Your Voice in Congress: July 24, 2026 Update from Rep. Baumgartner

Your Voice in Congress: July 24, 2026 Update from Rep. Baumgartner July 24, 2026 | Weekly Newsletter It was a productive week back in Washington, DC. I was proud to help pass the Stop Insider Trading Act that would prohibit Members of Congress from using insider knowledge to profit from individual stock trades. The Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing to consider my bipartisan Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act, a bill that would protect endangered salmon from seal and sea lion predation. I also voted to pass the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to fully fund military operations and stand with our brave men and women in uniform. This Week In DC The Stop Insider Trading Act On Wednesday, I was proud to vote to pass the Stop Insider Trading Act, which ensures lawmakers cannot use their positions to profit off insider information . As a cosponsor of the legislation, I believe lawmakers should never be in a position to personally profit from information gained through public service. The American people deserve a Congress that is accountable, transparent, and worthy of their trust. Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act Hearing On Tuesday, the Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing to consider my bipartisan bill that would provide protection to endangered salmon and steelhead from seal and sea lion predation. It was a very informative hearing and I especially appreciate the comments from my colleague and lead cosponsor of the bill, Rep. Emily Randall, on why this is such a big issue for the Pacific Northwest. This hearing sheds light on the real issue at hand, the need to protect our endangered salmon populations and give our native tribes more authority to take action against rapidly increasing seal and sea lion populations. National Defense Authorization Act I am proud to have voted to pass the NDAA that will continue to fund US Department of War operations through the Fiscal Year 2027. This legislation strengthens support for our Fairchild servicemembers and their families by increasing their pay and enhancing housing, education, and access to childcare, while ensuring our military has the tools and capabilities needed to deter our adversaries and defend the American way of life. I am also pleased the House approved my amendment to authorize a $5 million investment in Reactive Alloy Structure (RAS) manufacturing; a critical new munitions technology developed at WSU and manufactured in Spokane. Chairman of the Suquamish Tribe I spoke with Chairman Leonard Foresman of the Suquamish Tribe concerning my bipartisan Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026 , which would allow for better management of sea lions on the Columbia River and Puget Sound. This bill is a positive step to focus the narrative of salmon preservation on the predators most affecting their runs, instead of our Lower Snake River Dams, and I am grateful for his advice and support. Bonneville Power Administration Also this week, I met the new administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Travis Kavulla. BPA supplies more than a third of the Northwest’s electricity and operates about three-quarters of our region’s transmission system. Utility costs are a big part of Eastern Washington families’ costs, and I look forward to working with Mr. Kavulla in his new role. Legislative Meeting s Save the Children My staff met with Save the Children Action Network to discuss the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act, as well as foreign assistance providing healthy vitamins and nutrition for mothers and babies. Save the Children advocates for kids all across the country and the globe to make sure that they are receiving the resources they need for a healthy start to life. This Week in the 5th District Master Sergeant Duncan Lickey My staff recently met with local veteran Master Sergeant Duncan Lickey near Colville to discuss ongoing challenges navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs. As more government services move online, many veterans face unnecessary barriers accessing the benefits they have earned. My office is actively working with Master Sergeant Lickey to help address these issues and advocate on his behalf. Whether it’s navigating the VA, resolving casework, or connecting with federal agencies, my office is committed to providing personalized assistance to those who need it. Our veterans answered the call to serve our nation, and they deserve a government that serves them in return. Thank you for your service. Modrite Wildfire, Colville Indian Reservation My staff met with incident commanders and personnel at the Inchelium Community Center to receive an update on the wildfire response led by the Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team. Nearly 300 firefighters and support personnel from 24 states are currently on the ground, with that number expected to grow as crews continue working to contain the fire. We appreciate the professionalism and coordination of everyone involved—from firefighters on the front lines to the aviation crews, heavy equipment operators, and support staff making this response possible. My office remains in close communication with incident officials and stands ready to assist however we can. We are grateful for the courage and dedication of those working tirelessly to protect our communities. Groundbreaking at Habitat for Humanity’s Lee Wade Landing My team joined the staff of Habitat for Humanity and community leaders and members in Spokane Valley on Monday to participate in the ground breaking of Habitat for Humanity’s newest development – the Lee Wade Landing. This development will create approximately thirty units of owner-occupied affordable housing units. It was named in honor of Lee Wade, a community leader and advocate for housing who just celebrated her 99th birthday. The project was financed in part using federal housing tax credits. East Spokane Business Association Monthly Member Meeting My staff attended the July monthly member meeting of the East Spokane Business Association (ESBA) where Mayor Brown provided an update on the issues her administration is focused on. My team provided an update on federal policy and advocacy work I have been working on since being briefed on ESBA (Employee Benefits Security Administration) in the fall of last year. State of the City of Spokane Valley Staff attended the annual State of the City address in Spokane Valley. I am pleased to see the extensive developments taking place across the Valley, including investments in a new youth sports complex for ice skating and cross country. These projects are being supported by more than $50 million in federal grants that our team helped deliver over the past year. I am thankful for the City of Spokane Valley working with my office and am happy that we’ve gotten results for the people of the Valley. Kettle Fest 2026 My team joined the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance and Outdoor Alliance Washington for Kettle Fest 2026 in the Colville National Forest. This annual event brings volunteers together to maintain trails and celebrate our public lands. Staff met with outdoor recreation leaders to discuss trail stewardship, rural recreation economies, and the importance of preserving public access, before joining volunteers on the Kettle Crest trails. I appreciate the dedicated volunteers and organizations working to keep Eastern Washington’s public lands accessible for all to enjoy. Palouse Caboose My staff enjoyed meeting with Palouse Mayor Tim Sievers over lunch at the local favorite, Palouse Caboose. They discussed ongoing public works projects and downtown revitalization efforts that will strengthen the community and support future growth. It was a great opportunity to hear about the exciting work taking place in Palouse. Mayor Cody Lord and Clerk Becky Pfaff This week, my staff visited Garfield to hear directly from Mayor Cody Lord and Clerk/Treasurer Becky Pfaff about the latest developments and priorities in the community. Small towns across Eastern Washington face unique challenges, but the dedication and commitment of local leaders who work every day to serve their communities is truly inspiring. A big thank you to Mayor Lord, Becky Pfaff, and all those who continue working tirelessly on behalf of our towns, cities, and counties. Monthly Tri County Economic Development Meeting My staff attended the monthly Tri County Economic Development meeting in Colville, where members recognized Executive Director Jeff Koffel for his years of dedicated leadership and welcomed Deputy Executive Director Frank Metlow as his successor. Staff also learned about the proposed Colville Interpretive Park Trail, a community-driven project that will expand outdoor recreation, support local tourism, and showcase the area’s unique natural resources. My office discussed potential federal funding opportunities and looks forward to following the project’s progress. American Forest Resource Council, Quarterly Meeting My staff attended the quarterly American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) meeting in Colville, where government, industry, and community leaders discussed sustainable forest management and policies affecting public lands. Participants highlighted support for active forest management, including the Fix Our Forests Act, and emphasized the importance of healthy forests in reducing wildfire risk, supporting local jobs, and strengthening Northeast Washington’s economy. Eastern Washington Spotlight – Wes Anderson This week, I had the privilege of recognizing the life and legacy of Spokane native Wes Anderson, a Vietnam veteran whose decades of service left a lasting impact on our community. Wes devoted more than 50 years to supporting fellow veterans through the Veterans of Foreign Wars, volunteer work, and countless acts of kindness, including his annual care of the Spokane Vietnam Veterans Memorial. His selfless dedication to those who served our nation will continue to inspire generations to come. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire veteran community as we remember a remarkable man whose legacy of service will not be forgotten. Know More About Fairchild Air Force Base Fairchild Air Force Base is home to a wide variety of units and missions, the most prominent is the air refueling mission. Fairchild has two wings, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, and 141st ARW. Other units include the Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) school, medical detachments, a weapons squadron and the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency. Fairchild Air Force Base is a cornerstone of Eastern Washington and plays a critical role in our nation’s defense. I remain committed to supporting the airmen, families, and civilian workforce who make Fairchild one of the premier installations in the Air Force. Whether advocating for mission readiness, improving quality of life for military families, or ensuring Fairchild has the resources it needs to succeed, I will continue working to keep this vital installation strong for generations to come. In the News Lewiston Tribune: Representative Baumgartner discusses recent moves in Congress, news of the day I was pleased to speak with the Lewiston Tribune about recent legislative priorities, including protecting endangered salmon, strengthening national defense, and increasing accountability in Congress. Read the Full Article Profiles in Patriotism Spotlight: Susan Harms Susan has devoted her life to service, beginning as a young volunteer and continuing through her long nursing career, in particular supporting Vietnam veterans both personally and professionally. Her dedication is further evident in her leadership with the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Service for Veterans Committee, where she has spearheaded numerous donations drives and initiatives to support veterans, including organizing blanket and “Love Socks” programs, and adapting her involvement even while housebound. Deeply patriotic, Susan takes pride in her family’s military heritage and actively assists DAR members with genealogy research, while also preparing gift bags for veterans to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, reflecting her ongoing commitment to honoring and helping those who have served. 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/services/tours-and-tickets to learn more. We look forward to welcoming you to Washington, DC! It’s truly an honor to serve you. Sincerely, Rep. Michael Baumgartner Member of Congress Subscribe to the Newsletter