Rep. Andrea Salinas Blasts House Republicans' 'Self-Congratulation' While Rural Communities Suffer

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today,Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) released the following statement in response to House Republicans passing H.Res.1182, in which they celebrate their rural policy record as rural communities suffer.

"Republicans brought a Resolution to the House Floor to applaud themselves for their "great work" on behalf of rural communities. Our rural communities absolutely deserve federal support, but the idea that House Republicans deserve to pat themselves on the back, despite all the harm they've caused our rural communities, is laughable.

"We are in an affordability crisis that they caused. From health care premiums to groceries to gas, prices are skyrocketing and families are struggling to stay afloat. Meanwhile, House Republicans are applauding themselves for making historic cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in the Big, Ugly Bill to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. The impact of these cuts is especially severe in our rural communities. They could shutter rural hospitals, nursing homes, and health centers, leaving families with higher health care costs and rural patients with little to no access to care.

"On top of that, farmers and producers are bearing the brunt of President Trump's shortsighted policies. His tariffs have made farming equipment more expensive and have broken longstanding trading partnerships. And his war with Iran has raised the cost of fertilizer to the point that 70% of farmers say they can't afford it. As input costs rise and outputs decline, farmers will take home less while everyday Americans pay more. Everybody loses.

"The facts are obvious. Republicans reward the wealthy and leave rural communities behind. As a Member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I will keep calling out this nonsense where I see it and actually fight for our rural families, farmers, and their future. House Republicans are just hiding from the truth because they are too afraid to face the nightmarish reality they created."

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