Congresswoman Torres Fights to Protect Californians from Harmful Republican Cuts in the Big Ugly Bill By Introducing Key Amendments
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres introduced critical amendments to the House Republican-led reconciliation package to protect Americans from the bill’s most harmful provisions and ensure policies that would serve working families.
Trump and Republicans have loaded this package with measures that gut healthcare, nutrition assistance, and state tax relief programs—stripping essential support from millions of working families, seniors, and children across the country. In response, Congresswoman Torres introduced several amendments that would protect California’s most vulnerable.
“The American people are not bargaining chips for partisan politics,” said Congresswoman Torres. “This Republican mega-bill is nothing short of a targeted attack on working families, healthcare access, and basic nutrition programs. I fought to include amendments that defend Californians, especially those in the Inland Empire, from these reckless cuts.”
The Amendments Congresswoman Torres is introducing include:
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Amendment #1 - Removes the harmful provisions that (1) cut the Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal in California, and (2) change the Affordable Care Act, protecting health care and lowering health insurance costs for tens of millions of Americans.
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Amendment #2 - Removes the harmful provisions that cut SNAP benefits, known as CalFresh in California, that tens of millions of Americans rely on to put food on the table.
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Amendment #3 - Eliminates the $10,000 cap on State and Local Tax (SALT) Deductions that unfairly penalizes Californians, removing the cap on August 1, 2025.
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Amendment #4 - Protects states from politically motivated federal funding cuts.
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Amendment #5 - This amendment prohibits FEMA from canceling grants that have already been awarded, except in cases of fraud or noncompliance, and requires reporting to Congress if a cancellation occurs.
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Amendment #6 - This amendment prohibits ICE agents from using chemical irritants against Members of Congress and imposes criminal penalties for violations.
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Amendment #7 - This amendment requires ICE agents to visibly display badges and present official identification during enforcement actions to prevent impersonation and ensure public accountability.
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Amendment #8 - Prohibits the use of federal funds to deport non-citizen U.S. military veterans unless they have had access to legal counsel and a fair hearing before an immigration judge. It also requires the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress within 180 days on the number of such veterans in removal proceedings, their case outcomes, and whether they had legal representation.
“These amendments aren’t just policy—they’re personal,” Torres continued. “They reflect the lives and needs of the people I represent. I’ll continue fighting to make sure Congress protects—not punishes—the American people.”
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