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Ruiz Appointed to Prestigious House Energy and Commerce Committee

January 5, 2017

Washington, D.C. – Today Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced that he was appointed to the prestigious House Energy and Commerce Committee, an exclusive committee that deals with a wide range of that will be front and center in the coming months, including health care and energy policy. Dr. Ruiz will be the only Democratic physician on the committee.

"As the son of farm workers growing up in an underserved community, I dreamed of becoming a doctor, helping to relieve suffering and improving people's lives. This is why I became an emergency physician and why I ran for Congress. I am humbled to be a voice on the Energy and Commerce Committee to fight for my patients, my district, and the American people," said Dr. Ruiz.

"Serving on this committee empowers me to expand my work advocating for high-quality affordable health care, health equity, women's health services, and expand job opportunities through renewable energy and manufacturing. My dedication to our veterans is emboldened more than ever and I will continue to champion high-quality veteran-centered health care and benefits," said Dr. Ruiz. "I look forward to hitting the ground running to work for my constituents and the American people."

"As a physician, Congressman Raul Ruiz knows what's at stake with Republicans' efforts to Make America Sick Again," House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said. "On the Energy & Commerce Committee, Dr. Ruiz will help lead the fight against Republicans' schemes to take health care away from millions of Americans, increase health care costs, and stack the deck against hard-working families. With Dr. Ruiz's expertise and bold leadership, House Democrats will continue to fight for the resources needed to improve the health and economic security of all."

"I'm thrilled to have Dr. Ruiz join the Energy and Commerce Committee," said the Committee's Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ). "As an Emergency Room doctor, he understands the importance of ensuring Americans' access to quality, affordable health care. At a time when the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and Medicaid are under assault, his medical background will bring an important voice to the national debate. I also look forward to Dr. Ruiz contributing his expertise to the Committee as the representative of a region that is at the cutting edge of clean energy production and natural resource conservation."

The Energy and Commerce Committee has the longest history of any legislative committee in the House. It has wide-ranging authority, playing a critical role in defending access to health care, ensuring continued economic growth, and developing our nation's renewable energy in the coming years. The work of the committee will have a significant impact on the lives of the American people now and for generations to come.