Rep. Salinas, other Oregon freshman US lawmakers, can’t begin work until speaker chosen

Oregonians elected three new legislators to the U.S. Congress in November. But Democrats Val Hoyle, Andrea Salinas and Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer cannot be sworn in until the U.S. House selects its next speaker. That’s proving to be no easy task.

OPB’s All Things Considered Host Tiffany Camhi spoke with Congresswoman-elect Andrea Salinas about what this could mean for her legislative agenda. Salinas represents the state’s newest district. District 6 stretches from parts of Tigard to McMinnville and down to Salem.

Tiffany Camhi: So far, California Republican Kevin McCarthy has failed to get enough votes in his bid to become speaker. What does that tell you about what it’ll be like trying to work with Republicans for the next two years?

Andrea Salinas: Well, it’s a very sad state of affairs right now. I think the Republican caucus is just in a state of chaos and confusion, which could lead to a crisis. And as I see it, they are not effective in governing if they can’t get their own caucus to unify around a speaker and get a speaker elected. There is no chance for us to really start to dive in and work for the people of this country and I’m fearful of that. So I think they’re in a state of turmoil right now. Unlike the Democrats, who truly are united and unified and really eager to get to work.