Raul Ruiz

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

I have spent my time in Congress standing up for seniors by fighting to protect and expand Medicare and Social Security. It’s a promise I made when I first ran and it’s a promise I have kept. Seniors have paid for, earned, and been promised these benefits after a lifetime of hard work and I will always stand up for them by working to expand and protect these commitments while opposing any cuts or changes to the retirement age.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Small business is the lifeblood of the American economy, and every Californian deserves the opportunity to build a better life for their family. As a member of the Small Business Caucus, I continue to foster bipartisan relationships in order to cut bureaucratic red tape, level the playing field, and create economic conditions for business of all sizes to thrive and succeed.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

I also believe it is vital for our economy and the well being of American families to prioritize women’s economic security. That’s why I have fought for equal pay for equal work, expanding paid family and sick leave, and increasing access to affordable child care.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Washington is a disaster, filled with career politicians focused on petty partisan politics and their own perks and privileges. I am not a career politician and I never will be. Members of Congress are public servants and should absolutely not receive special privileges at the expense of taxpayers. That’s why I have voted against any pay raises for Congress, and I wrote legislation prohibiting Members of Congress from using taxpayer money to fly first class. I introduced legislation making it illegal for any federal official to use their position for personal profit.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Washington is a disaster, filled with career politicians focused on petty partisan politics and their own perks and privileges. I am not a career politician and I never will be. Members of Congress are public servants and should absolutely not receive special privileges at the expense of taxpayers. That’s why I have voted against any pay raises for Congress, and I wrote legislation prohibiting Members of Congress from using taxpayer money to fly first class. I introduced legislation making it illegal for any federal official to use their position for personal profit.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

As an emergency physician, I understand how critically important it is for every American to have access to quality, affordable healthcare. While improvements have been made, our system remains imperfect and too expensive. I voted to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and I am working to make out of pocket costs and prescription drugs more affordable while continuing to ensure that insurance companies are not allowed to discriminate against women. I also wrote a law improving MediCal coverage for thousands of local families and helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, cutting the cost of many things, including prescription medications. Lowering out-of-pocket costs is a top priority for me in Congress, in addition to addressing the opioid epidemic and reforming our system to ensure everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

While Washington remains gridlocked, I am committed to serving and helping constituents with the problems they have with the federal government and cutting red tape. I’ll never forget I work for YOU. Whether it’s helping a wounded veteran get the health care he or she deserves, or an older couple seeking the Social Security benefits they have earned, my staff and I are ready to help. Whether it is helping our veterans and children or small businesses, honoring our local police and first responders, or holding community events, I fly home nearly every week to serve the people of the 25th District.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Serving the veterans who have served our country is a true honor for me as a Congressman. I take our responsibility to them and their families very seriously. These men and women sacrificed their lives for our country and their service deserves to be honored. I have helped hundreds of veterans cut through red tape to get the benefits, health care, and recognition they have earned. I’ve led the charge on protecting our servicemembers and veterans, not just shining a light on the dangers of the use of toxic burn pits in combat, but writing and passing historic legislation providing health care access and improved benefits to all veterans exposed to toxic substances. I also started Veterans University, a yearly event that has helped thousands of veterans navigate their benefits system.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz understands the importance of addressing climate change head-on with commonsense solutions. He advocated and voted for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – to make bold investments in our communities’ infrastructure and to combat the climate crisis. This bipartisan package includes $80 million to invest in solar power research and development projects to create good-paying, clean energy jobs across the country. Dr. Ruiz also helped bring the Inflation Reduction Act across the finish line, which makes the single largest investment ever in combatting climate change while bringing clean energy manufacturing jobs to local communities. On top of that, Dr. Ruiz has advocated to curb harmful emissions by cosponsoring the Climate Action Now Act to ensure the U.S. meets its emission goals established under the Paris Climate Agreement.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz understands the importance of addressing climate change head-on with commonsense solutions. He advocated and voted for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – to make bold investments in our communities’ infrastructure and to combat the climate crisis. This bipartisan package includes $80 million to invest in solar power research and development projects to create good-paying, clean energy jobs across the country. Dr. Ruiz also helped bring the Inflation Reduction Act across the finish line, which makes the single largest investment ever in combatting climate change while bringing clean energy manufacturing jobs to local communities. On top of that, Dr. Ruiz has advocated to curb harmful emissions by cosponsoring the Climate Action Now Act to ensure the U.S. meets its emission goals established under the Paris Climate Agreement.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Growing up in Coachella, Dr. Ruiz understands firsthand the harmful, daily effects of the Salton Sea on our local environment and public health. For years, he has prioritized addressing the environmental and public health crisis at the Salton Sea, most recently securing a $250 million federal investment to the Sea through the Inflation Reduction Act. This funding, along with the $30 million agreement he helped broker between the federal government and the State of California and the $6.7 million he’s secured for additional projects over the years, will help clean up the Sea and improve our air quality.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz has worked diligently to bring investments to our region that will help build a strong clean energy economy. He has authored key legislation, like the Renewable Energy Jobs Act, to create opportunities for local students and workers to enter our Southern California renewable energy industry. He has also been at the forefront of driving federal investments to the Salton Sea, where a massive supply of lithium holds the potential to transform our region into a global leader in clean energy production.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz has worked diligently to bring investments to our region that will help build a strong clean energy economy. He has authored key legislation, like the Renewable Energy Jobs Act, to create opportunities for local students and workers to enter our Southern California renewable energy industry. He has also been at the forefront of driving federal investments to the Salton Sea, where a massive supply of lithium holds the potential to transform our region into a global leader in clean energy production.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz knows that climate change impacts underserved communities the most and has worked extensively to mitigate those impacts on our region and the nation. In 2021, he introduced the Environmental Justice Act to protect local communities from the possible negative health and environmental impact of federal decisions. Dr. Ruiz has also been at the forefront of addressing local environmental injustices, fiercely advocating to solve the public health crisis at the Oasis Mobile Home Park and working directly with the EPA to provide clean water for the residents.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

In Congress, Dr. Ruiz has consistently worked to lower health care costs for American families. Most recently, Dr. Ruiz voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, which became law in 2022, lowering prescription drug costs and insulin costs for seniors and reducing health care costs for families with insurance through Covered California. Dr. Ruiz has also gotten legislation signed into law to strengthen and expand Medicaid. His bill, the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act, became law on April 18, 2019, and helps children and families suffering from mental health disorders access the care they need.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

In Congress, Dr. Ruiz has consistently worked to lower health care costs for American families. Most recently, Dr. Ruiz voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, which became law in 2022, lowering prescription drug costs and insulin costs for seniors and reducing health care costs for families with insurance through Covered California. Dr. Ruiz has also gotten legislation signed into law to strengthen and expand Medicaid. His bill, the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act, became law on April 18, 2019, and helps children and families suffering from mental health disorders access the care they need.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz understands that after a lifetime of hard work, our nation’s seniors deserve access to quality, affordable health care. That is why he is a staunch defender of Medicare and has worked to strengthen it over the years. His bipartisan bill, the Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act, became law on February 9, 2018, as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. This law helps seniors access the health care they need by eliminating the Independent Payment Advisory Board tasked with reducing Medicare spending. He has also had legislation signed into law that will help seniors avoid harmful coverage gaps that leave them without access to health care just because they inadvertently missed their initial sign-up period for Medicare. His bill, the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act became law on December 27, 2020, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz understands that after a lifetime of hard work, our nation’s seniors deserve access to quality, affordable health care. That is why he is a staunch defender of Medicare and has worked to strengthen it over the years. His bipartisan bill, the Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act, became law on February 9, 2018, as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. This law helps seniors access the health care they need by eliminating the Independent Payment Advisory Board tasked with reducing Medicare spending. He has also had legislation signed into law that will help seniors avoid harmful coverage gaps that leave them without access to health care just because they inadvertently missed their initial sign-up period for Medicare. His bill, the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act became law on December 27, 2020, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Over the years, Dr. Ruiz has worked to expand health access in rural communities like ours. He’s gotten two bills signed into law to address the shortage of providers in our region and across the country by expanding the teaching health center program. His bill to strengthen this key program, the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education Extension Act, became law on December 27, 2020, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021. Additionally, Dr. Ruiz secured $300 million for the teaching health center program in the American Rescue Plan, which included his bill, the Expanding Teaching Health Centers Act.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

As a physician, Dr. Ruiz will always fight to protect our communities’ health. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked to make sure our region received our fair share of vaccines and resources. After writing to major pharmacies, President Biden, the California Secretary of Health and Human Services, and FEMA, he worked with local health care entities, health centers, and pharmacies to bring vaccine clinics to medically underserved regions and take vaccines directly to his constituents. He also participated in over 10 local vaccine clinics and events from 2021 – 2022.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz understands the crucial role Dreamers play in our economy and society, as they contribute nearly $42 billion per year to our economy. That is why, as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus from 2021 – 2022, Dr. Ruiz led efforts to pass the Dream and Promise Act and other legislation to secure a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz has consistently worked toward common-sense bipartisan solutions to fix our broken immigration system. As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus from 2021 – 2022, Dr. Ruiz worked to pass legislation like the Farm Workforce Modernization Act out of the House with bipartisan support, which would help stabilize our region’s labor supply by providing farmworkers who have put food on Americans’ kitchen tables with an earned pathway to citizenship. He’s also cosponsored legislation such as the U.S. Citizenship Act, which would provide many Dreamers, TPS holders, and farmworkers with a three-year path to citizenship.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz supports securing our borders with smart, modern technology while maintaining professionalism and humanity in our immigration system. Dr. Ruiz voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which includes $1.4 billion for construction and modernization projects at land ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. Dr. Ruiz has also voted to make smart and effective investments in border security and humanitarian efforts at the southern border with the Fiscal Year 2023 Homeland Security funding package.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

One of Dr. Ruiz's priorities is to create unionized, good-paying jobs in our communities while growing our economy. Since 2014, Dr. Ruiz has worked to drive the creation of clean energy jobs that will help employ hundreds of thousands of people in the region with his bill, the Renewable Energy Jobs Act. Dr. Ruiz also voted for the bipartisan the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act of 2022 (CHIPS Act), a historic investment in American science, technological, and manufacturing industries to bring union jobs back to our communities. He also advocated and voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strengthen our country's infrastructure and create at least 17,000 new jobs in California.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz understands how high prices in the grocery aisle and at the gas pump are weighing heavily on working families in our communities and across the country, especially on those living paycheck to paycheck. That is why Congressman Ruiz voted for the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act to bring down costs for families. Also, Dr. Ruiz advocated and voted for the historical Inflation Reduction Act to bring down health care and energy costs for our local families.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz believes that local small businesses are the drivers of job creation and the lifeblood of our economy. In 2015, Congressman Ruiz worked with the Small Business Administration to open an SBA office in Palm Desert to support small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs across the Inland Empire, creating new, sustainable, good-paying jobs in our region. Dr. Ruiz received a 100% Rating on his Scorecard from the Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce for his commitment to working with the business community to advance job creation and business expansion opportunities. From 2020 to 2022, his office helped bring almost $3 million to help small business owners keep their doors open during the pandemic.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

The fact is, it doesn’t matter whose name is on the bill, or what party it comes from, if it’s a good idea, we have a responsibility to come together and support it.”- Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D.Standing Up for VeteransSince joining Congress, Dr.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz understands how important strong, reliable infrastructure is to meet the demands of our growing communities. That is why he advocated and voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – to bring our region’s infrastructure into the 21st Century. The bipartisan legislation invests over $16 billion in California’s roads, bridges, highways, and waterways. It also includes $36 billion for intercity passenger rail projects like the CV-Rail Project to connect Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

As a doctor, Dr. Ruiz takes a pragmatic, people-first approach to solving problems. Over the years, he has collaborated with Republicans on legislation to improve seniors’ access to treatment for opioid use disorders, address our nation’s physician shortage, and protect seniors’ access to Medicare. He’s also brought Republicans and Democrats together to protect people from surprise medical bills by championing the Protecting People from Surprise Medical Bills Act and fighting for the policies that would put the needs of patients first.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz understands that Medicare and Social Security are commitments made to our nation’s seniors and that they must be upheld and protected. That is why he has consistently cosponsored the Social Security 2100 Act, a comprehensive update to Social Security benefits that strengthens the program for years to come, increases benefits for current and new beneficiaries, and protects the program against inflation. The legislation also repeals the Windfall Eliminating Provision and the Government Pension Offset, which have unfairly affected public servants for years. His office has also helped local families and seniors secure more than $22.4 million in benefits previously denied by the Social Security Administration, Medicare, and other federal agencies.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

As a physician, Dr. Ruiz has consistently worked to improve access to quality, affordable care for our nation’s seniors. Over the years, he has advocated to expand Medicare coverage for dental and vision services. Additionally, Dr. Ruiz advocated and voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, which lowers prescription drug and insulin costs for seniors. On top of that, Dr. Ruiz has introduced legislation to tackle health care scams that target seniors with his bill, the Protecting Seniors from Health Care Fraud Act.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

As a physician, Dr. Ruiz has consistently worked to improve access to quality, affordable care for our nation’s seniors. Over the years, he has advocated to expand Medicare coverage for dental and vision services. Additionally, Dr. Ruiz advocated and voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, which lowers prescription drug and insulin costs for seniors. On top of that, Dr. Ruiz has introduced legislation to tackle health care scams that target seniors with his bill, the Protecting Seniors from Health Care Fraud Act.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

For years, Dr. Ruiz has worked in honor of local veteran Jennifer Kepner from Cathedral City to help veterans who have been exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their service receive the health care they need. Over the years, he’s introduced nine bills on this front that have become law. Most recently, he worked to make the Honoring our PACT Act become law. Included in the landmark package are his three bills that will assist over 3.5 million veterans in obtaining the health care they’ve earned, deserve, and desperately need.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

After serving and sacrificing for our nation no veteran should have to go without a home and the support they need. Dr. Ruiz has had five bills signed into law to help improve resources and access to care for veterans when they return home from their service. He’s also introduced the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Act to expand access to the VA’s outreach services so that all veterans experiencing homelessness can access the resources, support, and care they need as they transition back to civilian life.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Dr. Ruiz will always fight to get veterans the benefits, care, and recognition they’ve earned and deserve. His office has helped recover medals and awards for over 150 veterans. In the 117th Congress, he’s also helped veterans secure $1.6 million in benefits from the VA that were previously denied to them. Dr. Ruiz also is working closely with Republican Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL) to help disabled veterans access their full, earned benefits by introducing the Major Richard Star Act.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

"Today's tour and roundtable presentation with public comment about the New River is a demonstrable action and necessary part of the process to clean the New River. I am very thankful to USIBWC Commissioner Chad McIntosh and EPA Regional Administrator Mike Martucci for hosting this gathering. It is vital that local participation and input be considered. I'm going to keep pushing for federal action and investments to protect the health of people in the Imperial Valley, and I want my constituents to know I'm not letting this go until an immediate and long-term solution is implemented," said Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25).

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Congressman Ruiz has pushed for a modernized binational "Minute" agreement to replace Minute 264, which has not been updated since 1980 despite the river's continued decline, and has criticized proposed federal cuts to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund that would undercut cleanup efforts.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Congressman Ruiz continues to support the FY27 Calexico Wastewater Treatment Plant Restoration/Rehabilitation Project and other local infrastructure priorities as part of a broader push for binational investment in the New River.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) today highlighted his deep concerns with a proposal by Cadiz, Inc. — a company backed by foreign investors — to extract and sell groundwater from the heart of the Mojave Desert. Congressman Ruiz sent a formal letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum urging the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to conduct a full and rigorous environmental and historic resource review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) before rendering any decision on the right-of-way application for the Cadiz water conveyance pipeline.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Congressman Ruiz has called on the Department of the Interior to fulfill its legal obligations and complete a comprehensive environmental and historic resource review of the groundwater extraction and conveyance project before rendering any decision on the right-of-way application for the Cadiz Project. He has also called for robust government-to-government consultation with all affected Tribal nations, ensuring that Tribal voices are meaningfully integrated into the environmental review process.