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.

Working for Eastern Washington: From the House Floor to Our Hometown Hospitals

It’s been a meaningful week in Congress, and I’m proud to share progress on two important legislative fronts—one focused on national transparency in higher education, and the other supporting rural health care in Eastern Washington.

On Thursday, the House passed my first bill – the DETERRENT Act. It feels just like yesterday that I introduced this legislation, and now it’s on its way forward with strong bipartisan support. I’m honored to be the first freshman member of Congress this term to have a recorded vote on a bill. I debated this important measure on the House floor, and you can watch the clip here. This legislation increases transparency around foreign influence in American universities and holds institutions accountable. It’s a commonsense measure to ensure our education system remains focused on students—not foreign agendas, such as those of the Chinese Communist Party, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.

I’m encouraged by the momentum and hopeful the Senate will act soon so this bill can move forward to the President’s desk.

While national security and transparency are critical, I’m just as committed to addressing the challenges facing families and communities across Eastern Washington. That means, whether you voted for me or not, I work for you. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve everyone in Eastern Washington, regardless of whether we agree on every issue.

That’s why I cosponsored H.R. 1417, the Rural Health Care Technical Assistance Program. This bill would expand support for rural healthcare facilities—many of which are grappling with aging infrastructure, limited resources, and growing service needs.

Keeping rural hospitals strong means better care closer to home. Whether it’s improving access to modern medical records or expanding essential services, this bill is a step toward ensuring that people in Eastern Washington can rely on high-quality care—no matter where they live.

I will continue to listen and meet with groups of constituents to best understand the needs of Eastern Washington.

My First Visit to the White House

On Tuesday, I had the  honor of visiting the White House for the first time as a Member of Congress, alongside my colleagues.  During the visit, I was invited into the Oval Office, where President Trump personally showed us the newly displayed Declaration of Independence. As President Trump said, “We just had this put up…” It was a meaningful moment—and I was especially grateful for the opportunity to speak with the President about Eastern Washington. We had a thoughtful exchange about the region that I’m proud to represent, and I appreciated his time and attention

Connecting with Constituents: A Week of Meaningful Conversations 

As you know, no week in Congress is ever the same. Each day brings new challenges, opportunities, and experiences, but one thing remains constant—my favorite part of this job is meeting with constituents and hearing directly from the people I am honored to represent. 

This week, I had the privilege of meeting with several constituent groups, including Washington Emergency Management and various Spokane Valley elected officials and their staff. Whether through town halls, one-on-one meetings, or informal conversations, your voices are the driving force behind everything I do in Washington. I’m truly grateful for every opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about the issues that matter most to you. Your input helps guide my work and ensures I stay focused on the priorities that impact our community. Thank you for being such an integral part of my work in Congress!

Engaging Young Leaders

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Congressman is engaging with young people about the issues facing our nation. Coming from a family of teachers, I truly value these conversations with the next generation of leaders. On Wednesday, I had the chance to speak to a student group about the troubling rise of antisemitism, particularly in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attacks. The violence of that day continues to have a devastating impact.

I also took the opportunity to address a troubling narrative that seeks to draw a false equivalence between the civil rights movement and the pro-Hamas demonstrations taking place on some college campuses. The civil rights movement was a peaceful and principled fight for justice and equality under the law. By contrast, these rallies express support for Hamas—a designated terrorist organization responsible for horrific attacks on civilians and the ongoing repression of its own people. There is no moral equivalence between advocating for justice and supporting terrorism, and we must be clear-eyed in calling out that distinction.

It’s essential that we stand firm against the normalization of hate and violence. Congress must make it clear that supporting terrorism is never acceptable, and we must never equate justice with terror. The rise in antisemitism isn’t just an attack on Jewish people—it’s an attack on the shared values of peace, dignity, and justice for all.

I appreciated the opportunity to take questions from the students, allowing us to engage in an open dialogue about these critical issues. Their thoughtful questions show the importance of continuing these conversations and ensuring that we all stand united against hate and injustice.

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