Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) marked the 10-year anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program with a call to action for Senate to pass a pathway to citizenship for our nation's Dreamers. As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Dr. Ruiz helped advocate for H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act, which would allow Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to contribute fully to the country they love and know to be their home by providing a pathway to citizenship.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) is calling on House and Senate leadership to prevent the looming hunger cliff when the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Deceleration expires on July 15, 2022. Federal hunger relief enacted under Families First Coronavirus Response Act is currently tied to the expiring PHE. In a letter to Congressional Leadership, Dr. Ruiz recently joined fellow members in urging Congressional action to extend key programs under SNAP that over 4.3 million Californians rely on for nutritional support beyond the current PHE.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) announced bicameral legislation that would honor César Chávez's life and work by creating the César Chávez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park and the Farmworker Peregrinación National Historic Trail. The bill, the César E. Chávez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act, would help tell the story of historically underrepresented groups and share the impact of César Chávez's and the farmworker movement on our nation.

Palm Desert, CA – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced legislation that would allow Congressional offices to continue providing casework services for former constituents who are affected by redistricting and have pending cases. Dr. Ruiz's legislation, the I CARE ACT, would help ensure cases do not slip through the cracks when handed off between Congressional offices.

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.