WA · DISTRICT 5

Michael Baumgartner

RepublicanWashingtonCurrently serving

Sworn in for the 119th Congress on January 3, 2025 Source ↗

What they said 3

Their stated policy positions and commitments, with quotes and links to the original sources.

All statements (3)In office (3)

While serving · Original date not established

Energy & environment Transportation & infrastructure Agriculture & food

Keep the four Lower Snake River dams

AI-assisted summary

Baumgartner opposes breaching the four Lower Snake River dams and supported the Trump administration’s June 2025 withdrawal from the 2023 Columbia Basin salmon agreement. He argues that retaining the dams protects reliable electricity and agricultural shipping while salmon recovery continues. He calls for fish-recovery investment and strengthening regional hydropower instead of removing the dams. He says the dams supply nearly a million homes and meet high fish-passage standards; those are his stated reasons for opposing removal, not independently assessed outcomes.

Context: Original statement date not established. Source collected on November 12, 2026.

While serving · Original date not established

Energy & environment

Support clearer limits on federal water regulation

AI-assisted summary

Michael Baumgartner supports revising the federal definition of “Waters of the United States” to clarify which waters fall under federal jurisdiction. He says clearer rules should reduce regulatory burdens on Eastern Washington farmers, ranchers, landowners, and small businesses while preserving vital water resources. The announced review is a federal effort involving the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers.

Context: The statement supports the announced review and revision; it does not specify the final definition Baumgartner favors. The background describes wetlands as covered only when directly connected to relatively permanent waters, but does not attribute that specific standard as his proposal.

While serving · Original date not established

Healthcare Economy, taxes & work

Keep Spokane’s NIOSH research laboratory open

AI-assisted summary

Michael Baumgartner urged the administration to preserve the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Spokane Research Laboratory. He opposed closing the lab without a plan to reassign its research, citing its work on safety in metal and non-metal mining and its support for western workers and industries. He said keeping the low-cost laboratory would align with efforts to streamline government and eliminate waste.

Context: This was a position in a June 2025 oversight letter, not evidence that the laboratory was kept open. The request was made jointly with other lawmakers.