Dr. Ruiz’s Bipartisan Bill Breaks Through Congressional Gridlock, Passes House of Representatives

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Dr. Raul Ruiz's (D-Palm Desert) bill H.R. 387, the Economic Development Through Tribal Land Exchange Act, unanimously passed the House of Representatives.

"The people of California deserve a Congress that works for them, not against them," said Dr. Ruiz. "I'm proud to have worked together, with both Democrats and Republicans, to find a pragmatic solution to help our community here in the desert. My bill will cut through longstanding bureaucratic red tape and streamline economic development for the City of Banning, Riverside County, and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and help to create jobs here at home."

"I commend Congressman Ruiz for getting this legislation through the House," said Senator Boxer, who introduced the Senate version of the bill. "This shows that when tribes and local governments collaborate, with the help of Congress, we can move economic development forward. I will do everything in my power to get this bill through the Senate."

Dr. Ruiz's bill H.R. 387, the Economic Development Through Tribal Land Exchange Act, facilitates an equitable land swap between the Morongo Tribe and a landowner to provide more consolidated reservation land for the tribe and commercial development opportunities for the landowner, the City of Banning, and Riverside County.

Click here to see a clip of Dr. Ruiz advocating on the House floor for his bill.

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