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Congressman Raul Ruiz

Representing the 36th District of California

Veterans

Veterans in the 36th District and all across the United States have served our country honorably and deserve our unwavering support. While we can never fully repay our veterans for their service to our nation, we have an obligation to work together as Democrats and Republicans to ensure they have access to the high-quality care and receive benefits they have earned and deserve. 

In my position on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I am working aggressively with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to end the VA benefits backlog, expand and improve access to health care for veterans in the 36th District, improve educational and job opportunities for heroes returning home, and combat veterans’ homelessness.

We must act now to eliminate the backlog so our veterans can access the benefits they have earned. I introduced H.R. 1759, bipartisan legislation as part of a broader effort to end the VA backlog. My bill will help identify and eliminate red tape in the VA claims process so that veterans can get their benefits faster. I also joined 3 Democratic and Republican Congressmen to introduce the 21st Century Health Care for Heroes Act, which will improve the delivery of veterans’ health care by merging the electronic health records of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense.

I voted in support the Fiscal Year 2014 Military Construction and Veterans’ Affairs legislation. This bipartisan bill continues our commitment to America’s veterans and military personnel by providing the benefits they deserve and the resources necessary to maintain a strong national defense. It takes critical steps to address the unacceptable disability claims backlog and makes key investments in veterans’ health care, including much-needed resources to convert paper medical records to electronic medical records.

I am proud to be a member of the Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus, which is a bipartisan, bicameral group focused on reducing the unemployment rate of the nation’s nearly 800,000 veterans looking for work. This caucus is taking meaningful action to find work for our returning service members, and it’s a great example of what can be achieved when Members of Congress put partisanship aside and come together to support our nation’s veterans.

More on Veterans

September 12, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today applauded House passage of her bill to improve the quality and safety of mobility equipment used by disabled veterans.

H.R. 3471, the Veterans Mobility Safety Act, would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to set comprehensive standards for providers of automobile adaptive equipment, such as wheelchair lifts and reduced-effort steering and braking systems. The legislation passed unanimously by voice vote and now heads to the Senate.

June 15, 2016 E-Newsletter

April 29, 2016 Page

I am excited to announce the launch of Veterans University, which I will be hosting on June 25, and 26, 2016 at Cal State San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus! 



Check-in times:

Saturday, June 25th - 8:45-9:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 26th - 9:15-10:00 a.m.

March 31, 2016 Press Release
Palm Desert, CA – On Saturday, April 2 at 9:00AM PT, Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) will join veterans and their families at the 6th annual VEAP (Veteran Easy Access Program) Expo at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio. The event is free and open to the public. The expo will feature several booths with information on housing, transportation, legal services, career resources, health care, and other Veteran benefits.
March 21, 2016 E-Newsletter

Dear Friends, 

On Friday, I visited the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. The Commanding General, Major General Lewis A. Craparotta, and his staff briefed me on the strategic importance of the base to U.S. national security objectives and the fight against terrorism. We also discussed how to best support the Marine Corps to ensure service men and women have the resources they need to protect our country.

March 18, 2016 Press Release
Palm Desert, CA – Today, Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the following statement after meeting with Major General Lewis A. Craparotta and key leadership at the Marine base in Twentynine Palms.
March 9, 2016 E-Newsletter

Dear Friends, 

October 28, 2015 Press Release
Washington, DC - Today, Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) announced that he is extending the opportunity for a Wounded Warrior Fellow to serve as a Veterans’ Caseworker in his district Congressional offices in Palm Desert and Hemet.
October 14, 2015 Press Release
Palm Desert, CA – Thursday, October 15 at 11:30AM, Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) will hold a ceremony of recognition for seven Coachella Valley veterans, including a Purple Heart Medal recipient. “This recognition of our nation’s heroes is long overdue,” said Dr. Ruiz. “I’m humbled and honored to be able to thank and acknowledge these servicemen who have sacrificed and served our country.”
January 21, 2015 Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC – Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert) released the following statement on President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address.

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