ICYMI: Baumgartner Gives Speech Congratulating High School Athlete Lauren Matthew on House Floor, Calls for Fairness in Women’s Sports

WASHINGTON- In case you missed it, Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), recognized Lauren Matthew of West Valley High School in Spokane,WA as the rightful winner of the Class 2A girls’ 400-meter dash at the Washington state championships.

This comes after a transgender athlete claimed the girls’ 400-meter state title for the second year in a row—an outcome Baumgartner called “unfair and deeply troubling,” in his speech. 

“Lauren Matthew’s strength, discipline, and determination represent everything we want to see in young athletes,” said Congressman Baumgartner. “She ran with heart and earned her place as a champion. Everybody deserves dignity and respect—but fairness matters, too. As a father of daughters, I believe every young woman deserves the chance to compete on a level playing field and have her hard work honored. This isn’t just about one race—it’s about standing up for the integrity of women’s sports and recognizing the commitment these athletes bring to the track every day.”

Baumgartner emphasized that protecting the integrity of women’s sports is common sense and a unifying issue for many Americans. He expressed support for President Trump’s executive order, Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports, but noted that Washington state laws still permit athletes to compete based on gender identity, not biological sex.

You can watch his full speech here.