Dear Friend,

From introducing bipartisan legislation to passing three of my amendments out of the House of Representatives, I’ve had a productive last few days of work in Washington, DC – and I’d like to share some highlights with you now.

(P.S. – Please forward this newsletter to a friend and encourage them to subscribe for regular updates about my work in Congress!)

First, I am so proud to share that not one, not two, but THREE of my amendments recently passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support! My amendment to the Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act ensures that students from low-income families, rural communities, and other underrepresented groups can benefit equally from federal investments in STEM education, while my amendments to the DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act focus on wildfire prevention and agricultural pest control to make sure that these important priorities for Oregon are included in federal research efforts. During such highly polarized times, I am glad that my Republican and Democratic colleagues were able to come together and pass these important pieces of legislation.

I also introduced two new bills – one of which is bipartisan – to combat the mental health and addiction crisis in Oregon and across America.

The Building Capacity for Care Act addresses the shortage of behavioral health facilities and connects more people with the timely and appropriate care they deserve. My legislation provides grants and loans to help build more behavioral health facilities or renovate existing ones. Doing so would ensure that these facilities have enough capacity to treat people, reducing wait times for patients and giving folks more options for crisis care beyond the emergency room.

Additionally, I am leading the Equal Access to Specialty Care Everywhere, or EASE Act, with my Republican colleague from Texas, Rep. Jodey Arrington. Our legislation would make it easier for rural Americans to access specialty care, which is especially important for folks with chronic conditions. The bill is actually modeled on a successful pilot program from La Pine, Oregon, that used telehealth to connect rural patients with specialty care services – ultimately reducing wait times and improving coordination between providers. I look forward to gathering more support for the EASE Act and I will continue to find more commonsense, bipartisan solutions like this one.

Beyond legislation, I continued meeting with local leaders from Oregon’s Sixth District to discuss how we can better collaborate and confront any shared challenges together. I sat down with Fire Chiefs from Tualatin Valley Fire Rescue and Clackamas Fire District for an important conversation about mental health resources for our firefighters. I also welcomed the Mayor of Beaverton, Lacey Beaty, to my office. We had a productive discussion about the city’s priorities and how I am working hard to secure needed funding for local projects that will make life better for Beaverton residents.

On the House floor, I delivered a speech recognizing West Salem High School for its commitment to making sports accessible for students of all abilities. The Titans recently earned two national awards for their inclusive basketball program. You can watch the full speech by clicking here or below.

Of course, I would be remiss not to mention the uncertainty that folks are feeling right now as a result of President Trump’s recent tariff announcement. Let’s be very clear about what just happened: President Trump signed the biggest tax increase on Americans in 50 years. The cost of these tariffs will ultimately be paid by small business owners and working families in Oregon and across America. Whether you’re a winemaker in the Willamette Valley or a busy mom in the Fred Meyer checkout line, working Americans – not foreign countries – will be footing the bill for President Trump’s recklessness. The Administration needs to reverse course, and if they fail to do so, Congress must reclaim and enforce its constitutional power to stop these massive tax increases on American families. You can read my full statement on Trump’s tariffs by clicking here.

I know these are difficult times for many Oregonians, and I want to assure you that I am using every tool available to fight back and stop billionaires from stealing your hard-earned money and benefits. In the meantime, here are a few resources that may be useful to you and your neighbors:

• Know Your Rights: In light of the Trump Administration’s ongoing threats to immigrant communities, it's important for Oregonians to know their rights if approached or detained by ICE. Visit salinas.house.gov/rights to learn more or call my office at (503) 385-0906.
  
  
• Funding Cuts Survey: On January 28th, 2025, the Trump Administration ordered a pause on all federal grants and loan programs. The order was officially rescinded on January 29th, but it remains unclear whether agencies and organizations will continue to receive federal funding. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration is still pursuing drastic cuts that could eliminate jobs and threaten critical programs like Social Security, Medicare, and more. If you are a resident or business owner in Oregon’s Sixth District who has been or anticipates being impacted by the Trump Administration’s funding freeze or any kind of unexpected cuts, please fill out this form.
  
  
• Casework: If you need help or have questions about federal agencies like the VA, Social Security, or Medicare, my office may be able to assist you. We have Spanish speakers and veterans on staff. Please give us a call at (503) 385-0906 or visit salinas.house.gov/casework.
  
  
• Write to Me: I always appreciate reading your messages, so no matter if you have a question, concern, or comment for me, you can always send me a message. Write to me at salinas.house.gov/contact.

Be well,




Andrea Salinas
Member of Congress