Press Releases
Torres Re-Introduces Resolution Recognizing “Wildfire Preparedness Week”
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) this week re-introduced a resolution to recognize May 1st to May 7th as "Wildfire Preparedness Week," to educate the public on fire safety and preparedness. Every year, wildfire season in California increases in length and frequency of fires, and 85% of all wildland fires in the U.S. are caused by humans. "Wildfires are devastating to Californians, and to large parts of our nation," said Representative Torres. "As our region continues to … Continue Reading
April 28, 2022
Rep. Torres Requests Treasury Investigate and Sanction Corrupt Guatemalan Actors
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres today wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen requesting that the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) take stronger action to prevent corruption and human rights abuses in Guatemala, including investigating and sanctioning a number of Guatemalan nationals where available information suggests they may warrant designation as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs). The Department of State has reported to Congress the names of … Continue Reading
April 27, 2022
New Americans Caucus Co-Chairs Torres and Espaillat Honor Secretary Madeleine Albright’s Legacy
WASHINGTON - Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), co-chairs of the New Americans Caucus, released the following statement honoring the life and legacy of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on the day of her funeral. "Secretary Madeleine Albright was a champion for democracy and human rights. Her personal experience as a refugee and naturalized American shaped her values and decisions, and her success showed that our country is full of opportunity and … Continue Reading
April 22, 2022
Torres Attends Unveiling of the Liquid Rocket Lab at Cal Poly Pomona
POMONA, Calif. - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) attended the unveiling of Cal Poly Pomona's new Liquid Rocket Lab, funded in part through a $2.5 million grant obtained by Rep. Torres. The Liquid Rocket Lab is housed under the College of Engineering, where students and faculty are working to become the first university to launch a liquid rocket to space. This fiscal year 2020 funding is part of a total $25 million that Rep. Torres has secured to accelerate Cal Poly's educational … Continue Reading
April 21, 2022
Torres Applauds the Extradition of Former President Hernandez to the United States
POMONA, Calif. - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement on the news that former President of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernandez is being extradited to the United States:"Today is an important day for democracy and rule of law. Juan Orlando Hernandez has been directly linked to significant corruption and drug trafficking operations, with victims in Honduras, the U.S., and wherever else he helped peddle dangerous narcotics," said Rep. Torres. "I thank all … Continue Reading
April 20, 2022
Labor Secretary Walsh Joins Rep. Torres to Tour Workforce Training Center
FONTANA, Calif. - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) was joined by U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh to visit the Chaffey College Industrial Technical Learning Center (InTech) for a tour and brief roundtable with graduates, school leaders and local elected officials. The InTech Center has served more than 1,700 individuals and worked with approximately 150 employees since they opened in 2016. All trainings are provided at no cost to participants. "The Inland Empire has become … Continue Reading
April 19, 2022
Torres Announces More Than $1.5 Million from Department of Housing and Urban Development to Address Homelessness
POMONA, Calif. - Today, Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced that the California Department of Housing and Community Development is investing $1,568,261 in federal funding in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties for the purpose of reducing homelessness in the region. This funding, which comes from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will help individuals and families achieve economic and social independence through rapid rehousing assistance, emergency … Continue Reading
April 15, 2022
Torres Recognizes National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
POMONA, Calif. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement in recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week: "Public Safety Telecommunicators are the first line of defense in a crisis. Every time a 9-1-1 dispatcher answers the phone, the decisions they make can be the difference between life and death. They are the first, first responders in any crisis. That's why I introduced the 911 SAVES Act, to reclassify 911 dispatchers from office and … Continue Reading
April 12, 2022
Torres Announces $13.1M in Federal Transit Administration Funding for Nationwide Transit-Oriented Development
WASHINGTON - Today, Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is investing $13,157,184 million nationwide in transit-oriented development that will help ensure affordable housing is sited near transportation hubs. Congresswoman Torres championed this effort in her role on the powerful Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee. "Transit-oriented … Continue Reading
April 08, 2022
Torres Announces Nearly $690 Million in Federal Transit Administration Funding for Los Angeles – San Bernardino Region
WASHINGTON - Today, Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced that the Los Angeles - San Bernardino region will receive $689,735,476 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Congresswoman Torres fought for this funding as a member of the powerful Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee."I'm proud to announce this critical funding for our region that will help modernize and expand transit … Continue Reading
April 04, 2022
Torres, Crawford Introduce Bill to Mitigate Risks of El Salvador’s Adoption of Bitcoin as Legal Currency
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (D-CA-35), Chair of the Central America Caucus, and Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR-01), Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence's Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation, today introduced the Accountability for Cryptocurrency in El Salvador (ACES) Act to mitigate the risks to the United States of El Salvador's adoption of Bitcoin as legal currency. "Global financial institutions … Continue Reading
April 01, 2022
Congresswoman Torres Fights for Recognition and Empowerment of America’s 9-1-1 Dispatchers in Harvard Journal on Legislation
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April 01, 2022
Torres Urges Biden Administration Action on Central America Following Lifting of Title 42 Restrictions
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) urged the Biden Administration to take further action to stabilize Central America, ensure protections for asylum seekers, and expand access to citizenship following the news that Title 42 policy implemented by former President Trump to restrict border access during the COVID-19 pandemic will be lifted. "When Title 42 was implemented by the former president, we immediately saw it weaponized against asylum-seekers, who were treated … Continue Reading
March 30, 2022
U.S. Secretary of Education Cardona & State Superintendent Thurmond join Congresswoman Torres on Tours of Inland Empire Schools
FONTANA, Calif. - Yesterday, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) was joined by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond to visit two local schools and hear from students, teachers, and staff. Representative Torres and Secretary Cardona first toured De Anza Middle School in Ontario, before being joined by Superintendent Thurmond to visit the Chaffey College InTech Center in Fontana. "It's been an honor to welcome Secretary Cardona and … Continue Reading
March 27, 2022
Torres Visits Community Projects Sites to Highlight Local Funding Secured in Omnibus
POMONA, Calif. - This week, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) visited the sites of five Community Project Funding recipients in California's 35th Congressional District, and met with all 10 community project funding recipients, to highlight the $14.3 million in federal investments she secured in the omnibus funding package passed by Congress and recently signed into law. Torres is a member of the Appropriations Committee."It was a pleasure to meet with the recipients of the federal … Continue Reading
March 23, 2022
Torres Statement on the Passing of Secretary Madeleine Albright
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement on the passing of the 64th U.S. Secretary of State, and first female Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright: "I'm deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Secretary Madeleine Albright. She was a remarkable and inspirational woman, and a champion for democracy around the world. Her diplomatic work and strong advocacy for human rights made our country - and the world - safer. She was a powerful force for … Continue Reading
March 22, 2022
Torres Statement on News of Judge Erika Aifán's Resignation
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement on the news that Judge Erika Aifán, one of Guatemala's top anti-corruption prosecutors, has resigned and is seeking asylum. "Judge Aifán's work has been absolutely instrumental to the fight against corruption in Guatemala, and it is infuriating - although unsurprising - that she has been forced out of her country by those who have been the target of her efforts," said Congresswoman Torres. "This is just the … Continue Reading
March 18, 2022
Torres Advocates for Further Federal Judiciary Workplace Conduct Reforms in Light of New Report
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) today urged the federal judiciary to take additional steps toward workplace reform after the Judiciary Workplace Conduct Working Group released a new report and recommendations to "ensure an exemplary workplace." The new recommendations include a nationwide climate survey, additional remedies for employees who experience misconduct, and that employment complaints be examined by judges from different courts than where the complaint originates. As … Continue Reading
March 18, 2022
Torres Introduces Asbestos Disclosure Bill to Protect Renters and Homeowners
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) introduced the Asbestos Exposure in Housing Reduction Act to protect residents from asbestos exposure by requiring the disclosure of asbestos hazards in the sale and lease of residential dwellings, and implementing civil and criminal penalties for failure to disclose. "This legislation is an important step in protecting renters and homeowners from the dangerous and potentially deadly impacts of asbestos exposure," said Rep. Torres. " … Continue Reading
March 17, 2022
Torres Statement on Honduran Court Ruling Authorizing the Extradition of Former President Hernandez to the United States
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement on last night's Honduran court ruling to authorize the extradition of former President Juan Orlando Hernandez to the United States to be tried on drug-trafficking and firearm charges:"This is an important decision for justice and the rule of law. Last night's ruling by the Honduran court brings us one step closer to justice for all the victims of Juan Orlando Hernandez's violent corruption. Hernandez's actions … Continue Reading