RUIZ, RAUL (a Representative from California)

Amendments

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 4486), H3329 [30AP]

Energy and water development: making appropriations (H.R. 4923), H5994 [9JY]

Bills and resolutions cosponsored

Abortion: limit restrictions on the provision of abortion services to protect a women’s right to determine whether and when to bear a child or end a pregnancy (see H.R. 3471), H1243 [16JA]

Agriculture: provide for a uniform national standard for the housing and treatment of egg-laying hens (see H.R. 1731), H7892 [18SE]

American Revolution: award a Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War (see H.R. 4045), H2991 [7AP]

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: preserve the Arctic coastal plain as wilderness (see H.R. 139), H4910 [28MY]

Armed Forces: afford each member of a Reserve component with the opportunity for a physical examination before separation from the Armed Forces (see H.R. 2841), H1687 [6FE]

——— authorize enlistment of certain aliens who are unlawfully present in the U.S. and provide a way for such aliens to be lawfully admitted to the U.S. through U.S. military service (see H.R. 2377), H3058 [8AP]

——— ensure women members and their families have access to contraception and family planning (see H.R. 5524), H7675 [17SE]

——— extend maternity leave for women serving in the military (see H.R. 4628), H4058 [9MY]

——— make determination on enlistment of aliens possessing employment authorization document issued under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (see H. Res. 685), H6814 [24JY]

——— prohibit discrimination on the basis of military service (see H.R. 2654), H3242 [28AP]

Cambodia: honor victims of genocide that took place from 1975–1979 (see H. Res. 464), H1881 [21FE]

Camp Pendleton Medal of Honor Post Office, Camp Pendleton, CA: designate (see H.R. 5468), H7528 [15SE]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: adjust the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program in order to avoid disproportionate penalties for hospitals treating vulnerable populations (see H.R. 4188), H8365 [3DE]

Cesar Chavez Day: observance (see H. Res. 529), H5725 [24JN]

Children and youth: provide for programs and activities with respect to the prevention of underage drinking (see H.R. 498), H3409 [1MY]

Coast Guard: mint coins in commemoration (see H.R. 2932), H2148 [4MR]

Colleges and universities: require institutions that receive Federal funds to adopt policies to prevent harassment and bullying (see H.R. 482), H1938 [25FE]

Colonel M.J. ‘Mac’ Dube, USMC Post Office Building, Twentynine Palms, CA: designate (see H.R. 5331), H7182 [31JY]

Credit: prohibit creditors from discriminating on account of sexual orientation or gender identity when extending credit (see H.R. 2364), H2148 [4MR]

Defense of Marriage Act: repeal and ensure respect for State regulation of marriage (see H.R. 2523), H7455 [11SE]

Dept. of Commerce: enable concrete masonry products manufacturers and importers to carry out coordinated program of research, education, and promotion to improve, maintain, and develop markets (see H.R. 1563), H6746 [23JY]

Dept. of Education: allow certain student loan borrowers to refinance current loans (see H.R. 4582), H5399 [17JN] (see H.R. 4622), H4057 [9MY]

——— award grants to establish STEM Innovation Networks (see H.R. 4828), H6108 [10JY]

——— provide grants to State educational agencies and institutions of higher education to strengthen elementary and secondary computer science education (see H.R. 2536), H7529 [15SE]

——— provide grants to States to establish a comprehensive school counseling program (see H.R. 2317), H5640 [23JN]

Dept. of HHS: provide for the participation of optometrists in the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment programs (see H.R. 920), H7388 [9SE]

——— reauthorize certain trauma care programs (see H.R. 4080), H4061 [9MY]

Dept. of Justice: improve the restitution process for child pornography victims by considering total losses, requiring timely restitution, and spreading costs among multiple defendants (see H.R. 4981), H5816 [26JN]

——— provide for evidence-based and promising practices related to juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity prevention and intervention (see H.R. 1318), H2854 [2AP]

Dept. of the Interior: place certain lands in Skagit and San Juan Counties, WA, into trust for the Samish Indian Nation (see H.R. 1225), H5769 [25JN]

——— provide further self-governance by Indian tribes (see H.R. 4546), H6297 [15JY]

Dept. of the Treasury: use revenue generated by certain fines, penalties, and settlements to fund evidence-based youth mentoring projects, justice reinvestment efforts, and medical research and development (see H.R. 3580), H2991 [7AP]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: clarify which children to whom entitlement to educational assistance may be transferred under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program (see H.R. 3600), H2854 [2AP]

——— conduct annual surveys of veterans on experiences obtaining hospital care and medical services from departmental facilities (see H.R. 4971), H6036 [9JY]

——— enter into contracts for provision of medical care at non-departmental facilities for certain patients, assess health care delivery system, and limit employee awards and bonuses (see H.R. 4810), H5185 [9JN]

——— establish a Veterans Conservation Corps (see H.R. 3451), H2488 [18MR]

——— establish an Office of Whistleblower and Patient Protection (see H.R. 5054), H6400 [17JY]

——— improve access of veterans to medical services by improving scheduling, staff training and hiring, access to care from non-departmental providers, and administrative matters (see H.R. 4841), H5495 [18JN]

——— improve the performance appraisal system for senior executives (see H.R. 4399), H5187 [9JN]

——— increase number of graduate medical education residency positions at departmental hospitals (see H.R. 4942), H5640 [23JN]

Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs: evaluate mental health care and suicide prevention programs, review discharge or separation of certain individuals, and require a loan repayment pilot program for psychiatrists (see H.R. 5059), H8868 [8DE]

Discrimination: prohibit housing and credit decision discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or source of income (see H.R. 2479), H2148 [4MR]

Diseases: foster more effective implementation and coordination of clinical care for people with pre-diabetes and diabetes (see H.R. 1074), H9304 [11DE]

Drugs: reduce deaths occurring from overdoses (see H.R. 4169), H3448 [6MY]

Employment: clarify appropriate standards for Federal employment discrimination and retaliation claims (see H.R. 2852), H7455 [11SE]

Eximbank: reauthorize (see H.R. 4950), H5724 [24JN]

Families and domestic relations: prohibit discrimination in adoption or foster care placements based on sexual orientation, gender identification, or marital status of any prospective parent or the child involved (see H.R. 2028), H1777 [14FE]

Federal agencies and departments: reduce duplication and increase efficiency (see H.R. 5152), H6398 [17JY]

Federal Correctional Officer Scott J. Williams Memorial Post Office Building, Lompoc, CA: designate (see H.R. 5562), H7883 [18SE]

FEMA: delay increases in flood insurance premium rates under the National Flood Insurance Program until completion of affordability study, provide certain reimbursements, and accurately determine flood risk (see H.R. 3370), H1939 [25FE]

Financial institutions: provide certain credit unions with the authority to make additional member business loans (see H.R. 688), H2257 [6MR]

Forests: provide for wildfire suppression and prevention operations (see H.R. 3992), H5640 [23JN]

FTC: prohibit the marketing of electronic cigarettes to children (see H.R. 4325), H2743 [27MR]

GAO: conduct a study on the impact of the requirement that depository institutions maintain certain reserves and Regulation D relative to exemptions from SEC registration requirements (see H.R. 3240), H2148 [4MR]

GPO: adjust fonts used in printing documents if such adjustments will reduce printing costs (see H.R. 5627), H7885 [18SE]

Hispanic Heritage Month: observance (see H. Res. 723), H7528 [15SE]

House Rules: prohibit Committee on Ethics (House) waiver of requirement to include travel reimbursement information in financial disclosure reports of Members, officers, and employees of the House (see H. Res. 659), H5876 [8JY]

Immigration: reform EB–5 immigrant investor visa program (see H.R. 4178), H3144 [9AP]

Insurance: ensure that employers that provide health benefits to their employees cannot deny any specific health benefits, including contraception coverage (see H.R. 5051), H6035 [9JY]

Iran: condemn persecution of Baha’is and continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights, impose sanctions for such violations, and call for release of religious prisoners (see H. Res. 109), H6746 [23JY]

Isla Vista, CA: condemn rampage and mass shooting, offer condolences to the community, the victims, and their families, and call for action to prevent such tragedies in the future (see H. Res. 608), H5064 [30MY]

Israel: reaffirm support for right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Hamas (terrorist organization) and condemn and call for an end to such attacks (see H. Res. 657), H6037 [9JY]

Juanita Millender-McDonald Post Office, Long Beach, CA: designate (see H.R. 5687), H7937 [12NO]

Lake Berryessa: transfer recreational management authority from Bureau of Reclamation to BLM (see H.R. 4166), H3293 [29AP]

Marilyn Monroe Post Office, Van Nuys, CA: designate (see H.R. 4995), H5817 [26JN]

Medicaid: require coverage of optometrists (see H.R. 855), H6656 [22JY]

Medicare: allow individuals to elect to receive the Medicare Summary Notice electronically (see H.R. 4853), H6860 [25JY]

——— cover marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services (see H.R. 3662), H6977 [28JY]

——— include information on the coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity in the ‘‘Medicare and You Handbook’’ and coordinate programs to prevent and treat obesity (see H.R. 2415), H4476 [19MY]

——— provide coverage of certain lymphedema compression treatment items as items of durable medical equipment (see H.R. 3877), H4910 [28MY]

——— repeal the sustainable growth rate and improve payments for physicians and other professionals (see H.R. 4015), H2099 [28FE]

Members of Congress: prohibit use of funds provided for official travel expenses of Members and other officers and employees of the legislative branch for airline accommodations which are not coach-class accommodations (see H.R. 4632), H4058 [9MY]

Middle East: prevent Hezbollah and associated entities from gaining access to international financial and other institutions (see H.R. 4411), H4064 [13MY]

Minimum wage: increase, and index future increases to the consumer price index (see H.R. 1010), H1687 [6FE]

National First Responders Day: designate (see H.R. 4109), H2064 [27FE]

National Purple Heart Hall of Honor: mint coins in commemoration (see H.R. 3867), H1659 [5FE]

Native Americans: reauthorize program to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages (see H.R. 5765), H8273 [2DE]

——— restore opportunity by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe for tribal economic development on terms that are equal and fair (see H.R. 1144), H183 [13JA]

Neil Havens Post Office, Simi Valley, CA: designate (see H.R. 4939), H5639 [23JN]

Nicklaus, Jack: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 2203), H3409 [1MY]

NIH: submit an annual budget estimate for Alzheimer’s disease initiatives (see H.R. 4351), H7939 [12NO]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: allow employers to exempt employees with health coverage under TRICARE or VA from employer health insurance mandate (see H.R. 3474), H2302 [11MR]

——— repeal amendments which disqualify expenses for over-the-counter drugs under health savings accounts and health flexible spending arrangements (see H.R. 2835), H5830 [7JY]

——— repeal provisions relative to annual period for disenrollment from Medicare Advantage plans to elect to receive original Medicare fee-for-service benefits (see H.R. 2453), H7455 [11SE]

Peace Corps: subject volunteers to same limitations regarding coverage of abortion services as Peace Corps employees (see H.R. 4578), H5725 [24JN]

Pharmaceuticals: preserve effectiveness of medically important antimicrobials used in treatment of human and animal diseases (see H.R. 1150), H8273 [2DE]

Philmore Graham Post Office Building, Vallejo, CA: designate (see H.R. 5106), H6215 [14JY]

Privacy: update privacy protections for electronic communications information that is stored by third-party service providers in order to protect consumer privacy while meeting law enforcement needs (see H.R. 1852), H3293 [29AP]

Regulatory Improvement Commission: establish (see H.R. 4646), H4058 [9MY]

Renewable energy: promote development of renewable energy on public lands (see H.R. 596), H3409 [1MY]

SBA: ensure equal access for HUBZone designations to all tax-paying small business owners (see H.R. 5084), H6135 [11JY]

Secure Water Act: reauthorize and update certain provisions (see H.R. 4258), H2484 [14MR]

Small Business Saturday: designate (see H. Res. 728), H8133 [19NO]

Social Security: expand permissive exclusion from Federal health programs to individuals and entities affiliated with sanctioned entities and provide penalties for illegal distribution of beneficiary identity information (see H.R. 5340), H7894 [18SE]

——— extend and improve State Children’s Health Insurance Program (see H.R. 5364), H7894 [18SE]

——— provide States with the option of providing services to children with medically complex conditions under Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program through a care coordination program (see H.R. 4930), H8171 [20NO]

SSA: provide payment for fees associated with obtaining birth certificate or State identification card for purposes of obtaining replacement Social Security card for certain victims of domestic violence (see H.R. 5362), H7183 [31JY]

Taxation: disallow a deduction for any fine paid by an owner of a professional sports franchise (see H.R. 4544), H3407 [1MY]

——— expand and modify the credit for employee health insurance expenses of small employers (see H.R. 4128), H7434 [10SE]

——— extend publicly traded partnership ownership structure to energy power generation projects and transportation fuels (see H.R. 1696), H6656 [22JY]

——— modify substantiation rules for donation of vehicles of a certain value (see H.R. 4960), H8669 [4DE]

——— permanently extend lower threshold for refundable portion of child tax credit and adjust credit for inflation (see H.R. 769), H6815 [24JY]

——— prevent homeowners from being forced to pay taxes on forgiven mortgage loan debt (see H.R. 2788), H7996 [14NO]

——— restrict use of abusive tax shelters and offshore tax havens to inappropriately avoid Federal taxation (see H.R. 1554), H3365 [30AP]

——— treat certain amounts paid for physical activity, fitness, and exercise as amounts paid for medical care (see H.R. 956), H7901 [19SE]

Unemployment: extend unemployment benefits (see H.R. 3824), H474 [15JA]

Veterans: expand research and education on and delivery of complementary and alternative medicine to veterans (see H.R. 4887), H7980 [13NO]

Veterans Expedited Recovery Commission: establish to examine mental health treatment models and potential benefits of incorporating certain alternative treatments (see H.R. 4977), H5816 [26JN]

Vincent R. Sombrotto Post Office, New York, NY: designate (see H.R. 2291), H5769 [25JN]

Voting: revise criteria for determining which States and political subdivisions are subject to certain protections against racial discrimination in voting (see H.R. 3899), H5830 [7JY]

W. Ronald Coale Memorial Post Office Building, Stockton, CA: designate (see H.R. 5109), H6296 [15JY]

Water: strengthen EPA WaterSense program, create EPA local conservation and efficiency program, support recycling, storage and management projects, and provide for drought preparedness (see H.R. 5363), H7894 [18SE]

Wilderness Act: anniversary (see H. Res. 730), H7675 [17SE]

Wildlife: prohibit breeding and private possession of captive big cats except by accredited zoos and facilities and require registration of big cats currently in possession by private owners (see H.R. 1998), H7619 [16SE]

Women: remove deadline for ratification of constitutional amendment to ensure equal rights (see H.J. Res. 113), H6137 [11JY]

——— support equal pay, fair treatment in workplace, access to paid family and medical leave, retirement security, and fair access to business capital and Federal contracts (see H. Res. 507), H2256 [6MR]

Bills and resolutions introduced

Dept. of Education: provide student loan forgiveness for American Indian educators teaching in local educational agencies with a high percentage of American Indian students (see H.R. 5370), H7183 [31JY]

Dept. of the Interior: take certain land into trust for the benefit of Morongo Band of Mission Indians in California (see H.R. 4867), H5363 [12JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: assess staffing shortages at medical facilities (see H.R. 5007), H5818 [26JN]

Eximbank: authorize use of a certain percentage of profits for administrative expenses (see H.R. 4271), H2484 [14MR]

Federal agencies and departments: improve Government efficiency by cracking down on offshore tax evaders, maximizing competition and savings in contracting, and reducing costs of managing coin supplies (see H.R. 5652), H7886 [18SE]

Federal employees: provide that certain disabled veterans receive competitive service employment preference (see H.R. 4247), H2433 [13MR]

Health care professionals: build a stronger health care workforce (see H.R. 5458), H7454 [11SE]

National parks and recreation areas: provide a lifetime America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass to any veteran with a service-connected disability (see H.R. 3976), H1511 [29JA]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: exempt small businesses which are experiencing hardship from employer health insurance mandate (see H.R. 5651), H7886 [18SE]

Power resources: establish a pilot program to train individuals for employment in renewable energy and energy efficiency industries (see H.R. 4648), H4059 [9MY]

Constitutional authority statements

Dept. of Education: provide student loan forgiveness for American Indian educators teaching in local educational agencies with a high percentage of American Indian students (H.R. 5370), H7188 [31JY]

Dept. of the Interior: take certain land into trust for the benefit of Morongo Band of Mission Indians in California (H.R. 4867), H5364 [12JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: assess staffing shortages at medical facilities (H.R. 5007), H5819 [26JN]

Eximbank: authorize use of a certain percentage of profits for administrative expenses (H.R. 4271), H2485 [14MR]

Federal agencies and departments: improve Government efficiency by cracking down on offshore tax evaders, maximizing competition and savings in contracting, and reducing costs of managing coin supplies (H.R. 5652), H7891 [18SE]

Federal employees: provide that certain disabled veterans receive competitive service employment preference (H.R. 4247), H2434 [13MR]

Health care professionals: build a stronger health care workforce (H.R. 5458), H7455 [11SE]

National parks and recreation areas: provide a lifetime America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass to any veteran with a service-connected disability (H.R. 3976), H1512 [29JA]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: exempt small businesses which are experiencing hardship from employer health insurance mandate (H.R. 5651), H7891 [18SE]

Power resources: establish a pilot program to train individuals for employment in renewable energy and energy efficiency industries (H.R. 4648), H4060 [9MY]

Motions

Constitution—U.S.: protect the separation of powers by allowing Congress to authorize a civil action against the President or executive branch for failure to execute laws (H.R. 4138), H2338 [12MR]

Legislative branch of the Government: making appropriations (H.R. 4487), H3390 [1MY]

Remarks

Budget: setting forth the Federal budget for 2015–2024 (H. Con. Res. 96), H3126 [9AP]

Bureau of Reclamation: environmental restoration projects funding, H5994 [9JY]

Constitution—U.S.: protect the separation of powers by allowing Congress to authorize a civil action against the President or executive branch for failure to execute laws (H.R. 4138), motion to recommit, H2338 [12MR]

Dept. of the Interior: take certain land into trust for the benefit of Morongo Band of Mission Indians in California (H.R. 4867), H7952 [13NO]

Dept. of Transportation: Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant Program funding, H5180 [9JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: digital scanning of health and benefit files funding, H3329 [30AP]

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 4486), H3329 [30AP]

Depts. of Transportation and HUD and related agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 4745), H5180 [9JN]

Energy and water development: making appropriations (H.R. 4923), H5994 [9JY]

Legislative branch of the Government: making appropriations (H.R. 4487), motion to recommit, H3390 [1MY]

Library of Congress: Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped program funding through reductions in GPO funding, H3390 [1MY]

Medicare: reform, H3126 [9AP]

Taxation: encourage domestic insourcing and discourage foreign outsourcing (H.R. 851), H6671 [23JY]

Unemployment: extend unemployment benefits, H2338 [12MR]

——— extend unemployment benefits (H.R. 3824), unanimous-consent request, H247 [15JA]

Wounded Warrior Project, Inc.: funding through reductions in GPO funding, H3390 [1MY]

Tributes

Velasquez, Carmen, E663• [1MY]