East PDX Today

Congresswoman Andrea Salinas, representing Oregon's 6th District since 2023, has been vocal on social media about critical issues concerning mental health care and labor practices in the manufacturing sector. On March 20, 2025, she addressed the challenges faced by individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises.

In a tweet posted on March 20, 2025, Salinas emphasized the urgency of providing timely care for those in crisis. She stated, "When someone you love is in crisis, every minute matters. Yet too often, patients suffering from a mental health or substance use crisis end up waiting for hours in the emergency room, instead of getting the care they need."

Salinas further discussed legislative measures to address this issue in another tweet on the same day. She mentioned the introduction of new legislation aimed at improving patient care options: "The Building Capacity for Care Act would give folks other options beyond the emergency room, reducing wait times for everyone and saving lives in the process." More information about this initiative can be found on her website.

Later that day, Salinas expressed concern over employment practices affecting American manufacturing. In a tweet directed at the Department of Commerce, she highlighted recent personnel changes at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that could impact industry growth. She wrote, "I led my Oregon colleagues in a letter to @CommerceGov, expressing our concern about recent firings at @NIST that could undermine manufacturing in America." Salinas stressed the importance of these workers to Oregon's industrial landscape.