Michael Baumgartner

To amend the Arms Export Control Act to authorize the use of foreign military financing for direct commercial contracts, and for other purposes.

in committee

MATCH Act

in committee

Workforce Data Quality Initiative Act of 2026

in committee

“Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Tayla Tollefson, the Outreach Coordinator in my district office, who was crowned Miss Spokane on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Tayla is a senior at Eastern Washington University, one of the great institutions serving students across our region and expanding opportunity throughout Eastern Washington, where she is pursuing a double major in Political Science, Pre-Law, and International Affairs, along with a minor in Psychology. After graduation, she will attend Gonzaga University School of Law, continuing the tradition of excellence and community commitment that has made Gonzaga a point of pride for so many families in Eastern Washington. Her academic dedication and leadership exemplify the hard work, talent, and community spirit that define the very best of Washington's 5th District. The Miss Spokane Scholarship Organization is a proud local preliminary to the Miss America Organization, providing scholarships to young women while promoting academic achievement, leadership, and community engagement. Tayla's own words capture the heart of that mission. She said, ``As Miss Spokane, I am deeply honored to represent a community that believes in opportunity, growth, and the power of young women to lead and inspire change.'' Tayla has a clear vision for building new community partnerships, expanding opportunities, and empowering other young women to pursue their goals with confidence and purpose. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Tayla--our new Miss Spokane--and an outstanding representative of Eastern Washington. ____________________”

2026-03-04 · Government Reform

“Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a giant--not just in Cougar Country, not just in American athletics, but in the world of track and field. His name is John Chaplin. Born in Los Angeles, educated at WSU, an Army veteran, a professor in geography, and a coach in the truest, oldest, most honorable sense of the word. From 1968 to 1994, Chaplin transformed WSU from a modest program into a global track and field powerhouse. Under his leadership, the Cougars captured 19 Top-4 NCAA trophies, won 218 All-American honors, and crowned 17 individual NCAA champions. His dual-meet record--202 wins to just 15 losses. Nine undefeated seasons. Six national dual meet titles. He coached Olympic gold medalists, world record holders, and world champions--and he did it not in Los Angeles or Austin, but in Pullman, Washington, on the rolling hills of the Palouse. Chaplin's recruits came from Spokane, Seattle and from all corners of the globe--young men chasing opportunity, education, and excellence. Henry Rono, Julius Korir, Bernard Lagat--these weren't just track stars. They were ambassadors of what college sports can be: meritocratic, international, and transformational. But Chaplin was more than a coach. He was a statesman of the sport. He served as U.S. Olympic Head Coach in Sydney in 2000, where his athletes won six gold medals. He chaired the USA Track & Field Men's Committee, refereed NCAA and international championships, advised federations from Russia to Senegal, and lectured on coaching from Argentina to China. He brought honor to his profession and to Washington State. Mr. Speaker, I must tell you this: The very program he built is being hollowed out. Just last week, WSU announced the elimination of field events and a dramatic reduction in sprints and hurdles. Of the forty- five Cougar Olympians, twenty of them came in field events. The legacy of Chaplin, and the athletes he coached, is being boxed in by a system that no longer rewards broad-based opportunity. Yes, these cuts come in the shadow of the House v. NCAA settlement. A legal sledgehammer that forces schools like WSU into an unsustainable economic model that drains the lifeblood from Olympic sports. Chaplin's world record holders? His All-Americans? In today's system, they're expendable. We can fix this. We must. Not with more lawsuits, not with blank checks for the Power Four--but with federal reform that restores equity, sustains opportunity, and honors the values that John Chaplin stood for. If we lose the spirit of Cougar Track, we're not just losing a program. We're losing a piece of what college sports was meant to be. [[Page E613]] ____________________”

2025-06-24 · Education

“Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, behind every badge is a story, a family, and a heart committed to service. I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of Border Patrol Agent Travis W. Salo, who tragically passed on April 25th in an off-duty vehicle accident near Metaline, in Pend Oreille County. He was just 36 years old--a life full of promise, commitment, and courage, taken far too soon. Agent Salo was more than just a dedicated public servant--he was a protector of our Nation's borders, a proud member of the U.S. Border Patrol's Spokane Sector, and a valued agent assigned to the Metaline Falls Station. He carried out his duties with integrity, honor, and quiet strength. Those who served alongside him remember him not only for his professionalism, but for the kindness, loyalty, and sense of duty he brought to every shift. His sudden passing is a painful reminder of the risks and sacrifices that the men and women in law enforcement face--both on and off duty. Agent Salo's story is one of dedication, bravery, and selflessness. Today, we pause not only to mourn his loss, but to celebrate his life and express our gratitude. He leaves behind a legacy of service that will not be forgotten. To his family, friends, and fellow agents, I extend my most heartfelt condolences. May they find comfort in knowing that his life made a difference, and that his memory will continue to inspire us all. ____________________”

2025-05-09 · Veterans