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Folks, this is a longer email about last week’s first hearing of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, of which I serve as the Ranking Member.
As a physician, I understand how important it is that our committee is guided by real scientific data — not conspiracy theories and fear-mongering.
While I'm honored to serve as Ranking Member of this committee, I am disappointed with last week's hearing led by my Republican colleagues: They invited a witness who has peddled racist, faux-scientific theories that have been publicly praised by white supremacists, including David Duke.
I'm incredibly frustrated that our committee was forced to give time to faux-scientific ideas because of radical, extremist partisan Members who are most interested in political games. We cannot continue to ignore real medical experts if we want to protect public health.
When I took the hippocratic oath, I pledged to serve the public.
When I took the oath of office to become a U.S. Congressman, I pledged to serve the public.
And when Democratic Leader Jeffries appointed me to this committee as the Ranking Member, I pledged to use my position to serve the public.
Last week's hearing was a powerful and important first step toward our nation's understanding of the origins of the coronavirus, but we should have focused on setting a foundation for preventative measures to stop the spread of a future deadly virus — not giving airtime to fake science based in racism.
I'm proud that I used my position in the hearing to call this out, and encourage real bipartisan work among my colleagues for the good of the public.
Friend, here's the main fact that I want you to understand: The origins of the coronavirus are, at this time, inconclusive.
But regardless of its origin, the fact doesn't change that we need to be better prepared to endure the next viral pandemic, whatever that may be.
If our painful experiences from this pandemic taught us anything, it's that we need to work together to prepare for any future pandemic and do everything we can to protect public health. That's the only way that we'll save lives.
We need to stop with the name-calling and the fear-mongering, listen to scientific data and medical experts, and follow the facts.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email. I'll be in touch again soon.
— Dr. Raul Ruiz
A quick note from Rep. Ruiz's campaign team:
Hi team, we're incredibly proud of the work that Dr. Ruiz is doing on this new Select Committee. He values your support more than we could ever express.
This week, our team set a goal to raise $3,500 and right now we're about 64% of the way there. Will you consider pitching in $5 (or anything you can afford) to Dr. Ruiz's Democratic campaign? »
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