Rep. Ruiz Secures Wins for East Valley Environmental Protections and Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits

Press Release

Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7608, the State, Foreign Operations, Agriculture, Rural Development, Interior, Environment, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, which included several of Dr. Ruiz's priorities focused on preventing environmental hazards in the Eastern Coachella Valley and helping veterans affected by military burn pits.

Today's legislation includes language drafted by Dr. Ruiz directing the Bureau of Indian Affairs to use available resources to assist Tribes in enforcing environmental codes and ordinances, as well as support for Tribal consortia protecting against illegal dumping. In addition, H.R. 7608 includes critical increases to the EPA's Tribal Air Quality Management Program and the Tribal General Assistance Program, as requested by Dr. Ruiz, which will provide additional funds that tribes in the Eastern Coachella Valley can utilize to further environmental protections.

"I am determined to prevent other environmental hazards, like last year's mulch fire, that affect the health of the children and residents of the Eastern Coachella Valley," said Dr. Ruiz. "I will continue to work with the BIA and EPA to ensure they use the funds included in today's legislation to support efforts by the local Tribal governments and the County to prevent, mitigate, and respond to environmental hazards."

H.R. 7608 also included Dr. Ruiz's amendment to provide an additional $1 million for the VA to conduct educational outreach to veterans to enroll in the burn pits registry, additional research using the registry, and other activities concerning the maintenance of the registry.

"This is another good outcome for our veterans and servicemembers exposed to burn pits," said Dr. Ruiz. "My legislation will provide $1 million to the VA to improve awareness about the burn pit registry and help get servicemembers and veterans the care and benefits they have earned."

Background on East Valley Environmental Concerns:

Last fall, the Sun Valley Recycling Center -- located on allotted tribal land -- was host to a mulch fire that burned for nearly two months, causing local schools to temporarily close, and requiring multiple children to seek care at local hospitals. The recycling center was operating without the proper permits and had not been authorized by the tribe. Dr. Ruiz called on both the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Environmental Protection Agency to step in and shut down the environmental hazard and clean up the land. The site was closed shortly thereafter, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Riverside County are in the process of cleaning up the site. Today's legislation will help bolster the federal response to the environmental hazards in the East Valley.

Background on Appropriations Bills:

This Minibus includes the following four appropriations bills: State-Foreign Operations, Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA, Interior-Environment, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. The Minibus will:

Promote American values and maintain our strength and influence around the world;
Provide emergency appropriations for global coronavirus preparedness, response, and relief efforts;
Make bold, future-focused infrastructure investments;
Strengthen food security in communities across the nation;
Protect the environment and public lands and combat the climate crisis; and
Support America's veterans and military families.
Interior-Environment: Provides $3.2 billion for the National Park System; robustly funds EPA's core science and environmental program work; ensures access to safe drinking water and clean air; provides $72.5 million for the Tribal General Assistance program and $14 million for Tribal Air Quality Management programs; includes $15 billion in emergency funding for critical infrastructure investments; and builds resilience to climate change.
Military Construction-VA: Provides funding for military construction across the country and overseas; provides $350 million for Overseas Contingency Operations; makes critical investments in VA medical care including mental health services, opioid abuse recovery, and suicide prevention; addresses the disability claims backlog; and includes critical funding for remediation for PFAS contamination on U.S. military bases.
State-Foreign Operations: While rejecting President Trump's numerous proposed cuts, this bill promotes American values and diplomatic priorities, maintains our strength and influence in the world, and protects our national security; invests in emergency appropriations for global coronavirus preparedness, response, and relief efforts; provides vital support for our strategic partners and allies; makes key investments in combating climate change around the world; supports global reproductive health and family planning programs; and promotes equality for LGBTQI people and people with disabilities.
Agriculture-Related Agencies: Supports rural development and infrastructure; provides $61.4 million for citrus health within the Specialty Crop Pests program and another $8.5 million for citrus health to combat the Asian Citrus Psyllid; expands broadband access; ensures food and drug safety; provides funding authorized in the 21st Century Cures Act to accelerate medical product development; and funds nutrition and health programs for low-income families and other vulnerable Americans.

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