Rep. Michael Baumgartner to meet privately with VA, Corps of Engineers in Walla Walla
U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner makes his opening remarks at a Walla Walla town hall on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. Greg Lehman, Walla Walla Union-Bulletin.
U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner is planning introductory meetings with staff at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center and the Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District on Friday, May 9.
The meetings will not be public. Instead, they’re a chance for Baumgartner to get to know the leadership and staff of the agencies, spokesperson Andrew Rolwes said.
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U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner will meet with the Union-Bulletin for a Q&A during his visit. Submit a question for us to consider by emailing it to newsroom@wwub.com before 5 p.m. Thursday, May 8. Please type "Baumgartner" in the subject line.
Baumgartner will also take a tour of Walla Walla High School and meet with district board members, faculty and student leadership on Friday.
Baumgartner’s last visit to Walla Walla was in January, shortly after he took office. He had a town hall at Hot Mama’s Espresso in Walla Walla.
He faced criticism from some attendees during his most recent town hall, held in March in Spokane, where residents demanded answers about the first-term Republican congressman’s voting record and recent actions in President Donald Trump’s White House.
Federal agencies in Walla Walla have been impacted by the Trump administration’s decisions.
Walla Walla’s VA medical center faced cuts to probationary staff earlier this year, and the Corps of Engineers' Walla Walla District recently announced the closure of multiple outdoor recreation areas and a reduction in services because of a lack of resources.
Rolwes said Baumgartner's office will look at hosting town halls again this summer.
Kate Smith, Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, katesmith@wwub.com or 509-577-7709.