Congressman Raul Ruiz Commits to Bipartisanship Following Trump's Inauguration

Local leaders from both political parties attended Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony this morning at the Capitol. Among them was Congressman Raul Ruiz, a Democrat representing parts of the Coachella Valley.

While Congressman Ruiz has been vocal about his opposition to several Trump administration policies, he emphasized his dedication to bipartisan cooperation on critical issues affecting his constituents.

"It’s important to note that I didn’t come to Congress to work for a president, whether Republican or Democrat," Ruiz said. "I came to Congress to work for the people in my district and to serve the American people."

One of Ruiz’s current priorities is collaborating with Republican lawmakers to improve support for veterans through the PACT Act, which was passed in 2022. The legislation aims to expand healthcare access and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service.

Efforts to address veteran needs and other bipartisan issues remain a focus for Ruiz, who reiterated his commitment to serving his district above party politics.

Meanwhile, outreach to Republican Congressmen Ken Calvert and Greg Wallace for their perspectives following today’s inauguration has yet to yield a response.

As the new administration begins, Ruiz’s approach highlights the importance of finding common ground to tackle challenges facing Coachella Valley residents and beyond.