Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), Rep. Larry Buschon, M.D. (R-IN), Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL), and Rep. Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. (R-OH) introduced legislation to grow the physician workforce in underserved and rural areas of the country. The Physician Shortage GME Cap Flex Act of 2021, would address the national physician workforce shortage by empowering new teaching hospitals in underserved areas to increase the number of Medicare-funded residency training slots in their programs.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) introduced new legislation to drive federal investment at the Salton Sea. H.R. 3877, the Salton Sea Projects Improvements Act, would significantly expand the ability of the Bureau of Reclamation at the Department of the Interior (Reclamation) to partner with state, local, and Tribal governments, as well as other entities to address the public health and environmental crisis at the Salton Sea.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced that a major infrastructure project for the 36^th District was selected for authorization and funding in the INVEST in America Act. This legislation includes $20 million specifically for the Monroe St. Interchange Project in Indio to reconstruct and widen the on- and off-ramps at the I-10 / Monroe St. exit. The new overpass would include additional through and turn lanes, and it would accommodate the CV Link pathway for pedestrians and cyclists.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced that the Department of Education has sent nearly $217 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan to colleges and universities that serve students in the 36^th District. The funding will provide emergency financial aid to local students and help ensure learning returns to normal during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, Dr. Ruiz voted in support of the American Rescue Plan to secure these critical relief funds for local students.

Palm Desert, CA – Today, the office of Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. announced the winners of the 2021 Congressional Art Competition. Every year, students submit entries to their representative's office and a panel of local artists who select the winning entry. The winner is recognized both in their district and in Washington, D.C., where their artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol for one year. This year's winner from the 36^th District is Zubin Carvalho of Western Center Academy in Hemet, CA.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) released the following statement on the release of President Biden's budget for Fiscal Year 2022, which includes historic investments for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Washington, D.C. – Today, veteran advocate Jon Stewart, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano (CA-42), Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02), Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), 9/11 activist John Feal, and several Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) unveiled new legislation to get veterans who have been exposed to burn pits and other toxins the health care and benefits they've earned and deserve.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) and Juan Vargas (CA-51) sent inquiries to the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to identify the cause of delays and establish a path towards completion of the Red Hill Bay Project at the Salton Sea. Recent public reporting has indicated that progress on the project has stalled and that both IID and the FWS have outstanding obligations to the finish the project. Reps.