This was a very busy week with the five year anniversary of January 6th, 2021 and of course the cold blooded murder of a woman in Minnesota by ICE. The CHC had heightened involvement in both events and I have chronicled the response to both of them. The Trump regime is spinning both of them 1984 style so this documented record of what really happened is super important.
January 6, 2026
NEVER FORGET. NEVER LET THE FASCISTS REWRITE HISTORY.
House Democrats held a hearing to recount the true events on that day.
x
Today marks the fifth anniversary since the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol when a violent mob attempted to stop the peaceful transfer of power.
We are thankful to the brave men and women who protected us on that day and remain committed to safeguarding our democracy.
[image or embed]
— House Democrats (@housedemocrats.bsky.social) January 6, 2026 at 5:58 PM
x
January 6th participant: January 6th was an insurrection. I broke the law. Police officers were assaulted that day. I point the finger to Trump.
Rep. Correa: So this really happened. This was an assault on our democracy, on our Capitol.
J6 participant: Absolutely. Orchestrated by Trump.
[image or embed]
— FactPost (@factpostnews.bsky.social) January 6, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Senate Democrats made quite a few resolutions and speeches that were January 6th related. All were shot down or blocked by the GOP.
Combined, the House and Senate Democrats held a moment of silence/vigil to honor the slain officers five years ago.
Rep. Pete Aguilar was on the January 6th Committee. He especially had a lot to say today and even made an appearance on MSNBC.
x
On January 6, 2021, Donald Trump incited a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to steal the 2020 election. Since Jan. 6th, Donald Trump has only intensified his attacks on America’s democracy.
Our country is less safe and more expensive because of Donald Trump.
— Rep. Pete Aguilar (@aguilar.house.gov) January 6, 2026 at 9:42 AM
x
.@PabloReports: What’s your reaction to the White House blaming the police for the violence on January 6th?
Aguilar: This is just another effort by Trump’s White House to whitewash what happened. They released this website while former police officers were testifying
[image or embed]
— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) January 6, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Other CHC Members also marked the occasion with statements or remembrances.
x
Five years ago today, the U.S. Capitol was violently attacked in an effort to overturn the will of the American people and disrupt the peaceful transfer of power. On this solemn anniversary, we remember the lives lost and the officers who bravely defended our Capitol.
— Rep. Salud Carbajal (@carbajal.house.gov) January 6, 2026 at 12:04 PM
x
5 years ago the US Capitol was breached to block the transfer of power & the will of the American people.
Congress passed a law to place a commemorative plaque to honor the Capitol Police’s’ heroism. @SpeakerJohnson.bsky.social should stop refusing to comply & install the plaque.
[image or embed]
— Congressman Raul Ruiz, MD (@repraulruizmd.bsky.social) January 6, 2026 at 3:41 PM
x
5 years ago, we witnessed the most violent insurrection at the Capitol in modern history, perpetuated by the President’s senseless and disgraceful rhetoric. Our democracy must never be taken for granted & we must work everyday to keep our country safe and our democracy alive.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Gil Cisneros (@cisneros.house.gov) January 6, 2026 at 12:40 PM
x
The January 6th attack on the Capitol was an attempted coup orchestrated by Donald Trump. We owe it to the officers who risked and sacrificed their lives, and to future generations, to ensure it is never rewritten and never repeated.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Jimmy Gomez (@gomez.house.gov) January 6, 2026 at 8:43 PM
x
We will never forget the horrors of January 6th, 2021 and the attack on our nation's Capitol.
President Trump wrongly pardoned those who attacked our government and injured law enforcement officers who protected so many.
We know the truth, and we will always remember.
— Rep. Robert Garcia (@robertgarcia.house.gov) January 6, 2026 at 10:36 AM
x
I will never forget January 6th. Hiding in a barricaded room with my colleagues as a mob stormed the Capitol. I’m forever grateful to the officers who defended us and our democracy.
Five years later, we must never forget or allow anyone to rewrite the history of that dark day.
— Rep. Linda Sánchez (@replindasanchez.bsky.social) January 6, 2026 at 3:39 PM
x
It’s been 5 years since the January 6th attack on the Capitol. On that day, Donald Trump incited rioters to storm the Capitol to stop the legitimate transfer of power. Today, @housedemocrats.bsky.social and @democrats.senate.gov remember the brave officers who protected our democracy.
[image or embed]
— Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (@repbarragan.bsky.social) January 6, 2026 at 8:08 PM
x
Five years ago, a violent mob attacked the Capitol in an attempt to overthrow the results of a free and fair election. Over 140 police officers were injured, lives were lost, and our peaceful transfer of power was put at risk. No amount of whitewashing from the Trump Admin will erase the truth.
[image or embed]
— Congressman Juan Vargas (@vargas.house.gov) January 6, 2026 at 4:52 PM
x
Today, as Trump and his administration continue to attack our elections, abuse the military, and erode our Constitution, we must recommit ourselves to the work of repairing our democracy and protecting it from dictators, authoritarians, and wannabe kings.
— Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (@ramirez.house.gov) January 6, 2026 at 5:22 PM
x
Five years ago, Donald Trump incited a violent mob to storm the Capitol and overturn the 2020 election. This wasn’t a random act; it was part of a broader MAGA playbook rooted in chaos and lawlessness that continues today. He must be held accountable.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Chuy García (@chuygarcia.house.gov) January 6, 2026 at 3:43 PM
x
Five years ago, a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol after Donald Trump spent months lying about the 2020 election.
Police were beaten. Lives were threatened. Democracy was attacked.
— Congresswoman Lori Trahan (@trahan.house.gov) January 6, 2026 at 1:28 PM
x
Five years ago today, violent insurrectionists spurred on by Trump attempted to overthrow our democracy.
Since then, both our country, and many of the individuals who were there that day, have continued to live with the consequences.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Rob Menendez (@handle.invalid) January 6, 2026 at 7:30 PM
x
Five years ago today, law enforcement officers bravely defended our democracy during the January 6 attack on our Capitol. 140 officers were seriously injured and several lost their lives. We honor their service and the sacrifice made in defense of our democracy.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Gabe Vasquez (@repgabevasquez.bsky.social) January 6, 2026 at 6:41 PM
x
5 years ago, a violent mob attacked law enforcement, sending 140 officers to the hospital. Five officers died.
Since then, Trump pardoned the offenders and not a single Republican has cosponsored the resolution condemning those pardons.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (@fernandez.house.gov) January 6, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Minnesota ICE Murder
This was a cold-blooded murder. Maybe since it was a white woman things will change.
Rep. AOC was spitting fire about this murder and was one of the most forceful outside of Minnesota about the need for consequences.
x
AOC: ICE has less accountability than virtually any law enforcement agency in the U.S., yet they are some of the most well-funded, operating with impunity—and we just saw them murder an American citizen in cold blood in the street.
[image or embed]
— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) January 7, 2026 at 5:55 PM
x
AOC: This has now become what we feared most about ICE for a long time—that it would be used as an anti-civilian force with no accountability. At the end of the day, what we saw today was a murder, and murders in cold blood need to be prosecuted.
[image or embed]
— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) January 7, 2026 at 7:05 PM
x
AOC: What we saw today was a horrific act of violence. What we have seen and are now seeing is that ICE has not just become an anti-immigrant force—it is becoming an anti-civilian, paramilitary organization. People are being taken off the streets for exercising their free speech rights.
[image or embed]
— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) January 7, 2026 at 7:14 PM
x
Raju: The Speaker and others have said that this driver was weaponizing her vehicle.
AOC: Their editorializing of this event to justify a public murder is disgusting. It is horrifying. Watch it for yourself and make that assessment for yourself on which of these leaders are lying to you.
[image or embed]
— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) January 7, 2026 at 7:29 PM
x
Rep. @AOC: I understand that Vance believes shooting a young mother of three in the face three times is an acceptable America that he wants to live in, and I do not. That is a fundamental difference between Vance and I. I do not believe that the American people should be assassinated in the street.
[image or embed]
— FactPost (@factpostnews.bsky.social) January 9, 2026 at 2:49 PM
She wasn’t the only one though as the CHC rank and file were clearly furious.
x
.@PabloReports: What do you make of Republican attempts to increase ICE funding yet again?
Grijalva: We clearly see in so many situations as recent as yesterday that ICE is completely unchecked. It is a completely rogue agency right now.
[image or embed]
— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) January 8, 2026 at 3:51 PM
x
.@PabloReports: What do you make of Trump and of Noem especially labeling Renee Good as a domestic terrorist?
Grijalva: I can't think of any other situation with any other president that we'd have so many people blindly believing a narrative that we can clearly see is inaccurate.
[image or embed]
— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) January 8, 2026 at 3:56 PM
x
.@PabloReports: What do you make of Republican efforts to increase ICE funding yet again?
Garcia: Absolutely not. It’s a rogue agency… it's also they're causing so much harm to other law enforcement agencies that are trying to do good.
[image or embed]
— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) January 8, 2026 at 6:06 PM
x
Garcia: Every American should be outraged by what happened in Minneapolis. The fact that there’s going to be no accountability—or that the DOJ wants to investigate it themselves—is insane. They can’t be trusted to investigate anything.
[image or embed]
— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) January 8, 2026 at 6:06 PM
x
We won't be gaslit about what we saw with our own eyes. An ICE agent killed Renee Nicole Good in the middle of a residential neighborhood in Minneapolis.
We must honor her life with action and fight to end ICE's campaign of terror on our communities and on our people.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@frost.house.gov) January 8, 2026 at 2:08 PM
x
ICE is a dangerous organization that acts with impunity.
I’ll do everything in my damn power to hold the Administration accountable for the death of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, and the death of Silvero and the shooting of Marimar in Chicago.
[image or embed]
— Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (@ramirez.house.gov) January 7, 2026 at 8:01 PM
x
In April, I hand-delivered a letter of resignation to Kristi Noem.
In December, I took the first step towards Noem’s impeachment.
I will continue organizing like heaven and hell to ensure Kristi Noem is impeached and held accountable.
[image or embed]
— Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (@ramirez.house.gov) January 9, 2026 at 5:46 PM
x
Despite the Trump administration's lies, facts do matter. And the fact is that ICE is a terror force acting with impunity.
At the bare minimum, we must demand policy changes that hold ICE accountable and keep our communities safe. ICE must be defunded.
[image or embed]
— Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (@ramirez.house.gov) January 9, 2026 at 6:29 PM
x
The killings of Renee Good & Silverio Villegas González are not isolated tragedies—they are part of a pattern. They lie, they hide from oversight, & they kill innocent people in our streets. Kristi Noem & this administration must be held fully accountable for the violence carried out by DHS.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Chuy García (@chuygarcia.house.gov) January 8, 2026 at 2:08 PM
x
.@PabloReports: What do you make of Republican efforts to increase ICE funding?
Menendez: There should be no more money for ICE. There needs to be accountability for ICE. We need to do that before another fucking dollar is spent on them.
[image or embed]
— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) January 8, 2026 at 5:50 PM
x
Two people were shot in Portland. What happened was not okay, and I am demanding full transparency that includes state and local officials in the investigation.
We must restore safety and peace in our communities.
[image or embed]
— Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (@salinas.house.gov) January 9, 2026 at 6:05 PM
x
Renee Nicole Good was a mother of three. She was a writer and poet. Yesterday, an ICE agent shot and killed her. She had joined countless other Americans in protest of ICE’s cruel and unlawful tactics. I join the nation in mourning her loss.
@alivitali.bsky.social
[image or embed]
— Joaquin Castro (@joaquincastrotx.bsky.social) January 8, 2026 at 5:54 PM
x
"They have turned [ICE] into a rogue organization. And I've said it before: I think that it should be disbanded."
Rep. @joaquincastrotx.bsky.socialfrom Texas reacts to the breaking news that ICE agents shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis during an immigration raid.
zeteo.com/p/joaquin-ca...
[image or embed]
— Zeteo (@zeteo.com) January 7, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Other CHC Responses and Statements
x
Sending armed ICE agents—typically lacking any training or experience in urban policing—into our neighborhoods leads to tragically violent outcomes like this.
Praying for this woman’s family, and for the Minneapolis community.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Sam Liccardo (@liccardo.house.gov) January 7, 2026 at 2:32 PM
x
ICE shot and killed an American civilian in Minneapolis. This is horrifying and a direct result of Trump's brutal immigration policies, which have inflicted so much chaos and terror nationwide. I'm calling for a full investigation to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
— Rep. Salud Carbajal (@carbajal.house.gov) January 7, 2026 at 4:42 PM
x
I am deeply disturbed by the outrageously violent tactics that this Administration has used against our communities. Weaponizing ICE sows fear and incites chaos. I am monitoring the news from the horrific fatal shooting out of Minneapolis.
www.nxsmediawire.com/news/shootin...
[image or embed]
— Rep. Gil Cisneros (@cisneros.house.gov) January 7, 2026 at 4:05 PM
x
It will never be enough for the unholy trinity: Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, and Donald Trump. After murdering a woman in her car, their next move was to storm a public high school and terrorize kids and staff. These kids will never forget this for the rest of their lives.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Jimmy Gomez (@gomez.house.gov) January 8, 2026 at 11:25 AM
x
Yesterday, our worst fears became reality: Trump's dangerous ICE and CBP crackdowns killed a U.S. citizen.
This violence isn’t isolated to one city or one moment. It’s spreading, and it will only get worse as more agents are rushed into ICE and CBP operations under Donald Trump and Kristi Noem.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Jimmy Gomez (@gomez.house.gov) January 8, 2026 at 6:22 PM
x
ICE shooting and killing a woman in Minnesota is further proof that ICE is creating chaos and fear in our communities.
State and local officials have stated they don't want you there. This is why. More lives will be at risk until Trump's war on immigrants ends.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Linda Sánchez (@replindasanchez.bsky.social) January 7, 2026 at 2:26 PM
x
ICE just killed someone in Minneapolis.
This Administration's violence against communities across our country is horrific and dangerous.
Oversight Democrats are demanding answers on what happened today. We need an investigation immediately.
— Rep. Robert Garcia (@robertgarcia.house.gov) January 7, 2026 at 7:59 PM
x
ICE shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis today. My thoughts are with her family and the Minneapolis community.
This agent must be held accountable. The head of ICE must be held accountable. Donald Trump and Stephen Miller must be held accountable and they need to end their terror tactics.
[image or embed]
— Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (@repbarragan.bsky.social) January 7, 2026 at 4:06 PM
x
I’ve watched the video of today’s ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Independent footage and statements from local officials indicate the woman was not threatening agents, was attempting to drive away, and no officer was run over, directly contradicting President Trump’s claim of self-defense.
— Rep. Mike Levin (@levin.house.gov) January 7, 2026 at 4:02 PM
x
ICE just shot and killed a woman in broad daylight. There’s absolutely no justification for this.
This Administration and ICE are so clearly out of control. They have fired at civilians, terrorized our communities, and now this. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
[image or embed]
— Congressman Juan Vargas (@vargas.house.gov) January 7, 2026 at 3:07 PM
x
ICE just murdered a woman in Minneapolis.
This is the direct result of Trump's dangerous weaponization of our immigration system.
The ICE agent must be immediately terminated and charged — and this administration needs to get ICE out of our communities.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@frost.house.gov) January 7, 2026 at 2:47 PM
x
After they murdered Renee in Minneapolis, it took less than 24 hours for DHS agents to pull their guns and shoot two more people in Portland.
How many more people need to be wounded or murdered by DHS agents until my colleagues in Congress recognize the pattern of state-sanctioned violence?
[image or embed]
— Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (@ramirez.house.gov) January 8, 2026 at 8:27 PM
x
DHS immigration agents are a threat to ALL our safety. At least 16 shootings, 0 consequences.
We must demand our colleagues in Congress join our fight for accountability and oversight. We must defund ICE, bring the criminals with badges to justice, and impeach Noem.
[image or embed]
— Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (@ramirez.house.gov) January 9, 2026 at 3:45 PM
x
Heartbroken and outraged by this murder. A horrific loss of life and a product of the violent and trademark lawlessness ingrained in ICE. This administration and its federal thugs, the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, will be held accountable for their actions.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Chuy García (@chuygarcia.house.gov) January 7, 2026 at 2:21 PM
x
The Trump administration is saying the woman shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis was trying to hurt law enforcement. Video evidence directly contradicts this claim. She was trying to leave when she was killed.
[image or embed]
— Congresswoman Lori Trahan (@trahan.house.gov) January 7, 2026 at 3:04 PM
x
No new angle or Republican talking point can justify the killing of Renee Good.
An ICE agent shot a U.S. citizen and mother of three at point blank. The video tells the truth.
— Congresswoman Lori Trahan (@trahan.house.gov) January 9, 2026 at 3:24 PM
x
Today is a tragic day, marked by a painful and preventable loss of life.
Since Trump took office - and after what we experienced outside Delaney Hall - we have said that ICE's dangerous and reckless behavior should be a concern to all Americans because no one is safe in Trump’s America.
— Rep. Rob Menendez (@handle.invalid) January 7, 2026 at 4:48 PM
x
Every American has seen the terror ICE has unleashed in our streets and on our neighbors.
Today, we saw an ICE agent kill an American citizen. Then, Secretary Noem immediately lied about the reasoning. You can’t lie about what we can see with our own eyes.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (@fernandez.house.gov) January 7, 2026 at 5:33 PM
x
Today ICE shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis.
Horrific.
Trump's reckless mass deportation policies are terrorizing American cities and endangering everyone -- immigrants and U.S. Citizens alike.
The chaos and terror must end.
— Congressman Greg Casar (@repcasar.bsky.social) January 7, 2026 at 3:12 PM
x
I was horrified to watch the video of ICE agents killing Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. And just now, two more people were shot in Portland by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. (2/3)
— Rep. Emily Randall (@repemilyrandall.bsky.social) January 8, 2026 at 8:39 PM
The regularly scheduled programming about Rep. Andrea Salinas will be below the fold.
The Pacific Northwest seems to be the new frontier when it comes to people of color getting elected to Congress. This is nothing short of amazing given the racist history of the region and the fact that the region is still largely white. Demographics are slowly catching up though and there was a trio of legislators that became the vanguard of that change. Rep. Andrea Salinas is one of those in the trio:
The Pacific Northwest is emerging as a staging ground for Latino political representation, as a trio of federal elected Latina officials from the region face their first reelection campaigns, with others potentially joining them in Congress.
From 2011-23, former Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) was the only federal elected Hispanic official from the Pacific Northwest.
Though Herrera Beutler lost her reelection bid in 2022, Reps. Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) won their elections and tripled the region’s Hispanic representation overnight.
“Latinos have played an essential role in our economy and way of life in Oregon for decades. My district in the Willamette Valley has long been home to a vibrant Latino community, and we’re now the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the state,” Salinas told The Hill via email.
“That kind of growth has made it hard for pundits to ignore us. It also increases the need for representation at all levels of government, especially at the federal level, to ensure that our voices are heard.”
Former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer is of course the current Secretary of Labor in the Trump regime. Her place was taken by the first Black representative in the Pacific Northwest in Rep. Janelle Bynum. There are still three Hispanic representatives in the region as Rep. Emily Randall was added to the ranks.
Rep. Andrea Salinas is the moderate in between the conservative Gluesenkamp Perez and progressive Randall. However, don’t mistake that moderate tone as rolling over. Salinas was spitting mad at the reception she received at the Tacoma ICE facility about a month ago.
The Northwest ICE Processing Center is in Tacoma, Washington. Oregon's U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas was unable to meet with constituents detained there on Tuesday, Nov. 25 because meetings with lawyers were cancelled due to lack of available space. (Photo by Rae Deng/Washington State Standard)
Oregon’s U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas went to Tacoma, Washington, on Tuesday expecting to meet with three of her constituents who are detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center.
Instead, the second-term Democrat — whose 6th Congressional District includes cities in the northern Willamette Valley grappling with increased ICE presence and arrests — and a lawyer from the Portland-based nonprofit Innovation Law Lab, who represents the three detained, were left to wait.
Although she did get a tour of the facility, their meetings with detainees were cancelled, Salinas said, because there was a lack of rooms to hold them as hundreds of people detained in the facility compete for time and space to meet with their lawyers.
“While you have theoretical access, you don’t really have access in the way that you need to,” she said of detainees’ ability to talk with their lawyers. “And we as members of Congress don’t really have access to see our constituents in the way that we need to.”
What agenda does Rep. Andrea Salinas have in Congress? Where does she line up on the political spectrum? How does she feel about making history in the state of Oregon? I hope to answer these questions further down.
Personal History
Rep. Andrea Salinas took the usual politician career path backwards — she was a lobbyist before joining Congress when most politicians join lobbying AFTER leaving Congress.
Rep. Andrea Salinas was born in San Mateo, California on December 6, 1969. Her father was an immigrant from Mexico seeking a better life in the United States. Not much detail is given about her background other than she lived in Pleasant Hill and then graduated from UC Berkeley. She didn’t cut it as a lawyer so she tried something else. It was then that she entered politics but did so in reverse fashion from the ordinary politician career path. After working in the offices of politicians, she chose to become a lobbyist.
How did you get a job there? It was during the Republican revolution in 1995, when they had just taken over the House and Senate, so all kinds of Democrats were out of a job. I worked for the chemical manufacturers’ trade association for a year. It wasn’t my fit, but I was working in a coffee shop and had $1,000 in the bank, so it gave me a year of revenue. It was against my values completely, but they said I did a great job.
What did you do in Sen. Reid’s office? I was at the front desk, we’d crank out the mail. There was an opening in Congressman Pete Stark’s office. I worked for him seven years on tax, trade, social security. I was doing his policy work, which was fun. I was there during the Enron scandal, and you start researching and talking to different organizations about how it happened and how to fix it.
What brought you to Oregon? I was working at the National Treasury Employees Union. My focus was on IRS employees. I helped prevent a big reduction in force across the U.S. of 2,300 workers. It was during the Bush administration, when they were trying to chop off (the federal workforce) at the knees. I lobbied for two years there, then I decided can’t raise my child here. We looked at Seattle and Portland. We chose Portland because Seattle felt too much like the Bay Area. Portland did feel like Bay Area in the ‘70s.
What made you want to start your own firm? I really missed the broad breadth of all issues. I decided wanted to try lobbying for organizations I felt passionate about. The Oregon Environmental Council used my organization, and quickly thereafter, I picked up SEIU.
Rep. Andrea Salinas worked as a lobbyist for the National Treasury Employees Union before moving out to Portland, Oregon. She worked for the Oregon Environmental Council and then founded her own lobbying firm. It was a complete surprise when she was picked to fill a vacancy in the Oregon House of Representatives in September 2017.
Multnomah and Clackamas county commissioners on Wednesday appointed Andrea Salinas as the new state representative for the district straddling southwest Portland and Lake Oswego.
Commissioners unanimously picked Salinas, a lobbyist representing some of Oregon's powerful public employee unions and pro-abortion access groups, to fill the seat vacated by Ann Lininger, who Gov. Kate Brown tapped for a judgeship this summer.
Salinas, 47, will join a House Democratic caucus that boasts a considerable number of first-term lawmakers, women, people of color and progressives.
In a statement, House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson, D-Portland, said Salinas' "skilled advocacy" will serve her well in the Legislature.
Salinas rose to hold a majority whip position and chaired the Health Care Committee while in the Oregon House of Representatives. She left those positions to run for Congress in 2022. Her first race for Congress against businessman Mike Erickson was very contentious. An ad her campaign ran against him led to a lawsuit that was only settled the following year. Salinas only reached 50.1% of the vote as Oregon Democrats were roiled with dissension that year.
Salinas won the 2024 rematch with Mike Erickson more comfortably and probably will be safer in her re-election campaign this year. That means she can focus on her work in the House of Representatives.
Issue Positions and Work in Congress
Rep. Andrea Salinas giving a speech about a mental health measure she urges Congress to pass.
Rep. Andrea Salinas is an unabashed moderate who is willing to work across the aisle to get things done. Her DW Nominate score is -0.223 which puts her as more liberal than 53% of the entire House of Representatives and more moderate than 93% of her Democratic Party colleagues. I was surprised that Progressive Punch was more forgiving of her as usually the first system is. She has an “A-” rating from the latter grading system which is pretty good for a swing seat legislator.
Even though she has spent the entirety of her tenure in the minority, Rep. Andrea Salinas is the primary sponsor of 1 piece of legislation that has become a law. It had to do with a tribal land dispute (which my eyes glazed over trying to read). In the 119th Congress, Salinas has been the primary sponsor of 27 different pieces of legislation and has additionally co-sponsored a whopping 412(!) pieces of legislation. She came to Washington, DC to work — unlike the more popular members of Congress that bellow and get absolutely nothing done.
Rep. Andrea Salinas sits on the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. She is a member of both the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the New Democratic Coalition. She also is very important in the Congressional Equality Caucus and has risen rapidly in its structure.
x
🌟NEW YEAR, NEW VICE CHAIR — @RepSalinas 🌟
The Equality Caucus is proud to welcome Congresswoman Andrea Salinas into her new role on our team as a Vice Chair!
Rep. Salinas has been a dedicated advocate & powerful ally for the LGBTQI+ community in Congress. Let us introduce you:
[image or embed]
— Congressional Equality Caucus (@equality.house.gov) January 7, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Rep. Andrea Salinas is best known for her work on mental health issues. For instance, she has worked tirelessly to get better mental health resources into schools.
U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas is pushing legislation that would expand health services offered in public schools – with the goal of reaching children and youth with mental health and addiction challenges early in life.
Salinas, D-Oregon, has made behavioral health a priority during her first term as a congresswoman for the 6th Congressional District, which includes Polk and Yamhill counties and portions of Marion, Clackamas and Washington counties. Salinas is co-sponsoring bills that would put $300 million in federal funding in place for school-based health centers that serve students, often in low-income families, and provide mental health care services for students.
Medical providers, often at federally backed health centers that serve low-income people, set up the clinics in schools and work with students, who are often on Medicaid. The clinics provide a variety of services, from physicals and treatment for minor injuries to drug and alcohol counseling. They receive reimbursement through Medicaid and other insurance policies but often that’s not enough to break even. They need federal support to be sustainable, Salinas said.
”We need to be able to figure out how to make them more whole because kids need it,” Salinas said.
Salinas is a co-sponsor of a bill that would allocate $300 million nationwide so public schools could work with mental health providers to have on-site health services for students. The bill, introduced by U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-California, would save money in the long run, Salinas said.
She also is a co-sponsor of a bill that would provide grants to states to hire more school based mental health providers and counselors. The bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-California, would make $100 million available to states annually for each of the next four years.
She has worked with Rep. Diana Harshbarger for Tennessee’s 1st district to try and shore up mental health in rural areas via telehealth services.
U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas is asking Congress to pass a bill that would expand telehealth services and provide mental health care to people in rural regions.
Salinas, an Oregon Democrat, introduced a bill on Thursday that would provide $10 million annually in grants for telehealth services in rural areas, with the goal of offering mental health and addiction treatment services to people who work in the farming, fishing and forestry industries. U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, a Tennessee Republican, is also sponsoring the bill.
The bill would help people in rural areas with limited access to in-person mental health services – even as they face stressful environments that can be taxing on their mental health. For example, people who work in farming, fishing and forestry industries are facing more stress and pressure as they adapt to climate change, Salinas said in an interview.
“We’re moving to a different way of doing business in terms of the challenges that climate brings,” said Salinas, who represents Oregon’s 6th Congressional District. “We’re trying to move to more climate-friendly solutions around this. And at the same time, they want to make sure that they stay in business, and that just adds additional stress.”
Patients typically receive telehealth services through online connections, like a video call with a medical provider instead of an in-person visit. In rural areas where people have to travel far to visit a doctor, telehealth can provide quicker and easier access to services.
The bill, called the Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act, would provide up to $10 million a year for grants through 2027. The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture would award the grants.
She almost always posts a mental health related message to social media on Mondays such as this one:
x
The start of the new year is a great time to check in with yourself about your mental health. Pause, take stock, and plan how you’ll make your wellbeing a priority in 2026.
Get started below ⤵️ #MentalHealthMonday
[image or embed]
— Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (@salinas.house.gov) January 5, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Salinas was very vocally against the National Guard, ICE, and CBP being deployed to the Portland area. Many of her speeches and media appearances this year are related to that.
She also was aghast when Speaker Johnson waited throughout the entire government shutdown to swear in Rep. Adelita Grijalva just to avoid the release of the Epstein files.
Salinas was a staunch defender of Rep. Chuy Garcia when he decided to retire at the last minute such that he could throw the election to his successor (I am still upset about that).
Rep. Andrea Salinas came to the nation’s capital to work instead of make speeches and media appearances. She can leave those to the members of Congress that specialize in seeking the limelight while she actually passes her agenda.
CHC in the Media
Monday, January 5
Rep. Robert Garcia talked about… what else… but the Epstein files.
Rep. Joaquin Castro talked about the new American imperialism… same as the old one.
x
Trump’s regime change war is about oil.
If it was about dictators, more brutal authoritarian leaders wouldn't rule.
If it was about communism, China wouldn't be one of our biggest trading partners.
If it was about drugs, Trump wouldn't have pardoned Juan Orlando Hernandez.
[image or embed]
— Joaquin Castro (@joaquincastrotx.bsky.social) January 5, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Tuesday, January 6
Rep. Gil Cisneros discussed the naked aggression surrounding the invasion of Venezuela.
Sen. Ruben Gallego weighed in on his War Powers Resolution on Greenland and the invasion of Venezuela.
Wednesday, January 7
Rep. Robert Garcia went on the TV to discuss the Trump invasion of Venezuela.
x
President Trump has made it clear: his invasion of Venezuela is all about oil and enriching his friends.
That’s not what the American public signed up for and does nothing to lower costs for working families. Oversight Dems will investigate.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Robert Garcia (@robertgarcia.house.gov) January 7, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Rep. Joaquin Castro went on the Pod Save the World podcast to discuss the new American imperialism.
x
Instead of focusing on lowering healthcare costs, Trump is caught up in “running” Venezuela.
I joined Pod Save the World with @rhodesben.bsky.social to explain the enormous cost of this war to Americans and how my War Powers Resolution would stop it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIQ6...
[image or embed]
— Joaquin Castro (@joaquincastrotx.bsky.social) January 7, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Rep. Ritchie Torres discussed his legislation to ban insider betting on prediction markets with the Bulwark.
Thursday, January 8
Rep. Joaquin Castro discussed the invasion of Venezuela with Medir Hasan.
x
Venezuela oil money is "going to end up in a slush fund for Donald Trump.”
Rep. Joaquin Castro joined @mehdirhasan.bsky.social to discuss the absurdity of Trump controlling Venezuela’s oil revenues and pretending it’s for people's benefit.
Watch the full interview here: zeteo.com/p/joaquin-ca...
[image or embed]
— Zeteo (@zeteo.com) January 8, 2026 at 10:41 AM
He was particularly scathing of the Trump regime on MSNBC
Rep. Robert Garcia also went on the TV to discuss the new American imperialism.
Friday, January 9
Rep. Robert Garcia discussed the vote to restore the ACA subsidies.
x
House Democrats forced a bill to restore health care subsidies and lower costs. This is a HUGE win for the American people.
Instead of spending our taxpayer dollars abroad to invade other countries, the President should focus on lowering costs for working families.
[image or embed]
— Rep. Robert Garcia (@robertgarcia.house.gov) January 9, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Rep. Ritchie Torres continues to promote his legislation to fix insider trading loopholes.
I’ll admit to having somewhat of a soft spot for Rep. Andrea Salinas. She seems to be one of the few that actually cares about the demons plaguing my life and is willing to do something about it. Mental health seems to be where she wishes to make her mark on Washington, DC. She is willing to work across the aisle to find solutions to a crisis no one talks about because of the stigma. That alone raises her in my estimation.
The CHC Roundup is a diary series meant to highlight the contributions of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to the Democratic Party. These 43 members of Congress range from members of the Squad to the most conservative members of the party. The series will run every Saturday morning, at 8:00AM.
