Press Releases
Thermal, CA – Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. is requesting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provide the community of the Oasis Mobile Home Park in Thermal with an update and further information regarding their Emergency Order issued in August after high levels of arsenic were found in the residents' drinking water. In a letter to EPA Regional Administrator Mike Stoker, Dr. Ruiz asked that the EPA host a community meeting so area residents can tell their experiences and ask questions regarding the safety of their drinking water.
Washington D.C. – Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced the introduction of legislation that would give all disabled veterans free, lifetime national park passes to enjoy over 2,000 federal recreation sites. H.R. 4930, the Wounded Veterans Recreation Act, would amend current law to extend eligibility for lifetime national parks passes to all wounded veterans at no cost, regardless of disability rating.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the House of Representatives passed the "Increasing American Jobs and Exports Act," a bill by Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) that will help grow American jobs, strengthen small businesses, and increase exports of American-made products. The bill passed as part of H.R. 4863, the "United States Export Finance Agency Act" which reauthorizes the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank for ten years. Dr. Ruiz's bill would allow the bank to use a percentage of profits – at no cost to the U.S.
Washington D.C. – Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA) spoke today on the nationwide youth vaping epidemic. Recently, in Desert Hot Springs Zane Martin, a local 15-year-old, was hospitalized for over a month with a life-threatening illness from vaping.
Washington D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA) released a statement as the Supreme Court hears arguments surrounding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The Trump Administration is challenging lower court rulings to block the termination of the program after the administration announced it would wind down the DACA program in 2017.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced the introduction of the Veterans Right to Breathe Act (H.R. 4574), bipartisan legislation aimed at providing disability compensation for veterans exposed to burn pits while serving our country overseas. The bipartisan bill would help veterans exposed to burn pits by establishing presumption of service connected exposure to burn pits for nine pulmonary diseases including asthma, pneumonia, and chronic bronchiolitis. Dr.
Thermal, Ca. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. called on the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to produce a plan and timeline to clean up the land in Thermal where recurring mulch fires have presented an environmental and public health hazard to area residents. In a letter to the Director of the BIA, signed also by Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, Dr.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) convened members of Congress, physicians, and public health experts for a problem-solving discussion regarding the epidemic of gun violence facing the nation. Dr. Ruiz led the discussion centered on approaching gun violence as a public health epidemic. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), Chairman of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, participated in the discussion as well.
Thermal, Ca. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. announced the pending closure of Sun Valley Recycling Center, the facility at the center of recurring mulch fires that are posing a public health hazard to nearby schools and the surrounding community. The Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a Cease and Desist order to the facility Wednesday morning stating that if the dumping operations are not immediately halted, the owner will face an injunction and be held liable for damages and all costs associated with enforcement action.
Thermal, Ca. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. held a problem-solving roundtable with representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, and other county and state officials and called for immediate action to remedy the bad practices at the Oasis Mobile Home Park in Thermal.