Capitol Contest brought Ms. Nash to Washington, DC. Both of my parents spent their careers in education, and I strongly believe that great educators are central to America’s future. With 27 years of teaching experience, including 17 years at Wilbur-Creston, Ms. Nash has dedicated her career to equipping students with practical business and leadership skills. In 2018, she launched a student-run espresso business, giving students hands-on entrepreneurial experience that extends beyond the classroom. As a Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) advisor, she has mentored and inspired young leaders, recently guiding 15 students to regional competitions, with six qualifying for the State Conference in Seattle this April. Her work is a testament to the power of career and technical education in preparing the next generation for success in a rapidly evolving economy.

The State of the Union Address laid out a bold roadmap for America’s future, calling on Congress to take decisive action to secure economic growth, expand opportunity, and restore the American Dream. President Trump emphasized the need to strengthen border security, cut excessive regulation, and unleash the full potential of American industry—not just through executive action, but through lasting legislative reforms. With small business optimism surging and critical investments in energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing underway, now is the time for Congress to act. 

The task ahead is clear: deliver on tax and regulatory policies that empower job creators, pass common-sense solutions to support American workers, and ensure fiscal responsibility while addressing the national debt. The President’s vision for a stronger, more prosperous nation depends not only on the resilience of the American people but on a Congress willing to rise to the occasion and secure these reforms for generations to come.

The Importance of Civil Disagreement

If there’s one takeaway from this week, it’s that our democracy is both vibrant and strong. At the heart of what makes America exceptional is our right to free speech. While we may not always agree on every issue, it’s crucial that we engage in these debates respectfully and productively.

During the President’s address to a Joint Session of Congress, Rep. Al Green (TX-09) was removed from the Chamber by the Sergeant at Arms at the direction of Speaker Mike Johnson for violating decorum rules. In response to this, I joined Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) in co-sponsoring and voting for a resolution to censure Rep. Green.

I delivered a speech on the House Floor explaining why I co-sponsored this resolution, and you can watch it here.

Unleashing the Potential of American Forestry

For too long, our forests in the Pacific Northwest have been mismanaged, burdened by excessive fuel loads that have turned them into tinderboxes waiting to ignite. As someone who grew up around forestry—learning from my father, a professor of forestry, and my uncles, one a smokejumper and another who managed more timber sales than anyone in Oregon history—I’ve seen firsthand how responsible forest management can create healthier landscapes and stronger communities. 

That’s why I welcome President Trump’s executive order expanding domestic timber production. This action is not just about revitalizing our timber industry; it’s about restoring common sense to our management of Western forests. We need to move past the regulatory paralysis that has left our lands vulnerable to catastrophic wildfires and instead take real steps to protect them through strategic thinning, sustainable timber harvesting, and science-backed fire mitigation efforts.

This executive order presents a major opportunity for the Pacific Northwest. By reducing bureaucratic obstacles and allowing responsible logging on national forest lands, we can bring back good-paying jobs, reestablish the mills that once sustained our communities, and provide a reliable supply of American lumber to meet our country’s growing needs. 

These are the same, common-sense, responsible forest management practices that I called for at Judiciary committee hearings in February. Healthy forests require active stewardship, including prescribed burns, strategic thinning, and timber harvesting practices that prevent wildfires from raging out of control. We’ve seen how private landowners and forestry companies manage their lands more efficiently, removing excess fuel loads at a fraction of the cost and time it takes government agencies. If we follow their lead—cutting through the bureaucratic red tape that slows down necessary thinning projects—we can protect our forests, reduce the devastation of wildfires, and create lasting economic opportunities for the Pacific Northwest. This executive order is a step in the right direction, and I look forward to working with stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation.

Connecting with Constituents: A Week of Meaningful Conversations

It was an exciting week as I had the privilege of meeting with constituents and hearing directly from the people I represent. Your voices are at the heart of my work in Congress, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about the issues that matter most to you. This week, I had the honor of meeting with 17 constituent groups including but not limited to: the Washington State Firefighters, the Columbia Basin Development League, and representatives from Walla Walla County. These conversations are essential in my role as your Congressman, providing invaluable insights into a wide range of issues and fostering productive dialogue that drives real change.

I hope to keep communicating regularly—through updates like this newsletter, town halls, radio, TV, Zoom calls, and social media.

It is truly an honor to serve you.

Sincerely,

Rep. Michael Baumgartner

Member of Congress