Press Releases
Rep. Norma Torres Votes No on Extremist House GOP Defense Bill
Washington, D.C. - In response to the passage of the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement: “In the dead of night, extremist Republicans hijacked our nation’s annual defense funding bill - a historically bipartisan piece of legislation - to turn it into a wish list for the most radical elements of the Republican party. I could not in good conscience support a bill that attacks our troop readiness by … Continue Reading
June 26, 2023
Congresswoman Torres and Ranking Member Castro Joint Statement on Guatemalan General Election
Washington, D.C. - In response to yesterday's general election in Guatemala, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), the first Member of Congress to be born in Central America, and Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, issued the following statement: "As we monitor the results from yesterday's election, we remain deeply troubled that the Giammattei government blocked candidates from seeking public office, even … Continue Reading
June 24, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Decision
Washington, D.C. - Pro-Choice Caucus Vice Chair Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and reversed nearly half a century of legal precedent:"As a mother and grandmother, and on behalf of the 36 million women already suffering the consequences of the disastrous Dobbs decision, I am outraged. A year ago, the Supreme Court decided … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Criticizes Republican Poison Pills & Advances Military Cold Case Reform in Defense Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. - Following today's full committee markup of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee's fiscal year 2024 funding bill, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a member of the Appropriations Committee - released a statement:"I am disappointed, but unfortunately not surprised that instead of investing in our national security and the issues that matter most to our men and women in uniform, Republicans continue to let extremists hijack the routine government funding … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Opposes Extreme Republican Cuts, Promotes Judiciary Workplace Standards in Government Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. - Following today's markup of the House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee's fiscal year 2024 funding bill, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a member of the subcommittee - released the following statement:"Extremist Republicans have repeatedly abused this year's appropriations process to push their partisan priorities, and the Financial Services and General Government funding bill is no exception," said Congresswoman Torres. "In their … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Highlights Ontario-Based Company for Receiving 2023 Presidential Award for Export Achievements
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Secretary of Commerce honored Ontario-based AQMC as one of 11 companies to receive the President's 2023 "E" Award for Exports earlier this month. AQMC, which developed a method for sterilizing air and surfaces, received the award for its sustained increase of export sales over a four-year period. In response to the news, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - who represents Ontario in the U.S. House of Representatives - issued the following statement:"For the past … Continue Reading
June 20, 2023
Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Torres Statement on Republicans’ Latest Attempt to Erase Facts of January 6th Insurrection
Washington, D.C. - Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight Ranking Member Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement in response to recent actions by Republicans on the Committee:"Last week, after the House adjourned and Members of Congress returned to their districts, I learned that Oversight Subcommittee Republicans had arranged a transcribed interview of former acting US Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman regarding the events of January 6th. They … Continue Reading
June 16, 2023
Reps. Norma Torres & Brad Schneider Reintroduce the Multiple Firearm Sales Reporting Modernization Act
Washington, D.C. - Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Brad Schneider (IL-10) today reintroduced the Multiple Firearm Sales Reporting Modernization Act. The legislation requires all federal firearms licensees to report the sale of two or more long guns, including semi-automatic rifles such as AR-15s and AK-47s, to an individual within a 5-day period."As a former 9-1-1 dispatcher, I've heard the cries on the other side of the line after a horrific act of gun violence, and those calls … Continue Reading
June 15, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Unjust Conviction of José Rubén Zamora
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement after prominent Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora was sentenced yesterday: "Government should work for the people, not a powerful, corrupt few. The political persecution of José Rubén Zamora makes a mockery of the Guatemalan justice system. I condemn this brazen attack on journalists like Zamora who are simply doing their jobs by shining a light on the inner workings of the government. "Freedom … Continue Reading
June 15, 2023
Representatives Norma Torres & Adriano Espaillat Announce Bipartisan New Americans Caucus for the 118th Congress
Washington, D.C. - June is Immigrant Heritage Month, and today, Chair Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Co-Chair Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) relaunched the Congressional New Americans Caucus for the 118th Congress. The expanded, bipartisan Caucus is comprised of first-generation Members of Congress striving to promote and educate Congress on issues of importance to new Americans."I am thrilled to relaunch the New Americans Caucus because new and aspiring Americans need and … Continue Reading
June 15, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Commemorates 11th Anniversary of DACA
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement on the 11th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and prevents them from being deported:"I came to the U.S. as a child and empathize deeply with the countless young immigrants who have done the same. They deserve the same opportunity I had to become U.S. citizens and give back to their communities. For 11 … Continue Reading
June 13, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Denounces Extremist Republicans’ Efforts to Undermine Veterans’ Programs
Washington, D.C. - Following today's markup of the House Appropriations Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee's fiscal year 2024 funding bill, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) - a member of the Appropriations Committee - released the following statement:"The 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies funding bill is the result of Republicans taking unprecedented steps to ram through a partisan bill that fails to honor our … Continue Reading
June 06, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Statement on HHS’ Audit of Office of Refugee Resettlement
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today issued the following statement on the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) internal audit of the Office of Refugee Resettlement's (ORR) sponsor vetting and placement process for unaccompanied minors:"After fully reviewing HHS' audit of the ORR, I am deeply troubled by its findings. As someone who came to the United States as a child, I know firsthand how crucial it is for minors to have a secure, welcoming place to live … Continue Reading
May 31, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Statement on Debt Ceiling Vote
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement on tonight's vote to raise the debt ceiling in exchange for harmful spending cuts: "While I would never support defaulting on our nation's full faith and credit, I condemn Republicans' reckless attempts to hold our economy and constituents hostage. Though Democrats succeeded in protecting Medicare and critical veterans' health care benefits in this agreement, I could not support a bill that ties our … Continue Reading
May 29, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Commemorates Memorial Day, Demands Justice for Enrique Roman-Martinez
Pomona, CA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today joined Inland Empire families in commemorating Memorial Day and marking the anniversary of the unsolved murder of Army Specialist Enrique Roman-Martinez, a Chino native. Three years ago, Spc. Roman-Martinez was murdered while camping with seven other servicemembers in North Carolina's Outer Banks. A week later, his partial remains were found washed ashore, and his death remains a cold case."This Memorial Day, I'm proud to join our … Continue Reading
May 23, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Reintroduces Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today reintroduced the Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act, which would allocate $10,000,000 for the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop technologies to mitigate wildfire-related electrical grid damage. The legislation authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide grants to the DOE National Laboratories for projects to protect power grids from fire damage, monitor vegetation management, and protect first responders."Californians deserve a … Continue Reading
May 18, 2023
Reps. Torres, Correa & Espaillat Reintroduce Remote Naturalization Act
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today reintroduced the Remote Naturalization Act to give naturalized U.S. citizens the option to take their naturalization oath via videoconferencing technology or over the phone. The Congresswoman's legislation is cosponsored by Congressmen Lou Correa (CA-46) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).Since 2015, a growing naturalization application backlog has left hundreds of thousands of new Americans mere steps away from citizenship. During the … Continue Reading
May 11, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Introduces Bill to Establish Pilot Program to Repair Damage from Mudslides
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) introduced the "Mudslide Recovery Act," legislation directing the Departments of Interior and Homeland Security to establish a pilot grant program to address damage from mudslides. These highly destructive debris flows can occur both immediately and years after wildfires in response to intense rainfall, often with little warning. Mudslides strip vegetation, block drainage ways, damage homes and infrastructure, and endanger human … Continue Reading
May 01, 2023
Congresswoman Torres Leads 30+ Members of Congress to Recognize April 30th – May 6th as Wildfire Preparedness Week
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) led over 30 Members of Congress in introducing a resolution to designate April 30th - May 6th as Wildfire Preparedness Week. The resolution aims to increase public awareness about wildfires nationally and coincides with the State of California's initiatives to enhance fire safety and preparedness."No one should ever be forced to endure the financial, physical, and emotional consequences that come with losing a home. Having lost my own … Continue Reading
May 01, 2023
Torres, CAPAC Members and House Democratic Leader Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. — May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a celebration of the history, the immeasurable contributions, and achievements of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. To commemorate this month-long celebration, members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statements:Rep. Norma Torres (CA-35):"Thousands of Asian … Continue Reading