Congressman Baumgartner Takes Stock of First Year in D.C.

In an interview with the Statesman-Examiner, Congressman Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) discussed his time as a U.S. House Representative for Washington state’s 5^th district, reflecting on accomplishments and hurdles faced throughout his freshman year in Congress. 

Before entering Congress, Baumgartner was first a Washington state senator, then Spokane County treasurer. “I’ve been privileged to work in both the public and private sectors,” Baumgartner said, adding that a sense of service is something he felt in the Senate and as the county treasurer. He said one of the biggest differences since becoming a congressman is his number of coworkers. “The numbers are bigger; you go from one of 49 (in the Senate) to one of 435 in the House,” he said. When passing legislation, Baumgartner said, “you got to get at least 218 people to agree with you.”

Talking about his top priorities over the year, Baumgartner listed safety, improving the economy, and providing better education. “I’m concerned about the southern border and fentanyl entering (the country),” he said, adding that those issues have, in his view, impacted safety in eastern Washington communities. Baumgartner also spoke about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and how he believes it will help to keep taxes low and better the economy overall. “[The bill] was supported by almost every small business and agriculture entity,” he said, adding that it also improves Medicaid by allowing less waste and abuse of the system. “It prohibits illegal immigrants from being on Medicaid and now has work requirements.” He said other benefits of the bill include no taxes on tips for service industry workers, a $6,000 tax deduction for senior citizens, and $1,000 investment accounts for babies (born from 2025-2028), which Baumgartner called “important for creating a culture of saving and investment.” Baumgartner said the bill was “politically challenging” because there was so much in it, and his democrat counterparts “didn’t want to work with us.”

Turning to education, Baumgartner said he has been focused on “getting universities back to core education” and “moving away from ‘woke.’” He also said he wanted to protect the rural way of life, which encouraged him to help pass the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. According to the federal legislature, the act provides funding to rural counties and schools, especially those with federal lands such as National Forests, to offset lost timber revenue for education, roads, and public safety, with recent reauthorization ensuring continued support for vital community services. Baumgartner said this act helps schools in areas such as Colville and Republic. “I feel really proud of that,” he said. 

Thinking about obstacles faced over the last year, Baumgartner said being away from his family has been hard. “It’s a long way from eastern Washington to Washington, D.C.,” he said. “I fly eight hours both ways, twice a week…it’s challenging, that time away from family, I have a wife and five kids.” He added that the time change has also taken a physical toll on him. 

When discussing the highlights he’s experienced, Baumgartner cited one as, “Being with President Trump on the 4^th of July for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signing.” He pointed to the passing of his bill, the Deterrent Act, as a notable success. The bill, which passed March 27 of this year, aims to increase transparency for foreign gifts and contracts at U.S. universities, lowering the reporting threshold and focusing on "countries of concern" such as China. 

He said other highlights included having his family visit him in Washington, D.C. to see him sworn into office and giving tours of the capital to visiting constituents. Baumgartner said a memorable visit was with Stacey Nash, a teacher from Wilbur-Creston High School, who was nominated by her students to be his guest for the president’s address to Congress. He shared that another special visit took place when a Washington State University student contacted him about helping him arrange a special proposal in Washington D.C. Baumgartner recalled how the student, Ethan Keogh, “asked us if we could arrange for him to surprise his girlfriend with a marriage proposal. The setup was that I was leading them on a tour they had won by drawing their name out of a Coug helmet. We had a secret code word for the big moment and had the Rotonda cleared.”

Over the year, Baumgartner said he has hosted 11 town halls, responded to over 82,000 emails and 12,500 phone calls, and held 289 constituent meetings. “I’m surprised by the number of constituents that visit Washington D.C.,” he said, adding that he has offered groups from Washington State University and Eastern Washington University to visit as well.

According to Baumgartner, issues that have been brought to him include border and fiscal issues, taxes, concern that Washington is a sanctuary state, immigration, healthcare, and “whatever the current national democrat talking point is.” He also said he’s been asked about the release of the Epstein files, stating that he is “in favor of releasing them.”   

Heading into 2026, Baumgartner said he will “continue working for the people of eastern Washington,” by tackling a number of goals, including cracking down on fentanyl, securing the border, increasing manufacturing jobs in the state, getting parents more involved in education, and more. 

“It’s been a privilege to be a congressman for eastern Washington,” he said. “I’m really proud of the work we’re doing.”