Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – This week, President Joe Biden signed into law two bills authored by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) to address the military's use of toxic burn pits as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022. Ruiz's bills will expand the Burn Pits Registry and enhance medical training on the health effects of burn pits.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) called for the reversal of monthly increases in out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part B. Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a nearly $22 monthly increase in Medicare Part B premiums will take effect in 2022.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA) joined a group of bipartisan doctors in Congress in launching a radio PSAto encourage COVID-19 vaccine booster shot participation, especially for seniors and those with underlying health conditions. In the PSA, Dr. Ruiz along with U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and John Barrasso, M.D. (R-WY), and Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) said in part:

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced the arrival of $1 million in federal funding from the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to address the crisis at the Salton Sea.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced H.R. 5827, the Protecting Outdoor Concerts Act, to keep workers, concertgoers, and Valley residents safe at major concert events. This common-sense legislation directs the FAA to authorize large outdoor concerts and music festivals to seek temporary flight restrictions to secure their airspace, providing them the same protections that major sporting events already have.

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation authored by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) to take more than 2,500 acres of land in the San Jacinto Mountains into trust for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. H.R. 897, the Agua Caliente Land Exchange Fee to Trust Confirmation Act, would allow the Tribe to further their conservation efforts and practice consistent forest management.

Palm Desert, CA – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) sounded the alarm on the need to address the opioid epidemic plaguing the nation. Today, during a hearing with the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Health Subcommittee entitled, "The Overdose Crisis: Interagency Proposal to Combat Illicit Fentanyl-Related Substances," Ruiz told the story of a local constituent, Jennifer Loza of Bermuda Dunes, who lost her son to a fentanyl poisoning.

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act, historic legislation that builds on the success of the American Rescue Plan by delivering once-in-a-generation action to lower the everyday costs that burden working families in the 36^th District – from health care to child care to housing. Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) voted to pass the legislation, which includes his provision to invest $100 million for the Bureau of Reclamation that can be used at the Salton Sea.