Press Releases
Subcommittee on Modernization & Innovation Announces New House of Representatives Online Staff Directory
Washington D.C. - Today, Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Modernization & Innovation Chairwoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05) and Ranking Member Norma Torres (CA-35) announced the official launch of LegiDex, the House of Representative's new online staff directory. LegiDex is a first-of-its-kind platform, built on data from a range of official House sources, that transforms the way staff can connect across House offices and agencies. "LegiDex is a powerful example of what we can … Continue Reading
July 02, 2025
Congresswoman Norma Torres Leads Letter from Former Mayors in Urging Speaker Johnson to Halt Harmful Big Ugly Reconciliation Bill
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), along with other former Mayors serving in Congress, sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, sounding the alarm on the devastating impacts of the House Republican-led Big Ugly reconciliation package. In the letter, the signers—all of whom have firsthand experience managing city budgets and responding to local community needs—warn that the bill’s drastic cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and job-creating tax credits would be … Continue Reading
July 02, 2025
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 … Continue Reading
June 30, 2025
Representatives Norma Torres and Adriano Espaillat Relaunch the Congressional New Americans Caucus for the 119th Congress
Washington, D.C. - In honor of Immigrant Heritage Month, Chair Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) and Co-Chair Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) have officially relaunched the bipartisan New Americans Caucus for the 119th Congress. This Caucus is composed of first-generation Members of Congress dedicated to advancing awareness and policies that uplift new Americans across the nation. “As the only Member of Congress born in Guatemala, I am committed to amplifying the voices of new and … Continue Reading
June 30, 2025
Representatives Norma Torres and Brad Schneider Reintroduce the Multiple Firearm Sales Reporting Modernization Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Brad Schneider (IL-10) reintroduced the Multiple Firearm Sales Reporting Modernization Act, legislation aimed at curbing illegal gun trafficking and reducing gun violence. The bill would require federally licensed firearms dealers to report the sale of two or more long guns—such as AR-15s or AK-47s—to the same individual within a five-day period. In 2022, law enforcement officials reported that the shooter from the Uvalde … Continue Reading
June 30, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Reintroduces Critical Asbestos Disclosure Bill During National Homeownership Month to Protect Renters and Homeowners
Washington, D.C. - During National Homeownership Month, Congresswoman Norma Torres, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, reintroduced the Asbestos Exposure in Housing Reduction Act of 2025. This legislation would protect renters and homeowners nationwide by requiring full disclosure of asbestos hazards during the sale or lease of residential properties, with civil and criminal penalties for … Continue Reading
June 27, 2025
Torres Slams Homeland Security Funding Bill That Slashes FEMA, Cybersecurity, and Veterans
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) condemned the Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations bill during a full committee markup, calling it “dangerous, cruel, and a threat to public safety, constitutional rights, and national security.” Torres blasted House Republicans for gutting FEMA, slashing cybersecurity funding, and enabling violent immigration enforcement tactics that have led to the wrongful detention and deportation of immigrants, veterans, and even … Continue Reading
June 27, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Condemns Republicans for Cutting $400 Million from Congressional Watchdog to Stop Investigations into the Trump Administration’s Illegal Actions
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres condemned the Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill during a full committee markup and led an amendment to prevent Republicans from cutting $400 million from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent watchdog that roots out waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government. Every dollar invested in the GAO results in $123 in savings, making GAO Congress’ most effective watchdog for protecting taxpayer … Continue Reading
June 26, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Introduces The Taxpayer Protection Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) unveiled The Taxpayer Protection Act, legislation that addresses politically motivated funding cuts, as well as the persistent imbalance between donor states’ federal tax contributions and the federal funding they receive. For months now, California has been subject to threats of across the board federal funding cuts because of the political whims of the Trump Administration. This is particularly offensive given California’s role … Continue Reading
June 25, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Leads Members in Requesting GAO Investigation into Potential Violations of Federal Law by ICE
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, joined by Congressman Jimmy Gomez, Congressman Lou Correa and Congresswoman Luz Rivas, sent a formal request to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro calling for a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into potential violations of the Antideficiency Act by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The request follows an alarming incident on June 7, 2025, in which ICE … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Leads Amendments to protect Americans’ Privacy, Ensure Safe Baby Formula, and Address the Threat of Bird Flu
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congresswoman Norma Torres led three amendments during the Appropriations Committee Markup of the FY2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Bill, offering critical amendments to safeguard tens of millions of Americans’ personal information from DOGE and protect the public servants who work to ensure the safety and supply of infant formula and address the ongoing threat of bird flu from the indiscriminate and lawless firings implemented by … Continue Reading
June 23, 2025
Congresswoman Torres Calls for Federal and State Labor Agencies to Protect Inland Empire Warehouse Workers from Dangerous Indoor Heat
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres sent a letter to Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer of the U.S. Department of Labor and Secretary Stewart Knox of the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, urging immediate and comprehensive measures to safeguard warehouse workers in the Inland Empire from dangerous heat conditions as summer temperatures soar. The Inland Empire serves as a critical logistics hub—handling nearly 40 percent of America’s imported goods—supporting … Continue Reading
June 12, 2025
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