Supporting the Lgbtq+ Community

Floor Speech

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Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the LGBTQ community to celebrate Pride Month, and to call out President Trump's reckless decision to shut down the 988 specialized LGBTQ youth hotline. This is a devastating decision that will affect people in every corner of our country.

I will put this into perspective: In 2024, 12 percent of LGBTQ youth attempted suicide, while nearly 40 percent seriously considered it. In comparison, the national average for students contemplating suicide is 20 percent, which is still far too large.

Additionally, many of these young people are left without critical support from caring adults, leaving them nowhere to turn when a crisis happens. We cannot deny the fact that this hotline is a vital service.

Mental health is not a partisan issue, and our children should not be used as pawns in the President's purely political game. As the co-chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, I am committed to expanding access to specialty mental health care by training qualified professionals to provide culturally relevant care and ensuring that high-quality, affordable services are available to all who need them.

Mr. Speaker, I will not remain silent in the face of President Trump's targeted attacks, and I will continue to fight for the LGBTQ communities.

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