Press Releases
Congresswoman Torres Amendment to Restore Rape Kits for Civilian Employees Overseas Passes Defense Committee Markup
Washington, D.C. - Today Congresswoman Norma Torres announced that her crucial amendment ensuring access to rape kits for civilian Department of Defense (DOD) employees stationed overseas has passed the Fiscal Year 26 Defense Appropriations Committee markup. This bipartisan, commonsense amendment restores medical support rescinded by a controversial March 2025 DOD policy change that stopped providing rape kits to many civilian personnel serving alongside U.S. military forces abroad. “Today, … Continue Reading
June 12, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Demands Accountability from ICE Following Unlawful Denial of Access and Use of Chemical Agents During Congressional Visit
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres sent a formal letter to Director Todd Lyons of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raising serious concerns about the conduct of ICE personnel during a peaceful Congressional delegation oversight visit to the Roybal Federal Building in Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. The delegation, which included Members of Congress, legal counsel, staff, media, and immigrant rights advocates, was denied access to the facility despite legal … Continue Reading
June 10, 2025
Torres Slams HUD Budget for Abandoning Disaster Survivors and Slashing Housing Aid for Families, Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. — At today’s House Appropriations THUD Subcommittee hearing, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) pressed HUD Secretary Turner over the Administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, which slashes the agency’s funding by more than 50%—gutting disaster recovery, housing assistance, and HUD’s workforce amid a worsening national housing crisis. “California sends $83 billion more to the federal government than we get back—yet it’s our veterans, working families, and seniors … Continue Reading
June 10, 2025
Torres Introduces Amendments to Protect Veterans from Deportation, Block Political Retaliation Against California
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) introduced two amendments during the full committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to safeguard immigrant veterans and defend California against politically motivated funding threats. “Veterans who risked their lives for this country shouldn’t be deported without due process and access to legal counsel,” said Congresswoman Torres. “They wore the … Continue Reading
June 04, 2025
Torres Highlights Federal Aviation Administration Safety and Staffing Crisis During FY26 Budget Hearing
Videos of hearing can be found here. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), whose district includes Ontario International Airport (ONT), pressed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau during the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) FY26 budget oversight hearing. Torres raised urgent concerns about ongoing aviation safety lapses, chronic staffing shortages, and recent personnel … Continue Reading
June 02, 2025
Congresswoman Torres & Congressman LaMalfa Lead Bipartisan Letter Supporting Native Seed Bank Funding
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a member of the Congressional Native American Caucus, and Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) led a bipartisan letter urging expanded funding for the Native Seed Bank in the Interior Appropriations Bill. The letter calls on the U.S. Department of the Interior to establish a new pilot program under the National Seed Strategy, which plays a critical role in preserving and distributing native seeds for ecological restoration—particularly … Continue Reading
May 28, 2025
Rep. Norma Torres joins Rep. Nanette Barragán in Urging Trump Administration to Protect Head Start Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Norma Torres (CA-35) joined Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) in sending a letter to President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., urging them to safeguard federal funding for the Head Start program. The letter comes in response to alarming reports that the Trump Administration considered eliminating Head Start funding during recent federal budget discussions. “From Los Angeles County to the Central Valley to … Continue Reading
May 23, 2025
Rep. Norma Torres Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Veterans Transition into Civilian Workforce
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres introduced the Veterans Skilled Trades Transition Act, legislation that will lower barriers for veterans as they transition from military service to civilian employment. The bill directs the Department of Defense, in coordination with the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Labor, to submit a comprehensive report to Congress on the effectiveness of military-acquired professional credentials in securing state-recognized civilian … Continue Reading
May 23, 2025
Torres, Valadao, Obernolte, Hirono, Barrasso Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution Recognizing National Wildfire Preparedness Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Norma Torres (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), Jay Orbernolte (R-CA) and U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution designating May as “National Wildfire Preparedness Month” to encourage increased awareness and preparedness as wildfires across the country increase in scale, complexity, and severity. The introduction of this resolution comes as recovery efforts continue following the … Continue Reading
May 22, 2025
Rep. Norma Torres Reintroduces Bill to Hold VA Accountable for Disability Claims Backlog
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) reintroduced the Veterans Administration Backlog Accountability Act, legislation that requires the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to deliver a comprehensive report to Congress on the persistent backlog of VA disability compensation claims. The bill tasks the Inspector General with examining claims pending before the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and … Continue Reading
May 22, 2025
Congresswoman Norma Torres Votes Against Republican Budget Reconciliation Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres voted against the Republican Budget Reconciliation bill, which harms millions of Americans. The bill includes devastating provisions that would cut healthcare coverage for nearly 14 million people, reduce SNAP benefits by $300 billion, and leave 42 million Americans facing cuts to their benefits. Congresswoman Torres has been at the forefront of efforts to protect vital programs and services for working families, children, seniors, and … Continue Reading
May 21, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Proposes Key Amendments to Republican Budget Reconciliation to Protect Working Families and Strengthen Public Services
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres introduced targeted amendments to the Republican Budget Reconciliation aimed at protecting working families' access to healthcare, food assistance, fairness in tax policy, and protecting essential public services. These amendments address critical areas, including healthcare, SNAP, transportation, and infrastructure, ensuring that policies serve the best interests of American workers and communities. “Republican budget proposals threaten essential … Continue Reading
May 21, 2025
Rep. Torres and Rep. Calvert Bill Establishing an Eastvale Zip Code Advances House Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) and Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) praised the advancement of H.R. 672 by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The bill requires the U.S. Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP Code for the city of Eastvale, in addition to other communities across the country. Reps. Torres and Calvert both represent portions of the city of Eastvale in the House of Representatives. “For too long, Eastvale has faced … Continue Reading
May 19, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Leads 100 Colleagues in Supporting $400 Million in Funding for Immigrant Legal Representation
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), joined by 100 of her colleagues, led a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Chair urging $400 million in funding for legal representation, to ensure the right to due process enshrined in the Constitution. The lawmakers’ letter calls attention to the lack of guaranteed legal counsel in immigration proceedings, noting that more than 40 percent of individuals—and a … Continue Reading
May 12, 2025
Congresswoman Norma Torres Condemns and Demands Investigation into ICE's Attack on Members of Congress
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-CA) is calling for an immediate and full investigation into the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, who recently engaged in a violent and unconscionable attack on members of Congress while they were conducting oversight over the executive branch at the ICE Detention Center in Newark, New Jersey. "This is an attack on our democracy and an abuse of power that cannot and will not be tolerated. Being an appropriator … Continue Reading
May 12, 2025
Congresswoman Norma Torres Joins Ranking Member Morelle Leads Request to Library of Congress Inspector General into Improper Communications, Potential Unauthorized Transfer of Congressional Data to Trump Administration
WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Norma Torres (CA-35) joined Rep. Joe Morelle (NY-25), the top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, in leading a request to the Library of Congress Inspector General Kimberly Benoit seeking an investigation and continued monitoring of potential improper communications between the Library of Congress—a legislative branch agency—and the executive branch, including the possibility of the unauthorized transfer of congressional or Library data to executive branch … Continue Reading
May 11, 2025
On Mother’s Day, Congresswoman Torres Reintroduces Pink Tax Repeal Act to End Unfair Price Hikes on Women
Washington, D.C. - On Mother’s Day, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres reintroduced the Pink Tax Repeal Act, legislation that would prohibit gender-based price discrimination on consumer goods and services that are substantially similar. The legislation targets unjust pricing practices that disproportionately impact mothers and women. "It's outrageous that in 2025, women, especially mothers, are still paying more than men for everyday items like razors, shampoo, and dry cleaning — simply because … Continue Reading
May 08, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Applauds Historic Election of First American Pope, Robert Francis Prevost, as Pope Leo XIV
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma Torres, a proud Catholic, issued a statement of congratulations and praise following the historic election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The Cardinal, now Pope Leo XIV, made history as the first American to be elected to the papacy in the nearly 2,000-year-old institution: “I am overjoyed and deeply proud to witness this historic moment in the life of the Catholic Church. Cardinal Robert Francis … Continue Reading
May 05, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Introduces Resolution to Recognize May Wildfire Preparedness Week
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres, alongside 25 House members, introduced a resolution to designate May 4-10, 2025, as Wildfire Preparedness Week. The resolution emphasizes the importance of wildfire prevention, fire safety education, and preparedness in communities across the United States, especially as the frequency and intensity of wildfires continue to increase. "Wildfires are one of the most dangerous natural disasters facing communities across the nation. Just this … Continue Reading
May 02, 2025
Torres on GOP “Skinny Budget”: A Full-On Assault on Working Families, Trump’s Plan to Make America Unsafe Again
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) issued a statement on the administration’s plan for Fiscal Year 2026, calling it a dangerous, extremist blueprint ripped straight from Donald Trump’s playbook — a plan to Make America Unsafe Again. “Let’s be clear: this isn’t a budget — it’s a declaration of war on working families. Republicans want to gut the programs that keep our kids in school, our families healthy, and our communities safe — just to bankroll tax cuts for billionaires … Continue Reading