Michael Baumgartner

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, few moments as a Member of Congress are more meaningful than helping a hero receive long-overdue recognition. Recently, my office had the privilege of assisting Vietnam veteran John Gilman in securing the Silver Star Medal he earned more than 50 years ago, an honor long delayed but deeply deserved. On Veterans Day, I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Gilman at the Heroes Awards night in Spokane. The event, hosted by Heroes Homestead, was a remarkable celebration of service, honoring not only those who wore the uniform but those who continue to serve our communities today. Surrounded by his family, friends, and fellow veterans, Mr. Gilman finally received the medal that reflected his courage and selflessness in Vietnam. Mr. Gilman of Airway Heights served valiantly in the American Division during the 1969 Tet Offensive. Amid intense combat near Phuoc Hoa, South Vietnam, his company was ordered to relieve a friendly unit under fire. Though wounded in action, Mr. Gilman refused to fall back. He steadfastly manned his M60 machine gun and continued providing suppressive fire, even while receiving medical treatment. Thanks to his courage under fire, his unit closed with and ultimately destroyed the insurgent force. For these extraordinary acts, the Army approved Mr. Gilman for his Silver Star. Yet despite that honor, he was never officially presented the award. Earlier this year, Mr. Gilman contacted my office. Through the persistent efforts of my staff working hand in hand with Army Personnel Command, we confirmed that his Silver Star had been authorized decades ago but never delivered. Last Tuesday night, more than 50 years after his acts of valor, Brigadier General Paul Sellars, Commanding General of the Washington Army National Guard, had the honor of presenting the Silver Star to Mr. Gilman. The Silver Star is the Army's third-highest award for gallantry in combat, given only to those who display extraordinary heroism under fire. Mr. Gilman's story is a powerful reminder of the courage that defines our veterans and our Nation's sacred duty to ensure their service is never forgotten. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate John Gilman and thank him for his bravery, his sacrifice, and his continued example to us all. As we approach America's 250th birthday, let us honor veterans like John Gilman not only with medals but through our daily commitment to live up to the freedom they fought to defend.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize an inspiring moment in our community, the Spokane Impact's first home match this past Saturday at the HUB Sports Center in Liberty Lake. The Spokane Impact is one of the founding teams of the Inspire Soccer League, the first-ever national soccer league created specifically for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Launched by Project Inspire, this league is about more than just soccer. It is about bringing people together from all walks of life and making sure that everyone has a chance to experience the joy and connection of sports. Too often, athletes with special needs are left without access to the kinds of opportunities so many take for granted, which is real teams, real competition, and real crowds cheering them on. This is an exciting new effort. There is so much going on with soccer in Spokane and across the country with the launch of our USL team and the coming World Cup. I am so proud that this has taken place. Mr. Speaker, I would like to give a special shout-out to the team's manager, Anna McCoy, who is doing a wonderful job in her new role.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the extraordinary success of Operation Rolling Thunder, a multiagency task force led by the U.S. Marshals Service in partnership with local, State, and Federal law enforcement. In just one coordinated effort, 55 violent fugitives were taken off the streets of Spokane County in the city of Spokane Valley. These individuals were wanted for crimes including: homicide, kidnapping, sexual abuse, assault, domestic violence, and much more. Thanks to this operation, our communities are safer immediately and measurably so. Operation Rolling Thunder carried added significance as the first- ever Homeland Security Task Force operation conducted in the Eastern District of Washington. By uniting Federal, State, and local resources, law enforcement was able to focus on our region's most violent and repeat offenders; strengthening public safety, national security, and our ability to respond to emerging threats. This kind of success doesn't happen by accident. It takes planning, trust, and exceptional teamwork. I commend the U.S. Marshals, Spokane County Sheriff's Office, Spokane Valley Police, Washington State Patrol, the FBI, ATF, Homeland Security, Department of Corrections, the U.S. Attorney's Office, Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, and many other local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies that stood shoulder to shoulder in this effort. I also give a special shoutout to two leaders of this operation: Sheriff's Sergeant Patrick Bloomer and Acting Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Carson Taylor. Their leadership helped make this possible. Mr. Speaker, this is what public safety and action looks like. Honoring Roger Reed

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Roger Reed, a man whose legacy is defined not only by his distinguished legal career but his deep love of family, history, faith, and Cougar football. Born in Portland in 1939 and raised in Wenatchee and Spokane, Roger was a lifelong learner with a passion for the law. After graduating from Washington State University and earning his law degree from the University of Washington, he served as deputy Spokane prosecutor and later as chief of the Eastern Washington Attorney General's office before cofounding the respected law firm, Reed & Giesa. Roger was so much more than his resume. He was a history buff with a personal library focused on the Civil War. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved Elvis, Jackie Robinson, rhubarb, and reading the newspaper. Roger Reed was a great man, a great friend, and we honor his legacy. Commending Active4Youth

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, as the father of five, with my youngest daughter attending her very first cross-country practice today, I rise to commend the remarkable work of Active4Youth, a community-supported nonprofit that is transforming lives in Spokane. Mr. Speaker, we have too many fat kids in America, and we need to get more of them out running cross-country. Founded 25 years ago by local teacher Heidi Bresson and her husband, Mike, Active4Youth brings free cross-country programs to as many as 6,000 elementary students each fall. In a city where many families face economic hardship, this may be the only chance some children have to wear a uniform, be part of a team, and to feel that sense of belonging. This is not a school-funded program. It exists because individuals in our communities step up. It is working. Research from Washington State University shows Active4Youth participants have better attendance and significantly higher achievement in both math and language. This is more than running. It is physical activity, academic support, community connection, and character development all in one. Mr. Speaker, as we begin a new school year, let us recognize the power of programs like Active4Youth to change lives.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life and service of Spokane County Sheriff's Sergeant Kenneth Salas, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on August 9 while selflessly assisting with a traffic hazard on Interstate 90. Sergeant Salas served the people of Spokane County for more than 34 years, first as a corrections officer, then as a patrol deputy, detective, and, ultimately, patrol sergeant. Sergeant Salas was known not only for his dedication in uniform but also for his deep commitment to helping others in every aspect of life. Kenneth Salas also served our country for over two decades in the United States Air Force, retiring as a technical sergeant with the Washington Air National Guard. Sergeant Salas was a protector, mentor, and beloved member of both law enforcement and military communities. Everyone in eastern Washington and I are keeping his wife, his family, and the entire Spokane County Sheriff's Office in our prayers. We are profoundly grateful for his life of service, and we will never forget his sacrifice. May we all appreciate and remember the sacrifice of our first-line responders and the service that they provide every day for our communities.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4215) to require the Secretary of State to promulgate expedited and fixed timelines for the decision-making process to license the export of certain defense articles and defense services, and for other purposes.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I introduced the International Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act to improve licensing timelines and processes for direct commercial defense sales. America's foreign defense sales program is notorious for its slow timelines and opaque process. This lack of clarity about how foreign partners are prioritized causes frustration and confusion among our most important partners and allies. This inefficiency and murkiness force our partners to consider turning to other countries to source their capabilities. The U.S. is currently the partner of choice for foreign arms sales, but that status is in jeopardy due to internal delays and unnecessary bureaucratic red tape. The direct commercial sales process presents a more efficient, expedient pathway for our allies and partners to purchase U.S. technology. Direct commercial sales are the future of American defense sales. Direct commercial sales skyrocketed last year and are quickly outpacing other forms of defense sales. If our direct commercial sales program is going to continue to grow, more must be done to streamline direct commercial sales and incentivize even faster timelines. This legislation would codify President Trump's April 9 executive order to establish a list of priority partners for certain defense sales and would create a timebound process for approving direct commercial sales cases. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support our defense industrial base and support this commonsense bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, we must do everything we can to improve our foreign defense sales process to ensure American competitiveness and equip our allies with the highest quality defense materials. I am proud to sponsor this legislation to streamline the direct commercial sales process, and I urge my colleagues to join me in support of it. This legislation makes America safer and our economy wealthier. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4216) to direct the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to carry out a review of the list of defense articles and services required to be transferred under the foreign military sales program as opposed to direct commercial sale (FMS-Only List), as amended.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation to improve the foreign military sales process. When our partners and allies choose to procure U.S.-origin defense articles or services, they have a choice to purchase items via either the foreign military sales process or the direct commercial sales process. While foreign military sales are often the path of choice due to the robust, total-package approach, direct commercial sales are preferable in many cases, as it is faster and a more nimble process than foreign military sales. However, the State Department maintains an out-of-date list of defense articles that may only be purchased via foreign military sales. This list is meant to only include the most sensitive technologies that would pose a risk to U.S. competitiveness or national security if these technologies fell into the wrong hands. However, its outdated nature ends up creating the very problem that it seeks to avoid. U.S. competitiveness is limited, as our partners choose to turn to other sources for technologies that are too slow to procure from the U.S. President Trump's April 9 executive order mandated that the State Department review and update the foreign military sales-only list. This legislation would codify that requirement and go one step further by requiring an annual review of the list. This legislation would also enhance congressional reporting requirements to ensure that Congress has oversight over any changes to the list. This much-needed legislation is a key part of reforming our foreign defense sales process to ensure that the United States maintains its competitiveness and remains the global partner of choice for procurement of defense technology. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Foreign Arms Sales Task Force, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from South Carolina (Mrs. Biggs), the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, reforming America's foreign defense sales is a top priority of this administration. We must do our part to codify the improvements initiated by President Trump. I am proud to support this legislation to improve the foreign defense system, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 747) to impose sanctions with respect to Chinese producers of synthetic opioids and opioid precursors, to hold Chinese officials accountable for the spread of illicit fentanyl, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Representative Barr's Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025. Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. It is killing over 70,000 Americans a year, and it is flooding into our communities with deadly force. We know where it is coming from. The vast majority of illegal fentanyl in the U.S. originates in China. Chinese labs manufacture the chemicals. Chinese traffickers supply the cartels, and American families pay the price in lives lost. This bill holds the Chinese Communist Party accountable. It gives our government stronger tools to sanction Chinese entities involved in the fentanyl trade and puts pressure on the CCP to shut down the labs that fuel this crisis. It is time to treat this for what it is: a national security threat. The Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act sends a clear message: The United States will not sit back while foreign actors profit from American pain. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, August 29, 2025. Hon. Brian Mast, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Mast: I write regarding H.R. 747, the Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025. Provisions of this bill fall within the Judiciary Committee's Rule X jurisdiction, and I appreciate that you consulted with us on those provisions. The Judiciary Committee agrees that it shall be discharged from further consideration of the bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor. The Committee takes this action with the understanding that forgoing further consideration of this measure does not in any way alter the Committee's jurisdiction or waive any future jurisdictional claim over these provisions or their subject matter. We also reserve the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees in the event of a conference with the Senate involving this measure or similar legislation. I ask that you please insert this letter in the Congressional Record during consideration of H.R. 747 on the House floor. I appreciate the cooperative manner in which our committees have worked on this matter, and I look forward to working collaboratively in the future on matters of shared jurisdiction. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Jim Jordan, Chairman.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr), the sponsor of this fine piece of legislation.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, the Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025 is not just about policy. It is about saving American lives. We must hold China accountable for its role in this deadly epidemic. Congress must take a stand against the poison devastating our communities. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2643) to require the Secretary of State to submit an annual report to Congress regarding the ties between criminal gangs and political and economic elites in Haiti and impose sanctions on political and economic elites involved in such criminal activities, as amended.

Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.