Andrea Salinas

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the lack of mental health services in rural America. As facilities close their doors and providers leave town, many people in our rural communities are forced to travel for miles to get care or forgo care altogether. That is harmful and unfair, which is why I introduced a bipartisan bill to expand access to telemental health services in rural areas. This legislation will specifically help folks working in farming, fishing, and forestry. These industries are critical to our economy and way of life in my district. In fact, Oregon has the second-largest number of Triple-F workers per capita in the entire country. These jobs can also be very stressful, and few seek help due to stigma. Improving telehealth access will take away that stigma, save folks time and resources, and get more Oregonians the help they need when they need it. Congress has left rural America behind for far too long. It is time we change that. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting this very important bill.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize our brave servicemembers and their families. America's veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedom, and for that, I am deeply grateful, but words alone are not enough. As Members of Congress, it is our job to honor the pledge we made to military families and ensure that they get the benefits that they deserve. When my constituent, Shirley Thomas, suddenly stopped receiving her VA benefits, she reached out to my office for help. In just 3 short weeks, my team was able to restart Shirley's benefits and secure back payments for the months that she missed. I recently visited Shirley and reiterated my commitment to helping military families like hers, because supporting our servicemembers means supporting them long after they come home. It means providing them with safe, affordable housing; expanding educational opportunities to help veterans pursue their career goals; improving home care services for elderly veterans; and so much more. Today, and always, I will keep fighting to do just that.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for the recorded votes on Roll Call numbers 559, 560, 561, 562, 563, and 564. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 559; YEA on Roll Call No. 560; YEA on Roll Call No. 561; YEA on Roll Call No. 562; NAY on Roll Call No. 563; and YEA on Roll Call No. 564.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1722, the Grand Ronde Reservation Act Amendment of 2023. My district is the proud home of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde community, who, like Oregon's other indigenous peoples, were the original stewards of our land and abundant natural resources, yet they have also faced tremendous injustices at the hands of the Federal Government. The Grand Ronde Reservation was established in 1857. In 1871, during a survey of the reservation, an 84-acre piece of land known as the Thompson Strip was mistakenly excluded. It took over 100 years for this error to be delivered, and rectifying it does require an act of Congress. At some point in the process of drafting legislation, language was erroneously inserted that took away Grand Ronde's right to bring any further land claims in the entire State of Oregon, not just around the Thompson Strip. The Grand Ronde community is to this day the only Tribe in Oregon that is subject to this prohibition. H.R. 1722 will finally correct this decades-old error and restore Grand Ronde's ability to pursue land claims. This legislation enjoys strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. I thank my colleagues here today from the Natural Resources Committee, as well as the support of the entire Oregon delegation. Passage of H.R. 1722 would be enormously consequential for the Grand Ronde community. It would also represent a historic step forward for indigenous peoples' rights in America. I have always believed that while we are not responsible for the ills of the past, we are responsible for remedying them today. Mr. Speaker, my amendment to the Grand Ronde Reservation Act aligns with that important pursuit. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting this bill.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend, colleague, and fellow Oregonian, Congressman Earl Blumenauer. Throughout his 50 years of public service, Earl has always been a consistent and vocal advocate for Oregon values. He helped pioneer the fight against climate change long before others were doing the same, and his commitment to building healthy communities and a healthy planet through public transit and cycling was unmatched. In fact, he wore it proudly every day in the form of that iconic bicycle pin on his lapel. I know I speak for the entire Oregon delegation when we say that Earl will be sorely missed in Congress. He leaves behind a legacy of service and dedication to making life better for working families not only in our State but across our great country. I wish him and his family all the best in his new chapter.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of deep sadness, frustration, and anger. Last night, we witnessed yet another mass shooting, in Maine, that claimed the lives of at least 18 innocent people. These tragedies have come to define daily life in America, but it doesn't have to. We need to pass commonsense gun safety legislation that a majority of Americans support, including expanded background checks and a Federal assault weapons ban. At the same time, we need to address the mental health crisis in our communities by expanding access to care and ensuring more people can get the help they need. There are many solutions to this problem and no time to waste. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in saying not one more, no more lives taken and families irreparably broken by gun violence, and no more thoughts and prayers without action.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. SALINAS. Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this bill for reasons beyond what I can list in the allotted time, but primarily because it would force America to abdicate its leadership role on the global stage. This bill contains too many harmful provisions to count, but for the benefit of the American people, I will do my best to summarize a few of them: This bill would severely reduce our ability to combat the climate crisis. It would make massive cuts to global health programming through USAID and the WHO. It would shortchange economic and humanitarian assistance and global peacekeeping funding. And as if those self-imposed restrictions on our international leadership weren't bad enough, my Republican colleagues are using this bill as a Trojan horse for more poison pill riders, just as they have done with other appropriations bills. The majority's obsession with anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ, and anti- diversity politics precludes them from putting forth a bill that has any chance of becoming law. Specifically, their bill would reinstate the global gag rule and prohibit contributions to the UNPFA, restricting women and girls around the world from receiving the reproductive and maternal healthcare they need. They are just not content to undermine reproductive freedom at home. No, they need to take their draconian quest abroad to the tremendous shame of the majority of Americans who value reproductive freedom. Mr. Chair, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill. My amendment would strike the global gag rule and allow contributions to UNPFA. Mr. Chair, I strongly support reproductive rights and believe we should be a global leader guaranteeing it to all women and girls, regardless of where they may have been born. I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit. Mr. Chair, I include in the Record the text of my amendment. Ms. Salinas moves to recommit the bill H.R. 4665 to the Committee on Appropriations with the following amendment: Strike section 7057.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, as a proud Latina and the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, I rise in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. September 15 kicked off a month of recognition, celebration, and reflection. We recognize the struggles and contributions of our community. We celebrate our ancestry and rich cultures, and we reflect on the sacrifices Latinos have made throughout history. Oregon's Sixth District is home to a thriving Latino community. Each year, more Latinos are starting businesses, raising families, and putting down roots in our State, however, as our community grows, so does our need for representation. I am honored to be one of the first Latinas to represent Oregon in Congress, but that is just the start. We must break down barriers and hold the doors of opportunity open for future generations of Latino leaders because we deserve to have our voices heard wherever decisions are made--not just today, not just this month, but every single day of the year.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good colleague from New Mexico for her leadership and for yielding me some time. Mr. Speaker, each year, hundreds of Oregonians die after overdosing on fentanyl. This drug has torn communities apart, from Salem to Sheridan and everywhere in between. It is not just our State. It is all across the U.S. Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids account for more than 85 percent of all opioid-involved deaths in the U.S. This is an issue that harms all of us, and I think Members of both parties can agree that stemming the flow of these drugs into our communities is a bipartisan imperative. The appropriations process is one of our best opportunities to deliver critical funding to the organizations and agencies on the front lines of this fentanyl fight. Yet sadly, this process has been needlessly politicized by far-right politicians who would rather notch political victories than policy ones--and this shameful Defense appropriations bill is a prime example of that. By attaching anti-LGBTQ2SIA+ and anti-choice riders to this bill, extremists in this body have turned what should be a straightforward funding package into a political wedge issue. That needless politicization is especially concerning, given that this piece of legislation contains critical funding to stop the flow of fentanyl into our country. Mr. Speaker, we cannot afford to let politics stand in the way of our fight against the fentanyl epidemic. As a new Member of this esteemed body, I did not come here for political gamesmanship. We should all be prioritizing people over partisanship. This is an all-hands-on-deck emergency, and I urge my colleagues to dispense with their partisan antics and focus on passing government funding legislation that meets the moment and delivers for all of our communities.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, Insuring Fairness for Family Farmers Act. Crop insurance is one of the best tools farmers have against bad weather, natural disasters, and volatile markets. Unfortunately, specialty crops consistently lag behind commodity crops in coverage levels, and small farms are less likely than large farms to have crop insurance. That is why I am introducing the Insuring Fairness for Family Farmers Act, a bill that would incentivize crop insurance agents to cover small and specialty crop farmers like ours in Oregon. More than 33 percent of all Oregon farms are small farms, compared to 13 percent of farms in the U.S. And my growers have been clear about the challenges the current system creates for them. As we write the farm bill, Congress has a rare opportunity and a responsibility to ensure small family farms have their interest prioritized by giving them the tools they need to remain in production. Let's save the family farm.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, the Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act. The worsening climate crisis has wrought destruction across the country, and Oregon is not immune from that devastation. Every year, our wildfire season becomes more severe. In fact, right now, there are 19 active wildfires in Oregon alone, burning thousands of acres, threatening properties, and upending daily life for hundreds of Oregonians. Yet as the risk of wildfire has grown, our wildland firefighting capacity has fallen far behind, and that is where the Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act comes in. This bill will actually cut through the red tape to ensure the Forest Service can hire brave Americans who are ready, willing, and able to battle these blazes. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Representatives Hoyle, Guthrie, and Edwards, for their support of this bill, and I look forward to seeing its passage.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise, once again, in defense of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community. This year, we have seen a barrage of hateful legislative attacks on the LGBTQ+ individuals as Republicans in statehouses, courtrooms, classrooms, and, yes, sadly, even Congress attempt to roll back the clock. What they are doing is harmful, it is unconscionable, and, let's be clear, it could prove to be fatal for those who are so deeply hurt by these laws that they take their own life. The stakes this Pride Month couldn't be higher, and that is why I am proud to stand with my colleagues in defense of freedom and equality for everyone. Pride isn't merely about rainbows. It is resilience, and it is a reminder that real allyship requires work: courageously and unapologetically standing up to bigotry, not just this month, but every month. We will not back down, and we will not be silenced.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe it has come to this. It is astonishing and, frankly, angering that Republicans have chosen to take Memorial Day weekend off, when they spent the last 3 weeks working overtime to shortchange our veterans and military members. Let's be clear about what has happened here. Republicans are walking away because they can't get their way because President Biden won't cave to their anti-servicemembers and anti-veteran demands. Instead, we are teetering on the verge of a default; a default that would disproportionately harm our Nation's heroes. When the government runs out of money on June 1, guess whose benefits are on the chopping block? Veterans. It is all because Republicans decided to play with fire without stopping to think who might get burned. Our servicemembers and their families deserve so much better. We all do.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize National Police Week. Every day, from Tigard to Turner, McMinnville to Monmouth, tens of thousands of courageous Oregonians answer the call to protect and serve. Law enforcement officers routinely step into harm's way to defend community members in crisis and to protect the rule of law. For that, we owe them a debt of gratitude, but gratitude alone is not enough. As the daughter of a police officer, I know what it is like to worry about whether your loved one will return home safely, and I grieve for the families of those who don't. In their honor, I am committed to supporting police officers in Oregon and across our Nation with the resources, funds, training, and care they need. We also need to do more to support our officers once they exit the force, from increasing mental health services to expanding disability benefits. Those who dedicate their lives to public safety deserve nothing less.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2. My dad immigrated to the United States from Mexico when he was just a child. He picked cotton and tomatoes in the Rio Grande Valley before eventually earning his U.S. citizenship. Today, his daughter is a Member of the United States Congress and serves on the Agriculture Committee, a true testament to the unique power and promise of the American Dream. Migrant workers like my dad are the work engine of our agriculture industry today. That is a fact--maybe an inconvenient one for some of my colleagues--but a fact, nonetheless. By some estimates, immigrant farmworkers make up more than 70 percent of agricultural workers in the U.S. Nearly 175,000 immigrant farmworkers reside in Oregon alone. Their work is backbreaking, exhausting, and at times life-threatening. Yet, they show up, rain or shine, heat dome or ice storm, to do the work, to feed America--not red States or blue States, but every State. That is why I am completely stunned by the arrogance and shortsightedness of the majority. Are you so blinded by xenophobia that you are willing to endanger not only our food security but our national security with E-Verify requirements that even Members of your own party call a mistake? Democrats did offer an amendment to strike the E-Verify provision, but the majority defeated that amendment. Oh, my goodness. I am hoping that you can think beyond spinning your way out of the reality that this bill will decimate our agriculture industry. The American people are smarter than that and they will see through these political games. Turning employers into enforcers will result in nothing less than the collapse of our agricultural system and, with it, our ability to feed our great Nation. It would be a willful error of the highest magnitude, something the American people will never forgive or forget. Empty fields, empty tables, empty bellies; that is what H.R. 2 would do. That is why we must all be a ``no'' vote.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the default on America act. This dangerous bill is nothing more than an attempt to extract extreme concessions that will benefit big corporations, poison our environment, and hurt working families. To extract those concessions, House Republicans are threatening to default on our debt, something that could push us headlong into a recession. If we were to default on our debt, 84,000 families in Oregon's Sixth District alone would have their Social Security payments jeopardized. Mr. Speaker, 278,000 members of my community could lose their healthcare benefits, and small businesses in Oregon's Sixth District could be forced to pay an additional $2,500 in total loan payments. This bill is DOA in the Senate, which gives my colleagues the chance to go back to the drawing board and present a clean debt ceiling bill. I urge them to take this opportunity to do right by the American people.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in defense of science, freedom, and choice. Two weeks ago, a Trump-appointed judge issued a ruling to suspend the FDA's approval of mifepristone, a safe abortion and miscarriage management medication that has been on the market for more than two decades. This unscientific, partisan judicial decision is the latest move in the ongoing attack on reproductive freedom across the United States. Abortion, including medication abortion, like mifepristone, is still safe and legal in Oregon. But, like so many Oregonians, I am deeply troubled by these attacks, and I refuse to sit idly by as they jeopardize the health and well-being of millions of Americans. I will continue to stand up for those who can get pregnant to ensure mifepristone remains available to all who need it, and to restore the right to choose in all 50 States. Congress can and must intervene.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Madam Speaker, I rise on Mental Health Monday in defense of the transgender community. Last year, lawmakers introduced 315 anti-LGBTQI+ bills. During that same year, a national survey found that 45 percent of LGBTQI+ youths seriously considered suicide. That is 45 percent, Madam Speaker. This year has far surpassed 2022's record with more than 400 hateful and harmful laws introduced so far, including H.R. 734. Reputable athletic organizations like the International Olympic Committee and the National Collegiate Athletic Association have guidelines for the equitable participation of transgender athletes. With this bill, House Republicans are creating a problem where there isn't one because they think the American people won't see this for what it is: a ploy to distract from their failures. Madam Speaker, this is not a game. It is a mental health catastrophe in the making. The trans community deserves our support, not our scorn. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to consider healing over harm and to reconsider H.R. 734.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Madam Speaker, as Women's History Month comes to a close, I rise to recognize a few of the remarkable women who call Oregon's Sixth District home. This month my office accepted submissions of inspiring women from across our community. While we couldn't possibly feature all of them, the women you see here today represent some of the best Oregon has to offer. Every day, women hold the weight of the world on their shoulders. Take Lori Simpson, for example. Lori has worked at a nonprofit for 20 years, giving back to vulnerable members of our society throughout her career. Outside work, she is laser-focused on building a happy home for her two boys, especially after she was tragically widowed when her youngest was just 11. She is unstoppable and loved by all who know her. The same can be said for Estela Anaya, another remarkable woman from Oregon's Sixth. Twenty years ago, Estela left her home and her family in Mexico in hopes of providing her five children with opportunities she could only dream of. Estela struggled to learn English, but never to care for her children. She showed up to every meeting, concert, and game because for her, family comes first. Family is the foundation of life for so many women in our community, but that doesn't limit them from doing more because the women of Oregon's Sixth District can do it all. Just look at Kristen Stoller. When she is not being a devoted mom to three beautiful children or running her successful business, she is working to make Yamhill County stronger and safer as a volunteer, board member, and nonprofit leader. Then there is Remy Drabkin, a community organizer and elected official who is currently serving as the mayor of McMinnville. Outside her duties, Remy doubles as an entrepreneur and small business owner. Her incredible winery is now a staple in Willamette Valley. Of course, we can't leave out Valerie Castillo, who is described by those who know her as ``in every way an everywoman.'' Valerie works with food banks, donates blood, hosts exchange students, and has been a union steward for years. Women like Kristen, Remy, and Valerie are a reminder that ``Everything Everywhere All At Once'' is more than just a best picture recipient; it is a way of life. The next few women I want to mention have a shared gift for turning adversity into purpose. Vivian Ang is one of those women. When she was younger, Vivian failed third grade because she struggled to read, but she didn't let that stop her. No. She turned that experience into a force for good, and now she runs a literacy organization that has tutored thousands of adults and helped hundreds gain citizenship. Vivian's story reminds me a bit of Donna Lepley's story. Donna struggled with alcoholism for 40 years before she found the strength and support to embrace recovery. When she was 57, she went back to school, eventually earning her master's in psychology and addiction counseling. Donna now works to help people struggling with addiction and is living proof that recovery is possible. Of course, when we are talking about turning adversity into purpose, we need to talk about Caitlin Sticka. Caitlin is a two-time breast cancer survivor who founded a group to provide support and resources for families who are impacted by this awful disease. She makes people feel welcome and safe during what can be a frightening, isolating experience, and she is changing lives, one survivor at a time. Like Vivian, Donna, and Caitlin, Erica Jauregui also faces challenges. She was homeless as a teen but turned that into a plan to serve Oregonians at the Department of Human Services. Today, she is someone who fights hard for unhoused communities and other vulnerable individuals, and she has made a big difference in our community. Last, but certainly not least, I want to tell you about Namene James Rodgers. Namene is a diversity, equity, and inclusion specialist whose mission is to ensure that her organization is as inclusive and compassionate as possible. She embodies the quality that unites all of these women, a shared desire to build a better future for all. Lori, Estela, Kristen, Remy, Valerie, Vivian, Donna, Caitlin, Erica, and Namene, you enrich our community beyond measure. Never doubt your impact because we all feel it every single day.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1, the polluters over people act. Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine demonstrated that the clean energy transition isn't just important for our planet, it is important for our national security. It revealed the dangerous pitfalls of our overreliance on global oil and gas markets. The solution is not to deepen our reliance on fossil fuels, it is to go all in on clean, American energy. We need to ramp up solar, wind, hydrogen, and other similar projects across the country. Oregon is poised for this type of investment in development. However, H.R. 1 doesn't do that. Instead, it repeals major clean energy programs, even going so far as to target the home electrification rebate designed to help American families make their homes energy efficient, yet another petty, retributive action by House Republicans. This bill worsens the climate crisis and hampers our ability to produce clean energy here at home. It is a disaster in the making. I also want to talk more specifically about my community back home. Oregon's Sixth District is home to hundreds of specialty crop farmers who grow everything from blueberries to wine grapes and hazelnuts. The farming tradition in the Willamette Valley dates back centuries. It was even publicized in the 1820s as a ``promised land of flowing milk and honey.'' Today, this land faces a serious threat. Specialty crop growers in my district recognize the imminent danger the climate crisis poses to their farming tradition. Many are already feeling the impacts of our warming planet as extreme drought, heat waves, and wildfires diminish crop yields and endanger farmers' livelihoods. H.R. 1 would exacerbate the climate crisis, and further threaten Oregon's future. This bill would repeal key clean energy programs in favor of unmitigated fossil fuel production, leading to more emissions and harmful climate impacts. For all these reasons and more, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this legislation.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community have always been stewards of Oregon's land and natural resources. Like so many other indigenous peoples, they have faced tremendous injustices at the hands of the Federal Government. That is why I rise today in support of my very first bill in Congress, the Grand Ronde Reservation Act Amendment of 2023, to correct those past injustices. In 1994, the Tribes sought to fix a survey error, which led to the Federal Government making yet another error that removed Grand Ronde's right to pursue any further land claims even if more mistakes are discovered. No other Tribe in Oregon faces this kind of restriction. The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde shouldn't either. We are not responsible for the ills of the past, but we are responsible for remedying them today. My bill contributes to that, and I thank my Oregon colleagues for supporting it.

Ms. SALINAS

Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to send an unequivocal, simple message to the transgender community: We have your back. The dangerous rhetoric we have seen across the country--including in this very body--in the last week is nothing short of reprehensible, and I for one will not allow this hateful and vitriolic rhetoric to go unanswered. Transgender people don't need to be changed, criminalized, or eradicated. They need to be loved, they need to be supported, and they need to be able to look to their leaders in Washington and trust that we will protect their rights to live freely and safely, just as we would any other person in America. Oregon has consistently led the way in the fight for transgender rights, and I am so proud to be from a State that prizes support over suspicion, compassion over culture wars, and humanity over hatred. In Oregon we say gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, nonbinary, two spirits, queer, intersex, and asexual. Oregon is proof that we can be better than this, and for the sake of the transgender community we must be.