East PDX Today

Andrea Salinas, a U.S. Congresswoman representing Oregon's 6th District, recently made headlines on April 8, 2025, with a series of posts on the social media platform X. These posts addressed her legislative efforts and concerns regarding mental health resources in the United States. Salinas, who has been serving in Congress since 2023, continues to advocate for policies that support recovery and mental health solutions.

On April 8, 2025, Salinas announced, "That is why I am reintroducing the PEER Support Act—legislation that would allow more people to pursue this critical profession and utilize their own lived experiences to help others." This reintroduction aims to enhance the availability of peer support specialists, who use personal experiences to aid others in recovery.

Salinas highlighted the role of peer support specialists in a subsequent post on the same day. She stated, "The road to recovery is long & at times very lonely. That is why peer support specialists are so important. These are trained experts who have been through recovery themselves, allowing them to build authentic connections with folks suffering from addiction or behavioral health issues." Her comments underscore the importance of genuine connections formed through shared experiences in the recovery process.

In another post later that day, Salinas addressed concerns over administrative actions, saying, "I joined @RepPettersen & my colleagues in sending a letter to @SecKennedy, calling out the Administration’s attempt to dismantle @samhsagov. Not only is this illegal, but it would also take away lifesaving mental health resources & services that Americans depend on." This statement reflects her stance against the potential dismantling of critical mental health administration.