Torres Calls for Security and Improved Wait Times at Air, Land, and Sea Ports
WASHINGTON, DC – In letters to the House Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) requested robust funding to maintain security and improve wait times at the nation's air, land, and sea ports.
"The Inland Empire and the greater Los Angeles area are not only major tourist destinations, but also bustling hubs for transit and commerce in California," said Torres. "We must ensure that we have the proper law enforcement and staff in place to improve security and reduce wait times at our ports of entry, including at our rapidly growing Ontario International Airport."
Torres is the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Budget Task Force and represents California's 35th congressional district, which includes LA/Ontario International Airport. One of her first accomplishments upon being elected to Congress was returning the airport to local control – which has already resulted in more flights and options for the residents of the Inland Empire.
Last year, the House unanimously passed Torres' H.R. 3101, the Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2017, to improve information sharing and cooperation in addressing cybersecurity risks at the nation's ports. She was also an original cosponsor of H.R. 720, the Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act, which was passed into law, to direct the Department of Homeland Security to ensure airports have in place individualized working plans for responding to security incidents inside an airport's perimeters.