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U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas is running for reelection in Oregon's 6th Congressional District.
Courtesy Andrea Salinas
OPB asked candidates for congressional races the same questions on key issues in the state. Answers are provided verbatim but responses were limited to 150 words. Salinas was the only candidate in the 6th Congressional District who responded.
To start, please give us your name and basic biographical details, including your current position or job, any elected offices you have held and any key facts you would like voters to know about you.
My name is Andrea Salinas. I am a first-generation American who grew up in a working-class, union family, a proud Latina, and U.S. Congresswoman for Oregon’s Sixth District.
Before my election to Congress, I served in the Oregon State Legislature as Majority Whip and Chair of the House Health Care Committee, where I fought to lower the cost of prescription drugs and deliver paid leave for workers. Previously, I worked as an advocate for labor unions, environmental groups, and reproductive rights organizations here in Oregon to protect reproductive freedom, workplace fairness, and clean water and air.
My work as a state representative, advocate, and member of Congress — in addition to living in this community and raising a family here — allow me to bring diverse stakeholders to the table, listen and understand what Oregonians care about, and then turn those collective concerns and solutions into legislative action.
Why should you be elected to represent this district?
The people of Oregon’s 6th congressional district are working hard to make ends meet. Many work more than one job and can’t get ahead. They deserve a Representative who understands the struggles they are facing. Cost of living has increased, health care isn’t affordable or accessible, people don’t feel safe in their communities, and our fundamental rights are under attack.
I come from a working family, so I know firsthand the challenges that people in my district are facing right now. That is why I am running for Congress. I believe in the American dream and in the idea that everyone deserves the opportunity to get ahead.
If elected to a second term, I will keep fighting to give working families the tools and freedoms they need to overcome the challenges of today and ensure they can build a better future for their kids and grandkids.
What is the most pressing challenge facing your district? What is your proposed solution to that problem? Please be specific.
Groceries, housing, utilities, and other necessities are far too expensive, and I’ve been working hard to bring down these costs.
I’m fighting to pass a Farm Bill that will stabilize our food supply chain and support growers to help bring down costs at the grocery store. I’ve supported legislation to incentivize investors to build more affordable housing and stop hedge funds from buying up entire neighborhoods. I voted to prevent our strategic oil reserves from being sold to China, which will help lower prices at the pump, and I’ve cosponsored bills to upgrade our energy infrastructure and give families relief on their monthly utility bills.
Unfortunately, the current Republican Majority has done nothing to slow inflation or address family budgets and has actually made things worse. Instead of playing politics, my Republican colleagues need to work with us to build on this progress and deliver relief for Oregon families.
Who won the 2020 election?
Joe Biden.
Will you commit to certify the 2024 election results, regardless of the victor?
Absolutely, yes.
Would you support a federal ban on abortion? Why or why not?
No. Every American deserves the freedom to decide for themselves if, when, and how to start a family. Politicians and judges shouldn’t be making these deeply personal decisions for you. Full stop.
That is why I have supported legislation to restore Roe v. Wade and protect access to abortion, contraception, and other reproductive health care options across America. I have also fought back against MAGA extremists who want to criminalize women for seeking out health care and punish doctors for helping them.
We are lucky to have one of the strongest reproductive freedom laws on the books here in Oregon — a law that I helped pass as an advocate in 2017. Now, as your U.S. Congresswoman, I’ll keep working to enact those same protections at the federal level and protect abortion access in all 50 states.
Intel has close connections with the Israeli government and the nation itself and is one of the largest employers in the state. What is your stance on the ongoing war in Gaza and Intel’s connections to the region?
I don’t have insight into Intel’s decision-making process. I will say that I am deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza. Thousands of people have been killed as a result of this war, and dozens of hostages are still being held by Hamas.
I support Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorists. At the same time, I am deeply concerned about the enormous loss of life and suffering we are seeing right now. That is why I am calling for a cease-fire that includes a significant increase in humanitarian aid and relief for children and families in Gaza, as well as the release of all hostages taken by Hamas and the complete dismantling of Hamas’ governing power in Gaza. Ultimately, both the Israeli and future democratic Palestinian governments must demonstrate a commitment to peace and mutual recognition with the ultimate goal of a two-state solution.
Immigration is one of the most prominent issues in the Republican party’s national platform. How has immigration impacted your constituents directly or indirectly? Please be specific. Would you support the bipartisan immigration bill negotiated earlier this year if it returns? Why or why not?
As the daughter of an immigrant, this issue is personal for me. I represent a district with the largest Latino population in Oregon — many of whom are immigrants or the children of immigrants. These folks work hard, pay taxes, and have contributed to our communities for decades. Our broken immigration system and resulting border crisis have real impacts on families in my district, and we need to work together to find bipartisan solutions.
That’s why I gave serious consideration to the bipartisan immigration deal that came up in Congress earlier this year. While not perfect, this legislation was a start. Unfortunately, Donald Trump chose to use this issue as a political weapon in the upcoming election. Republicans quickly fell in line and tanked the bill to appease him. Republicans pay lip service to this issue and they aren’t serious about securing our border or delivering certainty for immigrant families.
The U.S. House of Representatives is fiercely divided and even if Democrats retake the House, it will likely be extremely close in terms of the majority. What is your track record of working with the other party — or people within your own party with whom you disagree — to pass meaningful legislation?
I strongly believe that bipartisanship is essential if we hope to make real progress for the American people. Half of the bills I’ve introduced are bipartisan, and one of those bills — which restores land rights for the Grand Ronde Tribe — was signed into law.
My Grand Ronde bill was one of only 27 laws passed last year in a polarized Congress. It’s a testament to my effectiveness as a minority member, under Republican control, who understands the need to work with my colleagues across the aisle to find consensus and deliver commonsense policies that will make life better for all Oregonians.
I’m a policymaker, not a politician. When I disagree with my party, you can bet I’ll vote accordingly. It’s already happened multiple times. But no matter what, I’ll always stand up for Oregonians and Oregon values. That’s the one thing I’m not willing to compromise on.