Press Releases
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Natural Resources Committee's Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee held a legislative hearing to examine H.R. 3877, the "Salton Sea Projects Improvements Act" introduced by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36). The new legislation would authorize $250 million for the Bureau of Reclamation to execute projects to improve air quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and water quality.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) advanced his priorities to get veterans who have been exposed to burn pits and toxic exposures the benefits and care they have earned and deserve in today's House Veterans' Affairs Committee markup of H.R. 3967, the Honoringour Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021, or the Honoring our PACT Act.
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed an amendment by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) that could make over $50 million in additional funding available nationally to improve clean water access for underserved communities like those in the Eastern Coachella Valley. In an Energy and Commerce Committee markup of H.R.
Washington, D.C. – This week, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) called on the Small Business Administration (SBA) to speed up distribution of funding through the American Rescue Plan's Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program (SVOG). Ruiz joined fellow Members of the House of Representatives in writing to the SBA urging them to expedite the release of funds from the SVOG program to venue operators after delays in funding distribution.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) joined members of the Congressional Tri-Caucus – composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) – to lead a letter with over 60 Members of Congress in a letter to Congressional leadership and President Biden to close the Medicaid "coverage gap" in the forthcoming American Families Plan.
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 36th 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 36th 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 36th District is Zubin Carvalho of Western Center Academy in Hemet, CA.