Your Voice in Congress: June 12, 2026 Update from Rep. Baumgartner
We had lots of positive updates coming out of DC this week. I supported the passage of the Secure America Act which fully funds Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) along with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through Fiscal Year 2029 – allowing the Department of Homeland Security to protect and secure our communities. Also on the House floor, I helped pass a series of fraud crackdown bills to protect taxpayers and ensure federal resources reach the Americans they were intended to serve.
Back home in Eastern Washington, my team continued meeting with constituents to hear directly about the challenges and opportunities they see in their communities. These conversations guide every decision I make and ensure Eastern Washington’s voice is heard on Capitol Hill.
This Week In DC
Passage of the Secure America Act
On Tuesday, I was proud to support the Secure America Act to fund border security through the Fiscal Year 2029. This funding ensures that ICE and CBP can continue the progress they have made to keep our communities safe. ICE and CBP have not been fully funded since September 30, 2025, while Congress has funded every single other government agency. Not providing this funding was putting restraints on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – leaving our country open to threats. The Secure America Act provides $69.55 billion for ICE, CBP, and other DHS operations. This legislation supports border personnel, immigration enforcement, technology to combat illicit drug trafficking, and stronger coordination with state and local law enforcement. On Wednesday, President Trump signed the bill into law.
Action to Crack Down on Fraud
This week, I supported several anti-fraud measures to stop improper payments, protect taxpayers, and ensure federal resources reach the industries they were intended to serve. These measures strengthen federal fraud prevention efforts by requiring greater oversight of government payments and student aid, improving identity verification processes, and enhancing accountability across federal agencies. Together, they aim to safeguard taxpayer dollars, prevent fraudulent payments, and ensure federal benefits are distributed only to eligible recipients. The Government Accountability Office estimates that the federal government loses between $233 billion and $521 billion annually to fraud. This must stop and I am proud to support this legislation and vote to put an end to these fraudulent practices.
Gold Medal Congressional Award Winner – Scarlett Kinville
This week, I had the privilege of meeting with and recognizing Scarlett Kinville of Spokane on the House floor for earning the Congressional Award Gold Medal, Congress’s highest honor for young Americans. Through hundreds of hours of community service, personal development, physical fitness, and leadership, Scarlett demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to serving others and bettering her community. Her achievement reflects the very best of Eastern Washington, and I congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.
House Hearing on Competitive Parity and Regulation in College Football
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to express my thoughts on the need to reform the Sports Broadcasting Act during a House Judiciary Committee hearing. I outlined that WSU had one of the best college football programs on the West Coast, but was unfairly affected when the Pac 12 was gutted by college expansion. Reforming the Sports Broadcasting Act is likely to be part of the solution to add revenue and competitive parity across the college sports landscape.
The fight to protect college sports is far from over and I will continue to do everything for the college athletic programs that I represent in my district, which provide tremendous benefits for our young people, our colleges, our sense of community and our local economy.
Washington Building Industry Association
The Washington Building Industry Association stopped by to talk about federal housing policy. Earlier this year, I voted for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to update our federal housing programs, including reducing regulatory costs and strengthening Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant programs. I’m hopeful this measure can become law soon to help make housing more affordable.
WA Builders and Contractors
I was very pleased to meet with representatives of the Washington Homebuilders Association, including Joel White, Executive Officer of the Spokane Homebuilders. They told me the average cost of a home in Washington state is around $600,000. While most of the increased cost – over $200,000 – is due to state-level policies from Olympia, I remain committed to cutting red tape and making housing more affordable.
Speaking Engagements
On Thursday, I gave remarks to the Second Annual Royce International Symposium in Washington D.C. I spoke about the importance of U.S. foreign assistance, my experience working in international development, the incredibly important work WSU has done developing early-warning systems for infectious diseases affecting livestock, and the importance of bipartisan support and consensus for future international assistance programs.
Legislative Team Meetings
Washington Health Care Association and Long-Term Care Providers
My staff met with long-term care providers from Walla Walla and Spokane. They discussed the healthcare workforce shortage, especially for long-term care facilities, the Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act, the Caring for Seniors Act, and other measures to improve care.
Northwest Horticulture Council
My staff met with the Washington Horticulture Council to talk about House Agriculture Chair GT Thompson’s agriculture labor bill he is developing – The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026. It aims to tackle an extremely complicated issue: the cost of farm labor, which is especially high in our state because of arbitrary state regulation that ends up limiting opportunity for our whole agriculture community. I look forward to reviewing the Chairman’s bill and for it to go through the legislative process.
Prevent Blindness
My team met with Prevent Blindness, a group advocating for individuals experiencing sight loss. They discussed vision health, the Safe Step Act, the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children (EDVI) Act, as well as additional measures that can be taken to detect vision loss earlier.
This Week in Eastern Washington
Partners for Rural Washington
My team met with Partners for Rural Washington. Our rural communities are facing a number of challenges, and Partners for Rural Washington has done terrific work guiding and supporting our region’s local mayors, councils, and clerks with economic development and infrastructure assistance. Working with Executive Director Jody Opheim, our office is collaborating on a project to assess the critical water infrastructure needs of our rural communities and develop long-term resourcing strategies.
Downtown Spokane Partnership’s “State of Downtown” event
My team attended the Downtown Spokane Partnership State of Downtown event last Friday where an initiative was announced to intensify development focus on one of downtown’s alleys that will become a showcase for new and historic neon art and signage installations.
USDA Rural Development
Thanks to Kirk Pearson and USDA’s Rural Development team in Washington for stopping by my office to give my staff an update on their work in the district. USDA’s Rural Development has over 70 loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs that our rural areas can take advantage of to help pay for things like infrastructure, housing, and economic development. If you have questions about any of their programs, please reach out to my district office, and we would be happy to provide more information and connect you with a Rural Development representative.
Eastern Washington Spotlight
On Saturday I caught up with Academy Nominee Egan Johnson at Fairchild Air Force Base’s Skyfest event and congratulated him on his appointment to the US Air Force Academy where he will join Katie DeWitt in their “Doolie” (the name used for first year cadets) year at the Academy. Both Egan and Katie are from Spokane and attended Shadle Park High School. I also had the opportunity to wish Col. Chad Cisewski and Chief Master Sergeant Lindsay Moon well as they closed out their very successful tenures at Fairchild, during which squadrons of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing have supported combat operations across the Middle East.
It was also an opportunity to reflect on the immense costs in blood and treasure of maintaining the nation’s defense. Saturday was June 6th which was the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings at Normandy. The price paid by those young men who jumped out of the landing boats in the surf at Omaha and Utah beaches was beyond measure. They and the service members who have followed them in the decades since are the very best of America.
Rail-Truck Transload Facility, Airport Area Logistics & Commercial Development
My staff toured a strategic initiative in the West Plains area, designed to strengthen freight movement and commerce by connecting highways, rail lines, and local transportation routes. As economic development continues to accelerate across the region, investments in critical infrastructure are essential to supporting long-term growth. Success will require strong partnerships between government and private-sector stakeholders. The phased project also includes a long-awaited second access road to Fairchild Air Force Base, which borders the 900-acre development site and will enhance both connectivity and regional resilience.
New Hire Spotlight – Alex Hall in Walla Walla
Alex Hall joined Team Baumgartner as a Field Representative in Walla Walla. Alex is a Walla Walla native and graduate of Walla Walla High School. After graduating in 2005, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served for 20 years as a Cryptologic Technician Collection, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer.
During his military career, Hall supported intelligence, information operations, and special operations missions around the world, with assignments in Hawaii, Washington, Maryland, Europe, and Illinois.
Following his retirement in 2025, Hall returned to Walla Walla and worked with veterans through the Blue Mountain Action Council’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program. He also served as Post Commander of VFW Post 992, helping strengthen support for local veterans and their families.
Welcome, and thank you, Alex!
Profiles in Patriotism
As our nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, we are proud to launch Profiles in Patriotism, a special feature highlighting outstanding individuals from across our community whose actions embody the American spirit.
We are seeking nominations of individuals who have demonstrated patriotism through their service to our country, service to their community, leadership, volunteerism, civic engagement, or commitment to the values that make America strong. Nominees may be veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, local organizations, educators, community leaders, volunteers, or everyday citizens whose contributions have made a meaningful impact on others.
In addition to sharing their story of service and dedication, we invite nominees to reflect on the significance of America 250 and what the anniversary of our nation means to them personally.
Through these profiles, we hope to honor the people whose character, sacrifice, and commitment to their fellow Americans continue to strengthen our communities and inspire future generations.
You can nominate someone through this form.
Congressional App Challenge
The Congressional App Challenge is open to all middle and high school students in our district. This annual, nationwide competition—sponsored by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives—aims to encourage innovation and highlight student talent in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Students can create an original app on any topic, using any platform or programming language, and submit it either individually or as part of a team of up to four members.
The winning app from our district will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, featured on the official Congressional App Challenge website, and its creators will be invited to Washington, DC for the #HouseOfCode celebration. To be eligible, students must be in middle or high school as of October 26, 2026, and must reside in or attend school in Washington’s 5th Congressional District.
For more information or to register and submit your app, please click here to get started. The deadline is October 26th. If you have any questions, feel free to contact collin.tracy@mail.house.gov or call our office at (509) 353-2374.
New to Federal Grants? My Office is Here To Help!
My office stands ready to assist your organization through the federal grant application process. This support includes submitting grant letters of support and facilitating pre-application reviews with federal agencies.
Visit my grant application page for guidance and key resources to help eligible grant seekers find information on federal grants, loans, non-financial assistance, and private funding.
Do you know somebody that would be interested in this information? Make sure to forward this to them and contact my office at (509) 353-2374.
Making a trip to DC? Contact My Office!
If you’re planning a trip to Washington, DC, I hope you’ll reach out to my DC office! My team and I are always happy to assist with arranging Capitol tours, White House tours, and other exciting opportunities to explore our nation’s capital.
Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, my team and I would love to help make your experience memorable. Just give us a call at (202) 225-2006 or visit baumgartner.house.gov/
It’s truly an honor to serve you.
Sincerely,
Rep. Michael Baumgartner
Member of Congress