Is Baumgartner Voting With the MAGA Regime to Dismantle our Democracy?

On June 9, 2025 Heather Cox Richardson wrote:

“At 10:19 last night, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller posted on social media: “Stand with ICE. Pass the B[ig] B[eautiful] B[ill].”

And there it is. The Republicans’ “One Big, Beautiful Bill” is the MAGA regime’s attempt to replace the American government we’ve had since the 1930s with one that reflects the antidemocratic values of Project 2025. The measure is unpopular. According to a new CBS News/YouGov poll, 60% of Americans think the bill will help wealthy people, while 54% think it will hurt poor people. Forty-seven percent think it will hurt the middle class, while only 31% think it will help the middle class. As Simon Rosenberg of Hopium Chronicles noted, it’s “[s]tunning how badly Trump and the Rs have lost the debate on what their reconciliation bill will do.”

The measure changes the nature of the American government by extending tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations and adding significantly more money to immigration enforcement and defense spending. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the measure will add as much as $2.4 trillion to the deficit over ten years; with interest costs of that new debt, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget concluded the measure would increase the debt by nearly $3 trillion.

At the same time that it moves money upward and into the white nationalist project of expelling immigrants, the measure guts federal policies and agencies that serve the American people, apparently with the goal of pushing such policies and agencies to the states. The CBO estimates that as many as 13.7 million Americans will lose healthcare coverage if the measure passes, and cuts of nearly $300 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will mean cuts of about 30% to the programs on which millions of Americans depend.” -HCR

It appears that Eastern Washington’s Representative Michael Baumgartner has voted for the Republican’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which is being perceived as the MAGA regime’s effort to dismantle the American government established since the 1930s and replace it with one that aligns with the antidemocratic principles of Project 2025.

When confronted with this information, Michael Baumgartner responded in writing to a message sent to his office by the leader of Spokane Indivisible’s CHATTY CATs team: “I supported the One Big Beautiful Bill that strengthens Medicaid for Americans who truly need it while rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse.” We have a copy of the letter, maybe some of you have received his response as well.

Here is the issue with that statement, Mr. Baumgartner:

The provisions of the Big Bill (OBBB), aimed at addressing waste, fraud, abuse within Medicaid, are overall more nuanced. While placing emphasis on improvements, the bill also proposes reductions in funding, potentially resulting in the loss of coverage for millions of Americans.

For example, the bill imposes work requirements for certain Medicaid recipients and more frequent eligibility checks, which could result in coverage loss for many individuals. According to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, only a small portion of the bill’s Medicaid-related savings come from fraud prevention, while the majority stems from reductions in coverage, according to ccf.georgetown.edu

Baumgartner’s response continues: “The One Big Beautiful Bill also closes loopholes that allow illegal immigrants to enroll in Medicaid and reduces funding to states that prioritize Medicaid coverage for illegal immigrants.”

Know the facts, Mr. Baumgartner:

According to Medicaid, immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid benefits under federal law. However, they may qualify for emergency, which covers-threatening conditions and urgent medical needs.

Cutting Medicaid for immigrants during emergencies? I am not a doctor, but it seems evident that the lack of emergency medical care could result in death. Additionally, 70% of Americans disagree with denying immigrants emergency medical care.

Mr. Baumgartner, you are a public servant elected by voters in Eastern Washington to represent the majority of your constituents' interests. Are you paying attention to your constituents, or are you merely following the MAGA herd? It certainly appears as though you are aligning with the anti-democratic MAGA agenda. Do better.

Impact of Federal Proposals on Medicaid -Apple Health- in Washington State

In April 2025, Medicaid/Apple Health outlined the impact of MAGA’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and what impact it will have on Eastern Washington.

Medicaid/Apple Health in Eastern Washington’s 5th District total Enrollment: 237,567 individuals, representing 30% of the region's population.

5th District Adult Enrollment: 134,763 individuals accounting for 22% of Eastern Washington residents.

5th District Child Medical Enrollment: 102,804 children, 54% could lose their medical, vision, dental and access to free or reduced lunch funds.

5th District Disabled Enrollment: 36,088 individuals, 4.6%.

Full report and easy to read here: medicaid-in-washington-state 2 - Google Docs

The situation is alarming. In our community, many individuals are already expressing concerns about homeless people on our streets. What will our streets look like after medical insurance and SNAP benefits are cut?

Is Mr. Baumgartner voting to enhance residents in Eastern Washington or is he supporting MAGA regime’s effort to dismantle the American government established since the 1930s and replace it with one that aligns with the anti-democratic principles of Project 2025?

Update: Lamar Billboard Co approved Spokane Indivisible’s Baumgartner’s billboard design yesterday. Look for it on the corner of 2nd and Washington St, starting June 23.

We have the power

Breathe. Resist. Rest. Repeat.

Sami

Spokane Indivisible Team