Press Releases
Torres Announces $5M in Federal Funding Headed to Ontario International Airport
ONTARIO - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced today a federal grant in the amount of $5,005,421 awarded to Ontario International Airport, the Inland Empire's regional transportation hub. The funding, allocated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, covers the cost of significant runway/taxiway reconstruction and repairs at the airport.Under the American Rescue Plan of 2021, the federal share of this grant increased to 100 percent of the project's cost. With the allocation, the … Continue Reading
July 07, 2021
Torres: Latest List Validates Longtime Efforts to Deny Corrupt & Undemocratic Central American Leaders U.S. Aid
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), the sole Central American serving in Congress and Co-Chair of the Congressional Central America Caucus, commented today on a list of corrupt Central American officials prepared and made public by the U.S. State Department last week.The document directly names individuals across the political spectrum, throughout different sectors, as well as current and former high-level officials in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. It is the second … Continue Reading
July 07, 2021
Torres-Led Changes & Funding Requests Pass House in Surface Transportation Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) applauded as numerous provisions and funding requests that she offered to the INVEST in America Act passed with the bill last week. Congresswoman Torres released the following statement: "Federal transportation investments help communities thrive, which is why my focus during the amendment process was to ensure equity, accessibility, and opportunity in this bill," Rep. Norma J. Torres said. "From extending transportation options to … Continue Reading
July 03, 2021
Torres Welcomes HHS Secretary Becerra to Pomona for Fairplex Emergency Intake Site Tour
POMONA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), today visited the Pomona Fairplex Emergency Intake Site (EIS) with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra. Rep. Torres and Sec. Becerra met with Cherokee Federal and the Department of Health and Homeland Security at the site. Some of the amenities Rep. Torres and Sec. Becerra visited include: the intake center, phone banking, medical center, classrooms, dormitories, and recreation areas. "I was honored to … Continue Reading
June 30, 2021
Torres: Republican Obstruction on January 6th Betrays our Democracy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today helped pass House Resolution 503, which establishes the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. The Resolution passed by a vote of 222 to 190 with only two Republican votes. Congresswoman Torres, who has publicly recounted her traumatic experience being trapped in the House Chamber during the attack, released the following statement excoriating lawmakers who obstructed … Continue Reading
June 30, 2021
Torres Influences Central America Policy in Key Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), the sole Central American serving in Congress and Co-Chair of the Congressional Central America Caucus, today announced numerous provisions focused on U.S.-Central America policy that she included in the fiscal year 2022 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill being considered by the Committee this week. Rep. Torres is a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, as well as a member of the State and Foreign Operations … Continue Reading
June 30, 2021
Torres Secures $2M for New Water Infrastructure in Bloomington
BLOOMINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today announced $2 million in funding she requested to upgrade Bloomington's water infrastructure in the FY22 Interior Appropriations bill. The West Valley Water District will use the funds for their Bloomington Alleyway Pipeline Project. Specifically, the project will provide for: New water pipelines in the aging community; New fire hydrants to address safety concerns; New water meters for local residents; and New connections to existing … Continue Reading
June 28, 2021
Torres Announces Over $7M in Funding for Local Head Start Programs
POMONA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced today $7,504,361 in grant funding for local Head Start programs serving children throughout the Inland Empire. The funding is allocated by the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion relief package passed by Congress and signed into law on March 11, 2021. The awardees of these grants include the County of San Bernardino, Foothill Family, and Volunteers of America Southwest—entities that administer Head Start learning and development … Continue Reading
June 25, 2021
Torres Secures $1 Million for Cal Poly Pomona
POMONA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today announced that $1 million in funding she requested for Cal Poly Pomona is included in the FY22 Financial Services and Good Government (FSGG) Appropriations bill. Congresswoman Torres is a Member of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds numerous government agencies important to the Inland Empire, including the Small Business Administration, the Department of the Treasury, and the Federal … Continue Reading
June 24, 2021
Torres Secures and Delivers $27M in Funding for Ontario International Airport
POMONA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced today an award of $27,151,749 in federal relief funding for Ontario International Airport, a regional transportation hub in the Inland Empire. The funds, championed by Torres for inclusion in the American Rescue Plan of 2021, are allocated to help airports overcome the financial toll of the coronavirus pandemic. This allotment is part of the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Rescue Grants program—a program responsible for … Continue Reading
June 18, 2021
Torres Reintroduces Legislation Protecting Central American Women & Children
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Co-Chair of the Congressional Central America Caucus, re-introduced the Central American Women and Children Protection Act this week. The legislation would protect women and children in the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras from domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and neglect, and hold perpetrators of these acts accountable for their actions. If enacted, the bill would authorize the U.S. … Continue Reading
June 14, 2021
Torres Welcomes Special Envoy Zuniga to Central America Caucus Inaugural Event
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Co-Chair of the Congressional Central America Caucus, welcomed Special Envoy for the Northern Triangle Ricardo Zuniga to the Caucus' inaugural event of the 117th Congress. The virtual briefing was an opportunity for the bipartisan group of lawmakers to hear directly from a key official within the Biden Administration's efforts to address root causes of migration in Central America and other regional issues. Torres, who is the sole … Continue Reading
June 10, 2021
Reps. Torres, Grijalva Urge DOJ to Drop Lawsuit Benefitting For-Profit Prison Industry
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03) today led 24 lawmakers in sending a letter to Attorney General Merick Garland, urging him to consider dropping a Department of Justice legal challenge against the State of California regarding AB 32 (People not Profit), which aims to ban privately operated prisons and detention centers. The lawmakers note that continuing the ongoing appeal puts the Department of Justice in the way of President Biden's … Continue Reading
June 10, 2021
Rep. Torres & Sens. Padilla, Warren Introduce Legislation to Improve Equity in Higher Education By Helping Students Access Basic Needs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Norma Torres (D-Calif.), along with U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), introduced the Basic Assistance for Students in College (BASIC) Act, bicameral legislation to ensure college students are able to meet their basic needs while pursuing their education. U.S Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) are cosponsors of the bill. The bicameral legislation provides $1 billion for grants to ensure … Continue Reading
June 09, 2021
Torres Legislation Expanding Access to Education Opportunities for Veterans Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today celebrated as her bill, the G.I Veterans Education Empowerment Act (GIVE Act) was signed into law by President Biden as part of a larger legislative package called the Training in High-Demand Roles to Improve Veteran Employment Act (THRIVE Act). Torres' bill adds new categories and information to the G.I. Comparison Tool, an online resource designed to help service members make decisions about their G.I. benefits and explore … Continue Reading
June 08, 2021
Torres’ Funding Priorities for I.E. Advance in Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today announced that two community funding projects she championed were included in the 2021 House surface transportation package, known as the INVEST in America Act. Combined, the projects are a $20 million infrastructure investment in the Inland Empire.$5 Million for Pine Avenue Extension: Rep. Torres secured $5 million to help extend Pine Avenue in the City of Chino out to the 71 Freeway. The $50 million project has been in planning … Continue Reading
June 04, 2021
Torres Includes Transportation Equity Provisions in Surface Transportation Package
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) applauded the authors of the House surface transportation funding package unveiled today for including provisions drawn from her bill, the Fair Transportation Act of 2021. Torres' legislation, which is designed to ensure Department of Transportation (DOT) funding is dispersed equitably by federal, state, and local entities, will provide a strong basis for research, planning, and best practices to take into account economically … Continue Reading
June 02, 2021
Torres Announces $895K for Western University of Health Sciences
POMONA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today announced two grants totaling $895,522 in grant funding—federal dollars she championed during the application process—to the Western University of Health Sciences for behavioral health training and heart disease research. These two grants are being allocated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). $472,522 is allocated via the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Professionals, and will … Continue Reading
May 31, 2021
Torres Commemorates Memorial Day as I.E. Marks One Year Anniversary of Roman-Martinez Murder
POMONA - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today joined families across the Inland Empire in commemorating Memorial Day. The national holiday to honor fallen servicemembers also marks one year since the disappearance of Army Specialist Enrique Roman-Martinez, a twenty-one-year-old Chino native stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, who disappeared while camping with seven other servicemembers in the Outer Banks, and whose remains were found washed ashore a week later. Congresswoman Torres released … Continue Reading
May 25, 2021
Torres Introduces Bill Addressing Dangers of Illicit Nitrous Oxide Use
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today introduced the Myles Edward Scott Act, legislation to address the illicit recreational use of nitrous oxide. Torres' legislation is named in honor of Myles ‘Eddie' Scott, a Rialto teen who was tragically killed in a nitrous-involved car accident just one week after graduating high school in 2014. The driver of the vehicle Myles was riding in lost consciousness after inhaling N2O as a recreational drug. Nitrous oxide, or N2O, has a … Continue Reading