Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) applauded a bipartisan agreement made to advance comprehensive toxic exposure legislation, the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021, or the Honoring our PACT Act, through the Senate. The agreement includes provisions authored by Dr. Ruiz to get veterans who have been exposed to burn pits the benefits and care they urgently need by establishing a link between their military service and 23 diseases and rare cancers.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Health Care for Homeless Veterans Act to address rising homelessness among veterans and connect vulnerable veterans with the care they need. Dr. Ruiz's legislation would expand access to Veterans Affairs' (VA) homeless outreach services for all veterans, including those who received other than honorable discharges. The bill would also reauthorize current benefits for homeless veterans and newly installed outreach services for five years.

Washington, D.C. – Today, on the first day of National Police Week, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) took to the House floor to call for Congress to take up his legislation, the Heroes Lesley Zerebny and Gil Vega First Responders Survivors Support Act, which would increase the financial assistance provided to the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The legislation was inspired by the deaths of Palm Springs Police Department Officers Lesley Zerebny and Gil Vega, who were tragically killed in the line of duty on October 8, 2016.

Palm Desert, CA – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced a nearly $3 million grant award from the Caltrans Clean California Grant Program to fund the Beautify Blythe project. The project, organized by the City of Blythe and Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency (PVVTA), will encourage outdoor engagement in the Blythe area; improve transit stops throughout the Palo Verde Valley; and increase access to local businesses, schools, and offices. Dr.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) will join the Council for Global Equality and Members of Congress for a trip to the US-Mexico border to learn about the migration challenges for LGBTQI people attempting to access the U.S. asylum system. Prior to the trip, Dr. Ruiz issued the following statement:

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced a $320,000 federal grant from the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians to provide local Native American families access to quality internet access. The federal grant is part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and will help to connect 17 unserved households with qualifying broadband service. Dr.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) and U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm brought national attention to the clean energy opportunities at the Salton Sea and the need to protect the community's public health. In a Congressional hearing with the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Energy, Dr.

Washington D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) brought regional health issues to the forefront of a Congressional Hearing with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. After meeting with local health leaders earlier this month at the El Centro Regional Medical Center, Dr. Ruiz raised concerns discussed in this meeting to the Secretary, such as improving health care access in rural medically underserved communities.