Michael Baumgartner

Baumgartner Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Tighten Controls on Sensitive Chipmaking Equipment - Michael Baumgartner

Position: The release advocates for the MATCH Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment and align U.S. and allied restrictions to prevent China from acquiring advanced chipmaking tools.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA‑05) introduced the Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act, a bipartisan bill designed to strengthen U.S. national security by closing critical gaps in export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment (SME). Original cosponsors include Chairman of the Select Committee on China John Moolenaar (MI‑02) and Reps. Rich McCormick (GA‑07), Bill Huizenga (MI‑04), Jefferson Shreve (IN‑06), Mike Lawler (NY‑17), John Mannion (NY‑22), Jared Golden (ME‑02), Josh Riley (NY‑19), Maggie Goodlander (NH‑02) and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10). Senators Pete Ricketts (R‑NE) and Andy Kim (D‑NJ) are introducing companion legislation in the Senate. China continues to aggressively subsidize its semiconductor industry, replicating the state‑driven strategies that enabled its dominance in solar panels, EV batteries, and other advanced manufacturing sectors. As a result, Chinese‑made legacy chips are now widely embedded in U.S. weapons systems, intelligence platforms, and critical infrastructure. Even in leading‑edge AI chip production, Chinese firms such as Huawei are rapidly advancing. While the United States has imposed extensive export controls to slow China’s semiconductor indigenization, U.S. allies have not fully matched these measures. This misalignment has left critical gaps that China continues to exploit. “China has made it abundantly clear that it intends to dominate the technologies that underpin both our economy and our national defense. The United States cannot afford to leave open back doors that allow the Chinese Communist Party to acquire the tools it needs to leap ahead in semiconductor manufacturing. I introduced the MATCH Act to ensure that America and our allies move in lockstep to close these gaps, defend our technological edge, and safeguard the supply chains that power everything from our weapons systems to our critical infrastructure. This is about protecting American workers, American innovation, and American security for the long haul.” – Congressman Michael Baumgartner “The bipartisan MATCH Act will close loopholes, create a level playing field for U.S. and allied toolmakers, and ensure the next decade of growth in chip manufacturing – and the jobs that come with it – happens in the United States and allied countries, not China. Semiconductor manufacturing equipment is a crucial advantage we have against China’s military and technological ambitions, and as the Select Committee recently documented in a bipartisan investigation, China exploited loopholes in current export controls to buy chip-making equipment tools as part of its strategy to dominate in chips. There is an urgent need to pass this bipartisan legislation and protect our advantage in chip making.” – Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar "The ability to design and produce semiconductors lies at the heart of the technology competition with Communist China,” said Senator Ricketts. “SME is an important dual-use technology. For too long, our export controls have been a patchwork of entity-based restrictions that Beijing easily bypasses using front companies. At the same time, U.S. restrictions on SME are stronger than those of our close allies and partners. This status quo puts American companies last. The MATCH Act strengthens our controls and creates a level playing field for U.S. companies." “To remain the global leader in the AI race, the United States cannot allow critical technologies to slip through the cracks. The MATCH Act is about closing those gaps and making sure our allies stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us in protecting the tools that power our economy and national defense,” said Congressman Rich McCormick. “By aligning export controls, we strengthen our industrial base in tandem with American innovation to ensure that the future of semiconductor manufacturing, and the jobs it creates, remains firmly in the United States and among our trusted partners.” “As the Chairman of the House Subcommittee overseeing export controls, I’ve seen how China is exploiting access to American and allies chipmaking equipment to modernize its military and pursue global AI dominance. The bipartisan MATCH Act advances the security, economic prosperity, and technological leadership of the United States by protecting critical chipmaking equipment from the Chinese Communist Party.” – Congressman Bill Huizenga “America leads the world in semiconductor technology. That lead was earned strategically and is never guaranteed. When we are out of sync with our allies on vital issues like these, it creates openings that China will be quick to exploit,” said Congressman Jefferson Shreve. "The bipartisan MATCH Act brings the United States and our partners into alignment so we can protect the tools and technologies that matter most against our foreign adversaries. This bill ensures fairness for American companies in this field and strength for our national security. If we want to keep the jobs, innovation, and supply chains of the future out of the hands of China, we need to act with clarity and urgency." “China is moving aggressively to dominate the semiconductor supply chain, and we must work alongside our allies to coordinate our export controls to stop the CCP's efforts. This legislation helps protect American innovation, secure our supply chains, and ensures a level playing field with our allies to counter China's chip production. Most of all, it's a matter of national security” said Congressman Mike Lawler. Congressman John W. Mannion said, “American workers, innovation, and ingenuity built the world’s most advanced semiconductor industry. With the United States ready to lead the next generation of global memory chip manufacturing and research, I’m going to protect that future and make sure we stay ahead. The MATCH Act safeguards the tools, technology, jobs, and know-how that will keep the United States ahead of China and at the leading edge of the 21st century technologies the world depends on.” “The United States should have policies in place to ensure a level playing field for American manufacturing, including export controls to push back against China’s efforts to dominate a semiconductor market that is critical to our economy and our national security. I’m proud to be a part of a bipartisan coalition supporting the MATCH Act, which takes a balanced approach to protecting and supporting American innovation and jobs.” – Congressman Jared Golden “America, not China, should lead the world in AI to ensure that AI works for American workers, American innovation, and America’s national security,” said Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander. “Our bipartisan MATCH Act is about closing dangerous loopholes that China is exploiting, standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies on a level playing field, and winning the AI race against China.” Key provisions of the MATCH Act include: "A strategy that aligns the U.S. and its allies in stopping the flow of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment to our adversaries is key to protecting U.S. technological advantages. When foreign suppliers of advanced chipmaking tools are not subject to the same rules as U.S. firms, it undermines the objectives of U.S. export controls. Closing gaps in the export control regime by partnering with our allies first and imposing extraterritorial controls second is a prudent strategy that advances U.S. national security.” – Jacob Feldgoise, Senior Data Research Analyst, Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET). “Preserving and enhancing export controls on semiconductor manufacturing are one of the most important things that America can do to win the AI race against China. The MATCH Act is an important tool to help ensure American dominance in this area and to hold our allies' feet to the fire in holding the line on export controls on the most advanced technology humanity has produced.” – Dmitri Alperovitch, Chairman, Silverado Policy Accelerator “For too long, the United States has borne the economic and political costs of semiconductor export controls while leaving room for foreign suppliers to free ride, backfill, or slow-roll their alignment. The MATCH Act creates a simple rule: either our allies match our controls on the most important tools and components for advanced semiconductors, or the United States closes the loopholes itself. That is how you turn a theoretical chokepoint into a real one, securing our AI supply-chain and technology leadership for years to come.” – Samuel Hammond, Chief Economist, Foundation for American Innovation “For years, gaps in semiconductor equipment controls have undermined America’s most effective technology denial strategy. Although the United States has acted to restrict chokepoint tools, our allies don’t always follow suit — and China continues to exploit the difference.” – Ryan Fedasiuk, Fellow, China and Technology, American Enterprise Institute “The MATCH Act is critical to protecting U.S. and allied dominance in advanced chipmaking, which is the foundation of our leadership over China in AI. Advanced chips are the lifeblood of AI and are one of the few things that China struggles to manufacture, as it cannot make these chips without U.S. and allied equipment. However, China is exploiting loopholes and asymmetries in U.S. and allied export controls on chipmaking equipment and components to purchase hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of advanced tools; chipmaking equipment is the largest export from the Netherlands to China, the second largest from Japan, and the third largest from the United States. The MATCH Act would close many of these loopholes and turn off the tap, which is among the most important steps we can take to preserve long-term U.S. allied leadership in semiconductor production, toolmaking, and AI.” – Chris McGuire, Senior Fellow for China and Emerging Technologies, Council on Foreign Relations “Export controls on chipmaking tools are the foundation of America's technology competition strategy with China. They are directly responsible for U.S. leadership in emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing and defense technologies of the future. The MATCH Act would decisively close gaps in the controls that risk undermining their effectiveness in the long term, thus giving America an enduring lead in the technologies that will reshape the security landscape.” – Saif M. Khan, Former Director for Technology and National Security, National Security Council "America and its allies have a massive lead over China in advanced AI chip production, but keeping that edge requires that we and our friends be on the same page. Allied export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment suffer from meaningful gaps that China continues to exploit. We must ensure our allies align their export controls with American standards — through diplomacy, if possible, but unilaterally if necessary. The stakes are too high to wait." – Chris Griswold, Policy Director, American Compass “FDD Action supports the MATCH Act, which focuses on strengthening and aligning export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment. These tools are essential to protecting U.S. technological leadership and national security. By closing gaps and reinforcing coordination with allies, this bill helps prevent critical technologies from being diverted in ways that could undermine U.S. national security." – Alexandria Paolozzi Moore, FDD Action Senior Director of Government Affairs You can read the bill text here.

Congressman Baumgartner Urges Gov. Ferguson to Help Deliver Relief at the Pump - Michael Baumgartner

Position: Congressman Baumgartner calls on Washington state to temporarily suspend its cap-and-trade carbon auction program (Climate Commitment Act) to provide immediate fuel price relief for families and small businesses during a global energy crisis caused by Iran's disruption of shipping.

SPOKANE, WA – As global energy markets reel from Iran’s disruption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is working with federal agencies to stabilize fuel supplies and reduce pressure on American energy markets. Today, he called on Washington state leaders to join those efforts by providing immediate relief for families and small businesses through the temporary suspension of the state’s cap-and-trade carbon auctions. Citing the skyrocketing crude oil prices caused by Iran’s hostile interference with international shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, Congressman Baumgartner called on state leaders to temporarily halt the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), which currently adds an estimated 40 to 50 cents to the cost of a gallon of gas. "Washingtonians are not just paying the price for Iran’s rogue behavior; they are paying a heavy premium driven by state policy," said Congressman Baumgartner. "This climate change surcharge is little more than a vanity project designed to make people in downtown Seattle feel good about themselves, while severely penalizing working people across the rest of the state." Baumgartner noted that the high cost of fuel is compounding the cost of all goods and services, disproportionately hurting tradesmen, commuters, and small business owners who cannot afford to absorb Olympia's environmental taxes during a global energy shock. "Subsidizing charging stations for Tesla’s needs to take a back seat to lowering the cost of living for everyday Washingtonians," Baumgartner wrote. "Olympia must stop draining hundreds of millions of dollars from the pockets of working citizens every month during an international economic emergency.” To read Congressman Baumgartner’s letter to Governor Ferguson, click here.

Congressman Baumgartner Responds to President Trump’s State of the Union Address - Michael Baumgartner

Position: The congressman expresses support for the Trump administration's policies on tax relief, border security, and crime reduction, contrasting Republican tax cuts with Democratic tax increases at the state level.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) issued the following statement following President Trump’s State of the Union Address. “We’re kicking off America’s 250th birthday with good news: our nation is safer and more prosperous than it has been in generations. Tonight’s State of the Union made clear to the American people and the world that the United States is once again leading with confidence and strength. Here at home, families are feeling the difference. Murders, overall violent crime and property crime are at their lowest in decades, and our southern border is finally secure, with illegal crossings at their lowest levels since the 1970s. That means safer streets, stronger communities, and a renewed sense of order and stability. House Republicans have been laser-focused on lowering costs for everyday Americans. We delivered historic, broad-based tax relief, so working families can keep more of what they earn, small businesses can grow, and retirees can stretch their savings further. Governor Ferguson and Democrats in Olympia are pushing through an unconstitutional income tax, while Republicans in Washington DC, are moving in the opposite direction: delivering real, historic tax relief for the people we serve. I’ll keep fighting to make sure families in Eastern Washington feel that progress where it matters most – at home.“

Baumgartner Requests Flood Disaster Aid, Calls out Democrat Shutdown Strain on FEMA - Michael Baumgartner

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) joined the entire, bipartisan Washington Congressional Delegation in a letter urging the President to approve additional funding in response to Governor Bob Ferguson’s February 18 request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance following the devastating December floods. This comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is operating under a partial government shutdown. DHS has advised that: “Absent funding from Congress, existing Disaster Relief Fund balances have a potential to run dry.” “I strongly support FEMA assisting Washington state in its time of need, but we have to call out hypocrisy when we see it. Democrats need to stop using the appropriations process to score political points and instead work with Republicans to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security so FEMA has the tools and capacity it needs to help communities recover,” said Congressman Baumgartner. “Disaster relief is not a partisan issue. Our delegation is united in asking the President to approve this Major Disaster Declaration, and Congress should be just as united in ensuring FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund is strong enough to support Washington families, farmers, and small businesses in their time of need.” In their letter to the President, Baumgartner and members of the Delegation wrote: “This extreme weather event has put significant stress on Washington state’s infrastructure, emergency response teams, and communities across the state. Throughout this crisis, state, local, Tribal, and federal first responders have stepped up and worked tirelessly to keep our communities secure. We are incredibly grateful for their diligent work and careful coordination to keep Washingtonians safe and informed throughout this disaster.” You can read the full letter here.

Baumgartner Backs Final FY2026 Funding Bills: Restoring Regular Order and Delivering for Eastern Washington - Michael Baumgartner

Today, Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) voted to pass a series of Appropriations bills; Defense, Transportation, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS), and Homeland Security. These final bills mark the last steps in completing all twelve FY2026 appropriations bills, and avoiding the chaos of shutdown threats and stopgap spending. They include major wins for Eastern Washington, alongside broader investments that support servicemembers, secure our communities, provide effective education and health systems, and modernize transportation. The bill now moves to the Senate and if passed, to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Funding for these departments and agencies is set to expire on January 30th. “With today’s votes, Congress is finally back to doing its job – funding the government through appropriations bills,” said  Congressman Baumgartner. “These bills deliver for Eastern Washington: pay raises for Fairchild airmen, stronger rural hospitals, safer highways and airports, and tougher border and drug enforcement to keep our communities safe. In the Transportation Appropriations bill, Baumgartner secured more than $5.8 million in targeted Community Project Funding to directly support Eastern Washington’s transportation and public safety needs.

Baumgartner Votes to Pass Three Appropriations Bills: Securing Key Funding for Eastern Washington - Michael Baumgartner

WASHINGTON- Today, Congressman Michael Baumgartner voted for a series of Appropriations bills; Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS), Energy and Water, and Interior and Environment. Together, these three bills make smart, targeted investments that strengthen America’s energy independence and national defense, support law enforcement and the fight against illegal drugs, expand access to critical minerals, and give wildland firefighters the tools they need to protect our communities and landscapes. Baumgartner secured key funding for Eastern Washington through Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) and Interior and Environment Appropriations bills: Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations Bill: Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill: “Eastern Washington sent me to Congress to tighten the belt in DC and deliver real results back home, and this package does both, said Congressman Baumgartner. “These bills find $2 billion in savings, while still investing in safer communities, stronger water systems, and more reliable infrastructure in places like Adams County, Palouse, Ritzville, College Place, Republic, and Springdale. That is what a conservative, taxpayer-first approach to governing looks like, and it is squarely aligned with President Trump’s agenda to deliver for American families and communities.” This package also reins in spending – coming in nearly $2 billion below the level allowed under the current continuing resolution – ensuring real savings for taxpayers. By passing full‑year funding bills, Congress is starting 2026 by returning to regular order and passing full-year appropriations bills. These bills now need to pass the Senate prior to being signed into law by the President.

Baumgartner Calls for Federal Review to Safeguard Taxpayer Dollars in Washington State’s Benefit Programs - Michael Baumgartner

Position: Congressman Baumgartner calls for a federal program-integrity review of Washington state's federally funded benefit programs to identify and address fraud vulnerabilities, citing recent fraud cases in Minnesota as a cautionary example.

WASHINGTON- With federal investigations in Minnesota exposing large-scale fraud in child nutrition and Medicaid-related programs, Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) today sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, calling on them to conduct a program‑integrity review of federally funded benefits in Washington state. “Washington families deserve to know their tax dollars are paying for real meals and real care, not padding the pockets of scammers,” Congressman Baumgartner said. “Minnesota is a cautionary tale for every state: when state authorities fast track welfare payments with weak front‑end controls and lax enforcement, fraudsters will pounce. My goal is simple: get independent confirmation that Washington’s safeguards are working, and if they are not, fix the problems now rather than after a headline‑grabbing scandal.” In his letter, Baumgartner warns that Minnesota’s experience should serve as a national cautionary tale, writing: “Recent developments in Minnesota highlight a recurring risk profile that is not unique to one state or one program: when large federal funding streams are administered at the state level through extensive networks of third-party providers, sponsors, subrecipients, or contractors—especially where enrollment is easy, documentation is limited, and payments are made before meaningful verification—fraud risks can scale quickly.” Baumgartner is asking two Departments to check whether Washington state’s taxpayer funded welfare programs show any of the same vulnerabilities that have led to industrial-scale fraud schemes in other states – and to either validate that safeguards are working or spell out what needs to be fixed. He specifically requests a federal integrity review of:

After Colorado Acts, Baumgartner Urges Governor Ferguson to Opt Into New Tax Credit Program for Washington - Michael Baumgartner

Position: Congressman Baumgartner advocates for Governor Ferguson to opt Washington into a new federal tax credit program for Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) that provide educational scholarships to students, arguing this expands school choice and educational flexibility for families.

WASHINGTON- Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) is calling on Governor Bob Ferguson to act swiftly and ensure Washington families can benefit from the new federal Tax Credit Program for Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) created under the Working Families Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, landmark legislation passed by Republicans earlier this year. “I applaud Governor Polis of Colorado for expanding his state's access to the new tax credit, a major win for families and school choice,” said Congressman Baumgartner. “Now it’s time for Governor Ferguson to do the same for Washington. Our students, families, and communities deserve the same access to flexible, high-quality education opportunities. Bob Ferguson needs to show that he is a protector of Washington students and not a puppet of Washington’s teachers union.” Effective January 1, 2027, this new federal tax credit will allow taxpayers to claim a refundable credit of up to $1,700 for individual filers who contribute to approved SGOs. These organizations provide scholarships to students attending public, private, and secondary schools, expanding access and flexibility for families to choose the educational environment that best fits their children. Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, computers, special needs services, and other necessary educational expenses. Importantly, scholarships awarded through these SGOs will be tax-free income for recipients and their families — a direct investment in students and local schools. To enable Washington residents to take further advantage of this opportunity with state groups, Governor Ferguson must submit a list of qualified non-profits eligible to be SGOs to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury by January 1st. Several states are already taking action, including Colorado, whose Governor Jared Polis recently announced Colorado’s intention to participate.